Is Music Today Better or Worse Than Ever ?

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This is relatively straightforward. Music today is:

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Eh, just about the same56
Better than ever 42
Worse than ever 18


Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 18:27 (eighteen years ago)

Worse than ever, of course.

Alex in NYC, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 18:48 (eighteen years ago)

i'll say the same but possibly better because of the easier access to more music.

omar little, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 18:50 (eighteen years ago)

Better than ever. Absolutely.

Scik Mouthy, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:10 (eighteen years ago)

head says better, heart says worse

wanko ergo sum, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:12 (eighteen years ago)

An optimist am I.

The Reverend, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:21 (eighteen years ago)

More readily accessible varieties old and new to listen to than ever, easier to cocoon yourself as a result.

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:22 (eighteen years ago)

gone downhill since tiny tim died

latebloomer, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:23 (eighteen years ago)

Actually, latebloomer, if i may, i'd like to amend that tippin' point to since Warren Zevon died.

violoncellos, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:38 (eighteen years ago)

Does it really matter? If you just got recommended an album from 1974, and you've never heard it before until now, does it really matter that it's over 30 years old?

Bill Magill, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:57 (eighteen years ago)

I used to know someone who wouldn't listen to any music that was more than two years old. I wonder what he's listening to now that everything from back then is 15 years old at least?

snoball, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:01 (eighteen years ago)

That guy's probably smarter than the rest of us.

The Reverend, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:02 (eighteen years ago)

No he wasn't. And on a personal level he was a dogmatic tossbag. It just seemed like an odd and totally arbitary thing to do: "I only listen to music that's less than 2 years old".

snoball, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:06 (eighteen years ago)

About the same.

Mark Rich@rdson, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:14 (eighteen years ago)

depends on the music

Jordan, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:22 (eighteen years ago)

I think guitar playing continues to evolve, but bass playing has devolved dramatically since like the late '80s. What are some inspiring bass players to debut in the past 15 years?

I suppose the fact that all my favorite albums come from the '70s and '80s must mean that music is worse?

Patrick South, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:25 (eighteen years ago)

Ned is OTM.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:27 (eighteen years ago)

I had a fairly broad, but very shallow exposure to music until the napster boom. Now I'm able to immerse myself in genres, etc. so much more deeply as a result and find myself actually branching out more. I woulda never pictured myself liking any death metal ten years ago. It's broken down a lot of my snobbery. or, what Ned said.

pj, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 20:39 (eighteen years ago)

pop music right now is terrible. underground music is pretty good!

pipecock, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 21:34 (eighteen years ago)

how 1978 of you.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 21:36 (eighteen years ago)

same as ever

Zeno, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 21:46 (eighteen years ago)

the level hasnt changed.

as a matter of fact ask me again in 10 years

Zeno, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 21:47 (eighteen years ago)

Anybody who doesn't think music is better than ever now is some sort of communist.

Noodle Vague, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 22:17 (eighteen years ago)

There is more good music, but there is also vastly more music to sort through these days.

I think the overall level of quality has increased, but I think the value of music has decreased. Music is not as important as it used to be.

Display Name, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 23:00 (eighteen years ago)

there is more good music but less amazing music

electricsound, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 23:06 (eighteen years ago)

pop music right now is terrible. underground music is pretty good!

^reverse this

Tape Store, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 23:18 (eighteen years ago)

lol poptimist

deej, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 23:26 (eighteen years ago)

At first I thought it read 'velvet underground music is pretty good!'

James Redd and the Blecchs, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 03:09 (eighteen years ago)

Absolutely it's worse than ever. I couldn't even find five good tracks to list on the "List your five favorite tracks of 2007" thread.

Mr. Snrub, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 03:21 (eighteen years ago)

Yep, that sounds like it's music's fault.

clotpoll, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 03:50 (eighteen years ago)

Music today is worse than ever. When I dance to it now it makes my back hurt and consequently my gut is growing from dancing less - a clear sign of a qualitative decline.

Hurting 2, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 04:47 (eighteen years ago)

There is more good music, but there is also vastly more music to sort through these days.

I think the overall level of quality has increased, but I think the value of music has decreased. Music is not as important as it used to be.

I was going to elucidate on my initial post, but this says what I would have tried to say, in a much more succinct manner. People with the attitude of Mr Snrub piss me off.

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 08:05 (eighteen years ago)

Lots of changes in technology and culture, but music itself doesn't seem to get better or worse. 1800s or 1900s? The question doesn't even make sense.

Bob Standard, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 08:16 (eighteen years ago)

I agree with everything Nick's said in this thread. I've heard more brilliant songs and albums this year than ever before.

nate woolls, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 08:17 (eighteen years ago)

Anybody who doesn't think music is better than ever now is some sort of communist.

