View Full Version : Why Modern Music Is Awful
Dauntless
05-06-2018, 22:08
An interesting video here which tells us quite eloquently what we knew already. That doesn't mean that it's not worth watching.
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Good video, Michael, and most interesting. It certainly explains why the disposable pap in today's charts, posing as 'music', all sounds the same! :rolleyes:
However, I would be tempted to alter your thread title to read: 'Why Modern POP Music is Awful', as there's plenty of great modern music around, which isn't commercially produced pop, as indeed was outlined in the video. I think it's important to make that distinction.
Here's an interesting related video about the formula Max Martin uses, called "Melodic Math", which is worth watching after your video:
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Marco.
P.S I've also embedded your YouTube link.
montesquieu
06-06-2018, 17:23
there's already a thread about this video
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56212-Why-is-modern-pop-so-terrible
Whats wrong with ephemeral pop music, "here today, gone tomorrow"? The '80s and '90s were full of it.
montesquieu
06-06-2018, 21:20
Guys, the link has a fairly strong argument, backed up by statistical data from quite a number of formal studies, and **is** actually worth watching.
Most responses (as you'd expect on a forum :rolleyes:) are just a reaction to the headline. Which is fine but not quite the point.
Dauntless
06-06-2018, 22:23
there's already a thread about this video
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56212-Why-is-modern-pop-so-terrible
It did cross my mind that this could be deja vu whilst I was posting. I felt sure that someone would correct me.
montesquieu
06-06-2018, 22:28
It did cross my mind that this could be deja vu whilst I was posting. I felt sure that someone would correct me.
It deserves to be watched but unfortunately it won't be by most people posting on the thread, the vast majority of whom (being a contrary bunch) will make some irrelevant point that there's good music being made out there today (nobody disputed that), ignoring the central argument that, measurably, mainstream popular music (ie, the music of the masses that you can't escape as it's everywhere) is being dumbed down and homogenised in important, measurable and clearly demonstrable ways, and the result is to the detriment of our lives as social beings.
It deserves to be watched but unfortunately it won't be by most people posting on the thread, the vast majority of whom (being a contrary bunch) will make some irrelevant point that there's good music being made out there today (nobody disputed that), ignoring the central argument that, measurably, mainstream popular music (ie, the music of the masses that you can't escape as it's everywhere) is being dumbed down and homogenised in important, measurable and clearly demonstrable ways, and the result is to the detriment of our lives as social beings.
Who's ignoring it? Certainly not me, I completely agree, and also think it's virtually an indisputable fact! However, to keep things positive, and also reflect reality, the former is also just as true:)
That said, I still believe that many 'audiophiles' tend to have somewhat unimaginative and insular tastes in music, and so those who qualify, need to get out more and broaden their horizons, as despite the increasing levels of 'disposable pap', populating today's charts and popular music scene, there's still A LOT of great music being produced today.
Marco.
Whats wrong with ephemeral pop music, "here today, gone tomorrow"? The '80s and '90s were full of it.
Sure, but that's not what the bigger picture is about, Barry. Timbo made a great post, which summed things up nicely, until (for reasons best known to him), the daftee deleted it!;)
It's so good, it actually deserves restoring and commenting on... How about it, Tim? Just one click of the button I have here will do it!
Marco.
ive found it depends on your outlook as a person. if you are insular, to steal the word, you tend to see anything that is not what you like is rotten. our parents did it, we do it etc. there obviously is good stuff out there if you look; but thats the point, you have to look quite a bit. 60's/70's it was more apparent.
the studios are mostly to blame, following a winning formula, and never digressing, or letting lack of talent get in their way.
Absolutely, so the whole point is not to be insular! ;)
When I read through some of the 'Spinning Today' posts, I see largely the same old stuff, being regurgitated again and again (and again) - full of the usual suspects for folk 'of a certain age'...
Rarely does anyone post a selection that demonstrates some original or lateral thinking, or show that they have genuinely broad musical horizons - and I'm not just talking about on here, and you don't need to be a 'youngster' to exhibit those traits either. The exception to that, however, on here is some of the stuff that's posted in the jazz/blues and classical sections.
