With artists like Kanye West becoming the self-proclaimed "voice of a generation", I would look to earlier more creative times for inspiration if I were a member of today's younger generation. The interesting part of this thread to me is not the lack of new good music, but the method of distribution seems to be what has changed the most. The internet, giant corporate radio, no more record stores, and economic reality have all contributed to the changing music industry. A lot of bands make the majority of their income from touring rather than selling albums these days. There are some great ideas in the above recommendations and I think that you are on the right track in your efforts to diversify genres. Blues, reggae, bluegrass, Cajun, and old fashioned rock and roll still are being created. you just have to look a little harder to find it. Publications, blogs, festivals, internet radio, youtube, and the web in general are the main sources of new music today.
Why does most new music suck?
Ok I will have some exclusions to my statement. I'm not talking about classical or jazz. My comment is mostly pointed to rock and pop releases. Don't even get me started on rap.... I don't consider it music. I will admit that I'm an old foggy but come on, where are some talented new groups? I grew up with the Beatles, Who, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix etc. I sample a lot of new music and the recordings are terrible. The engineers should be fired for producing over compressed shrill garbage. The talent seems to be lost or doesn't exist. I have turned to some folk/country or blues music. It really is a sad state of affairs....Oh my god, I'm turning into my parents.