ilove that the first words in this song are "Try and take me seriously" because to be honest Rebecca Mayes is completely without skill (to the point where its impossible to take her seriously). Her music writing skill is repeditive (gee-wiz i seem to recall this tune from every other song she made), her silly costumes aren't even funny to laugh at let alone clever, inventive or entertianing. The actual content of her songs is at best sophmoric, yet she somehow keeps on being told her music is brilliant... No its not.

-M

Cristian Capatana:

Continuity:

Cristian Capatana:

First of all, if it's popular it doesn't necessarily mean it's shallow and meaningless. The Beatles, Queen, Miles Davis and a boatload of others rocked millions of people. Nowadays, every hipster with a webcam thinks she's an artist filled to the brim with originality and inspiration but the masses are to obtuse to get her art.

Secondly, success is exactly that: the recognition of others and surpassing your original condition.

I know what success is thank you, and no, not every popular work is shallow and meaningless; I was employing a generalisation to make a point, I would of though that was plain.

I would expand my argument but you're plainly being deliberately obtuse so I shan't bother.

Oh wow, instead of an argument I get insulted. I'm sorry my friend but that's never how someone with something eloquent to say about a subject reacts.

Btw, why generalise when we were talking specifics? That's just a way to change the subject when you feel like you're losing your grip on the matter.

Fine, fine, lets have at it then, but remember this wasn't my idea.

Firstly in response to your last post:

Oh wow, instead of an argument I get insulted. I'm sorry my friend but that's never how someone with something eloquent to say about a subject reacts.

OK, where was the insult exactly? and for the record a person's reaction to just about anything is never simple, and its practically impossible to gauge someone's reaction just from a few sentences they've typed on the internet, so your generalisation here isn't really apt.

Btw, why generalise when we were talking specifics? That's just a way to change the subject when you feel like you're losing your grip on the matter.

Generalisation is a basic element of human reasoning and a logical tool, frequently employed in debates. When someone employs a generalisation is in no way means they want to change the subject or that they are "losing their grip" on the argument.

And in response to your previous post:

First of all, if it's popular it doesn't necessarily mean it's shallow and meaningless.

Quite true, it does not necessarily follow, however is it very often the case.

The Beatles, Queen, Miles Davis and a boatload of others rocked millions of people.

"rocking millions of people" does not indicate artistic depth, it merely demonstrates an ability to entertain which is entirely separate. You can tell art from basic entertainment by simply contrasting the cerebral element of consumer's engagement with each; true both art and entertainment can provoke emotional or instinctive responses, the difference is that in entertainment these are just passively absorbed and enjoyed at a superficial level, where as art is appreciated intellectually.
Yes I realise that this description makes art subjective, as each person will respond differently, however that doesn't mean it is entirely subjective. All art appreciation is tempered by taste, you need a palate to determine good art from the banal.

Of course this is also a whopping generalisation and this is one of the reasons I didn't want to get into this argument, there is no concrete definition of "art" and any opinion I express on the subject can never be absolutely correct or even objective. The above can't really be said to be anything more than just my opinion.

Nowadays, every hipster with a webcam thinks she's an artist filled to the brim with originality and inspiration but the masses are to obtuse to get her art.

"Nowadays"? you pretend not to realise that there has always been a vast artistic community below the surface of popular culture, the difference here of course is that via the medium of the internet we are blessed with access to this in some part.

And in full riposte to your comment I say yes, in fact the artistic subculture is far more original and inspired than the droll churned out mediocrity of pop culture, and indeed that is its function.
Let me be plain, the artistic subculture is the furnace of originality and inspiration, of course all mixed in with derivation and plagiarism, which by the way are equally important components. And by the time the blossoms of originality and inspiration have made it into pop culture they are already dead! Like a wilted cut flower it looses its charm.

