Flipping between the two, I have come to a realization that modern secular music is horrible, really horrible. Watching Joe Cocker sing "With a little help from my friends" at Woodstock was simply unbelievable, or the Grateful Dead go on one of their long guitar instrumentals, it's really something. Far better than any of the junk we have today. I mean, in 40 years, what, are people gonna look back at Justin Timberlake and say, "boy, he sure was a great musician.", or say of Britney Spears, "what a talented artist!"? Or maybe they'll admire how our cursing and womanizing rap music is so, um, censored.
Somehow I don't think so!
But it's not just pop music. Even the rock we have today is junk. Metallica, Disturbed, System of a Down, Slipknot: too many bands are concerned about the bad boy image. Hard, ear-shattering, angry, rebellious, mean & nasty rock. That's nice and all, problem is, that falls utterly short of the music of the 60s and 70s, so much more of which was seemingly concerned more about experimenting with different sounds and styles than it was about impressing you with their hardcore rock image.
It makes me wonder if music has seen its heyday. Were the 60s and 70s a musical pinnacle, the climax of rock and popular music, thus everything beyond then is slowly getting worse and worse? Or are we just in a temporary musical drought? Or am I being too critical and there actually are equals to the great bands of the 60s and 70s?
Sure, the Woodstock people got it wrong culturally. Maybe they had some base ideas that worked (the downsides of commercialism, the loving of all people, to name some), but on the whole, the bits about free sex, rampant drug use, and no absolute moral system really didn't work out too well. But while culturally things didn't work out for them, they at least had some really, really good music that has no equal today. No one touches the Beatles, or comes near to the Stones. All we've got to show for ourselves today is pretty boy bands, slutty girl solos, gansta rap, and angry trying-to-look-and-sound-demonic rock bands. Ugh.
We do have Hayseed Dixie. They're the greatest! If you get the chance, listen to them. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteHayseed Dixie. Never heard of them. Heh, maybe I'll check them out when I get home tonight.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm more of a rock fan than anything. 3 Doors Down, Alter Bridge, they've got some decent music. I also like some pop groups, Lifehouse and Coldplay in particular. But for sure, all these bands fall way short of the classics. They don't even compare to the Beatles or the Stones, for example.
*Warning: this post will probably be saturated with cliche arguments*
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that boy bands and Spears/Aguilera/Simpson-types will never be great acts, by pointing out the extremes in pop culture today, you are ignoring music that range from Collective Soul to Three Doors Down to Hoobastank and the like, which IMO is decent music. And I have to admit that System of a Down and other similar bands also have some songs that I enjoy. But that may have more to do with my tastes, and not so much what I consider good music, and I try to always distinguish between the two.
But to actually get back to the point, I think that the definition of 'good music' has evolved, and music today may be good, but not in the same way music from 30-40 years ago was good. These are probably the same arguments that people use anytime they compare modern times to history. But it just means that arguments comparing one to the other may be a bit flawed. Just like people may try to compare classical pieces to the rolling stones [a ridiculous idea just to make a point], it doesn't really work. And I would also say don't lose hope. Even if you think today's music is crap, there's no reason to think that music another 10-50 years from now won't be great.
Have you tried looking outside the mainstream (like ash recommended hayseed dixie)? Since it isn't in the mainstream, it's not that easy to find, but you may come across stuff just as good as the beatles. I think you're more into the religious music so have you heard audio adrenaline? If you want to try non-religious, I'd also recommend Air or Dressy Bessy.
Whew, didn't mean to be so long-winded.
Bah, posted before I could see your reply. Well some of my points may make less sense. oh well.
ReplyDeleteI guess another idea I want to point out is that music from the 60s and 70s were considered good mostly because they were so 'revolutionary'. So music today isn't like the 60s. Do we just want to hear the beatles from now until forever? Music goes through changes, just like it did when we went from the 50s to the 60s. I guess this goes with the evolution point, but I'm just saying (poorly, probably) that people won't be satisfied with new music if they are (too?) fixated with old, nostalgic history. I'm not calling you old and unwilling to open your mind to new ideas, Judah, but I just wanted to share my thoughts, and I tend to present them more strongly than I actually feel. I promise to shut up now ~_^
ReplyDeleteHey now, I'm not old! As I recall, you're older than I am! :-)
ReplyDeleteI think there is some good music out there. I mentioned some bands I like that play music I perceive as being pretty good. Still, these don't come close to the classics.
But what bugs me is that the music today isn't deep, there's so much fluff. So while there are some good groups, even some decent songs from some groups I dislike (System of a Down has 2 good ones of their new album), pure rock & roll doesn't seem as authentic and deep as the older stuff. In the end, though, so many of the modern bands, System of a Down works for this example, come across as pushing an image more than playing good music.
It could just be most of society related to the music of the 60s at the time. The music today could be just as deep and meaningful as the classics, but if you don't relate to the music, you might miss out.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe we're not in an era of defining music. I don't think many people will compare any music from the 80s to the beatles (don't get me wrong; I love 80s!). It might take some time until music climbs to the level that it was in the 60s.
And I probably lumped you in with the 'old' folk cuz you're married. But now I feel old since you pointed that out :P
Eh, there are people getting engaged or who are already married that are younger than me. I don't really know why, but the people in my age-group seem in such a rush. Silly, really.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record, I don't like System of a Down at all. It's far too heavy for my tastes. Well, I do like the "lalalalalala..oooooh" bit of one of the songs, but that's about it. Most of my music is made up of random songs that I hear and like. And Hayseed. Did I mention they're great? Although.. yeah, they ARE a little niche, I guess.
Ash, haha! Hayseed Dixie is a total redneck hick hillbilly band! Well, that, and a cross with Kid Rock.
ReplyDeleteMan, I lived down in the south (U.S.) where there is actually serious music like that. Lots of Bluegrass music in the south. Heh.
Do they have albums besides the the covers for AC/DC and KISS?
Judah Judah Judah,
ReplyDeleteHey Jude, go easy on the hillbilly/redneck comments :) Where did you live in the south?
You are right about the music. Having grew up in the 60's and 70's, I have often lamented the general lack of musical talent and singing ability exhibited in todays music. Sure there are exceptions. I think that rap was invented to allow people who can't sing to enter the music business.
I don't listen to much Top 40/Rap/Hip Hop, etc. I tend to listen to Christian music like Michelle mentioned, Audio Adrenaline, Jars of Clay, Third Day, Newsboys, etc.
I have never, that I remember, listened to Hayseed Dixie. Don't know anything about them. I do like some country music. I know that there are stereotypes about country music (some deserved), but some of it is good by any standard.
Take care,
Gary