Shouldn't that be "terrorist," comrade Vagueski?

I voted "same as it ever was," btw.

JN$OT, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 08:38 (eighteen years ago)

You missed an option, which is the actual answer. Music today is worse than it used to be in the 60s, 70s or 80s, but better than it used to be in the 90s and early 00s.

Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 08:40 (eighteen years ago)

DIE OF BRAINROT YOU FESTERING WANKER

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 09:01 (eighteen years ago)

i'll say the same but possibly better because of the easier access to more music.

co-sign

m coleman, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 11:21 (eighteen years ago)

I think maybe musical talent is more diffuse because of the proliferation of opportunities to be heard without going through what were once the traditional channels.

There's also more competition for attention, which I think means some artists don't have as much time to develop, but it also means you have the chance to hear people you might not have heard before.

Hurting 2, Wednesday, 21 November 2007 18:18 (eighteen years ago)

There is more good music, but there is also vastly more music to sort through these days.

I think the overall level of quality has increased, but I think the value of music has decreased. Music is not as important as it used to be.

OTM

daavid, Thursday, 22 November 2007 01:20 (eighteen years ago)

I think that the perceived slide in value is part of the reason why things like poptimism exists -- it's a bit of a rearguard action, predicated on supporting a now extremely debatable social aspect of communal listening that never really entirely was...

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 22 November 2007 02:13 (eighteen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

ILX System, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:01 (eighteen years ago)

music has always been worse than ever, starting the day the first caveman hit the first rock with the first stick.

fact checking cuz, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:14 (eighteen years ago)

not really, more like starting with the first collectible audio recording of it

El Tomboto, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:20 (eighteen years ago)

we have access to more music than ever = music is better than ever

i.e. nick south4ll otm

Just got offed, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:24 (eighteen years ago)

plus, 2007 has been fucking awesome for music

Just got offed, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:24 (eighteen years ago)

theres always been crappy music about, but there seems to be less of the really great stuff today than ever before. and the shit sounds even worse than before.

titchyschneiderMk2, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:24 (eighteen years ago)

I voted that it's the same. There's more good music overall now, but exponentially less per capita.

One of the main problems is that the apprenticeship/patron system has gone away. We don't have new Renaissance-level painters for the same reason we don't have any new bands on par with The Who, Beatles, or Black Sabbath.

Labels used to take these 18 year old kids and work them and pay them (and rob them) and fly them around the world. You get a lot better when making music is your job than you can when you're forced to squeeze it in between the cracks of holding down a separate job and practicing on the weekends... which is what 99% of bands these days have to do.

Nate Carson, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:25 (eighteen years ago)

I think it's worse than it has ever been since the late 50s, but contemporary music still has that indefinable patina of freshness that makes me much prefer listening to almost-great 2007 songs to listening to great 1997/1987/1977 songs. Curiously enough, the exact opposite is true for films.

Jeb, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:56 (eighteen years ago)

I think it's worse than it has ever been since the late 50s

*dismay*

Just got offed, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 00:58 (eighteen years ago)

"Labels used to take these 18 year old kids and work them and pay them (and rob them) and fly them around the world. You get a lot better when making music is your job than you can when you're forced to squeeze it in between the cracks of holding down a separate job and practicing on the weekends... which is what 99% of bands these days have to do.

-- Nate Carson"

i think that is exactly wrong. most bands don't get better as they go on, they get worse. it is their early records when they made music because they had the drive to do it that were the best. once they got paid for it, the quality almost always went down. this doesnt necessarily apply to jazz musicians, but in the rock world especially you can count the number of bands who get better as they go on quite easily.

pipecock, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 01:12 (eighteen years ago)

pipecock you are a quartermaster of the highest order. mark my words, most bands get better before they get worse.

Just got offed, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 01:15 (eighteen years ago)

most bands with any real musical integrity, that is. bands who continually seek their own betterment. great bands. bands i like.

Just got offed, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 01:21 (eighteen years ago)

i think that is exactly wrong. most bands don't get better as they go on, they get worse. it is their early records when they made music because they had the drive to do it that were the best. once they got paid for it, the quality almost always went down. this doesnt necessarily apply to jazz musicians, but in the rock world especially you can count the number of bands who get better as they go on quite easily.

There's loads of never-bettered debut albums, but this is horseshit. I can think of five acts easily that improved with age, and it's all related to how much more skilled they got at recording and playing.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 01:24 (eighteen years ago)

The point is not how good an artist's 7th album is. The point is that the Beatles and Sabbath were honing their skills in Hamburg for ten hours a day, seven nights a week, on tons of uppers.

