Trends we admire, Trends we dispise

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Tref

God Bless the 1970s. I'd go back if I could.

Yup, it's all about perspective. If I'd been born in a different era I'm sure I would have been a fan of different things. We're shaped by what's around us.

I'd never say that everyone must like what I like, since there's no conceivable way to make a 60 year old truly understand what early-1990's alternative meant to me...or to make me truly understand what the Charleston meant to the generation that came of age in the 1920's. It's regional too, since I'll never truly understand country music, or the NY music scene.

Sure, I can appreciate good music of many different eras/styles/regions to some degree, but will it ever mean as much to me as the music that gave me solace during my teen years? Nah.

Same goes for fashion/architecture/etc etc.

[Not Afraid]

OK. Here's a some thoughts about "trendy" art.

Nagel (think Duran Duran album covers) was HUGE in the 80's. People bought print for huge amounts and throught they were buying art. Nice graphics but definantely not timeless.

Thomas Kincade was the '90's version or commercial art and is still a presence today.

We have Shag doing is thing now and being a one man design industry. Now, I really like shag designs because they are some of the first, well done modern renditions of an era that I actually remembered. But, is he the Nagel of this decade?

I think he's got a lot of style and, although his work is EXTREMLY commercial, it's fun. But, will it last or will it just be another trend that may be "rediscovered" in anoather 50 years?

[€uroMeinke]

I think the comparison of Shag to Nagel is a good one. I do love his design and iconography (heh, since much is lifted from the likes of Disney) but yeah, I have to wonder how long this retro-contemporary look will remain in fashion? Still more intriguing is what will be the next "cool" possibly something less polished, raw, and more emotional?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I think the key is, if you like something trendy, that's great, but don't pretend it's anything but trendy.

I don't have any illusions about the things I like. For one thing, I know that Shag and the tiki/lounge/mid century style he represents will go back out of style, and I'm ok with that. For now, I'm digging it, and I know I'll always enjoy it to some degree, even when no one else does. Same goes for my low-rise jeans, my appreciation of Mythbusters, and whatever else. I can be a conformist, but only when what I'm into is deemed cool by the masses

[Not Afraid]

I disagree. I understand the Rave scene, the Charlston, Jazz as much as I do Punk because some of the same idealism and rebellion and pushing of boundries was present in all of these things. What I will never understand is the medeoricrity that seems to come out of this beauty. I admire artists, musicians, architects who forged their own path, that challenged the norms. I usually dislike those that stole those ideas and made them commercial and squuzed all of the life out of them. That's how I feel about 80's pop music. The genesis was soooo damned great and it ended up THERE? Ugh.

For me, it really has nothing to do with my age, but in what I appreciate in these things.

[Kevy Baby]

I have enjoyed watching this thread. Because a lot of this boils down to personal taste and preference. I celebrate our differences; even if I don't much personally care for the actual particulars of what another is digging on, I am glad that we, as a whole, have so many different choices.

I am a fan of "Classic Rock" - one of my favorite things about the seventies. Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Outlaws, The Eagles (an oft maligned band)... the list is long and varied. But this is counter to the musical preferences of some of my friends. Cool. So we won't be going to particular concerts together. But that by no means dictates that we can't be friends. I try not to decide against any style of music or other trends without at least giving it a try.

Time is also an interesting player in this equation. I didn't much care for punk in the late 70's and early 80's as it came across as too angry and too "loud" (not in the volume sense of the word). But as time went on, it doesn't seem like that at all to me.

It often amuses me that each generation of parents/authority figures complains about how the "music is bad for our children." Tpper Gore and her PMRC was up in arms about the music (and we have their ilk to blame/credit for th "Parental Advisory" labels). But that was the same generation who grew up listening to Peter Frampton who THEIR parents complained about even though they grew up listening to Elvis. Thankfully, I think society is growing (slowly) and learning that music is not evil.

I think we also, as individuals, go through our own trends. I cannot stay listening to any one group or style of music though I have a tendency to lock on to one for a while. Some of my recent "trends" include 40's/50's jazz vocals, eighties dance (King, DOA, Stacy Q, Danse Society, Q-Feel), techno (including a whole CD I burned of techno remakes of classic rock songs), jazz and blues (old and new) (Stevie Ray Vaughn and Miles Davis both have spent time in the CD player recently), and Salsa & Merengue. And sometimes I like just mixing it all up: click on the main library in iTunes and just shuffle away. Sarah Vaughan to Oingo Boingo to Moby to Josh Groban to Molly Hatchet to Dirty Vegas. Keeps me amused.

And I never liked avocado green or harvest gold appliances. But I do like ultra low-rise jeans with the underwear showing - what can I say: I'm a guy.

[Name]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

And I never liked avocado green or harvest gold appliances. But I do like ultra low-rise jeans with the underwear showing - what can I say: I'm a guy.

Butt Cleavage, gotta love it.

[mistyisjafo]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

I am a fan of "Classic Rock" - one of my favorite things about the seventies. Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Outlaws, The Eagles (an oft maligned band)... the list is long and varied. But this is counter to the musical preferences of some of my friends. Cool. So we won't be going to particular concerts together. But that by no means dictates that we can't be friends. I try not to decide against any style of music or other trends without at least giving it a try..

I'm with you on that one. I'll try just about any music once. So far I'm not a fan of most country western music. But again, it's not like I wouldn't try listening to it.

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

It often amuses me that each generation of parents/authority figures complains about how the "music is bad for our children." Tpper Gore and her PMRC was up in arms about the music (and we have their ilk to blame/credit for th "Parental Advisory" labels). But that was the same generation who grew up listening to Peter Frampton who THEIR parents complained about even though they grew up listening to Elvis. Thankfully, I think society is growing (slowly) and learning that music is not evil..

Very true! My parents grew up during the time when Sinatra was "evil". If you can imagine. They in turn were horrified when they heard me listening to Oingo Boingo, Duran Duran, Billy Idol or even classic rock. I guess we all just want to protect our kids from those things we (the parent) don't understand or like.

[lizziebith]

Sushi: sorry, that ain't what I call "food." Bah-bye!!!

[Boss Angeles]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I disagree. I understand the Rave scene, the Charlston, Jazz as much as I do Punk because some of the same idealism and rebellion and pushing of boundries was present in all of these things. What I will never understand is the medeoricrity that seems to come out of this beauty. I admire artists, musicians, architects who forged their own path, that challenged the norms. I usually dislike those that stole those ideas and made them commercial and squuzed all of the life out of them. That's how I feel about 80's pop music. The genesis was soooo damned great and it ended up THERE? Ugh.

For me, it really has nothing to do with my age, but in what I appreciate in these things.

Woah. (glaze recedes from left eyeball) You are soooo CASH.