Hatin on the mainsteam (rock, beatles, Radiohead, Micheal Jackson, classic)

jackhammer · 12-08-2008, 12:17 PM

I don't think it is neccessarily a case of not liking the mainstream but the usual point of forums such as this to discuss and share those artists that are not being discussed in the mainstream for what ever reason.

Radio stations in the main play to a strict routine (unless it's a specialist show) and music stations will play popular music that is endorsed by the major labels. Hence most of us don't want to talk about them because we can see and hear them daily.

To some this may come across as anti mainstream but it's just the fact that those sort of artists are so well known. Conversely we have many topics on many mainstream bands and frequently discuss them.

I personally listen to the music and make a decision soley on that, so some music I listen to is mainstream and some is not.

**Janszoon** · 12-08-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I don't think it is neccessarily a case of not liking the mainstream but the usual point of forums such as this to discuss and share those artists that are not being discussed in the mainstream for what ever reason.

Radio stations in the main play to a strict routine (unless it's a specialist show) and music stations will play popular music that is endorsed by the major labels. Hence most of us don't want to talk about them because we can see and hear them daily.

To some this may come across as anti mainstream but it's just the fact that those sort of artists are so well known. Conversely we have many topics on many mainstream bands and frequently discuss them.

I personally listen to the music and make a decision soley on that, so some music I listen to is mainstream and some is not.

Definitely. For me, a huge component of talking to people about music is hearing about stuff that's new to me. I have nothing against, say, Tom Petty—in fact I like a lot of his music and own a couple of his albums—but how much more is there really to say about him? Not saying it's impossible to have an interesting conversation about the guy but he's such a known quantity that it's pretty hard for anyone to bring anything interesting about him to the table.

Also, popular music is a very, very small percentage of the total amount of music in the world. So for people like most of the posters on a board like this who spend a lot of time listening to all kinds of different stuff, it's pretty much inevitable that they'll wind up liking a lot of non-mainstream music.

bran182 · 12-08-2008, 12:39 PM

I think what most people are hating on is music that is designed as a product, not written as art. All music like this is, by default, mainstream as small indie bands don't make products, they make music.

Son of JayJamJah · 12-08-2008, 09:01 PM

I will say that I would like more mainstream discussion here that is not fanboyish or as obtuse as saying "it sucks"

Minstrel · 12-08-2008, 11:56 PM

One point that I didn't see made yet is simply one of exposure. I'm not convinced that mainstream music is better or worse than non-mainstream music. I like a good deal of both. But mainstream music is sure played a lot more on the common distribution channels (TV, radio, movies), so one often gets exposed to that pool of music much more, to the point that many would deem overexposure.

If I heard Vampire Weekend, Tough Alliance or Panda Bear in every advertisement, on most department store/mall speakers and in the soundtrack of lots of movies, I'd probably look for alternatives.

Son of JayJamJah · 12-08-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minstrel

One point that I didn't see made yet is simply one of exposure. I'm not convinced that mainstream music is better or worse than non-mainstream music. I like a good deal of both. But mainstream music is sure played a lot more on the common distribution channels (TV, radio, movies), so one often gets exposed to that pool of music much more, to the point that many would deem overexposure.

If I heard Elliot Smith or Panda Bear in every advertisement, on most department store/mall speakers and in the soundtrack of lots of movies, I'd probably look for alternatives.

Huuuhhhggggg hmmm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

People don't seek out music they don't like. So obviously the stuff people dislike is usually the mainstream stuff, how else would they be exposed to it...?

Minstrel · 12-09-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

Huuuhhhggggg hmmm.

I don't see that as exactly the same point. I interpreted your comment as "people never even hear non-mainstream stuff they don't like, so how can they dislike it?"

My point was that people are often bombarded by mainstream music, and the overexposure can turn people off it, regardless of its relative merit.

Your point makes some sense, but I don't entirely agree with it. I've often listened to non-mainstream stuff that I had no idea if I'd like, and found I didn't like it.

Son of JayJamJah · 12-09-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minstrel

I don't see that as exactly the same point. I interpreted your comment as "people never even hear non-mainstream stuff they don't like, so how can they dislike it?"

My point was that people are often bombarded by mainstream music, and the overexposure can turn people off it, regardless of its relative merit.

Your point makes some sense, but I don't entirely agree with it. I've often listened to non-mainstream stuff that I had no idea if I'd like, and found I didn't like it.

We are on the same page...I said "most people" and "Usually don't" and I stand by that. People hear are more the exceptions, not the rule.

GuitarBizarre · 12-09-2008, 12:56 AM

Mainstream music:

This **** is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
GRAB HIS **** ITS YOURS, BITCH!
SOULJA BOY LET IT OHHH!! SUPERMAN DAT HOOO!!!
IF I WAS A BOY [insert derogatory comment towards those with a Y chromosome here, but its ok because you're a 'diva' and you 'represent yo sistaz']

mr dave · 12-09-2008, 01:57 AM

mainstream music is like fast food. every now and again a mcburger is pretty tasty, but i would never want to live solely on fast food, and i doubt anyone else would either.

but yeah it stands to reason that a general food forum would discuss more than burger joints why would a general music forum be different?

12-08-2008, 12:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I don't think it is neccessarily a case of not liking the mainstream but the usual point of forums such as this to discuss and share those artists that are not being discussed in the mainstream for what ever reason. Radio stations in the main play to a strict routine (unless it's a specialist show) and music stations will play popular music that is endorsed by the major labels. Hence most of us don't want to talk about them because we can see and hear them daily. To some this may come across as anti mainstream but it's just the fact that those sort of artists are so well known. Conversely we have many topics on many mainstream bands and frequently discuss them. I personally listen to the music and make a decision soley on that, so some music I listen to is mainstream and some is not. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

12-08-2008, 11:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Minstrel Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 436	One point that I didn't see made yet is simply one of exposure. I'm not convinced that mainstream music is better or worse than non-mainstream music. I like a good deal of both. But mainstream music is sure played a lot more on the common distribution channels (TV, radio, movies), so one often gets exposed to that pool of music much more, to the point that many would deem overexposure. If I heard Vampire Weekend, Tough Alliance or Panda Bear in every advertisement, on most department store/mall speakers and in the soundtrack of lots of movies, I'd probably look for alternatives. __________________ "Blow your tuneless trumpet, the choice is yours / We don't want the glamour, the pomp and the drums / The Dublin messiah scattering crumbs"

12-08-2008, 12:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
bran182 Groupie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	I think what most people are hating on is music that is designed as a product, not written as art. All music like this is, by default, mainstream as small indie bands don't make products, they make music.