bitflipper
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/02 04:58:19
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Loved that Nirvana spoof, especially the drummer with the shirt labeled "DRUMMER" and the word "DRUM" on the bass drum. Could that have actually been Dave Grohl doing a stealth cameo? The whole grunge thing started as an anti-pop grassroots protest. Ironically, it was seized upon by the global corporate marketers who tried to turn it into a fashion statement. That's what killed grunge. It was a last gasp; what do we have now that's equivalent? Tween Wave?
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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sharke
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/02 07:40:01
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There can't be many ways to rebel left that haven't been done a million times before. Wild music? Been done. Drugs? Been done. Taking your clothes off in public? Old hat by the early 70's. I don't hear any new music these days which really wows me in terms of it being new or a reaction or protest against anything. Even the genres of EDM that the kids will tell you are "extreme," like some forms of dubstep, I just feel like I've heard it all before and it all sounds tame, although admittedly the production is very creative at times.
I wasn't into grunge at the time, but we had the acid house scene. That was a reaction against the totally crap club scene of the latter half of the 80's - it had been a load of brass railed, big haired, shoulder padded nonsense and people were poncing around in wine bars with those ridiculous crate sized mobile phones and the music was soulless and brittle. Acid house felt like a reaction against all that and it was new and fresh. Along with the psychedelic drugs which went along with it, the late 80's and early 90's techno scene was the 60's of my generation's time. I don't see that the kids have anything like it now - I compare footage of clubs in the acid house days compared with the dance clubs now and the kids now are standing around with perfectly parted hair and waxed mustaches looking all self conscious because everyone's taking selfies and uploading them to social media. We really didn't give a rat's ass what we wore or what we looked like, and barely anyone carried a camera around with them. I really feel sorry for kids growing up now in the age of social media. It's had a homogenizing effect on culture and made young people shallow and narcissistic. Not the ideal conditions for a grassroots movement.
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Kalle Rantaaho
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 08:52:15
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I wonder how big a proportion of todays top 20 hits are made as teamwork-projects? Like when they invited a big bunch of worlds top songmakers to Hawaiji for two weeks or so just to make songs for Rihanna. It was a new thing to me a couple of years ago when I read an article about this being a much used practice. It does make me appreciate even more the performers who write their own tunes. It surprised me, that even some Finnish producers
take regularily part in these international sessions. Why don't we do better in the Eurovision song contest, then !? :o/
And of course, this is partly an explanation to why the chart music sounds so generic, though technically brilliant.
I wonder how they quarrel about who get the credits for any particular song!
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Moshkito
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 14:10:20
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Hi,
The music business in America killed the pop music. Some folks tried to fight it, and lost the battle very harshly ... MJ, Prince and so many others.
Until the day that those mercenary record companies are no longer in control ... I doubt that things can improve. And they won't get any better with someone trump'ing even more corporatization of everything from ... you name it!
Music is not about notes and chords! My poem is not about the computer or monitor or letters! It's about how I was able to translate it from my insides!
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sharke
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 15:21:59
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Kalle Rantaaho
I wonder how big a proportion of todays top 20 hits are made as teamwork-projects? Like when they invited a big bunch of worlds top songmakers to Hawaiji for two weeks or so just to make songs for Rihanna. It was a new thing to me a couple of years ago when I read an article about this being a much used practice. It does make me appreciate even more the performers who write their own tunes. It surprised me, that even some Finnish producers
take regularily part in these international sessions. Why don't we do better in the Eurovision song contest, then !? :o/
And of course, this is partly an explanation to why the chart music sounds so generic, though technically brilliant.
I wonder how they quarrel about who get the credits for any particular song!
They also use team writing to churn out sitcoms in the US.
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57Gregy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 16:35:24
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Moshkito
Hi,
The music business in America killed the pop music. Some folks tried to fight it, and lost the battle very harshly ... MJ, Prince and so many others.
Until the day that those mercenary record companies are no longer in control ... I doubt that things can improve. And they won't get any better with someone trump'ing even more corporatization of everything from ... you name it!
