Yesterday I read about some things going on in the world of legality. Apple is countersuing Nokia, Apple is now also suing HTC (to likely spite Google), and some artist is suing the Black Eyed Peas for plagiarism. That’s only a small idea of what is likely in legal rooms at the moment. I remember Apple saying they would defend their patents on the iPhone and obviously here it comes. However with the music suit, I’m left scratching my head.
I took a moment yesterday to listen to the song Boom Dynamite to compare it to Boom Boom Pow. Now, I’m all for protecting one’s work, but I have the feeling this lawsuit is based on an artist that is upset that they got passed over by the label they were talking to. It so happens that it’s the same label that the BEPs are on. I think the grounds of their suit is pretty flimsy.
The fact that they both use a word, in this case: Boom, is obvious. However, the lawsuit claims that the BEPs also copied their hook. Which upon listening, I’m left scratching my head. They claim the rhythm is the same – it’s not. They claim the melody is the same – it’s not. The only thing that happens that is relatively the same is that the phrase Boom Boom Boom is said. If that’s the case, it’s time for a whole lot of writers suing each other for saying, I love you. Cause those are 3 words that seem to show up a lot in writing.
To me, I think Satriani had a much better case with Coldplay, than this artist has with the Black Eyed Peas. One thing I’m sure is happening is that they are now enjoying some free publicity. Unfortunately, this is the kind that will get them some attention now, but in the end it now means very few labels will ever touch them in the future for bringing a frivolous lawsuit to light.
This is not the first suit to be brought against the BEPs. I haven’t looked at the others, but this one doesn’t seem to hold enough water to me. I think it’s someone who’s upset that another artist used a similar phrase, but did it in a more musical way and got paid better for it.
The only song I’ve got here that has the word legal in it is Legal Kill by King’s X. A rather mellow tune by comparison to some of their material. Opening with a lush 12 string acoustic guitar. This song is also sung by the guitarist Ty Tabor rather than the main singer Dug Pinnick. It tends to remind me a bit of a song that might be found at a renaissance faire or something. Maybe it’s the inclusion of tin flute or something. I don’t know. Go figure. Usually when I hear this song come on I’m instantly thinking of when I lived in Boulder Colorado.
Anyway, it’s no state secret that King’s X is one of my favorite bands of all time. Their attention to groove and tone is second to very few. Their harmonies and chord pickings are definitely unique and often emulated but rarely matched or improved upon. Put simply, they rule!
Go get ’em now.