Is it possible to come up with original songs today?

the way I see it, most variations of songs have been "invented" by now.

I'm not speaking of rap/hip hop but of rock, punk, pop etc.

I just can't see how anyone could come up with something new at this point...what do you think?

I know what you're saying in someways- after all there is a finite amount that can be done with any one instrument. Then again, I just think of all the potential lyrical content, and the untapped innovation that can be done, particuarly with guitars (gasp).

I had an interesting "debate" with a few friends the other day about the differences between Pearl Jam's new album, and Muse's. I was trying to explain that although PJ's used nothing new- no "different" chords, standard structures and nothing really new, it was a great album. It had powerful lyrics, and equally powerful sounds. Even though its nothing revolutionary. Muse on the other hand have crafted a work of a merging of different styles, using elements of electronica, dance etc to create a new sound. Both are equally good in my books, and for very different reasons.

As for original songs, I point to Audioslave's new "original fire"- this is interesting, again trying to create an almost "dancable" rock song. Muse again showed this in their new album. Countless bands are trying to merge different styles to create new kinds of music. Some people are against the change, but I myself embrace it.

Anything mainstream is bound to be nothing original. You can't look to record companies to provide something completely new or innovative. Go to local venues. Actually try to find different music to your liking.

And...FYI
There is plenty you havn't heard.
JFAC - a genre unto themselves
as blood runs black - great music nobody hear has heard either
ed gein - also a fantastic band

AND WTFUK

Do I even have to mention dragonforce????
Don't talk about untapping; have you looked at their scales?!

I'm going to attempt to make another point. If you don't open yourself to new genres of music, you're not going to find anything new. If you right off everything and stick to...say...classic rock, do you think you're ever going to get tired of greatest hits albums? And you write off the music I presented as 'not your taste' then you have your taste to blame for your lack of a better musical find. You can't tell me you're fed up of bands with a lack of originality when all you listen to doesn't provide an alternative.

And you know what, if all else fails. Make your own music!

I agree completely with you victor. Although Dragonforce make me feel ill. They're just too over the top power metal. One of those genre's despite all my trying, I cant help but detest it.

We can't... everything was covered in the 60s, 70s and 80s. It's all rubbish now.

*Jumps up and down against Octavian's intolerance*

I'm not sure what it is, but I tend to find most modern bands (well generally anything from around 20 years ago till today) very different from earlier bands. I'm not sure how exactly, since most people I know always draw parallels. I think the main change is an increase in tempo maybe- bands today play alot faster music than older bands. E.g. Black Sabbath- possibly the greatest heavy metal band in existance, and no matter how heavy their riffs are, they're never as fast as modern heavy metal equivalents.

Innovation is really going to come in the form of the Alternative genre's really. Stuff like Technical Metal, Groove Metal, Progressive Rock/Metal (as usual), electronica. Those are the kinds (not all) of genre's that will advance music.

Stuff like Technical Metal, Groove Metal, Progressive Rock/Metal (as usual), electronica. Those are the kinds (not all) of genre's that will advance music.

Then shoot me now.

We can't... everything was covered in the 60s, 70s and 80s

yeah that's kind of what i'm trying to say

Rock will always be the best.. No need for new types of music!!

I have a difficult time finding new music to enjoy since so much has been done. Mainly I look for good lyrics and guitar work that all blend together to make one great song. Unfortunately most new bands just go with what is easy and pop out records without really thinking it over.

Originally Posted by issues

I have a difficult time finding new music to enjoy since so much has been done. Mainly I look for good lyrics and guitar work that all blend together to make one great song. Unfortunately most new bands just go with what is easy and pop out records without really thinking it over.

I don't think anybody is going to listen to someone who has issues. :wink:

Nah, I'm kidding.

I have a friend who only likes jazz. Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk, that sort of stuff. He always complains about the lack of tone colour in rock, the way it starts with the guitar and then the drums. The genre isn't about that, it's just a set of memorable lyrics and tune.

Well, obviously nothing mainstream is truly innovative, the only time the mainstream is innovative is while copying ideas from the underground.
Anyway, although I agree that many things nowadays are played faster than say 30 years ago, that's not entirerly true, just look at some of Ritchie Blackmore's (deep purple's guitarist) solos, they may not be shred, but the're pretty fast, much faster than say stuff like pearl jam or muse.
Anyway, if you really want to hear innovation, you have to look beyond mainstream hard rock\pop\punk-pop\emo... shut MTV off for a minute and listen to some proggresive, that's were the innovation is, and where it has been for over 30 years.

Originally Posted by Bwaho

the way I see it, most variations of songs have been "invented" by now.

I'm not speaking of rap/hip hop but of rock, punk, pop etc.

I just can't see how anyone could come up with something new at this point...what do you think?

1) It depends on your type of music.
2) It depends on the audience. You may be tired and sick of Type-of-Music-X but the younger set may not even have heard of this type of Music at all.

Maybe, it is not that band's members are not being original, but all the influences from the world around them today are making their music sound original, if that makes sense .

There is this musician who lives in my town, just a local guy, nothing big or famous about him. He released an album a couple months ago, and I really enjoyed it. Alot of "simple " acoustic songs, some with harmonicas blended in. A few instrumentals, the most enjoyable was a mix between a sitar & slide guitar. Then the rest of the songs on the album were generally 50's influenced songs, hard to explain, but alot like the Traveling Wilbury's song Rattled .

Sometimes, simple is better.

I have just seen the thread.
I agree...no innovation..nothing new..just clones of the same music style that is selling to those it is PRESSED to sell.
You hear it everywhere, you should know it, you should dance with it etc.
There are of course I believe many who try to beat the system and I am on their side.
The new music must not have a specific role of simple words (I love you, you love me etc.)
The new music must not press you to have the same percussion tempo style.
It has to be different..strange and most of all (in my opinion) use complex system of polyphony.

Many hits of nowadays seem to me too minimal and "naked" from organ styles.
The technology is progressing to give complex style of music to a new era.


I myself have done an effort of new music style that have offered it mainly to TWcenter community.

Check it here and tell me if you can find it...new style.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57105

The way I see it, with regards to rock specifically, the change has to come in the production and manipulation side of things. I hate to sound like a broken record with the whole Pumpkins adoration thing, but they had it right- and before their time really. Just like loads of bands have been doing (the Pumpkins are just my favorite example ). There is only so much you can do with standard playing at the end of the day- its the use of Effects pedals (again I stress many bands have been doing this for years) that will innovate, and the use of production tools that will win through. The problem is, there are two schools of thought: the "Puritan" style of rock- limited use of original sound production, and the over produced style- where by the time the band has finished there is no instrumental work left.

I guess what I'm trying to put foward is that the way foward is through technical as well as insturmental skill. Not one or the other, but a blending of both. So you have the talent required to not only manipulate say the guitar, but a guitar, equipped with various bits and pieces that warp its abilities. Just look at the styles of Matt Bellamy or Tom Morrello- instrumental skill and technical skill. The result: fresh sounds.

Darth knows what he's on about too may I add- the use of computer tools should not be underestimated. I'll give your stuff a try soon I think mate

Sometimes, simple is better.

I didn't mean original has to be complicated.

I really think we've reached the edge of modern musical innovation. In order to come up with something new you'd have to start playing chinese music or something.

you want new & innovative?
http://files.filefront.com/FILE_VOTE.../fileinfo.html

check this **** out.

One word to you all who think its all been done before and todays music is just variation: MUSE.