英语听力精选进阶版 6246
时间：2019-02-21 作者：英语课 分类：英语听力精选进阶版
Is the X Factor Good for the Music Industry? 《英国偶像》选秀比赛对音乐产业有好处吗？
Britain's newest singing star is a 27-year-old former painter-decorator called Matt Cardle.
The winner of this year's X Factor has already released his first single, which is widely expected to become this year's Christmas number one.
But not everyone is celebrating with him. Many musicians object to what they see as the X Factor's excessive influence on the British music industry.
They are particularly critical of the show's creator, Simon Cowell, who both produces the TV show and signs the winners to his own record label, making millions in the process.
"The thing I find incredible is that Simon Cowell gets paid an enormous amount of money to promote his own acts," says Mat Osman of Britpop band Suede 1.
Osman believes that Cowell should be "paying a fortune" to put his acts on primetime TV.
"It just seems to be the greatest con 2 of all time. But well done to him," he continues. "It's a genius scam."
Bernard Sumner of New Order sees the problem slightly differently: "What they're singing on X Factor is just other people's music. It's not creative."
Yet rock legend Alice Cooper defended the show, saying: "The advantage the X Factor has is that it's not exclusive.
"The X Factor's more refreshing 3. They're wide open: if you're really unique at something, bring it in and, if it's really professional, [they] will go with it."
Love it or hate it, the X Factor's success is undeniable. Underground rap artist Dan Le Sac's view on the show is one of a resigned realist: "It simply doesn't matter. It's fun, it's entertainment."
"It may be a horrific thing but if people enjoy it, they should be allowed to. You should be allowed to love the trash as well as the meaningful stuff."
Glossary 词汇表
painter-decorator 油漆工
single 单曲
Christmas number one 圣诞期间排行榜第一
excessive influence 过度的影响
creator 创造者
record label 唱片公司
acts 艺人或表演乐队
paying a fortune 出高价
primetime TV 黄金时段电视
con 骗局，欺骗
genius scam 天衣无缝的骗局
rock legend 摇滚乐传奇人物
exclusive 独家的
refreshing 耳目一新的
undeniable 不可否认的
underground rap artist 地下饶舌艺人
resigned realist 顺其自然的现实主义者
horrific 恐怖的
trash 垃圾
meaningful stuff 意味深长的东西
- I'm looking for a suede jacket.我想买一件皮制茄克。
- Her newly bought suede shoes look very fashionable.她新买的翻毛皮鞋看上去非常时尚。
- We must be fair and consider the reason pro and con.我们必须公平考虑赞成和反对的理由。
- The motion is adopted non con.因无人投反对票，协议被通过。
- I find it'so refreshing to work with young people in this department.我发现和这一部门的青年一起工作令人精神振奋。
- The water was cold and wonderfully refreshing.水很涼，特别解乏提神。