For this blog entry I’d like to take a step away from the analysis of genre in contemporary music, if I may, and discuss a more underlying issue. The reason, for the last few entries, that I have been so critical of contemporary hip-hop and rock music is that I care about it. I’ve been a music listener for as long as I can remember, and throughout the years I’ve seen eras begin and end, and though I’m not as old as some, I’ve taken the time to learn about eras in music long before I was around. It seems to me - and please correct me if I’m wrong - music is in a difficult stage. Pop music is not reliable, and what I mean by that is: pop music no longer provides the public with the most talented for us to find easily, and really hasn’t for a while now. Because of this, independent music has become the new pop for anyone who listens seriously. This contradiction provides for an interesting yet perplexing paradigm.
My complaint about pop music is that it is diluted and predictable, pedantic and unoriginal, but it’s pop music and we can all ignore it to the best of our abilities (no-one can completely avoid it being that we are literally saturated by it - hearing it in stores, commercials, movies, etc). What is so amazing, however, is that because independent music has become the new pop music for many of us, it too has followed this trend mentioned above - and what are we left with? One source of music that is completely unlistenable to any self-respecting aficionado and another: the alternative. The alternative (independent music) is not all that different from it’s hyped up counterpart. Independent music, hip-hop or rock, is in many ways completely stale with few exceptions.
What happened to innovation? What happened to passion? We’re not likely to find it in hip-hop where it seems that every topic has been thoroughly discussed - except the for several stigmatized subjects which I’ve discussed in length in previous blog entries. Similarly, we’re unlikely to find it in rock which is mostly “indie-rock” - a dispassionate, diluted, shallow, and predictable sub-genre of rock so absolutely disconnected that it encourages connection only on a disconnected level - how very sad. Are we only connected through our mutual disconnection? I certainly hope not, and if this is true, it’s not a good thing, and something that should be challenged and hopefully resolved. Hip-hop disconnects at a level where I distrust the rapper, because he/she fails to communicate real emotion in a complete and diverse spectrum of feeling. Rock or indie-rock disconnects because it encourages a disconnect and leaves us hollow and without hope. When was the last time a new rock song came out that made YOU want to get up and jump around? A song that made Your heart beat faster? I haven’t heard one, and if I have, all the other songs by the band disappoint, which consequently cancels the excitement and validates me and my current stance on contemporary rock.
Of course there are exceptions, though I really can’t name very many. I’m sure someone else can. As a side not, a very good friend of mine turned me on to a band called Ween who I saw in live concert a few days ago. I recommend them. Their fearless eclecticism is impressive and completely admirable. Though there is a tinge (sometimes more than a tinge) of irony or parody in their songs, their sincerity is simultaneously never in doubt, which makes for an interesting contrast that I’m totally digging right now. Additionally, Ween has done this for several albums not just one - an important bit of information. I recommend their classic “Chocolate and Cheese” but the albums “The Mollusk” and “Quebec” are also really good and are a solid listen for any eclectic music listener able to appreciate genuine talent and creativity.
Let me know what you think. I encourage comments on my blog page wholeheartedly no matter the opinion you may form from my entries - they also help me with material for my next blog entry. Thanks.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
At The Risk of Sounding UnPOPular
In my last entry, I talked about how rap music has become stale, not because of a lack of talent, but because of an equally serious problem. There is too much macho / gusto in rap music and not enough diversity in subject matter. There is some sort of stigma attached to rappers expressing a more vulnerable side to their personalities - everyone feels vulnerable sometimes. So why don’t rappers? It just isn’t done - or at least it’s done very seldom and often with a twinge of sarcasm or cynicism. All in all, this macho feeling should be there, but other aspects of human personality should as well, and I feel that a certain few emotions have been heavily neglected throughout the history of the genre.
So what about rock music? Well . . . I’m not sure I should even call it that . . . okay . . . Indie Rock! That’s what contemporary rock music is today . . . right? I should first tell you that I am a huge rock fan. I do feel, however, that Indie Rock is a rather one-sided, bland, and often watered-down version of rock. It seems to me (and I hope someone will correct me and explain to me the virtues of Indie Rock) that Indie Rock is the most benign genre of rock that we as a population have ever witnessed. It seems that - for whatever reason - Indie Rock has completely taken-up the slack of Hip-Hop’s shortcomings and reversed the problem. Hip-Hop has too much gusto, and Indie Rock has ABSOLUTELY none. When did rock music become a symbol for toothless weaklings, bookworms, and “men” with thick black rimmed glasses slightly covered by perfectly disorganized lightly tossed hair? I think I watched most of these Indie guys get beat-up in middle school. Rock music shouldn’t only be about “disillusionment” and “she/he left me” and “I’m so sad but I’m cooler than you because I’m sadder and I always try my darndest not to seem excited about anything.” Goddamn it.
