Why does mainstream music appeal?

djchameleon · 10-17-2013, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtalk92

An an artist doesnt necessarily have to write all their music or be involved in everything but it just seems like there is no "sincerity" behind the music anymore now.

this boils down to your prejudice against the new material being produced and is subjective and similar to a taste issue.

I don't agree with your sentiment at all.

polybius81 · 10-18-2013, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninetales

It's weird to me that people think that the audience that Katy Perry is geared towards is brainwashed to the point that replacing her with Iron Maiden would be an unnoticeable change. It's a niche market for bubbly catchy dance music. How would Iron Maiden be marketed correctly to fit into that niche?

It shouldnt be hard to see why that wouldnt work.

Eh, you mean after listening to these bands for 10 years, the audience will grow into metal, no way, they will probably get into this new futuristic musical instruments, wearing cybernetic everywhere and looking futuristic, I have been to Cyberdog in camden, is this the future of music?, also, in the future we will have a new version of the electric harpsichord, one that plays like an electric guitar, then anyone can be a metal guitarist!!!

ladyislingering · 10-18-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtalk92

I am not latching on to a generation that isnt my own or claiming to know everything from that particular generation. Regardless of how much old school music I listen to, I am still apart of this generation but alot of my musical taste comes from the music my parents exposed me to growing up which was predominately 60s, 70s and some 80s music.

In saying that, doesnt mean I am trying to claim I know everything from those eras but yes I do feel connected to them because it was a big portion of my childhood and I still admire and listen to those artists today.

You literally just explained my entire life, except my sentiments toward my decade(s) of choice often leave me feeling empty, disappointed, and downright sad about my own existence. I'm far too disconnected from the time period I actually live in because I've spent most of my life attempting to live in another.

Anyway, for the topic at hand, I just think that a lot of people tend to gravitate toward mainstream music because it's accessible, it's everywhere, it's unavoidable if you don't have the desire to hunt for anything else in this world. It's music without responsibility. It's also a learned habit. I don't really care for it myself, not because it's new, but because it's bland. There's bland crap from every decade but I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between any of this teenypop garbage on the radio.

I just know that some of it plays at every job I've ever had, and it all sounds the same. There'd be days when I'd be listening to Genesis or some other proggy goodness (I went through a Pink Floyd phase not long ago) on my way to work, then I'd walk in and instantly feel the wrath of homogenized, uninteresting, tasteless pop music. It's just a huge bummer. But to some people that's not the case, because they're used to the same formula, over and over again.

Doza · 10-19-2013, 04:26 AM

There always was mainstream music, the things most people call old school now was mainstream in their Era, everything that got major exposure was once mainstream.. So it's normal for mainstream music to appeal, it's what is trendy during that Era and everything has it's own goods and bads.. Time just changed, and we reached a time where producers and computers do a lot more (which is still some pretty hard work that requires patience) and we lost the "artists" that actually did alot themselves. Ofcourse, money is also to blame for this and the business. But who knows, maybe in 20 years time we'll be listening to a new trend that we do like. But to argue about this is stupid, cause every generation will call the new one mainstream and think that their generation is "underground" all of a sudden.. When the truth is, 20 years ago they were being called mainstream by those that were young 50 years ago, and that's when they still liked their mainstream music.

So the point is, unless you only like a band from your hometown that no one knows about. You still like mainstream music. All of you, all of us. Correct me if i'm wrong though..

Surell · 10-19-2013, 04:30 AM

No doubt he was a truly great musician, I'm just pointing out that the manufacturing nature of music in pop didn't just spring up. And though Motown did produce some really great material, they did eventually fall off, and I'm sure everything wasn't a homerun.

Also, to use the Marvin analogy one more time (I'm really wanting to get it in while I can), he even said he really didn't dig a lot of his earlier stuff; he even said "Heard It Through the Grape Vine" was pushed through when he didn't want to do it. I suppose it produced a classic, but the artist didn't have any genuine interest in the song when it was made.

S-Power · 10-19-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polybius81

Why are crappy artists like Katy Perry, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Kesha and all that getting so much attention? it's as if Old People like em, and i know the Preteenage girls, not all mainstreamers are bad, Skrillex Dizzy Rascal, Will.i.am are all actually very good artists. i just wish that metal became mainstream again, but old farts hate it and the pre teenage girls think their ugly. the only reason why girls like this music is because they think they're cute, and have no comment on the quality of music whatsoever, Simon Cowell's Groups aren't even talented!!! so why do people like it?

