Sonic Youth Gossip - so what is it about kim that you like?

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- - so what is it about kim that you like? (http://www.sonicyouth.com/gossip/showthread.php?t=62965)

She never claimed to be a musician, though she is half of a tight and interesting rhythm section. Listen to the break in "Kool Thing," e.g. Without a solid singing voice (some people just don't have a capacity for pitch etc), she developed a unique vocal style that suits the band and "her" songs perfectly. Some people don't care for it, but I think it is incredibly powerful. Her feminist ideals aren't clear to me. She negotiates feminism on multiple levels, in multiple ways. Her lyrics are often empowering, even for the fellas (like me). I think if you find them shallow and vapid, you are projecting your notion of what they are. She doesn't have a stance so much as a voice...if that makes sense. And that has a vast, deep, and substantial appeal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek

Not starting a flame war or trying to be a dick but I'm just interested exactly what the reasons for her fanbase was.

I mean, in my opinion, she is the weakest musician in the band, her art has no complexity and her feminist ideals seem shallow and vapid. So what is it about her?

Exactly. She yields her sexuality--takes command of it--against the shallow and vapid violence of mind and body.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreverasskiss

Yeah I know, the 'Preppy killer" and all that shit, but I tend to ignore that when I hear it.

I'm hearing what you guys are saying but I still don't have any changed stance on her. Oh well.

Because her lyrics are not blunt and openly political, I think perhaps it's easier for me to relate to them, because I'm a girl? This was especially true for being a girl trying to fit in an environment that is mostly masculine, bands and rock music and whatnot, which I think is reflected in a lot of the lyrics. I don't think they are making feminist statements in any serious or academic way, just portraying how it can feel sometimes.

^ uhh hello! Malibu Gas Station1!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirttail

Technically speaking, Kim is obviously not the most gifted guitar/bass player. She also can't sing well at all (remember that embarrassing performance of "Reena" on Letterman? Her vocals are an acquired taste, but that was just atrocious, even for a Kim apologist like me). However, I have the impression that her aesthetic sensibility is the most dominating in the group. I think she plays a large part in molding the songs by voicing what's working for her and what's not. A Thousand Leaves exudes Kim to me, as does most of Nurse. On the other hand, I don't feel Kim at all on The Eternal.

I think you're right. I'm not saying that's the case here, but having "vision" is what separates an artist from a musician.

I Love Kim Gordon

All other comments aside, I love Kim because she has participated in the creation of some of what I consider to be the best music ever made.

I'm with Derek on this one. She's always annoyed me way more than actually impressing me. She has written some decent lyrics over the years, but for the most part I hate her lyrical style and her bass playing is awful; Most of the time it's barely heard unless it's something Thurston or Mark wrote/played.

Sorry Kim fans, she's just never done it for me. I won't even bother saying more since most of you are pretty firm on her as it is.

~Jeremy~

Jeremy Spoke In Claaaaaaaaaaasssss Todayyyyyyyyyyy