JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum What do you think of popular musc theses days? (all genre's)

Hi all

I personally think popular music has gone way down hill. The industry has given in to pandering and payola; most new music is popular because of what music execs think more so than the fans. I mostly only listen to indie stuff and older popular music. I think the industry needs to wake up and realize why Dylan and Hank Williams Sr were popular. It certainly wasn't because they followed the "rules"
Derek

What do you think of popular music these days? single choice
	It's great I love all popular music
	Most popular music is really good
	It's good there are some things I don't like
	There are a lot of things wrong with popular music
	I hate popular music I only listen to indie or oldies
Votes accepted starting: 02/02/08 08:50 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Oh my God!

I'm sorry, but I just don't understand why we should feel that today's music is not as good as yesterday's music. Honestly, I think its unbelievable how we as songwriters can sit here lamenting days gone by and how music 'ain't what it used to be' and judge the tastes of today's buying youth as opposed to when we were young.

Who gives a Sh&%t!

Its our job to be flexible and move the masses in whatever way we can - even when that means traversing the unknown territory of hip hop, rap, R&B, indie, and whatever else the masses are into.

Just because the music today is different from the music we listened to, doesn't make it any better or worse - its just different. Musical tastes change with each generation, so get a grip! I'm 42 and I'm sick of the posts denegrating the tastes of today's young people just because they are not into Dylan or the Beatles.

And please don't tell me that the public are unknowing victims of the music industry and they don't have a say in what they listen to. Rubbish! If the kids don't like it they won't listen to or buy it, so in my opinion, the buyer still has the ultimate say in what they want to hear. The record/publishing companies are tuned into what the buyer wants and they act accordingly. it would be bad business to do otherwise.

Now I'll sit here and wait for all the 'old fogey' posts slamming me for daring to be non-conforming, liberal, progressive and radical. Ring any bells, oh ye wild ones of the 60's revolution?

Lisa my Dear

You are taking this much too seriously. It's only a matter of opinion. My opinion isn't any better or worse than anyone's. The only thing I might argue with you about on your idea is that commercialism is much bigger today than in past years. What with american idol and other venues flogging talent. Though as I said this is all about opinions. I respect yours I would appreciate it if you respected others.
Derek

Edit
One more thing I wanted to mention is that I never mentioned youthful buyers. A lot of young people are sick of the commercialism as well and are listening to independent artists a lot more these days. I think in time the pendelum will shift and current music trends will go back to their roots. Again though this is only an opinion.

Lisa: Why don't you tell us what you really think (lol!)?

I am sort of with Lisa here. If you take the time to listen, there is a lot of great music being created daily. And just like in those good ole yesteryears, some real crap, too. The problem is that I don't have the time to listen to commercial music -- but when I do, I hear some good things, but I might not know who they are!

Kevin

Good point Kevin

I'm not saying all commercial music is trash. I am saying that a lot of it is. When I say this I mean the Britney Spears stuff mostly. Though again all this is only my opinion.
Derek

Oh one more point I wanted to add. If you read many of the posts around here lately you'll see most of the youth aren't buying music at all they are downloading it / stealing it rofl. Though some do probably legally download as well.
Derek

Britney Spears had some good stuff. Not that I like that type of music, but I have to respect what she has accomplished (and feel sorry for her with her current mental problems). Was Britney a great singer -- no, but she was adequate. She was mostly a dancer and showman and she excelled at that. As for the lip synching during concerts -- she had to! there is no way someone could dance like that and sing at the same time.

I don't have any Britney CD's, but she was a pop-superstar and probably deserved the success she had. Too bad she blew it, but it is obvious that the years in the fishbowl have taken their toll.

As Jesse Winchester says:

Kevin

Great thread. Lisa brings an interesting viewpoint and for the most part, I agree with her. Having said that, there is a great deal of music (liberal interpretation) that falls far short of the mark. I really dislike rap because of that genres' intense negativity and outright racism. Modern Country Music completely ignores the cultures from which it sprang. It appears to be generally a cross between hard rock and rock-a-billy with a touch of metal thrown in for good measure. Still, there are some great country songs out there.

