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The old sound was alcoholic. The tradition was finally…

“The old sound was alcoholic. The tradition was finally broken. The music is sex and drugs and happy. And happy is the joke the music understands best. Ultra sonic sounds on records to cause frontal lobotomies. Hey, don't be afraid. You'd better take drugs and learn to love PLASTIC. All diffrent…” quote by Legs McNeil
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““The old sound was alcoholic. The tradition was finally broken. The music is sex and drugs and happy. And happy is the joke the music understands best. Ultra sonic sounds on records to cause frontal lobotomies. Hey, don't be afraid. You'd better take drugs and learn to love PLASTIC. All diffrent kinds of plastic- pliable, rigid, colored, colorful, nonattached plastic. - Lou Reed (1965-1968)””

Legs McNeil

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote satirizes how modern music embraces synthetic, sensationalist elements, equating it with drug culture and superficiality, urging listeners to confront artificiality.

In simple terms: Music has become shallow and synthetic, driven by drugs and plasticity.

Key Takeaway

Question the authenticity of modern music.

Themes

culture music authenticity synthetic drug culture commercialism

Mood

cynical ironic critical

Type

satirical commentary

When to use this quote

  • listening to pop
  • producing music
  • music criticism
  • media analysis

Key Concepts

postmodernism media critique consumerism

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you think all modern music is shallow?
  • How does plasticity affect artistic expression?
A Different Perspective

It may overgeneralize and dismiss genuine artistic innovation.

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