Nothing is worse than crappy music. My generation has yet to produce anything worthy of being called legendary.  Granted, it is mostly the fault of record labels and their “hit singles” format that dominates the direction artists go with their music. Instead of having the freedom to be truly innovative, artists rehash melodies and subject matter that once produced hits so that record execs will be sure to run with it.  The assumption that it will sell.  This has transformed true art into something decadent that has been pushed onto us.  Yes, even in these trying times, we still manage to be slaves. Although listeners are losing interest in the same tired formats, it’s what major labels mass-manufacture.

Pop’s a Bust

The only redeeming thing about modern pop is that it essentially still serves its purpose: making people dance and appealing to the masses. However, there are many long brewing problems that have become hard to ignore.

First of all, the murderer of talent otherwise known as American Idol. While there’s something inspirational about the idea of an average person becoming a star, what usually results is something ugly.  With the exception of a few true successes, the singles these winners churn out are generic and manufactured. As a part of their contract, the artist’s first single is not their choice and it’s usually a song that anyone could sing and almost anyone would buy. Sing a few lines from the first few winners’ debut singles-my point exactly.  Simon Cowell has it right when he referrs to some contestants’ performances as a karaoke performance.  It’s the kind of music you can expect.

Another pitfall is its lack of role models. The pop industry’s message is, “As long as you look barely legal and are still willing to pose half naked, we can always autotune your songs.” I can honestly say that I don’t think Britney Spears has any real talent.  Even after bouts of depression and alleged substance mixed with a little bit of craziness, she is once of the biggest stars in pop.  The stars that are talented and have killer chops like Christina Aguilera are pushed aside by Britney or Amy Whinehouse, an even worse role model.  What kind of messages are they sending out to girls?

From Rock to Rubble

How did rock go from mind blowing Led Zeppelin sonic masterpieces, Janis Joplin crooning jam sessions, and The Beatles’ inventiveness to Nickleback-esque bands, and American idol pop “rockers”? It seems like after the grunge 90’s, rock completely lost its edge. The stuff we’re calling rock now, is somewhere between adult contemporary and mainstream pop. You have the preachy blandness of bands like Nickelback and Saving Able that dilute the power and majesty rock n’ roll. Then, there is the poison that is American Idol, churning out Chris Daughtry and David Cook-guys that actually may have some talent (at least on the show), yet put out whiney, inoffensive songs targeting the over-40 crowd.

Hip hop is Trippin’

This one is for my youngins who think that hip hop is better than ever: Hip hop is a shell of the revolutionary, rebellious genius that it once was.  Now, when speaking of present day hip hop, I use that term loosely. The hip hop/rap genre is now almost unidentifiable, as it is melding more and more with the world of pop and top 40.  While still able to manufacture a danceable beat, its heart and soul of this genre is disappearing.  Rap used to be about what it’s really like.  Now, if you yell crap into a mic and put it over a hook riding a computer generated soundscape, then you’ve hit gold and have found something to reuse.

Here’s some advice: get a turntable and mix your own beats.  Instead of trying to impress everyone with all your nasty “bitches”, tell me what you’re really about. Wankstas are eventually discovered.

The Only Savior is Culture!

We need to demand that our artists step up and produce what is in their hearts instead of what fills their pockets. We need to demand better music because we are not drones. We will always evolve.  Musicians must also evolve to keep up because right now the industry is stagnant with sex crazed, bubble gum pop, adult contemporary addicted rock, and rap that talks more about ice than anything else. I want my pop stars to give me something to dance to.  I want my rock stars opening minds.  I want my rappers to tell me what they’re feeling.  More than anything, I want some feeling to return. Help us be able to relate to the music.  Let us feel music again.

A solution? To artists and listeners alike: try going back to the roots. Go back to folk, blues, classical, or even the music of your heritage. Find inspiration. Don’t be a blind consumer.  Find underground sounds, make changes to your playlists, and most importantly take a chance. All this industry is doing is what’s always been done.  Somebody, please, invent something new because if they don’t, then declining sales will be the least of their problems.

Author: Crissy Zamarron