Is old music just much better than new music?

[KIRA]

Is it merely nostalgia or is old music from the 60s and 70s really much better than stuff being made today?


I used to be into finding out new bands and listening only to new music, but since the Arcade Fire and Silversun Pickups I havent really heard anything new and good-and Silversun Pickups arent even great I only like them because they sound like Smashing Pumpkins. My favorite band is modest mouse but they have put out shit music since 2001.

So I started listening to older albums from old greats whose music I had never listened to like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Van Morrison and the Beach Boys.

I mean, even lesser known Neil Young albums are much better than anything I've heard from today! Surf's Up by the beach boys, an album no one talks about would be considered the album of the decade if made in the 2000s. Astral Weeks by Van Morrison is on a whole nother level from anyone else!


It's not like those albums have nostalgia on their side for me, like I used to listen to them when I was a kid. I'm hearing this stuff fresh, and compared to all these mediocre indy bands than have been coming out the past years being proclaimed as the saviors of music, they aren't even close to this old stuff!


I mean of course electronic music it keeps getting better and better imo and hip hop is still good even though everyone complains about it.

But are there any artists still making music today comparable to Van Morrison and Beach Boy's level of greatness? Modest Mouse for me the stuff they made in the 90s was, but otherwise, why is there such a huge gap in talent over the generations? Arcade Fire are like the only consistently great new band now

[Hawker]

Was there anyone as bad as Justin Bieber back in that time who was just as popular?

[brooks_thompson]

if you didn't grow up with the 60s and 70s stuff, then it's not nostalgia. you're not dreaming.

easy production has killed the incentive to be more than proficient at an instrument.

the early 90s backlash against the cocaine-fueled excess of 80s pop/rock still has its claws in today's musicians. indie rock is very unimaginative, and will continue to be. it's too easy to make a record, so musicians do it too early and get on a track that doesn't allow them to really mature and improve before they actually record something.

/can rant all day on this subject

edit: and i gladly will if you want to have a discussion in the next 30 minutes

[KIRA]

Was there anyone as bad as Justin Bieber back in that time who was just as popular?
David Carradine, the dude in the partridge family?


I mean even the pop songs I like, Alejandro and Telephone by Lady Gaga (no homo), THEY ARE EXACT RIPOFFS OF ACE OF BASE. Like alejandro is an exact ripoff of Don't Turn Around, I didn't realize this until like 3 days ago sadly.

[brooks_thompson]

i can accept protools production and all the benefits that it offers, but there just isn't an attention to detail, to song structure.

there are very few songwriters anymore. most musicians try to synthesize their influences and leave it at that, instead of trying to create something interesting.

i'm really disappointed that the hip/hop genre is the most innovative, not that i have anything against the genre, but country music, rock n' roll music, they just don't have the same originality. and it's not because the possibilities have run out, it's because these contemporary artists' ideas of what the genre should be have run out.

[LJJ]

Was there anyone as bad as Justin Bieber back in that time who was just as popular?

Lots. The Osmonds?

[KIRA]

i can accept protools production and all the benefits that it offers, but there just isn't an attention to detail, to song structure.

there are very few songwriters anymore. most musicians try to synthesize their influences and leave it at that, instead of trying to create something interesting.

i'm really disappointed that the hip/hop genre is the most innovative, not that i have anything against the genre, but country music, rock n' roll music, they just don't have the same originality. and it's not because the possibilities have run out, it's because these contemporary artists' ideas have run out.
electronic dance music is still good but rock it seems to be getting worse

[hihellohi765]

David Carradine, the dude in the partridge family?


I mean even the pop songs I like, Alejandro and Telephone by Lady Gaga (no homo), THEY ARE EXACT RIPOFFS OF ACE OF BASE. Like alejandro is an exact ripoff of Don't Turn Around, I didn't realize this until like 3 days ago sadly.
Holy shit, it's nice to hear someone else say that. Don't Turn Around came on sirius radio the other day and thats all I could think about.

[Juges8932]

I think there were (probably) a lot of crappy people back then, even a lot who were popular, but their names got lost over time. In 40-50 years, who the **** is going to remember Justin Bieber, much less actually discuss him? I think he will just get lost over time (hopefully).

[KIRA]

Look to be honest, Justin Bieber isn't even that bad, his voice is actually good, he can sing, and that baby song reminds me of Jackson 5 young Michael Jackson, yes he looks like a cheeseball and its retarded seeing him in videos with Usher and Ludacris but he's not as bad as he's hyped up to be.

[brooks_thompson]

Look to be honest, Justin Bieber isn't even that bad, his voice is actually good, he can sing, and that baby song reminds me of Jackson 5 young Michael Jackson, yes he looks like a cheeseball and its retarded seeing him in videos with Usher and Ludacris but he's not as bad as he's hyped up to be.

yeah, but for example, i've been listening to the billboard top 100 hits of 1963 over the past couple of days, and there are about 35 songs that are still fantastic, and about 15-20 of those are bonafide classics. and there's so many more album tracks off records or lesser known hits that i love.

i can not look at any given year out of the past decade and pick out half that many songs that will stand the test of time. and that's songs period, not just chart hits.

[SALFORD-RED]

A thousand times yes.

My Dad's record collection >>>>> 2010 charts.

[RedBlackAttack]

Anyone still looking at charts to find the best music today is sorely misguided. That is an antiquated system of measuring music that is no longer valid. Who still goes into stores and buys CDs? Kids and old people (mostly little kids). That is why you see the likes of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga dominating the charts.

The hip crowd that is plugged into the really good underground music scene (where the best stuff always has been) generally download all of their favorite albums.... Even more difficult, most of those people don't use iTunes or some other vehicle that can actually measure number of downloads... Most use pirated music when downloading.

There is a lot of great music out there today... A LOT of great music. You just have to scratch beneath the surface a bit.

[PowerGlove]

All of this Justin Bieber hate is just ridiculous. Who expects a 16 year old to have music full of substance?

[brooks_thompson]

Anyone still looking at charts to find the best music today is sorely misguided. That is an antiquated system of measuring music that is no longer valid. Who still goes into stores and buys CDs? Kids and old people (mostly little kids). That is why you see the likes of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga dominating the charts.

The hip crowd that is plugged into the really good underground music scene (where the best stuff always has been) generally download all of their favorite albums.... Even more difficult, most of those people don't use iTunes or some other vehicle that can actually measure number of downloads... Most use pirated music when downloading.

There is a lot of great music out there today... A LOT of great music. You just have to scratch beneath the surface a bit.

and yet, even still, it doesn't compare to the overall quality of songwriting in the past.

and the assertion that the best stuff has been underground or beneath the surface is very myopic.

the majority of the indie/non-mainstream artists today can not one-take their individual parts of songs in the studio.

[heyhey]

if you didn't grow up with the 60s and 70s stuff, then it's not nostalgia. you're not dreaming.

easy production has killed the incentive to be more than proficient at an instrument.

the early 90s backlash against the cocaine-fueled excess of 80s pop/rock still has its claws in today's musicians. indie rock is very unimaginative, and will continue to be. it's too easy to make a record, so musicians do it too early and get on a track that doesn't allow them to really mature and improve before they actually record something.

/can rant all day on this subject

edit: and i gladly will if you want to have a discussion in the next 30 minutes

First of all it's very difficult to classify indie rock since there are so many bands across subgenres that can be cateogorized as indie but they sound drastically different. So I don't see how you can write off such an ovearching generalization of music.

