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.
kennyc

Showing 13 responses by stuartk

@artemus5:

  "Most of them are story tellers which goes well in some genre but is  mostly wasted in R&R. A case in point is Led Zeppelin".

There are plenty of  R&R vocalists whose lyrics can be easily understood, and there are R&R vocalists whose lyrics definitely tell a "story" so I'm confused as to what point you're trying to make-- that only Led Zeppelin is worth listening to? 

BTW-- the line between more rockin' Americana bands and R&R can be  practically non-existent--  Americana is not necessarily a lone singer with an acoustic guitar!  
Is today's music lacking?

Depends on your personal taste and your sources for music.

I've viewed/read a good many interviews where songwriters point out the difficulty of coming up something that sounds fresh, at this point in history. This suggests that the task is indeed growing more challenging. 

I agree with bdp24-- I've encountered many highly-talented younger musicians and songwriters in the catch-all genre known as Americana. 
There are bountiful riches to be discovered in this genre, if you care to explore it. 


"That music you think classic was the unimaginative racket made by untalented, lazy people etc. your parents struggled with."

I recall my parents bringing home a newly-released, early Beatles record
and after lowering the needle, declared that the record must be defective!

Needless to say, there was nothing wrong with the record. They simply weren't able to conect with the music.

I had a similar experience in a workplace where most of my co-workers were considerable younger. They'd praise bands like Primus and Sonic Youth.  I was mostly listening to Jazz at the time, which included some fairly outside stuff, but still, I couldn't hang with what they enjoyed.    
   "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."

Rick Beato's recently-posted interview with Pat Metheny includes a very  interesting discussion of melody. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEgalcH_-b4


Yeah. I was first drawn to the channel because I play guitar but quickly realized his channel had as much to offer me as a music-lover.  I haven't come across anyone who's doing what he does. 
"...if one diligently seeks out lesser known artists, there is a wealth of good musicians/songwriters to be found".

So true.  And in fact, this was the case in the 60's and 70's as well !  

This opinion probably won't be welcomed but I believe my fellow Boomers who never look beyond radio play and then complain that "there's no good music" are just being lazy.

Especially given that now there are so many more resources for seeking out music. Way back when, you had to actually know somebody who knew about the good stuff that wasn't on the radio and was willing to teach you.

At this point, there's no excuse. 

"I think any comment about “the music of today” being somehow inferior or lacking is lazy, complacent and phenomenally ignorant. This from the generation which prided itself on its open mindedness"

Yes, and. . .  each generation has its strengths and weaknesses and has a tendency to be blind to varying degrees to seeing the strengths of other generations. 
@kennyc:

On other threads, bdp24 and I have suggested Americana as a genre that features many highly talented musicians and singer-songwriters.

PM me and I will do my best to point you in some directions to explore. 

@millercarbon:

You are correct, in terms of major record labels that were long ago taken over by bean-counters. The fast-food analogy is spot on. 

However, if you are suggesting that this has resulted in the eradication of worthwhile music, I'd strenuously disagree. 


@danager:

Thanks for posting that link.

I will definitely check it out and hopefully, others will as well. 
@kennyc:

Tools for exploring music: 

A Spotify membership. It's free, if you can tolerate the ads.

Also, check out the All Music site and the No Depression site. 

Finally, there's a ton of music on YouTube.

Other forum participants may have additional suggestions. 

Hope this is helpful. 



@articdeth:

" 2000 til now, music is trash, all garbage"

I disagree.

There is still a lot of excellent music being made but don't expect to hear it on the radio. 

You have to look for it.

If you don't bother to look, how can you justifiably complain? 


"The music industry is just that… an industry. They produce formula driven music to make money/profit. It’s been that way since the music industry started"

Of course, AND, the industry used to be run by people who actually cared about music and were willing to take chances on artists who were not formulaic! Consider the remarkable variety of music on major labels in the 60's for example.  

Now, the bean-counters are thoroughly in charge. Their sole focus is  producing predictably rising profits. There is plenty of good music now but you won't find it on major labels.