Since we ran out of time when class ended, I thought I'd continue class discussion and answer McCall's question.

"What is the relationship between appearance and reality within the culture industry and in the context of Adorno's essay, "On the Fetish Character of Music...?"

The mass production of music for capitalistic purposes has reduced music from it's previous state as an art form (often used in rituals) to commodities which can be bought and sold in the form of records, tapes, cds, mp3s, etc. A commodity fetish is the compulsion to buy commodities in order to satisfy a need. These needs are usually false and used as a temporary replacement for a larger need which must be met. Music as a commodity, gives the illusion or appearance of satisfying a need in that it offers a mindless escape. In reality this "escape" is not only just temporary but actually not an escape at all because it does nothing to liberate the listener from their present condition. It suspends them in a type of limbo where they are still physically immersed in their situation but not mentally present.

Additionally, music gives the appearance of allowing for a person to assert their individuality but in reality (as discussed in the Dialectic of Enlightenment) as soon as a unique quality or individual pops up "talent scouts" quickly mass produce it thus destroying their uniqueness. To answer Mike's question in class I think that this is how Adorno would discuss an individual such as Kurt Cobain or revolutionary bands such as the Beatles. Every pop boy/girl band since is in some way a replication of the Beatles style and the Beatle's uniqueness can now only be observed in a historic sense.