Time to rant (about modern music)

LotusCarsLtd52 · #1 08-22-2010, 09:29 PM

Now I live in a large urban area with a large population of hipsters so maybe that is coloring the type of music I notice is popular. But as someone who's interested in bands from the '70's such as Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, The Who, Pink Floyd, etc. I keep asking myself:

Is it just me or is a lot of modern music really bad? Does a lot of it lack musicianship, musicality, and (like the greats of the '70's) virtuosity?

I mean seriously...where are the Fagens and Waters and McDonalds and Stevie Wonders of the world? Why have they been replaced by these underground electro-pop-punk-alt-rock acts? By the Nicklebacks? By the "sounds the same as the last song" alt rock, hip hop, pop, and electronic bands?

I mean, c'mon!

brendanbassist · #2 08-22-2010, 09:31 PM

NOT ANOTHER ONE!

Seriously, there have always been, and will always be, great bands. They aren't on MTV, they aren't on the radio, but they're out there.

Burlington · #3 08-22-2010, 09:34 PM

Need a hug?

Funny, it's always guys without a gig who have stuff to say like this.

Fretless5verfan · #4 08-22-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

NOT ANOTHER ONE!

Seriously, there have always been, and will always be, great bands. They aren't on MTV, they aren't on the radio, but they're out there.

Were the bands he mentioned on TV and the radio back in the 70's?

brendanbassist · #5 08-22-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretless5verfan

Were the bands he mentioned on TV and the radio back in the 70's?

Honestly, I would also like to know this. I wasn't around so I don't know

Mark Olson · #6 08-22-2010, 09:41 PM

I don't listen to a whole lot of recent music. But I dig the Black Keys, who are current. If you're not familiar with them check them out, they're great!

LotusCarsLtd52 · #7 08-22-2010, 09:41 PM

Just an honest question. For me, as I hinted in another forum, it seems that music today lacks that groove and feel you had back in the '70's. Listening to alt rock radio today, for instance, sometimes sounds like nothing more than one long continuous album (not different bands).

Fretless5verfan · #8 08-22-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendanbassist

Honestly, I would also like to know this. I wasn't around so I don't know

Me either! I'd love to know though. Can some old guy please chime in? lol j/k.

LotusCarsLtd52 · #9 08-22-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

Need a hug?

Funny, it's always guys without a gig who have stuff to say like this.

Why, yes, I have no gigs. Could be due to the fact, though, that I work full-time, my band just got started and we have yet to get music written.

But I still think I have the right to make an observation about music and make an opinion of it.

Fretless5verfan · #10 08-22-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

Need a hug?

Funny, it's always guys without a gig who have stuff to say like this.

I have several gigs, and agree with him.

Funny, it's always guys who play crappy music who have stuff to say like this guy.

LotusCarsLtd52 · #11 08-22-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretless5verfan

I have several gigs, and agree with him.

Funny, it's always guys who play crappy music who have stuff to say like this guy.

Agreed with the first. Although I wouldn't agree with the second point.

Fretless5verfan · #12 08-22-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusCarsLtd52

Agreed with the first. Although I wouldn't agree with the second point.

I don't either. Hopefully he sees my point.

brendanbassist · #13 08-22-2010, 09:59 PM

Here's some newer music that I think is good. Just some random songs of various genres that popped into my head:

Opeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q24y...eature=related
Porcupine Tree: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB61QMSwAsg
Corinne Bailey Rae: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkEeNpWMvgk
He Is Legend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIFJ7t705S0
John Mayer Trio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfLkO3uwBlQ&feature=av2n

Burlington · #14 08-22-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusCarsLtd52

Agreed with the first. Although I wouldn't agree with the second point.

My first post may have come off as harsh. I apologize for that.

I just don't see the point in threads like this, besides causing arguments. It's purely a topic of opinion.

I am big into classic rock, including come of the bands you mentioned. But I enjoy many, many other types of music. I'm in a deathmetal band, and as that one guy stated, some people see that as "crappy". Some people see classic rock as "crappy" too. See where I'm going with this?

