June 5, 2008
Word abuse: muzzy
I appreciate obscure words as much as the next budding linguist, ahem, but not when these words are thrown into writing at the expense of clarity.
I'm sick of reading about new bands and come across some totally random word that doesn't help me discern a genre or general sound to the music.
Take "muzzy" for instance. What the hell does "muzzy" mean? Is it something like "fuzzy"?
Merriam-Webster's says muzzy means dull, gloomy and "lacking in clarity and precision" - kinda like its etymology: "perhaps blend of muddled and fuzzy."
And peep M-W's definition for fuzzy: "lacking in clarity and definition."
Ah, I see the distinction. Not.
In need of counseling:
"This glow, though, did not outshine the two nostalgia-tinged openers, Citay and The Botticellis, the latter soothing the scanty crowd with their swathes of muzzy organ, plucked right out of the Paisley era and placed on their debut album, Old Home Movies."
"So, initially, I was pleased that Winning Days was such a digestible and dreamy ride, full of somnambulant harmonies (Amnesia), muzzy monster guitars (TV Pro) and killer hooks (She's Got Something To Say)."
"The key success to the band’s genre-borrowing being that, whether in country, punk or retro mode, The Black Lips have the skills to imitate while retaining individuality, their spit-and-all performances and muzzy production always at the heart of the material."
However, I did stumble upon an excellent use of muzzy:
"It will take a lot of listening as the production is too muzzy, with too much guitar and not enough words coming through."
It works because a context is provided. It makes a point.
Point taken?
Labels:
word abuse
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