Topic: That band IDLES are still shit, then

[jobotic]

yes interesting. This line is a bit painful though.

it was that of the animal suddenly forced into sharing its cage with some new and terrifying creature.

[The Mollusk]

https://www.thesocial.com/life-beyond-the-neutral-zone-8-lias-saoudi/

Very interesting article penned by Fat White Family frontman Lias Saoudi.

Wow, that's great, many thanks for sharing. Interestingly it does illustrate the point I was making in my previous post, albeit far more articulately:

It is through the black magic of art that pain becomes sensual pleasure, it is the only source of power open to one and all. It is my only reason for being. Utilising risk free, ready-made ideological fast food to inflate your own prestige – I consider a betrayal of that philosophy. If you want an album that’s actually about toxic masculinity, not just one that points a finger at it and exclaims ‘WRONG!’, why not try the Slim Shady LP or even Kanye West’s Yeezus? When an artist takes it upon themselves to chart in hideous detail the spiritual, moral and psychological cataclysm of our age unfolding within themselves, we stand the slightest chance of getting a good enough look at the mess we’re in to do something about it.

[thugler]

The Needle Drop's review score of this is 8/10, despite starting out by acknowledging the fairness of people saying their music is sloganeering and virtue signalling. He also mentioned the criticisms of class appropriation and calls these comments "bone-headed and short-sighted", which is funny because that's a phrase I'd use to precisely describe IDLES' music and overall outward demeanour.

His review brought another new song of theirs to my attention: Ne Touche Pas Moi, whose lyrics are:

Bypassing the blunt and ugly lyrical form, I don't see how this song could be seen as anything but virtue signalling in this day and age. If anything, getting Jehnny Beth in on guest vocals for the chorus only serves to reinforce that notion. "Men are bastards. Well, not all men. We're fucking great, here's a badge we made to prove it". I know IDLES' fanbase must contain more than its fair share of traditional punks and knuckle-dragging moshpit-seekers who could do with being taught a thing or two about respecting women, but men in Joe Talbot's position should be using their platform to point the finger back at themselves as much as anyone else if they don't want to be seen as blinkered white knights, which is precisely what they are at this point.

I got a bit of a knocking on here in my 2018 thread against IDLES for comparing them to the Pissed Jeans, but given IDLES' recent associations with The Jesus Lizard and the clear influence they also had on Pissed Jeans, I think it's worth bringing up again. PJ are similar to IDLES in that they both use blunt force and sardonic lyricism to lambast societal issues, but the thing that sets PJ leagues ahead is their mirror-punching self-awareness. A key example to set against Ne Touche Pas Moi would be their 2013 song Male Gaze:

There are a number of ways that I think Pissed Jeans are a superior punk/noise rock band to IDLES but I don't think it's worth going into, but using these two songs as comparison pieces felt like a noteworthy thing to do.

Christ the IDLES' lyrics there are so vapid. It's barely even lyricism, just bland statements of progressive stances. It sounds almost sarcastic, there's no subtlety or craft to it. The pissed jeans song is a lot more of a personal and honest perspective and works a lot better.

WE DON'T LIKE RAPE
BECAUSE RAPE IS BAD
IF YOU DO A RAPE
I WON'T BE GLAD

Black Flag and others did stuff like this in a more interesting way a long time ago by writing songs from the perspective of people with shitty attitudes.

[The Mollusk]

I have honestly been thinking about writing a parody song. I mean, it wouldn't take very long would it? Could probably knock out an EP over the next couple of days.

[thugler]

I have honestly been thinking about writing a parody song. I mean, it wouldn't take very long would it? Could probably knock out an EP over the next couple of days.

Do it!

[sevendaughters]

like even the things in Saoudi's piece that I disagree with (ie. post-punk is nostalgia music but these rap records [a genre about as old as post-punk] are brilliant) are more interesting in their provocation. FWF are no-less backward looking musically, they just have cooler record collections. nonetheless there are some powerful thoughts in there.

[The Mollusk]

By that same token, though, I don't doubt that Talbot is probably a far more cognitive speaker outside of the minuscule confines of his awful music. I guess it's whether or not you choose to take the easy way out with your artistic expression, which I sincerely believe is what IDLES have consciously chosen to do, as their latest album offers practically no progression from their last tawdry effort.

