NoControl, the reason no one likes you is because you address them like they were 3rd graders. If you can't even make the effort to show a modicum of respect to your superiors, then we'll never get around to reading more than a few words of your posts. Your tendency to twist words and definitions to suit your own ends is obnoxious, too. Basically, it seems like you want to see things very black and white, i.e. there is what you say is truth and there is what anyone else says. If you are unable or unwilling to accept that there are varying degrees of 'truth' influenced by various opinions, then you ought to steer clear of discussion forums and other socially interactive places. Its for your own good.

Now, back to the question: It also occurred to me, poorsoul, that the White Album may not fit the bill that Adam was looking for since I believe (and I may be wrong) that it was quite popular upon release. The whole notion of 'experimental music' and, by extension, experimentation in music is a little foggy to me.

Take, for example, the Experimental Music section of my store. Its got the mainstays, mostly noise stuff, that you'd expect: Muslimgauze, Whitehouse, and Merzbow out the ass. But it also has guitar noodlers like Buckethead, psychedelic acts like Acid Mothers Temple or Jackie O Motherfucker, even a CD that's just a recording of melting ice. What is it the common thread that makes this music 'experimental'?

And what about a release like the Flaming Lips pulled with Transmissions From the Satellite Heart or even In a Priest Driven Ambulance? For a group known for its messy drugged out noisewashes to start writing catchy pop songs is, in my book, as big as risk artistically as an artist which goes the other way.

I guess what I'm trying to babble out is that while I certainly have respect for artists who work to be innovative, at the end of the day, all I care about is the results. A piece of music has to be good on its own merits, not because its groundbreaking or new or risky, but because its a good piece of music. I don't feel its right to necessarily give more credit to someone like Autechre or Sonic Youth than to The Shins or The Apples in stereo. Good is good. Period.

Where's my little trouble girl?
There's no real trouble girl
Where's my little trouble girl?
C'mon c'mon c'mon