Nobody gets to do that sort of apprenticeship anymore.

And both of those bands (arguably with Sabbath, inarguably with the Beatles) got better with age.

Nate Carson, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 01:49 (eighteen years ago)

it was "better" when bands like Sabbath put out albums with six to eight new songs on them. Nobody has 80 minutes in them. Ot at least I don't have the patience for it.

Music was better last Tuesday. It always sucks on Monday. Weird rule.

smurfherder, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 02:10 (eighteen years ago)

the beatles definitely got better with time. radiohead is another one.

maybe it is solo artists who do actually get better, bob marley is one, miles davis and herbie hancock as well, stevie wonder.....

actual "bands" tend to get worse. the recording and skill level doesnt really mean shit to me in terms of the overall quality of the final product. if you release good music it doesnt matter how good the playing or recording are. if you release crap, the same applies.

pipecock, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 02:40 (eighteen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

ILX System, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 00:01 (eighteen years ago)

"actual "bands" tend to get worse. the recording and skill level doesnt really mean shit to me in terms of the overall quality of the final product. if you release good music it doesnt matter how good the playing or recording are. if you release crap, the same applies."

Are you implying that bands get technically better, but their songcraft diminishes?

Obviously most bands don't improve beyond a point. But songwriting does develop/evolve too...

Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 00:42 (eighteen years ago)

"Are you implying that bands get technically better, but their songcraft diminishes?

Obviously most bands don't improve beyond a point. But songwriting does develop/evolve too...

-- Nate Carson"

i feel like maybe when people have too much time to spend on nothing but writing songs (as would happen after a suddenly successful first album after years of toiling in brokeness/obscurity), they tend to overdo it to try to match previous efforts. same with the production values and even their instrumental ability. take Green Day for example, i dont think anyone would dispute that their songs are currently way more complex, well produced, and well played than their Lookout! stuff, but can you really say that the new material is better? i wouldn't. they are an extreme example, but a version of that same kind of trajectory seems to happen to almost everyone.

pipecock, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:36 (eighteen years ago)

I would be curious to know what the people who voted "Better than ever" are listening to.

o. nate, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:38 (eighteen years ago)

pipecock, you are oversimplifying things and making crass generalizations

Bo Jackson Overdrive, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:38 (eighteen years ago)

It probably has been at least five or six years since I thought anything new that came out was fantastically, unabashedly great, up there with my favorite music, etc. That time also coincides with how long I've been out of college though.

Hurting 2, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:43 (eighteen years ago)

"pipecock, you are oversimplifying things and making crass generalizations

-- Bo Jackson Overdrive"

if you say so.

pipecock, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:47 (eighteen years ago)

"It probably has been at least five or six years since I thought anything new that came out was fantastically, unabashedly great, up there with my favorite music, etc. That time also coincides with how long I've been out of college though.

-- Hurting 2"

i had an album like that just last year, J Dilla "Donuts". in terms of singles, one of my favorite house/techno songs of all time came out this year Kevin Reynolds "Anonymous Room.....". it seems like a personal favorite comes out for me every couple years, which is about par for the course. not many tracks from the past reached those heights, either.

pipecock, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:49 (eighteen years ago)

if you say so.

-- pipecock, Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:47 PM (2 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

there are few bands that I listen to in which their debut album is my favorite. There are some, sure, but that's a rarity...most of them have a quality 'arc'. But to posit that the majority of bands steadily get worse as they get older...I just don't get what you're basing that on.

Bo Jackson Overdrive, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:51 (eighteen years ago)

"there are few bands that I listen to in which their debut album is my favorite. There are some, sure, but that's a rarity...most of them have a quality 'arc'. But to posit that the majority of bands steadily get worse as they get older...I just don't get what you're basing that on.

-- Bo Jackson Overdrive"

it doesnt even have to be the very first one, but at least the first two. i can honestly think of so few bands that dont peak in there. its impossible to start namomg them as its literally almost every band i can think of.

pipecock, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 03:56 (eighteen years ago)

Here are some:

Metallica (peaked on Master, imo, their third album)
Slayer (peaked on Reign, imo, their third album)
Pain of Salvation (peaked on A Perfect element, imo, their third album)
Bad Religion (peaked on their third album, No Control, or maybe arguably 4th, Against the Grain)
Immolation (peaked on their 4th, imo, Close to a World Below)
Faith No More (peaked on Angel Dust, which was their 4th I believe)
Iron Maiden (my favorite is Powerslave which was their 5th or 6th I think)
Death (probably Individual Thought Patterns is my favorite. isn't within first two)
Led Zeppelin (I buck trends and pick Houses of the Holy)

I could go on....