[iamcoop]

Whatever you think about FWF, I don’t for one second think there’s any level of artifice to what they do. They’re the real deal and if they’re not, they must be serious masochists because they’re completely shrouded in absolute fuckin’ grimness. Although I can’t argue with the point made on here that musically they’re not particularly doing anything that hasn’t been done a million times before.

I feel like I should point out I have seen both Idles and FWF live. No prizes for guessing which one of those gigs was the best I’ve seen in probably the last decade of watching bands.

My thoughts on Idles? I think Brutalism has a couple of decent-ish tracks. The lyrics to the songs I’ve heard on this new record almost make me physically cringe with embarrassment though. I cannot get over how shit Model Village is. And that one about consent sounds like it’s being sung by a hip supply teacher. Dreadful.

[The Mollusk]

I have honestly been thinking about writing a parody song. I mean, it wouldn't take very long would it? Could probably knock out an EP over the next couple of days.

Do it!

Here we go then, just spent the last 15 mins writing this. I call it...

TOXIC AVENGER

‘Scuse me, does my pink shirt offend ya?
Look at me, I’m the toxic avenger
Respecting women doesn’t make me a bender
Nah mate, I’m the toxic avenger

Let’s make an inclusive space
Join the queue, get the app, track and trace
Let’s make an inclusive space
So we can start a circle pit on your face

[Chorus]
Read all about it, extra extra!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast
Calling all incels and sick molesters!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast

When you get to hell, tell ‘em I sent ya
Who’s that? It’s the toxic avenger
In the future this’ll be legal tender
Until then, I’m the toxic avenger

Let’s make an exclusive bubble
So we can turn a blind eye to the trouble
Let’s make an exclusive bubble
So we can float above your shitty little puddle

[Chorus]
Read all about it, extra extra!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast
Calling all incels and sick molesters!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast

[bgmnts]

Respecting women doesn't make me a bender made me chuckle.

[iamcoop]

It’s too good though. Idles lyrics are way way worse than that.

No places left to hide
Hard outside but soft inside
Macho men full of macho pride
Not ashamed that I cried at the princess bride

Harder than it looks this isn’t it

[jobotic]

Yeah I respect women
Your toxic masculinity is to me an anathema
And if you doubt my sincerity
I'll drive up there and fucking batter ya

[iamcoop]

So much small-town thug chitter chatter
Small minded racists get clattered
So go ahead and eat your fish in batter
Whilst we take a knee a scream “black lives matter”

[The Mollusk]

Hahaha these are great

[Al Tha Funkee Homosapien]

Postman Pete, has big feet
Hear him walking down the street
Knock, knock, knock
ON YOUR DOOR
There's a letter
ON YOUR FLOOR

[jobotic]

"E E EDL"
You're just thick and you can't spell













I sound like P Walnuts

[boki]

Oi you, racist,
Chat shit, get banged.
How dare you be a fash,
When there's black lads hanged?
Yeah, that's in the States
But it could be here,
If we don't get
Our arses in gear

[Crabwalk]

Here we go then, just spent the last 15 mins writing this. I call it...

TOXIC AVENGER

‘Scuse me, does my pink shirt offend ya?
Look at me, I’m the toxic avenger
Respecting women doesn’t make me a bender
Nah mate, I’m the toxic avenger

Let’s make an inclusive space
Join the queue, get the app, track and trace
Let’s make an inclusive space
So we can start a circle pit on your face

[Chorus]
Read all about it, extra extra!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast
Calling all incels and sick molesters!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast

When you get to hell, tell ‘em I sent ya
Who’s that? It’s the toxic avenger
In the future this’ll be legal tender
Until then, I’m the toxic avenger

Let’s make an exclusive bubble
So we can turn a blind eye to the trouble
Let’s make an exclusive bubble
So we can float above your shitty little puddle

[Chorus]
Read all about it, extra extra!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast
Calling all incels and sick molesters!
I eat flakes like you for breakfast

I am genuinely crying with laughter

[Crabwalk]

'IT'S NOT FUNNY' by Idles

Louis CK?
Go away
Don't care what you have to say

Lost your right
Lost your fight
'Cause of what you do at night

It's bad enough
Careers are tough
Doing stand-up with a muff

Without some bloke
Not that woke
Standing there having a 'stroke'

It's not funny
It's not funny
Female comics
Get less money

It's not funny
It's not funny
Female comics
Get less money

[Al Tha Funkee Homosapien]

Who's that commin' round the corner?
IT'S MY MATE WOJCIECH HE'S A FOREIGNER!
Got a problem with that? I bet you do
DAILY MAIL READER YOU SMELL LIKE POO!