Because of Payola and big music companies shoving money down the throats of radio stations to ensure that they get played.

Chonzys · 10-19-2013, 10:15 AM

Mantra gone mad

~~Soulflower~~ · 10-19-2013, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

this boils down to your prejudice against the new material being produced and is subjective and similar to a taste issue.

I don't agree with your sentiment at all.

If you're arguing that music taste is subjective, (which I agree), why are you saying my opinion is prejudice?

I listen to chart music....(so I dont have a prejudice attitude about it) but I be damn if I sit here and say that ALL of it is creative lol

~~Soulflower~~ · 10-19-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyislingering

You literally just explained my entire life, except my sentiments toward my decade(s) of choice often leave me feeling empty, disappointed, and downright sad about my own existence. I'm far too disconnected from the time period I actually live in because I've spent most of my life attempting to live in another.

Anyway, for the topic at hand, I just think that a lot of people tend to gravitate toward mainstream music because it's accessible, it's everywhere, it's unavoidable if you don't have the desire to hunt for anything else in this world. It's music without responsibility. It's also a learned habit. I don't really care for it myself, not because it's new, but because it's bland. There's bland crap from every decade but I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between any of this teenypop garbage on the radio.

I just know that some of it plays at every job I've ever had, and it all sounds the same. There'd be days when I'd be listening to Genesis or some other proggy goodness (I went through a Pink Floyd phase not long ago) on my way to work, then I'd walk in and instantly feel the wrath of homogenized, uninteresting, tasteless pop music. It's just a huge bummer. But to some people that's not the case, because they're used to the same formula, over and over again.

Very well said.

I just miss the 70s and 80's ya know? All the MAINSTREAM 80's music was funky, fresh, eclectic, creative, artistic and guess what? You could still shake your ass on the dance floor to it. I just miss that type of music.

~~Soulflower~~ · 10-19-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surell

No doubt he was a truly great musician, I'm just pointing out that the manufacturing nature of music in pop didn't just spring up. And though Motown did produce some really great material, they did eventually fall off, and I'm sure everything wasn't a homerun.

Also, to use the Marvin analogy one more time (I'm really wanting to get it in while I can), he even said he really didn't dig a lot of his earlier stuff; he even said "Heard It Through the Grape Vine" was pushed through when he didn't want to do it. I suppose it produced a classic, but the artist didn't have any genuine interest in the song when it was made.

Good post.

You're right Marvin didnt like his early Motown records because he felt they were to "pop" although objectively they are great pop classics. Marvin had to fight Motown creatively because he wanted to be his "own" artist.

And you're right popular music has pretty music always had the same formula. It has always been meant to be easily accessible and catchy but in the past the popular songs were of better "quality" than what it is today.

I think "Heard It Through the Grapevine" is one of the best songs ever. I rather listen to that song 500 times than listen to the mess we have out now.

Are you a huge Marvin Gaye fan? I notice you have him as your avatar as well lol. He is in my top 3 for sure for favorites.

10-19-2013, 10:15 AM	#57 (permalink)
Chonzys Groupie Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1	Great deal Mantra gone mad

10-19-2013, 04:26 AM	#54 (permalink)
Doza Groupie Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Belgium Posts: 1	There always was mainstream music, the things most people call old school now was mainstream in their Era, everything that got major exposure was once mainstream.. So it's normal for mainstream music to appeal, it's what is trendy during that Era and everything has it's own goods and bads.. Time just changed, and we reached a time where producers and computers do a lot more (which is still some pretty hard work that requires patience) and we lost the "artists" that actually did alot themselves. Ofcourse, money is also to blame for this and the business. But who knows, maybe in 20 years time we'll be listening to a new trend that we do like. But to argue about this is stupid, cause every generation will call the new one mainstream and think that their generation is "underground" all of a sudden.. When the truth is, 20 years ago they were being called mainstream by those that were young 50 years ago, and that's when they still liked their mainstream music. So the point is, unless you only like a band from your hometown that no one knows about. You still like mainstream music. All of you, all of us. Correct me if i'm wrong though..