SG's Reasons Why Music Today Rawks

I looked at through the post about the bands of today earlier. And thought to myself...why are some of those people saying there's no good music out there? Especially when you have...

SG's Reasons Why Music Still Rawks

The Bands

Muse are the current leaders of the worlds "best band" race. They're released one of the best albums of recent days, and one that will go down as a hallmark in music history. They are now in the process of undergoing a massive tour, and one that I'm sure some of our members will attest to being a superb act live.

Audioslave have just released a steller funk/RnB inspired but entirely rocking album, "Revalations". It's a really great fusion, and immensly enjoyable I must say. Not only that, but soon, they too will embark on a massive new tour. Lastly, they're amazingly politically active, staying true to the political action of the RATM days, the members are active in the Axis of Justice Movement. Anyone who claims the old RATM members have lost their political bite is just plain ignorent.

The Smashing Pumpkins have reformed recently, and although we dont know the full line up yet apart from Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin (who is frankly one of the most underated drummers in the industry), they are recording a new album with Roy Thomas Baker who is famous for producing most of the Queen albums. Thats right- one of the most influential bands in history. Sure it may flop, but do not for a second doubt Billy Corgans song writing ability. It's unorthodox, but its altogether brilliant. If its not a fantastic effort I'll eat my proverbial hat.

Pearl Jam are still kicking around, and have too released one of my favorite albums of this year. It's a sublime blend of classic rock in the Who style, fused with early 90s alternative. Here's my old review. They're currently touring, and I cannot wait to see them live some time in the near future.

Incubus are one of my favorite new bands at the moment. They're an interesting blend of alternative and DJing. Yes. DJing. Sounds like it wouldn't work? Try S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
This is probably their heaviest album, but more recent ones arn't quite so much so if you're not interested in the quite so heavy. There's a new album incoming in November. It fully expect it to entirely rawk.

Foo Fighters have got to be one of the biggest bands of recent years, with an extensive discography, and a brilliant fairly recent double album . I imagine the next effort isnt far around the corner either. They're not the most original band in the world, but the music is catchy, exciting and good.

Queens of the Stone Age are one of many of Josh Hommes band projects, but easily his most famous. Sporting catchy but unorthodox playing, and a distinctly cool style. Yes cool. QoTSA make cool music. It's classy stuff. Check out both Songs for the Deaf and Lullabies to Paralyze if you dont believe me.

Tenacious D are one of the most entertaining bands out there- this music is actually hilarious. With an official band movie and accompying soundtrack screaming down the pipeline, you will not fail to be entertained by the D. Honestly. Listen to their self titled album. It's fantastic. Cannot wait for their next tour.

These are but a dot in the modern music scene. There are so many class acts out there these days, that I truely believe anyone who says otherwise deserves a slap around the face. Okay so its not so revolutionary, but so long as it sounds good does it matter?

Really, these are just some of the new bands- I'm sure a few of the other guys could highlight many more brilliant bands out there. You just have to open your ears guys!

The Production

Music production is so stupidly far ahead of the older bands its not even funny. Really, with the tools at producers and musicians disposal these days production is light years ahead of the primative techniques used by the old bands. Okay, production doesnt write good music, but I'm sorry, but there is a massive and distinct difference between old bands and new ones in terms of production. When I listen to a modern band, the first thing that hits me is how coherrent the sound is. Older bands may be playing well, but on a CD, you can pick out discrepancies in the playing. Some people dont notice it maybe? I know I do.

Producers also have the experience of their predecessors at their disposal- the old guys may have pioneered the techniques, but I dont really believe time to refine them. Modern producers have got that benefit. Its a far more professional position now in my eyes.

The Diversity

Its now alot easier to break onto the scene now. I'm sure a good few bands will argue against that, saying how much trouble they've had getting signed, but really, its so much easier these days. Their are far more bands about now than say in 1960 odd - because indie labels are well and truely here to stay. What does that mean? For better and worse all sorts of music reaches our ears. Yeah, for every 10 bands, 9 are probably generic crap *stares menecingly at the New New-Wave and "emo" scenes.*, but there's so many more that you find the odd gems. Don't like those 9/10 crap bands? Don't listen to them. Listen to the gold out there. Where's the gold? Look up a bit. Thats just a treasure chest of it. There's a whole spanish galleon of them out there amongst those pirates.