And indie rock is not anymore banal than music from past decades. I mean 80s was probably the most bland era of bands in rock history. I suggest that you start listening to more bands if you think indie rock is unimaginative.

[SCY]

First of all, it's completely unfair to compare a few years of music to the several decades of music preceding it. The last decade may not have been the greatest, but there's loads of quality music out there. And with the internet, you're just being lazy if you need the radio to spoonfeed it to you.

[brooks_thompson]

First of all it's very difficult to classify indie rock since there are so many bands across subgenres that can be cateogorized as indie but they sound drastically different. So I don't see how you can write off such an ovearching generalization of music.

And indie rock is not anymore banal than music from past decades. I mean 80s was probably the most bland era of bands in rock history. I suggest that you start listening to more bands if you think indie rock is unimaginative.

ugh. 80s was most bland era for rock bands???! try the last 2 decades perhaps. the 80s led to a backlash against excess that has lasted to this day as far as music goes, and the sentiment has only started to come back around in the past couple of years. lead guitarists (outside of shred metal bands) have been too afraid to play a decent solo for far too long, in fear of not fitting into a contemporary aesthetic.

and the real shame is that the 'drastically different' genres and ideas of the whole 'indie' contingent of musicians are lacking in songwriting quality and musicianship across the board.

[Swaggin916]

80's and 90's music was produced better than any in history therefore why I feel those 2 decades have the best music. Music production these days.... lot of garbage out there. The first Pretty Ricky CD comes to mind in particular... that whole CD is terribly mixed it's amazing.

[brooks_thompson]

80's and 90's music was produced better than any in history therefore why I feel those 2 decades have the best music. Music production these days.... lot of garbage out there. The first Pretty Ricky CD comes to mind in particular... that whole CD is terribly mixed it's amazing.

if you think that's true, then you should listen to and read up on early 60s production techniques--phil spector, brian wilson, the motown sound, and on and on--and see the type of creativity that was on display given the technology of the time. it's easy to sound slick with modern digital production and protools. anybody with $1500 can do it.

those technology constraints were a huge part in the creative boom of the era.

[heyhey]

ugh. 80s was most bland era for rock bands???! try the last 2 decades perhaps. the 80s led to a backlash against excess that has lasted to this day as far as music goes, and the sentiment has only started to come back around in the past couple of years. lead guitarists (outside of shred metal bands) have been too afraid to play a decent solo for far too long, in fear of not fitting into a contemporary aesthetic.

and the real shame is that the 'drastically different' genres and ideas of the whole 'indie' contingent of musicians are lacking in songwriting quality and musicianship across the board.

80s led the backlash against excess? 80s is known primarily for glam rock and excessive make up and new age music, all epitomizing excess. 80s was about excess not just in music but in social settings. cocaine use was prominent in the 80s. Disco was still raging. Films like American Psycho, last days of disco, etc all portray the 80s for what it was a decade of wanton excess and abuse.

90s on the otherhand was known for conservative reemergence and mostly remembered as a decade of constraint.

Songwriting is more valued now than it was in the 80s.

Guided by voices
Pavement
Okkervil River
Bright eyes
my morning jacket
modest mouse
radiohead
wolf parade
Wilco
Animal Collective

etc have all led a re-imagination of rock can be. I can't even think of any band from the 80s that's relevant musically, except Rush and a few others.

[KIRA]

First of all it's very difficult to classify indie rock since there are so many bands across subgenres that can be cateogorized as indie but they sound drastically different. So I don't see how you can write off such an ovearching generalization of music.

And indie rock is not anymore banal than music from past decades. I mean 80s was probably the most bland era of bands in rock history. I suggest that you start listening to more bands if you think indie rock is unimaginative.
lol lol indie rock today sucks balls.



Pixies, Pogues, U2, R.E.M, Metallica, Prince, The Police, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Talking Heads, B-52s, Queen, Guns N Roses, Sonic Youth, so many awesome 80s bands compared to shit today

[SALFORD-RED]

The hip crowd that is plugged into the really good underground music scene (where the best stuff always has been) generally download all of their favorite albums....


Ah, the old "underground music scene" line.

Always thought that was just some "cool shit" people like to say to give off the impression that they are in the know.

[KIRA]

80s led the backlash against excess? 80s is known primarily for glam rock and excessive make up and new age music, all epitomizing excess. 80s was about excess not just in music but in social settings. cocaine use was prominent in the 80s. Disco was still raging. Films like American Psycho, last days of disco, etc all portray the 80s for what it was a decade of wanton excess and abuse.

90s on the otherhand was known for conservative reemergence and mostly remembered as a decade of constraint.

Songwriting is more valued now than it was in the 80s.

Guided by voices
Pavement
Okkervil River
Bright eyes
my morning jacket
modest mouse
radiohead
wolf parade
Wilco
Animal Collective

etc have all led a re-imagination of rock can be. I can't even think of any band from the 80s that's relevant musically, except Rush and a few others.

Modest Mouse and Radiohead don't belong on that list of overrated hipster shit bands.

[heyhey]

lol lol indie rock today sucks balls.



Pixies, Pogues, U2, R.E.M, Metallica, Prince, The Police, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Talking Heads, B-52s, Queen, Guns N Roses, Sonic Youth, so many awesome 80s bands compared to shit today

I thought we were talking about popular 80s rock. Brooks was going on against indie music so I mentally crossed out sonic youth, talking heads, pixies, rhcp from 80s music but you are right those bands are quite awesome.

BUt the rest of the bands you listed are exact reason why 80s sucked. The police? U2? Metallica? Guns N Roses? :roll: :roll:

[RedBlackAttack]

Ah, the old "underground music scene" line.

Always thought that was just some "cool shit" people like to say to give off the impression that they are in the know.
Not at all... Knowing the underground scene is especially important these days with everything being available via the Internet. You can literally tailor your sound exactly to what you are looking for and find bands that fit the mold.

But, if you think reading the charts is still a good way to evaluate music, have at it. I'm not trying to be a music snob, but come on... Who still gets their albums from Sam Goody?

[SALFORD-RED]

The police? U2? Metallica? Guns N Roses? :roll: :roll:


With the exception of Metallica those bands are excellent sir.

[KIRA]

I thought we were talking about popular 80s rock. Brooks was going on against indie music so I mentally crossed out sonic youth, talking heads, pixies, rhcp from 80s music but you are right those bands are quite awesome.

BUt the rest of the bands you listed are exact reason why 80s sucked. The police? U2? Metallica? Guns N Roses? :roll: :roll:

The police are great. U2 used to be great. Guns and Roses is kickass. November Rain, entire Appetite for Destruction album, CLASSIC. Metallica also-though I don't dig all their songs and only like the singles they are incredibly popular and recognized widely as musical geniuses, Master Of Puppets, Ride the Lightning are regarded as classics.

Have you never heard Police or G'n'R? How can you say they suck if you have?

[KIRA]

Not at all... Knowing the underground scene is especially important these days with everything being available via the Internet. You can literally tailor your sound exactly to what you are looking for and find bands that fit the mold.

But, if you think reading the charts is still a good way to evaluate music, have at it. I'm not trying to be a music snob, but come on... Who still gets their albums from Sam Goody?
yes you can get exactly what you like but alot of it sucks, like Talib Kweli-overrated as hell and boring, but loved by the underground scene.


Atleast TI is still putting out good music.