Who can define modern Pop music? Not me. The stuff I grew up listening to late at night (back in the 50's) usually had great melodies and romantic themes. Of course there were some great novelty tunes thrown in for good measure. Rock and roll was just beginning to emerge and do-wop as well. For my money, few of the older writers had the versatility to create songs across such a broad spectrum as the Beatles.

Thank God we're all entitled to have opinions. That's why they still make Fords and Chevies. Still, there are some great new songs arriving every day and some of the artists are eons ahead of most of the artists from the "good old days."

Dave

Hey Kevin

Well that's true. I did see the star search epidsode she was on. Girl definitly has talent however I think why I mention her is would she have been able to do it without music producers pushing her? I mean could she have built her own fan base? I'm not convince she could have. Now someone like Jewel that's a different story. I think she did build her own fanbase.

I kinda agree with Derek. When just about everything has been done already where do you go. I am not saying that all recent music is crap just most of it.
First of all there is a lot of cover Karaoke type stuff that the boy bands and bimbos keep trashing out.
Then there is the R&B, rap, hip hop, bass and drum etc type garbage. When you have listened to Aretha and James Brown and Otis you can only laugh at the naivity and sillyness of this noise. Samples and endless repeating bass or drum patterns is so boring, moronic and lacking in any originality.
There are some bands or individual songs that are half decent but they are the exception rather than the rule.
It is no secret that it is the "suits" who decide what we listen to not the general public. They create and promote the stars. That has changed very little over the years.
Occasionally someone deserving with real talent breaks through but that is the exception rather than the rule.
I think music has changed from being an artform to a standardised, homogenised, antiseptic, pasteurised mass produced money making scam.

Re Britney. Here is a classic example of what I am talking about. Average singer and dancer with below average intelligence.
She was manufactured and created from nothing. As Derek said SHE would have been nothing without the hype and producers writers, choreographers etc etc etc. Just about any kid could have been moulded and hyped and thrust into doing what she did with the right backing and production team. There are numerous other similar examples.

Hey Big Jim

Thanks for your opinion. I think there are some pretty neat things that can be done with sampling, however as you mentioned when it's the same thing over and over again it gets rather mundane. I think you may also have a point in that bussiness has always had their hands in making music popular. I think your also right that sometimes real talent does make it through. One example I can think of is John Mayer. He has a very original sound and his lyrics are very enjoyable, however he is most certainly the exception to the rule. Thanks again for chiming in big Jim!
Derek

Every generation thinks the music of the next generation is crap. My parents thought the music I grew up with and loved (70's and 80's) was rubbish as opposed to what they listened to, and their parents (my grandparents) felt the same way about the music my parents venerated.

I'm sure that Ludwig Van Beethoven would have rolled over in his grave at the sounds of Richard Rodgers, who in turn would have rolled over in HIS grave at the sounds of U2 or Prince!

All I'm saying is that just because you don't like it, doesn't make it bad - it just means that you don't like it. Its unfair and disrespectful to others to say that the music they like is garbeage or mundane just because its 'not your cup of tea'.

Hi Lisa

I understand what you are saying. And there were times in my life that I felt exactly the same way. Maybe there is a point to it. maybe I am getting old and set in my ways (gosh I hope not being only 32). However I really don't think it's disrespectful to have an opinion. Others may disagree with it as you have. That's fine really I don't mind you disagreein. I don't really like you saying it's disrespectful of me to have on opinion though. It's true I might not like the music and that doesn't make it bad, however I am also aware the record companies are controlling tastes these days. That is the part that bothers me. You may not agree that this is taking place and I can accept that, however I feel there is grave concern as to the future of the music industry with how commercial it's become.
Derek

Sorry Lisa this is not an age thing or even an opinion. It is a sad fact. I have e very eclectic taste in music and what I am referring to is general standards not taste. There was a lot of crap in the past and there is certain music that I do not like or is not to my taste BUT I can see the technical merits and quality of good music from every era and genre. What I am talking about is the volumes of stuff rammed down our throats nowadays that has no technical merit or requires very little musical talent. This is the rule rather than the exception.
If you want a list I can supply one of current no talent bimbos. It would be interesting to see you justify any talent they supposedly have.

