Anyhoo, I guess it’s nice of Britters to kick things off in New Orleans. Bringing any circus to that town can only help its economy, no? March 3 wouldn’t happen to be anywhere near Mardi Gras, would it?

I don’t know from Smithson, but I will admit to being impressed with Scherzinger’s troupe’s dancing on the AMA’s, to my true surprise. Not that I intend to follow up with them and I think the cancellation of her solo record is a blessing to us all. Probably not gonna find out enough about the group album to comment. But as Vegas showgirls, they seem up to snuff. I might add Katy Perry to your list…not sure if I care enough.

I’ll give you the criticism of my comment…I think I was overstating a disdain for spectacle – I didn’t mean that in a broad sense. I just mean I want to feel the presence of a pop artist at the core level, and I don’t feel that with Brit. I bet it isn’t an easy recipe…and her producers deserve endless credit. It doesn’t mean I have to give her much. She’s an actor in the movie of her own career, like many, but I just don’t find it as convincing a performance. That’s all.

“I am just continually dumbfounded at the amount of honor bestowed on Britney’s schtick when that seems to be that she isn’t actually doing much of anything but floating along in a schtick other people are making for her.” …tell that to Carly Smithson or Nicole Sch???? from Pussycat Dolls. I don’t know what the recipe is, but it’s not that easy.

That’s one sort of “pop”, surely…but it’s not the ONLY one, and not the ultimate one as you are portraying it to be – it’s one that I don’t personally enjoy or respect all that much. At least (only?) in her case. I like Rihanna, Beyonce, P!nk.

I prefer pop bands and pop singers who sing with bands. When I say “artifice” I am talking literally about the pyro, the costumes, peripheral dancers, etcetera ALWAYS required to entertain beyond the performance – not just the sheen of musical authenticity…I know well that everyone has a schtick and it’s about a show. I don’t mind the show, I just like to think there’s something beneath it and occasionally have it proven to me. I am a Jonas Brothers fan, you don’t think I have constant battles about what makes for “authenticity”? Heh.

I respect almost anyone who can have a career on whatever talent they have. But I am just continually dumbfounded at the amount of honor bestowed on Britney’s schtick when that seems to be that she isn’t actually doing much of anything but floating along in a schtick other people are making for her. It weirds me out – I understand what you’re talking about, I just don’t think she’s a good example of it, I think she’s an egregious and disturbing one. Maybe that’s because I ignored her in her heyday.

I wasn’t really trying to make an argument, as I’m no expert, just an enthusiast!…but what would be the problem with fitting Parliament into the scheme?

(And the book looks cool, so as condescendingly as it was recommended I think I might just check it out, if for nothing else, as a gift to my pop-hating mother.)

Yeah…and I’m a regular reader of this site and I play music and I’m driving myself crazy right now trying to deepen my understanding of music theory and I ALWAYS pay for music and I spend a lot of my free time (when I’m not playing music or listening to aural skills CDs) chasing vinyl because I don’t care about music as much as you…right-o.

To me, pop without artifice is like R&B without sex or metal without solos.

“There’s much to be said for commanding a stage in a massive venue and filling it with energy, without smoke and mirrors and 30 other people running around, no?”

There certainly was in ’03 and before, back when that argument was less tired. Stop making me defend Britney Spears; I don’t enjoy it. Besides, where does, say, Parliament fit into that argument?

You might check out this book: [www.amazon.com]

There’s much to be said for commanding a stage in a massive venue and filling it with energy, without smoke and mirrors and 30 other people running around, no?

Then why bother?

@2ironic4u: I think you mean “travesty”.

Seriously…if she was leading a dance troupe and not a singing act, I’d be much more forgiving. But she’s sold as a musician. What?

But on second though, does she even dance as much as her backup crew?

So her not dancing is excused by her not singing and vice versa?

@dyfl: Not true of the very pop show I saw this weekend, which involved very much playing of music, very much actual singing, and very little artifice. It was excellent.

@Chris Molanphy: Which age is that? I think she is going to just completely disappear somewhere along the way on her tour and become the stuff of legend.