There are 3 choices, 3 votes for moshe alban's debate

Subterranean Blues: Philosophy and The Velvet Underground

In the recent past the discourse of philosophy has opened to curious topics - The Simpsons, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, etc. Ond of the great rock groups of all time is The Velvet Underground. It's been said that very few people bought their albums when they were first released but that everyone who did started their own band. I am curious about the possible intersection between their incredibly powerful music and critical theory. Is there a possible discourse or way of appreciating their music that sheds light on American culture of the past and present moment? What were their influences and who have they influenced over the years? In short, why do people still listen to The Velvet Underground?


  • Cosmic Harmonies

    There is something primal and beautiful in almost everything recorded by The Velvet Underground. They seem to take the blues and infuse it with a kind of simple intensity. I usually feel better after listening to one of their CD's. The chord progressions are usually deceptively simple. It's like they channel minimalism and eastern music mixed with The Rolling Stones and African-American soul. And their lyrics are amazing, too.

    Voted for by moshe alban.
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  • Trance

    I am more into the out of this world, journey inducing, awareness producing, inspiring, thought and mood altering effects of trance. Chill trance also, with many tracks simply aiming to re-create a 'heavenly' sound (one would think immediately of heaven when you hear it), which inspires a greater understanding of our notion of the heavenly realm, as percieved more not as the peaceful 'ambient' portrayal, but as the more epic, end of life, climactic conclusion, when God is revealed in all His glory, and inner angst is banished to the depths of hell, or burned away by the blade of Zadkiel's sword.

    I love to imagine what God's arrival, and the apparent reconnection of spirits would be like, following the sounds, melodies and rythms of the trancy volumes.

    One then moves into psychedelic trance which open's ones soul to the heart of philosophy, however, I have so far steered clear of this new realm. One does not need to move into extremes. I simply enjoy my current standing, with God, for what it is, and exploring the realm I am presented with is enough joy to fill one's heart with a sense of outer vision and inspiration.

    Voted for by TeChNoWC.
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  • i dont know just where i'm going.

    How can people not still listen to the Velvet Underground? They were the flip side of the beatles...they were modern sound and poetry. The thing about the velvet underground is that they define american music for me...after all that is what lou reed has claimed his goal in music has always been - to write the great american novel in an album. Lou Reed's work with the velvet underground achieves a rare balance between obsurity and pop - i dont think theres any deep philosophical reason for people still enjoying the velvet undergroun....they're just an amazing band who you can easily hear in almost any modern group from the pixies to radiohead and so on.

    Voted for by Khoka.
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