Come on Jim -- It is your opinion. And for every no talent bimbo you name, there are probably a million folks that say that person is great. Do you listen to any Nelly Furtado, Pink, Christina Aguilara? They are a lot of talented folks out there, but they are just doing music that you don't like.

Kevin

Well I seem to have sparked some debate here

To let my thoughts be known clearly my view is only my opinion. i don't claim it as fact it's only how I see it. That said I think everyone here is entitled to their own opinion. I just hope I haven't caused people to bare grudges with one another. Sure wasn't my intention.
Derek

Hey Kevin you named three for starters.

Maybe it is....but it's essential! I hope I never see the day when parents like the music their kids are listening to

Scott

I know every generation has their own taste in music, if for no other reason than to freak out their parents. What makes me mad is the industry itself. Once you pass 30, the radio and recording industry seem to ignore you, you and your taste in music no longer exist. I know teenagers buy the most music(or steal today) but there are older folks that would still buy music to their taste if the industry would produce it and promote it. The baby boomers was the biggest bulge in population in recent history, they bought more music than this generation ever will. Most of the baby boomers are still around but they stopped buying because their taste in music is no longer vogue to the industry. In my area the most popular and most listened to programs on radio is when they play the old songs of back in the 60's 70's and 80's, this should tell them something.

I wonder what would happen if the industry started producing some of this music style again, I believe the older members of society would snap it up, if for no other reason other than nostalgia. Just like the older models of cars that that industry
brought back.

Here's a couple of videos of Nelly singing "Powerless (Say What you want)". If you think she is a talentless bimbo -- then you are beyond hope - and that's a fact, not an opinion (ha ha).

Studio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUqfdwI6qWc&NR=1

live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKZP-SWAcfc

Kevin

Kevin It is a sad fact that so many can be conned by so few into thinking that this mediocrity is anything special or talented.
It is folk like YOU who accept this crap who are beyond hope.
That is a fact not an opinion.
I rest my case.

Jim: I can't believe you are actually in the music business. I dream that one day I may be able to write (or co-write) a song as good as that one. Obviously, we are just going to have to agree to disagree. Of course, it makes me feel better knowing that I am right! I think I am going to go re-watch that live version and wallow in the crapiness of it all.

Kevin

Well Kevin it all depends on how ambitious you are. If that is your dream go for it. Should not be too hard to achieve.

Its all just music,you'll either like it or you wont.

PB

There is some remarkable talent coming out all the time. Sometimes it's the production that leaves me flat.

The phrase "Gag me with a spoon" comes immediately to mind. This is not to diss popular music in any genre--there is some good stuff out there, and I believe I have heard what little there is. I just get tired of wading through the c**p to find it. I'd rather listen to the independent writers--there's consistently better writing there.

Joe

Derek,

I didn't say you shouldn't have an opinion, nor did I say it is disrespectful of you to have one. I said:

"Its unfair and disrespectful to others to say that the music they like is garbage or mundane just because its 'not your cup of tea'."

How many young, new songwriters out there, who are prospective members of these forums are going to read your comments and those of a few others here, and think they won't be welcome at JPF because the songs they like or write are likely to be dissed by other members who don't like today's commercial music?

As for the state of the music industry and what it does and doesn't control, oh ye of little faith! I do believe in the tastes and buying power of the public (not all of whom choose to steal music) and I do have faith that, regardless of the attitudes nd actions of some execs (okay, maybe a lot of execs) the music industry has always, and will always thrive, songwriters will always be underrated, underpaid but passionate about their craft, and the music listener/buyer will always have the last say in what they want to hear.

