Is the lack of guitar solos in modern rock music due to current trends or an inability to play them?

Question

Awesome...thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

current trends...

no more fall out boy please...

Answer 2

You guys have obviously never listened to Dream Theater! I'm listening to them right now, "Overture 1928" is the track, about 3 mins 30 in length and there are two synth solos and a guitar solo! The album was made in about 2000 though. But their latest one has many guitar solos also! Probably about 6 or 7 in an 8 track album.

But there are less solos in the mainstream rock, and I think it's an inability. Quite a few of these guys aren't talented: they just make mainstream music that a lot of people follow.

Answer 3

EXACTLY!!(on both counts)Thats why PANTERA still gets the devil horns!! When the whole "grunge" trend took over it was considered uncool for solos.(looked upon as being self indulgent)..well in the infamous words of Phil Anselmo"thank God the f&*@*^# trend is dead"(hence the album The Great Southern Trendkill)The solo as we know it will never die..it might go away for a little while,but it always comes back!!Thats why I stick with bands that aren't into it for "the hit"or radio play...the honesty and love for what they do comes through,not some flavor of the month junk!!Who would want to see a show when the singer looks like he'd rather be anywhere but on stage?(yes I am talking about Nirvana)I guess I'd rather not hear a solo than some half assed b.s. thats trying to be passed off as one...like all trends this will pass too.Thank God.

Answer 4

I think the music industry is just trying to put a product out too quickly and the music has become very simplified. Heavy effects and the usual three chords have become the norm. Lead rides that are good actually take a lot of talent and sometimes quite a bit of time in the studio. I think the record companies just want to get something out to make their money and think the public doesn't realize that some of the new songs are not that complicated. It's good to see that you see these things missing from modern rock music. People like you will make the record companies find good bands that can play those hot licks again.

Answer 5

That's a very good question. I have noticed it, as well.

I think that it is an amalgamation of factors.

For one thing, there aren't that many new rock bands who are extremely talented, like some of the old-school guitarists. Examples: Jimmy Page, Joe Satriani, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, George Lynch, Kirk Hammett, and lots of others.

I sort of like the band Nickelback- but those guys aren't talented all so well. Compare them to Breaking Benjamin, and there is a large canyon dividing them.

I agree with the gentleman who said that guitar leads will come back in the near future.

There are a lot of interesting answers I see to this question already. Yet another aspect is the laziness factor.

But, at least these young guns aren't showboating, or trying to play leads and mucking things up. They would look foolish doing that.

Answer 6

I think it's absolutely current trends. Many people, myself included, get caught up in the "cool" riffs and drums combo and kind of forget about the solos. Like someone previously said, some European bands are doing it. I've heard some of those bands do it, and I am sure the talent is there. Some of these guys are disgusting on the guitar, so I know they can.

Answer 7

Currewnt trends and I hope the solos don't come back. Buttrock from the 80's was just terrible. I prefer the band to sound like a band, not individual artists playing together, and creating a mood.

Answer 8

probably a bit of both..
majorly its the current trend. it doesnt matter about talent anymore, its just about the "being famous" part.

not all rock bands dont have solos anymore though..
it doesnt really have to be solos with the lead guitar only, i mean as long as the whole song is not just made up of chords.
bands such as avenged sevenfold, the used, wolfmother and my chemical romance still have solos, though, or more like they dont just strum chords.. =)

Answer 9

It's due to lack of originality in today's music. Although, if you listen to European metal bands, they still have that kind of music. But I think you'll see the guitar solo make a comeback in the near future.

Answer 10

I do so miss them, I wish I knew the answer. I think its both probably more the current trend though. Most bands nowadays only play or know 3 chords.

Answer 11

I think there is laziness involved. At the moment, guitar solos are considered "uncool". But I think that's a cover up for bands who say that. They simply don't HAVE the chops to play like our Eddie Van Halens or Claptons...