Originally Posted by Screen13

In a way, and I know that this is going to sound very stereotypical, but Disco did encourage homosexuals to step out, especially in the US where there was still a lot of resistance and not so well known rules which targeted the gay lifestyle ("Sodomy Law"). The Rockist music listeners made their disgust very clear by the end of the decade and not just with the infamous record blowup sparked by a DJ who was out of a job once his station decided to switch to a Disco/Dance format - you can also catty that to a lot of the US' response to New Pop/New Wave in the Early 80's. True, there were a lot of gimmicks, drugs, fast living, Disco Ducks, Boogie Nights, and such, but there was a lot of codes in the music which subverted if you were listening, although of course there were a few bold songs and - you might say that nothing was hidden when you hear Sylvester sing "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" once you knew what he was about and how that song may have reflected a liberation in some listeners. For all human sexuality that accepted if one was straight/gay/bi, it was a time that did have some serious messages although sadly covered in a lot of glitter and fun, but as the song said "Love Is the Message", and in a time after Nixon almost had a nation under pre-80's Religious Right oppression, that was all one needed to hear to feel at least liberated.

In this light, I have the feeling that this is where I'm getting at...

Sometimes, especially after eras of Republican Presidency, the messages turn to personal matters possibly to re-assure those on the outside that they have a vital part in living while there's still a lot of resistance. Sadly, many of these messages can be very campy although maybe that's the way to attract them. In one's list of modern examples I see a lot of self-assurance, and while I admittedly viewed that with sarcasm in another topic, I took a step back and though again for a few seconds.

The only thing I see wrong today is the way that it's presented. Too smothering and not real enough, almost like Bubblegum with an attitude. Those on the Right/Tea Party side have easy targets - too many cliches and not enough reality. Sadly, it's possibly where the Mainstream Media wants it to be.

Getting back to Politics...

The music industry has way too many connections for an artist to actually make a deadly serious political message these days - maybe some lip service to the side they're on, but something not as hard hitting as before with maybe a few exceptions here and there. Plus, those who might be interested in making a deep message have years of well-known banana peel slips of the career connected to shouting out something but not having the conviction to make things a lifelong commitment. Plus, there's also several well known examples in the arts of those who burned out after some massive fights with "The Powers That Be" (Think TV's Smothers Brothers who returned very neutered in The 70's or legendary Comedian Lenny Bruce who just turned to the needle). It takes guts to stand out, but in this hyper-watching era of critics and listeners who take note of every contradiction, you know that it's going to take more smarts, and that involves knowing when and where to make your stand if you really want to voice something.

Today in the end, the only musicians trying to make an impact either personally or politically know that they have to work independently. This is not a critique but an observation. Just my viewpoint.

Originally Posted by grindy

Basically you're David Hasselhoff.

Originally Posted by Black Francis

hahaha wtf are you talking about?

Sometimes you remind me of conspiracy brotha you always gotta play that race card.

What more credit can you give to black ppl? they practically invented music and influenced a whole generation of suburban wiggas, and why is that? oh right, CAUSE THEY PLAY THEIR SONGS ON THE RADIO!

I honestly don't think it's a racial thing AT ALL, if a white girl makes a better R & B song than a black girl she deserves that spot on the radio.

Originally Posted by realtalk92

Did you understand the point of me using that as an example? lol

It is clear you didn't...

Originally Posted by Necromancer

The diversity of note combination. Roughly speaking, chords plus melodies has consistently diminished in the last 50 years. Pop music is a lot louder today and melodies are becoming more and more similar relying on a much smaller use of timbres than in the past.
So many instruments are synthesized and rely on digital processing these days.

I'm not suggesting that a particular era, genre, or artist is "as good as it gets" artistically. Just pointing out a few of the differences between the production of todays music in relation to that of the past.

Originally Posted by Two Spirit

When I say pussified, I'm not talking about music becoming too feminine/less masculine, but rather how modern day music has become too soft with no daring messages.

Most of us know about the controversial artists throughout music history. Not only was their music engaging, but their ideas were as well and they had something to say. Regardless of their politics, they all made an effort to challenge different social norms of their time.

Elvis simply challenged social norms just by performing in unconventional ways, John Lennon was a peace activist, David Bowie challenged norms surrounding gender and sexuality, Marilyn Manson actively challenged religion, etc. There are too many to be mentioned, but all of these artists seemed to stand for something and meant what they said.

Sadly, I can't say the same about mainstream stars today. If you really take a look at the musical landscape, the most offensive or "out there" artist is Lady Gaga, and that's sad. I love Gaga, but she doesn't really push any boundaries and is mostly a safe artist who just dresses differently.

I don't want this to come off as a "back in my day" type of thread, but modern music to me has no message or meaning. There's no rebellious spirit or groundbreaking artists in the mainstream, whereas in the past there was at least two or three significant artists per decade that made a difference musically and culturally. I just don't see that with today's artists.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Black Francis

I did, i just don't understand why you had to make it a racial thing.

I agree sometimes with what you say but that race thing bothers me, you seem to plug it in at every opportunity you get, this is not the first time you've used that race card.

Originally Posted by realtalk92

Race bothers everyone which is why people do not like talking about it because it makes most uncomfortable. Once again that was not the reason why I used it. It was the first example I thought of which is why I used it. You chose to focus on the racial aspect instead of focusing on the fact that the industry chooses to promote certain artists. That in essence has nothing to do with the race card and has everything to do with the fact that the industry is in control of how successful pop artists become.

Originally Posted by Black Francis

Moi? im srry but it was YOU who made it a racial thing and now you're saying that whole race thing doesn't matter. (my point from the start)