Has Music Lost Something?

[Soulmanure]

I should say that I agree with a lot of the points here---getting older changes one's perspective; there has always been and always will be rubbish; a lot of fantastic shows are put on, as are a lot of terrible ones.

But I think Greenwood's point isn't that there are no longer any great songs or shows. In fact, and I think he's right about this, there are more, but something is different about the way in which we consume them now. Because it is so easy to find and consume so much, a great musical experience means a bit less, or is less exciting. So while one does get excited for a new release or a show, it's just not to the same degree, not as much of an event as it once was. And for me, my relationship to a given album is much more abstract because I have no object that I relate it to--no cd, no record.


I still consume music like mad and am always looking for something new, but finding it is less of a great moment than it used to be.

I should say on the dance music scene: check out LCD Soundsystem. This is not your neighbor's dance music.

[daverave999]

My short answer is no, music hasn't lost anything.

I would suggest that the quality and breadth of music available is actually improving, as technology can assist those who have the idea of something they want to create, but not the skill to produce it manually using an instrument.

The majority of music that gets a lot of airplay is not to my taste, but that does seem to be designed to be ephemeral and disposable, and marketed for profit's sake. That said, as 'throwaway pop', it is catchy and seems to please a lot of people.

My tastes have stalled somewhat (now that I've turned 30 ) but every now and then I'll get back into looking for music. If you separate out the 'pop' from everything else, there is good music from all time periods.

I would also suggest that as we age, our capacity for excitement diminishes and that is more responsible for what you may be feeling.

Regarding the experience being diluted by digital delivery, perhaps we were all victims of marketing in the first place, that a new album coming out was seen as a huge event?

I feel I must also defend dance music after MarkSDMF's comment. Just because it's not to your taste (not singling you out Mark ) doesn't mean that it is bad music. I've experienced this a lot throughout my life, with comments being made about how it is 'made by machines' and the like.
I agree that purely synthetic notes won't have the complex waveforms and harmonics that those produced by instruments do, but I believe a lot of (dare I say most) electronic music is produced using sampled instruments (or other noises!) now. Some electronic music would be impossible to produce without machines e.g. earlier Squarepusher, Pole, Future Sound Of London, Aphex Twin - some of these approach classical music in complexity and depth in my opinion.

If music causes an emotional response in someone then it has achieved its aim. Good thread.

[Gordonbcb]

I would suggest that the quality and breadth of music available is actually improving, as technology can assist those who have the idea of something they want to create, but not the skill to produce it manually using an instruments.

Isn't this exactly the function that George Martin provided for the Beatles??

So the idea of being creative beyond your technical knowledge is nothing new in popular music.

As for digital music, I was one of the doubters, I positively hated the idea. But I'm now a (42 yr old) total convert. It hasn't in anyway deminished my enjoyment of music, if anything it has enhanced it.

Great thread, by the way.

[Lee Nub]

One Word - Jedward.

[Pandyboy]

One Word - Jedward.

My hit man is standing by for the codeword!!!

[Soulmanure]

My short answer is no, music hasn't lost anything.

I would suggest that the quality and breadth of music available is actually improving, as technology can assist those who have the idea of something they want to create, but not the skill to produce it manually using an instrument.

I would also suggest that as we age, our capacity for excitement diminishes and that is more responsible for what you may be feeling.

Regarding the experience being diluted by digital delivery, perhaps we were all victims of marketing in the first place, that a new album coming out was seen as a huge event?

I completely agree with this, save for the last aspect, and perhaps the younger member can chime in on this; the issue is quality of music. From my perspective, there are so many independent labels to choose from now that I don't even notice top 40. Rather, the issue is the quantity, and its mode of delivery--there is so much that is so readily available that nothing much sticks out as special.

I suppose a cheap analogy would be a kid in a candy shop with no restrictions; of course, the kid will go at it, in most cases, but after a bit, the candy will begin to lose distinction. More abstractly, I think that the more we consume music with little restriction or difficulty in finding it, the less any given musical experience has a feeling of being special or rare. Hence, the sense of there being an event which is singular diminishes.

[MarkSDMF]

Ok guys I'm quite gracious in accepting points and i must admit there has been some good ones raised.

With my self referring to modern music i was talking about dance, pop, techno. In my opinion, pish, which i shall refer to it as from here on just kidding. Im only 18 and i cant stand the stuff. Dont get me wrong, ive been in nightclubs a few times, for mates birthdays etc and have had a good time, with my pals, for the occasion. However you will not find me in a nightclub if there is not an occasion. The stuff to me sounds like R2D2 having a good time in the sack with C3PO.

I love sea sick steve btw, cant remember who raised his name but i love him. I think the Dog house album is phenomenal (dog house going into the Disk tray as i type up :P)
I also have a soft spot in my heart for heavy metal music (irony because many of you will hate the stuff:P) but to me, it takes talent to learn the instruments, the hours of practice, the commitment. And if you look at metal it is derived from blues...

Ahh Peter Green, why did you have to go all crazy ?

[bambini]

The stuff to me sounds like R2D2 having a good time in the sack with C3PO.

Ah, so you've listened to Autechre then?

[daverave999]

Soulmanure, one reason I believe for music not having the same impact is indirectly related to the quantity and ease of availability. Rarity increases the value, and as you have more music available you listen to each album less.
There's the expression that an album is 'a grower' and most of my stand-out albums have been like that. Perhaps the music just needs more listening?

[Pandyboy]

I love all sorts of music, I think for some people this is a really emotive subject and for others not so much a big deal.

As a 17 year old lad I used to go to all night raves listening to "R2D2 and C3PO" and I used to love it. Not so much now but as we get older new music scares us as we can't keep up with it. New artists start to sound all alike and in the end you hear yourself utter those immortal words "what's this rubbish." Something you thought you would never say and something your Dad would say about Top of the pops when you were a kid.

I do agree that something has been taken out of the music industrty with x factor etc. But there are a few gems to come out of these programmes. Again music downloading and better quality of sound has meant that it is easier and a bit less special when you get music.

There are some great new bands and some old ones that still throw up tune after tune. I found myslef listening to a bit of Mozart while playing football manager the other day. Bit of a surreal experence but it worked.

End of rant!!!

[MarkSDMF]

I totally agree with you Dave.

If im honest, most of my music is digital. The last albums i bought were two Seasick albums and that was about a year ago.

I tend not to buy music but just stream it from sites such as http://www.grooveshark.com or maybe http://www.last.fm

To answer your question bambini, no i have not listened to Autechre. Like i said, dont listen to that genre.... AND BTW I believe there are too many genres out there at the moment as well :P

Jeeezo im old for my time :O

[TJCoro]

Late for the Sun!

Mmm! I'm a little late to this party, muchachos - been busy fuckin' with senor Big's oversided head!.

Dudes! Rock and it's elder cousin' Rock & Roll are dead!!!


...but the discussions aren't, from the looks of this here thread.


Long Live Rock & Roll!

[tippexx]

At the end of the day I guess Eric Morcambe hit it on the head.


"I'm playing all the right notes?but not necessarily in the right order".

[MarkSDMF]

Maddy rock 'n' roll ?

This is rock 'n' roll

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

[MarkSDMF]

Sorry i beg your pardon gentlemen.
This is rock n roll.
From a new band.
A new, talented band.
All other post's ive made in this here thread are now null and void.
Except the fact of shit dance music :P obviously :L jk.

Seen these guys at download fest 10. They were amazing ! the tent was going wild !

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ur6QowQbM&feature=related