Sexlib’s Critiques


DISCLAIMER

   These critiques are of stories that usually deal with sexual
conduct.  As a result, these critiques may be unsuitable for
some audiences.  Reader discression is advised.


“Teen Spirit” by Bradley Stoke

   This is an uncharacteristically bad story from Mr. Stoke, at
least based upon those stories of his that I have taken thus far
the opportunity to read.  This story, more specifically,
suffers from a number of mistakes, mistakes that cause an
otherwise excellent work into a mediocre piece.

   The author clearly implies that Nirvana were metal.  Not
that there’s anything wrong with being a metal band, of
course, but Nirvana were definitely and purposely <i>not</i>
metal.  Most would label Nirvana as grunge, and indeed
Nirvana <i>was</i> the band that brought grunge into the
mainstream.  But grunge can be a vague label, as bands like
Tad are more likely to be labeled metal and bands like Mudhoney
are more likely to be labeled punk; thus, for a wholly
descriptive examination of Nirvana’s music, one must go
beyond merely saying “grunge.”  Nirvana was
influenced by both metal and punk, although they primarily saw
themselves following in the tradition of the latter style. 
According to a news report, the audio of which is contained on
Nirvana’s <i>Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!</i>, the band is
best described as a post-hardcore band.  I tend to think
that this description of their music is most apt, although reason
compels me to add that they also recorded some alternative rock
songs that could not be described as a varient of <i>either</i>
metal <i>or</i> punk.  Suffice it to say, however, that any
description of Nirvana being a metal band is simply and wholly
inaccurate.

   Next, the author claims that the main character is listening
to Nirvana’s <i>Nevermore</i> when a second character
enters his room.  Yet, Nirvana had no such album. 
Their most famous album was titled <i>Nevermind</i>.  Let us
not confuse Cobain with Poe.

   The second character has to look at the back of the CD case to
discover the title to track one.  One could possibly forgive
her for this, if she is simply not very familiar with
music.  But this character is only thirty, and indeed
<i>has</i> some interest in music.  One would think
she’d be at least familiar enough with the most famous song
of the ’90s not to need to look at the back of the CD case
for confirmation on its title.  One would think, but again,
we should probably forgive her for that.

   We cannot forgive, however, the author for his error in
presenting the title of the song.  Consider the following
paragraph:

<blockquote><blockquote>   “<i>Smells like Teen
Spirit</i>?” she commented, reading the sleeve
notes.</blockquote></blockquote>

   Titles of songs are not supposed to be placed in italics, but
rather in quotation marks.  But beyond this, the
‘L’ should be capitalised.  With the exception
of the song “tourette’s,” the first letter of
every word in every title of every song by Cobain should be
capitalised, as this was the convention Cobain employed. 
Thus, this sentence ought to have read as follows:

<blockquote><blockquote>   “‘Smells Like Teen
Spirit’?” she commented, reading the sleeve
notes.</blockquote></blockquote>

   Other than this, the story was absolutely excellent, and does
well to demonstrate my view that lack of proper communication
leads to most of the world’s stories.  Definitely
worth the read, once you get passed the music-based errors.


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