David Sirota, Jacob Wheeler, and David Moberg blog live for In These Times this week from the Democratic National Convention!

Return of the Elves

By James Parker

Magic—or more precisely, the “magical”—was one of the first casualties of punk rock. As guitar solos contracted and song structures were shaved to a stump, with amazing speed we lost our dragons, our druids, our talking trees—the whole seeping, twittering realm of the fantastic was suddenly banished, as if by a lobotomy. It survived, lurkingly, in the lower realms of… return to article

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    In typical American musical ignorance ITT does not realize that European Heavy Metal bands including Iron Maiden, Helloween, Blind Guardian, Manowar (American) Hammarfall, Gamma Ray, Rhapsody and countless others have been working with fantasy based themes scince the late 80’s. Look up any band labled powermetal and you will find some of these themes and some mind blowing musicianship.

    United States Posted by Jacob on Mar 22, 2005 at 3:52 PM

    In typical metal musical arrogance, Jacob assumes readers of ITT give a damn about European heavy-metal bands -yawn. Mind blowing musicianship - it goes to eleven dude.

    United States Posted by Nigel Tufnell on Mar 23, 2005 at 11:27 AM

    “Rock journalism is people who can’t talk talking to people who can’t write writing for people who can’t read.”
    –Frank Zappa R.I.P.

    Every few years every magazine must do the obligatory “rock is dead/long live rock” story.

    Nothing to see here, move along.

    Canada Posted by Elvis on Mar 28, 2005 at 12:30 AM

    great zappa quote that - GENIUS - what a seer that man was… i also take great comfort and intellectual nutrition from his ‘toast is to jam as fish are to bicycles’ and ‘a woman needs a man who looks like a fish’ (wait - was that right?...) anyway - brilliant use above of the devastating zappa-wisdom - towering mental superiority - truly devastating to all who have ever written, read or stared illiterately at a crowded page. now move along. PLEASE.

    United States Posted by twinky on Mar 28, 2005 at 9:10 AM

    You’re right, twinky. I apologise for using Zappa as a cover for my lack of genuine cerebration. I was having a bad night - my dog has a rash. Having read through the article again, I can see the writer’s point. It is thoughtfully made, and quite interesting. Maybe I’ll buy the record.

    United States Posted by Elvis on Mar 28, 2005 at 9:16 AM

    We need metal, we need fantasy, we don’t need no stink’n Zappa! Suzy Creamcheese what’s got into you?

    United States Posted by P. Boone on Mar 28, 2005 at 11:30 AM
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