A Funny Story from Rock History, A Rebuke/Rank about Anti-Americanism

a)

Been listening to Neil Young lately, in an attempt to get to know Canadian music more.

Here’s an interesting story (put together as well as I can understand it):

So, ’82, Geffen Records signs Young, who is known for his introspective rock/acoustic albums. This was three years after the critically acclaimed Rust Never Sleeps. However, Young is half involved in music, half taking care of his son with cerebral palsy.

His relationship with his son inspires his first Geffen album, ‘83’s Trans, which experimented with dance beats and synthesizing his voice. Young had found when his voice was altered, his son was better able to communicate with him. It wasn’t received too well, cause it was a little strange, and people didn’t understand the personal significance.

Anyways, Young decides that the next album will be a straight country album. But Geffen is not cool with that, and demand that he put out a Rock and Roll album. So, Young gives them exactly what they ask for, and records a 25-minute rockabilly album, with him doing Little Richard/Elvis-style tracks.

At this point, critics and fans are real confused, and it becomes the worst-selling Young album since his debut. So, Geffen sues Neil Young for putting out uncharacteristic albums. Well, in the end, REM left Geffen, and Young finally put out his country album, Old Ways. Another win for Rock, and one more loss for the man.

b)

Just a small snapshot of life here overseas: I’ve had the opportunity to meet many people from many countries. Of course, I meet many Americans.

Americans are often accused of being the loudest, most overly-patriotic/ethnocentric people.

However, my experience is that it is the Canadians who are the loudest and most obnoxious. I would attribute it to an attempt to overcompensate. I have been there many times as Canadians loudly explain our superiority to Americans as they politely smile and listen.

Who knows… that’s just my experience. But point is – if you go overseas, don’t be the obnoxious Canadian.

Oh, and I’ve noticed many Canadians assume the worse when they hear a southern accent. Don’t do that either.