The Distribution

Think of all the ways you can get music these days. Internet. TV. Radio. Shops. Hell, car boots too. Podcasts. The availability of music now means you can get anything anytime practically so long as these facilities are available. And you all have internet connections for a start!

There are countless radio stations out there too guys. Internet radio and Pod-Casts allow anyone with a mic and some balls to get on the air and pump out music. So find a station you like, and listen.

Try out web-sites like Pandora and expand your range. Go on. It'll be worth it.

In Conclusion...

You cannot realistically say bands these days are lacking. There is so much talent out there not being listened to, since many just write it off. Yeah the Beatles were class back in the day, but they're not the be all and end all. The Velvet Underground may have started alt. rock, but they dont lead it. MC5 may have been the grandfathers of Punk, but they dont own it. Hell, you may hate the bands I highlighted up there. Who cares? Experiament! But don't say music these days is crap.

Music Can still be good I agree it's just you need to know where to look. I personally prefer classic rock but I find most of the music you listed listenable. I'm going to check out pearl Jam as it sounds like a band I'd like.

Most Modern Music is awful though.

Most of todays music is just a bunch of people whining about how their life sucks. I listen to music to be entertained and get away from troubles in life not to hear someone complain about their problem like their special. But I will admit there is still a nice variety of good modern music as well I'm about 50/50 on it.

Many of the bands that you mentioned are clearly 90's bands, past their peak, such as Pearl Jam and The smashing pumkins, and I find most of the rest to be decent at most.
There is one place that modern music is better at, and that's the fact that there just is more of it, but that only happens because nowadays many bands can get a record contract (relativley) easily, meaning that more crap is released.

How can you claim Muse are just decent? They have to be one of the very best bands in the world atm, and one of the most influential.

I find the concept of "peaks" rather annoying- I prefer to think: "Are they released music?", "Yes" - "They're still modern then"

OK the Pumpkins havnt released anything lately yet. But like I say... its coming.

I agree with everything in that list, perhaps that list of bands will get all the old timers to shut up. Muse, Foo fighters and Audioslave are all ****ing brilliant! People just dont like the "new sound", well, thats thier problem, if they dont like the new sound then that dosent mean that is not good.

Saying any era of music sucks is a logical fallacy, as taste is relative, and everyone has different tastes is different, and for one era of music to be better than another is impossible to tell, to say that your taste is superior or the right one is nonsense.

Lusted - The key words in your post are "At the Moment".
Stalin Ghost - Well, that would mean that deep purple is also a modern band.

And I really don't see why people count muse as so groundbreaking, much of their work is just glorified pop...

Foo Fighters have got to be one of the biggest bands of recent years, with an extensive discography, and a brilliant fairly recent double album .

I found "In Your Honor" highly underwhelming. I don't think Dave Grohl and his buddies are ever going to surpass "The Colour and the Shape".

Right. Thats why no one else sounds like them. Or the fact no one else is like them live. You can't call Muse glorified pop. Listen to an average pop band, thne listen to Muse's latest album and tell me its glorified pop.

The one song that I feel does have a pop like vibe is Starlight- problably my least favorite song on the album in fact. To bad its the second single

Personally, with regards to Foo Fighters, I think One by One is their best. Just my opinion though

Obviously they don't sound like britny spears or Nsynce, that doesn't even count as music in my book...

But you have got to admit that muse have a very distinct pop vibe, I'll admit I've only heard four songs off their new album from top to bottom, but they all were very poppy.
Listen to king crimson, pink floyd, Jethro tull, Hendrix... and then tell me that muse aren't poppish.

Well 1. If you haven't lsitened to the rest of their album don't call them popish. The 2 singles so far: Supermassive Black Hole and Starlight are the 2 most poppy tracks on the albumn, and even then they are so much better than anything pop groups produce. 2. Listen to their albums Origin of Symmetry and Absolution. Not poppy albums. With their latest album they experimented more, and some songs do sound quite pop-like. But Muse are not "glorified pop". They are a rock band, and once that specialises in pompous overblown rock.

ps. I like Starlight Sg, it may not be their usual stuff but i really like it, especially the end of it.

Well i guess Wolfmother is a good new band except for the singer but they have a black sabbath feel to them i love it!