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I don't know how the music industry truly operates, but if I had to venture a guess, this is one aspect.
I always hear about bands that come out, are signed, or are just heard in the same era and the majority of them are often criticized because they sound similar with one another, or because they sound like the trail blazer who just happens to be the lucky one who gets signed first.
Because of our wonderful capitalist greed infused music industry, I'm sure similar sounding bands are signed and marketed at the same time because their market "sound" will more likely sell. This, in turn, creates a cash flow for the industry. How sickening. Does talent count for anything anymore, or is this all that life has turned into - a never ending quest for gain?
I really thought I'd have more to say about this but that's about it. Any other insight?
It started with pop music. Those annoying, catchy songs everyone has heard that cling to the inside of your cranium like crazy glue. For those of you who do not radio, I hope you never know this type of torture. Growing up in my teens, I latched onto the idea that if a song was super pop-y and catchy, I would not like it - you all know the whole teenage rebellion ways. This is why I initially despised rap & hip hop (although I was diggin' Bob Marley and a few of my parents' favorites that eventually turned into a love of reggae and hip hop [check out Sublime or 311]).
I hated or at least heavily disliked bands and artists like Papa Roach, the Smashing Pumpkins, Filter, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, and even Tool, who now are all mainstays, upon our first impressions. Papa Roach was too radio friendly, as were the Smashing Pumpkins and Linkin Park, whereas Jay-Z was a hustler, a type of lifestyle I wasn't OK with, Tool was over hyped, and Filter was just...something. Yes, I realize that these guys are all pretty pop rock in general (except Hova), but I've always considered myself at the cusp of pop and non-pop. Because of my ability to enjoy entire albums, I consider myself somewhat an unconventional listener. Most of my favorites songs are not singles, which I'm sure mirrors quite a few of you here.
So what made me change my views around? I simply became more open minded and I think that had a lot to do with 311. During this era (roughly '95), their album lineup was the Blue album, Grassroots, and Music, most of which offered a full feast of auditory delights. Blue was mostly a hard rock/hip hop mash, with a few smooth soothers dotted throughout the album, while Grassroots really displayed 311's lyrical style and talent and had a hip hop sort of zenith. Music was a middle ground between the two, but one of their best efforts and best balanced albums to this date. The multitude of different styles and the way they were sewn together on the meats of their music really struck a chord within, laid waste to my walls of certain music types and totally changed my view of how music was "supposed" to be. Now, I listen to pretty much everything. This has it's own blessings and hardships.
If anyone reads this, I'm interested to hear whether you've had a similar experience, or if you just want to throw a comment in for good measure, be my guest!
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I just came across your post and wanted to say......... I kind of get what you are saying and I kind of do the same thing but with artists my mates rave about. It first started with Jeff Buckley. Everyone said you have to listen to him you will love him he is the best rah rah rah (you get the idea) and I my head I just went NO, no I do not have to listen to him, I do not have to like him and no I will not think he is the best. And in my head that was that BUT a good 5 years on or so I was rummaging through a second hand store and saw the album Grace for a bargain $5. I thought well I will see about this (plus I am a girl thus I love a good bargain). I think I listened to that album 8 times in entirety in the first 48 hours I owned it. unfortunately on occasion I still do the same thing BUT that album/ experience for me, changed my mind 5 days out of 7 in regards to listening to artists people rave about. I mean what's the worst that can happen ...... I waste 45 minutes of my life listening to an album that I don't dig. meah not the end of the world.
tortoise: Good point.
dermahrk: I need to give Dylan a good listening to, he's one of those artists I was talking about above. I've probably avoided him because of the old hometown association - not a good argument.
....and two months later, he replies....
Does anyone know a freeware program for Mac that will convert mp4 (AAC) to mp3, or how to do it without a program?
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Doesn't iTunes do that for you?
"Select one or more songs in your library, and then choose Advanced > "Convert Selection to...."
-David www.audiodrums.com
There is probably a better way but if you go to preferences - advanced - importing - set import setting to mp3 encoder (higher quality) Then burn the music you want to convert on to a cd and import it back into itunes as when finished. Do not replace files, you'll end up with duplicates but one will be acc the other mp3.
The reason you might want to do it this way is file conversion degrades quality and we're already suffering poor quality in enough of our digital habits, compromising sound for space.
david - There is much controversy in my department about this iTunes conversion. Either Apple despises me at its core (which wouldn't be entirely out of the question, as I've lost two hard drives already), or I'm stupid. The only conversion option I'm given is to go to AAC. I think, you can only do this with the Windows version of iTunes.
B42 - I'd say that is the best free option that is around.
Thanks, guys!
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it's all about keeping up with bullshit trends... ridic.
Unfortunately, some good bands were lost in the shuffle - good, in my opinion. This is more of a 90's modern rock reference, I guess.
Nowadays, it's all "chunka-chunk drums" (I forget which Mogger said this) with distorted guitars - trendy as they get.
We need a new genre of tunes.
hah so true, so true.