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Old people suck.

#22
StupidMatt said:
Before I even knew what this thread was about, I looked at the title and I agree completely. ;)

I really think that unless people are exposed (overexposed) to a song or songs by an artist, for some reason people aren't convinced that they are worthwhile. I strangely use to be under this mentality (then I use to play the bass). These people's CD collection will be filled with best ofs and will only listen to mainstream radio.

And mainstream radio, of course, isn't willing to take a risk on this. We all have to remember that "One-Hit-Wonders" didn't have just one song (in most cases). But radio stations are handed best ofs and compilations and that's it anymore. It's like an endless cycle of 300 songs from the 1960s to whenever they "stopped making good music."

What really amazes me is, people love this. They turn on the local rock station and listen to the songs that came out when they were kids. The songs they've heard over and over and over for twenty plus years.

... This is why I don't listen to the radio. ;)
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I'm pretty picky about what I'll listen to. Whether anyone else will actually like what I like... But music isn't really background noise for me. I like the stereo cranked in the car, I'd rather drive alone so I don't have to turn the music down or pretend to listen to someone while I'm busy rockin' :D . I could never do homework with the radio on. When I listen to the radio I constantly flip stations (I'm the same way with TV, because I pay attention to commercials).

I think the reason a lot of people are going to have lots of "best of" or compilation records is the same reason there are one hit wonders. There are few bands that create entire albums worth of good songs. I could sit through any entire Beatles' album or Zeppelin, or great whole records like The Knack's Get the Knack, Billy Squier's Don't Say No, Nirvana's Nevermind, or even Bryan Adams' Reckless.

Just because a band comes up with a great song doesn't mean the rest of the album is even listenable. One of my favorite songs is 867-5309 (Jenny) by Tommy Tutone. The rest of the album (Tutone-2) spews technicolor. I'd rather have that on a compilation with other good songs than have a record with that great song with 9 crappy ones. How about an artist who has a few good songs but a lot of mediocre ones over a relatively long career? Night Ranger has a few songs that I like, spread over 5 or so albums. So, the only way I'd get Don't Tell Me You Love Me, is to buy Dawn Patrol, or a Best Of (does Night Ranger have a best of?). That way I don't have to sit through all of Seven Wishes to realize it sucks.

There used to be a time when radio stations would play whole album sides- I still remember WLPX- Wisconsin's Best Album Rocker or vaguely remember WZMF. Here's an segment from an interesting article about 70's Milwaukee radio:

""The station would give a young DJ some creative license, a chance to come up with your own style and themes, which was rare even in those days. It let you play music you believed in."

Stations like WZMF in the '60s and '70s are a far cry from today's, with current playlists more condensed to conform to the station's designated target audience. Nowadays, it's not uncommon for commercial stations nationwide to feature prerecorded DJs and set lists determined song-for-song by a handful of programming consultants in Los Angeles, New York or Nashville.

" 'ZMF was great for music but bad for business," Flessas said. "We'd play, say, George Thorogood, Joe Cocker, Devo, Elvis Costello, Blondie, Traffic, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Tubes, Buffalo Springfield, Dan Fogelberg, ZZ Top, Billy Joel -- all within a three-hour block. We'd even throw in some Miles Davis and other jazz artists."
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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

As far as older artists go, for the most part that I'm aware of, a lot of the music that older, established artists are making doesn't interest me. Bowie went platinum last year?- I don't like his old stuff, chances are I won't like his new stuff. McCartney is the single most influential artist to me, and I really haven't liked much of what he's released since 1979.
 
#23
The thing I don't get about radio now is that with so many clear channel stations doing this, I would think a station that went out on it's own and played what they wanted would do pretty good in the market now. Anything different would be a blessing around here. The only independent station we have is a hard rock station that plays mostly 80's rock. It would be such a breath of fresh air to hear new modern rock that wasn't Good Charlotte or Maroon 5. I know most people around CT don't even listen to the radio anymore because of how bad it is now.
 