I'm afraid you dont understand my point, Jim.

I don't need to justify any artist's talent and I wouldn't even try. That is a ridiculous notion. What I'm saying is that just because YOU think an artist is an "untalented bimbo", or a particular singer, song or genre "has no technical merit or requires very little musical talent", it doesn't mean that everyone else does.

Well,
I have been listening to music since the early 50's. All kinds from Country to Pop to rock to classical, big band, jazz, you name it. Anyone that thinks most of what you hear today is anywhere near the class of most of that music from yesterday is very easy to please. True some of today's music is well written and produced but too much of it is junk.

What new music have you purchased lately that I can go down to the local record store and purchase that you highly recommend? I haven't purchased any new music for some time.

I do occasionaly purchase music from the past from catalogs.

If I may jump in here and add my thoughts. I have to say I am disappointed in "some" of todays so called "pop" music. It is very hard to find. We had a pop music radio station in the city here and is has some how melted or transformed into something I don't recognize as pop music. I think we have lost alot of that. It has become something else that I don't call pop music. I actually don't know what it is. All I know is that I am disppointed. I grew up with some great music in the 80's, like Chicago and all that. The lyrics have definately changed. They are much more disrestful towards women and relationships. Much more filled with immorality and adultry and explicitly sexual in nature. It is a different world we live in. In that aspect I am definately really disappointed.

The truth is, this generation didn't get what we all did in the past. We had the morality there in the music. Sorry people but it's the truth. Now if it doesn't have sex in it, good luck trying to sell it. That's why CCM music doesn't sell like secular. Don't get me wrong! The talent is there! I hear fantastic young singers all the time and they are a dime a dozen. But show me someone with integrity and longevity in the music biz. Alot of these singers and actors and in and out of rehab like a trip to the grocery store. Who's next??

I have more respect for the indie songwriters plugging away singing in coffee houses singing songs with lyrics I can hear and understand. Staying true to their talent. I am sorry but alot of todays so called pop music IS RUBBISH in my books! I consider myself very seasoned in pop music. Anyhow.. that's just my opinion.

Tammy

www.tammyedwards.com
wwww.myspace.com/tammyedwards2

I'm very enthusiastic about new music.

I'm also stuck in the late 60's - early 70's with my preferences.

What you hear on the most popular stations will be mostly crap, peppered with good ones. But most of the really good stuff is not being heard as much on the biggest radio stations.

Here (89.3 The Current)is a station I really enjoy that plays mostly new pop and alternative music along with the occasional "anything-the-DJ-wants-to-spin" song...anything from Bob Dylan to Billie Holiday. But the new stuff is often incredibly good. It is not the same as what I liked as a kid, and what I liked was not what my parents liked. But I truly believe in the evolution of popular music, and I see plenty of bright light in this tunnel.

Oh dear!

Ray, you have also missed my point. I have not once said that I like all today's music. If fact, most of the new music I hear is not to my taste at all. Nor have I stated that I believe the technical/engineering/production standards of today's music is better or worse than it was in the past.

The point I am trying to make, and have been trying to make throughout this entire thread, is that it's disrespectful to other people and their taste in music, to suggest that a song/artist/genre is bad/rubbish/crap (whatever) - just because you don't like it.

I don't come onto these boards and say that an artist, song or genre is rubbish just because it doesn't appeal to me, because I know that it WILL appeal to others. Its just common courtesy and I wish it was shown a little more often here.

Lisa you mean well but are hiding behind a bushel.

