an·them noun \ˈan(t)-thəm\ 1 a : a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively b : a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures 2 : a song or hymn of praise or gladness 3 : a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view <anthems of teenage angst>
Using definition 3, as the other two don't really apply, maybe only one or two Pearl Jam songs would qualify as "anthems," in the technical sense. I think the word has taken on connotations in music writing that make it reasonable to use in a setting beyond its formal definition, but by the same token the temptation to label any "big" song with an easily recognizable chorus an "anthem" is probably a little excessive. I'm not sure why being mid-tempo matters either--surely you could classify "Blitzkrieg Bop" as a "punk anthem," and that's pretty uptempo.
I prefer Stip's definition. Irrespective of the word used to describe these songs I think the point was well made. Middle class digressions about definitions are rarely interesting.
I prefer Stip's definition. Irrespective of the word used to describe these songs I think the point was well made. Middle class digressions about definitions are rarely interesting.
I wasn't really trying to advocate for either use, for what it's worth--being a language geek, I just took it upon myself to investigate out of curiosity. I don't mind the formal definition being stretched a little.
That's true, but would you agree that quibbling over the semantics of a music-related term is a little different than asking someone to clarify something they said that really just didn't make a whole lot of sense?
(To be fair, I Googled "middle class digressions," to see if it was some kind of commonly understood idiom that I had just never heard before, but it wasn't. In fact, the second search result was this thread.)
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
so we have a real opportunity to turn this into a thing, then?
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
atlanta improves a lot after that initial run of songs were eddie´s voice is weak. Specially the first encore, its really good...porch and rvm specially.
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:04 pm Posts: 1875 Location: Atlanta, SE of Disorder Gender: Male
Yeah, granted Atlanta's nothing special but I didn't think it was that bad either. No question though that Pensacola is the better boot (and setlist). The acoustic encore is pretty sweet from Missoula. Loving the sound quality on these too.
_________________ From under my lone palm i can look out on the day
Yeah, granted Atlanta's nothing special but I didn't think it was that bad either. No question though that Pensacola is the better boot (and setlist). The acoustic encore is pretty sweet from Missoula. Loving the sound quality on these too.
Missoula is a great show....Pensacola too.
Still the european tour is great, most of it. Amsterdam 2 being an amazing show and all, the whole tour is stellar.
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