The sorry state of 21st Century music culture

[B.Basher]

After decades of some of the most essential and influential music to have ever been made, the 21st Century business revolution has marked a downfall in music culture, one almost certain to affect music in the long term.

Music is everywhere, there's no doubt about that, but it isn't half what it was 30 years ago. Whilst the 60's - 80's brought us many a musical maverick, the growth of industry and music as a business means our ears arn't getting what they deserve, they're getting what's cheap, fast, easy and thoughtless. The mainstream is plagued with the solid-stuck idealisms of what's "popular" and thus in the most ignorant of translations, what is talented. Throw enough money, hype and glamour at any single artist or band, no matter how mediocre or uninnovative, and people will believe they're getting the real deal, something special (what such an industry insultingly chose to call 'the X factor'). What they are really getting is a manufactured, over exposed clone of something they have already heard. The same gift, wrapped in a different bow. Perhaps this bow is more mature, perhaps more sparkly, prettier, but the gift is still the same underneath. With gifts, it's the thought that counts, and what we receive in the mainstream is totally thoughtless.

Of course music is still evolving today. There are amazing things happening in the world of music. Technology is growing and so is our understanding, the discoveries being made could shape the change of our musical perception for years to come.

... But they don't, because you don't hear them. You have to search, sometimes dig deep. Strangely enough, the music that is truly innovative, truly insightful and new, isn't what the mainstream wants. Why? Because it doesn't sell. At least not like sex does. You can't manipulate the masses with promises of intelligence and discovery.

So I ask you my fellow music fans; What kind of state is 21st Century music culture in when not only are we lacking the expressive, often rebellious idealists of the truly gifted as we once did, but also the urge to evolve? Instead, the industry makes billions off semi-talented individuals ready to be moulded into public idols for profit, while the spirit and soul remains AWOL.

Discuss?

B.Basher Reviewed by B.Basher on 03-04-2007. The sorry state of 21st Century music culture After decades of some of the most essential and influential music to have ever been made, the 21st Century business revolution has marked a downfall in music culture, one almost certain to affect music in the long term. Music is everywhere, there's no doubt about that, but it isn't half what it was 30 years ago. Whilst the 60's - 80's brought us many a musical maverick, the growth of industry and music as a business means our ears arn't getting what they deserve, they're getting what's Rating: 5

[EbelEyes]

I couldn't agree more.

Mainstream music of today is in the shitter. Just listen to an oldies radio station, and hear the greats of yesterday. Now those are some killer songs! People in the sixties and seventies got the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, The Greatful Dead, etc., and I get Ashlee Simpson, Britany Spears, Hanson, and Hilary Duff? I was robbed.

Talent was thrown straight out the window and replaced by sex appeal.

Mainstream music is garbage, and all I have to say about it is my ears are bloody from all the abuse.

Look at Hip-hop for instance.

The ones with the lyrical talent are not the ones on the radio. Instead its a bunch of fake gangster's who tell me the have a lot "bling" and fuck a lot of women. The music industry is not about music anymore, now its all about the money.

Rehashed bullshit being shoved in my face.

The only way this is going to stop is simply to stop buying. But the masses didn't even stop watching MTV when the Music dissapeared over night, so I can't even expect them to stop buying this bullshit that is called talent.

And for all of those not "digging", do it. Its well worth your time.

By the way Button Basher, I like your tunes! Added you on myspace (yes I've decided to put some of my shit on there).

[iPot]

Well I feel pretty damn lucky to be living in today's world because there has never been a time in history that we have had such a diversity of music, and arts, at our fingertips to enjoy. There are still plenty of creative people out there doing it, and some of even filters though to the mainstream occasionaly. It is a shame though that most of the music you hear on the radio these days is shit, not all of it though.

[Samwhore]

good music is still out there, you just have to look for it

[Matt the Funk]

good music is still out there, you just have to look for it

Exactly. It's also personal taste.

[higher4hockey]

and you have to sift through a lot of shit!

[Metaphor]

After decades of some of the most essential and influential music to have ever been made, the 21st Century business revolution has marked a downfall in music culture, one almost certain to affect music in the long term.

