Has Pop Music Got Worse In Recent Decades?

[Pigmy Pony]

Yes I heard you swing both ways

'Eels' is going to be a 'new to you' one - they've been around a while. I have one of theirs ('Beautiful Freak') which contains their hit 'Susan's House'. Not played it in a long time, but now you've put them in my head I may have to now.

You may be surprised to learn my tastes are fairly wide-ranging, but don't stretch to classical yet. Nothing against it, I just wouldn't know where to start.

[Marco]

Yes I heard you swing both ways

Haha, depends on the party!

'Eels' is going to be a 'new to you' one - they've been around a while. I have one of theirs ('Beautiful Freak') which contains their hit 'Susan's House'. Not played it in a long time, but now you've put them in my head I may have to now.

Yups, no worries. I'd heard the name, but not really any of their stuff, until I investigated further.

You may be surprised to learn my tastes are fairly wide-ranging, but don't stretch to classical yet. Nothing against it, I just wouldn't know where to start.

Well, why not start with something you've heard that you've liked (such as perhaps any of the famous pieces providing musical scores for films/adverts and stuff), and explore more works from that composer? That's a good way to start, after which it may lead you onto a journey of classical music adventures...

I only got into classical music, in any serious way, around 2001, after Del and I attended a ballet performance of The Nutcracker. I wouldn't have entertained it before that, as for me, it was something only 'old fogies' (and snobs) liked.

Something just clicked whilst watching that live performance (no it wasn't the pink tutus, lol) and I enjoyed the music so much that I experimented further with the genre and then became hooked on it

Marco.

[Sherwood]

I have some Steely Dan on vinyl I might be tempted to part with ...

Including one audiophile pressing ....

Just checked and the albums are both compilations. The first is Gold the MCA Audiophile Pressing. The second is the double gatefold album Greatest Hits. Would prefer to sell both at same time. PM if interested. Can send some pics tonight.

Geoff

[Pigmy Pony]

Your suggestion about musical scores sounds like a good idea, I sometimes hear pieces in adverts and TV which I quite like. Though the music is usually not credited. I have 'Shazam' on my phone these days, so maybe that can help.

[Pigmy Pony]

Just checked and the albums are both compilations. The first is Gold the MCA Audiophile Pressing. The second is the double gatefold album Greatest Hits. Would prefer to sell both at same time. PM if interested. Can send some pics tonight.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff, but I was just after 'Pretzel Logic' and 'Can't Buy A Thrill'. I tend not to get 'Best Ofs' unless it's someone I'm only slightly interested in.

[Marco]

Your suggestion about musical scores sounds like a good idea, I sometimes hear pieces in adverts and TV which I quite like. Though the music is usually not credited. I have 'Shazam' on my phone these days, so maybe that can help.

Yup, give it a go and see how you get on. I find many forms of classical music very calming and relaxing to listen to, and so perfect for de-stressing after a long day - not that I'm often stressed!

I also love the darker stuff, such as much of the work of Shostakovich and Wagner.

Marco.

[mightymonoped]

I can't keep up with all the outstanding new music out there

Same here! But here's one of the ways I try....

Make friends with Spotify's Discovery Playlist (updated each week on Monday). I listen to it driving to and from work in my car. Anything that flickers a spark of interest or intrigue gets saved by clicking on the "+" symbol.

I then go back to the list at leisure and review what I have saved, some are kept, some are explored deeper, some lead to other places, some are just ditched.

Do this methodically for a few weeks and you will find that the 'gems' offered in the Discovery Playlist are more frequent, and you will also start to see familiar names and links cropping up everywhere.

Once you have been doing this for a while, I would be surprised if the balance of your listening doesn't change between 'old' and 'new' (I reckon mine is probably 80/20 new/old these days).

Unless, of course, you are determined that your musical preferences WILL NOT change. In which case, I wish you all the best in your musical cell.

[AJSki2fly]

I have some Steely Dan on vinyl I might be tempted to part with ...

Including one audiophile pressing ....

PM sent

[Marco]

Unless, of course, you are determined that your musical preferences WILL NOT change. In which case, I wish you all the best in your musical cell.

Aye, and there are a few such 'inmates' posting on hi-fi forums!

Marco.

[Puffin]

Thanks Geoff, but I was just after 'Pretzel Logic' and 'Can't Buy A Thrill'. I tend not to get 'Best Ofs' unless it's someone I'm only slightly interested in.

I have a copy of Pretzel Logic which I bought second hand many years ago and from memory I have never played. Not sure of the condition, but I can check if you are interested. I don't have a turntable anymore so you can have it for the cost of a doodah cardboard thing to send it in (can you buy them singly - or would a cut up cardboard box do the same thing?) and the postage.