h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

FAITH NO MORE, AND THE PLIGHT OF THE OBSESSIVE MEDIA COLLECTOR

It could be considered that as a man of taste and integrity, it would be erroneous and in fact, downright silly for me to admit that my favourite popular ensemble of all time is the American group, (sadly now defunct), Faith No More.

After all, I have a large eclectic mixture of recorded media at my fingertips. I can tolerate the most vapid chart music. I can even say with certainty that my "Metal" days are over. I even read F. Scott Fitzgerald. I laugh in a genteel manner at "Bernice Bobs her Hair".

So, why the obsession with a band that samples Kronos Quartet playing Shostakovich over Jim Martin's chainsaw-guitar noises, while pseudo-club singer Mike Patton mixes operatic dissonance with noises best left to a piggery?

I suppose that the main issue of this discussion is the concept of the "obsessive" music collector. I believe there comes a time in ever entity's life, where one sits down with a pan-galactic gargle blaster, and revels in the extensive size of ones collection of "Band X" legitimate recordings, (covers, alternative recordings, 4-track demos) bootlegs, live tapes, vinyl and odd paraphernalia; a pleasure that has no index in the quality of the music.

I like FNM, (I love em), but I often display contempt for acts which other obsessives might band in with that humble quintet.

There must be a point, a genetic alteration somewhere in the brain that designates any cultural movement as being "infinitely worthy" to the obsessive collector, despite the actual indeterminate quality it professes to the rest of humanity.

I am fully aware that FNM are perhaps not the best band in the world, but I am prepared to defend "Angel Dust" and "King for a Day" to the death, simply because I am afflicted with this free-floating, subject-specific mania.

Please post replies if you have experienced similar madness in your self/nearest and dearest, (or if you want to form an FNM cover band...nghhhh....there it goes again...COLLISION!!!!!)

My old flatmate used to lay their stuff; sadly, my preferred track off Angel Dust was Easy, which they didn't write. I can give you the email address of a fan, if you'd like.

I really love 'The Real Thing'. 'Angeldust' was okay, but whatever album was after that sucked. I didn't buy anything after 'Songs To Make Love To'. I have been thinking of picking up one of the Mr. Bungle CDs, but first I have to finish my KMFDM collection, my Rush collection, my Queensryche collection, and my Soundgarden collection. Yeah, I guess I do see your point about obsessive music collecting.

Soundgarden? I loved most of Superunknown but didn't like the copy of Down on the Upside I found somewhere and hated BadMotorFinger when it was left in my flat by an australian map thief

Jizzlober.....He HE Ha Ha..make love to concrete..