General Music Chat

I was watching when fun accepted their award, and the leader thanked their parents for letting them live in their basements or something the last 12 years just to play in a band and get tight.. that kinda pizzed me off thinking I'd love to play with some musicians but simply do not have the time being self-employed, maybe it's my fault I can't command 30 dollars an hour to afford me some free time but at least I like what I'm doing for a living so that's worth something..I think I'd rather play music but just the time needed to rehearse and gas money needed plus I'm not really at the age I want to lug PA gear around either

I was expecting more from Mumford and Sons. I dunno, they're ok I guess but I heard no melody or counter melodies from the instruments. Just everyone kinda just "stumming" along. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

I like a good vocal as much as anyone but the same three or four chords "strummed" over and over doesn't really hold my interest very long.

And I think that's the problem with much of the stuff that's popular now. It's one thing that there isn't a solo (and that's ok....I get that not every song NEEDS a solo) but please, I've got to hear something going on melodically from the instruments besides boring "play the changes" backup.

Its very difficult to compose something that pleases the majority. Aside from that, in my most creative hours, i have discovered that the extent of my love, sadness or excitement...can usually be captured in 3 or 4 chord progressions... (sigh)... (Start that one in Dm)

I think perhaps you misunderstand where I'm coming from, Grant. I don't believe there's anything wrong with a three or four chord song. But I do feel you need to make a song using those chords interesting by having more going on than just "chonking" away on the chords. You need some interesting counterpoint melodies and rhythms to maintain the listener's interest and to keep the music moving forward.

The Beatles were great at this. Many of their best songs used a limited amount of chords but there was always something going on.....always some little pieces of ear candy to keep you engaged.

Too much of today's stuff just doesn't have that.

I was expecting more from Mumford and Sons. I dunno, they're ok I guess but I heard no melody or counter melodies from the instruments. Just everyone kinda just "stumming" along. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

I like a good vocal as much as anyone but the same three or four chords "strummed" over and over doesn't really hold my interest very long.

And I think that's the problem with much of the stuff that's popular now. It's one thing that there isn't a solo (and that's ok....I get that not every song NEEDS a solo) but please, I've got to hear something going on melodically from the instruments besides boring "play the changes" backup.

Its very difficult to compose something that pleases the majority. Aside from that, in my most creative hours, i have discovered that the extent of my love, sadness or excitement...can usually be captured in 3 or 4 chord progressions... (sigh)... (Start that one in Dm)

I think perhaps you misunderstand where I'm coming from, Grant. I don't believe there's anything wrong with a three or four chord song. But I do feel you need to make a song using those chords interesting by having more going on than just "chonking" away on the chords. You need some interesting counterpoint melodies and rhythms to maintain the listener's interest and to keep the music moving forward.

The Beatles were great at this. Many of their best songs used a limited amount of chords but there was always something going on.....always some little pieces of ear candy to keep you engaged.


Too much of today's stuff just doesn't have that.

Agreed... Its become an "Everybody and their mothers..." engagement, with no thought, whatsoever about the real skills of musical articulation. I',m not saying one has to be the top of it, but I ma saying that self proclaimed musicians should at least 'try'... (And most aren't trying)...Makes me cringe...but I'm just the janitor in this building...What do i know?

I understand totally what Peg is alluding too. Ear candy, is a great term, listen to Sly and the Family Stone material, I always hear something new listening to groups like that.

Whats being overlooked is that what gets put on the Grammys is ussually whatever is selling the most at the time its judged. So the big awards do go to the music that is dumbed down for the masses.

I understand totally what Peg is alluding too. Ear candy, is a great term, listen to Sly and the Family Stone material, I always hear something new listening to groups like that.

Whats being overlooked is that what gets put on the Grammys is ussually whatever is selling the most at the time its judged. So the big awards do go to the music that is dumbed down for the masses.

And always have.

I remember back when it was madonna and lionel ritchie getting the awards.. and radio played def leppard like that was hard rock, when in essence it was all pop music. Bands like iron maiden, metallica, and judas priest were completely ignored by institutional authorities, yet we all know they rocked the crap out of the 80's. Same goes for today - although I'd still argue that today's popular music is a far cry better than most of the stuff from the last two decades. That was kind of my whole point.

What I see is the trendy coffee shop acoustic guitar crooners of the past 5 to 10 years emerging as the new 'Rock' bands.
Where's the fire?
Where's your balls??

Coffee shop?? Hell, Queen had far more "pussie" songs than Ballsy ones.. Zep mixed poppy and slow music as well. You want system of a down or something? Here's some great music that isn't just coffee shop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yCIDkFI7ew Black Keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqxI7TI5ji0 (imagine dragons)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog MUSE (admittedly 3 years old now, but it's what is shaping new stuff today!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCLek4aSpbo Grouplove

Better, though older, music:

Oasis
http://youtu.be/gr7MSSPNH9o

Arctic Monkeys
http://youtu.be/ePg1tbia9Bg

The Killers
http://youtu.be/1xUbnMuRPrA