Secondly, success is exactly that: the recognition of others and surpassing your original condition.

popularity and financial prosperity only indicate just that: popularity and financial prosperity. They don't tell us anything else for sure, so I don't know what argument you're trying to make here.

Another Good one!

"My skill at managing resources is humming phat" - HA! Don't often hear that in a pop song.

Cristian Capatana:

themerrygambit:
You're a ridiculously talented song writer. .

I kinda believe the opposite, I wouldn't hire her to write radio jingles. Don't take my word for it, just wait a bit, real talent always gets recognised and in won't be the case here.
Just had to say to counterbalance the enormity of your statement.

I won't take your word for it. I doubt you're an authority on such things, yet you make the statement with such certainty. It takes talent to write, play, record and produce a song (and a video to go with it). These things don't happen by themselves.

Many "recognised" songs have made it into the charts when they are nothing more than a riff lifted off someone else's record, looped and then rapped over. I suggest that such a production requires significantly LESS talent and yet still gets "recognised".

Why don't you show us how it's done Capatana? As an authority on talent, you must surely have plenty youself. Why not write a little "radio jingle" to demonstrate this? Maybe post some links to your talented work - whatever it is. Show us what you've got.

My guess is you've got nothing... but don't take my word for it.

quick question: from 1:17 to 1:43 is that "Speech" thing, i like it a lot, though 1:30-1:33, I am not sure what is being told, someone clarify for me please?

Also if someone is doing something, anything, be it a song, volunteer work, trolling, anything really; that they truly enjoy, for whatever reason. At least they are happy in one aspect of there life. And are passing on there experiences, lessons, trials, knowledge, wisdom ect . . . ect . . . to others who may have meaning for it, or just plain enjoy it; can be a real blessing.

I am happy for you, RM (thank you for the song, I do appreciate the work you must put in to these at times). Whether or not you are or are not a gamer, you still are doing something you enjoy, and are reaching out to others. For that, congratulations. Keep it up

I have conflicted feelings for her music. A third of it I am utterly in love with, but I find the majority of her work to be bland and forgettable. I couldn't recommend her to anyone I know, and I don't know if I could confidently state that she's a great musician, but I would hate to see her stop writing. That third of her music I truly love, and I think following her work is worth the dull disappointment of a miss for the smile that I smile when I stumble across a hit.

Another great song. I love playing sc2 and I agree with what was said about it. Cheesy one-liners ftw.

Ha! I liked this one. :)

And to all you people that think Rebecca is a hack: go right ahead, but it's your opinion, it's not fact.
I find it pretty impressive that she's able to write, sing, play, and produce a video about videogames as often as she does it. And in My oppinion it's pretty good music too.
But that is just my opinion...

snotvomit:
Another Good one!

"My skill at managing resources is humming phat" - HA! Don't often hear that in a pop song.

Cristian Capatana:

themerrygambit:
You're a ridiculously talented song writer. .

I kinda believe the opposite, I wouldn't hire her to write radio jingles. Don't take my word for it, just wait a bit, real talent always gets recognised and in won't be the case here.
Just had to say to counterbalance the enormity of your statement.

I won't take your word for it. I doubt you're an authority on such things, yet you make the statement with such certainty. It takes talent to write, play, record and produce a song (and a video to go with it). These things don't happen by themselves.

Many "recognised" songs have made it into the charts when they are nothing more than a riff lifted off someone else's record, looped and then rapped over. I suggest that such a production requires significantly LESS talent and yet still gets "recognised".

Why don't you show us how it's done Capatana? As an authority on talent, you must surely have plenty youself. Why not write a little "radio jingle" to demonstrate this? Maybe post some links to your talented work - whatever it is. Show us what you've got.

My guess is you've got nothing... but don't take my word for it.

