tomewing:

Read Nitsuh’s whole reply: it’s very good. This makes a lot of sense - that the reason I felt frustrated by my inability to detect the “strata of semiotic meaning” is because it doesn’t exist and the people talking the album up in that way are basically wrong.

Which leaves… what? Well, the references to Stereolab, Yo La Tengo, and the Aluminium Group help clear things up as well, in that I’m not fond of any of those bands either (a couple of Stereolab singles aside). So I can with a clear conscience file Destroyer in that category: groups who are intelligent, thoughtful, admirable builders of rich, unique sound-worlds, and whose albums I intend never to hear again in my life if I can possibly help it.

Just imagine how Tom would feel if he’d gone for one of the earlier records, which are like eating balsa wood.