Music: In Depth

So by now you guys have probably found out that I don't blog like a blogger. I like to use proper English; it just makes me seem like a better writer.

Alright, now, to our feature article:

In a previous article I've written, I told you all that I hated new "music", and how the stars of today are corrupting teens. Well, does anybody remember a time where music was still music and the songs had nothing to do with relations which shouldn't be on the radio?

The Beatles, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and so many more. These are just a tiny percent of all the great bands of the 60s-2000's. Which, I may add, never talked dirty about anything nor disrespected any holidays by saying that they received better presents than the other person did. See, this is pretty much what all new rap songs are about.

Now, I have a ton of friends who like rap. But, I just can't stand how disrespectful some of the songs are. I mean, seriously, somebody on their way to work doesn't want to listen how some rapper had 5 relations in a night. Now, if rappers would tone it down a bit and say something like, "I have a girl that I love so much, I hope we can ALWAYS stay in touch", it would just make them look so much better.

But see, bands like U2 never talked about these 'special' types of relations. They always had great songs, talking about how beautiful a day was or how their world was turned Vertigo.

Beatles, talking about love without involving these areas.

Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't even talk about love much.

So, please, leave your comments and enjoy my blogs.

Tags: music, songs

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Comment by Frank Schnyder on January 23, 2009 at 3:34pm: I mix sound at a very small Hollywood club on Saturdays and although I grew up in the 80's I have to say that seeing someone rap live is impressive. Remebering the words and saying it in rhythm (which I'm sensitive to - I've played drums for 29 years) isn't easy and takes real talent. We had a guy in last week who's message was positive, but it was more about rhyming words than what he had to say, but when a phrase or two made sense, it was not vulgar at all. I had to hand it to him.

Would I buy it? No. I'm a child of the eighties and I love melody and good production. I respect rap as an art form, but generally it turns me off no matter what the message is.

The artists that come through our club are all over the map, musically. Mostly acoustic stuff because that's the vibe, but despite the style or instruments used, I'd say 1 in 100 really make me turn my head and say "wow." That's because true talent is rare and it always has been. There wasn't more of it in the 90's, 80's, 70's, etc. There's just been enough time to find all these acts. Working this job has truly shown me that it's all subjective anyway.

Comment by Daniel on January 21, 2009 at 6:41am: I find that music reflects the culture behind it. So the problem here (unless I'm wrong) is one of people, not music. It's unfortunate too, because I still cant keep my head from bobbing to a good beat (regardless of the bile woven between the trance inducing bass line). The garbage that offends on the radio is a product of a greedy industry exploiting and perverting legitimate talents of would be musicians. But more importantly, it's an industry fueled by foolish masses of children and child minded individuals who we've allowed to slip past us without inspiring and guiding toward healthy expression. Which leaves the final fault on the shoulders of those who strut around, shrouded in indignant, righteous fallacy without contributing anything to counteract the downward spiral.

I can avoid radio and I'm genuinely sad for those who cant. And as far as the rap/hip-hop appeal is concerned, I care nothing for the violent, rebellious, destructive and prideful content. I can get my hip shaking fix with the pop music of the 80's. I just wish record labels would stop compressing the dynamics out of otherwise good music so that I can enjoy listening to what recorded music is supposed to sound like.

Comment by Duke Nukem on January 19, 2009 at 12:04pm: Great music happened in the 70's and 80's (no NOT disco), bands like the Eagles, Boston, U2 etc.. bands that required you to be able to actually play in instrument. Bands that wrote their own songs, that had a different sound from all the others. Where are the Pink Floyds or the Cars of today? The 80's were so cool because every band had their sound... a song would start and you would know who it was before a word was said, just by the guitar or the sound itself. Today its all the same, the guitar player knows one cord, and just keeps torturing the guitar till the song is over. As for rap... any no talent with a 3rd grade education can rap.. nuff said. Give me Depeche Mode, or Foreigner... I will just have to wait till the music industry wakes up and realizes that they will keep loosing money till they create music that someone is willing to pay their hard earned money for. Bring back quality and you will bring back profits, this means you MCA, Arista, Sony, stop looking for the quick buck and start thinking long term.

