So bad that Beyonce won the Grammy for best country album.
How bad is popular music today?
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Last: 11 days ago by Hubert J. Farnsworth
torrid said:
So bad that Beyonce won the Grammy for best country album.
I don't disagree with the premise but one other thing that at least partly explains the lack of new music at school events, etc is the language.
I'm a sucker for creativity. It's why I can't stay away from Falling in Reverse. I don't like half of their songs, but the talent and creativity is off the charts and a breath of fresh air for fans of rock/metal.
torrid said:
So bad that Beyonce won the Grammy for best country album.
Country is shot. I've driven from Phoenix to San Antonio and back twice in the last 4 or 5 months and The Highway on Sirius is horrible. Jellyroll, give me a break.
Dude's got a great voice. He was born in the wrong era.jja79 said:torrid said:
So bad that Beyonce won the Grammy for best country album.
Country is shot. I've driven from Phoenix to San Antonio and back twice in the last 4 or 5 months and The Highway on Sirius is horrible. Jellyroll, give me a break.
This meme is perfect for this thread: https://texags.com/forums/13/topics/3526459
Jellyroll is country music for Juggalos. It's just trash.jja79 said:torrid said:
So bad that Beyonce won the Grammy for best country album.
Country is shot. I've driven from Phoenix to San Antonio and back twice in the last 4 or 5 months and The Highway on Sirius is horrible. Jellyroll, give me a break.
pretty darn
There's some "good" music out there (rock is my preferred genre) but nothing great. All the guitar music is very overproduced and there aren't any distinguishable riffs anymore. The golden era of rock music starting in the late 60s and ending in the mid 90s was gritty as hell and you could hum the riff and everyone instantly recognized it.
I don't listen to anything on the airwaves ...
but my son is a metalhead that sticks to classic rock and metal. My daughter used to be into the formulaic pop crap, then she realized those artists were trash, so she went and became a k-pop fan. Way out of left field. But she told me she'd rather listen to something she can dance to, it's not trashy, the artists aren't pathetic, etc. She's even learning Korean on her own.
I love that they're finding their own paths. Because they damn sure don't listen to my music (country, spanish, classics) or the mother's. But they don't like the mainstream music at all.
but my son is a metalhead that sticks to classic rock and metal. My daughter used to be into the formulaic pop crap, then she realized those artists were trash, so she went and became a k-pop fan. Way out of left field. But she told me she'd rather listen to something she can dance to, it's not trashy, the artists aren't pathetic, etc. She's even learning Korean on her own.
I love that they're finding their own paths. Because they damn sure don't listen to my music (country, spanish, classics) or the mother's. But they don't like the mainstream music at all.
Except for the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.Rudyjax said:Bruce Almighty said:Rudyjax said:
It's as old as time people saying music isn't as good as it used it be.
Maybe this time it's actually true.
I don't think so. There's plenty of really good new music.
Pop music has rarely been good.
70s, 80s, 90s pop is atriocious.Funky Winkerbean said:Except for the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.Rudyjax said:Bruce Almighty said:Rudyjax said:
It's as old as time people saying music isn't as good as it used it be.
Maybe this time it's actually true.
I don't think so. There's plenty of really good new music.
Pop music has rarely been good.
This topic always interests me. I'm a big "people are music snobs and just complain to complain" guy, and I do think that's true, HOWEVER... I also agree with the overall points made.
It gets tricky because there's a lot of truth to every complaint being lodged here. So I get it. But I also think it's paired with typical "since those things are true, it's ALL bad and anyone who likes a new song sucks" vibe and I don't agree with that.
Here's what's fascinating. Music and melody are just so impossible to put in a box. It's true that a big creative song with twists and turns and a lot of musical theory is "better" in a lot of ways... But also, even though a lot of crap comes with just the standard 4 chords and mass production, GREAT songs can still be made in those boxes.
Like John Mayer for example, he has radio hits and he has songs that are a little less radio friendly but more musically complex... but he also has songs that weren't radio hits, but they are incredibly simple and they are downright amazing. Why are some 4 chord songs great and popular, some are great but not popular, some are bad and unpopular, and some are bad and popular? It's too nebulous.
