How subjective is music, really?

[overgrowthegovt]

People always say everything's a matter of taste, and that's true for what people should listen to/read, etc....as far as actual quality, though, you can't really say it doesn't matter if you prefer Shakespeare or Danielle Steele. Same as music, I think...can everyone's tastes really be respected if some prefer MTV trash to the works of, say, Hendrix or Bob Dylan? Just a thought.

overgrowthegovt Reviewed by overgrowthegovt on 11-09-2008. How subjective is music, really? People always say everything's a matter of taste, and that's true for what people should listen to/read, etc....as far as actual quality, though, you can't really say it doesn't matter if you prefer Shakespeare or Danielle Steele. Same as music, I think...can everyone's tastes really be respected if some prefer MTV trash to the works of, say, Hendrix or Bob Dylan? Just a thought. Rating: 5

[timothylearyisdead]

The way I see it, the songwriting process is what determines respectable music. Most of the trash you see on MTV was written in 5 minutes by a 45 year old balding man behind a desk to be pushed by a 21 year old sex symbol. I see that as wrong on so many levels, and deserve 0 respect as far as music goes.

Now true musicians on the other hand, ones that don't get nearly as much recogition as MTV and radio crap, are the most respectable form of music, because they put blood sweat and tears into writing their songs.

Whether or not a certain band or song suits your tastes, there's no denying that the true songwriters deserve much more respect than MTV and radio bands.

Same goes with rap vs. hip hop. Rap has no substance, where hip hop is nothing but that.

Media seems ass backwards these days in my opinion. But whatever, at least we have options.

[overgrowthegovt]

The way I see it, the songwriting process is what determines respectable music. Most of the trash you see on MTV was written in 5 minutes by a 45 year old balding man behind a desk to be pushed by a 21 year old sex symbol. I see that as wrong on so many levels, and deserve 0 respect as far as music goes.

Now true musicians on the other hand, ones that don't get nearly as much recogition as MTV and radio crap, are the most respectable form of music, because they put blood sweat and tears into writing their songs.

Whether or not a certain band or song suits your tastes, there's no denying that the true songwriters deserve much more respect than MTV and radio bands.

Same goes with rap vs. hip hop. Rap has no substance, where hip hop is nothing but that.

Media seems ass backwards these days in my opinion. But whatever, at least we have options.

I agree, except for this...

The bulk of Janis Joplin's material consisted of covers, but her music is by no means empty or devoid of truth or passion.

Also, even if they do write it, there's a definite distinction between the songwriting quality of Bruce Springsteen and that of some pretentious scene kid who's just formed a band, even though some prefer that shit. Just something to consider.

[timothylearyisdead]

Totally agree on both parts.

All music is written by someone, whether or not they actually put their heart into it is where the difference is. And to be honest most of the music today does not have much heart or thought put into it at all, people just write what they think will get airplay.

Janis put a lot of heart into what she did, she did it for the love of music and drugs and having a good time. Even though she didn't write any of her songs, she did what she did from the heart, and that's where respect should be given, doing it for the soul not for what people will buy.

Respect is due where it is earned, and that is not from a catchy pop song written in 5 minutes just to sell records. That is just dishonest in my opinion but it is what it is. Luckily the record industry is getting it's ass handed to them and we are seeing a revival of real musicians popping up on the internet.

[overgrowthegovt]

Agreed, man. It's also sad how musicianship standards have dropped so low. If you wanted to be a star in the late '60s, you had to be able to play one mean guitar...nowadays, if you can barely play, no problem, we'll write you a nice single and have the whole thing consist of a 2-chord riff, so you'll be fine.

[Born To Stone]

I think originality of the lyrics and music plays a part, but it is hard to attach objective qualities to music when some people enjoy music that I cannot bare or find any appeal for.

Then again a lot of commercial hip hop is very similar from my point of view (self affirmative 'gangster' rap) but that doesn't stop it from being the widest selling musical genre. Not to say that there is not other good hip hop but I'm sure this makes up a good portion of the sales. I think that because some people aren't that genuinely interested in music or have very open opinions they don't mind being told what to listen to. Also, some people just seem to want something with a beat to dance to and don't want much more from their music.

I don't think simplicity is always a bad thing though. Punk often consists of basic riffs, but at least they replaced some of the complicity with attitude, a unique style and some amount of ideology.

On another note I have found very few people who dislike Bob Marley... :rastasmoke:

[overgrowthegovt]

I think originality of the lyrics and music plays a part, but it is hard to attach objective qualities to music when some people enjoy music that I cannot bare or find any appeal for.

Then again a lot of commercial hip hop is very similar from my point of view (self affirmative 'gangster' rap) but that doesn't stop it from being the widest selling musical genre. Not to say that there is not other good hip hop but I'm sure this makes up a good portion of the sales. I think that because some people aren't that genuinely interested in music or have very open opinions they don't mind being told what to listen to. Also, some people just seem to want something with a beat to dance to and don't want much more from their music.

I don't think simplicity is always a bad thing though. Punk often consists of basic riffs, but at least they replaced some of the complicity with attitude, a unique style and some amount of ideology.

On another note I have found very few people who dislike Bob Marley... :rastasmoke:

Yeah, I think that's it, pretty much--a lot of people never have thoughts of artistic integrity go into their listening or anything like that.

It is a tricky thing, isn't it--as you said, rap/hip-hop is the most popular genre out there, and I loathe it with every fibre of my being. By that I mean that of the several thousand songs I've been forced to listen to when with friends (and yes, that includes the acclaimed underground stuff), I have not been able to stand, let alone enjoy, a single one.

[JohnnyZ]

I think musicians have a greater appreciation for all types of music. Not to take away from the majority of people, but they really don't know much about the music they listen to.

[cygnustaxt]

Agreed, man. It's also sad how musicianship standards have dropped so low. If you wanted to be a star in the late '60s, you had to be able to play one mean guitar...nowadays, if you can barely play, no problem, we'll write you a nice single and have the whole thing consist of a 2-chord riff, so you'll be fine.

I totally agree with everything that has been stated so far. Now, music doesn't even really matter. Now, its all about looks. I saw a video the other day of that band "the Jonas Brothers". It was live but they weren't even playing their instruments. You could tell the guitar player was completely out of sync, he was basically lip syncing with his guitar. Its all about image these days, it really makes me sick. I consider myself to be a true musician. I'm proficient on several instruments and I write my own material. There's no freaking way I would sell out like all these lame teen bands out there now. What makes me even more angry is the fact that the general public buys into this trash. When will they wake up and realize that the media is controlling us and force us to like whatever it says we will like. Think for yourselves folks.

[Hollywierdtoker]

How can opinion be anything but subjective? Different strokes for different folks, same applies to music.