The vast bulk of todays music is like manufactured fast food junk. The top 100 is supposed to be the cream of the crop. I know loads of musicians and singers and hear loads of indie stuff. this so called cream of the crop music we are talking about cannot be called anything other than mediocre in comparison.
The buying public are not responsible for making them stars. It is clearly the men in suits. They decide who records and what they record. Then the machinery kicks in and so a hit is born.
Peer pressure and fashion dictates not talent. It should be clear to any musician that most of these decisions are not made on talent, voice, songwriting ability, originality or any other yardsticks we musicians use.
Joe summed up by saying that there is some good stuff about but you have to wade through tons of crap to find it. We deserve better.
I have said this before and will say it again "We have had so much mediocrity thrown at us that we actually now believe that it is good because the bar has been lowered so much."
If I hear one more bimbo singing a karaoke ditty through her nose I will scream. What makes it worse is while I am screaming probably folk will think that they are stars with oodles of talent. These people who earn obscene amounts of money deserve to be told that they are nothing out of the ordinary.
Re criticising or putting down young up and comers. I would never do that but I will give constructive truthful criticism and advice where and when it is due.
Just to sum up about disrespect to other opinions. I would not call it disrespect to speak your mind. After all a lot of these mediocre acts are way way overated and are stealing really talented musicians work. It is time we spoke out against them or should I say the suits who promote them.

Music is a part of social institutions. As society evolves, so does the music. Some of us are going to like the "new" music, some folks aren't. The only two genres I do not listen to are Rap and Grunge/Industrial Rock, etc., because they do not entertain me. But many people are entertained by those styles. I would never tell anybody else that their taste (which is an opinion) sucks; I would simply say that my tastes are different.

If you have listened to any of my music, you know that I am extremely eclectic. I do everything from 60's Rock to Reggae, to Smooth Jazz, to Swing Jazz to Traditional Country to Contemporary Country. I even do some Funk/Fusion and Big Band. Why? Because I enjoy almost all genres of music. And within all genres there is good and bad. My idea? Listen to what you like and enjoy it. Let others listen to what they like and enjoy it without their taste being called into question.

Just my thoughts.

Alan

Lisa,
This argument/discussion has been going on long before this board was started.

We are discussing music rather than what is loosely passed off as music and playing on Hot Country Radio 24/7.

I have tried to listen to the local stations but after 30 seconds or less I shut it off. The Major Labels want the Artists to write their own material so they don't have to pay outside writers the full statutory mechanical rate as they would with outside songs.

Hence the Atrist writes his own songs for the most part and it shows. I can't count all the times I have read a letter printed in a publication about the bad music on the radio.

Most Artists are not songwriters to any extent. In fact most Major Artists from the past didn't write their own songs.

The production of songs at that time was done with all the musicians in the studio and if they didn't get it on the first take they did it again until they had something they could use.
Not much of that happens today.

It isn't so much the artists as it is the songs and many times the production.

My publisher and I used to talk about these things. He would ask me, what was the Number One song last year? Who knows? Who remembers?
The offerings for the most part are pretty sad. Maybe that is why CD Sales are down again.

To tell you the truth I am tuning into JPF's Mp3 Forum to listen to some of my favorites more than the radio lately, and of course my collection of CD's.

Because of the enormous amount of music now available through the internet, I think there is a lot more to choose from...and therefore...you ahve to look harder and with more tenacity to find the gtood stuff...just my thoughts

Some of the best music I ahve found isn't famous or in the stores.

Emily

Emily you got that right. But my question is why? and why cannot the "suits" find such good music to put in place of the rubbish they mostly produce?

Because they have NO artistic vision!!! They are businessmen.
Just my opinion.

Emily

They are driven by fear. Taking risks is like placing your money on a longshot. Taking risks with company money loses jobs.

What excites me lately is the possibility for musicians to now do it all themselves for smaller audiences via the internet. Those who catch on and gain lots of fans suddenly find themselves with more money to improve their production. Times are changing and so is the idea of entire continents listening to only a handful of recording artists.

I'm content with how music is right now

You guys are the "Archie Bunkers" of the JPF -- musical bigots. You say you turn off stuff after 30 seconds, how in the world is that a fair reading? I would have to say that none of you naysayers give anything a chance. You compare one year of music to 40-50 years of previous music but only cherry pick the very best to compare it to. There was a lot of crap in the old days, too.