Ultimately I do believe that there's just as much good music as ever, but it's harder to find because there are zero barriers to entry anymore, and certain things just get pulled to the front of the line. The formula is the formula. It doesn't mean that all songs in the formula suck. The formula actually works because so many songs in that formula are good! But it does take variety out of the mix. If you want to find the variety, you have to go search for it, and that's hard and time consuming and most of us have neither the time nor the desire.
I like a ton of simple stuff, but it's not radio stuff necessarily. So the simple formula stuff can be great. Personally I try to force myself to listen to some new stuff from people I haven't heard of every so often. NPR tiny desk concerts have led me to a few new bands that I absolutely love and have never heard them on the radio.
It gets tricky because there's a lot of truth to every complaint being lodged here. So I get it. But I also think it's paired with typical "since those things are true, it's ALL bad and anyone who likes a new song sucks" vibe and I don't agree with that.
Here's what's fascinating. Music and melody are just so impossible to put in a box. It's true that a big creative song with twists and turns and a lot of musical theory is "better" in a lot of ways... But also, even though a lot of crap comes with just the standard 4 chords and mass production, GREAT songs can still be made in those boxes.
Like John Mayer for example, he has radio hits and he has songs that are a little less radio friendly but more musically complex... but he also has songs that weren't radio hits, but they are incredibly simple and they are downright amazing. Why are some 4 chord songs great and popular, some are great but not popular, some are bad and unpopular, and some are bad and popular? It's too nebulous.
Ultimately I do believe that there's just as much good music as ever, but it's harder to find because there are zero barriers to entry anymore, and certain things just get pulled to the front of the line. The formula is the formula. It doesn't mean that all songs in the formula suck. The formula actually works because so many songs in that formula are good! But it does take variety out of the mix. If you want to find the variety, you have to go search for it, and that's hard and time consuming and most of us have neither the time nor the desire.
I like a ton of simple stuff, but it's not radio stuff necessarily. So the simple formula stuff can be great. Personally I try to force myself to listen to some new stuff from people I haven't heard of every so often. NPR tiny desk concerts have led me to a few new bands that I absolutely love and have never heard them on the radio.
If you think about the great hits (and non-hits) of the past, they all had a couple of things in common:
1) One or two primary songwriters who were trying to convey a personal message about a feeling or experience. And in the '60s and beyond, they weren't bound by convention and were able to experiment.
2) Real live musicians who came together in a studio and fed off of each other's creativity and talent. Whether they were studio musicians or members of a band, they developed unique riffs and parts that drove the melody forward and added texture and interest. Think about guys like Steve Lukather, Michael Melvoin or Nashville's Brett Mason -- highly capable musicians who helped make hits for many artists due to their sheer talent.
Today, you have five-10 songwriters working on a song, which tends to strip any originality from the composition. And you don't really need musicians. One guy working in his basement can create it all.
We COULD return to the quality of the past but to do so, the industry would need to go back to composing and recording the way it used to. And self-contained bands would need to become popular again, since the emphasis on solo artists often leads to producer-driven drivel.
1) One or two primary songwriters who were trying to convey a personal message about a feeling or experience. And in the '60s and beyond, they weren't bound by convention and were able to experiment.
2) Real live musicians who came together in a studio and fed off of each other's creativity and talent. Whether they were studio musicians or members of a band, they developed unique riffs and parts that drove the melody forward and added texture and interest. Think about guys like Steve Lukather, Michael Melvoin or Nashville's Brett Mason -- highly capable musicians who helped make hits for many artists due to their sheer talent.
Today, you have five-10 songwriters working on a song, which tends to strip any originality from the composition. And you don't really need musicians. One guy working in his basement can create it all.
We COULD return to the quality of the past but to do so, the industry would need to go back to composing and recording the way it used to. And self-contained bands would need to become popular again, since the emphasis on solo artists often leads to producer-driven drivel.
Blackberry Smoke says hello.One Louder said:
There's some "good" music out there (rock is my preferred genre) but nothing great. All the guitar music is very overproduced and there aren't any distinguishable riffs anymore. The golden era of rock music starting in the late 60s and ending in the mid 90s was gritty as hell and you could hum the riff and everyone instantly recognized it.
"Well, if you can’t have a great season, at least ruin somebody else’s." - Olin Buchanan
I've been on a Guns N' Roses kick lately as 14 months into playing bass guitar I'm learning Sweet Child 'O Mine.EclipseAg said:
2) Real live musicians who came together in a studio and fed off of each other's creativity and talent. Whether they were studio musicians or members of a band, they developed unique riffs and parts that drove the melody forward and added texture and interest. Think about guys like Steve Lukather, Michael Melvoin or Nashville's Brett Mason -- highly capable musicians who helped make hits for many artists due to their sheer talent.