[heyhey]

The police are great. U2 used to be great. Guns and Roses is kickass. November Rain, entire Appetite for Destruction album, CLASSIC. Metallica also-though I don't dig all their songs and only like the singles they are incredibly popular and recognized widely as musical geniuses, Master Of Puppets, Ride the Lightning are regarded as classics.

okay. Guns N Roses are the greatest one album band ever. I'll admit to that. Every decade has good music. I just find it annoying when people who have long stopped listening to new and upcoming bands somehow find ways to put down all the new musicians, that they are not even following anymore, and prop up past decades when there were just as much garbage back then.

[KIRA]

okay. Guns N Roses are the greatest one album band ever. I'll admit to that. Every decade has good music. I just find it annoying when people who have long stopped listening to new and upcoming bands somehow find ways to put down all the new musicians, that they are not even following anymore, and prop up past decades when there were just as much garbage back then.
I stopped listening to new music because all of the newest bands that have been propped up as the next great band these past few years have been shit.

Vampire weekend-they are ok
Broken Bells-blah
Fleet Foxes-blah blah
Animal Collective-shit shit blah
Phoenix-I dont understand why everyone loves them.
Panda bear-wtf is this shit


Ok MGMT I actually think are pretty good. Muse I like lots of their songs, they're like Queen mixed with radiohead. Arcade Fire are one of my favorite bands ever.

But because there isn't enough quality good music being put out to slake my thirst, I turned to the past and realized how much better it is than 99.9% of shit being released today and called good. And because I never heard it before, an album like Surf's up by the beach boys or Zuma by neil young is basically like new music.

I would look for new bands but hardly any of them are good so I stopped wasting my time

[SALFORD-RED]

Not at all... Knowing the underground scene is especially important these days with everything being available via the Internet. You can literally tailor your sound exactly to what you are looking for and find bands that fit the mold.

But, if you think reading the charts is still a good way to evaluate music, have at it. I'm not trying to be a music snob, but come on... Who still gets their albums from Sam Goody?

On the contrary sir I was not allegeing that you are a muscial snob, I'm just in my own cyncical way pointing out that I've heard that line a few times from self styled music afficionados.

[heyhey]

I stopped listening to new music because all of the newest bands that have been propped up as the next great band these past few years have been shit.

Vampire weekend-they are ok
Broken Bells-blah
Fleet Foxes-blah blah
Animal Collective-shit shit blah
Phoenix-I dont understand why everyone loves them.
Panda bear-wtf is this shit


Ok MGMT I actually think are pretty good. Muse I like lots of their songs, they're like Queen mixed with radiohead. Arcade Fire are one of my favorite bands ever.

But because there isn't enough quality good music being put out to slake my thirst, I turned to the past and realized how much better it is than 99.9% of shit being released today and called good. And because I never heard it before, an album like Surf's up by the beach boys or Zuma by neil young is basically like new music.

I would look for new bands but hardly any of them are good so I stopped wasting my time

But do you realize the pure volume of band out there now.

Of course you are not going to like everything. But the variety that's available is unprecedented.

I mean you probably don't like fleet foxes cause you don't like folk music. I don't like broken bells and phoenix either.
But just cause you like MGMT and beach boys, i can recommend you like a couple of recent bands off the top of my head. Of Montreal and Morning Benders.

I really enjoy discovering new music, listening to new bands and plyaing music so i devote a lot more time to these stuff than most people perhaps that's why I enjoy current music.

[Lamar Doom]

Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Chuck Berry, Beatles, Beach Boys, CCR > new shit

[brooks_thompson]

80s led the backlash against excess? 80s is known primarily for glam rock and excessive make up and new age music, all epitomizing excess. 80s was about excess not just in music but in social settings. cocaine use was prominent in the 80s. Disco was still raging. Films like American Psycho, last days of disco, etc all portray the 80s for what it was a decade of wanton excess and abuse.



you don't read good:

Originally Posted by brooks_thompson
the 80s led to a backlash against excess that has lasted to this day as far as music goes

[KIRA]

Of Montreal=emo shit, I saw them live at a festival and they sucked. I'm telling you, I was looking for new music but it all just sucks. Bad songs and no stage presence

Morning Benders-also shit from what I heard on youtube just now.


That's the problem with most of these shitty overhyped new bands too, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO PERFORM! They just stand there and sing and during the solos the singer just stands there and akwardly sways. On top of that the bands can't play their instuments live and sound nothing like the recorded versions. THEY PLAY WITH NO PASSION OR EMOTION. That's another reason arcade fire are so good, their live shows ARE ACTUALLY PASSIONATE SHOWS

Like what's the point of following new bands when you can just download a van morrison or neil young album you never heard before and you'll enjoy it more than you would laboring through piles of shit to find 1 or 2 decent bands.


A thing with most of these new bands too, they come out with one or two good songs but can't make a good album. Always it is mostly shit songs and one or two catchy singles. I don't feel a need to punish myself by listening to bad music just so I can say "I found this new band on the internet, it's really good"

[Jailblazers7]

Can't believe The Police was called a bland/bad in this thread.

[KIRA]

Can't believe The Police was called a bland/bad in this thread.
that kid has obviously never heard any police songs.

[brooks_thompson]

i really hate the "oh you're jaded and just stopped trying to find new bands" shit.

i make a concerted effort once a month to try and find new bands that i like. i'll do the research, listen to friends, read the "hip" reviews, check the aggregated reviews at metacritic, listen to a ton of singles and tracks. if i even kind of like something, i make it a point to listen to the whole album, in hope that i might find something i can enjoy listening to more than once.

i still do this diligently, even though it shouldn't require that much effort to find and like music.

it's one of those things that is and will be generally accepted 50 years from now as something that everybody accepts but can't truly prove: early pop music (through the 80s) had a lot more to offer than 1990 +.

[Abd El-Krim]

Arcade Fire are like the only consistently great new band now

If you like Arcade Fire, there are likely many other new bands you'd like as well. Just because you don't put in the effort to find them doesn't mean Van Morrison is better.

[KIRA]

If you like Arcade Fire, there are likely many other new bands you'd like as well. Just because you don't put in the effort to find them doesn't mean Van Morrison is better.
Lol name some new bands better than Van Morrison and I will go download their entire discography.

[brooks_thompson]

If you like Arcade Fire, there are likely many other new bands you'd like as well. Just because you don't put in the effort to find them doesn't mean Van Morrison is better.

there's a limit to the amount of effort it should take to find good music. as i detailed above, i'm going pretty far just to find occasionally decent stuff.

all these comparisons to classic bands that fans and reviewers use to describe modern bands ring so untrue, not because these bands don't try to sound like them, but because they do not know HOW TO WRITE SONGS.

[SALFORD-RED]

there's a limit to the amount of effort it should take to find good music. as i detailed above, i'm going pretty far just to find occasionally decent stuff.



You have summarised exactly how I feel about the whole thing.

Maybe I'm lazy but it shouldnt require the sleuthing skills of Sherlock Holmes and Colombo to track down some tuneful nice piece of popular music. I'm not asking for the White Album here..............

[KIRA]

You have summarised exactly how I feel about the whole thing.

Maybe I'm lazy but it shouldnt require the sleuthing skills of Sherlock Holmes and Colombo to track down some tuneful nice piece of popular music. I'm not asking for the White Album here..............
Music on that level simply isn't being made right now, Abd wad talking about all these current bands better than Van Morrison but if they truly were that great they'd be much more popular.

[SALFORD-RED]

Music on that level simply isn't being made right now.

