I hate modern, mainstream music.
Even more so, I hate modern, mainstream music that claims to be rock.
I’ll tell you what rock is.
Rock is a way to rebel against the conventions of society and the bonds that hold us in. At least, that’s what it started as. Now that rock is as much part of our culture as the local Starbucks, there’s not much “rebellion” in flinging a few power chords out there. Yet at the same time, rock should be a way to express yourself, your soul. It should be moving, well-written, melodic, and meaningful. Even if it’s a song about “Smoking in the Boy’s Room” (Motley Crue), even if it’s a funny song or a joke, it needs to have meaning and soul behind it. It needs to have part of the singer, of the entire band’s persona behind it. It needs to be real.
The stuff that “rockers” nowadays are cranking out? It’s bullshit. Heaping, whiny bullshit set to a tune and slapped onto albums.
First of all, there’s no talent anymore. Think of some of the greatest guitarists of all time. Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Jimmy Page, Randy Rhoads…The list goes on. I’m terrible with names and never bother trying to memorize the names of the people in my favorite bands, but I can at least remember those. Yet only the most diehard fans will be able to rattle off the names of the guitarists of modern bands. Why? Because they’re not good. They’re alright, to be sure, but only because the songs they play are so…simple. Proof? When I started taking guitar lessons, all of the first songs I could play were modern songs. It is only now, after 2 years of playing guitar, that I can even approach most classic rock songs. And I can only play them decently after weeks and weeks of practice. Possibly one of the most noticeable indications of the simplicity of modern rock is the complete lack of guitar solos. How in the deepest depths of hell can you take guitar solos away from rock? Guitar solos, or intrumental solos of any type, aren’t just common characteristics of rock songs. Instrumental solos are a part of rock. It’s like taking Brad Pitt and cutting off his arms. Would women still lust after his face? Sure. Is he still a teenage heartthrob? Probably. Is he still, supposedly, the sexiest man alive (even though we all know that title belongs to me)? No. Because he doesn’t have any goddamn arms. Do you get my meaning there?
Now we come to the lyrics. Most lyrics nowadays have to do with cutting yourself, hating your parents, or cutting yourself because of a girl. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against cutters most of the time. They are simply trying to take care of pain the only way how. It’s the wrong way, to be sure, but that can be helped and cured. But I despise those to cause other people to cut themselves–specifically those who sing about it. Congratulations, assholes–you’ve caused our youth to slit themselves open and leave red stains in the carpet. How does it make you feel that kids who would have never thought of using a razor to “help” themselves have been sucked into your damn suicidal vacuum? Even worse when these kids start singing about cutting themselves, too. It turns into a vicious cycle that few can escape and few can avoid. Like a self-sustaining virus. And then people cry when lead singers of these bands kill themselves. What, didn’t see it coming? HE ONLY PLANNED IT OUT IN EVERY SONG HE WROTE. I’d say good riddance, but it only makes more people cut themselves to relieve the pain of knowing the person died. Damn it all.
Singing talent nowadays seems to be a rare thing, too. Apparently, singing’s definition in the dictionary is now more akin to “what a 3rd grader sounds like when he wants ice cream and his parents won’t take him”. Little whiny bastards. But helps me better to understand the mindset of the people who cut themselves. If I had to put up with listening to that voice all the time, I’d want to commit suicide, too.
Then we come to those who just do it for the money. Whores. That’s all they are. Musical whores. I have little else to say on the matter.
Now, many of you are going to disagree. That’s fine with me. I believe it’s very important to stand up for your musical taste. And although I might disagree with it, I support your right to have one. Even if it is wrong.
“And the cradle will rock…and I say ‘Rock on.’ “–Van Halen
You have NO idea what you’re talking about. Coldplay has more talent than all of those old rock “stars” COMBINED.
By the way, who the hell is Jimmi Page? Whoever he is, he couldn’t hold a CANDLE to Chris and Jon. Neither could the rest of them.
micro, that’s bullcrap.
Hendrix was an artist beyond borders and genre. Slash’s an egomaniac who probably got better off with his guitar than anything else in the world:) etc.