In the video below Slash talks about living in a "totaled," "shell" of a house, sitting around with Izzy and creating the iconic riff which Axl overheard upstairs and began writing lyrics to.
There are so many stories of songs developing through a similar creative process which is very different from what amounts to a formulaic, team approach (5 to 10 song writers) to creating popular songs.
And, again, no wonder movies and shows often rely on older music which is just more memorable on a variety of levels (as for lyrics, EclipseAg's point about conveying a personal experience).
So, imagine my delight when I'm watching the grand finale of Cobra Kai and what do I hear?
Sweet Child O' Mine
(With acknowledgement to the fact that the series is intentionally nostalgic and relies on 80's and 90's music. But it works, and if there were a better song it's hard not to think that wouldn't have been chosen instead).
I don't want to be redundant with posting Rick Beato videos, but he recently critiqued the Spotify top 10. There were a couple catchy tunes, nothing memorable - at all - one reminded me of Hey Mickey (read that in the comments as well after listening). The #1 song is Kendrick Lamar's luther. It has an okay beat, which I'm sure took a lot of creativity with the foundation provided by Luther Vandross. I particularly like Sza's voice. There is just nothing memorable about it.
And maybe that's where I am the old guy that doesn't appreciate new music. I like live instruments and memorable melodies. Sampling better music to overwrite forgettable lyrics to with the added 808 instead of drums doesn't work for me.
Yep ... there's also the influence that a musician's playing style has on a recording.AGinHI said:
There are so many stories of songs developing through a similar creative process which is very different from what amounts to a formulaic, team approach (5 to 10 song writers) to creating popular songs.
I think about Michael McDonald a lot in this regard ... "Minute by Minute" or "I Keep Forgetting" would lose so much of their power if a producer just laid down a generic keyboard track vs. McDonald's percussive, driving style.
Compare Kenny Loggins' "What a Fool Believes" with the Doobie Brothers' version and you get two very different feels.
Steely Dan famously tried as many as eight different guitarists to capture the solo on "Peg," eventually settling on Jay Graydon's take. Does that kind of "striving for perfection" happen anymore?
Heck, does any pop music even have guitar solos anymore?
I think this thread can be summed up in 4 words.
Pop music today sucks.
There is plenty of really good new music but you won't find it listening to KYSS FM.
Pop music today sucks.
There is plenty of really good new music but you won't find it listening to KYSS FM.
To clarify, this was always about popular music (just music in general, what most people are enjoying), which may include the specific pop music genre.
I had to look it up (and what I found made me smile), but GnR's Sweet Child O' Mine was ranked #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 Singles of 1988.
And coming in at #4
LOL
I had to look it up (and what I found made me smile), but GnR's Sweet Child O' Mine was ranked #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 Singles of 1988.
And coming in at #4
LOL
I have no idea what pop music is today.
do you mean "greatest hits of the 1940s and 50s?"
do you mean "greatest hits of the 1940s and 50s?"
I don't even listen to radio anymore its so bad. I find all my new content using various discovery features of Tidal or from online forums related to the music I listen to (or word of mouth).Rudyjax said:
I think this thread can be summed up in 4 words.
Pop music today sucks.
There is plenty of really good new music but you won't find it listening to KYSS FM.
And it's garbage. GNR did not stand the test of time.AGinHI said:
To clarify, this was always about popular music (just music in general, what most people are enjoying), which may include the specific pop music genre.
I had to look it up (and what I found made me smile), but GnR's Sweet Child O' Mine was ranked #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 Singles of 1988.
And coming in at #4
LOL
But even if you like it, it's popular doesn't mean it's pop music.
Some of the stuff from 1969 to 1984 compared to now doesn't even sound like the same species of humans.
Ok.
I have a bit of a theory/concern that film and music are two areas of art that can eventually be pretty much fully explored...or at least close. Eventually movies are just going to suck because all ideas worth exploring have been explored...we are already on that track imo. Thank God for Christopher Nolan and a few others for now.
Same with music. Eventually there aren't that many new/groundbreaking sounds to make that still appeal to a lot of people. I am perfectly fine with that...no newcomers are ever going to top a lot of the amazing bands from the 70's - 90's for me.