Rick Astley must be kicking himself, if he was around now he would clean up. :D

http://thamedia.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/rick1.jpg

[bdreason]

It's not just nostalgia. The 60's and 70's were the pinnacle of music, and it's been all downhill since then.

[kentatm]

Anyone still looking at charts to find the best music today is sorely misguided. That is an antiquated system of measuring music that is no longer valid. Who still goes into stores and buys CDs? Kids and old people (mostly little kids). That is why you see the likes of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga dominating the charts.

The hip crowd that is plugged into the really good underground music scene (where the best stuff always has been) generally download all of their favorite albums.... Even more difficult, most of those people don't use iTunes or some other vehicle that can actually measure number of downloads... Most use pirated music when downloading.

There is a lot of great music out there today... A LOT of great music. You just have to scratch beneath the surface a bit.

this


every time I see somebody crying that music just isn't as good as the old stuff I shake my head b/c that person clearly is clearly ignorant of where to find it.

Of COURSE is seems music from previous years is better. Why? B/c the cream generally floats to the top while all of the crap fades away.


Those who say music now sucks are just lazy and willfully ignorant.

[KIRA]

this


every time I see somebody crying that music just isn't as good as the old stuff I shake my head b/c that person clearly is clearly ignorant of where to find it.

Of COURSE is seems music from previous years is better. Why? B/c the cream generally floats to the top while all of the crap fades away.


Those who say music now sucks are just lazy and willfully ignorant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ech6pZoBJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXXNfxZtr6I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v5E27Fp59c

where is the new music that is better? Please guide me to these artists!

[KIRA]

I agree with RBA. There is LOADS of great music to be had today, you just have to look for it.

People just always look back on things that they loved in their heyday more fondly. That's the way it's always been. That's the way it will always be. Older generations of people used to spit on rock, calling it the devil's music and whatnot, now the same people that loved the music of that era are doing to same to newer generations of music. It's a cycle, and it's not one that I shall
ever succumb to.
You people keep saying this and then not naming any quality new bands. Where are they? Name some.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

What new pop songs being put out are comparable in quality to this?

[RedBlackAttack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ech6pZoBJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXXNfxZtr6I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v5E27Fp59c

where is the new music that is better? Please guide me to these artists!
Sun Kil Moon has a distinctly 'Neil Young' sound. Have you ever heard of them? Probably not...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxBRqhIHsw0

...lots of really good indie-folk out there.

What do you think of Yim Yames solo stuff? Judging by your tastes, I think you would dig it.

[KIRA]

Sun Kil Moon has a distinctly 'Neil Young' sound. Have you ever heard of them? Probably not...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxBRqhIHsw0

...lots of really good indie-folk out there.

What do you think of Yim Yames solo stuff? Judging by your tastes, I think you would dig it.
see that music is ok, but it's not original, it's just a neil young-copy. I know lots of new bands like this, they get lots of praise for sounding like a band older than them but lacking all the originality and style that artist had-silversun pickups are another band like this, they get so much hype in LA because they sound like siamese dream smashing pumpkins, but they have no originality, even on stage they perform just like the smashing pumpkins.

So when all these new unoriginal above average artists come out putting out music that sounds like artists I already love-I ask myself, why listen to this cheap knockoff when I can just listen to the original instead?


I mean I'd rather listen to the Killers than this, or even the slightly above average Franz Ferdinand, atleast they are more original than Sun Kil Moon's neil young ripoff act and they are trying to do their own thing rather than ride the coattails of people more talented and original than they are.

[RedBlackAttack]

see that music is ok, but it's not original, it's just a neil young-copy. I know lots of new bands like this, they get lots of praise for sounding like a band older than them but lacking all the originality and style that artist had-silversun pickups are another band like this, they get so much hype in LA because they sound like siamese dream smashing pumpkins, but they have no originality, even on stage they perform just like the smashing pumpkins.

So when all these new unoriginal above average artists come out putting out music that sounds like artists I already love-I ask myself, why listen to this cheap knockoff when I can just listen to the original instead?


I mean I'd rather listen to the Killers than this, atleast they are more original than Sun Kil Moon's neil young ripoff act.
I think you are being incredibly short-sighted. It isn't 'exactly' like Neil Young. They have their own sound.

You could go back before Neil Young, find his inspirations, and claim that he is a 'ripoff act.' Just because you pattern your style off of someone and make good music doing it doesn't mean that you are ripping someone off.

I just think that you have convinced yourself that every act today is garbage and you are unwilling to give newer stuff more than a quick listen before you shrug it off and go back to the stuff that you grew up listening to.

JMHO

[KIRA]

Find me some old music that sounds like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfiOpHZXWa0

It works both ways. There is still plenty of original, inventive, creative music out there if you just take a look around.
It sounds like Kraftwerk with Norwegian violins on top.

But like I said earlier in the thread, new electronic music is still new and good, lots of great dubstep DJs, bassline, dance artists out there, but rock wise and pop wise, new music sucks.

[KIRA]

I think you are being incredibly short-sighted. It isn't 'exactly' like Neil Young. They have their own sound.

You could go back before Neil Young, find his inspirations, and claim that he is a 'ripoff act.' Just because you pattern your style off of someone and make good music doing it doesn't mean that you are ripping someone off.

I just think that you have convinced yourself that every act today is garbage and you are unwilling to give newer stuff more than a quick listen before you shrug it off and go back to the stuff that you grew up listening to.

JMHO
I grew up listening to 90s bands like smashing pumpkins, beastie boys and sublime.

I never really listened to Neil Young and Beach Boys and Van Morrison until this year and it just seems way better than anything coming out today. It's not like that music has a nostalgic effect on me because I wasn't a little kid listening to it.

The difference between Neil Young and Modest Mouse and a group like Sun Kil moon is that yes, Neil Young and Modest Mouse both had musical influences, but they were original and creative enough to seperate themselves from these influences and create their own unique sound.

I imagine these sun kil moon guys came out sounding like harvest-era neil young, got praised for it by everyone, and then kept just producing the same sounding music album after album

[L.Kizzle]

Ol School for the win, the easy win!

[Hawker]

Anyone still looking at charts to find the best music today is sorely misguided. That is an antiquated system of measuring music that is no longer valid. Who still goes into stores and buys CDs? Kids and old people (mostly little kids). That is why you see the likes of Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga dominating the charts.

The hip crowd that is plugged into the really good underground music scene (where the best stuff always has been) generally download all of their favorite albums.... Even more difficult, most of those people don't use iTunes or some other vehicle that can actually measure number of downloads... Most use pirated music when downloading.

There is a lot of great music out there today... A LOT of great music. You just have to scratch beneath the surface a bit.

Then how come most of the music you suggest is crap?

There are a few rock n rolls bands out there today but there's a lot of soft crap that people think are good because it's innovative. (Radiohead)

There's definitely some solid hip-hop/rap out there. Cant say the same about rock 'n roll though.

[Hawker]

With the exception of Metallica those bands are excellent sir.

Metallica kicks ass.

[Hawker]

Find me some old music that sounds like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfiOpHZXWa0

It works both ways. There is still plenty of original, inventive, creative music out there if you just take a look around.

lol that shit is so lame.

Anyway I can hook that up to my sleep machine?

[Hawker]

Are you really going to assert, from an intellectual perspective, that what he's suggested sucks when taken into context of intelligent composition and creativity? Because that, and simply not liking a style are two completely different things.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f0Me6KpKPA

That was a lame instrumental. Listened to one of their other songs on the side too. yuck.

