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.