I think these rants are a bit unconstructive, though. Of course, we’re often irritated on people “who just don’t know”, especially those of us who has been or are playing music ourselves, but we should consider the possibility of us knowing _something else_.
I’ve played the drums since I was around 11-12 years old, so I’ve played for more than a decade. This means that I’m more impressed by the little jazz-things than the showing off, since showing off is the first thing you learn. When I hear amateur bands, I’m more impressed with drummers who actually can keep steady rythms than those who try to exceed themselves without practice.
As for guitars, tapping isn’t that cool when you know how it’s done.
To Coldplay fans, you should take comfort in knowing that you like Coldplay. You can’t discuss quality (or quantity) without having defined what the hell you put into it first.
If it is ingenuity(?), originality, feelin’ and/or whatnot.
I, for one, am too tired of these debates:)
WHAAAAT are you talking about Sigg?
What are you talking about Sigg? Just because you play the drums, you think you’re an expert on this? Come back when you can play like Will Champion. Post-BritRock trumps classic “Rock” any day.
I think you’ve been reading something else.
Try reading my comment on this, and then get back to me:)
No, YOU’RE unconstructive. You just can’t cope with the fact that the awesome COLDPLAY is INFINITELY better than some idiot named Jimi Hendrix.
Uhm…
My point was that the discussion is unconstructive and that you really can’t compare what two different perspectives are looking at, since - naturally - they are looking at different things (from different viewpoints).
Micro, please listen, I’m not opposing you
We differ in opinions regarding Hendrix, but that’s fair enough, being two different persons:D
Is your little game really worth losing so much respect over, Aneesh? Come now, it’s old.
Sigg3, I agree these arguments are pointless and silly and overdone, but sometimes I just have to do it. Like farting. Nobody really likes it, but man, sometimes you just gotta let one fly.
…I love analogies.
MY PERSPECTIVE IS BETTER THAN YOURS. COLDPLAY IS THE GREATEST BAND EVER!!! VIVA LA REVOLUCION!!!!!!!!
hmmm
well, being a complete outsider on all of this
micro, i will admit that i like listening to Coldplay, and they ARE a great band…
but, Jimi Hendrix was an amazing artist that will forever go down in musical history
and he is better than coldplay
oh, and bloon
thanku…thanku, thanku, thanku
you are 150% right about the cutting crap and all the whining little singers out there nowadays
someone needed to say it
They are simply trying to take care of pain the only way how.
^^Possibly a better way to say that sentence, is: They are simply trying to take care of pain the only way that they know how.
The first one makes it sound like you think that cutting yourself is the only way to deal with pain. That right there, is one of the reasons I despise cutters. They dont realize what huge contradiction they are making.
Also, I like the rant. Alittle ROCK IS THE BEST, but meh, I know you and I like hearing people’s reasons on this.
Micro> Shut up. Sigg3 has completely owned you. Stop trying to provoke argument.
Sigg3> N1, very very very nice counter argument. I likess and agreesss. Would been cool if Micro actually attempted to sound intelligent so there would be a real and nice debate on here.
Y0UR ALL JUST JEALOUS OF COLDPLAY’S 1337 SK1LL5!!!!!11!!!111!!
Haha, sorry about that IBloon, that was most definitely a typo. You’ve seen my clean, unscarred wrists, you know that I deal with pain in more constructive ways. More profitable, too.
I did try and keep down on the ROCK IS THE BEST, by trying to only compare modern rock to more classic stuff. I also love some good hip-hop/rap and play the cello as well, so I support true classical music on the side. But I think it does kinda leak from me at times.
Whoever SomeRandomGuy is, I wish you’d comment more around here. It might bring our average intelligence up a few notches.
COLDPlAY IS TEH AW….. OK, I’m done with that. I hate Coldplay, and Jimmy Page will oneday ride again. I agree with pretty much everything Sigg has had to say. I hate these rants, they are deconstructive of the entire idea of free (-dom, not beer) art.
I’m going to comment just for the sake of commenting *hides away from all arguements*
I’m going to stay silent and watch.
err.
*knocks head on desk*