Bo Jackson Overdrive, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 04:01 (eighteen years ago)

It seems to me that pipecock is, quite simply, just a little (too?) in thrall with the mythos and romance of the 'indie band', that starts out pure and passionate and slowly gets jaded and cynical. In the case of a lot of (a certain type of) indie bands, this is true. In the case of almost every other kind of musician in existence, it isn't. When I was 18 I thought everyone's debut album was great and everything else tailed off afterwards; at 28 I've got much broader horizons and believe tat to be horseshit.

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 08:59 (eighteen years ago)

"Is today's music better or worse than Ezra?"

That's what I thought the thread title said at first...

Colin_C., Wednesday, 28 November 2007 09:10 (eighteen years ago)

I have a tendency to like first albums a lot too. But it usually has to do with personal taste more than objective quality or craft. A band's "best" record, and my "favorite" is quite often different.

Nate Carson, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 10:38 (eighteen years ago)

NO SUCH THING AS OBJECTIVITY.

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 12:13 (eighteen years ago)

I generally like the first record I hear by a band/artist most, whether that be their first or their tenth.

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 12:14 (eighteen years ago)

I have heard 55 albums (and counting) with a 2007 release date that would have been good enough to make my year-end Top Twenty ten (or even twenty) years ago. That said, I agree with electricsound: "there is more good music but less amazing music".

mike t-diva, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:28 (eighteen years ago)

Is that because, as 'experienced' or 'seasoned' or whatever listeners, we are less prone to being 'amazed' by music now than we were when we were younger?

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:36 (eighteen years ago)

^^this is probably more accurate

Mark Clemente, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:43 (eighteen years ago)

it's like computer games

blueski, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:46 (eighteen years ago)

I'm pretty certain I'm never going to listen to Andorra by Caribou with anywhere near the freakout frequency that I listened to The Stone Roses' debut album a dozen years ago, but I'm also pretty sure that, right now, if I were to play them back-to-back, I might prefer Andorra.

x-post; I never tire of the amazement when I score a great Pro Evo goal.

Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:47 (eighteen years ago)

I never tire of the amazement when I score a great Pro Evo goal.

well i haven't seen you play but i'm sure you're not that bad at it.

blueski, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:48 (eighteen years ago)

xpost re getting older: Partly that, partly the continued absence of a damned good generational paradigm shift, but I'm of a generation that would say that, wouldn't I...

mike t-diva, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 14:50 (eighteen years ago)

Is that because, as 'experienced' or 'seasoned' or whatever listeners, we are less prone to being 'amazed' by music now than we were when we were younger?

i'm sure it's that way for some, but i don't think that's necessarily always the case. although i do think for experienced listeners you do get to a point where you have heard "everything" in one sense or another.

electricsound, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 22:38 (eighteen years ago)

Obviously most bands don't improve beyond a point. But songwriting does develop/evolve too...

My impression is rather the opposite. A band's playing usually gets better and better (the vocals may go the other way after a certain age is reached though). The songs, however, tend to be better early on and then gradually the good song ideas that used to exist in that band's songwriters heads have already been used.

Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 23:04 (eighteen years ago)

"My impression is rather the opposite. A band's playing usually gets better and better (the vocals may go the other way after a certain age is reached though). The songs, however, tend to be better early on and then gradually the good song ideas that used to exist in that band's songwriters heads have already been used.

-- Geir Hongro"

haha, its funny that after people have compared me to you that we actually agree on something!

pipecock, Wednesday, 28 November 2007 23:57 (eighteen years ago)

hey clown, where did you come from?

M@tt He1ges0n, Thursday, 29 November 2007 00:00 (eighteen years ago)

The songs, however, tend to be better early on and then gradually the good song ideas that used to exist in that band's songwriters heads have already been used.

This is the rationale for drilling for song ideas in the Alaskan Wetlands.

John Justen, Thursday, 29 November 2007 00:02 (eighteen years ago)

Exxon Valdez = RHCP

Just got offed, Thursday, 29 November 2007 02:53 (eighteen years ago)

Braer = Dave Matthews Band

Just got offed, Thursday, 29 November 2007 02:53 (eighteen years ago)

Sea Empress = Coldplay

Just got offed, Thursday, 29 November 2007 02:53 (eighteen years ago)

five years pass...

sadly, worse

nostormo, Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:20 (twelve years ago)

sadly

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:21 (twelve years ago)

tragically

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:21 (twelve years ago)

heart-rendingly

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:21 (twelve years ago)

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40762000/jpg/_40762884_beslancrowd_ap203b.jpg

music fans, earlier today

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:22 (twelve years ago)

music is sadder than it used to be

nostormo, Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:22 (twelve years ago)

http://www.guyana.org/features/Funeral-6.jpg

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:23 (twelve years ago)

can't believe music today is worse than it used to be, just when so many young forward-thinking fans were hoping to get into it

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:24 (twelve years ago)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_considered_the_worst

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:30 (twelve years ago)

Hey, Mr DJ put a record on
I wanna dance with my baby

Do you like to Boogie woogie, do you like to Boogie woogie,
do you like to Boogie woogie, do you like my dancing?

