Musical Moods

Anna Gregoline | August 10, 2004
If music reflects the mood of an age, what does current music say about America?

Scott Horowitz | August 10, 2004
That we have bad taste!

Anna Gregoline | August 10, 2004
Well, that's true. I was thinking about types of music out there right now, especially with the young folk.

Erik Bates | August 10, 2004
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Melissa Erin | August 10, 2004
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Scott Hardie | August 11, 2004
That we're controlled by massive corporations. Hey, at least the reflection is accurate.

What good music is created today is often drowned out or dumbed down by marketing necessities. I just bought Alicia Keys's newest CD and I'm impressed with it overall, but there are moments such as when a beautiful piano nocturne is cheapened by "unh! feel it! unh!" kinds of vocalisms. Mass appeal has rendered quality irrelevent.

John Viola | August 11, 2004
I think you have to dig deeper into the non-mainstream to find actual quality music and not some one-dimensional, uber-marketed, gigantic production type music which lacks heart and soul.

Most of the 'pop' culture to me is simple entertainment. Not a bad thing - but just like candy too much of it can make you sick.

Also, I don't think many of them (like JoJo, Britney, Christina, etc) actually write music from the heart. I would bet that 'song coordinators' (like dance coordinators) come up with some catchy jingles (like for commercials) and truly make a production out of it - with the pretty lil' pop star singing the words and doing the movies for our viewing pleasure.

Anna Gregoline | August 11, 2004
I wasn't necessarily talking about "pop" music. I mean, there's the Marilyn Manson crowd, emo, etc. I was thinking more about genres that are popular now.

Scott Hardie | August 12, 2004
Well, we're talking about the dominant American music of the day, aren't we? Most of it is dog shit. The trend towards corporate control of music is only going to get worse as long as media consolidation is still permitted -- how long will it be until ClearChannel starts buying (or being bought by) record companies?

Anna Gregoline | August 12, 2004
Well, sure, it's pertinent to talk about "pop" music. But genre is important too - look at how a few years ago ska music came back in a big (and short-lived) way. I'm interested in how these trends ebb and flow.

Erik Bates | August 12, 2004
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Anna Gregoline | August 12, 2004
Oh well, I guess this was a poorly-phrased question.

John Viola | August 12, 2004
Don't feel too bad Anna. You appear to post about 750 new topics/questions a day, so there are bound to be a few that could be phrased better. Keep your chin up. And remember - Jesus Loves You!

*little kids in the choir sing out of key*
'Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so, little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong'

Erik Bates | August 12, 2004
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