Wrist-cutting isn't my thing bro.

[JohnnySic]

Is Lada Gaga a real artist (write her own songs, that sort of thing) or just another corporate bobblehead doll created to move inventory? I suspect the latter....

[Hawker]

The klaxons have a couple sick songs. It's like fast paced, upbeat rock music. Really riffy shit.

[Hawker]

So instrumentals are lame? I'm surprised such a smart guy can be so narrow-minded.

Try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTK-vFDIkB4

Though, I'm guessing you won't like it, it's too "new." Some of you guys seem to have this idea so firmly implanted in your minds that irregardless of how good modern music can be you'll still dismiss it. So obviously this is a futile endeavor, as you already have your mind made up and refuse to use logic.

Intrumentals are cool...when they're cool.

Little Wing-Stevie Ray Vaughan. That's a great instrumental.

If I Could Fly-Joe Satriani

I also like electronic, dance music and DJ stuff as well.

Why do you get offended when some people don't like new music? Ever think that maybe it actually does suck?

Not really into that Beck song either.

[PHX_Phan]

I agree with RedBlackAttack. There are a ton of artists out there, unfortunately you do have to skim beyond the mainstream to find them. It's not so much that music is less prominent as much as it's the mainstream focusing more and more on the bottom-rung level artists. The big time labels behind the pop scene today don't give a shit about the music culture, it's all a business and music is too easily produced today. That is what happens when you reward mediocrity, it thrives and begins to take over the scene because of the ease at which they can meet demand.

Back in the day, artists didn't have all this technology at their hands, talent and ability is what got you places in the music industry. Today, all that is needed is a gimmick image and the rest is manufactured. You just can't expect to find this era's best music when your sifting through mass produced billboard hits.

[Hawker]

You aren't saying anything logical in your argument. Saying it "just sucks" is a blanket-argument founded entirely in subjectivity. You don't like the songs I posted. Fine. Not your thing. But you can't deny that they're creative, and intelligently composed. Personal preference. Noise-rock is not my thing, but if a song is intelligent and creative I won't deny it or otherwise dismiss it.

I don't even know why I'm typing this. You have your mind already made up and are not open to alternate suggestions. This the last example of good "new" music that I'm going to post in here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seijBTxjqKY

I know you're going to shit on it regardless, though. Maybe I'm a masochist. Get yourself a last.fm account. There are OCEANS of good music out there, just waiting for you to find it.

Whether it's creative or intelligently composed has no meaning to me if it doesn't sound good at all. I'll listen to the song.

That song=:sleeping

[Hawker]

And I was right. How shocking. So, basically, your prerequisite to like a song is that it's up-tempo, correct?

I don't really have a prerequisite. I can't control what I like or what sounds good to me. You won't find me liking soft music like that though.

Right now I'm listening to Daft Punk Radio on pandora and just listened to that "numa numa" song and I liked it. A lot better than the three songs you've posted.

And now I'm listening to Beware Breaks by some punjabi DJ. Sounds good to me.

[Hawker]

You just said "You won't find me liking soft music like that though."

Sounds like a prerequisite to me. You are dismissing loads of music because of tempo. Not exactly an enlightened musical perspective. I'm not saying you should put them in your playlist or anything, I'm simply saying it shouldn't be that hard to acknowledge that they are well-composed, intelligent, creative pieces of music. Rather than just complete dismissal and blanket statements like "it sucks." Objectivity.

I'd rather listen to SRV rip a gnarly blues riff than Ynwie Malsteem pull off a crazy hard instrumental.

Sure I can appreciate the intelligence of Malsteem's music. Still sucks.

[jamal99]

'90s >>> all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kuMwVbO5EA

[Hawker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU

This song is pretty good.

[SALFORD-RED]

I agree with RedBlackAttack. There are a ton of artists out there, unfortunately you do have to skim beyond the mainstream to find them. It's not so much that music is less prominent as much as it's the mainstream focusing more and more on the bottom-rung level artists. The big time labels behind the pop scene today don't give a shit about the music culture, it's all a business and music is too easily produced today. That is what happens when you reward mediocrity, it thrives and begins to take over the scene because of the ease at which they can meet demand.

Back in the day, artists didn't have all this technology at their hands, talent and ability is what got you places in the music industry. Today, all that is needed is a gimmick image and the rest is manufactured. You just can't expect to find this era's best music when your sifting through mass produced billboard hits.

It should be a prerequisite in these types of threads that rather than pontificating about this that and the other, provide some music that you will stand behind as being proof that good music is still being produced and where a musical serf like my good self might locate this excellent music.

[SALFORD-RED]

Metallica kicks ass.

Yeah, I can see the appeal, just not my cup of tea.

[RedBlackAttack]

I like Hawker... I really do. He seems like a good guy and he offers up some solid opinions on certain topics.

However, when he enters the musical discussion, I exit stage left. There isn't a more close-minded person on the planet.

[heyhey]

Music on that level simply isn't being made right now, Abd wad talking about all these current bands better than Van Morrison but if they truly were that great they'd be much more popular.

Music like van morrison wasn't made frequently back in the day either. Most music from the 60s, 70s, 80s were crap. They are just not remembered so selective perception persist and people think that only good music were made then. no MAJORITY of music in any decade is crap.

and to contribute I'll offer Joanna Newsom. I can't think of any artist from the past that resembles her voice and shes quite amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcHjAUhtSrk

[PHX_Phan]

It should be a prerequisite in these types of threads that rather than pontificating about this that and the other, provide some music that you will stand behind as being proof that good music is still being produced and where a musical serf like my good self might locate this excellent music.

Why don't you get cracking on naming a few old songs for comparison? That way, when I don't really care for what you picked, I can make an example of how you failed to sway me, and therefore old music sucks.

I have no idea what you're into, and even if I did it's a slim chance that I'll nail something that immediately speaks to you. I'm not trying to prove a point through subjectivity like you are, so all I can say is look and you will find. I'm just striking down the notion that music in general is lacking versus another era. It's really not, but like I said before, you need to dig beneath the surface to find the good stuff. It's a product of the direction the music industry has taken, not a sign of a declining art.

[Hawker]

I like Hawker... I really do. He seems like a good guy and he offers up some solid opinions on certain topics.

However, when he enters the musical discussion, I exit stage left. There isn't a more close-minded person on the planet.

Just because I don't like the music you post doesn't mean I'm close minded.

I've listened to everything shannon posted. Being close minded would be me absolutely ignoring it.

Quit acting like euros do when americans say they don't like soccer because it's boring.

[pete's montreux]

Completely in agreement with RBA here. There's incredible music out there, you just have to know where to look. For example, I listen to Damu on a daily basis, yet I never knew he existed before 2010. He's been active and releasing music for what? 5 years? [probably longer] Credit playtetris for that one.

You wouldn't know who he was unless you checked out some 'underground' or independent music websites that feature artists like him.

My formula for successful music finding now is that I subscribe to the RSS feeds of certain blogs and music sites. Every time a new album is released, these sites review the album. The review comes up on my feed, I read the review and YouTube the album, listen to a few songs and decide if I like it. If I do, I download the album and it goes onto my play-list, if not, I move on. Using this formula for about a month now and I've discovered about 25 new artists that I would have never heard of in my lifetime had I not intentionally sought out these kinds of blogs and websites.

And that is a formula I plan on using for a very long time. It works.

