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The argument goes something like this:

Band: "Hey, we're a great band!"
World: "What makes you say that?"
Band: "Well you know the Jam? You know how they were a great band?"
World: "Yes, that's true. The Jam were indeed a great band"
Band: "And you know the Specials? You know how they were a great band?"
World: "Yes, it's common knowledge that the Specials were a great band..."
Band: "Well, we're from Coventry, like the Specials, and we sound a lot like the Jam...THEREFORE WE ARE A GREAT BAND!"
World: "Uh..."

Or the recent interview Tom gave to XFM, in which he claimed to have revolutionised the recording process, while making the band's new album 'Music For The People'

He said: "Where possible, we just played everything live and put stuff on after, instead of people going in and putting down a drum track first. It's a totally different way of production - and it's all recorded onto tape rather than digital."

Wow...tape you say? And you recorded it live? That IS a totally different, uh, "way of production", isn't it?

In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone didn't take this idea, invent a time machine, travel back to the past, and force all the bands in The Olden Days to adopt it right away. That's the kind of innovation we're talking about.

PS: 'Music For The People'? Was your last album aimed at another species, perhaps? Also, while it's a very generous gesture to offer your music to The People, don't be surprised if they try and return the gift. They're really into Lady GaGa at the moment...