Jean Baudrillard, recently deceased French Philosopher, and constant critic of postmodern American culture, would probably have enjoyed (been repulsed and entranced) last night's Natalie Portman's Shaved Head gig at the Showbox in Seattle. Opening for the Faint, NPSH sustained Disney World meets Jesus Christ levels of ecstasy for a solid forty-five minutes. The venue was packed two hours before the Faint would go on and it stayed as sweaty as a middle school gym class for nearly that whole time.
The critical points Baudrillard would have made: sensory overload combined with sexualized late-childhood fantasy all projected and amplified to a ridiculous volume. Baudrillard's theory of Hyperreality poses a reality that is indistinguishable from fantasy that gradually consumes Western society in the modes of say.. World of Warcraft meets McDonalds meets pornography. NPSH is essentially that - five hyped suburban white kids channeling all the sparkling glittering bullshit that makes our American lives so wonderful and terrible. Did I mention the name of the album is Glistening Pleasure??? Screaming synths, thrashing teen fans, oddly compliant drinking section of typical Seattle music people, and totally absent music press: these are the makings of a pop phenomenon. This video will be sufficient explanation:
natalie portman's shaved head - sophisticated side ponytail from thatgo on Vimeo.
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