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Do genres kill music or do people kill music?

S

scorpionldr

Dec 10, 2002
2,613
74
Dirty Jersey, USA
#1
Lately to me it seems like genre and music lately seem to get along less in an ever changing world. I always hear people complain about how this sucks or that sucks in music, online or in public.

For a while I thought it was just competitive, you know, people ramping up this against that, but now it just seems negative. People talking about how vinyl electro was so much better than dubstep or how this was better than that or what. Or how this has so much less quality than xyz ever did. After a while its sickening.

For me, here's how I see it. People get tired of the new sound. Then somebody makes something truly new. Then another person goes "this is total ****!!". Then another person takes a piece of it, but modifies it so its closer to x. Then everybody shuts up for a while, and then the hating begins.

I guess the thing is, why do people seem to get so angry cuz they've trapped themselves by criticizing something to the point where it becomes a soundalike of the last hits, and yet we brush new music at a time when it's in demand under the rug?

That's my hipster rant for today. Damn I feel old.
 
#2
There are a lot of people who only like whats marketed toward them. And I mean a lot of people (the mainstream). If the music does not fit this then it sucks. (at this point in time there are more genres than there used to be). Another problem is that there is now more and more music marketed toward children (mostly teen and pre-teen girls): this music is bassically soulless, mass produced, and created for teen and pre-teen girls. Many of these girls grow up thinking that is how music is supposed to be and when they hear music with real soul they think it sucks. And the biggest thing of all is that most mainstream music does suck.
 
#5
The really cool thing about music:
Theres sooo much of it out there that there's something for everyone. Every taste and conceivable style is there for the choosing. . to play it or simply listening to it.
Choose your genre or genres and enjoy. I wont tell you your taste in music sucks. Dont tell me mine does either.
 
#11
People who sub categorize everything to death so they can fit themselves into a pigeon hole kill music.

People who think it's all about showing off as a SOLO player, instead of being capable of writing a melody and a hook that people other than themselves and a few of their friends are killing music.

Beatbox and computerized garbage with some idiot talking over the beat are killing music because they are popular with the incapable and everyone thinks they can do it. This is killing music.

The reality, I went to the groomers with my dog, and was listening to Chic "Le Freak".....ladies walking by,(early 30's) started a little bounce dance as they walked by......something you never see with todays offerings.
 
#12
Unfortunately, regardless of the quality modern music exhibits, or fails to, it sells. If one of these "suits" thought, even for a second, that they could make more money on another type of music... guess what would happen.

There's any number of very talented bands who would agree to a fraction of what modern stars are making, just for a chance to quite their day jobs and play music full time. However, they pay modern stars far more than you or I would demand, why? Because it's easier to sell. It's the way of the world.

Have any of you ever read the back jacket of the Bluesbreakers' "Crusade" album from 1967? Here's a direct quote (I'm holding an original vinyl cover in my hands as I write this):

"For a person who loves the blues, the world of music appears to be a disheartening one these days. Radio and television stations everywhere daily churn out synthetic sounds while the musical papers relay the fairy tales and extol the virtues of performers only fit for the screams of children. How often does real talent or truth get past this door?"

Sound familiar? That was 1967. Still had a few good memorable songs come out of that era, and after. You know what? I've met a few young, active bands that I adore in the past 5-6 years. They are out there. They always have been. Pessimism isn't accomplishing anything. Go out there and keep fighting the good fight. Play hard and support the music you love. Encourage others to do the same. We had music long before we had taxes, it ain't getting "killed" anytime soon.
 
#13
unfortunatly theres way to much of "were only in it for the money and celebrity" then being a proud crusader or keeper of the flame if you will, for a certain genre(s) of music. God bless the torch bearers who keep the flame alive.
 
#15
Musiclogic said:
People who sub categorize everything to death so they can fit themselves into a pigeon hole kill music.

People who think it's all about showing off as a SOLO player, instead of being capable of writing a melody and a hook that people other than themselves and a few of their friends are killing music.

Beatbox and computerized garbage with some idiot talking over the beat are killing music because they are popular with the incapable and everyone thinks they can do it. This is killing music.

The reality, I went to the groomers with my dog, and was listening to Chic "Le Freak".....ladies walking by,(early 30's) started a little bounce dance as they walked by......something you never see with todays offerings.
Click to expand...

Purists hold up the evolution of music. ;)
 
#17
Nothing kills music. Music will move right along. People can only kill music for themselves. Genres and sub-genres of sub-genres come and go, but the notes all sit there and wait for people to do something with them and they always will. I will say, though, that this silly inventing new genres every day gets old real quick. Calling it something different doesn't mean you're doing anything different.
 
#18
JimmyM said:
Nothing kills music. Music will move right along. People can only kill music for themselves. Genres and sub-genres of sub-genres come and go, but the notes all sit there and wait for people to do something with them and they always will. I will say, though, that this silly inventing new genres every day gets old real quick. Calling it something different doesn't mean you're doing anything different.
Click to expand...

Nice post! Agreed.
 
#20
I think it is marketing and stuff like that that kill music.

Music nowaday sells you cloths, a personality, a way of thinking not really music. It is all about the image and not what is played.

Classical music and Jazz is too difficult to market so they take rock, blues, punk, rap, R'n'B etc.

At one point in the timeline ... jazz was the mainstream music so it isn't like talent isn't appreciate but it seems there is somekind of culture of everything being moderatly complex is automatically elitism ...

Like ... "oh man you are on par with Chick Corea ... stop right there ! Go play some 1-5 bass line you f***ing elitist !!!"


I really laugh whatching this little Rap battle between Mozart and Skrylex :

 

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