Determine a band's leader by analyzing a publicity photo.
Disclaimer:
A band's inclusion on this blog reflects neither an endorsement nor a criticism of its music. This post is merely intended as a spotlight on the inner political workings of a collection of individuals who are in the midst of a cooperative, creative endeavor.
The Process:
You, dear reader, please answer the question, "Who's in charge here?"
After sufficient discussion has taken place, a verdict can then be passed based on a majority vote.
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Band:Young Marble GiantsGenre: Minimalist Keyboard Funk
Website: http://www.youngmarblegiants.com/
Voting ends on: Monday, August 18th, 9:00am CST (GMT-5)
THE VERDICT (Updated!)
Voting has ended. Here is the tally.
No One - 1 vote
Popeye - 5 votes
Wee Woman - 6 votes
Concealed Marble - 6 votes
Smirker on the Left - 1 vote
Egads! A tie! What you have done?!! As with all ties, I must call on the sitting Vice President of the United States to make a ruling.
"The Concealed Marble may have power in Young Marble Giants, but his avoidance of the spotlight indicates he may wish to not be known as "in charge", preferring to operate behind-the-scenes while a less-competent individual takes the credit for leadership. However, how do we know that this individual is not just playing a handheld electronic football game, and was just not paying attention to the photographer? In addition, we have seen time after time in gender-mixed collections of individuals, if there is but one woman present (and that woman is not clearly the bass player), a majority of times the female will be seen as the leader. These two factors cause me to decide for the Wee Woman. She is in charge."
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20 comments:
I'll say Popeye up front. He looks like he's adjusting the chip on his shoulder, so he must be in charge.
I was also going to go with Popeye, but then I realized that the Wee Woman in the middle actually made the others look like giants in relation to her size. Without her, they are just tall guys. With her... they are giants.
I don't know how the marble factors in to the whole thing.
Young Marble Puppets is more like it. Look again.
The woman is being controlled by the lanky Ethan Hawke-looking guy behind her. Popeye also has his puppet-master. The guy is mostly concealed, but you can see the crown of his head just behind Popeye. You can also see his arm reached out, perhaps holding Popeye's shirt. "Make it look like you're shopping," he says to them gruffly. "Then we'll go back and you'll make more minimalist keyboard funk for the label. The label wants minimalist keyboard funk. We must please the label."
The concealed Marble is in charge.
I'm going with the smirker beyond the woman. Direct eye contact with the camera, no fear, he's in charge and he's letting everyone know. He doesn't care that he's fallen behind, he's on top of it all....his face shows it. He's a cocky one!
I'm going with the guy hidden behind Popeye (he knows that hat makes him looks like an ahole, right? esp on his moptop of bright peroxided curls) - you can barely see the top of his head.
The marbles are in their mouths.
I'm going with the guy walking at the front. He's leading the way with his ice-cold coolness.
Incidentally, I just read Rip it up and Start Again, an effing fantastic book chronicling the post punk scene including such ace bands as YMG. I recommend it to anyone interested in this music. You're welcome.
I'm going with Beckeye and saying it's Popeye.
Thanks again for this blog! I love it!
i'd guess the puppeteer behind popeye, whose favorite quote would be similar to the wizard of oz - "pay no attention to the man behind the band!"
I'm voting Popeye. He's already squeezed out that one poor guy & it looks like he's about to cut the other two off and lunge for the camera.
I'll go with Unseen Man (standing behind Popeye). His anonymity would normally be a clear indication of his percussionist status, but he's clearly holding some kind of weapon to Popeye's back, forcing his cooperation. The Rat Faced Girl is immediately disqualified due to her bowl haircut. Ethan Hawke is typically a supporting actor, not a leading man.
Incidentally, I can't tell if The Imaginary Reviewer's review of Rip it Up and Start Again is imaginary or real. Or the book, for that matter. I must confess I'm not up on my post-punk minimalist-keyboard-funk canon.
The woman in the anorak, her clothing speaks adult maturity and she is trying to herd these other souls along so that they can pick up the dry cleaning before the car park ticket runs out, "Chop, chop boys, don't dawdle", she looks grown up and care worn, she is in charge.
Rhubarb Ranch: That was one of my rare reviews of something that actually exists...sorry for the confusion. If it had appeared on my blog, however, it would have been completely made-up.
I'm voting for the floating head in behind Popeye. He's too engrossed in leadership things to notice he's not even seen.
My vote goes to the lady..she is completely in charge man..the guy behind her is too busy to order anyone around, and the other one look like he is trying to convince the boss about something...
The lady's in charge. The band is out for one of their frequent eye liner buying trips. The man in back is attempting to curry favor by wearing the stuff, and the man to the right is nursing a cigarette burn for bitching about having to shop for make-up. She's in charge, and she'd just as soon cut you and take your money than argue about it.
The girl is definitly in charge.
It's the woman, but there's a power play between her and Popeye. I think she lets him think he's running things, but she handles the money.
I think it is the one in the hat cos he is the scariest looking.
However I do think that the girl is only just behind him in the
"people I wouldn't like to meet in a dark alley" category.
I cast my vote for the red and white bus in the background. Seems like the most centered odject.
I'm going for the behind-the-scenes-person. He or she is simply reading directions, telling everyone where to go. He or she wouldn't even let the woman hold it and she's pissed. Jerk.
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