Slog - Comments on Letter to the Editor of the Day

Comment by als

als — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:09:30 -0800

Awesome.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:10:36 -0800

I love this letter.

Comment by SubPopsmama

SubPopsmama — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:12:00 -0800

Well, I never!

Comment by laurel

laurel — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:12:44 -0800

couldn't disagree more about subpop

Comment by MonkeyNose

MonkeyNose — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:13:16 -0800

Arms made of legs! Now I have a name for my band, as soon as my beard comes in.

Comment by Frank Sinclair

Frank Sinclair — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:18:30 -0800

The Stranger isn't as bad as Finneas makes it out to be. It was acgtually worse in the early 90's. Back then it might as well have been the West Beverly BLAZE with every staff member being a collective Andrea Zuckerman (Matt Richter especially. He's a nice guy, but his theatre reviews either tinkled all over his friends, or were snarkier-than-thou for the sake of being so). Nowadays, the city beat is pretty good, but reviews like the one mentioned here require one to ultimately take The Stranger with a grain of salt.

Comment by scary tyler moore

scary tyler moore — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:23:28 -0800

ugly hipster pants? what? not on the stranger staffers i know. somebody isn't getting enough fiber/sex, methinks.

Comment by Judah

Judah — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:36:15 -0800

Fair assessment.

Comment by Funny, because it's true

Funny, because it's true — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:40:45 -0800

22-year old Ritalin babies with bad beards and a stupid band name like �Arms Made of Legs�

Heh. That pretty much sums up every band on KEXP.

Comment by Dylan!

Dylan! — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:44:15 -0800

This should be printed on the cover of next week's cover, nay, every cover of The Stranger from now on.

Comment by Levislade

Levislade — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:45:03 -0800

Yeah, that "Arms Made of Legs" bit is hilarious. I haven't heard the Beck record, so I won't speak to that, but dude is way wrong about Sub Pop.

Comment by Carollani

Carollani — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:45:29 -0800

Wow, if we could harness the energy it took to write that letter we could solve the energy crisis. Finneas Maxwell... do something productive with your time. Your intense hatred of something that you obviously can't leave alone is akin to an Evangelist preacher lying and rationalizing his way through scads of call-boys, only to preach hellfire for homos on Sunday. If you don't love it, then leave it alone.

Comment by SeMe

SeMe — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:45:36 -0800

If I lived in Olympia I'd hang myself.

Comment by heywhatsit

heywhatsit — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:48:54 -0800

Give that man a column.

Comment by Jason Petersen

Jason Petersen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:56:00 -0800

Somewhere in Austin, a The Shins fan just cried a little bit.

Words hurt, mmmmmmkay?

Comment by sara

sara — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:05:53 -0800

Wow, I love this letter. Ah yes. I remember... it was back in 1994 (or was it '95? '96? Probably all of the above). The Stranger got a letter exactly like this! We all laughed, then sat down and enjoyed a cold can of OK Soda in the shade the old oak tree. Then Grampa broke out his harmonica, and Humpy danced a jig!

Finneas, thanks for the memories.

Comment by hillpagan

hillpagan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:07:45 -0800

What 14 said.

Comment by mackro mackro

mackro mackro — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:08:29 -0800

Between Eric Grandy waving his dick around town while (I�m assuming) riding the �it�s hip to be gay!� bandwagon

No shit! I still have the bruises and the hip gayness. BEWARE CAPHILLERS OF WAVING HIPSTER GAY DICK

Comment by mistermix

mistermix — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:13:02 -0800

Like all good rants, he takes a while to get going. But the payoff was worth it.

Comment by blank12357

blank12357 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:16:06 -0800

Finneas, dnftt

Comment by Sirkowski

Sirkowski — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:18:35 -0800

I think Beck started to go down when he joined Scientology.

Comment by Nick

Nick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:21:02 -0800

Give him a column indeed. Wrong about Sub Pop, wrong about Beck putting out the best album of the year, but right about so much more. Stranger writers trying to review music is always absurd.

Comment by In the Know

In the Know — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:22:43 -0800

"(25th? 22nd? Some random ass number?)"

Good line. It's kinda the way they run their operations over there at SP.

Comment by We needed to hear this three more times.

We needed to hear this three more times. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:26:11 -0800

I�d bet a thousand dollars that if the same album had been released by some 22-year old Ritalin babies with bad beards and a stupid band name like �Arms Made of Legs� Mike and all the rest of you would be drooling all over it.

***

Comment by blank12357

blank12357 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:27:16 -0800

Finneas, dnftt.

Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball

Jubilation T. Cornball — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:27:51 -0800

This letter is why Olympia is our capital city.

Comment by rb

rb — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:30:15 -0800

I'd add to that ECB's bizarre obsession with Zipcar ads. But maybe another letter from Finneas is a comin'.

