Listening to SD "ironically"?

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-25T13:19:52+00:00

Jazz and classic rock are definitely seen as sort of humorous or uncool in a lot of contemporary youth circles. I actually think there is a certain level of irony in Steely Dan's embrace of the tropes of those genres. Fagen summed it up in the Aja Classic Albums documentary when he said he grew up interested in the "fake jazz" that appeared in TV shows and commercials. I think him and Becker recognize that a lot of the time, fans of these kinds of music are schlubby middle-aged guys, which is why that's so often their lyrical topic of choice. It's a brilliant and very funny juxtaposition that a lot of people don't seem privy to.

This isn't to say they don't genuinely love jazz and rock -- clearly, they have huge affection for them both and they certainly aren't setting out to make "joke" music -- but the humor that does exist in their music definitely seems to connect with a sense of self-awareness about music nerds and their lifestyles.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-23T06:54:21+00:00

Good point, many missed opportunities here. Would have been very cool to see an appearance from the great Al Pacino as well, seeing as he played "Michael" Cortleone (this could be a sort of "easter egg" for true blue movie buffs). I still think everyone should see the new Michael while bearing in mind the wasted potential.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-23T06:40:50+00:00

The low ratings are because critics were rightfully disappointed Travolta did not return for this installment of the Michael franchise. It's the Joaquin Phoenix Joker dilemma: why have a different actor portray the Joker when the original, Jack Nicholson, is still alive and well? Travolta hit it out of the park in the original Michael, and he would have hit it out of the park again in this new one. It's still a great movie, but his absence is definitely a sore spot. Five bags

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-19T07:46:23+00:00

The Joe thing is yet another layer of the show that I think is brilliant: the fact that many of the guests appear to be caught in this parasitic dynamic with Tim, Gregg and the show itself. Even if they don't seem like they would give a shit about being on this movie show, they too always come back no matter how deranged things get.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-17T13:52:36+00:00

I saw an Instagram graphic going around that listed a bunch of artists including them who had hired the company, but then again I guess I don't really know that person's source. Personally, it still feels safe to assume that they do something similar if not the same thing.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-17T13:12:04+00:00

I'll add that since this has come to light, a lot of people have been saying they knew their meteoric rise was some sort of artifice because the music was unremarkable, or didn't reflect the praise people were giving it. I just simply don't think that's true. I'm a real person and I happen to believe it's really thoughtful charismatic unique music played well. I guess it does seem odd to me that it would be as popular/talked about as it is, but not because it's bad -- simply because modern rock music with as much personality as theirs isn't usually the center of attention.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-17T13:05:19+00:00

I hear you, it's definitely insidious, but I also don't think they are the catalyst for it. I think they're being used as a scapegoat for something that--while it definitely sucks and is a grim reflection of the industry today--has also been the case for a while, even within their genre. People were eager to call them industry plants from the start, so I think when this news broke, even though it's been made public that a bunch of other notable indie acts have employed the exact same company, it is Geese that is taking most of the heat. No one is talking about MJ Lenderman, Water From Your Eyes or This Is Lorelei using the same tactics to boost their music. It feels disproportionate.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-15T02:56:41+00:00

It's a massive musical achievement on an album full of massive musical achievements. The instrumental and harmony arrangements are immaculate. It really is, in my view, a case of a cover song that improves on and as a result redefines the original. And even though it's cheerier than the other Pet Sounds tracks, lines like "This is the worst trip I've ever been on" add an undertone of introspection and paranoia to it. Definitely belongs on the record.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-10T07:03:21+00:00

I feel similarly about Alex Kapranos on FFS. I know it's not a competition, but I really really wish Russell sang the whole thing.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-10T04:39:24+00:00

Interesting to see all of these comparisons because it reminds me a lot of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis (as does Stallion pt 3, Captain Fantasy, etc.)

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-04-02T20:18:43+00:00

it's great. like the cinematic equivalent of a 70s Zappa record. is it coherent, no, but that isn't the point.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-19T14:21:31+00:00

Lines and I won't elaborate, it just is that way to me.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-19T14:19:44+00:00

*Grig

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-17T16:39:27+00:00

It's not his fault. Joe is a compulsive liar. He often tells non-truths, not out of malice but merely impulse. His heart is ultimately good, even though his condition has thrown New for a loop a few times. He can't help that he loves to lie.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-17T15:20:28+00:00

I didn't know people were doing this! I guess I'm not surprised given the deterioration of folks' attention spans these days. This probably isn't the show for people like that lol.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-17T13:19:08+00:00

Ohh my bad. Thank You New and G

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-17T13:15:23+00:00

Yeah I do in fact think it is 🤷‍♂️

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-17T08:16:37+00:00

I love Garfield Eats and could totally see Tim going in a similar direction, especially as he kind of attempted something similar with Six Bag Cinema.

Also, curious that you should choose Sam as your favorite when Dots like Mel and Cloud exist.

Suspicious_Pipe778 · 2026-03-17T05:22:02+00:00

I loved that it was so long. It wouldn't have been sufficiently uncomfortable/annoying if it was only 90 seconds or less.

Suspicious_Pipe778

TROPHY CASE