I could go on for hours about why I don’t like Indie Rock (and I have!), but my point here is that Indie Rock and Hip-Hop oppose each other so directly that I, at the moment, don’t want to choose either, and certainly I won’t choose both. What happened to guttural emotions in rock? There seems to be no edge in the music. It’s all 4/4 time with a verse a chorus a verse a chorus a bridge a chorus and then yes you guessed it: the chorus again. I want passion in my rock music. I wanna hear Chris Cornell scream, I wanna hear interesting patterns of drums, guitar, and bass that make me wanna stand up (or release my lean from a near by wall) and jump up and down. Fuck accordions. Indie Rock can be nice music from time to time, but where is the edge? Apparently, the edge which I became quite accustomed to in rock no longer exists, and I’m frustrated about that. Is no-one else?
And another point: there is no musical virtuosity in Indie Rock. Indie Rock has no face. Can anyone name the lead singer of any Indie Rock band? How ‘bout the lead guitarist? Why is that? Why are they so bloody anonymous? The truth is, no lead singer or guitarist in Indie Rock is talented enough to be singled out, and they don’t want to be (perhaps Jack White does, but that’s all, and I’m not sold on The White Stripes as Indie Rock). When was the last time you heard a guitar solo? And I mean a real solo where it wasn’t simply the theme of the chorus with a slight variation. It never happens anymore. No one wants to step up and be “the man,” and ironically (to get back to my comparison) that’s exactly what being a “dope MC” or a champion DJ is all about. Hip-hop is rich in virtuosity and Indie Rock has none of it. Hip-hop is rich in confidence and gusto, and Indie Rock has none. Yet, Indie Rock addresses the more vulnerable side of our psyche, and Hip-Hop does not. They completely oppose each other, and in some sort of weird symbiotic relationship they each perpetuate their musical counterpart’s shortcoming. Hip-hop doesn’t want to be like Indie Rock, and Indie Rock doesn’t want to be Hip-Hop. To be honest, that’s a good thing, but how they’ve accomplished this feat is a big problem for both - they don’t need to polarize one another.
Okay look . . . I’m sorry. I know that Indie Rock is very popular and that there are probably good things about it, but it’s not a satisfying genre. It does nothing original or interesting, except that Indie Rock is the first rock genre to ever be completely bland - these Indie bands have as much substance as the Hair Bands of the 80’s. To realize the lameness of Indie Rock one only needs to listen to any other rock era. I mean seriously, David Bowie could walk on stage in complete drag and out macho any of these Indie Rock personalities like . . . ummmm . . . what’s his name and who’s it and that Indie Rock guy, you know, he has hair like That 70’s Show, wears tight jeans, small lace-up shoes, and is completely in-touch with his feelings (at least several in particular).
All I ask is that Indie Rock music hit the gym or something - eat more red meat (the growth hormones might help), or at the very least remember that Rock music (and post-second world war pop music in general) is about pushing the envelope (or at least showing effort to do so), and getting people excited - at least excited enough for them to smile without feeling self-conscious, and to freely dance without the clique-like consent of those looking on with stoicism and cool. To back up my points in this blog I present this list of albums that have earned high rotation in my listening for the last few weeks:
Led Zeppelin I (you’ve likely heard this one)
Credence Clearwater Revival - Mardi Gras (seriously, a really great album)
Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets (if you don’t know this, you should)
Television - Marquee Moon (see Eno)
Devo - Freedom of Choice (an album I’ve become close with lately)
Jane’s Addiction - Ritual De Lo Habitual (totally badass)
Stone Temple Pilots - Core (see Jane’s Addition’s parenthesis)
Beck - Mellow Gold (a creative masterpiece)
Soundgarden - SuperUnknown and Badmotorfinger (eclectic and full of gusto)
54-40 - Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret (a Canadian selection and a very underrated album)
This is a diverse list. No band can cover all ground. But I challenge any reader to name me two Indie Rock albums that compare to these above (and I was just getting started). I’d appreciate it. After reading some of your comments, I’ll see whether or not I need to address this issue again.
