I must say that this has been a really dead year for music.

August through December is a super busy time for music releases and especially touring. We really don't have much to go on though now do we?

The past seven or eight years in music has been really bad in my opinion. 

Consider this, the two albums everyone was looking forward to was by old bands that have already been around for some time. Those two bands are Metallica and AC/DC. The biggest releases this year was from older groups. We have Metallica's, Death Magnettic and AC/DC's Black Ice.

Both were more over pretty "good" albums, but nothing real outstanding. Those are the two highlights of 2008's music bang... wow...

That is pretty bad. Nothing that was new came out that was exciting... nothing really. It is more testament that undoubtedly this decade is by far and away the worst for quality musical output concerning the past five decades.

I know there is some pretty decent stuff out there that is most likely 90% of the time not found anywhere on the radio. I know this and still only good stuff comes up here and there ( and sure some of it is better than either Death Magnetic ..or... Black Ice) but really, it just doesn't grab you and hold you (nor does Black Ice or Death Magnetic in the long haul) as some of the groups in the past did or as the newer or latest music in previous decades could. What's out there that is of any quality doesn't totally stick to your ribs 95% of the time.

It is sort of like you hear it and say to yourself "yeah, not too bad!", but then two weeks later you say to yourself "you know, it is alright but that wasn't as good as I initially thought, ... cool enough but what eles is out there?". 

Even pop radio, which can be crappy at times anyway is at an all time low. I mean what am I supposed to like that is on the radio anymore....Maroon 5 and Blink 182?? Ok... maybe I will put on a hip-hop station for a change up and listen to the latest hip-hop rave, oh then you hear it and it's just Lil Wayne ...I mean not to sound completely corny but I suppose you got to say "big whoop" lol and eventually change the station after a while only to continuously be un-enthused and unimpressed with what presents itself.   

Anyone see my point?


Ian

I think you have a point Ian.... I agree with your basic argument but still disagree with your assessment of Black Ice.

There is so MUCH music being produced now, with lots of home digital studios and the like. So much that is probably very good may never surface. Music that is released online but never breaks through. It is almost counterintuitive in a way to think that with more music being produced and released than ever before there is even less that is in any way memorable.

I kind of think it is so hard to cut through all the noise with anything worthwhile..... is anyone really listening and does anyone really care? ..... this is what I feel sometimes.

And in some ways getting stuff recorded and released has become TOO easy. One of the downsides of digital recording technology is that a lot of no talents have made it.... people who can't sing without an autotune.... can't really play but have someone to program it all for them. I believe this is also part of the problem.... so much more shit than ever before is being produced.

Things change, times change, fashions and tastes change, the criteria for what is considered entertaining can change....... It is a long time ago now since Beggars Banquet..... 40 years. In just another 10 years it will be 50 years.... the numbers are starting to get very big..... not all the Stones and former Stones may necessarily still even be alive in 10 years.......

Time waits for noone.......

stones67 wrote on Oct 29^th, 2008 at 1:23am:

______________________

Sure music does change ..so do tastes and times and everything eles. I understand all that. 60's, 70's, 80's 90's ...were different from each other but each decade had great stuff (even the 80's had some stuff). I just don't know why this change, in this decade has been so lousy and/or unproductive as far as quality.

(yes, the digital recording age has had some impact but I am not going to say it is to blame).


Ian

I'm considering splurging on Kings of Leon's current cd. rave reviews have pricked my interest and it's selling like hot cakes here.

Ian Billen wrote on Oct 29^th, 2008 at 12:26am:


i disagree.

Brilliant new albums from Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, TV On The Radio, Bon Iver, Aimee Mann and The Raconteurs

and as for re-issues, look no further than Dylan's Tell Tale Signs, or Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue.

Pdog wrote on Oct 29^th, 2008 at 9:04am:


It almost died the year the damn Beegees were making that disco crap.........God we were close

I have no problem finding good music out there.  Oh I enjoy the old standbys (they have most of the space in my iPod), but I enjoy listening to new groups and I appreciate what they are trying to do with rock and roll.

Will they have longevity? -probably not, as it is impossible in these days for musicians to make money in this field.

I encourage everyone to step out of their "comfort zone" and sample some of the music that is out there!

" Anyone see my point? "


www.EaglesBand.com


www.QWESTCENTER.com




!!!!

metallica can fall off the face of the earth as far as i'm concerned....i hate that band.  i am not particularly crazy about ac/dc, but they are fun once in awhile.  bring on the new gunners cd and we can all rock again.  i think the new single is great.  hearing axel's voice again makes me want to watch the terminator movies

Gazza Wrote:

"everyone?

very limited musical sphere, Ian.

Personally, I couldnt tell you the name of a single song in Metallica's entire catalogue."

