Greyhawk wrote:

To the above poster.

You seem to be missing the point of the song. As you would know if you listened to the track and were familiar with Gildenlow's sense of humor, its pretty obvious 'America' is the joke song of the album.

The message, true as it may be, is trying to be told in a comedic musical way. The song exists on the album not for the message necessarily, but to ad a lighter track into the album that still had relevant themes to the concept.

Everyone knows PoS has a few things to say when it comes to the US, but naturally they need to use the capitalist system in order to get their message out there and still support themselves. Love it or hate it, but we sill live in a capitalist society, and we need to play by the rules or embrace poverty. I'd much rather see PoS continue to survive financially then suffer just cause one of their songs might come off as hypocritical to a small number of people.

And if you are unaware, PoS isn't saying they hate the capitalist system anyway, just the American-driven version of it. I think part of the message they are trying to convey is that there is nothing wrong with capitalism until one of the participants gets too rich and powerful and makes up the rules as it goes along.

As for not solving any problems, you can hardly expect a Swedish progressive metal band to solve all of the US' problems in just 5:05 with a rhythm, no matter how brilliant musicians they are.

You say that PoS is just rehashing what punk bands like to rant on about, but I say all they did was make a very well crafted and witty piece of music that reminds us what PoS' standpoint is on the issue, while creating a song with a lighter tone of music compared to the rest of the album, and having a bit of a laugh with the fans.

It is very easy for someone such as yourself to criticise, but you're better off just either liking or not liking the song, and moving on instead of getting fans who like the song upset. There is no use in that, unless you like to troll or something.

As for Daniel Gildenlow not entering the US, that's his personal choice.

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VikingR wrote:

Quoth Greyhawk:
You seem to be missing the point of the song. As you would know if you listened to the track and were familiar with Gildenlow's sense of humor, its pretty obvious 'America' is the joke song of the album.
Why is that obvious? I have of course listened to the song, and while not on personal terms with Gildenlow, I think I'm fairly good at recognising jokes when I see them. The lyrics to America are far from jovial. Surely Disco Queen is the more amusing track... or have I missed the Disco revolution?

Quoth Greyhawk:
Everyone knows PoS has a few things to say when it comes to the US, but naturally they need to use the capitalist system in order to get their message out there and still support themselves. Love it or hate it, but we sill live in a capitalist society, and we need to play by the rules or embrace poverty. I'd much rather see PoS continue to survive financially then suffer just cause one of their songs might come off as hypocritical to a small number of people.
Right... so it's ok to hold up an ideal, but it's alright to drop it when it's convenient? I guarantee PoS are doing quite comfortably from their sales and not complaining about it. I don't begrudge them that at all, but I will point out that it's still benefiting from the capitalist system. As for being hypocritical, well it either is or it isn't. I'm sure some people won't care, or will blindly choose to ignore it, but hypocrisy it is nonetheless.

Quoth Greyhawk:
And if you are unaware, PoS isn't saying they hate the capitalist system anyway, just the American-driven version of it. I think part of the message they are trying to convey is that there is nothing wrong with capitalism until one of the participants gets too rich and powerful and makes up the rules as it goes along.
The American-driven version of capitalism? I don't understand - the point of capitalism is to make profit by selling goods or services. That's the same in the US as it is in Iran.

Quoth Greyhawk:
As for not solving any problems, you can hardly expect a Swedish progressive metal band to solve all of the US' problems in just 5:05 with a rhythm, no matter how brilliant musicians they are.
If they have nothing useful to say on the subject, then they should say nothing at all. Clamouring at how dreadful the US has become isn't useful. As I said, we already know the problems and that is my chief objection to the song.

Quoth Greyhawk:
You say that PoS is just rehashing what punk bands like to rant on about, but I say all they did was make a very well crafted and witty piece of music that reminds us what PoS' standpoint is on the issue, while creating a song with a lighter tone of music compared to the rest of the album, and having a bit of a laugh with the fans.
Super. We have a difference of opinion. The facts don't change, however.

Quoth Greyhawk:
It is very easy for someone such as yourself to criticise, but you're better off just either liking or not liking the song, and moving on instead of getting fans who like the song upset. There is no use in that, unless you like to troll or something.
Yes it is easy for me to write this post, but it's a valid critique of a song that I am arguing is invalid. Please address the validity of the song, not my post, because my post's validity is implied by the nature of this America discussion thread.

Thank you for the How to have an opinion 101 by the way. I'll retain my thoughts on the album and importantly my rational analysis of the facts instead though. As for the hint at me being a troll, well I could allude to you being a fanboy, but I don't think that's a fair assessment since I don't know you at all and such a judgement would be utterly absurd. Wouldn't it?

Quoth Greyhawk:
As for Daniel Gildenlow not entering the US, that's his personal choice.
You miss the point. I concede it's his choice, but that doesn't change the fact that because he hasn't been there, it's still second hand information.

Thanks for having a read of my post and taking the time to come up with a rebuttal. I don't think you significantly addressed many of the points though. Don't get me wrong - I love PoS and I have no special affinity for the US, or any monetary or political system. I really felt that this song was sub-par and expected a bit more from Gildenlow.

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PoS has played in the US quite a few times, so they have been here. They won't play here anymore because of the fingerprinting thing (which Daniel mostly objects too because other countries have tried to do the same thing but the US wouldn't let them but will do it themselves)