You just need to push the boundaries a little, and step out from within your comfort zone, and/or occasionally escape the confines of your listening room, and check out that the current music scene is like;)
Marco.
I work on the principle that if something new and genuinely good came out I'd hear about it because the cream always rises to the top.
There's no doubt that this has happened a lot less in the past 20 years to the 20 years that proceeded them.
I sometimes listen to people's reccos on this and other forums; sometimes if I go to a friend's house they will still say 'have a listen to this' and put on a new album by a new band or artist.
Almost always it is derivative crap. The last one that sticks in my mind was 'Seasick Steve'. A mate was raving about him, saying he was the best and most original thing he had heard in years. I can only assume due to desperation.
It's a shame that there's no-one doing good, original, fresh music anymore, but it's a fact. Not blaming the artists because it isn't their fault that it's all been done before and better. They just arrived too late to a scene that has already happened.
It's a shame that there's no-one doing good, original, fresh music anymore, but it's a fact...
I'm afraid it isn't. Firstly, the terms "good, original, fresh" are subjective, and secondly I could list many 100s of albums, from artists you probably won't have heard of, which IMHO qualify as such, and that I listen to regularly.
Next time you're round, I'll play you some of it [mostly on vinyl or hard-drive], and I *guarantee* you'll find something you'll like, which is different from what you'll have heard before:)
Marco.
As a small example, here's what I'm listening to right now, from a band called The Hands:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/HNSaud.jpg
Full album here:
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You probably won't like it, as it's rather 'out there', but I doubt you'll have heard much like it before, and it was released in January this year. The second track 'When Lips Collapsed,' is particularly good (as it's dark and skanky), and should be cranked up nice and loud!
Marco.
I could list many 100s of albums, from artists you probably won't have heard of, .
Well that is my point, if they were any good I would already have heard of them, or possibly I have heard of them but wasn't keen.
I've never been one of those people who is into all sorts of obscure bands for the sake of it, or to be different. I do have a few pals like that and they listen to some right shit. One won't buy or listen to anything mainstream just because it is mainstream! I've never understood that. Why politicise music?
Well that is my point, if they were any good I would already have heard of them...
Lol, no you wouldn't because you just lazily sit back and wait until the 'cream rises to the top'!:ner::D You don't get out there and see what happening right NOW. What was the last gig or concert you were at, and when was it?
I've never been one of those people who is into all sorts of obscure bands for the sake of it, or to be different.
Me neither, but then I like to know what's different that's out there, simply to find out if I like it.
I do have a few pals like that and they listen to some right shit. One won't buy or listen to anything mainstream just because it is mainstream! I've never understood that. Why politicise music?
Indeed. That's just daft, and certainly not my motivation at all for discovering or listening to different types of music.
One of the best things I've ever done, in that respect, is install a music streaming source, as regardless of anything else, it *definitely* gets you into new music and/or what's new to you:)
Marco.
Here's something else of a similar ilk (not musically), and not exactly a new band, but one I've always liked who are a bit different, Four Tet. Just listening to their latest album, streamed from one of my personal clouds:
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Must get it on vinyl!:)
Marco.
WESTLOWER
08-06-2018, 14:10
Here's something else of a similar ilk (not musically), and not exactly a new band, but one I've always liked who are a bit different, Four Tet. Just listening to their latest album, streamed from one of my personal clouds:
lWInZ4N6C2g
Must get it on vinyl!:)
Marco.
I like Four Tet, I have this on double Vinyl. I also like James Blake, BadBadNotGood etc.
