Thanks for your comments. I think if you look back over my article you find that I more than readily acknowledge the pragmatic side of making records.

Furthermore, I point out that this is a question I am raising. I am not giving a definitive answer. I am simply wondering if progressive growth and development of skill reflects a more ideal manifestation of God-given creative ability as opposed to reproduction.

Also, I’d be interested to know how “American Idiot” stands as such a significant improvement to “Dookie.” At this point I would simply disagree.

I’m confused as to how you make a “theology of art” translating into requiring “continued growth”. Are you referring to improved skills? Changing style? I don’t see the connection.

If an artist creates because they recognized their innate/God-given drive to do so, what does that mean their style must evolve?

With secular bands like +44, I’d say you completely ignored the business aspects. Pragmatism means you keep making what people want to buy. Furthermore, do you honestly think a major record label is going to let a band create albums with no input or boundaries?

This is a very interesting topic–but I’d say you missed some important aspects of the equation.

Erik Dungans last blog post..Introducing Ebispo Pulse (Join and Win Some Stuff)

I have a hard time answering your question in terms of “should” or “should not,” however. While it will probably mature me artistically to listen to more progressively changing music, I can’t say whether I think I’d be wrong for not doing so. It’s not best for me to eat a bag of potato chips with my sandwich as oppsed to, say, an apple, but I don’t think I could say that it’s SINFUL… but maybe that’s not what you meant(?)

Adenas last blog post..Captain Destructo Strikes Again

Mikes last blog post..5 Most Popular Search Phrases

Both, I think, are necessary in their proper balance.

Jordan Peacocks last blog post..The Ordinary Radicals – Trailer

Corgan’s comment was that they could write those songs anytime, but in order to grow they had to do something else…even at the expense of some of their fanbase.

Not all bands can afford that drop, as Dane mentioned, and those that try usually pay the price. The few exceptions (Radiohead, Thrice) don’t necessarily negate the rule.

Jordan Peacocks last blog post..The Ordinary Radicals – Trailer

Case in point.

Weezer’s first album (Blue) garnered them a ton of fans and made them radio darlings on Alt-Rock stations. Anticipation was pretty high for Weezer’s second album. When Pinkerton arrived, it was a disaster. The album showed maturity and growth over the prior album and despite having since become acclaimed critically as being Weezer’s best album, it wasn’t what listening wanted.

Neither their label nor their fanbase were particularly amused.

It’s much easier for indie bands to experiment and grow than it is for established bands to do so. If Havalina Rail Co. wanted to depart from swing/folk/bluegrass and try out some imaginary Russian music, who was going to care? If Wilco wanted to ditch their country-ish sound and create Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, they were pretty much free to do so.

But if the Rolling Stones came out with a techno album or if Metallica went reggae, heads would roll.

So add to the expectation factor the fact that growth isn’t easy. How many authors (and great authors) have one style that they excel at and never really leave home to try out new things. Same with artists. Most musicians are really good with the music that they are good at—the music they feel deep in their soul—but when even able to cross genres with some degree of confidence, they’ll never be as good in the new territory as they were in their home region.

Jefferson could do a great airplane, but their starship would never be worthwhile.

Very few musicians even have the talent to grow. That’s why we praise even moderate growth in musicians. Fiona Apple’s transition from Tidal to When the Pawn… to Extraordinary Machine,/i> is heartening even though the growth is not vast. Same with Pixies as they moved from Surfer Rosa to Doolittle and then to Bossanova. These may be safe moves, but at least we’re happy to say we see movement.

It’s always sad for me to see that bands like Steely Dan or Jethro Tull or whatever are playing at the Orange County Fair or at Verizon Amphitheater because I know that they are only playing their hits from thirty years ago. Even if they have new stuff, no one wants to hear it.

The Danes last blog post..20080716

Jordan Peacocks last blog post..The Ordinary Radicals – Trailer

You’re putting a lot of pressure on SoberMinded’s next album to mature.