Word abuse: visceral

Visceral: Yet another fatigued term infecting music writing that's intended to exaggerate how intense a band sounds. "A gutsy, visceral love song." Wow. Listen to this one and your spleen will twinge in ecstasy. "Play a visceral brand of alternative rock." Ooh. So deep, so deep. Sign me up. "Her penchant for visceral music." "An unyielding, visceral roar of passion." "Fits of visceral tension." "Pure visceral punk rock excitement!" C'mon folks - let's give our insides a break and think of another means to convey a song's ferocity. So unless your large intestine begins to uncoil whenever you hear Kurt Cobain's "piercing wail" (see "Word abuse" March 27 entry), please proceed with caution. Thank you. Thank you so goddamn much.