What is Minimal about?

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Janet Street-Porter · Sat 29 Apr 2006, 4:04 pm

I *love* Minimal. Apart from the genius electro hook and ethereal production, I love the Peter Hook guitar which I thought was superfluous at first. And then there's the lyrics. I'm convinced its' themes are minimalism and existentialism. I see Sam Taylor-Wood directing the Donald Judd influenced video.

! · #2 Post by ! » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 5:41 pm

The lyrics and the Hooky guitar are the only things that's any good on it.

Dog · #3 Post by **Dog** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 5:43 pm

Just the words and music then?

Ghost within this house · Sat 29 Apr 2006, 6:27 pm

itself?

joe stalin · #5 Post by **joe stalin** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 6:33 pm

sorry but i found it a bit underwhelming... 3/10

Ghost within this house · Sat 29 Apr 2006, 7:16 pm

joe stalin wrote:sorry but i found it a bit underwhelming... 3/10

could you perhaps post that in another thread? We're trying to work out what it's about over here...

also, go back and listen to it again: 3/10 is the wrong answer

glennjridge · #7 Post by **glennjridge** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 7:22 pm

I dont know exactly but I am just so glad he went with the abstract lyric route rather than the obvious one about not having enough love etc etc etc.

I give this song quite frankly a 10/10

GalataPSB · #8 Post by **GalataPSB** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 8:38 pm

A rapid "electro" track with a chant-like chorus spelling out and stating the title using a vocoder and perhaps other electronic effects, the Boys resisted the temptation (which would have been somewhat predictable) to reflect the title stylistically in the arrangement of the track itself. In fact, it sounds as though they actually had a lot of fun with this one!

The lyrics articulate in a highly abstract, appropriately minimalistic way a "less is more, more is less" philosophy. The line "Decide something less decisional" is especially interesting in light of the fact that, as existentialist philosophers have long articulated, to not decide is itself a decision. Could this be another expression of post-9/11 angst, suggesting that an attempt to broker an escape from the complexities of life through minimalism is ultimately futile? The Boys don't offer an answer any more than they clearly state such a question. They leave such matters up to us.

Although "Minimal" was originally slated as the first single from Fundamental, this distinction instead went to "I'm with Stupid." It may be that Neil and Chris, or perhaps their record company, decided that the more accessible lyrics of "Stupid" would enhance the commercial appeal of what would be, in effect, the "official album teaser."

http://www.geowayne.com/psbhtml.htm

TheGardner · #9 Post by **TheGardner** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 11:26 pm

completely agree with the topic opener

.

and yes - give it a 300/10! Only heard most of the tracks 5-6 times! But heard Minimal around 1200 times in the last two days. The track is playing in repeat mode - when I leave the flat, driving with the car and at work...

boyjohn · #10 Post by **boyjohn** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 11:28 pm

I think minimal is about.....

the best song on the album

on an album full of GREAT songs

Impulsive-fool · #11 Post by **Impulsive-fool** » Sat 29 Apr 2006, 11:41 pm

Janet Street-Porter wrote:I *love* Minimal. Apart from the genius electro hook and ethereal production, I love the Peter Hook guitar which I thought was superfluous at first. And then there's the lyrics. I'm convinced its' themes are minimalism and existentialism. I see Sam Taylor-Wood directing the Donald Judd influenced video.

Haven't heard the song yet..and i can't wait anymore. I'm dead curious about it..

jules · #12 Post by **jules** » Sun 30 Apr 2006, 12:57 am

Minimal haunt me , it's so beautiful

Dreamcatcher2003 · Sun 30 Apr 2006, 9:52 am

joe stalin wrote:sorry but i found it a bit underwhelming... 3/10

Underwhelming? How come one think that is beyond me when the song is actually subliminally overwhelmingly chilly and punchy...

10 out of 10...no more no less...

ArseSpanker · #14 Post by **ArseSpanker** » Sun 30 Apr 2006, 10:58 am

Indeed. I think Minimal is my favorite new song.

As for the lyrics, I haven't a clue. It seems, on the surface at least, that Neil might be using minimal lyrics to describe minimalism itself. I really like 'decide something less decisional' as a lyric and the ending is great. As to the meaning...

microramses · #15 Post by **microramses** » Sun 30 Apr 2006, 1:57 pm

In my view it could be a good lyrical exercise of surrealism. Janet, you could be right.

Great track, the perfect following single for Integral (should be the 3rd).

What is Minimal about?

What is Minimal about?

Re: What is Minimal about?