#25
fastplant said:
The thing I don't get about radio now is that with so many clear channel stations doing this, I would think a station that went out on it's own and played what they wanted would do pretty good in the market now. Anything different would be a blessing around here. The only independent station we have is a hard rock station that plays mostly 80's rock. It would be such a breath of fresh air to hear new modern rock that wasn't Good Charlotte or Maroon 5. I know most people around CT don't even listen to the radio anymore because of how bad it is now.
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It's funny to listen to WCCC pimping themselves out as "non-corporate radio". They still suck, but I guess they suck a little less *shrug*.

Lately I've been listening to jazz on the college stations. No real commercials and music played by people who enjoy music.

If you can get these channels, check out 88.5 & 89.3
 
#26
WillPlay4Food said:
It's funny to listen to WCCC pimping themselves out as "non-corporate radio". They still suck, but I guess they suck a little less *shrug*.

Lately I've been listening to jazz on the college stations. No real commercials and music played by people who enjoy music.

If you can get these channels, check out 88.5 & 89.3
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True, I don't get any college stations in my area unfortunately or I'd be listening to them exclusively.
 
#27
jazzbo said:
Did anybody see that Simpsons where the family is at a festival, and Bachman Turner Overdrive is playing?

BTO: All right, we'd like to start off with one of our newer -
Homer: Play "Taking Care of Business"!!! Whooo!
BTO: (sigh) All right.
[Song starts]
Homer: Get to the "working overtime" part! Whoo!
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Yes! --It made me laugh, it made me cry. I traversed the emotional gamut with Homer and BTO.
 
#28
Good points all around. I think, however, that there is hope for radio in streaming broadcasts (I listen to stations all around the USA), and maybe with Satellite Radio and it's cousins.

It's really sad, but 2 of my favorite cd's right now are Van Morrison's new one (What's Wrong with this Picture), and Jackson Browne's newer one (The Naked Ride Home). And no, I'm not 50, I'm in my early 30's.

I think artists like Bowie, however, just have to be aware and suck it up that people like what they like. Most people are not music aficianados, and don't continue to buy new music after their 20's. If I were him, I'd just be glad that they'll still pay $ 50 to see me perform. He could give out free cd samplers of his new stuff at his concerts, if he wanted.
 
#29
fastplant said:
True, I don't get any college stations in my area unfortunately or I'd be listening to them exclusively.
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I don't know about other colleges, by the radio station at my college streams their broadcasts. check out Invalid Link Removed and click on the listen button on the left, you can stream the broadcast. It hasn't been working for me lately, though I think they're overhauling the equipment for the studio for the summer schedule. Check it out sometime, and if it works for you, tune in Tues. 1-3 for my friend Ellen's show, it is tres bien.
 
#30
i'm not qualified to speak for any other country, but in the u.s., it seems most of us need to be told what is cool. if we are told from someone who has some kind of credibility, like a radio station, then we think it's cool. if we're not told specifically that "so-and-so" is cool, then we tend not to give them a chance - to think someone is cool who's really thought of as un-cool is the epitome of un-cool, and nobody wants to take that risk.
 
#31
john turner said:
i'm not qualified to speak for any other country, but in the u.s., it seems most of us need to be told what is cool. if we are told from someone who has some kind of credibility, like a radio station, then we think it's cool. if we're not told specifically that "so-and-so" is cool, then we tend not to give them a chance - to think someone is cool who's really thought of as un-cool is the epitome of un-cool, and nobody wants to take that risk.
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Well that pretty much somes it all up.
 
#33
Against Will said:
I don't know about other colleges, by the radio station at my college streams their broadcasts. check out Invalid Link Removed and click on the listen button on the left, you can stream the broadcast. It hasn't been working for me lately, though I think they're overhauling the equipment for the studio for the summer schedule. Check it out sometime, and if it works for you, tune in Tues. 1-3 for my friend Ellen's show, it is tres bien.
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Thanks, but In only get a chance to listen to the radio in the car anyway. Can't listen at work unfortunately.
 
#35
Most of the public does not listen to music or go to concerts because they care or even understand much about music. It has more to do with social excitement and memories.

I like the example someone used that music is the wallpaper that decorated our youth. For many people, especially of my age, that is what draws them to concerts. Re-live the fun days.

