From: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org (seven-seas-digest) To: seven-seas-digest@smoe.org Subject: seven-seas-digest V2 #427 Reply-To: seven-seas@smoe.org Sender: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org Precedence: bulk seven-seas-digest Wednesday, June 11 2003 Volume 02 : Number 427 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 11:36:23 -0500 From: "Ted Turner" Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) word. tt > I think Mac's a pretty intuitive writer. I know that he tends to write > his lyrics pretty quickly. ("Little Dwarf", anyone?) And I don't think > he gets too hung up on "meaning," particularly. I think it's more about > creating a vibe, to be honest. I mean, certainly there are songs that are > "about" things, but generally I think he writes what comes to him and, > after an edit or two, lets 'em go. Again, this isn't saying they're > meaningless, any more than any type of self-expression is. (EG. Jackson > Pollock painted intuitively, in the moment, and, although you'd be > hard-pressed to determine a pre-conceived "meaning" for the painting, it > still has an undeniable cause, purpose, and effect.) I think the mark of > a great writer--songwriter or otherwise--is to be able to capture > something complex and/or personal--be it an idea, or an emotion, or > whatever--and express it simply, in human terms, with a fairly universal > appeal. And Mac's a master at that. > > That said, I think there are several obvious lyrical themes running > through "Slideling", especially on songs like "Seasons" and "Kansas." > > I think people tend to over-analyze lyrics a little bit, especially with > artists they really dig. I can see how the artist might feel flattered, > but at the same time, I'm certain that it's the listener's natrual > interpretation that's most important, on an individualized basis. Let's > face it, anyone who thinks young Mr. Mac actually had specific, > heavy-handed artistic/symbolic intentions behind "c-c-c-cucumber" has > clearly eaten a few too many moonbars. > > --Chris A. > > > > > "Martha Smith" > Sent by: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org > 11-Jun-2003 12:19 PM > Please respond to seven-seas > > > To: > cc: > Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) > > > > His lyrics for WAYGTDWYL, Flowers and Slideling seem effortless maybe > even > > easy to be written > > by Ian McCulloch, > > > > His lyrics have become more plain-spoken, but I suspect that may not > translate into "easy to be written". It seems to me his writing has depth. > For example, I think "Burn For Me" -- one of my favorite songs -- can and > probably should be interpreted several ways. Read it over and contemplate. > > - Kristin :) > > > > ====================================== > http://www.bunnymenlist.com > > ====================================== > > > > ====================================== > http://www.bunnymenlist.com > > ====================================== ====================================== http://www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 12:49:12 -0400 From: Red Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) At 12:33 PM 6/11/03 -0400, you wrote: >but at the same time, I'm certain that it's the listener's natrual >interpretation that's most important, on an individualized basis. That's what I'm always trying to say! :-) > Let's face it, anyone who thinks young Mr. Mac actually had specific, >heavy-handed artistic/symbolic intentions behind "c-c-c-cucumber" has >clearly eaten a few too many moonbars. hehhee...Too true! But isn't it a great song nevertheless!?? At least i think so. :-) Red ====================================== http://www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 17:44:36 +0100 From: "Shaz" Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) especially on BBC live cd!! Shaz - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Red" > >heavy-handed artistic/symbolic intentions behind "c-c-c-cucumber" has > >clearly eaten a few too many moonbars. > > hehhee...Too true! But isn't it a great song nevertheless!?? > At least i think so. :-) > > Red ====================================== http://www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 12:03:03 -0500 From: "Martha Smith" Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) > "side two" > or the latter half of the songs seem to be the best, though I love > "Playgrounds...." which is on "side one." The fact that no one song > really sticks out is proof that the album fits together well as a > whole, which is rare in these days of albums consisting of shock-impact > singles and then wet cardboard fillers. It seems to me his albums do work as integral pieces -- they are crafted. "Playgrounds" is my favorite, too. Since "Sliding" and "Arthur" are also in my top 3-4, I guess I am a side 1 advocate. - - Kristin, swimming against the tide :) ====================================== http://www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 13:14:28 -0400 From: Peter Charbonneau Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) I agree, Mac's lyrics have evolved over the years. I love the early bunnymen lyrics, because they were so different from anything else out there and they got your head working, but there's something to be said for a song like "burn for me" which is maybe a little more straightforward, but again open to interpretation... that's a beautiful tune At 11:19 AM 6/11/2003 -0500, Martha Smith wrote: > > His lyrics for WAYGTDWYL, Flowers and Slideling seem effortless maybe even > > easy to be written > > by Ian McCulloch, > > > > His lyrics have become more plain-spoken, but I suspect that may not >translate into "easy to be written". It seems to me his writing has depth. >For example, I think "Burn For Me" -- one of my favorite songs -- can and >probably should be interpreted several ways. Read it over and contemplate. > >- Kristin :) > > > >====================================== >http://www.bunnymenlist.com > >====================================== ====================================== http://www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 13:19:49 -0400 From: Peter Charbonneau Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) well said chris.... I know I've always tailored favorite lyrics to my own situations, interpreting them on my own levels. That's what makes the songs so important to me. I just enjoy the connection made with music I love, lyrically, sonically, or just catching a certain vibe off of what the artist is trying to do. At 12:33 PM 6/11/2003 -0400, Chris Adams wrote: >I think Mac's a pretty intuitive writer. I know that he tends to write >his lyrics pretty quickly. ("Little Dwarf", anyone?) And I don't think >he gets too hung up on "meaning," particularly. I think it's more about >creating a vibe, to be honest. I mean, certainly there are songs that are >"about" things, but generally I think he writes what comes to him and, >after an edit or two, lets 'em go. Again, this isn't saying they're >meaningless, any more than any type of self-expression is. (EG. Jackson >Pollock painted intuitively, in the moment, and, although you'd be >hard-pressed to determine a pre-conceived "meaning" for the painting, it >still has an undeniable cause, purpose, and effect.) I think the mark of >a great writer--songwriter or otherwise--is to be able to capture >something complex and/or personal--be it an idea, or an emotion, or >whatever--and express it simply, in human terms, with a fairly universal >appeal. And Mac's a master at that. > >That said, I think there are several obvious lyrical themes running >through "Slideling", especially on songs like "Seasons" and "Kansas." > >I think people tend to over-analyze lyrics a little bit, especially with >artists they really dig. I can see how the artist might feel flattered, >but at the same time, I'm certain that it's the listener's natrual >interpretation that's most important, on an individualized basis. Let's >face it, anyone who thinks young Mr. Mac actually had specific, >heavy-handed artistic/symbolic intentions behind "c-c-c-cucumber" has >clearly eaten a few too many moonbars. > >--Chris A. > > > > >"Martha Smith" >Sent by: owner-seven-seas@smoe.org >11-Jun-2003 12:19 PM >Please respond to seven-seas > > > To: > cc: > Subject: Re: seven-seas The Art of Mac aka Mac Art(hur) > > > > His lyrics for WAYGTDWYL, Flowers and Slideling seem effortless maybe >even > > easy to be written > > by Ian McCulloch, > > > > His lyrics have become more plain-spoken, but I suspect that may not >translate into "easy to be written". It seems to me his writing has depth. >For example, I think "Burn For Me" -- one of my favorite songs -- can and >probably should be interpreted several ways. Read it over and contemplate. > >- Kristin :) > > > >====================================== >http://www.bunnymenlist.com > >====================================== > > > >====================================== >http://www.bunnymenlist.com > >====================================== ====================================== http://www.bunnymenlist.com ====================================== ------------------------------ End of seven-seas-digest V2 #427 ********************************