You're talking about skill there young troll, we weren't talking about producing, I never said anything about songs in the charts, never made claims I could do it better, proving myself to you is not necessary and are all your guesses based on personal experience?

really awesome!

themerrygambit:
[...] I just think she's lost her passion for video games as a medium/muse for her songs. I mean I could be completely wrong and she might love it. I'm just noticing a big difference from her earlier song reviews in comparison to her latter ones.
[...]
In the Halo Reach review I didn't see any references to the game at all. The main message of the song seemed to be using the game as a way to tell us to stop using a video game character in order to feel heroic and instead be heroic in our real lives. It's an inspiring message but seems kind of anti-video game in a way.

Today's video kind of poked fun at the idea of people holed up in their homes playing star craft all day.

I mean I could be simply crazy and sniffing too much glue but try looking at her recent songs/videos again with that kind of attitude in mind... maybe you'll see what I'm talking about.

Again I in no way was trying to insult Rebecca in any way. I think she's immensely talented. I just think she might be losing her passion for making songs about video games. Singers and song writers need to write songs about things they are passionate about, and when you're not all that into a video game I imagine it's quite hard and one might try to make the song about something they feel is more meaningful... just sayin.

Anyway I wish you all well and thanks for calling me out on sounding Trollish... it wasn't my intention.

You aren't the only one that's noticed this. I agree entirely. Her lyrics lately seem to be more aimed at criticizing the gamers than the games.

all her songs seem to sound the same to me.

As a couple of others have stated, it feels more and more like Rebecca Mayes genuinely dislikes gaming in and of itself. It's not the same good-natured fun as when, say, Yahtzee rags on the Total War games for being "glorified spreadsheets." There is a palpable disdain for gamer culture in Rebecca's songs that becomes evident the more one watches.

As for her writing and singing, I'm not sure what people seem to be raving about. I'm actually a big Indie fan, and her style falls squarely in the generic category for me. She's pretty, though, so maybe that's part of the infatuation.

At any rate, I'm not sure if Rebecca Mayes Muses is something the Escapist should continue to run. I won't be watching again.

Very nice,

I think many people who watch these take them far too seriously based on the comments.

They're meant to be fun and light-hearted, not a dissertation on gaming lifestyle.
Fans are so much worse than critics... just enjoy it for what its meant to be guys.

If you listen and watch, that means you like it.

I loved the song, too bad a lot of people here and on /r/StarCraft seem to hate it. What? Don't you people like girls?
Who cares if she's not a gamer or not, she writes damn catchy songs. I love StarCraft II and couldn't care less about the fact that she called it a spreadsheet. I still love the song and the game. Hell, if she'd written a song saying how much StarCraft II sucked I still would have loved it because it's a joke, as in, not meant to offend anyone. If you're offended by the fact that Rebecca isn't a 'real' gamer or that she criticises games you like or by the fact that she's a female, then turn off your computer, unplug your consoles and take a walk outside.

As always it was basically the same song you've done for the past hundred years and it had practically nothing to do with the game. How long are you going to keep this up?

meh.

ezeroast:
all her songs seem to sound the same to me.

i have to agree... i tried to watch this and find a "favorite" but her songs lack originality and too much "unrelated chorus"

bad...but what else is there to expect from this?

Heh, I know some people don't like her stuff and think she's repetitive, but in the end... She's not exactly claiming to be a music icon, and she's probably the best in the field of game-reviewing female musicians. Just sayin'

Plus I've heard all of her songs, and I think there's a fair amount of variation. This and her Reach song are two of my favourites, and they are quite different. Then again, I'm far from what you would call a music connoisseur.

Rebecca Mayes:
Starcraft 2

Rebecca Mayes explores the life of a Starcraft II addict.

Watch Video

Meh. You have done better.

i wouldn't listen to it on the radio.. maybe it's just not my kind of music. I think I could do better.

yes because nobody else does it because it's a BAD IDEA lolz

She's not in a basement in Korea so she can't be THAT addicted...

I think this may have been the last song she does here. Another was mentioned on her blog for release on christmas eve but they took down the banner here so I'm not sure. Hopefully there will be one more but who knows.