Are people finally figuring out what good music is?

Question

So this year already three indie acts (or former indie acts depending on who you talk to) - The Shins, Arcade Fire, and Modest Mouse - have released albums with stellar first week sales, landing them 2, 2, and 1 respectively on the charts in the initial week of release. Maybe they haven't had much competition, but maybe this is at least a sign that people are waking up and figuring out that the latest sexy R&B artist, or pop teen sensation, or American Idol runner-up aren't all that after all! There's hope in the music world aftera all!

To gschmitt, what gives you the impression that I'm a teenager? And if I were, why would it matter? Let's just say that I have a college degree.

I am inclined to ask YOUR age with your little "lol" and challenging my age as if it makes you feel all mighty and powerful.

What makes good music? Several things.

First and foremost, genuine emotion. But I'm not talking the "emo" I'm screaming at the top of my lungs because I just broke up with my gf emotion, I'm talking something with depth and substance to it.

Secondly, there has to be creativity or at least a good melody with some unique characteristics.

And I'm a drummer, so I'm partial to bands with good drummers.

And there's always the intangible part of it all that I can't describe, but I just know when it's there for me.

Answer 1

lol....so how old are you.? 16? 17?

listen: answer me one question, okay?

what makes music good? i want to hear YOUR criteria.
btw - i love the shins....arcade fire and modest mouse....uh....well...

:). please try and answer my question. BE SPECIFIC

EDIT: so sorry, man. didn't mean to be combative. i thought (incorrectly, apparently) that you were a teenager b/c you came off to me as having VERY limited dimensions and heavy biases in your musical opinions....even to just use a word like "good" for me usually is an indicator (you might as well use the word "cool"). i see now that you're far more well-thought out than i originally assumed. :)

my apologies. i'm just trying to combat this elitism - while at the same time sounding elitist! LOL - there...did it again. i've been inundated with music education (i'm almost finished with my masters in music) and music snobs in my life....and quite frankly, i'm tired of them.

truth is, tho, people have always known about what you're calling 'good' music is and they're very well capable of recognizing it to be something of a higher quality - the 'cream still does rise to the top' among many people. unfortunately, though, fergie is going to be on top for much longer than any of the groups you name b/c it's so 'one size fits [almost] all' in its appeal to people who don't put the kind of importance in music that you [or i, for that matter] do. ....i know many people who love that stuff WHO ALSO HAVE a pretty deep jazz collection and listen very outside of what you'd expect a pop listener to enjoy. it's not a question of 'good' for them. it's more 'what am i in the mood for?' what they listen to for them isn't as much about their identity as it is to [i'm assuming here] you....and me, but i'm trying to get rid of that personally.

you can't guage public opinion by the success of the medium that attracts the lowest common denominator. it'd be foolhardy. and sometimes, an r&b artist can have REAL foundation to their work....alicia keys (sexy as hell) and citizen cope (considerably less sexy for my hetero @ss!) come to mind. and yes, HE IS R&B. erykah badu (you should hear the drummer who plays with her live) and lauryn hill also killed.....and are sexy.

anyway, my apologies again. didn't mean to offend or come off as a d!ck. (gotta love the lack of ability to see people's expressions when communicating on the net) you would've seen that if we were in the same room ,i guess. :)

oh....and are you drumming now? do you record? i'd love to hear what you do. (that's the truth.) as far as drumming is concerned, who do you like?

Answer 2

the shins are unbelievable amazing. I first started listening to them when Zach braff came out with Garden State and tried to promote it on Scrubs. I agree that lately, anything on the radio has been some average singer talking to a wacked up beat in the background. I think anyone who watches Scrubs must have an idea of good music taste because its always playing along with the plot of the show. I think that finally different bands are being heard and other people are starting to listen.

Answer 3

I think people are figuring out more these days that the mainstream music is terrible. There are bands like the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Beachwood Sparks, the BRMC, the Tyde, and lots of other "the" bands. It's time for melody and substance. Tired of songs that say nothing.

Answer 4

the shin are old and boring. only some songs are really good. i love me some modest mouse though and arcade fire. you should check out circa survive. forward russia. theres to many indie bands out there. a lot of good ones to. anyways i like all types of music im not looking for the next top seller for their cds only if they style is good then hell yea if they sound like **** then boo them

Answer 5

Music appreciation is subjective. Music quality, from a professional standpoint, is really the only thing that can be judged: can he/she/they sing or play their instruments? Beyond that, a person either may or might not like that type of music.

Subjective, just like food desires.

Answer 6

Didn't you just answe your own question?'
All the idol people are good, some just do crap music. I love Daughtry.
and no some people will always follow trends and listen to poo music like rap.
And I don't consider Modest Mouse good at all! They are shiat!

Answer 7

Maybe it's a sign that people are finally realising what music really is about..or its a sign that Judgement Day is coming up closer than we thought.

Answer 8

I like to do drive-bys listening to classical music or Creedence Clearwater. I need to be calm while I take aim as to not hit any innocent by standers.

Answer 9

no i don't think theres gonna be a change as long as all you people keep stealing songs there won't be much for a change so buy music it makes a difference plus all those bands were good now they are on the decline

Answer 10

i think that American idol is becoming less an less then a talent show. i do think that Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood can sing though.