It’s Not Over until the Portrait of the Fat Lady Sings

One phrase resounded from the lips of the biggest Harry Potter fans on the opening night of Deathly Hallows part II: “I can’t believe it’s over.” Call me in denial, call me crazy; if you’re Aunt Petunia, call me unusual, but I beg to differ with all the mourning fans. That sentiment implies that the love for Harry Potter was contingent upon the anticipation people felt for the movie releases. While the movies were eagerly awaited, and were met by a love/disappointment relationship by fans, they did not sustain the interest in Harry Potter any more than the TV series Trueblood sustains interest in the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Naysayer fans could be heard spouting the same emotional “I can’t believe it’s over” during the book 7 midnight release parties as well. Since that time, most have continued to read the books, or at least return to them between reading other books (because let’s face it – the Harry Potter fans have become one of the most well-read groups in society since learning that books can take you on amazing journeys). The Harry Potter series is complex enough to inspire analysis, familiar enough to provide a welcome escape, and filled with enough moral and social issues to provoke a multitude of meditations and discussions.

It is true (as far as we know), that J.K. Rowling will not write any more books featuring Harry Potter, and Warner Bros. has no more films to make – for now. However, does Gene Roddenberry’s passing stop Star Trek enthusiasts from trekking to conventions, or stop fans from writing fiction based on his concept? Does J.R.R. Tolkien’s death stop Lord of the Rings fans from continuing to buy, read, and respect his books? The answer these questions is the same as the answer to whether or not Harry Potter is “over.” As long as the books can be bought, traded, or borrowed, new and old readers alike will continue to be inspired by and entertained with Harry, his friends, and their adventures. Like a branch of Gubraithian fire, Harry Potter will burn on in the hearts of fans forever.

How fresh is How Soon is Now?

Ok, so I've mentioned how I feel about song remakes before. I just heard one again that I had forgotten about - Love Spit Love's cover of The Smiths' "How Soon is Now?" from The Craft Soundtrack in the mid-90's. Maybe I blocked it out due to my love and devotion for the original, I don't know. I would love to love this version, since members of The Psychadelic Furs were involved, but alas...all I hear are the ways in which this singer is NOT Morrissey. Not that he should be, but this song needs Morrissey.

Anyway, the point is this: when a song is remade, it has the potential of reminding everyone of the original and paying it respect. Furthermore, to be a good cover, it should be updated in some way or have a little something special added. Otherwise, what's the point? Therein lies the problem though. For fans of the original, it can be tricky to accept and respect a new version.

This problem is not limited to bands doing covers of others' songs. Sometimes, a band can ruin their own previous work. Someone please tell Stevie Nicks to quit messing with "Landslide," for instance. Or how about when Alanis Morissette came back from India all chill and did slow acoustic versions of the previously angsty "You Oughtta Know" and others...? I appreciated the idea of taking a new approach to the songs, singing them with more maturity and insight, but wasn't the point of the songs made moot by that approach? Why not simply write new songs that show how mature and beyond angst you've become, and see how well those sell?

There are some good covers out there, and a few even surpass the originals, but they are few and far between. For the most part, artists should strive to create their own work that exemplifies their messages to the world, lest we end up with Justin Beiber covering Nirvana, or other such nonsense. Actually, that might be worth hearing - at least once.

...lest history repeat itself...

On this day in 1942 a little girl named Anne Frank was given a diary. It's too bad the U.S. wouldn't let her immigrate when her family tried desperately to get her to safety.

NOT Topic

Ok, so when I walked past the Hot Topic store at my local mall last month and saw Justin Bieber t-shirts & other paraphenalia prominently displayed, I cocked my head a bit and thought hmmm...interesting choice for a store that is supposed to be a retail refuge for "alternative" kids. After a moment of thought, I dismissed this anomaly by reminding myself that Bieber was discovered in a unique way and mentored by a rap artist. I mean, that's sort of alternative, right? Besides, Hot Topic exists to make money, as any parent who has gone in to buy anything for their child in there knows all to well. I admit that I have dropped quite a few dollars in there for my kids (and myself to be honest - where else can you find cool band tees like that in Dallas?) Oh, and I always make sure to give $1 to the Hot Topic foundation to support keeping music programs in schools. That is completely off topic for this blog, but I thought the idea was worth mentioning.
A week ago I learned that the Bieber anomaly was not, well, an anomaly. Hot Topic will be restructuring its stores, limiting the "gothic", "alternative", and "oppressive" merchandise in order to prevent "scaring away" people from its dark aura. What? People who want sunshine and daisies aren't the ones who have kept Hot Topic successfully in business in malls across the country. I understand that the store can seem dark, even satanic to some parents as they gasp when their tween wants to enter the store for the first time. This is when parents need to remember not to judge anything by its appearance. This is the time for parents to learn more about "alternative" music and lifestyle and ask their kids what appeals to them about these things.
As one who grew up listening to The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Cult, and many other bands who paved the way for those currently displayed on the t-shirts at Hot Topic (that is, until they are ousted by Bieber), I can assure parents that often these "alternative" bands sing about issues that are more real to angst-ridden teens than Bieber's "baby, baby, baby, oooooh...." This is nothing to fear; on the contrary, music and art can help tweens, teens, and adults work through the issues that face them. Many of the bands that seem very dark at first glance are very deep, sensitive, and insightful. Heck, I know of several (such as AFI) that are completely drug-free and vegan! How's that for a good role-model for your teen?
I worry that the wussification of Hot Topic is just another symptom of the ultra-conservative trend in American culture right now. Instead of uniting, many people are becoming more polarized and obsessed with that which divides us instead of what makes us all human beings. So where are all the "alternative" kids going to shop now? Shall they become Aberzombies too? No, real punk kids will do what punks have done all along - make thier own t-shirts with spray paint or whatever they can get their hands on and not overpay a huge corporation that has sold them out.

Hello Blogspot people...

Okay, so now that my blog isn't just for an assignment, I thought I'd spruce it up some. I browsed through the templates and was very disturbed by the limited choices. Most are versions of the same blan background/fonts/colors. Hellooo blogspot...where's the creativity? I guess I'll have to learn to create my own. I'll get back to you in a year. Or two. Or several...

No Longer an Assignment!!!

I don't have to keep up this blog for a Lit assignment anymore, so now I'm more free to express my thoughts on all things media.

I just bought a Bad Lieutenant CD simply because the sticker on the cover said, "From members of Joy Division & New Order" - I asked the owner at CD Addict (NEVER BUY MUSIC FROM WAL-MART PLEASE: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC STORE!!!)and he said it was mellow. I'm finding that mellow is truly the best way to describe it so far. It might be just a bit too mellow for me, but there are some lovely songs. It would be a great CD to put on while reading, or hanging out on a rainy day. I accidently played it on shuffle, so I didn't experience the CD the way it was meant to be heard. A lot of thought usually goes into the order of songs. Overall, this is a nice reprieve from the Lady Gaga, etc. that has recently dominated my listening experience.

More McLuhan-inspired Insight