I am not a musical encyclopedia. I actually listen to mostly electronic and hip-hop, so I am probably pretty unqualified to be making these statements. But I know that growing up, Metallic, Guns N Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins…these bands changed my life, and people are still buying their records. I have discovered the likes of Cream, Zeppelin, Bob Marley and the Wailers, and other classic acts from decades before I could comprehend music, and it has all caught my ear when I listen to it as something that is undeniably GOOD.

I just don’t get that feeling with any bands that I hear today. That’s pretty much all I’m basing it on. There are people out there who I’m sure would take MASSIVE issue with what I am saying, but it’s just an opinion. I just think the people are forging new ground in music are not the ones with guitars, drums, and bass anymore. Like Joshua said, only the test of time will truly reveal whether I’m right or wrong, but it just feels like the traditional band is in a major creative lull right now.

Ha! This is so not the case. I am not a hater of all pop/mainstream bands. Paramore, a band that attracts hormonal teenagers of all kinds, stands to be one of my fav bands over recent years. And I say it proudly while, mind you, their fans are no different than Tokio Hotel, Fall Out Boy, etc.

Again, the essence of my argument is not that there was no commercialization of artists back then, but that the “lifestyle” has become the top priority. Style-**OVER**-substance.

And if the preference/subjective thing rules all, then let’s celebrate the incredible charisma of William Hung or the unbelievable dancing of (MUSICAL?) act Ciara.

Sure, everything’s subjective, but I can’t bear to think that this is the underlying case when music is an art worth preserving, with valuable input from distinguished music critics/writers overtime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1kgZLgWpb8

Every very famous artist is a brand and a company and, in essence, a lifestyle. I defy you to name one that isn’t. That goes for Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, whoever you want to name. Even if the image is “not caring about the image”. This has been true ever since music became commercial. Deal with it.

For the record – I am a creaky old 28 but I work with tweens so I know things – ie. the Jonas Brothers: they built their hardcore fanbase on YouTube and touring incessantly pre-Disney and driving girls crazy, all while dressed like normal kids, performing in stripped down environments, singing their own songs, 2-3 years ago. This is why Disney bought them and iced their cake for the masses.

At the heart of ANY big act is usually some kind of undeniable charisma and/or chops (singing/dancing/musicianship/songwriting/stage presence). From there – whether or not you like an act’s music is going to be subjective. There’s no good/better/best, bad/worse/worst…it’s a matter of preference. I know you’re trying to be smart…But it’s not smarter to like a band less because they are obnoxiously popular with a horrifically annoying fanbase.

The main problem is overexposure and overmarketing for groups that actually make money (by their labels) these days…because there aren’t as many of them, so we get to a saturation point with them.