From: malexan@a.cs.okstate.edu (ALEXANDER MICHAEL)
Subject: Re: Is Trent dead?   NIN
Organization: Oklahoma State University, Computer Science, Stillwater
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 19:32:57 GMT


(sounds of someone dragging out the soapbox and blowing the dust off)

	I do not wish to get caught in this argument of who is industrial and
who isn't, nor do I wish to get in a shouting match over whether or not NIN
is good or original.  I would, however, like to remind some people of a few
basic points which they seem to have forgotten.  First of all, music is a form
of art.  Art, by it's very nature, cannot be evaluated by any objective means.
Whether or not music is good is an individual judgement, and I doubt that any
two people can be produced whose opinions completely match.  In light of this,
the only way to judge whether or not music is "good" is to evaluate it statis-
tically.  If a lot of people like a song or group, then it obviously is accom-
plishing its goal of being entertaining better than a song or gruop that only
appeals to a select few.  Judging by this critereon, Michael Jackson, INXS or
even (retch) Maddonna could be considered much "better" than, say, Ministry.
I admit that I do prefer Ministry to any of the more popular groups, but by the
only quantitative means availible, Michael Jackson comes out far ahead.  NIN
may not be "real" industrial music, but so what?  I'm sure not even those that 
consider Reznor a "sellout" would say they prefer Maddonna, and you must admit
that Reznor has a more industrial sound than your average MTV excrement.  I
started listening to industrial after I got "Pretty Hate Machine" and then 
started listening to Ministry (niether of which claims to be industrial, acc-
ording to a previous post).  If I can play "Head Like a Hole" in Stillwater,
OK, and get more people out on the dance floor than the current Garth Brooks
hit, I'd say NIN has done industrial music some good, whether he's part of it
or not.
	This may piss some people off, however.  They are so bent on being not
a part of the crowd, they will follow any trend labeled as different.  If you 
really don't care what the herd says, you will follow your own feelings, even
(gasp) if it means doing something every one else is doing.  Just because music
is popular doesn't mean it's a "sellout".  There is a difference between making
music to appeal to the public and making music that a lot of people like.  Take
NIN for instance; if Reznor is a "sellout" and is making music just for the 
money, then why is his music even more popular now than it was three years ago?
Look in any record store at three year old albums; "Pretty Hate Machine" will 
always be stocked up, because more and more people are starting to like it.
Now look at "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste"; there will probably only
be one or two copies buried under "Psalm 69".  Now which of these two is the 
most shallow and transient?
	Due to the fact that life is not all black and white, but consists
instead of a myriad shades of grey, this newsgroup is going to be the recip-
ient of anything anyone considers even vaguely industrial.  The only way to 
keep track of what's happening in the music world is to look at the fringes
of society.  Who knows, one of those groups that you refuse to accept may be
the future trend in "industrial" music.  Just think; if Jourgensen does go 
country, maybe Garth Brooks will be showing up at Lallapalooza...

					--msa
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Surrealism: to go above and beyond the call of reality.
-- 
Program Naked!!!!!