Comment by Christopher Frizzelle's Enormous Whozeewhatsit

Christopher Frizzelle's Enormous Whozeewhatsit — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:33:29 -0800

I'll tell you what arm's made of legs...an enormous whozeewhatsit!!!

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:34:27 -0800

1)Beck is a second-generation Scientologist...

2)Oh, if you don't love something or disapprove of something you shouldn't say anything?!?!? WTF, Carollani?

3)Well written letter which has it's points.

Comment by put a fork in it

put a fork in it — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:35:07 -0800

The Stranger is so tired. They don't realize it. Free newspapers people pick up for the ads and such... are, to use a Bushian term, QUAINT. The early 90s were good to the Stranger, hell Dan's been writing the exact same column week after week since long before then.

Comment by Graham

Graham — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:36:54 -0800

Wow!

I hope this gets put in the print edition... but...

Steve works for the Mercury, not the Stranger. Small little quibble.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:41:36 -0800

@14 for the win.

That said, I wish Mr. Cobain was still alive too.

Comment by Levislade

Levislade — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:47:49 -0800

Yeah, "If you don't love it, then leave it alone" is a weird thing to say. Couldn't we say the same thing to all the music critics? It would be a much shorter section, that's for sure . . .

Comment by Gloria

Gloria — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:56:52 -0800

I wish I had named my baby Finneas Maxwell.

Comment by Hulu.com

Hulu.com — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:01:37 -0800

If you wouldn't say it in person, why would you say it online?

Delete cyber-bullying.

Comment by Super Jesse

Super Jesse — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:11:30 -0800

@16 OK Soda FTW!

The hotline (1-800-I-FEEL-OK) is a phone sex line now.

Comment by Matthew

Matthew — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:11:37 -0800

That was fantastic! I think I need a cigarette.

Comment by Hernandez

Hernandez — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:15:46 -0800

Awesome letter. Nothing like a little indignation and inadvertent humor to start my morning.

Comment by Beck Hansen Is The Most Overrated Simpleton In The Known Universe - Got it? Good.

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:19:27 -0800

I started to read this. Then I realized it was written buy somebody who apparently deigns to give Beck - BECK - more than a nanosecond of rational, let alone critical, thought. Then I stopped and moved on.

Comment by chops

chops — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:25:16 -0800

hear hear.

isn't there an opening for a new ombudsman at this rag?

Comment by turkeymonkey

turkeymonkey — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:28:15 -0800

Grunge is not dead. Grunge lives on. My dreads and stretched out stocking hat are proof.
(takes massive toke.....)
so, like, relax...
and whoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Arms Made of Legs are playing at the Lake Union Pub! sweet!!!

Comment by christopher h

christopher h — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:30:45 -0800

Damn it, Finneas is stealing my thunder-- back in the '90s I came up with "These Arms Are Legs" as an obtuse slam/not-slam on guess-which local band years ago. Also, it should be noted that hipster pants aren't usually ugly-- it's the way they fit around hipster legs/crotches that is evil.

Comment by jim fexley-feed

jim fexley-feed — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:39:00 -0800

Finneas Maxwell: suck it, you bitter old shrew. also, please do not reproduce.

Comment by Tim Appelo

Tim Appelo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:48:26 -0800

"Mike" Matos? As long as we're renaming him, why not call him Two Turntables and a Mike Matos?

Comment by Boosh Clown

Boosh Clown — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:57:27 -0800

So awesome. "Arms Made of Legs" pretty much made my day.

Comment by ab-fab

ab-fab — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:58:00 -0800

A resounding nay, 42 - You can put that hipster on its back, on its side, even on its greasy, crusty, emo noodle, but from any which angle them hipster pants are just fuggin' fug.

Comment by Disco is not punk

Disco is not punk — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:00:01 -0800

Supreme pwnage of the Stranger.

Comment by rtm

rtm — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:01:58 -0800

I disagree.

Iron & Wine's "Our Endless Numbered Days" is a very good record, and it came out on SubPop in the last 5 yeas.

Comment by -B-

-B- — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:03:42 -0800

I like the letter but can we stop using the term "world class" to describe what a city should be aspiring to be. It always sounds like a word local government uses to make people feel like they are not living in a small town anymore, that they are now a big city.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:25:36 -0800

Sub Pop have only released a handful of good records -- "Manos" by the Spinanes, a Sukpatch single, and that's about it for me.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:30:40 -0800

Oh, yeah, they released a couple of St. Etienne discs in the US as well.

Comment by JesseJB

JesseJB — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:31:36 -0800

That letter made my day.

In addition, even our radio stations still think its the 90's. *cough*TheEnd*cough*

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:38:33 -0800

St. Etienne rules!

