Pop rots your teeth.

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I'm not saying this is typical for all Pop music.  Your mileage may vary. 

Several years ago, I was talking with my niece about bands she liked.  She loved Smashing Pumpkins.  I asked her what she liked about their music.  She said something along these lines.  (I can't remember the actual comments.)

"In this one video, this guy wore this really cool shirt that was black with this cool design across the front.  This other guy wore these cool jeans and his hair was spikey and he had a nose ring I liked.  Oh!  There was this other video where Billy wore..."

After about 15 minutes of descriptions of every single article of clothing, makeup, hairstyle, nasal hair styling, etc., I asked, "What do you like about their music?"  She looked confused, since she had already answered that question.

My kid's friends say you know a song is good when they're are lots of dancers on the stage.  (I've always found the opposite to be true.)

I don't know.  This isn't unique to today's youth by any means.  For those who remember such things, the common answer when asked about a new song on American Bandstand was, "It's got a great beat. I can dance to it!  I give it a 10!"  Shameful, isn't it?

I'm too old to be of any value, but I like music that takes some measure of skill to play.  I like songs that evoke a feeling or a mood.  I like lyrics that say something.  I like singers who know that passion is not about your dance moves, but about your soul.  I want real Artistry.  I want creativity.  I like a song that resonates with me, where I can't stop thinking about it, where I personally identify with it. 

That's what I want to hear, regardless of the label that is placed on it.  Rock, pop, funk, metal, electronica, dubstep, etc. - I want something that blows me away. 

I like pop and most all types of music (as long it has good melodic theme). For me, pop becomes interesting also when other genre's are also mixed with (especially rock guitar and classical orchestra's) which gives a palate of varieties of sounds. I'm currently listening to Celldweller (not sure if it could be catagorized as "Pop") and the msuic s created by multi-instrumentalist, producer, remixer, DJ and performer (Klayton). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbCFifFwuCw

Davdud, you should post some of your music in the song forum and if you're interested, ask some of the great musicians here to collaborate with you.

davdud101


I'm gonna admit- I've noticed since I've been at this forum that there are very few yungin's, like me (at a feeble 15yrs)... And that Cakewalk seems to be a driver for everything except 2000's pop music!!! That's not to say people don't do pop around here, nor that Cakewalk is only good for everything but; just that no one seems entirely interested in the late-generation music.
Don't get me wrong on this; I totally do enjoy classic rock, hard, LOVE folk music, LOVE punk, still coming to terms with 50's rock and roll. But then I would LOVE to hear some up-n-coming synthpop artist, maybe do some collabs and stuff, just like the many of you rockers, ya know??

I only bring it up because I produce electro, synth, and standard pop music, and there seems to be quite a bit of a lack of it around here.

What do you guys think about pop and its various cousins? And does anyone do any around here?



also, what's a decent place to meet other people who produce pop?

I think its GREAT seeing young people get involved at the level you are.  

Ive listened to a few projects on here that were really good that I would consider new and upcoming styles.

Its exciting to me to watch/listen to the recording world change with time.

Mesh, I have a couple of Celldweller's early CDs when he was marketed as Circle of Dust.  Innovative stuff for that time period.

I'm too old to be of any value, but I like music that takes some measure of skill to play.  I like songs that evoke a feeling or a mood.  I like lyrics that say something.  I like singers who know that passion is not about your dance moves, but about your soul.  I want real Artistry.  I want creativity.  I like a song that resonates with me, where I can't stop thinking about it, where I personally identify with it.   That's what I want to hear, regardless of the label that is placed on it.  Rock, pop, funk, metal, electronica, dubstep, etc. - I want something that blows me away. 

U- Bubba


That pretty much sums it up for me.....especially the "to old" part.  I still smile every time one of my kids hears a remake of an old song with a new beat added to it and thinks that it is something new.

UbiquitousBubba


Mesh, I have a couple of Celldweller's early CDs when he was marketed as Circle of Dust.  Innovative stuff for that time period.

I didn't know about Circle of Dust....I really do like his/their music and with great BGV (harmonies).....the music is also very well produced considering the large variety of instruments being played.
 
I'll definitely will Youtube Circle of Dust......thanks for the "Pop-up" tip. (I used to enjoy watching those VH1 Pop-up Video's)  

davdud101


I'm gonna admit- I've noticed since I've been at this forum that there are very few yungin's, like me (at a feeble 15yrs)... And that Cakewalk seems to be a driver for everything except 2000's pop music!!! That's not to say people don't do pop around here, nor that Cakewalk is only good for everything but; just that no one seems entirely interested in the late-generation music.
Don't get me wrong on this; I totally do enjoy classic rock, hard, LOVE folk music, LOVE punk, still coming to terms with 50's rock and roll. But then I would LOVE to hear some up-n-coming synthpop artist, maybe do some collabs and stuff, just like the many of you rockers, ya know??

I only bring it up because I produce electro, synth, and standard pop music, and there seems to be quite a bit of a lack of it around here.

What do you guys think about pop and its various cousins? And does anyone do any around here?



also, what's a decent place to meet other people who produce pop?

I write pop songs but they have an 80's feel to it.  Pop music can have very many styles/fusions added/blended to it for example; Rock, RnB, Hip Hop, Folk, Country, Reggae, but the primary focus is on strong catchy melodies (Hooks.)  All easier said than done.   The first thing major labels focus on are the hooks and for dance, it's the beat.   The song needs to catch their (Record Label, A&R, Producers, Managers) attention in the first 10 to 20 seconds otherwise they probably hit the stop and move on to someone else.  That's the harsh reality, because the music scene is fiercely competitive and overly saturated, there are literally thousands of new song uploads every day. 

(1) Keep writing, never give up and always strive to do better than your last effort. (2) Record cover songs that will challenge your skills. Do these at home for personal 'educational' use. You can learn a lot from doing cover songs. (3) Find your weaknesses and strive to do better. Everyone has weaknesses.... No matter how talented and knowledgeable a person is there will always be something new to learn.

also, what's a decent place to meet other people who produce pop? 

Searched: "Pop Music Forum" and got a few that "might'' be cool for example, TeenSpot > Music Forum  - There's also a Sub-Forum for musicians.  Anyway, it be best trying out several different sites (forums) for yourself and decide. 

YouTube is one of the most popular ways to discover new music, you might get lucky; someone from a major record label might hear your music but you better make your first impression count. A really good quality still-image will do (a lot of bands signed to major labels do this) it's the 'music' that's got to be awesome in regards to music videos on YouTube, but if you can do 'seriously top-notch video production'? Then do it.  Always maximize every opportunity when presenting your music publicly by doing your absolute best, do better than 100%. 

Had a listen to your Pop Music.
Your styles/direction is cool, you're definitely on the right track for example; Goodbye is a nice song.  Overall the music does need a little more refinement for example, filters and dynamic processing.  Audio Mastering is an art in itself and a lot of bands usually get it done professionally. 

Wish you great success! 

When I was young, pop music meant songs that most people liked.  Now it means music that suggestible minds are told they are supposed to like.