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  #1  
Unread 09-13-2019, 09:46 PM
Aaron Novick Aaron Novick is offline
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Default the most potent poetic image of the young century

this thread is your chance to convince me it's not Danny Brown's "octopus in a straightjacket"; best of luck my friends

https://youtu.be/EnfPzODj1kI?t=66
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  #2  
Unread 09-14-2019, 12:10 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
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I think my favorite Arctic Monkeys title is "perhaps vampires is a bit strong but...": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjzOUf0AEiQ
A great song. This I don't think matches octopus in a straitjacket, which is indeed splendid IMO.

On the other hand. It's not my favorite Amy Winehouse song, but I think my favorite image of hers is in "Some Unholy War": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAD0WNBTA0Y
Now this song opens,

If my man was fighting
Some unholy war
I would be behind him ...


which I think is pretty damn cool.

Cheers,
John
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  #3  
Unread 09-15-2019, 03:41 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
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Hi Aaron,

So ... are you convinced or not? You seem to have abdicated here!

Cheers,
John
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Unread 09-15-2019, 10:05 AM
Aaron Novick Aaron Novick is offline
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The Winehouse is a nice sentiment, but "octopus in a straightjacket" is raw power.

The straightjacket gives you constraint; that it's an octopus, with its eight arms, shows you viscerally just how much potential is being inhibited. Plus, the image is just straight up hilarious.

This last point is important, because the whole song is about Brown using his pain for others' entertainment. This is clear from the official video for the song (which I didn't post initially because the verse with the image in question is cut in the video). So "octopus in a straightjacket" is basically the entire song in miniature. Incredibly powerful four words. The Winehouse doesn't come close.
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Unread 09-15-2019, 10:35 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
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Yes, you make a fine argument for octopus in a straitjacket. But I've never seen a partner assume her beloved might be "fighting some unholy war," as say the fallen angels did, and announce her allegiance to it. Winehouse was dead at 27 and the image to my mind goes some way to illustrating how she viewed her notoriously toxic relationship. I think it's more powerful than you've yet given it credit for.

Cheers,
John
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Unread 09-15-2019, 11:00 AM
Mark McDonnell Mark McDonnell is offline
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It's a bit Captain Beefheart, isn't it?

"A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag is fast and bulbous."

Great tune though!
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Unread 09-15-2019, 11:00 AM
Aaron Novick Aaron Novick is offline
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I had intended to post the video, but forgot. It's very good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L4JnAuW00k
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Unread 09-17-2019, 04:58 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
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Good morning Aaron,

I guess you were convinced by my explanation, because you haven't responded to it. That is, if what you were looking for was discussion of your challenge to others, instead of ex cathedra pronouncements from you.

Cheers,
John

Update: just to add, this approach reminds me a bit of the Italian national team in the 1991 European Ultimate Championships. They'd make a pass, and then pose for a moment. It'a a natural temptation. Meanwhile, the disc would be caught, or not caught, or intercepted. Play went on. The team did not do well in that tournament.

Last edited by John Isbell; 09-17-2019 at 05:09 AM.
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  #9  
Unread 09-17-2019, 05:27 AM
Aaron Novick Aaron Novick is offline
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Winehouse's image, a lightly gussied up cliché, is too boring to be worth the knock-down, drag-out argument you seem to want.
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  #10  
Unread 09-17-2019, 06:05 AM
John Isbell John Isbell is offline
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Hi Aaron,

Sure, that's a little bit of dialogue from you. Well done!
I enjoy dialogue, I think it's why I enjoy teaching.

Cheers,
John
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