Modern Music themes - Questionable.

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KillSw!tch

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Hi guys

I'm no musician myself, but I have fairly good knowledge on what can be considered musically brilliant. I grew up listening to old school bands with my dad, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Genesis etc. (I still listen to them today.) and I listened to metal in high school throughout. Anyway, I don't know if this has been on this forum, it probably has been... but seriously, SE-RI-OUS-LY, some of the commercial music that's out there today, how can it even be considered music? More specifically, how can a so called "artist" claim musical independence when most song you hear today revolves around the same thing, the common denominators - MONEY, ALCOHOL and DRUGS, and for the younger crowd, petty teenage love quirks.(ala Tyler Swift). I feel it prays on human curiosity, and the immediate materialistic mindset of Wealth, partying, getting drunk or getting laid.

Yesterday while listening 5FM I heard this song from Rihanna called "pour it up" (how AMAZINGLY creative). The whole song literally revolves around Rihanna expressing selfish greed towards her fortune... and its topping the charts apparently. I don't really know about other people, but I listen to music to relate to its contextual themes and the emotion behind the lyrics, and the vibe the instruments create behind that emotion. (Sure Dance music is cool for clubbing, of course. Wouldn't make much sense listening to Stairway to Heaven in the middle of a clubbing vibe, although I would love that). So to the bagillions of people constantly listening to Pour it up(only an example, take into account all song revolving around similar themes), do they relate to it in a materialistic way? A selfish greedy way? Lil wayne raps about how big his penis is and the girls he shags, from what I've heard, so do people listening to Lil Wayne go around all day thinking about how huge their penises are?

Anyway, I can go on about this forever, me and a friend have debates about this almost every night - I don't want to spill all the beans here and now. What has happened to the music industry? Why is money considered a musically viable subject that's being used over and over and over again just to a different rubbish beat AND people are buying into this scene? Illuminati? Rainman? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear how other people feel about this. Very open to discuss this as it has been bothering me more and more over the last few years. Ofcourse, there are some BRILLIANT music out there today, and there is obviously a choice to what you want to listen to. Grizzly bear, Fleet Foxes, Alt J, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Bon Ivor etc (I'm sure you get the idea.) But these bands don't NEARLY gain so much attention. But that is probably a good thing, right?



Are
 
I think it's a symptom of our consumerist societies, and the general dumbing down of humanity. The record companies are just businesses filling niches as they see them.

There is still plenty of incredible music out there though, and there was lots of poppy **** in the past too.
 
I agree, but it was in good taste at least. These days it seems like artist are just spewing arrogance and greed. Abba was poppy, but they are legend :)
 
I just imagine somebody walking and humming "Oh yeah I got so much money money money, pow chiki pow wow" and thinking "GOD that's amazing" - SONG, PEOPLE, BUY AAAARGH.
 
KillSw!tch said:
Hi guys

I'm no musician myself, but I have fairly good knowledge on what can be considered musically brilliant. I grew up listening to old school bands with my dad, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Genesis etc. (I still listen to them today.) and I listened to metal in high school throughout. Anyway, I don't know if this has been on this forum, it probably has been... but seriously, SE-RI-OUS-LY, some of the commercial music that's out there today, how can it even be considered music? More specifically, how can a so called "artist" claim musical independence when most song you hear today revolves around the same thing, the common denominators - MONEY, ALCOHOL and DRUGS, and for the younger crowd, petty teenage love quirks.(ala Tyler Swift). I feel it prays on human curiosity, and the immediate materialistic mindset of Wealth, partying, getting drunk or getting laid.