MY MATE WOJCIECH FIXES TAPS
MY MATE WOJCIECH FIXES HATS
MY MATE WOJCIECH FIXES SLATS
MY MATE WOJCIECH PAYS HIS TAX!

[Crabwalk]

'SOLD ASYLUM' by Idles

You seek asylum
In a bar

They seek asylum
From afar

You're all at sea
In your views

They're out at sea
In the news

Your biggest risk?
Got no drink

Their biggest risk?
That they sink

My biggest hope?
That you die

My biggest fear?
That they cry

SOLD ASYLUM
SOLD ASYLUM
SOLD ASYLUM
SOLD ASYLUM

[imitationleather]

https://www.thesocial.com/life-beyond-the-neutral-zone-8-lias-saoudi/

Very interesting article penned by Fat White Family frontman Lias Saoudi.

Actually I prefer my prose to be even more flowery, thanks.

[Al Tha Funkee Homosapien]

Brand name Bran Flakes
Brand name hand shakes
Brand name Steak Bakes
Brand name real fakes

[chorus]
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
MIDDLE CLASS CUNT
I SHOP AT ALDI

Brand name remakes
Brand name baked cakes
Brand name namesakes
Brand name bellyaches

[chorus]
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
MIDDLE CLASS CUNT
I SHOP AT ALDI

[Bridge]
I bet you never
had a wooden salad bowl
I bet you never
Filled that hole


[chorus]
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
I SHOP AT ALDI
MIDDLE CLASS CUNT
I SHOP AT ALDI

[The Mollusk]

I am genuinely crying with laughter

Thanks! I’ve pretty much made the entire song this afternoon, it’ll be uploaded soon.

[JaDanketies]

Babies don't have a gender identity
They are an agender entity
Until they develop a gender identity
Saying they have a gender is an obscenity

Fuck the gender
agenda
fuck the gender
agenda

Saying a newborn is a boy or a girl
Is so sick it makes me hurl
Saying a baby is a boy or a girl
Is the sickest thing in the entire world

Fuck the gender
agenda
fuck the gender
agenda

Don't call a baby a male or a female
By your voice in the post or even through email
Don't call a child a male or a female
If you do then you should go to jail

Fuck the gender
agenda
fuck the gender
agenda

[Crabwalk]

'Ban Page Three' by Idles

The Sun is cold
The Mirror's cracked
The Star is dead
The press is hacked

Murdoch's dream?
Nightmare for you
A fifth of columnists
are fascists too

(Chorus)
Ban page three
And all the other pages
Wank to ideas
Not ideological cages

Why don't you read?
It is a mystery
You've no idea
About black history

Your head is stuck
In daily rags
You spend your cash
On Sky and fags

(Chorus)
Ban page three
And all the other pages
Wank to ideas
Not ideological cages

[Crabwalk]

At this point I should reiterate that I've only heard that one Idles song and this is possibly grossly unfair and inaccurate. But I'm at a loose end and enjoying myself and that's all that matters.

[JaDanketies]

I like IDLES and the song in the OP was catchy. Perhaps their lyrics aren't nuanced but neither are Leftover Crack and I like theirs too. And I wouldn't ascribe to their idea of 'punching down' so much as to be opposed to criticism of provincial English racists instead of the nebulous structure that allegedly makes them so. The songs are a bit plodding and maybe I'd get bored after a 2hr gig; I left Googol Bordello after they played Start Wearing Purple as I realised they bored the shit out of me but I can usually sit through anything.

[idunnosomename]

how did they decide to make that song FOUR MINUTES LONG. when it did the bridge for the THIRD TIME I just wanted it and its fucking kooky surreal allegory bargain-basement radiohead cartoon allegory video would end.

back in my day a punk song was rarely longer than two minutes etc

[jobotic]

Yeah well it's not your day is it grandad it's IDLES yeah