The DORF Matrix: Towards a Theory of NPR's Taste in Black Music

Slate ^ | October 12, 2009 | Jody Rosen

[a fool in paradise]

The revisionist history is to say that some white people “hated” disco, not because it was prattling pop music for douchebag cokeheads, but because it was recorded by homosexuals and black people.

[Mr. Blonde]

How basic is your definition of “rock”?

Wilco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Silversun Pickups fall in what most people consider rock. Wilco has moved well out of alt country. The newest YYYs isn’t as much rock as the first two, but rock none the less. Silversun Pickups is just rock.

There are better examples of straight up rock this year, but some of those albums might not be as strong all the way through as these.

[San Jacinto]

I would have won my bet. Never heard of a single one of them-- song or artist.

For me, the music died The Day the Music Died.

Now days I only listen to what they call "Texas Music". We have two or three local FM stations where that is all they play.

It is kind of remarkable that there are enough songs just about Texas and just by Texans* to keep all those stations going 24/7. But it works for me.

*Cross Canadian Ragweed is technically from Oklahoma, but they make most of their money in Texas. I give them an exemption.

[truthfreedom]

That list is simply a list of “indie rock / pop”.

See Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com

In 2009, indie rock has become quite popular for a style of music that is rarely if ever played on commerical radio. Indie and Commercial are quite split these days, fans of Indie do not want commercial radio music at all. (But U2 is on the list - so, that’s not 100%).

I prefer indie, myself. I have downloaded at least 20 of the albums on that list, and they’re good albums worth listening to.

[truthfreedom]

But you’re obviously familiar with Amy Winehouse, know she’s famous, etc., and know that she’s a big part of the white retro soul revival. I’m not a fan of Amy Winehouse, but i’m not really a big fan of retro soul. I’d take the indie top 30 albums chart as appears on this thread.

[Brookhaven]

To make a long story short, NPR listeners are eliteist.

[Mr. Blonde]

The music scene in Texas is amazingly vibrant.

Why Hayes Carll's Trouble In Mind didn't make him the biggest country artist around last year is a mystery to me. But he isn't he first Texas singer/songwriter to not get the acclaim they deserve.

If you did want to branch out of Texas, Virginian Neko Case has an amazing voice, and would be somewhat similar to what I assume you are listening to. If I didn't know who she was I would be tempted to give the album a listen based on artwork alone, I don't know if that will sway you or not,



From the list, my other recommendation would be North Carolina's Avett Brothers. Their Wikipedia page contains a critical comparison to Texans Townes Van Zandt and Buddy Holly. Here is the title track from their newest album. It was produced by Rick Rubin and only continues his streak of producing the best albums of any artist in any genre.

[San Jacinto]

Couple of pretty nice looking cougars.

[a fool in paradise]

Amy Winehouse isn’t big because of talent. The band is the band and they don’t sell half the albums under their own name/label that she does (even though they have the talent).

Her life is a trainwreck and that’s what Hollywood and London likes.

[a fool in paradise]

The music didn’t die because of Buddy Holly’s plane crash.

Big Bopper had a fluke novelty hit. Chantilly Lace was the FLIP side of his record.

Ritchie Valens may or may not have lasted.

The music died because the suits shut it down. Elvis got drafted. Chuck Berry got arrested. Jerry Lee Lewis got brought down in scandal. Little Richard saw the writing on the wall and switched to gospel (he’s left rock and roll several times in his conflicted life).

They were replaced with homosexual poster idols, communist folk singers, and junkie jazz musicians. The suits always claimed that rock and roll was just a fad. Rock and roll doesn’t need the suits to survive.

[truthfreedom]

I’m not in favor of Amy Winehouse, not defending Amy Winehouse. You’re right about your assessments of Winehouse.
There’s probably something else in Winehouse’s bio that the media likes.

[Mr. Blonde]

I think she has a great sounding voice. And she was becoming famous before she became the trainwreck she currently is. Maybe they saw it coming, but she was on the radio before she was all over the tabloids.

Your hypothesis probably does explain why they don’t lock her in rehab for a year though. Back to Black will sell huge the week she dies.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Apparently she’s cleaned up her act. She divorced that guy she was with, and says now that their whole relationship was based around doing drugs. She’s put some weight back on and looks healthier in general, although that’s relative in her case.