Hey Mr. DJ put a record on I wanna dance with my baby
And when the music starts
I never wanna stop, it's gonna drive me crazy

Music, music
Music makes the people come together
Music mix the bourgeoisie and the rebel

Don't think of yesterday and I don't look at the clock
I like to boogie woogie
It's like ridin' on the wind and it never goes away
But she's everything I'm in got to have it everyday

Music makes the people come together
Music mix the bourgeoisie and the rebel

Hey Mr. DJ

Do you like to
Boogie woogie, do you like to
Boogie woogie, do you like to
Boogie woogie, do you like my dancing

Hey Mr. DJ put a record on I wanna dance with my baby
And when the music starts
I never wanna stop, it's gonna drive me crazy

Music makes the people come together
Music mix the bourgeoisie and the rebel

Music makes the people come together
Music mix the bourgeoisie and the rebel

Euler, Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:32 (twelve years ago)

I wouldn't listen and I couldn't see
And all I have left now are words you said to me,
Sing your song sweet music man,
'cos I won't be there to hold your hand like I used to,
I'm thro' with you.

You're a hell of a singer and a powerful man
But you surround yourself
With people who demand so little of you.

You touched my soul with your beautiful song,
You even had me singing along right with you,
You said I need.

Then you changed the words and added harmony
And you sang the song you had written for me
To someone new.

But nobody sings a love song quite like you do
And nobody else could make me sing along
And nobody else could make me feel
That things are right when I know they're wrong
(that things are right when you're wrong with the song)
Nobody sings a love song quite like you.

Sing your song sweet music man
You travel the world with a six piece band
That does for you what you ask 'em to.

And you try to stay young
But the songs you've sung to so many people
They've all begun to come back on you.

So sing your song sweet music man,
You're making your living doing one night stands,
That prove to you they don't need you.

You're still a hell of a singer but a broken man,
But you're keep on looking for one last fan
To sing 'em to.

But nobody sings...
So sing your song sweet music man
I believe in you.

Euler, Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:33 (twelve years ago)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_posters_considered_the_worst

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:34 (twelve years ago)

Everything you do it comes back to you.
Whatever it may be.
If it isn’t one thing rest assured that something.
Will come back and pay you for your deed
A shortcut’s a self defeating means, if you cannot do it clean.
You’ll never reach your reward.
And when the day is done, what you receive is the sum.
Of what you took out, from what you put in.

Times deep in a dream seem a veiled realm.
Shadows what I think and feel is real.
Times in our tribe feel the tribe when we thrive.
We have no fear of death and no fear of life.

I can’t forget you and our version of paradise.
I can’t forget you and our version of paradise.

Everything you do it comes back to you, whatever it may be.
What you did as a devil or did as an angel.
The favor returns itself somehow.
If you take my money I’ll buy you a drink and you’ll see.
That no one rides for free.
Afraid of what I said then your mind is stricken.
I’m wearing my heart sleeveless and I’m always up for kickin’.
This is my favorite city pity everywhere the enemy.

From the beginning serious history
Nothing’s ever given to no one. Rides for free.
From the beginning radiant energy’s
Music what I need to keep my sanity.

I say we fear no evolution stand up musical revolution.
Follow me now when I say we can never stop in we never give.
Cuz this is how we breathe and live.
Some of them whine and some of them bitch.
They cannot do it we never switch.
We do it for ourselves and we do it for you.
If you don’t like it well I hope you do.

I’ve got to be honest.
I’ve got to be honest.

Euler, Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:35 (twelve years ago)

http://dahtrump.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/6037578578_8411c25a9f_z.jpg

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:36 (twelve years ago)

A man looking at some pictures in a famous art gallery commented to a friend: "I don't think much of these pictures." "Excuse me, Sir," said an attendant who overheard him, "the pictures are not on trial."

such a classic irl (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:38 (twelve years ago)

Down in a hole there are so many ways
to find yourself some light
it’s always the miracles
keep waiting all you like
ain’t got no time to waste
I know the end is near
and if I run away
I’ll always end up here.

Walking away
from the things I adore
telling the truth
for once I’m sure
it’s always a sign
when you feel yourself bleed
I’m walking away
from all I need

I can’t escape the tragedy
that always brings me down
if I could eliminate
those things that make me frown
take all the baggage
that follows me around
and just disintegrate
burn it to the ground

I’m walking away!

