Well, the first thing I'd like to say is that it's easier to sling the mud when you're listed as "anonymous," rather than talking as your real identity. I also find it interesting that several people have come on this message board (also anonymously in most cases) and said how much the song "Fight" completely stinks, but no one has really said much to them. The anger seems to be reserved for me, and I feel I have said things as cordially as possible while still saying what I think. Maybe it's because I am writing as my real identity and not hiding behind the "anonymous" login, I'm not sure.
I think I've been clear in saying that I do not think the song "Fight" should win. That's my opinion, and I have a right to it. If you don't agree, that's fine, but assuming I'm a jerk seems a little presumptuous. I haven't assumed anything about anyone's character on this board, yet mine has been attacked various times. I have heard that called an _ad hominem_ attack... attacking the person rather than the argument the person is making. It doesn't prove anything.
I am mainly writing to respond to one rather strange thing that the last anonymous poster said, which was that I really didn't fulfill the rules of the contest. Here are the rules, cut-and-pasted from Todd's rules page:
"Then pick a Beatles song AND a Beastie Boys song and MASH them together and record something semi-coherent.
Acoustic? Kazoo? Keyboards? Rock opera? Whatever format you want. We're talking bout an original covermash."
Uh... yeah. I didn't do that? I took a Beatles song and a Beastie boys song and put them together. I didn't use any samples... everything on there is my own work. And this doesn't fit the rules how? Of all the accusations I've heard, this one seems to have the least grounding in any kind of reality, so I thought I'd mention it. Maybe you (whoever you are) can clear up what you mean when you say I didn't go by the rules.
Anyway, it's sad to me that all this hostility is happening on Todd's site, because Todd is such an easy going guy. Whenever I've talked to him via email, he is always friendly and laid back. Nothing seems to get to him, and I know I could take a few lessons from him. I don't want to fuel any more of this kind of angry posting on his board, but I feel I have a right to defend myself, especially when my motives and my very character are challenged over and over.
I've said what I wanted to say regarding the voting... I simply think there might be better ways to do it next time, since what's the point of having voting if it isn't limited to one vote per person? I think if everyone stepped back a little from all the emotion, they would all agree with my main point. Todd has implied that he sees a problem with it too, and is working to resolve it.
I do not even know the person who recorded "Fight"... it could be Billy Joel for all I know. I just know that the way it was recorded makes it seem like it would be hard for it to win against songs that are easy to listen to. But, as I've said all along, that is my opinion, and anyone is welcome to have another opinion. Keep in mind that saying something about how someone's vocals are mixed is not the same as attacking that person. I do not know CRash, nor do I claim to know anything about him. All I have to go by is one song. He may have a best-selling album out for all I know.
I would appreciate it if, whatever your opinion, you could have the decency to give me the benefit of the doubt and try to discuss my points with me rather than attacking me personally. I would also appreciate it if anyone who is attacking me would post their real name and email address as I have. Otherwise, it's awfully easy to just let yourself spew forth all kinds of emotional attacks because you know it will never be associated with who you are in real life.