[RedBlackAttack]

Completely in agreement with RBA here. There's incredible music out there, you just have to know where to look. For example, I listen to Damu on a daily basis, yet I never knew he existed before 2010. He's been active and releasing music for what? 5 years? [probably longer] Credit playtetris for that one.

You wouldn't know who he was unless you checked out some 'underground' or independent music websites that feature artists like him.

My formula for successful music finding now is that I subscribe to the RSS feeds of certain blogs and music sites. Every time a new album is released, these sites review the album. The review comes up on my feed, I read the review and YouTube the album, listen to a few songs and decide if I like it. If I do, I download the album and it goes onto my play-list, if not, I move on. Using this formula for about a month now and I've discovered about 25 new artists that I would have never heard of in my lifetime had I not intentionally sought out these kinds of blogs and websites.

And that is a formula I plan on using for a very long time. It works.
Nice. I'm glad to see that you've gotten immersed into the current music world. I seem to recall not too long ago when you were pining for new stuff after years of relying on old classics like Zeppelin and the Stones, right?

All of this time, you had the music world at your fingertips. That is the message that I'm trying to convey, here. It isn't that you guys have to like all of the music that I like or that my taste should be universal. It is that there is SO MUCH out there that -- if you look hard enough -- you will find stuff that suits you... But some people seem unwilling to delve deeply into it.

It also helps to have a board like this or friends in RL that share similar tastes and can point you in the right directions. I've discovered a lot of really great music through ISH over the years and, hopefully, I've turned some people on to some stuff along the way, as well.

This isn't even about 'better' or 'worse' than music 30 years ago. There is no bigger Neil Young fan on this board than me. I absolutely love select music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. However, I refuse to limit myself to that stuff. There is too much interesting stuff going on currently to get on my high horse and proclaim this era as 'lame.'

I just don't understand that perspective... :confusedshrug:

[pete's montreux]

Yeah I was stuck in a musical rut for a while. Not like there's anything wrong with listening to Zeppelin or the Stones constantly, though. I just wanted to listen to new music. You need the desire and the willingness to listen to new stuff and I didn't have that for a really long time. I mean, I knew there was an ocean of music out there at my fingertips waiting to be discovered, but I was content. Recently, I wasn't, and I did something about it.

However, if you're fine with sticking to the same stuff as long as you're happy with it, I don't see anything wrong with that at all. But don't sit there and say there's nothing out there worth listening to. That's a load or horseshit if I've ever heard one.

[pete's montreux]

Oh, and just in case anyone was wondering what sites I subscribe to are:

Metacritic.com
Drownedinsound.com
Pitchfork.com

And I'm very open to suggestions for good music blogs and websites. I'm always looking for new stuff now. I just require that these sites have an RSS feed because I won't even bother if it doesn't.

[heyhey]

Oh, and just in case anyone was wondering what sites I subscribe to are:

Metacritic.com
Drownedinsound.com
Pitchfork.com

And I'm very open to suggestions for good music blogs and websites. I'm always looking for new stuff now. I just require that these sites have an RSS feed because I won't even bother if it doesn't.

I swear by that site. Some other I visit include Obscure Sounds and Indie music Cafe. But pitchfork.com is one of the best music sites I have seen period. Indie Cast available on Itunes is a good podcast for indie music as well, they also have underground hiphop and rap in addition to indie folk and rock.

[Hotlantadude81]

Is it merely nostalgia or is old music from the 60s and 70s really much better than stuff being made today?


I used to be into finding out new bands and listening only to new music, but since the Arcade Fire and Silversun Pickups I havent really heard anything new and good-and Silversun Pickups arent even great I only like them because they sound like Smashing Pumpkins. My favorite band is modest mouse but they have put out shit music since 2001.

So I started listening to older albums from old greats whose music I had never listened to like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Van Morrison and the Beach Boys.

I mean, even lesser known Neil Young albums are much better than anything I've heard from today! Surf's Up by the beach boys, an album no one talks about would be considered the album of the decade if made in the 2000s. Astral Weeks by Van Morrison is on a whole nother level from anyone else!


It's not like those albums have nostalgia on their side for me, like I used to listen to them when I was a kid. I'm hearing this stuff fresh, and compared to all these mediocre indy bands than have been coming out the past years being proclaimed as the saviors of music, they aren't even close to this old stuff!


I mean of course electronic music it keeps getting better and better imo and hip hop is still good even though everyone complains about it.

But are there any artists still making music today comparable to Van Morrison and Beach Boy's level of greatness? Modest Mouse for me the stuff they made in the 90s was, but otherwise, why is there such a huge gap in talent over the generations? Arcade Fire are like the only consistently great new band now

It probably depends on what your looking for. I can't late at all to the stuff that is on rock stations now. Not at all.

[artex]

good music is good music

[miller-time]

http://www.saasta.fi/saasta/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_07_12_03_19_i32_tinypic_com_357ogn4.jpg

yer.

[KIRA]

Is Lada Gaga a real artist (write her own songs, that sort of thing) or just another corporate bobblehead doll created to move inventory? I suspect the latter....
she writes her own songs, though some sound like direct ripoffs of Ace of Base, and she has legit pipes and sings live at her concerts and improvises, she actually should be applauded in this age of manufactured pop stars with no talent

[chains5000]

http://www.saasta.fi/saasta/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2009_07_12_03_19_i32_tinypic_com_357ogn4.jpg

yer.
That's actual lyrics?

[Ben Jordan]

I tend to just skip over these subjects on ish simply because music is so subjective. who's really winning anything by proving this artist is better than that artist?

but for the record, no. Old music is not just much better than new music. check avy and related bands for further proof

[brooks_thompson]

i see everybody who was arguing that new music can hold its own is still sticking to the same "nu uh, you have to LOOK HARDER" argument. no one responded when i posted my routine for finding new music, which is much the same as pete's. and like he said, i WANT to find this stuff. why don't i?

also, you modern apologists completely ignored the idea that digital recording/protools/easy access to technology has stunted innovation. none of you have talked about the musicianship of the artists you've been posting, or the reality that a ton of higher-tier indie bands can't play their songs live.

---

and if you "swear by" pitchfork, then that's a big part of the problem. they bring some good stuff to light, but mostly they're just 'hipster' guys showing off their english degrees...i can't remember the last time i read a review of theirs in which their descriptions were actually helpful. plus, they decided long ago to favor rap/hip-hop over rock/pop artists. it seems to be their M.O. as a bunch of .....'hipster' (mostly) white guys to champion black artists. most likely because it makes them look cool (<yes, that is speculation, and that remark you can strike from the record if it means you're going to latch on to it in your reply).

[Ben Jordan]

also LOL @ whoever relied on pitchfork for music reviews. they're more concerned about wordplay in their reviews than music. and so much bias there......

[brooks_thompson]

also LOL @ whoever relied on pitchfork for music reviews. they're more concerned about wordplay in their reviews than music. and so much bias there......

haha totally. and the black keys are excellent. finally one person posts a good example. obviously music is subjective, but you can still listen to a band like them and appreciate what they do.

[KIRA]

Yeh pitchfork is horrible, anything that sounds remotely like nico, ie droning uncatchy slow pop songs, they will give that album 9+.

they get it right sometimes but mostly they are dead wrong. I used to read that site religiously 5 years ago until I realized that it was just hipster douschebags sucking their own ***** and rarely reccomending good music, it seems like their reviews are just contests to create the longest allegory featuring the most obscure references.