That being said, I just turned 44...maybe this is how all old codgers eventually start to feel.
What's funny though, is, aside from classic rock from the 70's, 80's and 90's...and a lot of reggae/dub....I like the sound of a lot of the new rap that a lot of people my age cannot stand. I think hip-hop still has some creative exploring room in terms of new sounds. Some of the new Future/Metro songs are rap/musical masterpieces to me (Type Sh*t, GTA, Ice Attack, Like That for starters).
Same with music. Eventually there aren't that many new/groundbreaking sounds to make that still appeal to a lot of people. I am perfectly fine with that...no newcomers are ever going to top a lot of the amazing bands from the 70's - 90's for me.
That being said, I just turned 44...maybe this is how all old codgers eventually start to feel.
What's funny though, is, aside from classic rock from the 70's, 80's and 90's...and a lot of reggae/dub....I like the sound of a lot of the new rap that a lot of people my age cannot stand. I think hip-hop still has some creative exploring room in terms of new sounds. Some of the new Future/Metro songs are rap/musical masterpieces to me (Type Sh*t, GTA, Ice Attack, Like That for starters).
Lol what? Appetite is one of the greatest rock albums of all time, and one of the best selling records of all time. It holds up, and to a lesser degree the 2-3 follow up albums do as well. Their other albums weren't as great as that one, sure, but GNR are legends.Quote:
And it's garbage. GNR did not stand the test of time.
Rudyjax said:And it's garbage. GNR did not stand the test of time.AGinHI said:
To clarify, this was always about popular music (just music in general, what most people are enjoying), which may include the specific pop music genre.
I had to look it up (and what I found made me smile), but GnR's Sweet Child O' Mine was ranked #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 Singles of 1988.
And coming in at #4
LOL
But even if you like it, it's popular doesn't mean it's pop music.
Saying GnR hasn't stood the test of time is just dumb.
Bruce Almighty said:Rudyjax said:And it's garbage. GNR did not stand the test of time.AGinHI said:
To clarify, this was always about popular music (just music in general, what most people are enjoying), which may include the specific pop music genre.
I had to look it up (and what I found made me smile), but GnR's Sweet Child O' Mine was ranked #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 Singles of 1988.
And coming in at #4
LOL
But even if you like it, it's popular doesn't mean it's pop music.
Saying GnR hasn't stood the test of time is just dumb.
Prove my opinion wrong.
What do you consider good pop?Rudyjax said:70s, 80s, 90s pop is atriocious.Funky Winkerbean said:Except for the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.Rudyjax said:Bruce Almighty said:Rudyjax said:
It's as old as time people saying music isn't as good as it used it be.
Maybe this time it's actually true.
I don't think so. There's plenty of really good new music.
Pop music has rarely been good.
It's exactly what it means.Quote:
it's popular doesn't mean it's pop music.
Funky Winkerbean said:What do you consider good pop?Rudyjax said:70s, 80s, 90s pop is atriocious.Funky Winkerbean said:Except for the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.Rudyjax said:Bruce Almighty said:Rudyjax said:
It's as old as time people saying music isn't as good as it used it be.
Maybe this time it's actually true.
I don't think so. There's plenty of really good new music.
Pop music has rarely been good.
There isn't any.
So what's your favorite Post Malone song that you think is going to endure?
Prove your point right.Rudyjax said:Bruce Almighty said:Rudyjax said:And it's garbage. GNR did not stand the test of time.AGinHI said:
To clarify, this was always about popular music (just music in general, what most people are enjoying), which may include the specific pop music genre.
I had to look it up (and what I found made me smile), but GnR's Sweet Child O' Mine was ranked #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 Singles of 1988.
And coming in at #4
LOL
But even if you like it, it's popular doesn't mean it's pop music.
Saying GnR hasn't stood the test of time is just dumb.
Prove my opinion wrong.
I'm a teacher, so I'm around kids all day and have a pretty good idea on what older music is still relevant today. Kids listen to Guns N Roses. Walk into any high school basketball game, Hell, any sporting event in America and at some point in time, you'll hear Welcome to the Jungle. You'll see kids wearing Guns N Roses t-shirts in the hallways (they aren't wearing White Snake, Def Leppard, and Poison t-shirts) and their songs have been played in current commercials
Ah, music snob.
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