Powerhouses of the past

The discontinued giants of yesteryear garner a lot of attention it seems by being compared to the more current releases. Some threads I read boast lovers of these mega-colognes while others, of course, believe they should stay extinct. Personally, I thoroughly enjoy the Powerhouse masculines. Naturally, they are indicative of a time gone by, yet quite a few of them are timeless and will no doubt come back into style in some fashion. This is the circle of life and even new releases will undoubtedly follow this course ( and are doing so ) while using modernized ingredients and working around restrictions to accomplish the goal.

To be truthful, both powerful and more sedate fragrances are necessary simply for the sake of disparity. I would not want all masculines to be along the lines of Kouros or Lapidus simply because I like strong cologne. Their testosterone is evident due to the existence of all the other genres. On the other side of the coin, the fragrance world would be very shallow if all it had to offer was the likes of Davidoff.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Davidoff or the scents that house releases. They have a fan base and the creations coming from it are targeted to them specifically. Same goes for the Kouros's of the world. They need each other for a variety of reasons and seasons. The bottom line is that the fragrance world is a healthier place with Powerhouses in it than it would be without their ferocity and tenacity.

Rank and file is a necessity of life. If all were doctors, who would nurse or clean up the mess the doctors inevitable make? If all were actors, who would be the fans and pay to watch? I write this in response to detractors of Powerhouse fragrances, whether they be designer or niche. I am not a big fan of "unsubstantial" scents, yet I am glad they are here for the sake of disparity, comparison and when a situation or climate calls for exactly what they bring to the table.

It's all good folks. Powerhouses of the past should be admired as opposed to being ridiculed and despised. They reflect the tastes of who we used to be.....and will most assuredly influence creations not yet on the drawing board.

Comments

DK Men by Donna Karan

Citrus, Juniper, Pineapple. Ambergris, Almond. Sandalwood, Lavender, Musk. I felt compelled to revisit DK Men ( Fuel for Men ) after perusing through some older samples and then reading my previous review from 2009. Wearing DK Men again has caused me to revise my original post. I liked it three years ago and have a new found appreciation for this extremely smooth fragrance. My perception of it has changed slightly, but my opinion is still extremely favorable. This time around, I get less of a petrol vibe and much more of a fruit and suede theme. The pineapple note is integrated so well that I am surprised I couldn't previously esteem its deft implementation like I can now. The magic of DK Men is in the blending of chosen notes. The citric opening is very good indeed in spite of its quick dissipation. The pineapple and amber quickly pick up the slack. They are rich, full bodied and manage to keep a respectable presence while offending no one. The volume is intelligent. ...

La Chasse Aux Papillons Extreme by L'Artisan Parfumeur

I read many reviews before or after I do my own and I seem to be at complete odds with the house of L'Artisan. I have previously said on basenotes that for me, L'Artisan Parfumeur is the most over-rated house I have come across. La Chasse Aux Papillons Extreme does nothing to sway that opinion. Yet another linear, floral dominant scent that does nothing to stir me up or inspire me in any way. This house has "pleasant" nailed down to an art form......but damn...can't we go beyond that? The only attempt at polarization so far has been Dzongkha ....and I found it a jumbled mess. At these prices, move me, anger me, hate me.......but please don't bore me. Extreme in a nutshell is a toned down tuberose with assorted "blossom" thrown in the mix. Is it bad? No, it's an acceptable floral scent that's very timid and just lays on my skin smelling like....well....a toned down version of tuberose with blossom this or that added to it. I'm almost a...

Black Suede by Avon

Nutmeg, Clove, Amber, Musk, Moss, Wood Notes. Yes.........I am reviewing one of the Rodney Dangerfield's of fragrance. Black Suede has been gracing medicine cabinets, for better or worse, since 1980 my friends. If you're expecting me to inform you ( like others may have already ) that Black Suede is a nasty scrubber, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're expecting a glowing review claiming it's a diamond in the rough, you won't hear that from me either. I will say though that Black Suede doesn't deserve the hate it's received and most of that is due to snobbery aimed at Avon products in general. I kid you not when I state that a close relative to this fragrance is Cacharel Pour L'Homme. The array of spice in both ensure comparison, but the "smoother" of the two is Black Suede due to its implementation of Amber. While wearing Black Suede, one can detect a hint of "drugstore". That quality doesn't manife...

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