[chains5000]

Yeh pitchfork is horrible, anything that sounds remotely like nico, ie droning uncatchy slow pop songs, they will give that album 9+.

they get it right sometimes but mostly they are dead wrong. I used to read that site religiously 5 years ago until I realized that it was just hipster douschebags sucking their own ***** and rarely reccomending good music, it seems like their reviews are just contests to create the longest allegory featuring the most obscure references.
http://www.picrandom.com/images/4362409948.jpg

[brooks_thompson]

oh and if you could post a contemporary songwriter with the range of paul simon, then i'd honestly like to hear him (/her).


and to shannonelements: just because you haven't seen a ton of live shows doesn't make my argument invalid. and i was directing the pitchfork thing at heyhey

[KIRA]

Yeh Shannon-Im not saying new music isn't good-just that old music is much better. Like Pet Sounds, Surf's Up, what current albums can even come close to comparing to those? That stuff RBA posted is decent, but I dont like listening to decent music, I like listening to great music.

The songs I've heard of Muse I think they might be great and MGMT put out an entire great album, and Arcade Fire are always on point but that is like 3 bands and arcade fire and muse can hardly be considered new, they've been out for 8 years

[brooks_thompson]

some of you posters are so shallow when it comes to an in-depth debate, it kinda makes me sad

[brooks_thompson]

it's still a cop-out response when someone doesn't agree with you and you're just tired of responding

but as long as you're not referring to me then i don't care

[brooks_thompson]

i have fallen for a message board 101 trap

[JtotheIzzo]

Is it merely nostalgia or is old music from the 60s and 70s really much better than stuff being made today?


I used to be into finding out new bands and listening only to new music, but since the Arcade Fire and Silversun Pickups I havent really heard anything new and good-and Silversun Pickups arent even great I only like them because they sound like Smashing Pumpkins. My favorite band is modest mouse but they have put out shit music since 2001.

So I started listening to older albums from old greats whose music I had never listened to like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Van Morrison and the Beach Boys.

I mean, even lesser known Neil Young albums are much better than anything I've heard from today! Surf's Up by the beach boys, an album no one talks about would be considered the album of the decade if made in the 2000s. Astral Weeks by Van Morrison is on a whole nother level from anyone else!


It's not like those albums have nostalgia on their side for me, like I used to listen to them when I was a kid. I'm hearing this stuff fresh, and compared to all these mediocre indy bands than have been coming out the past years being proclaimed as the saviors of music, they aren't even close to this old stuff!


I mean of course electronic music it keeps getting better and better imo and hip hop is still good even though everyone complains about it.

But are there any artists still making music today comparable to Van Morrison and Beach Boy's level of greatness? Modest Mouse for me the stuff they made in the 90s was, but otherwise, why is there such a huge gap in talent over the generations? Arcade Fire are like the only consistently great new band now

so I guess your over you Taylor Swift phase then? you'll stop spamming the board with her lyrics and music?

ISH breathes a collective sigh of relief.

[ivogetghost]

That's actual lyrics?
I think the lyrics that my d1ck spits are better than what wayne spit. and my dick goes "shhhhhhhhh"

[ivogetghost]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIb1EgnUoFg

Instrumental hip-hop. GOOD modern music.
I gave it the ki-bosh when I seen the white boys on the screen.

[heyhey]

and if you "swear by" pitchfork, then that's a big part of the problem. they bring some good stuff to light, but mostly they're just 'hipster' guys showing off their english degrees...i can't remember the last time i read a review of theirs in which their descriptions were actually helpful. plus, they decided long ago to favor rap/hip-hop over rock/pop artists. it seems to be their M.O. as a bunch of .....'hipster' (mostly) white guys to champion black artists. most likely because it makes them look cool (<yes, that is speculation, and that remark you can strike from the record if it means you're going to latch on to it in your reply).


umm, the level of pretension in their reviews is undeniable. But I feel like if you work in the arts that's just an unavoidable part of the job. The number of hip hop/rap albums they review and present is so much lower than the number of folk/rock albums, so I disagree with that comment.

I mean we just spent 8 pages arguing about something that's purely personal and based on preference so I don't think anyone is going to convince anyone else that they are right. But it's fun to discuss.

[craigthomasb]

the best music is timeless

if you can listen to a song and its relevant now, 20 years ago and in 20 years time, then its a good song

there are still some great song writers / poets out there today, unfortunatly the market is flooded by crap like metro station, leaving the people with real talent at the bottom of the pile

[ivogetghost]

lol. That was pretty much immediate. Listen to it with out judging it visually. Get back to me. Or check out this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jkKWVOu39w

I apologize for having unusual tastes in music.

Im not going to lie it sounded pretty good.

[brooks_thompson]

the best music is timeless

if you can listen to a song and its relevant now, 20 years ago and in 20 years time, then its a good song

there are still some great song writers / poets out there today, unfortunatly the market is flooded by crap like metro station, leaving the people with real talent at the bottom of the pile

yeah, that the 60s/70s classics are still go-to songs for movies and advertisements says something. there's the argument that ad-men just use them to appeal to the middle-age demographic for their car commercials/cleaning products/etc., but i can't think of a current popular song used in a movie that could reach iconic status. the last example is the requiem for a dream score.

but anybody, please let me know of any great songwriters working today. honestly, i would love to find someone working today who is primarily a singer-songwriter, and a good one.

[KIRA]

yeah, that the 60s/70s classics are still go-to songs for movies and advertisements says something. there's the argument that ad-men just use them to appeal to the middle-age demographic for their car commercials/cleaning products/etc., but i can't think of a current popular song used in a movie that could reach iconic status. the last example is the requiem for a dream score.

but anybody, please let me know of any great songwriters working today. honestly, i would love to find someone working today who is primarily a singer-songwriter, and a good one.
Have you already listened to Funeral by Arcade Fire? Not only is it a great album top to bottom but those guys write great songs, have their own style and on top of that sound better live than they do on record and put on an amazing show. But you probably already heard it cus these guys are pro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-WDk7Tbsc
CLASSIC SONG-the whole album is like the indie Appetite for destruction-it's stacked!

Belle and Sebastian are really good. Stuart Murdoch is a great songwriter. They're good live too but they never come to the US.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxRVX6NerJM

Also the strokes are really good.

I like these guys, silversun pickups, but they sound just like smashing pumpkins, they arent original but still good and also good llive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwX2TnsTPE&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEgM3aJQBLc

Jack White is amazing live, I saw him with dead weather, he has so much stage presence and charisma but his songwriting isn't very good imo, but he's an amazing rockstar.

i think being good live is usually a sign that a band makes good music too.

But none of these bands are "new" they're all 10 years old, that's like as new as the stuff I listen to besides new hip hop.

[KIRA]

so I guess your over you Taylor Swift phase then? you'll stop spamming the board with her lyrics and music?

ISH breathes a collective sigh of relief.
wrong, i still listen to her classic tunes and dance remixes of her songs, taylor swift is timeless.

[brooks_thompson]

Have you already listened to Funeral by Arcade Fire? Not only is it a great album top to bottom but those guys write great songs, have their own style and on top of that sound better live than they do on record and put on an amazing show. But you probably already heard it cus these guys are pro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-WDk7Tbsc
CLASSIC SONG-the whole album is like the indie Appetite for destruction-it's stacked!

Belle and Sebastian are really good. Stuart Murdoch is a great songwriter. They're good live too but they never come to the US.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxRVX6NerJM

Also the strokes are really good.