By slamming any music as mediocre, you call into question your own talents and accomplishments. Or, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye".

Kevin

There's gotta be a "Meathead" joke headed this way soon.

Mark: I was thinking the same thing -- but I guess I get to be the "meathead".

Hey, he was the one on the show I identified with back then!

I actually found a LOT of good music last year, and I'm someone who consistently rails against the quality of today's music. I think that 2007 was a GREAT year for music. I found about 6 CD's that I thoroughly enjoyed. That's saying something.

I also think it's interesting that nobody who's posted here seems to buy any new music, and yet we bemoan the demise of the record industry. Well, I guess we're part of the problem.

In essence, what I'm saying is, there IS good new music out there, but maybe we have to search a little harder to find it.

Hi Gang
Fun thread! not a productive one lol..but Fun and having fun is always cool.....
All said Kevin has very clear definitive points here, basically he's right on the money.
I'll take this question in a two part answer.

I have road the middle of this debate with friends for a long time. The first thing you have to do is try to - Separate yourself.
1- A songwriter or musician, professional
2- A music fan, a listener

PART ONE - As a proffesional in the field.

Kevin is right... as a songwriter or artist, singer or musician or producer or whatever you do professionally musically. We're entitled to our tastes and opinions, but really have no leg to stand on knocking down anyone at all. After all they have accomplished what we haven't been able to. And yes there was loads of crap in the old days, we'll get to that in Part Two

So think about... even if you're there equal in talent in some regard, they still may have out worked you, or did something to put themselves in a position to succeed.
So while we were at our day job or raising that first kid what were they doing?
Sacrifice is a big part as is luck & timing. Being able to make a living doing what you want to do is one thing being a huge success at it is another story. Even if something kinda sucks..... Succeeding in itself deserves some kind of nod & respect from any professional to another in our field.

All I hear is Rap stinks, rap's this raps' that... There is some Rap I really really like and some I don't like at all. There is much more that I don't like it's getting tired very fast, and there's just sooooo much of it that hurts any genre especially ones that are less diverse. Rap is the new Rock, It's what parents don't want there kids to listen to, EXACTLEY like Rock was back in the day. That's why you don't get it
PS- It's so easy but you couldn't get someone to pay you to do it even if you were packing and pointing lol...

I used to think dance music was crap and had no respect for it professionally.
Then when I landed in the studios working with one of the premiere dance record producers in the 90's my whole outlook changed. I got schooled in so many ways my head was spinning, then I met C&C Music Factory in the studio
A room next store working with Mariah. I also worked directly with Freedom the rapper for C&C on his solo album. They were musical and had talents in many different creative ways. You would see it and hear it immediatley if your involved with first hand with it. Something "The Listener" will never know or experience.

AS a pro - Remember go easy when we're knocking things WE CAN"T DO

Wow, I found myself shaking my head reading though the many posts in this thread. Today’s music is no better or worse than what I listened to many years ago. Every generation has its superstars and its embarrassments.

It’s easy to sit in our living room, sipping a beverage and hypothesize the status of today’s music, but much harder to make a go of it. Today or yesterday. Nothing’s changed. We just grew older.

Part Two - As a music fan & listener

I was not seeing or hearing anything recently in the popular music scene that I was enjoying. Then I found The Sundance Channel and watched and recorded the live sessions from Abbey Road last year. I found many wonderful and talented new artist as well as old favorites doing some new things. It was very enjoyable and will give you a much better perspective than turning on the radio. Some artists had pretty big hits and some were a little more under the radar.

Don't forget WE adults are not the target for popular music... When we were kids we bought loads of albums, Hung up posters, went to see a million concerts, I know I did.. how many concerts do you attend now compared to then" You're lying
We made pop stars and music stars rich..... Also LIVE music is nowhere near where it used to be people.. it's not allowed to be as well, it gets less attention than the internet. If you were ever lucky enough as I was to have seen Pink Floyd,Genesis,Queen,The Who live you could not argue not argue

Everyone seems to forget "Popular Music" is exactly that... I try to find the positve points in all I see and hear. It's very simple you don't think about Britany as a great songwriter or singer.. she is an entertainer that's all, exactly like Madonna only not as smart, savy and disciplined.

