Friday, April 25, 2008

Creating a "Genesis-nuetral" world

Today, Phil Collins announced he is retiring from music - saying he will no longer tour or record. Thank God. What took him so long? Rejoice.

But, don’t think the danger is over because, indeed, the unholy presence and unthinkable survival of music by Genesis and Phil Collins transcends band breakups or retirements. Yes, the scourge that is Genesis and Phil Collins music continues to threaten the well being of America and the entire world – just as global warming does.

Like our nation’s unending addiction to oil, western society continued to taken in by Genesis and Phil Collins well into the 1990s and even up to this day in continued sales, airplay and the occasional reunion tour.


My theory is that Genesis and Phil Collins have endured because the average music listener does not know all the options he or she has…and simply believes that Genesis is as good as it gets. These underlying causes need to be addressed, but that’s a much bigger issue that will take time.

No, we need immediate action to curtail the damage. And now, taking advantage of the celebration of Phil hanging it up for good, I’m here to suggest some ways to do it.

OK, think of every time you listen to a Genesis or Phil Collins song as a pollutant and a wicked affront to the musical ecosystem…just like every time you drive your car you put carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.

Just as many of us have taken up the challenge to reduce our “carbon footprint” in the battle against global warming, here are a few recommendations to reduce your “Genesis footprint” in combating the equally vexing problem of really, really bad music pollution:

  • Reduce. The easiest thing you can do, and for most people this is a snap. Just turn the radio station or hit mute on your computer or TV when a song by one of them comes on. I have a “no Genesis (and no Phil Collins) policy” for my car that I obey religiously.
  • Offset. As much as Genesis and Phil Collins have polluted the world’s musical ecosystem, this damage can…over time…be offset by listening to much better music instead. The good news here is that it’s really easy to find music better than Genesis and Phil Collins. So, find something…anything…and listen to that. Three quick suggestions: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Manic Street Preachers, British Sea Power.
  • Educate. Talk to your friends and at least get them going on the “reduce” regimen and offer them some alternatives.

If you have a friend who likes Genesis and/or Phil Collins, you have a decision to make. How much do you value that friendship? Can you continue to be friends with this person if he or she continues to pollute the world with noxious junk? The answer is probably yes, as a good friend is hard to find after all. But, I urge you to go to work on this person by suggesting new bands to listen to – be aggressive. Send links to web sites of cool bands, burn your “friend” CDs of stuff you like.

If you yourself are having issues giving up Genesis and Phil Collins, you are like the addict who needs to first recognize you have a problem before you can solve it. Plus, I have one word for you…Sussudio! Come on, get real. You really think that’s good? Seriously, random blips and scratches are more entertaining and probably more inspiring that…”Sus-sus-sudio.”

OK, enough. You get the point. Bye bye Phil. Genesis and Phil Collins = bad. Do America proud and find something new.

NOTE: The picture in this post was NOT taken by me.

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