Just read part of your Chicago Music Guide Article, pretty busy, alas. A quick response. Like I’ve said before, recently discovered how bored I’ve been with music on the radio. And though I try hard not to reduce others hard work and expression, expression of self is important even if the form doesn’t resonate with us personally, for me it seems there’s something missing in much of it.
What? I didn’t think I was a lyrics guy, ironic given my avocation, until recently. Guys like Dylan are at last more than dudes before my time; I finally appreciate them the way they should be appreciated.
It’s interesting that in the distant days of childhood so much of the successful music was well written but it fell on deaf ears. Perhaps when your young you take for granted that the way things are now is how things will always be. Smart or at the very least thoughtful people will always be involved in making music great and it’s merits will always be appreciated by the masses. But it seems now that making thoughtful music is acceptance that you’ll be marginalized musically. Dreams of Iconhood dashed forever.
Having said this, I wouldn’t call myself elitist. I like everything from Punk to Gangsta Rap—NWA—to rock—Metallica—to jazz, etceteras. Some of the music I really like a lot, not necessarily the aforementioned music, verges on crude, simple to the extreme. How does this relate to what I was saying before about today’s pop music missing something?
Maybe it has to do with personal growth, in youth simple music heard the first time is new and so it’s more meaningful? If so, I’m just getting old. I hope this isn’t the case and there is great new music being made today, so I would like to take the time to laugh this possibility away, if possible.
An alternative reason simple music can be great music could be that simple doesn’t mean it’s not vital in some way—A description of some force of nature or other, which offers personal relevance.
I tell you I do like money, cars and sex as much as the next guy but perhaps we could hear lyrics that treat them in an original way or something? I’m not sure what that would be, haven’t put much thought into it, but maybe then I wouldn’t be so bored. I might buy a few cd’s or purchase a few more downloads to my iPod.
I do however strongly suspect, that I’m bored because as people we’re multifaceted and addressing only a small fraction of the things that interest us in music leads to mental starvation, for lack of a better way of putting it.
The purpose of the diatribe; appreciation of the article. Also hope someone finds a bridge between artistically interesting and successful. Establishes a beachead on the pop charts to be emulated by more aspiring musician. (Not really a role model believer, more of an individual finding success leading to more of the same.)
Can’t wait to hear the new music.
Bryan