So I descovered somthing around 2:45am and now understand why I don't like so much music...
There are three things that decide if music will have an impact on it's audiance...
1) Beat
2) Instrumental Work
3) Vocal Work (Including Lyrics)
If you don't want to read my 3am rant jump down to the last section for my Quest. :)
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In much "popular" music (I put this in quotes for the same reason as I would for "popular" people in high school), for the most part has one of these three very well devoloped, another is sufficently devoloped, and a third is neglected or omitted.
Apparently the American radio listening public would die if a song didn't have a diecent beat, and this is almost always obvious and catchy. But the use of Instruments and voice?? I don't even understand how these people get people to buy their CD's (damn you Clear Channel).
I'm VERY tired of background static in the form of guitars. Nickleback for example has the obligatory beat, and even halfway diecent lyrics, but by 20 seconds into a given song they're just making noise with their instruments. Granted it's in harmony and all that jazz, but it donsn't add to the feeling of the song. It's just fluff. They get by because their lyrics are easy to relate to for many people Although I don't personally know anyone who dropped out of high school, got sent to jail, and is hanginng around lookinng at pictures reminisinng about wanting to go back to high school, but
I ain't never seen no queen in her damned undies, so the feller says. Too many bands are just making noise covering up otherwise beautiful works.
Don't get me wrong you can have mad crazy guitars in a song but have it work BEAUTIFULLY but you have to put more effort in. Guns 'n Roses, Sweet Child Of Mine. It has TONS of guitar work but it emphsizes every point of the song, not to mention they can play like nobody's bussiness. There is no buzzing guitar harmony through a needlessly repeated chorus.
But in most cases it simply helps to have less instruments and where possible unplug the damn things. Counting Crows, Colorblind. Arguably one of their best tracks, just a guy and a piano. Dave Matthews Band, Crash. Pleanty of guitar but it dosn't overwhelm the listener.
I'm not even going to start on pointless lyrics. There's pleanty, ranging from oldschool pop bands, to modern coperate crap comming out of places like American Idol.
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My Quest...
I'm atempting to fill my iRiver (iPod wannabe) with music that is....
1) Good quality of music... Not nessicarlly amazing but no poor beat, insturmentals, or vocals.
2) MELLO - Queen may rock the universe but it dosn't make the cut.
That's about it. I'm just trying to get it filled up right now, then I'll nitpick those that I've chosen.
So what can you do to help?? Suggest bands or tracks!! I'll check them out and post a Drew review!
Wow it's time for bed now.