Yes all those songs are classic, but do you really expect that style to stay? Music will continue to grow and change as long as humans exist. Something else will always be popular next week.

picklebarrel · #15 08-22-2010, 10:03 PM

Music is just as good as it was during any other point in time. It might not be on the radio but it's out there. One thing I don't like at all is this new electronic music trend that has seemingly found it's way into a variety of genres. Maybe it's because I'm a drummer and I hate hearing drum machines but the repetitive pulsing beats just don't do it for me.

mrslunk · #16 08-22-2010, 10:08 PM

Sure, there is a lot of 'bad' modern music, repeating the same boring formulae every time. There is alot of (especially here in australia) boring indy sh$t that all sounds the same.

There is also a whole ton of superbly crafted pop songs, virtuoso musicians, songs oozing with soul and mindblowing arrangements in absolutely every genre.

They just don't get played on the radio (often).

This right here, this forum, should give you exposure to any and all of the bands above.
Just ask.

And f the indy kids. If they want to listen to their derivative carp, let them. But don't let them hold you back from discovering the ton of awesome music being made now.

bombpop14 · #17 08-22-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fretless5verfan

Were the bands he mentioned on TV and the radio back in the 70's?

Yes these bands were on the radio, and were very successfull.
The difference, IMHO, is the way bands are brought to your attention these days. Bands used to have to slug it out in the clubs for ten years before they got their record deal. Most classic rock bands had years of experience developing their sound/look/musicianship, before someone took them to the next level.

The "labels" now don't care about career longevity, or a slow growth to a large fanbase. If you don't connect right away, your done. There was no MTV, only occasional appearances on weekly variety shows, but you had to make a splash already just to get there.

Just make the music YOU want to hear and you'll be fine.

Fretless5verfan · #18 08-22-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

My first post may have come off as harsh. I apologize for that.

I just don't see the point in threads like this, besides causing arguments. It's purely a topic of opinion.

I am big into classic rock, including come of the bands you mentioned. But I enjoy many, many other types of music. I'm in a deathmetal band, and as that one guy stated, some people see that as "crappy". Some people see classic rock as "crappy" too. See where I'm going with this?

Yes all those songs are classic, but do you really expect that style to stay? Music will continue to grow and change as long as humans exist. Something else will always be popular next week.

I think you're missing the point.

I don't think it's the style that's the issue here. I think it's what the masses are willing to listen to, what companies are willing to back, and what's accepted. There are tons of bands out there I would equate to the great bands of old skill and feel wise, yet sound TOTALLY different, but they can't get on the radio/TV to save their lives. If they had come out two decades ago though, they'd most likely be legendary now.

I actually like deathmetal btw. I was just being a bastard cause of your first post lol.

Bass Dawg · #19 08-22-2010, 10:17 PM

I would have to agree.

Personally I think the generations that were leading the way in the 60's and 70's were a refelection of a different and more difficult time, and in turn, they had something real to express. Today's pop songs are formulas and nothing more. All the so called "artists" are producing a something to sell to faceless teens.

It is also important to understand times were tougher back in the heyday, artists used their life experieces to form an honest, passionate voice that the listeners could associate with the music from multiple perspectives. In addition to that the art of story telling was still alive and well, and had to be done via the music and not via a video clip.

On top of that there were a lot less artistic outlets available back then, and most of the artists had classical training or were taught music theory the hard/right way (although I would have to agree that some of them were just self taught freaks of nature!).

I have no doubt that there are musicians around today with chops to match the best of the best from the 60's and 70s. You only need to watch Steely's band on the 2vN DVD to get that; however, the song writting craft is not as prevolent within today's younger generations.

This could largely be due to a lot of styles and topics already being covered; however, it is also due to younger generations wanting fame and money over learning the craft.

Unfortunately, while marketing managers are able to get drivel songs written by the bucket load, consisting of 3 power chords and doctored lead vocals, popular music will continue to be souless noise......

Fretless5verfan · #20 08-22-2010, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bombpop14

Yes these bands were on the radio, and were very successfull.
The difference, IMHO, is the way bands are brought to your attention these days. Bands used to have to slug it out in the clubs for ten years before they got their record deal. Most classic rock bands had years of experience developing their sound/look/musicianship, before someone took them to the next level.

The "labels" now don't care about career longevity, or a slow growth to a large fanbase. If you don't connect right away, your done. There was no MTV, only occasional appearances on weekly variety shows, but you had to make a splash already just to get there.

Just make the music YOU want to hear and you'll be fine.

This is the point.