_______________________________________

Well. You know...what I'm saying is Metallica, AC/DC, amd Lil Waynes newest releases were easily the most anticipated albums of the year. The shear volume in which these releases sold in their first week, as well, all of them entering at number 1 all over the place speaks for itself.  In addition, these albums received the most press before they came out and after by far and away. You never heard much mention of other rock acts and what they were coming out with or doing. So not "everyone" as in you, I, pdog and our friends at the board but "everyone" as in the masses of people (and the press) were anticipating these more than the others is what I meant...

And what I believe is that this is sort of lame, in that in this day and age, not even "some what newer" rock bands receive that kind of anticipation from the masses (I think most of it is because the way they just come and go today and as well are not puttiing out anything that great anyway so they never get the mass appeal). If this were 94, 84, or 74 their were a good 10-12 rock bands in which a good eight or 9 were newer and were releasing really good, well received, and much anticpipated material.

Now we have a couple older acts and thats it. That is it as far as the rock scene is concerned. I think it's sort of pathetic to be honest.


By the way, are you serious in saying you can not name a single Metallica song? or is this sarcasm? Still not sure


and as far as newer bands are concerned, I dont think the music scene in the UK has been as healthy for some time.  Maybe you should emigrate.  [/quote]
_________________________________________

I have nothing against the UK. Heck, much of my favorite music/artists originated there. I think the music that originates in the UK is interesting today, and yesteryear it was superb.


Ian

Ian Billen wrote on Oct 30^th, 2008 at 9:41pm:



Like Ade, I've never heard of Lil Wayne either. I've heard of Lil Kim, though! So, I seriously doubt he was topping the charts 'all over the place'. Seems to be unknown over here.

Albums entering the charts at #1 isnt exactly unheard of. Over here anyway, it's extremely common.

You could just as easily say that albums by Hannah Montana and Jay-Z are 'hugely anticipated' - it's just that maybe they don't fit into your own musical horizon.

And yep, I'm totally serious about Metallica. I have zero interest in that type of music and find it utterly unlistenable, so its extremely easy to avoid.

(edit - had to wiki Lil Wayne and find out about his latest album. I'd honestly never heard of him. His album just cracked the top 30 in the UK, seems to be a much bigger deal in North America - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tha_Carter_III#Chart_performance )

The Lil' Wayne album sold a million copies in its first week here in the States.

He was also sued for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBb377OiXko

Gazza Wrote:

Like Ade, I've never heard of Lil Wayne either. I've heard of Lil Kim, though! So, I seriously doubt he was topping the charts 'all over the place'. Seems to be unknown over here:
_____________________________________________


Well AC/DC and Metallica topped the charts all over. In several countries. As far as Lil Wayne goes Lil Wayne sold over a million copies in the very first week over here! Name another artist that sold that much within the states in the very first week this year. That alone speaks for itself. I know he is not popular all over and I realize this. However his album was much anticipated in the states. Numbers don't lie. AC/DC and Metallica sold like mad globally.

* Ah-ha, I knew the day would come. Finally, now I get to share some artist info with you Gazza  . Gazza, introducing Lil Wayne. This years biggest rapper.
(I know you could care less... believe me I am not huge rap fan either. Sure I'll listen to almost anything if it is done well, but no I am no big Lil Wayne fan).

Albums entering the charts at #1 isnt exactly unheard of. Over here anyway, it's extremely common.

__________________________________

Yes I know that ..  Still ...where did The Rolling Stones album place it's first week? Are they not probably the most successful global touring act on the planet. Ok so they tour and are not big on the charts as they used to be. Still are they not known in more countries than most any other current band? Again numbers don't lie.

You could just as easily say that albums by Hannah Montana and Jay-Z are 'hugely anticipated' - it's just that maybe they don't fit into your own musical horizon.

__________________________________

Right. They are. That is the sad part, and that is my very point Gazza. Numbers don't lie. If it were 94, 84, 74, or even 64 we would have a solid list of artists that sold well in the first week.

Now we have Jay Z, Hanna Montana, and Lil Wayne, or maybe Cold Play. The only folks to come close to any such impact were two old acts: AC/DC and Metallica. There are no newer bands that shape any real impact is what I'm saying. Why? Well I think the market has changed drastically. Secondly, and importantly I think the quality is not there like in 64, 74, and 94. Heck even 84 had Van Halen and a slew of other hair bands (as cheesey as they were) but now we have Jay Z or Cold Play that people are excited about most (again in terms of the masses) ...that isn't saying much now is it. That was my point in the beginning.

And yep, I'm totally serious about Metallica. I have zero interest in that type of music and find it utterly unlistenable, so its extremely easy to avoid.
_______________________________________

I am not a huge fan of that type of music 110% either. I did review the new Metallica because it was news and yes, after St. Anger, I was certainly interested. Some stuff is fairly decent as far as compared to others of that style but only compared to the others of that style. Faster, harder and the louder you scream does not mean better. (and I know, at what point is this music just aimless noise more than music. Basically 95% of the time).

Ian