I like these guys, silversun pickups, but they sound just like smashing pumpkins, they arent original but still good and also good llive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwX2TnsTPE&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEgM3aJQBLc

Jack White is amazing live, I saw him with dead weather, he has so much stage presence and charisma but his songwriting isn't very good imo, but he's an amazing rockstar.

i think being good live is usually a sign that a band makes good music too.

But none of these bands are "new" they're all 10 years old, that's like as new as the stuff I listen to besides new hip hop.

yeah, the 10 years old thing is the problem. i loved the first arcade fire album, that's a certifiable classic even if it would never catch on with the mainstream crowd. i'll have to give a giant thumbs down to belle & sebastian as someone who has heard plenty of their stuff over several albums.

and the strokes are just incredible. i even liked their third album for the most part. julian casablancas solo was pretty damn good. and i look forward to the new album. but their classics were in 2001/2003.

and i can appreciate a lot of what the white stripes do, but that they're pretty much the quintessential 'rock' group of the last decade is baffling to me.

i was at a show one time and saw a tall, dirty guy dressed in all-white. i jokingly said to my friend, "hey is that andrew w.k.?" and someone overheard me and interjected with "no! that's jack white man! he's here recording an album..."

[RoTM]

The 2000's were really a culturally dead decade for me. I can't think of anything that defined it musically apart. With that aside I'm really trying to think of something great from an artist that debuted recently, but I can't. The only examples I can come up with are people who are good enough to listen to but aren't anything new like Ladyhawke.

I mean its seriously a reach when people wan't to crown white stripes when imo the Dead Weather album that just came out only has two songs I would consider music. I went on a tirade about it to my brother after I first heard it about how I'm infuriated by White's refusal to make good songs when he has the talent and knowledge to make difference between us and die by the drop.

[KIRA]

The 2000's were really a culturally dead decade for me. I can't think of anything that defined it musically apart. With that aside I'm really trying to think of something great from an artist that debuted recently, but I can't. The only examples I can come up with are people who are good enough to listen to but aren't anything new like Ladyhawke.

I mean its seriously a reach when people wan't to crown white stripes when imo the Dead Weather album that just came out only has two songs I would consider music. I went on a tirade about it to my brother after I first heard it about how I'm infuriated by White's refusal to make good songs when he has the talent and knowledge to make difference between us and die by the drop.
M.I.A., Arcade Fire and the Strokes came out in the 2000s, Moon and Antarctica by Modest Mouse, and lots of great rappers and electronic artists like Jack Beats and Deadmau5 but recently like the past 5 years jack shit has been coming out.

[RoTM]

M.I.A., Arcade Fire and the Strokes came out in the 2000s, Moon and Antarctica by Modest Mouse, and lots of great rappers and electronic artists like Jack Beats and Deadmau5 but recently like the past 5 years jack shit has been coming out.

I need to go back and listen to the strokes since everyone is mentioning them. My taste in music was really limited in 2000 and I haven't gotten around to them.

[heyhey]

Have you already listened to Funeral by Arcade Fire? Not only is it a great album top to bottom but those guys write great songs, have their own style and on top of that sound better live than they do on record and put on an amazing show. But you probably already heard it cus these guys are pro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-WDk7Tbsc
CLASSIC SONG-the whole album is like the indie Appetite for destruction-it's stacked!

Belle and Sebastian are really good. Stuart Murdoch is a great songwriter. They're good live too but they never come to the US.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxRVX6NerJM

Also the strokes are really good.

I like these guys, silversun pickups, but they sound just like smashing pumpkins, they arent original but still good and also good llive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwX2TnsTPE&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEgM3aJQBLc

Jack White is amazing live, I saw him with dead weather, he has so much stage presence and charisma but his songwriting isn't very good imo, but he's an amazing rockstar.

i think being good live is usually a sign that a band makes good music too.

But none of these bands are "new" they're all 10 years old, that's like as new as the stuff I listen to besides new hip hop.


so let's see, you like Jack white, the strokes, belle and sebastian, arcade fire, silversun pickups. (all great bands btw, Is This It by the strokes is an album that has affected me like no other)

all bands that made their bones in the 2000s. But somehow you still think that current music suck? MAJORITY of bands from any decade is terrible. People only think past music was great because of selective perception. Thirty years from now when people look back at 2000s all they going to remember is
Modest Mouse, The Strokes, White Stripes, Arcade Fire, Spoon etc. and go that was a great decade for indie rock. The sh!tty bands like metro station will be forgotten and the decade will be infact censored of its bad artist.

[KIRA]

so let's see, you like Jack white, the strokes, belle and sebastian, arcade fire, silversun pickups. (all great bands btw, Is This It by the strokes is an album that has affected me like no other)

all bands that made their bones in the 2000s. But somehow you still think that current music suck? MAJORITY of bands from any decade is terrible. People only think past music was great because of selective perception. Thirty years from now when people look back at 2000s all they going to remember is
Modest Mouse, The Strokes, White Stripes, Arcade Fire, Spoon etc. and go that was a great decade for indie rock. The sh!tty bands like metro station will be forgotten and the decade will be infact censored of its bad artist.
Is 10 years old considered new? It isn't to me, or any of my friends I talk about music with.

[heyhey]

Is 10 years old considered new? It isn't to me, or any of my friends I talk about music with.

I mean in your opening post you set the time duration for debate to be decades since you referred to 60s, 70s. So naturally I thought by contemporary you meant the 2000s or 2010s. I mean if we are going to argue over the minutia of time then it becomes difficult. Joanna Newsom had her first album in 2008, is that too old? It's been 2 years. Are we only looking at music from this calendar year? Yea then again you are right. Most music THIS YEAR has sucked. Most music released ANY year has sucked.

[kentatm]

I'd rather listen to SRV rip a gnarly blues riff than Ynwie Malsteem pull off a crazy hard instrumental.

Sure I can appreciate the intelligence of Malsteem's music. Still sucks.


you sound like a dumb Aggie whose mind has been infected by Zac Brown, Pat Green, Eric Church and Robert Earl Keen Jr.

:D

http://www.burntorangenation.com/images/admin/sawemoff2.JPG

[pete's montreux]

I see a lot of people commented on Pitchfork. Which is cool with me because I only skim their reviews. I rely on the music more than the words written about it. I've known for a long time that Pitchfork is snobby, but they're very up-to-date with their reviews, faster than the other sites I use, so It's all good for me.

[KIRA]

I see a lot of people commented on Pitchfork. Which is cool with me because I only skim their reviews. I rely on the music more than the words written about it. I've known for a long time that Pitchfork is snobby, but they're very up-to-date with their reviews, faster than the other sites I use, so It's all good for me.
Yeh I used to check sometimes because that's how I found out about Funeral and The Rapture, I look at the reviews of anything over 9 and see if it sounds like it appeals to me, but for too long, all of the 9+ reviews on their go to shitty consious underground hip hop acts or Nico ripoff Scandanavian noise drone.

Still useful on occassion.

[pete's montreux]

Completely agree with that last part. I read a review from Pitchfork from a month ago and it was some Dutch noise techno industrial group thing which got rated really high. I download the album and it was complete garbage. It was noise. There was nothing musical about it. I started skimming the reviews and relying on comments more than the rating after that.

Read some of the reviews and they have nothing to do with the music at all. How can a review end up talking about subtlety of Norwegian tree bark when the album is from a Spanish techno group? What the f*ck? Get your head outta your ass.

[kentatm]

Pitchfork can kiss my ass after their Airborne Toxic Event review