@stuartk: Oh yeah, I get No Depression emails several times a week. I also have a complete collection of the printed version of the mag, which I have been reading since it's inception in the 1990's. That title is taken from Uncle Tupelo's debut album. UT was of course Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy's first band, the two eventually going their separate ways and starting Son Volt and Wilco. Wilco has enjoyed greater success, but I prefer Son Volt.
Is today’s contemporary music lacking?
I listen to various genres of music, and I am a big fan of rock/pop from the 1950s to today.
When I turn in the radio to hear new pop/rock songs, I often hear “monotonous” verses with minimal melody repeated again and again (4x) then the chorus not quite matching the music of the verses. The artist seems to try using a good voice trying to make the song sound good but these songs seem to lack a good “melody”. Anybody else notice this?
Also, because pop/rock music is well established, is it more difficult nowadays to create new good melodies - are artists running out of creative ideas? This thought has often crossed my mind whenever I hear another song remake.
When I turn in the radio to hear new pop/rock songs, I often hear “monotonous” verses with minimal melody repeated again and again (4x) then the chorus not quite matching the music of the verses. The artist seems to try using a good voice trying to make the song sound good but these songs seem to lack a good “melody”. Anybody else notice this?
Also, because pop/rock music is well established, is it more difficult nowadays to create new good melodies - are artists running out of creative ideas? This thought has often crossed my mind whenever I hear another song remake.