Check Sons of Kemet, very very good live and new..ish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twjaSC5Ym9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIpjgTmDkFQ
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/33-year-old-cannot-believe-the-shit-26-year-olds-are-listening-to-20180501147198
Nice one, Adam. Always enjoy your music reccos!:)
From the brief listen I had, I like the Sons of Kemet, especially the album title of "Your Queen is a Reptile":eyebrows:
Do you know Portico Quartet? They're very good. Just some young talented guys doing great justice to a whole load of real instruments, and recently with the addition of some computers. Check them out (this sounds great and is worth playing through your main system):
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This track is really cool, in terms of how it grows and swells into some really rhythmic, funky shit:
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Pretty clever. They've been around for a few years now (since 2008), but would defo qualify as a new band producing music that's fresh and different.
Marco.
WESTLOWER
08-06-2018, 15:00
Do you know Portico Quartet?
Oh Yes, Portico are very good. Excellent live too.
So much new good music coming through....
if anyone can be arsed, check this small docu vid about young organic, vibrant music happening now.
Probably More good music being made on the underground than ever before, we just have to have our antenna up and ready to receive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwCCfWiYk2s&t=2s
Oh Yes, Portico are very good. Excellent live too.
So much new good music coming through....
if anyone can be arsed, check this small docu vid about young organic, vibrant music happening now.
Probably More good music being made on the underground than ever before, we just have to have our antenna up and ready to receive!
Precisely... Couldn't have put it better myself! There is life beyond Steely Dan, lol. Too many folks stuck in a musical rut. Will check out that vid now:)
And yes, Portico Quartet are great live.
Marco.
WESTLOWER
08-06-2018, 15:14
It deserves to be watched but unfortunately it won't be by most people posting on the thread, the vast majority of whom (being a contrary bunch) will make some irrelevant point that there's good music being made out there today (nobody disputed that), ignoring the central argument that, measurably, mainstream popular music (ie, the music of the masses that you can't escape as it's everywhere) is being dumbed down and homogenised in important, measurable and clearly demonstrable ways, and the result is to the detriment of our lives as social beings.
Yes, dig and you shall find good current music, but I have to say i do agree with what's said here.
For me there are comparisons to many other areas of modern life where the masses are manipulated for the money machine, music, food, TV, Cinema ...the list goes on and on. Dumb it down, stack it high and sell sell sell.
Homogenised is a very good description!
mightymonoped
08-06-2018, 15:27
Oh Yes, Portico are very good. Excellent live too.
So much new good music coming through....
if anyone can be arsed, check this small docu vid about young organic, vibrant music happening now.
Probably More good music being made on the underground than ever before, we just have to have our antenna up and ready to receive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwCCfWiYk2s&t=2s
This is so true, there isn't enough time to listen to all the good new music being created!
As for the comments about it all being derivative, well, music has always been derivative, knowingly or unknowingly, that's part of the nature of creativity and progress, taking what has influenced you and adding your own experience.
There is so much good stuff going on but you have to be open to finding it. Streaming is a great source of discovery. Go on Spotify and use it's 'Discover' features, save what you like, and the 'Discover' function gets better and better.
Yup, any genuine and adventurous music lover should be checking out Spotify, in the way you mention, on a near-daily basis, and adding new stuff they like to their collection.
Returning to current pop acts, one young artist I have a lot of time for is Jorja Smith. This is pretty soulful stuff, and IMO a step above the norm these days (she writes her own material too, which is always good, as ultimately it puts you in more control):
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I'd happily pay to watch her live. Great voice:)
Marco.
And performing live at the Royal Albert Hall, introduced by Jools Holland:
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Just mesmerising.... You can always tell a great singer by how effortless they make their songs sound, and how they don't always have to be performing 'vocal pyrotechnics' to be impressive, controlling the low notes as well the high ones, and not always having to sound 'pumped up' loud.
If managed properly, she's destined to go far.
Marco.
RobbieGong
08-06-2018, 21:20
And performing live at the Royal Albert Hall, introduced by Jools Holland:
y88gMb3i1gI
Just mesmerising.... You can always tell a great singer by how effortless they make their songs sound, and how they don't always have to be performing 'vocal pyrotechnics' to be impressive, controlling the low notes as well the high ones, and not always having to sound 'pumped up' loud.
