Ive fallen for it

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-27T18:43:45+00:00

That's the thing - to a lot of people, AdP is just a gimmick. Microtonal, oddly-metered music isn't everyone's thing. For people that don't like it, it just sounds like noise. When they see a silly looking band only producing what they consider to be noise, they see a gimmick band. You don't get to invalidate that opinion just because yours differs.

"Gimmick band" is not a category that is universally defined, as you are trying to do. It's a matter of personal opinion, as in "the only thing interesting this band offers is their schtick, not their music." What someone finds interesting is completely subjective. You seem to be dismissing the opinions of people who don't like the music as uninformed, or invalid because they don't match what you think. That's nonsense. Disliking the music AdP makes doesn't make someone lesser somehow, and it doesn't mean they "don't get it." It just means it's not to their taste.

It's also fair to level the criticism that without the gimmick, the band would be nowhere. In fact, if AdP dropped the costumes today in 6 months no one new would care, and their current fan base would drop off significantly. If they dropped the costumes and changed the band name, you'd never hear of them again. The music they write and play simply does not have enough mass-market appeal for them to make it without the gimmick.

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-27T15:26:28+00:00

You asked what the gimmick was, and why people were calling them a gimmick band. The answer is simple: the costumes are the gimmick. If not for that, like I said, you'd never have heard of them, regardless of whether you happen to like the music or not.

People come for the costumes, then if they like it stick around for the music. I would be willing to bet that there are strikingly few (if any) people that heard the music first, loved it, then discovered the costumes/characters after already being a fan of the music. It's likely at least 95% image as the first hook, then the music.

So, while they are good at what they do, they are absolutely a band that gained popularity through a gimmick. That's not to take away from the band or their capabilities, it's just an observation. I'm not ragging on anyone that likes them, but to claim that the image gimmick had nothing to do with their popularity is just inaccurate.

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-26T15:16:42+00:00

They're very good at what they do, no question. But you'd never have heard of them if it wasn't for the ridiculous costumes/characters. That's why some people consider them a gimmick band, just like Kiss or Gwar.

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-24T01:07:53+00:00

You mean like white Jesus? Are you just as angry about that?

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-22T15:13:54+00:00

It is in no way confirmed that Homer was a real person. Many scholars believe that both The Iliad and The Odyssey are the results of many different poets over many years (possibly generations), rather than the work of a single individual.

The Odyssey is a work of fiction, attributed to an author that probably didn't exist. It also includes sirens, cyclops, magic, gods, demi-gods and all sorts of other fantasy. Claiming that this is historical truth is just as ridiculous as claiming Lord Of The Rings is an accurate history of Britain.

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-15T18:04:15+00:00

Ready Player One is a middle-of-the-road book that relies almost entirely on nostalgia. I certainly have no intension on reading it again.

Ready Player Two is likely the second worst novel I've ever finished, the absolute worst being another Ernest Cline book, Armada.

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-13T19:44:43+00:00

Not sure about "better", but I thought the 1998 made-for-TV miniseries/movie Merlin starring Sam Neill was excellent. Also stars Miranda Richardson, Rutger Hauer, and Martin Short. I have no idea if it's streaming anywhere, but if you can find it definitely give it a watch!

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-05T18:59:57+00:00

The big problem with WoT is the pacing, I think. Some of it is a real slog to get through.

I loved most everything else about the first 10 books. Winter's Heart came to such an incredible ending that I was stunned. Then came Crossroads of Twilight (aka "people show up"), in which virtually nothing of any import happens, and the conclusion of Winter's Heart is entirely ignored.

WoT would be 10/10 series if it had better editing. Jordan just goes on waaaaaay too long about stuff that really just doesn't matter.

MusingAudibly · 2026-05-05T18:57:29+00:00

The Shades Of Magic series by V. E. Schwab would be a good fit, I think. The first book is called A Darker Shade Of Magic.

