I was reading a review of a CD i own, & the reviewer called the album pretentious, just wondered what he meant by it!.The group are based in the UK if that makes any difference,thank you!.
2007-03-23 17:47:10 · 8 answers · asked by terry 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The reviewer is putting down the music by saying they're trying to be more than they actually have the talent to be, implying that the band's reputation is not justified.
2007-03-23 17:55:30 · answer #1 · answered by The Clumsy Ninja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pretentious is the adjective formed from the noun *pretense*, which basically means a false claim. not make believe, or *pretending* as we usually use it today, but in the more old-fashioned sense. as in "the pretender to the throne" - one who makes a somewhat spurious claim to be the next in line....
so when someone calls music *pretentious* they generally mean that the artist is trying to be something that they are not. that they are attempting *more* (importance / meaningfulness / cleverness / uniqueness etc) than their talent alows. that they take themsleves a little too seriously, and have not quite hit the mark they think they have...
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pretense
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pretentious
i have to say that i have never heard it used as meaning protest, or anti-establishment.
CONtentious, or dissention (like the bob marley song) yes....
2007-03-24 12:31:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
'ruth', no offense but 'pretentious' can also mean creating a situation(a song or two such as here) to 'P' off the establishment.
We certainly know there were a gazillion songs that were 'pretentious' written and sung during the Vietnam War and most of them were 'bang on'.That's not superiority, that's 'calling a spade a spade'!!!
With all your Y!A points, I hope you weren't 'following the band' here, 'cause as the English refer to this, you 'might not find your way home'(unless you find an old time copper - ya real old English 'ditty' - I'm 'hot' now and gettin' 'sparked up' for y'all - CHEERS FROM TORONTO, CANADA - LOOK UP! -just kiddin' - sense of humor and all that rot- ok??
2007-03-24 01:15:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It basically means that the reviewers are claiming more importance over the album and it is quite showy or ostentatious for that matter.
2007-03-24 01:18:15 · answer #4 · answered by John Doe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pretentious means Assuming an air of superiority. Superiority is state of quality of being superior, that which excels in merit quantity. etc. So i don't think the music was being cut down.
2007-03-24 01:05:47 · answer #5 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means overly showy - too much glitter and not enough substance.
2007-03-24 00:58:52 · answer #6 · answered by Jeff S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means they are trying to be more than they what they actually are.
2007-03-24 00:59:14 · answer #7 · answered by Coco 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it,s mean important or serious.
2007-03-24 17:14:24 · answer #8 · answered by loula 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