Comment by Geenome on January 19, 2009 at 12:23am: Every decade has it's moments of debate.
I like a lot of music too, but I'm rock through and through. I grew up with 70's and 80's music, of which I liked. Why the 80's? ? ? Because music was not only high profile, but it was fun. Music was fun to have in the background, it was fun to watch(MTV anyone?), and most of all, you could enjoy dancing to it.
Along came the 90's: A lot of new artists came through, a lot of the 80's artists fell off the earth. Bands coming through that were bringing people down, mentally. One band in particular, of which I don't mind "Some" of their songs, The Smashing Pumpkins. Studio albums are so toned down (as compared to a concert), that it made the Pumpkins songs sound, "dare I say it", depressing.
Music in the noughties. . . hmm, started off ok with a few artists coming and going. Anyone notice how most of the African/American women sing "R&B"? Well R&B is what they try to palm off on us. These girls couldn't sing R&B if they tried. Tell them to get lessons from the greats like Aretha Franklin or Tina Turner.
I am open to new music, but when they claim to be something, that they're not, well . . .

Comment by Anthony on January 18, 2009 at 12:48pm: I totally agree with Chris...I'm not much into rap, because of content and the mono tone of the "vocalist". I do like the beats so that's why I got into Break Beat and Drum n Bass stuff. It's hard to say if we'll ever have the quality music that a lot of us enjoy from the 60s, 70s, early 80s. When music became a "business" it became about the "hit song". Artist where no long allowed to develop. Much of the great artists of the mentioned decades had dud releases and would have been dropped in todays music business.

Comment by Allen on January 18, 2009 at 9:30am: Actually, I AM a musician. And if you read my posts carefully, as I talk about the 2nd half of "Goodbye to Love" by the Carpenters (2nd half is all instrumental), and the intros to "I Think I Love You", or "Love Will Keep Us Together", I never mentioned the lyrics; I was only talking about the music itself. And I agree with you that there is GOOD music today, if you look, but when I said, "crap", I was referring to today's POP songs. Chill out a little.

Comment by Larry Odneal on January 17, 2009 at 10:31pm: Duh, Allen -- obviously you're not a musician either. My point is that nearly everyone who contributed to this blog titled "Music in depth" talked about lyrics, as if that was the ONLY thing there is to music. Why don't you all just listen to poetry recitals? I'll tell you why -- because the MUSIC is the enjoyable part, the part that goes straight to some part of your brain and provides excitement in a way that cannot be readily explained. Calob said "somebody on their way to work doesn't want to listen how some rapper had 5 relations in a night" -- well then, why DO you? Why listen to it? Obviously there must be something about the MUSIC that draws you in.

By the way, "today's music" is not just rap and whiny spoiled little girls. There are thousands of bands playing real music that contains no disrespect, cursing or all the other things you're complaining about here. You just have to look a little further than whatever radio station your car is tuned to. Stop buying whatever is number 1 on the pop charts this week -- go out and find some real music.

Comment by Allen on January 17, 2009 at 7:45pm: Hello, the broad term "music" includes "lyrics", duh. And I wanted to add to my last post, that although songs like "I Think I Love You", or "Love Will Keep Us Together" were never the best songs overall, they both had VERY ORIGINAL INTROS, unlike songs today.

Comment by Larry Odneal on January 17, 2009 at 7:41pm: The title of the blog is "Music in depth" but hardly anyone is talking about music at all. Almost every one of you is talking about the LYRICS, not the music! Do you know the difference? Aren't there any musicians here?

Comment by Allen on January 17, 2009 at 2:15pm: Oh, boy, don't get me started about the crap today. As I took a serious look at my favorite music from all time, all of it is from "back then", the 70's and 80's. How can ANYTHING compare to the 2nd half of "Goodbye to Love" by the Carpenters. Actually, I'm sure that, as I mention the Carpenters, some are rolling their eyes... but if you have never heard it, listen for yourself. It's (pardon the overused exclamation), awesome. And in my opinion, NOTHING today is original, or even good, with a few, rare exceptions. I think the ONLY way music today can be "good" is if they re-do the oldies; freshen them up with a nice electric guitar solo (tastefully done, of course), or maybe an extra vocal. What could be easier? The oldies are already written, just re-record them (copyright allowing). I would love to turn on the radio and hear a new version of "I Think I Love You", or "Love Will Keep Us Together".