Yesterday while listening 5FM I heard this song from Rihanna called "pour it up" (how AMAZINGLY creative). The whole song literally revolves around Rihanna expressing selfish greed towards her fortune... and its topping the charts apparently. I don't really know about other people, but I listen to music to relate to its contextual themes and the emotion behind the lyrics, and the vibe the instruments create behind that emotion. (Sure Dance music is cool for clubbing, of course. Wouldn't make much sense listening to Stairway to Heaven in the middle of a clubbing vibe, although I would love that). So to the bagillions of people constantly listening to Pour it up(only an example, take into account all song revolving around similar themes), do they relate to it in a materialistic way? A selfish greedy way? Lil wayne raps about how big his penis is and the girls he shags, from what I've heard, so do people listening to Lil Wayne go around all day thinking about how huge their penises are?

Anyway, I can go on about this forever, me and a friend have debates about this almost every night - I don't want to spill all the beans here and now. What has happened to the music industry? Why is money considered a musically viable subject that's being used over and over and over again just to a different rubbish beat AND people are buying into this scene? Illuminati? Rainman? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear how other people feel about this. Very open to discuss this as it has been bothering me more and more over the last few years. Ofcourse, there are some BRILLIANT music out there today, and there is obviously a choice to what you want to listen to. Grizzly bear, Fleet Foxes, Alt J, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Bon Ivor etc (I'm sure you get the idea.) But these bands don't NEARLY gain so much attention. But that is probably a good thing, right?



Are
Click to expand...

In short the record companies produce whatever people will buy. Don't blame the artists. Blame people for buying their songs.

Beliebers being a prime example.
 
So you listened to 1 genre of music your entire life, Rock/Metal
Of cause nothing else will appeal to you... if you only eat meat all your life you wont start eating veggies all of a sudden. You also can't proclaim you have a good knowledge of music as you have a good knowledge of Rock/Metal yes but nothing else.

How bout a serving of some old school R&B? No? of cause not its not your genre that's all.
That's why I believe true legendary artists cross genres take MJ for example he did some hard rock with Slash threw some Van Halen in for good measure, lots of pop, ballads some new jack swing. Basically whatever he felt like at the time, I would consider that musically brilliant.
 
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copacetic said:
I think it's a symptom of our consumerist societies, and the general dumbing down of humanity. The record companies are just businesses filling niches as they see them.

There is still plenty of incredible music out there though, and there was lots of poppy **** in the past too.
Click to expand...

Yip. Just be glad that you're complaining. The sheeple are lapping it up. I reckon you can tell quite a bit about someone based on their taste in music...

My brother's been going on about Alt-J. Think I may have to give em a bash.
 
Ludacris "I’m talkin’ ’bout money you never seen, hoe The incredible hulk, so much paper I’m turning green, hoe Green giant, I want it, I buy it Y’all just ballers on a budget Your money’s on a diet And I’m laughing you such a riot"

2chainz "Money talks you aint gat non end of discussion"

It's fun music period nothing serious just pure arrogance and ignorance and we love it :)
 
Vegeta said:
So you listened to 1 genre of music your entire life, Rock/Metal
Of cause nothing else will appeal to you... if you only eat meat all your life you wont start eating veggies all of a sudden. You also can't proclaim you have a good knowledge of music as you have a good knowledge of Rock/Metal yes but nothing else.

How bout a serving of some old school R&B? No? of cause not its not your genre that's all.
That's why I believe true legendary artists cross genres take MJ for example he did some hard rock with Slash threw some Van Halen in for good measure, lots of pop, ballads some new jack swing. Basically whatever he felt like at the time, I would consider that musically brilliant.
Click to expand...

I think you misunderstood me my friend :) of course there are decent music in other genres, MJ was a legend, much respect, unfortunately I don't know much old school R&B, but if I hear it I'm sure I'll like it. I have a good ear for music. Listen to Pink Floyd - Echoes, and compare that to anything modern. You just can't compare :)
 
Budza said:
Yip. Just be glad that you're complaining. The sheeple are lapping it up. I reckon you can tell quite a bit about someone based on their taste in music...

My brother's been going on about Alt-J. Think I may have to give em a bash.
Click to expand...