So what about rock music? Well . . . I’m not sure I should even call it that . . . okay . . . Indie Rock! That’s what contemporary rock music is today . . . right? I should first tell you that I am a huge rock fan. I do feel, however, that Indie Rock is a rather one-sided, bland, and often watered-down version of rock. It seems to me (and I hope someone will correct me and explain to me the virtues of Indie Rock) that Indie Rock is the most benign genre of rock that we as a population have ever witnessed. It seems that - for whatever reason - Indie Rock has completely taken-up the slack of Hip-Hop’s shortcomings and reversed the problem. Hip-Hop has too much gusto, and Indie Rock has ABSOLUTELY none. When did rock music become a symbol for toothless weaklings, bookworms, and “men” with thick black rimmed glasses slightly covered by perfectly disorganized lightly tossed hair? I think I watched most of these Indie guys get beat-up in middle school. Rock music shouldn’t only be about “disillusionment” and “she/he left me” and “I’m so sad but I’m cooler than you because I’m sadder and I always try my darndest not to seem excited about anything.” Goddamn it.
I could go on for hours about why I don’t like Indie Rock (and I have!), but my point here is that Indie Rock and Hip-Hop oppose each other so directly that I, at the moment, don’t want to choose either, and certainly I won’t choose both. What happened to guttural emotions in rock? There seems to be no edge in the music. It’s all 4/4 time with a verse a chorus a verse a chorus a bridge a chorus and then yes you guessed it: the chorus again. I want passion in my rock music. I wanna hear Chris Cornell scream, I wanna hear interesting patterns of drums, guitar, and bass that make me wanna stand up (or release my lean from a near by wall) and jump up and down. Fuck accordions. Indie Rock can be nice music from time to time, but where is the edge? Apparently, the edge which I became quite accustomed to in rock no longer exists, and I’m frustrated about that. Is no-one else?
And another point: there is no musical virtuosity in Indie Rock. Indie Rock has no face. Can anyone name the lead singer of any Indie Rock band? How ‘bout the lead guitarist? Why is that? Why are they so bloody anonymous? The truth is, no lead singer or guitarist in Indie Rock is talented enough to be singled out, and they don’t want to be (perhaps Jack White does, but that’s all, and I’m not sold on The White Stripes as Indie Rock). When was the last time you heard a guitar solo? And I mean a real solo where it wasn’t simply the theme of the chorus with a slight variation. It never happens anymore. No one wants to step up and be “the man,” and ironically (to get back to my comparison) that’s exactly what being a “dope MC” or a champion DJ is all about. Hip-hop is rich in virtuosity and Indie Rock has none of it. Hip-hop is rich in confidence and gusto, and Indie Rock has none. Yet, Indie Rock addresses the more vulnerable side of our psyche, and Hip-Hop does not. They completely oppose each other, and in some sort of weird symbiotic relationship they each perpetuate their musical counterpart’s shortcoming. Hip-hop doesn’t want to be like Indie Rock, and Indie Rock doesn’t want to be Hip-Hop. To be honest, that’s a good thing, but how they’ve accomplished this feat is a big problem for both - they don’t need to polarize one another.
Okay look . . . I’m sorry. I know that Indie Rock is very popular and that there are probably good things about it, but it’s not a satisfying genre. It does nothing original or interesting, except that Indie Rock is the first rock genre to ever be completely bland - these Indie bands have as much substance as the Hair Bands of the 80’s. To realize the lameness of Indie Rock one only needs to listen to any other rock era. I mean seriously, David Bowie could walk on stage in complete drag and out macho any of these Indie Rock personalities like . . . ummmm . . . what’s his name and who’s it and that Indie Rock guy, you know, he has hair like That 70’s Show, wears tight jeans, small lace-up shoes, and is completely in-touch with his feelings (at least several in particular).
All I ask is that Indie Rock music hit the gym or something - eat more red meat (the growth hormones might help), or at the very least remember that Rock music (and post-second world war pop music in general) is about pushing the envelope (or at least showing effort to do so), and getting people excited - at least excited enough for them to smile without feeling self-conscious, and to freely dance without the clique-like consent of those looking on with stoicism and cool. To back up my points in this blog I present this list of albums that have earned high rotation in my listening for the last few weeks:
Led Zeppelin I (you’ve likely heard this one)
Credence Clearwater Revival - Mardi Gras (seriously, a really great album)
Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets (if you don’t know this, you should)
Television - Marquee Moon (see Eno)
Devo - Freedom of Choice (an album I’ve become close with lately)
Jane’s Addiction - Ritual De Lo Habitual (totally badass)
Stone Temple Pilots - Core (see Jane’s Addition’s parenthesis)
Beck - Mellow Gold (a creative masterpiece)
Soundgarden - SuperUnknown and Badmotorfinger (eclectic and full of gusto)
54-40 - Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret (a Canadian selection and a very underrated album)
This is a diverse list. No band can cover all ground. But I challenge any reader to name me two Indie Rock albums that compare to these above (and I was just getting started). I’d appreciate it. After reading some of your comments, I’ll see whether or not I need to address this issue again.
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