Euler, Tuesday, 22 October 2013 21:39 (twelve years ago)

one year passes...

Any thoughts on trends since this thread was started? Has the collapse of recorded music revenue affected the output?

Adam J Duncan, Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:08 (ten years ago)

the notion of music today has become muddier

ogmor, Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:10 (ten years ago)

yesterday: worse
today: better
who knows what tomorrow will bring

D-4(y)0 (wins), Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:13 (ten years ago)

Would still trade 60s pop for pop of any era following it.

AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:27 (ten years ago)

DIE OF BRAINROT YOU FESTERING WANKER

― Scik Mouthy, Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:01 AM (7 years ago) `

The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:29 (ten years ago)

noodle vague on typically wonderful form 1y ago

D-4(y)0 (wins), Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:30 (ten years ago)

If it isn't better tomorrow I am going back into my hard bop '58 wormhole or some other such type place, forgive me Saer I am an old bastard.

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:31 (ten years ago)

The same!

timellison, Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:36 (ten years ago)

Whatever music you listen to today is today's music, grasshopper.

Vic Perry, Saturday, 25 July 2015 20:54 (ten years ago)

i'd say it's a lot better

less revivalism, less nostalgic pandering. technology is constantly improving... and pretty soon someone will use these newly afforded tools to make something distinctive of it's era

there's always a way to push forward

hackshaw, Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:01 (ten years ago)

I thought this revive was going to be about this http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b063h4lm

Lauren Laverne hosts an all-star discussion from London's iconic 100 Club, asking if rock 'n' roll is in crisis and what it now means in the 21st century. Can rock 'n' roll still be as dangerous and subversive as the original or has it become more about lifestyle and decoration? Joining Lauren are Savages' lead singer Jehnny Beth, Dr John Cooper Clarke and former Animal Eric Burdon. Featuring original contributions from Noel Gallagher, Dave Grohl, Sleaford Mods and Alabama Shakes. Music from Mercury-winning Young Fathers and Matthew E White.

Cosmic Slop, Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:04 (ten years ago)

Kenickie disbanded on 15 October 1998 after a London Astoria gig, where Lauren closed the night by saying "We were Kenickie ... a bunch of fuckwits".

the day the music died

stoomcursus rockisme (unregistered), Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:08 (ten years ago)

lol

D-4(y)0 (wins), Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:09 (ten years ago)

If it isn't better tomorrow I am going back into my hard bop '58 wormhole or some other such type place, forgive me Saer I am an old bastard.

― sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab),

Emotional wellbeing is increasingly under threat as noise pollution increases with each year, reducing serenity and increasing anxiety. Also now there are more words written and spoken, reaching almost everywhere in a two pronged attack upon reverie

saer, Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:23 (ten years ago)

pipecock you are a quartermaster of the highest order.

― Just got offed, Tuesday, 27 November 2007 01:15 (7 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

hahaha how did you not manage to permaban me

gawker's psychotic monkeys (imago), Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:24 (ten years ago)

Emotional wellbeing is increasingly under threat as noise pollution increases with each year, reducing serenity and increasing anxiety. Also now there are more words written and spoken, reaching almost everywhere in a two pronged attack upon reverie

I wasn't having a go at you Saer, I just meant it in the sense that you are such a modernist type poster. Just ignore me.

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Saturday, 25 July 2015 21:47 (ten years ago)

I wasn't having a go at you Saer,

I didnt think that, dont worry. I wasnt referring to you, I was referring to the horrible records that are made and the words that are written about them, each day this mountain of saturated fats grows, congealing and seeping across the land

saer, Saturday, 25 July 2015 22:08 (ten years ago)

the date written in the middle of the record is considerably less important than the strong likelihood it will take less than 2 seconds it will take to cause serotonin drop

saer, Saturday, 25 July 2015 22:13 (ten years ago)

music in 2015 is fucking amazing, but music in 2014 was AWFUL. until "black messiah" came out, that fixed everything.

saer: you're paraphrasing arthur sullivan's after-dinner toast at little menlo in 1888, aren't you?

rushomancy, Sunday, 26 July 2015 00:16 (ten years ago)

i'd say it's a lot better

less revivalism, less nostalgic pandering.

― hackshaw, Saturday, July 25, 2015 9:01 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

whoa, Whoa, WHOA! Steady away, there! I'd say there's been plenty of revivalism. Haven't we had synthpop and shoegaze revivals recently? It might seem like less people are interesting in sounding like they live in a mid '60s timewarp, but at this stage pretty much everything I'm hearing seems to be derivative of something.