My wife will see Fleetwood Mac anytime they are within a 50-mile radius of our house. Why? Because she was a big fan when we were kids. It was exciting to go to every show she could get to. They were making great music, but that was beside the point. So, she still goes to see them even though the music is the same old stuff. Becuase the music isn't really why she goes.

We have another friend who buys every Beatles compliation they put out. She is very disappointed when I don't get excited about the latest one, and that I don't want to borrow it. She just stared at me blankly when I explained that the Beatles haven't made any new music for 30 years, I own every song on one CD or another so I dont care how they repackage it, there is nothing new to get excited about.

That is what the majority of the music consuming public is like. :rollno:
 
#36
john turner said:
i'm not qualified to speak for any other country, but in the u.s., it seems most of us need to be told what is cool. if we are told from someone who has some kind of credibility, like a radio station, then we think it's cool. if we're not told specifically that "so-and-so" is cool, then we tend not to give them a chance - to think someone is cool who's really thought of as un-cool is the epitome of un-cool, and nobody wants to take that risk.
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Are you kidding? Then who would want to announce their "guilty pleasures" to the world? I don't know of anyone that won't hesitate to say something to the effect of "You know, I really like Terry Jacks' 'Seasons In The Sun,' it makes me cry..."
 
#37
I think the thing about listening to music is true in that it's simply a soundtrack to life for most people. It's mostly sentimental value. I'm guilty of this too at times.

Then there is the sophisticated listener who goes for jazz/improvised/avant-garde music where they appreciate it for the art and the craftsmanship that it takes to play it (what I'm into).

I agree that the only thing that's saving radio is the internet, but unfortunately DJ's can't get paid doing that anymore (at least not all that much). It's awesome to be able to find J-Pop stations and then in an instant switch to a Reggae-Dancehall station, not to mention all the inbetween styles. That's never been available before in history.

But about teen-pop: You also have to remember that kids are young and impressionable. They simply haven't heard enough music to discern between what's good because of social value or because of artistic value (meaning it's technically advanced or whatever). Corporations buzz to this like flies to $#!t and make millions off of it. Once the kids grow up, they listen to more music and would have been exposed to more "advanced" or "soulful" music. In which case, they'll turn around and ask themselves, "What the hell was I thinking?!?". In later years, this becomes more sentimental and the attachment develops.

But how else can you explain the phenomenon (in the neutral sense) of 'American Idol' or Backstreet Boys and how they've MANUFACTURED all of these people to sing. Sure they can hit the F# two octaves above C and sing covers... but that's all they can do. They can't push the envelope of music and do experimental things with what little they've learned. Can they sing over blues changes? Can they write and arrange their own music (and I'm not talking about just lyrics)? I'm not saying that it's impossible, but it's not likely that Clay Aiken is going to do something that is lasting in the annals of Music History. Do you think that most American Idol viewers know the difference between major & minor chords? Not to say that these viewers can't enjoy more advanced music, but in a way it's all really laughable.

Ok, I'll stop rambling...
 
#38
Oh....the jaded-ness. It hurts.

You guys are to cynical, honestly. People aren't quite as stupid and shallow as you think and the situation's not nearly as bad as some of you make it out to be.

There is good music out there. Some of it gets played on the radio and I still find good shows to go to.
Take a step back and realize this so that you don't have to complain about the clear-channel-ification all the time.

I know from reading other posts that you all still find (and even make!) good, new music.
 
#40
jazzbo said:
Did anybody see that Simpsons where the family is at a festival, and Bachman Turner Overdrive is playing?

BTO: All right, we'd like to start off with one of our newer -
Homer: Play "Taking Care of Business"!!! Whooo!
BTO: (sigh) All right.
[Song starts]
Homer: Get to the "working overtime" part! Whoo!
Click to expand...

YES! that was great! poor BTO...

there was another episode where Jackson Browne was playing at a party for Marge:

Browne: "ok everybody, i'm going to play you a song..."
Crowd: "YAY!!!"
Browne: "...from my new album!"
Crowd: "BOO!!!"
Browne: "hehe, just kidding folks..."
 

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