Business is about making money. As long as Beyoncé outsells Steely Dan they'll keep making songs like Beyoncé's. But there will always be a market for more exploratory music as long as people like you are around, Mosh. And thank goodness for them.
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craigb
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 17:06:55
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As George Carlin said "The average person is pretty dumb, but the real kicker is that half the population are even stupider than that!" When you combine that observation with the fact that "Pop" (short for "Popular") music is aimed at that intelligence level, you're bound to get a lot of inane drivel.  Is it any surprise that, among the room-temperature IQ crowd, that some think this tool is a genius?
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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samson7842
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 21:36:56
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It's not terrible. We're old or we don't like pop in general. If you're into Rock, then this era of music sounds like trash to you. But, it really isn't. Rock just isn't popular right now. Hold your horses, though. It will eventually find it's way back. The wheel keeps spinning.
I like what's going on today. Very reminiscent of the early to mid 80's Pop and Pop R&B I loved as a kid.
Not, I'm not as big a fan of today's artists. I don't see a Prince, Duran Duran, MJ or etc ... on the scene. But, the actual music is great.
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eph221
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 22:01:55
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☄ Helpfulby bapu 2017/09/07 18:13:05
I say do it analog instead of digital.
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Pragi
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/04 23:22:14
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Popmusic is a measurement for the spirit of the age. The 70 th spirit was full of rebellion and longing for freedom, which was expressed in the music of that time. Don´t wonna daunt anybody , but what tells the actual music about the present time ? To say it friendly: At least it seems to be not a rebellious and imaginativ time. 
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Kalle Rantaaho
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/05 10:11:22
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sharke
Kalle Rantaaho
I wonder how big a proportion of todays top 20 hits are made as teamwork-projects? Like when they invited a big bunch of worlds top songmakers to Hawaiji for two weeks or so just to make songs for Rihanna.
And of course, this is partly an explanation to why the chart music sounds so generic, though technically brilliant.
I wonder how they quarrel about who get the credits for any particular song!
They also use team writing to churn out sitcoms in the US.
Yes, I'm aware of that. It has been the rule for ages wherever they have enough money for it. But somehow I feel it's easier, more obvious, to have a group suggesting oneliners and plot options than trying to build a song. Then again, I have no idea of the work methods used by these composer/producer teams.
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synkrotron
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/05 10:25:14
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Slugbaby
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/05 14:20:05
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I think there's still some good music coming out. It's just not publicized as well as the commercial trash, and is getting lost in the mud as everyone with a bedroom studio and a SoundCloud page is flooding the market (myself included).
A young guy I played with a few months ago blew my mind. He's an old-school blues guitarist/singer/songwriter, and his debut album reminded me of Iggy Pop's Lust For Life album. Raw, abrasive, and honest. Part of what I appreciate about him is that he showed that modern music isn't dead, it's just deep in the mire. It'll come back, these cycles always rotate.
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Kalle Rantaaho
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 11:37:55
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Slugbaby
I think there's still some good music coming out. It's just not publicized as well as the commercial trash, and is getting lost in the mud as everyone with a bedroom studio and a SoundCloud page is flooding the market (myself included).
No doubt of that! IMO the conversation about poor pop music should concentrate only on the chart hits/TOP 20-40 or so. That's where you hear the ones made with a calculator in the other hand, simply aiming to sell (+refreshing exceptions, of course). Otherwise, there are masses of good, innovative, strange..you name it...music around. Maybe it's because there's something like a hundred genres separately listed and followed today you need to rake a wider area to find what's to your liking.
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jamesg1213
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 11:46:58
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I thought this was a really well written and produced pop song. I don't think it troubled 'the charts' though.
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amiller
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 14:00:21
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I usually don't respond to these types of threads because opinions are so vastly different about the topic and PASSIONATE. But, what the heck...here goes.
First, I'm a big fan of the late 60's - 70's rock music. I love YES, Kansas, Floyd, The Eagles, Queen and so on. I don't really care for much pop that happened after Van Halen (not that big a fan of VH either).
Second, whether a group is terrible or not is in the "ears" of the beholder...I suppose.
