Hello all and esp. Joseph- I would like to say that I deeply regret the tone of my earlier post. While I stand by my opinion, it was wrong of me to be so vehement and, yes, a bit reactionary. What I really wanted to express was that I am very sensitive to people criticizing this band (The Smiths), as I honestly feel they helped to shape who I am, and they're still quite sacred to me. I have friends who love The Smiths and who also smoke and drink and eat meat, and I wouldn't dream of telling them they're out of line, that's not for me to decide. I don't consider myself a fascist or part of any Army, and I'm perfectly happy amongst people who don't even like The Smiths. But I really do think there's much to identify with in the music of The Smiths, I find it warm and generous and welcoming, and it doesn't feel to me like it's pushing people away or asking for pity at all. Okay, I'm going to resist my immense temptation to go on and on about why exactly I still think The Smiths are relevant, and just say that we're all here because we like one band, and I agree with Joseph 100% that the Belle & Sebastian and Smiths comparisons should stop, it's not fair, and those comparisons seem to imply that B&S are 'ripping off' The Smiths, which I wholeheartedly disagree with. Also, that while The Smiths hold a special place in my heart, Belle & Sebastian touch the same part of me that The Smiths touch, with their entirely different approach. I wish this had been my earlier message and not the post I sent, but that was how I felt, I just expressed it in a rather nasty way and I really do apologize, to Joseph and everybody, for that. I don't think Joseph's opinion makes him unintelligent or wrong or antagonistic or anything, and really the thought that anybody would think I'm out to hurt anybody's feelings is unbearable to me. Forgiveness please? Sadly and regretfully- -Chris :( +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister@majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo@majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "jelly-filled danishes" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+