Hello, It seems as though I've been given a "voice" amid a light flurry of controversy. I would like to respond to what Tim and Elle have been saying in particular. I don't think it is at all irrational to place a high consideration on the relationship between artists and their art; a genuine sincerity leads the two to become inseparable. "Art" made strictly for the money is a product and the "artist" a craftsman. This doesn't mean, however, that artists capable of earning a living from their art are guilty of this, in fact it is unfair to look upon a complete lack of consideration for a career as the only true sign of sincerity. If an artist creates something as a result of an honest impulse and they can potentially stand to gain from it why not do so? If the hope of gain serves as that initial impulse then it's a different story, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Obscurity and neglect are too often glorified. Some artists begin with something perverted by that hope of gain, while others later become perverted by it. I don't think Belle and Sebastian can be accused of either. If their next album sounds like Sugar Ray I'll stand corrected. I don't think that their "media-shyness" involves any posturing, rather it seems to indicate a greater focus on doing what they do instead of surrendering to the lure of media hype. I do agree that anything can and should be looked upon critically, but sometimes if one goes looking in search of an ill motivation it will be found, whether it's there or not. As far as Jeepster goes, record companies are businesses and seldom patrons of the arts...Although the same principle applies, a heartfelt interest in the bands who's records they sell ought to be maintained, and to me it seems as though this is true of Jeepster. They seem to be fair to the listeners as well. That's all. James +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ 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" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+