I'm really enjoying this! I think you two are both making some great points.
I'll say this much. Like with every trend in music, it's impossible to predict what takes hold or to what degree, and people spend ages trying to figure out why things have taken hold after the fact: what other influences were surrounding it at the time, what other styles were dieing out, etc. Trying to predict the effect of a growing (or peaking???) influence is pretty shaky stuff though. There's simply too many factors to account for, and I think the future is what you guys are really arguing about (i.e. the effects of lots of new heads, and whether or not they stick around). Basically I think the argument boils down to a basic difference in optimistic vs. pessimistic outlook, and that isn't something you can really hash out. But by all means, please do go on. :) £.01 (with approximate currency conversion for Mr. Earle's benefit, or tears as it may be) Tristan ======= http://www.phonopsia.co.uk [EMAIL PROTECTED]
