Can anyone tell me what happened to music and why is it not good anymore?

Answer 1

- lack of great artists
- consolidation of radio

Answer 2

Clearchannel bought up 99.999% of the radio stations out there. DJs no longer have a real choice in what they play; they are given a list to select from. Some "songs" and "artists" are deliberately "pushed" (like drugs) so you'll get it stuck in your head to the point where you start believing that this is what's really great music that EVERYone is listening to and so you'd better run out and plop down your credit card for that overpriced CD (you don't want to be the last one on your block, do you?!?). While you're at it, you'd better pick up a few extras for your friends' Christmas presents! Of course, once you get it home and start listening to the entire disk, you quickly realize that the other tracks are pure garbage (maybe because you haven't heard them three times an hour for the past month). Another CD goes idle on your rack, ultimately to be dropped off with Goodwill or sold in your next yard sale, and so you go back to your radio to listen to the next "artist" that they tell you that you should be listening to (and forking over your cash for, rinse, repeat, etc.).

Answer 3

The evolution of the music industry.

In the 50's and 60's, when radio was more of a deciding factor in which songs got popular, it was easier to have a mainstream hit on an independent record label. That's why there were a lot of great independent labels like Sun, Chess, Motown, Staxx, etc -- because radio was open to playing new music and experimenting with what their listeners would like. That's very different from nowadays where a radio station's programming is determined by phone surveys (and having worked in a call center that did them, I can tell you they're designed so that people only hear the most mainstream music). And finally, back in those days, most people bought their records from a mom-and-pop record store that usually carried a wide range of artists.

The major music industry was also more open to new ideas. They tended to hire people like Danny Fields and Seymour Stein who were willing to sign artists that were cutting-edge (The Doors, the Ramones). The attitude that businessmen had was that they didn't know anything about music, so they hired people who do.

All of that really started to change in the 80's and 90's, when the music industry started to change their attitude. They started focusing more on marketing research to determine what kind of product they put out. Nowadays an artist usually gets a record deal solely based on their potential to make money, and they rarely sign acts that are cutting-edge. Think about it -- if they get one Backstreet Boys record that goes diamond, they make a lot more money than if they sign ten other bands that go gold. Their attitude isn't "we're here to make records," it's "we're here to make money." They also copy what sells in the hopes of replicating that success. If the Backstreet Boys get a hit -- ten other bands that sound like them will put out records in the hopes of getting a hit. If Nickelback gets a hit -- ten other bands that sound like them will put out records in the hopes of getting a hit.

Also, in the 90's the federal government deregulated radio so that a company could own more radio stations, which is why most of the radio stations in America now are owned by Clear Channel. Like I said, most of their programming is done by phone surveys. That doesn't mean the people surveyed just tell you what they like. They're given a multiple choice test, and they have a choice between a) crappy band, b) that other crappy band or c) yet another crappy band. Guess what? The person always chooses a crappy band.

Also, nowadays most of the records sold in America are sold in chain stores that aren't even dedicated music outlets. They sell records at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, etc. Those places rarely carry independent music and some, like Wal-Mart, have strict guidelines about what they will sell. That's where people buy records, and it affects what the music industry puts out.

Basically, it's the money. As a whole, the entire industry makes it's decision by numbers and statistics rather than human wisdom (which they can't bank on). So it's much harder to be successful as a cutting-edge artist or an artist on an independent label.

The internet and satellite radio could change all that though. Just about anyone can sell their music on Amazon or iTunes or promote themselves on myspace. That's how Gnarls Barkley became famous -- myspace and iTunes. Also, satellite radio prides itself on playing more music with more variety than normal radio, so they're more willing to take chances.

Answer 4

too much mainstream music. rock sounds like pop sounds like reggae sounds like rap. they all sound the same so that no matter who is singing it, they are catering to a larger group of people and getting more $
Also, with the birth of simulated music, there is no need for an artist to play an instrument or even be talented at singing anymore

Answer 5

Over time, artists get the idea to try something new. Music changes quickly while our taste in music changes very gradually. Our tastes can't keep up with the ever-changing popular culture, so we end up like our parents.

Answer 6

Most sources of music for the popular media today have sold out. If you want good music (and it still out there) you have to go hunt it down.
(ok time, for pin for a band I know.... lol..... look up Howling Syn, if you into melodic dark rock and metal).... :) You can tell Patrik that the Dragonlord Warlock sent you ) lol

Answer 7

95% of the artist right now are what you call plastic asrtis, they dpn't really sing, right songs or play instruments they jsut look good on stage.

Answer 8

You're listening to the wrong music then...

Answer 9

little john!!!