Quote:
Originally Posted by Conan
(Post 1018368)
Why is it such a crime? Punk and "pop" aren't really that dissimilar.
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Well, the big problem is both terms really don't have a world of meaning. Pop used to mean what's popular, but now it essentially is a fancy term for minimalist image based rock(which punk is a form of).
Punk used to simply be a derogatory term that music critics labeled onto indy artists. All it originally meant as artists who were performing a style outside the realm of what the record labels wanted, and recording/distributing it themselves. It wasn't really until it became a British Fashion trend that it had the connotations it later represented.
By SHEER technicality if you utilize the coining of the two phrases in their original sense they are literally opposite. However, if you look into genre classification categorizes they are similar in a lot of ways:
A) both focus on simplistic melodies. Favoring impulsive melodies over methodical. Feeling over thought. Both try to aim for textural aesthetic rather than songs being a full presentation of virtuoso skill(with the exception of vocals in pop. Obviously, Mariah Carey is trying to showcase singing skill).
B) both are very image centric, and try to connect the performer with the music. The message is supposed to be raw, and reactionary from the performer. Albeit, pop tends to aim for more pleasent people pleasing themes, and punk is the opposite. The way these themes are presented is very similar, if not the same. (Dress a certain way, act a certain way, talk a certain way, gear lyrics to fit within the theme).
C) Continuing on the last point, both make the point of trying to connect with the listener by duplicating, and exaggerating traits in which they feel the lister is, or wants to achieve.
In essence, they are really derived from the same mindset. Just, from different people, and with different instrumentation.
Then again, if you ask me, post Sex Pistols punk was more a mod trend than an actual form of punk. As, a lot of underground punk continued to try to fit the mindset of minimalistic anti-cliquish mindset. Then again, punk is an extremely difficult genre to pinpoint.