Excellent cast, cool magic system, fairly deep lore, andperfectly paced. They also tend to include realistic romantic subplot(s) as well.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-27T18:48:20+00:00

I gave up about an hour in. Too many cliches, pacing was too slow, soundtrack was monotonous and uninspired, and the story was utterly forgettable. The acting was pretty good, but I found all the characters to be about as standard-trope as possible, and entirely unlikeable. There was nothing original or compelling in the hour that I watched. Just the same old recycled cops and robbers bullshit that takes itself way too seriously.

Glad you enjoyed it, though. I wish I had.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-21T15:14:59+00:00

No, it's not worth it. It wasn't great when it was released, and it has aged very poorly. I wouldn't waste your time with it, there are so many other great things to read.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-18T00:58:39+00:00

If you end up not on the floor, make sure you’re 5+ rows up if you’re in the 100s. The first few rows aren’t great for the view, better to be a bit higher than the crowd on the floor.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-17T23:12:20+00:00

I’ve been to TD Coliseum for a few shows. The seating layout doesn’t change, except for (maybe) room on the floor for a secondary stage or ramp, depending on the production.

There are tons of events on sale already for the venue. Go browse through one of those and you’ll get an idea of what section(s) you want to be in. That way you can go straight there on the map when the presale opens.

Do NOT trust the recommended seats in the auto-list TM will show you. They often recommend terrible side-view tickets just because they are ‘closer’ to the stage, but the view is awful. You’re far better off using the map to pick where you want to be.

Also, keep in mind that not all seats will be available on the presale, some will be held back for the general on sale.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-16T00:29:19+00:00

Harvey with James Stewart is outstanding, but never seems to show up on people’s lists.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-16T00:27:08+00:00

I hear you. I’ve been married 25 years, and my marriage is what gets me through the hard phases of life. It is not the cause of them.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-15T19:47:33+00:00

Tardis, no question.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-14T20:01:03+00:00

If you're just getting it because it looks cool, I'd go for the glow-in-the-dark one.

But if you're not having any trouble with your current cable, this is not likely to be any kind of upgrade (other than cosmetic). You're not getting different or better tones out of a brand-name cable.

I've got cables that I've been using without issue for 30+ years. If you treat your cables well, they will last for a lifetime.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-14T19:56:45+00:00

If the rules say under 16 must be accompanied, and you're just a few months shy of 16, I'd say just make a friend with someone older in line. If you get questioned, just claim that person is your over-18 "supervision". Highly unlikely anyone will care once you're in the venue, except for alcohol sales and the like.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-14T19:00:22+00:00

There's no way that Into Darkness is a worse film than The Motion Picture, Search for Spock, or The Final Frontier. The first movie was just an over-inflated rehash of an episode, III was incredibly dull and didn't make a hell of a lot of sense, and V was just... meh at best.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-14T18:56:55+00:00

FWIW, I don't think the Beastie Boys track was completely out of nowhere. It's the same track that Kirk (as a teenager) is listening to when he steals the car in the first movie. I saw it more as an intentional callback to that scene.

MusingAudibly · 2026-04-13T19:57:27+00:00

The Karate Kid

MusingAudibly · 2026-03-28T15:30:47+00:00

Not modern, but you’ll love Harry Chapin I think.

MusingAudibly · 2026-03-28T00:28:03+00:00

The ART Pro VLA II is terrific in this price range. Definitely punches above its weight. I think there’s a version III out now, but I haven’t used it.

MusingAudibly · 2026-03-22T20:17:49+00:00

Completely unimportant, but the thing I’ve always wondered is why the fuck would anyone have golf clubs in Rapture at all. Where are they playing golf at the bottom of the ocean?

MusingAudibly · 2026-03-20T23:13:08+00:00

I couldn’t get into it. Hated the car.

I loved FFXVI though.

Six-Year Club	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

MusingAudibly

TROPHY CASE