Why is it that most people listen to the garbage played on the radio today and think that it is good music? You don't have to hold a degree in music theory to understand that this junk hardly qualifies as music. Right?
Right now you can dump out a hit "rock" song for all the lemmings with nothing more than mediocre vocals and bar band quality musicians.
To knock out a country hit you just need to sing about something in the news and be very witty and simple with your lyrics. Or, sing about something sad, depressing, and tragic. You know, exploit the emotions of simple minded people.
Pop music is easy. Find a charming little cliche and repeat it over and over with synthesized instruments. Or, sing about how hard it is growing up. Kids age 12 through 17 will love it. Even if you grew up wealthy, pretend to relate with the common outcast.
Then there's rap, hip hop, gagsta, or whatever word those guys have invented to call it. Its a little tougher as far a lyrics go. The music is simple, though, all you need is a driving beat. Sometimes it doesn't even have to be consistent, just beating noise. And the lyrics, graphic, indecent, violent, or whatever else most people are offended by. It helps to invent a dance, it seems. Especially one that is horribly vulgar or just strange. (Example "Walk it out " look it up.)
But, don't worry! I still care about music and am constantly seeking out the good stuff. The things I consider to make a good band are simple.
The first being actual musical talent. Any dork can pluck out some cords and sing a long, but a real musician can use an instrument to create an environment for the songs message. This goes alot farther that fast/happy and slow/sad. Talented artists can bring you into an epic story with only they're instrument. With a little more talent they can do it when they sing.
If you're tired of musical waste then check these out.
ROCK:
The band Muse has an awesome sound. The song "Knights of Cedonia"(from Black Holes and Revelations album) makes me want to charge into battle on a horse with a sword. The Absolution album is also very good. The band has an end-of-the-world epic drama timbre about them.
Wolfmother. Australia. Old school rocking. Awesome vocals. Amazing guitar. Check out "Woman" or "The Joker and the Thief". REAL ROCK!
Bloc Party. A group from London. They have a unique sound. Its electronic rock, but good. Melodic and dark. I recommend listening to "The Prayer", "Hunting for Witches", or "I Still Remember".
Elbow, of the UK. Very good rock music. Easy to listen too. Perfect match of music to vocals. Its obvious that they've been together 16 years. Try "Leaders of the Free World"and"Switching Off"
FOLK AND ACOUSTIC:
Damien Rice of Ireland. Its not for everyone though. Its hard to compare his music to anything else. Most of the songs were written while living on the streets in Europe. He's accompanied by Lisa Hannigan on vocals and Vivian Long on cello. Very simple music, but played through a complex arrangement of melody and harmony. Try "Volcano", "Remember December","The Animals Were Gone", and "Elephant".
Sufjan Stevens of Michigan. Very talented composer. Each album is centered around the folklore of a state(Come on Feel the Illinoise and Michigan), or around his faith (such as in 7 Swans). Check out the Come on Feel the Illinoise album, its meant to be listened to beginning to end. The songs blend from one to the next with no pauses on most transitions.
The Decemberists. Very interesting music. They bring back the lost art of shanty. Many songs include accordions, upright bass, mandelin, and several other "lost" instruments. "A Cautionary Tale","The Mariner's Revenge", "The Bagman's Gambit", "Yankee Bayonet"' and "The Perfect Crime".
Bright Eyes. Seemingly lacking on musical talent, but worth noting for song writing. "The road to Joy","I'm Wide Awake it's Morning"
So there are a few of my favorites with more to come later. When i'm not so sleepy.
"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence." ~Leopold Stokowski