You’re being too simplistic and you’re insulting my poor heart (Turrican), Sunday, 26 July 2015 01:10 (ten years ago)

i mean, yeah, it's still going on. but in comparison to the chillwave era it's like a night and day

basically... there's a bit more hope

i don't know what you mean by a recent shoegaze revival. hasn't that been a go-to from the late 90's onward for people without ideas?

hackshaw, Sunday, 26 July 2015 01:48 (ten years ago)

People who think 00's onward has been better than ever are worse than ever and are a cancer that brings down any dwindling credibility that ILM may of once had

The Once-ler, Sunday, 26 July 2015 01:55 (ten years ago)

And they should be shot but they would probably enjoy that too

The Once-ler, Sunday, 26 July 2015 01:56 (ten years ago)

is that directed at me?

the 00's were complete horseshit. i'm basically trying to say i've heard a few more distinctive things lately than in the past 6 years or so. it doesn't mean it's any better... just that things are improving slightly

hackshaw, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:01 (ten years ago)

No. It's pent up pessimism over the direction music has taken and the people riding along with it. Pretty much everyone

The Once-ler, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:04 (ten years ago)

Gnite!

The Once-ler, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:06 (ten years ago)

Chillax bro

slumpingbag (sleepingbag), Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:07 (ten years ago)

I hear a whole lot of interesting music from this year AND previous years stretching back to the 70s (no further than that in my listening habits, granted) so I suppose music now is as good as it's ever been. At least for me. Never been interested in any canon or such, though.

*permashrug*

meaty, desperate, and honest about the world we live in (ultros ultros-ghali), Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:12 (ten years ago)

people who think other people should be shot should be shot.

rushomancy, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:16 (ten years ago)

People who think 00's onward has been better than ever are worse than ever and are a cancer that brings down any dwindling credibility that ILM may of once had

― The Once-ler, Sunday, July 26, 2015 1:55 AM (29 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Wimmels, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:27 (ten years ago)

there were so many attempts at doing something "new" in the aughts and they all backfired.

like tin whistles, microkorg presets, disgusting sincerity.

be glad your alive now in this fucked up futuristic world

hackshaw, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:34 (ten years ago)

There's tons of good new music being made right now - I hear lots of exciting new jazz, a few impressive metal records every month, the occasional momentarily diverting electronic thing. I think new pop, new rap, the majority of new country, new mainstream radio rock, and most of the new Latin stuff I hear are terrible, of course, but I don't need to pay attention to any of that for money, so I mostly just ignore it. I don't think I've ever heard a whole Taylor Swift song, for example. If enough of a critical mass builds up on Twitter, I'll check out a particular song or video (most recent: "Classic Man," whatever that Fetty Wap song was called) and usually wind up disappointed in both the music and the people I know who like/praise it. So I duck back into my cave.

the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:41 (ten years ago)

re: aughts

the trends that had legs were all cast-offs from the 90's. math-rock, post-rock, emo etc. some of which were improved on... but not by much. even if a lot of things now are nostalgia based at least they're more enjoyable

fast forward to 2009: the "hypnagogic pop" wave of ferraro, pink noodlers was actually kind of unique even if it was made up of pre-existing components. it had an atmosphere to it, i think. but it gave other people bad ideas and eventually lead to the revivalism of pretty much every genre under the sun

and now it seems that we're at a cross roads

hackshaw, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:55 (ten years ago)

I'm going to out on a limb here and say 4 piece guitar indie rock - worse now

Master of Treacle, Sunday, 26 July 2015 02:58 (ten years ago)

May HAVE not may OF you festering wanker.

Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Sunday, 26 July 2015 03:48 (ten years ago)

How would a grammar nazi react to someone speaking ebonics on the internet?

The Once-ler, Monday, 27 July 2015 04:48 (ten years ago)

How would a grammar nazi react to someone speaking ebonics on the internet?

― The Once-ler

The correct grammar of ebonics is not supervised by grammar nazis, but by grammar panthers.

✖✖✖ (Moka), Monday, 27 July 2015 07:20 (ten years ago)

Don't look at me like that. It's an actual thing:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Grammar+Panther

✖✖✖ (Moka), Monday, 27 July 2015 07:37 (ten years ago)

re: aughts

the trends that had legs were all cast-offs from the 90's. math-rock, post-rock, emo etc. some of which were improved on... but not by much. even if a lot of things now are nostalgia based at least they're more enjoyable

fast forward to 2009: the "hypnagogic pop" wave of ferraro, pink noodlers was actually kind of unique even if it was made up of pre-existing components. it had an atmosphere to it, i think. but it gave other people bad ideas and eventually lead to the revivalism of pretty much every genre under the sun

and now it seems that we're at a cross roads

― hackshaw, Sunday, July 26, 2015 2:55 AM (Yesterday)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ycEqFSMML._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Matt DC, Monday, 27 July 2015 08:30 (ten years ago)

don't look at me... this thread is cobblers through and through.

