SFist: Concert Review: The Swell Season

Spencer Williams

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:25:59 -0800

#3 - Please explain what a "serious musician" is. That term is so ridiculous. It's the same when people call classical "serious" music. Wtf is that. Do you mean elitist? Curious as what you think serious is...because I know a lot of pop musicians who are serious about what they do - but I don't think you are talking about that.

guest

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:28:49 -0800

I myself am a 'serious musician' and actually quite enjoyed the film. Battle of the serious musicians? Really though, the 3d commenter seems to lack the understanding that technical brilliance isn't all that determines artistic merit in pop music.

MalcoveMagnesia

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:34:08 -0800

My girl dragged me to see Once and it was an enjoyable indie story (not enough busker humiliation, though). The main things I remember from the film was the same repetitive song the couple sang at least three times. That and how the dude's face turned bright orange while he was playing. Umm. I guess the marketing term for that is "passion".

guest

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:23:56 -0800

Comment 3 needs to go into the hall of fame for the lovely opening salvo "A serious musician must disagree...." That is effing priceless. I know Yo-Yo Ma likes to lurk on SFist, but I thought he was a little more forgiving of independent filmmakers...

guest

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:29:48 -0800

Great review Krissy! You really captured the feeling of the performance and the emotion that Glen and Mar passed on to the entire audience. It truly was on of the best and most intimate performances that I have ever attended. As to the person above me, I have to disagree. I find that while Glen may not have the most traditional sounding voice in music, that the pure emotional energy that he pours into his songs far surpasses that of many others. I find both him and Marketa to be amazing singers/songwriters as well as actors. - Steve

guest

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:04:42 -0800

A serious musician must disagree. My wife and I could tolerate only a few minutes of this film before fleeing into the night. His voice is strained, forced; the lyrics are banal or meaningless, and she does little to offset this. A TRULY AWFUL film that apparently manages to fool the uneducated.

krissy

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:17:40 -0800

Thanks Spencer! Go see the movie, you won't be disappointed.

Spencer Williams

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:45:44 -0800

This makes me want to see the film even more! Great review!