I know and like many new things and tried to teach stuborn friends who won't try anything new to open up a little. How can you ever grow or be a musician and not check out all kinds of things? I have friend who hates the Chilli Peppers so much that can't admit that Flea is an excellent bass player, and the chilli pepers are OLD... how blind is that?

The best music as we will live to know is in the past without question. It's not an opinion, it just had to be for many reasons.
Yesterday had the advantage of being brand new, in a much newer industry many new days are re-inventions,copies, and combinations of yesterday. That's not anyones fault, It's nature in a way. Pop culture. And the industry had a musical head out weighing or equaling the business head. Atlantic Records Huge label signed "Yes" that kind of creative freedom to the masses is over... The sponsers won't get it.

Classical Music was the popular music in it's time.
Just like the best Rock & R&B is back in the 60's & 70's How come nobody every says
"Man the classical music today is every bit as good as Mozart & Beethoven's etc.. etc...
Well Cause it's not! Where's that comparison. So now go and try to compare something to Motown Good Luck! That's over as well. We just move on Stop trying to compare pop groups to The Beatles just like Beethoven they can't be equaled or beaten, it will have to be a brand new sound and scene, just like they were then.

I can't agree that today's music overall is anywhere near as good as it was in the past. Pop music included! Anyone who thinks it is is just trying to be bold but can't be serious. Or they are young without a history lesson. Stevie Wonder was
Pop music.. oh yes he was. And the fact is no one since can touch him period. Neither can anyone one before him, Ray Charles was in his league but Ray couldn't write like Stevie.

I have said it before and I'll say it again we had tons of crap back in the day
just like today and every decade... ONLY we had so many exceptional things to balance it out. And the exceptional was VERY popular as well. It was not hidden on the internet somewhere. There is little to none of that today. No balance.
Bobby Sherman - Elton John
Captain & Tenille - Simon & Garfunkel
The Bay City Rollers - You name any great 70's rock band
Barry Mannilow - Billy Joel
Carl Carlton - Marvin Gaye

Get the clear point? Balance! And i actually liked all of group A except for Bobby Sherman

I have written threads about "What Happened To Instrumental Music" in the mainstream... GONE! So a music scene without lots of exposure to MUSIC can not be better or more advanced. I'm sorry Miles Davis was the sh...it and he was very popular.

I was watching one of my Midnight Specials and enjoying all the great observations.
I have the entire DVD collection. And right after Olivia Newton John sang a song, Weather Report with JACO came on and smoked an instrumental "Birdland" Chuck Mangione performed
"Feels So Good" and Edgar Winter blew the roof down performing "Frankenstein"
George Benson doing "Breezin"

This is on National TV people, makes a much much bigger musical impression then
American Idol folks.

Hey folks they are going to abolish CD's. So that means no more GREAT albums. You may not live to see or hear a "Dark Side OF The Moon" again. And there will certainly be no poster inside the sleeve

I guess I am fortunate. I don't listen to Pop music.
I only listen to country. Or as I like to call it "Country Pop".

As far as the no good music, well in the Country genre we only get to hear a select few on the radio these days. I guess that is a money thing.
I don't know why some of the music I have heard does not make it on the radio but I have heard Bob Dylan's "Thunder on The Mountain". But never on the radio.
Vince gill has a 4 disc Box set of all new original music. I don't think more than a couple songs made it to the radio and for not very long.
That's only two but here are many more.
Actually there have been some good ones on the radio as well. "Moments" was a great song. "I loved Her First" "Live Like You Were Dying". How can anyone say these were not good songs?

I recently heard some of the songs from Van Zandt's latest. There was some good stuff on there but I have not heard it on the radio.

On the radio, maybe that's the problem.