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Monday, 27 July 2015 10:03 (ten years ago)

maybe it used to be better though...

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Monday, 27 July 2015 10:05 (ten years ago)

very happy about the existence of that book/jpeg

ogmor, Monday, 27 July 2015 10:12 (ten years ago)

it's definitely better or worse than ever

doing my Objectives, handling some intense stuff (LocalGarda), Monday, 27 July 2015 10:40 (ten years ago)

Music is as music as ever, you festering wankers.

Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 27 July 2015 10:41 (ten years ago)

i found an old mixtape i made myself from back in 2009. didn't know what half the things were, but all i can say is 2009 was a strange old time in my listening career.

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Monday, 27 July 2015 10:43 (ten years ago)

serves you right for making it based on the ILM EOY poll

Cosmic Slop, Monday, 27 July 2015 12:54 (ten years ago)

bad posts itt

regret it? nope. reddit? yep. (Noodle Vague), Monday, 27 July 2015 12:55 (ten years ago)

I'm just really baffled by Hacksaw's notion that we're in an era of LESS revivalism and LESS nostalgic pandering.
Have you even heard the new Black Eyed Peas single?

MarkoP, Monday, 27 July 2015 13:07 (ten years ago)

xxp '09 was when I started writing about music properly, so maybe a lot of it was made up of shite sent to me by PR companies.

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Monday, 27 July 2015 13:24 (ten years ago)

bad posts itt

― regret it? nope. reddit? yep. (Noodle Vague), Monday, July 27, 2015 8:55 AM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

otm, love this move btw

marcos, Monday, 27 July 2015 14:34 (ten years ago)

all praise to D-40, come back soon brah

regret it? nope. reddit? yep. (Noodle Vague), Monday, 27 July 2015 14:48 (ten years ago)

i'll admit my post was skewering exclusively towards indie related things

just a drunk observation on blog related buzz bands from then vs now

*bows out gracefully*

hackshaw, Monday, 27 July 2015 22:08 (ten years ago)

what are the new developments in progressive metal lately

hackshaw, Monday, 27 July 2015 22:10 (ten years ago)

Haven't you heard? They've introduced more modes and odd time signatures. Ornette Coleman Atlantic sessions were 55 years ago... imagine how much progress one can make over half a century on his work, and that's what you get in progressive metal. Hence the genre name: it's above the heads of you dimwitted non-believers. Has to be spelled out for you.

Adam J Duncan, Tuesday, 28 July 2015 01:56 (ten years ago)

In other words it still all sounds like dream theater shite

Cosmic Slop, Tuesday, 28 July 2015 12:48 (ten years ago)

unless you like djent

Cosmic Slop, Tuesday, 28 July 2015 12:48 (ten years ago)

How is this thread getting even worse? How is that even possible?

meaty, desperate, and honest about the world we live in (ultros ultros-ghali), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 13:12 (ten years ago)

Is This Thread Today Better or Worse Than Ever?

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 13:43 (ten years ago)

prog metal chat can outshite any thread

Cosmic Slop, Tuesday, 28 July 2015 13:45 (ten years ago)

today i am listening to the necks (aether) so i am in a music space beyond comparison

reggie (qualmsley), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:03 (ten years ago)

the necks are so great, they never better nor worse just consistently beyond comparison.

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:18 (ten years ago)

where's a good place to start with them?

(don't say the jugular)

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:21 (ten years ago)

Drive By, Hanging Garden, Drum Bass Guitars, Sex jeez any of them, they are all great.

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:23 (ten years ago)

sorry that should read Drum, Bass, Piano

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:23 (ten years ago)

or even Piano Bass Drums!

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:25 (ten years ago)

Drive By, Open, Aether, Chemist and Hanging Gardens will appeal to you most I think.

Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:28 (ten years ago)

Chemist is underrated cos it's 3 20-minute tracks, but it's awesome.

Had a banging headache last night so lay down and listened to Aether very quietly.

Hey Bob (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:28 (ten years ago)

cheers, i've never heard em

(no offence to people) (dog latin), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:42 (ten years ago)

It seems quite amusing that the 20 minute mark of the tracks on Chemist is relatively their collection of short tunes, but that is what they do.

sorry, no results found for "Sekal Has To Die" (xelab), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 14:51 (ten years ago)

I love sides A (Athenaeum) and C (Quay) of the Athenaeum, Homebush, Quay & Raab live set more than any of their studio works.

Pauper Management Improved (Sanpaku), Tuesday, 28 July 2015 22:36 (ten years ago)


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