If managed properly, she's destined to go far.
Marco.
Looks cool too
Pigmy Pony
09-06-2018, 06:18
I thought she seemed familiar... I remember now that I saw her on that Jools Holland thing, and thinking at the time 'I should check out her stuff'. But as with a lot of things, if I don't make a note I lose it! So thanks for the reminder. :)
You've also sold me on the Spotify thing, so I will look at cost and how I can get it up and running in my setup.
Looks cool too
Yeah, defo. Braids rock.
Marco.
I thought she seemed familiar... I remember now that I saw her on that Jools Holland thing, and thinking at the time 'I should check out her stuff'. But as with a lot of things, if I don't make a note I lose it! So thanks for the reminder. :)
You've also sold me on the Spotify thing, so I will look at cost and how I can get it up and running in my setup.
Yeah, this was her performance on Jools Holland:
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With Spotify, make sure you sign up for the Premium service, as that's both advert-free and has the best sound quality:)
Marco.
Also, did anyone see the Arctic Monkeys perform live at the BBC Maida Vale studios last night? It was rather good, as is their new album:
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Another example of a talented band from modern times!
Marco.
mightymonoped
09-06-2018, 08:00
My favourite live act from last year. My son Nathan put me onto him early on in the year and said to watch out for him.
Caught him as the support act for Bruno Mars at the O2 and he was phenomenal.
His album “Malibu” was another highlight of the year.
Then caught him on Jools Holland and also on one of the best sets at Glastonbury in 2017 (wish I was at that one, it was sublime).
A real eclectic mix of styles, r&b, jazz, rock, fusion, soul, whatever...
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Lol, no you wouldn't because you just lazily sit back and wait until the 'cream rises to the top'!:ner::D You don't get out there and see what happening right NOW. What was the last gig or concert you were at, and when was it?
.
Steely Dan, Aintree, 2007.
Might have been to see a couple of local bands since then but I don't recall exactly. There was a mate's retirement party about 6 years ago where they had a bit of a jam. Does that count?
My favourite live act from last year. My son Nathan put me onto him early on in the year and said to watch out for him.
Caught him as the support act for Bruno Mars at the O2 and he was phenomenal.
His album “Malibu” was another highlight of the year.
Then caught him on Jools Holland and also on one of the best sets at Glastonbury in 2017 (wish I was at that one, it was sublime).
A real eclectic mix of styles, r&b, jazz, rock, fusion, soul, whatever...
Cool, although based on that performance, I prefer him more as a drummer than a singer!:cool:
Marco.
Steely Dan, Aintree, 2007.
Might have been to see a couple of local bands since then but I don't recall exactly. There was a mate's retirement party about 6 years ago where they had a bit of a jam. Does that count?
Lol... Why am I not surprised it was Steely Dan!:D
;)
Marco.
Also, did anyone see the Arctic Monkeys perform live at the BBC Maida Vale studios last night? It was rather good, as is their new album:
1XoWqoKOjz4
Another example of a talented band from modern times!
Marco.Used to like them. Now I can't listen to them. I have a similar thing going going with Muse. Early stuff great, and still is. Later stuff makes me cringe.
I know you're coming from, Justers. The new AM release is more of a 'concept' album, so a bit of a grower and quite different from their earlier stuff.
Marco.
The Hands sounds interesting on the mobile. Will check it out later.
Yeah, it's a bit 'out there', but a rewarding listen on a main system :)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
09-06-2018, 17:10
Used to like them. Now I can't listen to them. I have a similar thing going going with Muse. Early stuff great, and still is. Later stuff makes me cringe.
I could like Muse if they would sack that singer and get someone else. His voice has this affectation which perhaps he does to add some 'feeling' to his lyrics, but it just winds me up.
Anderson .Paak is another one which I really liked on Jools Holland. Each episode has on average two acts I like, but when I'm in the record shop holding me pound notes (and there are never many of them) I tend to play it safe. I always get quite a few records for Christmas, so that is when I get a bit more 'adventurous'.
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