JesseJB's right about commercial radio around here, tho.

Comment by Levislade

Levislade — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:48:53 -0800

See, Fnarf, saying "that's about it for me" is very different from saying "Sub Pop have only released a handful of good records." One is you stating your opinion, which is fine (albeit narrow and, in my opinion, ignorant). The other sounds like you're trying to make a statement of fact, which is patently ridiculous. Sub Pop, like any label, has released its share of crap records. But they have also released some of the most interesting, vital, diverse records (within the rock/indie rock world) of the last 20 years - and far more than a handful.

Never mind the fact that I'm willing to wager that neither you nor Finneas has listened to anything close to all of their output, so what are you even basing that on?

Sorry, but something about opinions stated as fact really bugs the crap out of me.

Comment by MichaelPgh

MichaelPgh — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:52:42 -0800

Pile-on!

Aw, c'mon, who DOESN'T miss Everett True's drunken bloviating? Tell the truth now. Ol' Finneas is just nostalgic.

Eric ("Gay") Grandy. Heh.

Comment by David Schmader

David Schmader — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:02:50 -0800

We DO need a new ombudsman....but I don't think we can hire in good conscience a man who gets this inflamed over BECK.

Or maybe that's exactly who we need...

Comment by leek

leek — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:10:55 -0800

I dunno. It was all fun and laughable until "...virtually begging to be gang-fucked." Hello?! Am I the only one who doesn't think that's exactly on par with waving one's gay dick around or masturbating to your own reflection?

Comment by stupid bitch

stupid bitch — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:18:33 -0800

Leek, that was either an attempt to be funny, or you're just fucking stoopid.

Comment by Mrs. Fnarf

Mrs. Fnarf — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:21:34 -0800

@50: There was also Jamboree by Beat Happening, and that Tsunami/Velocity Girl 7". Oh yeah, and the Vaselines retrospective.

@54: Fnarf isn't part of the "rock/indie rock" world so his opinions might be a bit narrow in that sense. But please don't get him started.

Comment by The Ordinary Hipster

The Ordinary Hipster — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:36:21 -0800

What do you mean nothing good has come out in the last 15 years? What about The Postal Service and Band of Horses? Take that Mr. Maxell.

Comment by olympia

olympia — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:37:04 -0800

beat happening - jamboree?

i hope you mean as a sub pop singles club!

Comment by Jeff Stevens

Jeff Stevens — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:50:56 -0800

Someone should tell Mr. Hipster-Hating Hipster that there are far more important things going on in the world than the latest Beck CD.

For example, there's yet another war brewing in the Middle East, and Arcade Fire, according to rumor, are currently recording the follow-up to Neon Bible. Finneas Maxwell, get your priorities straight!

Comment by Jeff Stevens

Jeff Stevens — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:58:00 -0800

"Taxicab Drivers Make Groovy Graves For The Competition Over The Longest Possible Seattle Circa-1997 Hipster Band Name."

What an urban-legendarily awesome Seattle band that was. Too bad the lead singer ignited himself to death by attempting to use a can of Rize to smoke pot with before they began recording their debut album.

Comment by Vince

Vince — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:55:15 -0800

You tell'em Finneas! Hacks! Dick waving no less.

Comment by Wackistan

Wackistan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:22:54 -0800

The text of this letter may become Wackistan's national anthem.

Comment by Mrs. Fnarf

Mrs. Fnarf — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:28:18 -0800

@61: Do you mean "Red Head Walking"?

But you're right - Jamboree was actually originally a K/Rough Trade release on LP, later re-released on CD by SubPop. "Dreamy" and "You Turn Me On" were put out jointly by K/SubPop. I hope I'm correct on that.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:37:22 -0800

Yeah, see, K is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.

But Mrs. Fnarf is right, you really don't want to get me started on the unbelievable, unmitigated awfulness of all that Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Fluid, whatever grunge garbage that Sub Pop is largely responsible for.

Comment by urban

urban — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:14:02 -0800

Just goes to show that the standard long form letter still beats trolling comments on blogs. Wow.

Comment by rob campbell

rob campbell — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:22:52 -0800

15 wrote: "Somewhere in Austin, a The Shins fan just cried a little bit."

From gramponante.com, the only porn blog you need to read:

In an entertaining Behind the Scenes featurette edited by Winkytiki and featuring the charming interview style of Ashley Blue, the latter defines punk in context as being opposite from today's emo, characterized by "sucking all the masculinity out of a person."

Comment by Greg

Greg — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:21:42 -0800

Whereas I just ignore the Stranger's music section entirely. I don't need to know that Eric Grandy doesn't like the music I listen to; he's not my mom.

Comment by Michaelangelo Matos

Michaelangelo Matos — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:41:32 -0800

Hey guys! Did I miss anything?