EARVOLUTION: Blur's Damon Albarn attempts to out Radiohead, Bono

Blur's Damon Albarn is in need of some attention. You'd think he'd be happy with the acclaim the Gorrilaz project received, but instead of doing his own thing and being content, he's decided to bash some other folks in a nonsensical manner. This type of "PR" stunt is usually relegated to lesser artists or those who's career has tailed off in order to get someone to write about him. Even though Alborn doesn't need the publicity these days, I'll bite anyway.

He reportedly told The Sun: "Radiohead – I'm not gonna get into anyone, but bands who care about certain things and then go on one and a half year stadium tours are just total hypocrites."

"In one sense you've got this developing humanist thing that's coming out of you, which is great. Then you're creating these massive impersonal events where you set up as the subject of thousands of people's adoration. Where is the humanity in that? That's just idolatry".

He also went on to have a dig at Bono and Live 8 organiser Bob Geldof, where he says: "You can't question Geldof's passion. But him and Bono – if you're so interested and care about Africa, think about the people, see them as a neighbour. Be interested in what they are interested in and don't impose your own ideas. It's imperious, it really is."

Its obvious this guy has no idea what he's talking about. To suggest that Bono doesn't have respect for Africans or that Radiohead, who take a more subtle approach but are nonetheless well-informed, don't truly care about world events, makes Albarn look rather silly and himself uninformed.

I get some of his point about the Live 8 type events, but his train of logic falls flat off the table pretty quickly. And, the irony of course, is that Albarn's preaching makes him look like an ass as he tries to lift himself to an even higher pulpit than the ones occupied by the subjects of his attacks. Be careful Damon, those high holy perches can be awfully unstable.

Labels: Bono

// posted by JD @ 11:37 AM

Comments:

Congratulations on a heroically bad misinterpretation. I am a fan of U2 and Blur, and I'm not being biased when I say Damon is right.

Damon didn't say that Bono "doesn't have respect for Africans", he was pointing out that Bono shouldn't make his every aid campaign seem like a record-selling drive. No one is doubting that Bono cares, it's just that the way he does things often seems mor elike PR than anything else. Surely that one was plain to see...

"It's obvious this guy has no idea what he's talking about" is totally untrue: Damon knows his stuff as well as, or even better than, Bono ever will.

It's the whole Bono idea you have, that everything is PR. I find it obvious that Damon is not looking for attention, or to "lift himself to an even higher pulpit than the ones occupied by the subjects of his attacks": he is stating his opinions, which he is entitled to have and to share with the world if he wants.

Granted, I feel he was being a tad unjust in his Radiohead criticisms (although Radiohead playing stadiums is a stupid idea full stop), but despite this I have to say that you should think through the debates before you begin to criticise.

Thanks.

# posted by

Spooksie : 12:04 PM

I've got to agree with Albarn on this one. Though I don't mind how Radiohead incorporates politics into their work, Bono's philanthropy campaigns are ineffective and counter-productive, not to mention self-righteous.

The RED Campaign has spent $40 million more on marketing than it has raised - its one huge GAP ad. Bono sends a message to consumers that they can fight AIDS w/out making any sacrafice in their lifestyle, all they have to do is buy GAP Tshirts.

Also the critique of the imagery that Bono uses to attempt to raise awareness is right on. Spreading disempowered, depressed, diseased images of Africa don't do anything to fight the problems there, rather they perpetuate stereotypes of a monolithically undiverse sick continent. African nations need to build on their assets and focus on what is working to empower themselves to fight these systemic problems, and Westerners who want to get involved should listen to the grassroots leaders fighting these problems on the ground before they turn to Bono.

Join the campaign calling on Bono to step down from his self-installed philanthropy throne:

http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/bono-retire-from-public-life-and-well-donate-a-ton-of-money-to-fight-aids

# posted by

Mr. Bogues : 2:46 PM

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Blur's Damon Albarn attempts to out Radiohead, Bono

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