tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573015459789360915.post4592424282222162089..comments2024-01-02T23:22:21.430-05:00Comments on The Guild Review: Sixteen Military WivesAaron Lindermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573015459789360915.post-40229508553735079662008-10-19T14:07:00.000-04:002008-10-19T14:07:00.000-04:00Point taken. "Sixteen Military Wives," though cle...Point taken. "Sixteen Military Wives," though clever, may not even be the best example of what the Decemberists - themselves problematic - have to offer.<BR/><BR/>"Irresponsible" is probably a good term for a lot of their work. The downside of having a keen eye (or ear) for a good narrative is that everything becomes a story, but perhaps little else. They don't have to take sides or deal with the real questions at stake in the Russian Revolution, the American Civil War, Japanese culture, organized crime or any of the other themes they explore.Aaron Lindermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573015459789360915.post-69615875670907073482008-10-19T13:59:00.000-04:002008-10-19T13:59:00.000-04:00I appreciate the Decemberists' talent as much as a...I appreciate the Decemberists' talent as much as anyone, and yeah, I like that their songs are literary and intelligent. But like a lot of literary and intelligent types, they're spouting a brand of anti-Americanism that's ignorant and irresponsible. That, I think, is what the song and the video have in common.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573015459789360915.post-46880382005562266082008-10-14T13:31:00.000-04:002008-10-14T13:31:00.000-04:00If you've ever wondered whether Valencia referred ...If you've ever wondered whether Valencia referred to the woman or the city (which will, apparently, be burned down), let me recommend the video for "O Valencia!" It features an interesting third take. But don't assume it's the 'right answer.' That would be too easy.Aaron Lindermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992073027586818751noreply@blogger.com