Dude you should really give them a listen! They're great! They are Coming to rocking the daisies :D whoooo
 
KillSw!tch said:
I think you misunderstood me my friend :) of course there are decent music in other genres, MJ was a legend, much respect, unfortunately I don't know much old school R&B, but if I hear it I'm sure I'll like it. I have a good ear for music. Listen to Pink Floyd - Echoes, and compare that to anything modern. You just can't compare :)
Click to expand...

This statement shows that you are not being remotely objective or reasonable in your assessment of contemporary music. Sorry.

Pink Floyd have some great songs, but so do many current bands.

And, of course, tastes differ.
 
copacetic said:
This statement shows that you are not being remotely objective or reasonable in your assessment of contemporary music. Sorry.

Pink Floyd have some great songs, but so do many current bands.

And, of course, tastes differ.
Click to expand...

Okay cool man :) I respect your opinion.
 
KillSw!tch said:
Okay cool man :) I respect your opinion.
Click to expand...

Same to you, we are all entitled to feel however we wish about something which is so subjective.

I went through a sort of personal revelation when it came to music, a couple years ago.

Long story short, I now listen and assess a piece of music on its musical and artistic aspects alone. I don't care where it came from or when, and if it was composed by a fresh faced 15 year old heart-throb and it speaks to me, I will not stop myself from enjoying it.

Where previously, I would stick to very specific genres and bands I thought were cool.

And man, it has opened my brain to so much interesting music, and there's a lot of it out there.

The main point is, yes, lots of modern music sucks, but there's also lots of awesome modern music.

To say otherwise is limiting your own potential to enjoy new stuff, I feel.
 
copacetic said:
Same to you, we are all entitled to feel however we wish about something which is so subjective.

I went through a sort of personal revelation when it came to music, a couple years ago.

Long story short, I now listen and assess a piece of music on its musical and artistic aspects alone. I don't care where it came from or when, and if it was composed by a fresh faced 15 year old heart-throb and it speaks to me, I will not stop myself from enjoying it.

Where previously, I would stick to very specific genres and bands I thought were cool.

And man, it has opened my brain to so much interesting music, and there's a lot of it out there.

The main point is, yes, lots of modern music sucks, but there's also lots of awesome modern music.

To say otherwise is limiting your own potential to enjoy new stuff, I feel.
Click to expand...

I complete agree with you man. Music is purely subjective, maybe that has been the sole point I have been missing. It is just that I really can not find reason in these quick cash in song... which it obviously is. I do enjoy a lot of modern music though, don't get me wrong. After my ignorant days in school where I though Metal was the answer to all and everything, I became open for anything that gave me joy, I sometimes go into this trance like state where I psychoanalyze music I hear, and not just music, people as well.

It is hard to explain, and english is not my first language. By comparing that pink floyd song to anything else was foolish of me. I wanted to point out how the quality of some commercial music has changed and the quality most people on earth today settle for as being good music, you know?. But times change I suppose, and I'm just your average human trying to make sense of the madness :D Thanks for your insight man.
 
KillSw!tch - with you all the way.

Yes, there is still excellent music and brilliant musicians today, but dumbed down is what appeals to the masses, thus that is what sells.

Most artists are lazy and in it for the money. Throw some beats together, add some Hallmark cards lyrics, show your ass and you have a winner.

If you are looking for true legends who roll-out mega-sellers year after year then you need to go back to the Beatles, Zeppellin, Floyd etc.

My musical knowledge ranges from opera to folk, rock, esoteric, bluegrass and stops dead at rap and hip-hop, neither of which have a right to be even mentioned in the hall of music greats.

Yes there is a huge audience for that but there's also a huge audience for the Twilight movies and Kim Kardashian's tv series.

Every so often comes along a Katie Melua, or Elbow to keep us from withdrawal symptoms but if all else fails there will always be James Taylor, Crowded House or Tori Amos to fall back on.
 
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