Music is everywhere, there's no doubt about that, but it isn't half what it was 30 years ago. Whilst the 60's - 80's brought us many a musical maverick, the growth of industry and music as a business means our ears arn't getting what they deserve, they're getting what's cheap, fast, easy and thoughtless. The mainstream is plagued with the solid-stuck idealisms of what's "popular" and thus in the most ignorant of translations, what is talented. Throw enough money, hype and glamour at any single artist or band, no matter how mediocre or uninnovative, and people will believe they're getting the real deal, something special (what such an industry insultingly chose to call 'the X factor'). What they are really getting is a manufactured, over exposed clone of something they have already heard. The same gift, wrapped in a different bow. Perhaps this bow is more mature, perhaps more sparkly, prettier, but the gift is still the same underneath. With gifts, it's the thought that counts, and what we receive in the mainstream is totally thoughtless.

Of course music is still evolving today. There are amazing things happening in the world of music. Technology is growing and so is our understanding, the discoveries being made could shape the change of our musical perception for years to come.

... But they don't, because you don't hear them. You have to search, sometimes dig deep. Strangely enough, the music that is truly innovative, truly insightful and new, isn't what the mainstream wants. Why? Because it doesn't sell. At least not like sex does. You can't manipulate the masses with promises of intelligence and discovery.

So I ask you my fellow music fans; What kind of state is 21st Century music culture in when not only are we lacking the expressive, often rebellious idealists of the truly gifted as we once did, but also the urge to evolve? Instead, the industry makes billions off semi-talented individuals ready to be moulded into public idols for profit, while the spirit and soul remains AWOL.

Discuss?

I couldnt agree more on your views about mainstream music. Its totally pre-processed crap that isnt even written by the artist getting all the fame. All this punk emo hardcore screamo warped tour mainstream shit is such a rediculous excuse for music, the sad thing is how widley accepted it is by the general public. All these highschool kids get so hyped at the next panic at the disco or fall out boy type band, its repulsive.

Heres where i dont agree with you, there are still a bunch of good bands that are still in action. No im not talking about the Pixies or Smashing Pumpkins reuniting, Im not talking Radiohead or Mars Volta either. There are a bunch of good artist still making music, bands that are just now pushing psychedelic rock to new limits. Genres like Post-Rock & Space Rock are thriving in the underground world of music.

if you are starting to feel musicly costraphobic, like all the music nowaday is suffocating you maybe it just means you should start listening to new genres of music. Maybe youde like some downtempo electronica or trip hop. who knows, thats just my suggestion.

[Its a Plant]

Yeah, I agree with the last few posts. I also think the original post was more directed at pop culture and its music.

The 21st Century pop music culture is in a sad state, yes. I can't say the same for other genres.

I'm completely immersed in the jam and bluegrass scene, and my god, it's nothing but a rush of creative juices. Every concert I go to almost seems to be better than the last; the music gets better and better, and for the most part, the people around me also seem to get nicer and nicer.

It's all in what you listen to and what you like.

I'm just sorry you can't be enjoying what I find an extreme amount of joy in.

It lets me know I'm alive for god's sake. ~

[B.Basher]

I don't quite understand why people think i've given up on music in general.

"Genres like Post-Rock & Space Rock are thriving in the underground world of music."

This is exactly what I mean when I say you have to dig for the good shit. Why is talent only found when you have to look hard?

"I'm just sorry you can't be enjoying what I find an extreme amount of joy in."

I have no idea what this means. The thread is about mainstream music and it's effect on 21st century music culture in general.

[thcbongman]

I think the state of mainstream music these days is a disgrace. I haven't even paid attention to it in years, I have no idea who's in the top 40 or such, nor do I care. The mainstream is garbage.

Record companies always have been trying to sell music as more image-oriented than about the music itself. Never has it been in such a state of decay. Record companies are trying to milk the most out of merchandising. To become mainstream, the music doesn't really matter. All it takes is one catchy song. It's about intangables, how they look, how much they can sell, the culture and products they promote. The mainstream doesn't respect music as an art form these days.

I think while technology has expanded the horizons of music, it also diluted the pool of talent overall. Before when it was rare to have a PA of any sort, you had to have a bit of talent or money to have access to one. Now with cheap methods to record at home, and equipment being cheaper than it once was, everyone has the ability to make records. It would only be natural to sift through more records to find the jewel in the rough.