Third, I'm actually encouraged by some of today's pop...singer-song-writer stuff coming out. It's not really my cup of tea but I hear more going on in their music than some would give credit to. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's "terrible." Although, I agree, I probably wouldn't listen to much of it.
Here are a few names that I actually do like. You'll notice there is no "real" rock in the list because there just isn't any real well done rock IMHO:
So, strictly pop -
Ed Sheeran (I just find his writing interesting)
Adele (killer voice, great lyrics)
Maroon 5 (I like some of the hip interplay between parts)
Pink (got a killer guitar player I like to listen to)
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bitflipper
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 16:55:53
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Big fan of Pink here. But for all her punk aesthetic, she's still a throwback to 70's and 80's rock. Some of her best material consists of covers of classic rock tunes - check out her cover of Led Zeppelin's Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, for a good example. And, of course, her killer note-for-note copy of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Neither of which you're ever going to hear on the radio, nor as the soundtrack to a car commercial.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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amiller
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 17:47:27
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bitflipper
Big fan of Pink here. But for all her punk aesthetic, she's still a throwback to 70's and 80's rock. Some of her best material consists of covers of classic rock tunes - check out her cover of Led Zeppelin's Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, for a good example. And, of course, her killer note-for-note copy of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Neither of which you're ever going to hear on the radio, nor as the soundtrack to a car commercial.
Hehehe, agreed on all points totally! 
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eph221
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 18:21:03
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michaelhanson
craigb
Things are almost dismal enough that someone, who is daring enough to be different, will stand out and, eventually, be recognized for their effort.
(I hope!)
I agree, I think we are ripe for it.
I'm certainly ripe!
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craigb
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 19:43:22
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eph221
michaelhanson
craigb
Things are almost dismal enough that someone, who is daring enough to be different, will stand out and, eventually, be recognized for their effort.
(I hope!)
I agree, I think we are ripe for it.
I'm certainly ripe!
Don't give up Dave! Someday your Prince will come.  Er, wait... That didn't sound right... 
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
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bapu
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/07 19:47:29
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eph221
michaelhanson
craigb
Things are almost dismal enough that someone, who is daring enough to be different, will stand out and, eventually, be recognized for their effort.
(I hope!)
I agree, I think we are ripe for it.
I'm certainly ripe!
Plz do not confuse ripe with pungent.
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space_cowboy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/08 21:02:12
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Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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space_cowboy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/08 21:08:09
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Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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bitflipper
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/09 00:44:59
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"Psychic Spanners", now there's a phrase you rarely hear mentioned in a Lady Gaga hit.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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mumpcake
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/10 05:09:52
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bitflipper
Big fan of Pink here. But for all her punk aesthetic, she's still a throwback to 70's and 80's rock. Some of her best material consists of covers of classic rock tunes
Of course that's her best material. Because the songs on her albums suffer from a lot of the problems addressed in the video, especially them having been written by a lot of the usual suspects.
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space_cowboy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/11 15:48:49
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Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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space_cowboy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/11 15:58:46
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Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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space_cowboy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/11 16:00:45
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Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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space_cowboy
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/11 16:13:29
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Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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bitflipper
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Re: Why is modern pop music so terrible?
2017/09/11 17:21:16
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Thanks for the links, space. I've enjoyed them.
However, the premise of this thread is not that good music no longer exists, but that the mainstream has diminished in quality. It's within the confines of that segment that young people are first introduced to the world of music. As we all were. We all started out with easily-digestible cliches and simple themes.
But for those born before, say, the 80's, we also had the luxury of experiencing pop music as it underwent a long maturation phase. We were carried along as the Beatles graduated from "Please Please Me" to "I am the Walrus". We were exposed to the fusion of genres, to the rise of the virtuoso instrumentalist, to thematic concept albums. We were introduced to jazz, classical, African, Persian and Indian influences that opened the door to a world of music beyond Bill Haley and the Comets.
All that's still going on, just not in the mainstream of new pop. That segment's rapidly devolving. We're going to need a new Bill Haley to coax kids to once again explore the outer edges of the envelope. It could actually be Lady Gaga or Beyonce, I don't know. We can only wait and hope that eventually one of them will decide they have enough money already and become artists. It could kick off a trend.
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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