|
|
Post by AccuratePassion on Jun 9, 2005 7:25:20 GMT
Very well put.
|
|
|
|
Post by quelquefois on Feb 27, 2007 4:00:20 GMT
Think of it this way: North America's radio stations cater to the population's whims and the population's whims are what the radio stations dictate. Ugly, yeah?
It all works in cycles. Like you said-- rock ruled the 90's radio. All of a sudden it started dwindling to brainless pop. Right now we're easing out of degenerate hip hop and somehow radio stations are starting to play pleasantries coupled with trendy music. By pleasantries I mean "easy listening" type music such as the Fray, Modest Mouse, etc. Trendy music of course means emo and whatever other subgenre that has come into existence.
Since the population isn't as "cultured" or musical as others, I'd have to say things are looking up for society from my point of view.
As long as we're not talking about milkshakes and dropping items because they are hot then I think the world is doing fine.
I'll just keep not listening to the radio (5 years!) unless it's a Saturday morning in which case I clean the house up by listening to JACK FM and their incredible rotation of 80's feelgood nonsense.
|
|
|
|
Post by mangoturtles on Feb 27, 2007 4:17:31 GMT
-sigh-
Bring me to England, and tuck me into bed.
|
|
|
|
Post by quelquefois on Feb 27, 2007 4:40:42 GMT
hear, hear!
|
|
|
|
Post by mynameisdominic on Feb 27, 2007 7:01:51 GMT
Well i'd like to think of it as like RHCP they made 3 albums before being played on MTV (higher Ground) so obviously it takes time for this to happen. I also agree with that person aobut how they might turn out like the pixies with that 'street cred'.
|
|
|
|
Post by dunhiriel on Feb 27, 2007 15:45:23 GMT
Sometimes a band doesn't need huge success to be generally recognised and loved. Personally, I'm happy that the KOL have a half-cult status (i.e. known, but not mainstream). When a band becomes too popular for its own good, over-played on the radio, loved by everyone just because it's "the popular thing at the moment", I think it loses a lot of style and uniqueness.
|
|
|
|
Post by evilincarnate on Feb 27, 2007 22:32:43 GMT
I'm quite happy with the amount of recognition they get here in America...it means they are still big enough here that they do actually tour the States, but that they are still playing intimate venues where you stand the chance of meeting them and being close enough to see their faces.
At this moment in popular music, rock is on the back burner..."hip hop" (not even real rap imo), emo, and shitty psuedorock like Hinder, are at the forefront. However, as each of these genres becomes more and more watered down and generally "shitty" their true fans will eventually turn to better underground acts, effectively killing the genres commercial success as the more "spur of the moment-whatevers on the Top 40" fans move on to the next craze. It is very possible that within the next decade the music that is popular now will fade and something else (hopefully rock, but it could be techno, dance, bubblegum pop, anything) will replace it. Disco faded away in the early 80s, New Wave in the later 80s, and Grunge in the early 90s...I think music goes in waves of roughly 6-7 years, and since we've been in the current stage since boybands died in 2001, therefore we are about due for a changing of the pop music guard.
But honestly, do you really want to see KOL playing massive arenas where you have to pay $80 for a ticket to see blurry silhouettes of Followills? Right now I'm happy with going to see them in small venues with other hardcore fans, I still get to catch them on all the late night shows, festivals, and magazines...but I don't have to deal with the annoyances of liking one of the more popular bands in the country. Plus, it would take away their "indie" appeal.
We all say we want our favorite bands to have success, but when they do they are marked as sellouts, and "famous assholes." I wouldn't want that to happen with them. That being said, if the boys want to be huge, more power to them, I think they do have what it takes. I'll love them regardless.
|
|
|
|
Post by Viscera Eyes on Feb 27, 2007 22:41:40 GMT
I'm quite happy with the amount of recognition they get here in America...it means they are still big enough here that they do actually tour the States, but that they are still playing intimate venues where you stand the chance of meeting them and being close enough to see their faces. At this moment in popular music, rock is on the back burner..."hip hop" (not even real rap imo), emo, and shitty psuedorock like Hinder, are at the forefront. However, as each of these genres becomes more and more watered down and generally "shitty" their true fans will eventually turn to better underground acts, effectively killing the genres commercial success as the more "spur of the moment-whatevers on the Top 40" fans move on to the next craze. It is very possible that within the next decade the music that is popular now will fade and something else (hopefully rock, but it could be techno, dance, bubblegum pop, anything) will replace it. Disco faded away in the early 80s, New Wave in the later 80s, and Grunge in the early 90s...I think music goes in waves of roughly 6-7 years, and since we've been in the current stage since boybands died in 2001, therefore we are about due for a changing of the pop music guard. But honestly, do you really want to see KOL playing massive arenas where you have to pay $80 for a ticket to see blurry silhouettes of Followills? Right now I'm happy with going to see them in small venues with other hardcore fans, I still get to catch them on all the late night shows, festivals, and magazines...but I don't have to deal with the annoyances of liking one of the more popular bands in the country. Plus, it would take away their "indie" appeal. We all say we want our favorite bands to have success, but when they do they are marked as sellouts, and "famous assholes." I wouldn't want that to happen with them. That being said, if the boys want to be huge, more power to them, I think they do have what it takes. I'll love them regardless. I completely agree! I hate when bands become mainstream. I usually seem to fall out of love with a lot of mainstream bands just because everything seems boring when everyone knows who the bands are. Plus they over play the songs. For example I used to completely adore The All-American Rejects. I knew who they were before they became mainstream, like i'm talking when their DEMOS were only out and stuff. Then I don't know, I guess I fell out of love with them a little bit just because of all the teenie boppers flocking at them all the time because of the way they look. A lot of them have no clue what they sing or even what their names are. Plus their songs are becoming way too overplayed. I still like them but i'm not fond of mainstream. |
|
|
|
Post by evilincarnate on Feb 27, 2007 23:05:27 GMT
Yeah, I did the same thing with Snow Patrol, who've I've been a fan of for like 3 albums now...and then wham! Grey's Anatomy happens and they are huge. I still like them, but I can't listen to Chasing Cars without feeling like I'm an MTV pawn now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Viscera Eyes on Feb 27, 2007 23:12:15 GMT
Hahaha I definately know how it feels!  |
|
|
|
Post by Pex On Fire- on Feb 27, 2007 23:19:29 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Viscera Eyes on Feb 27, 2007 23:24:26 GMT
Ahaha! That was freaking hilarious! Karma to you! |
|
|
|
Post by mangoturtles on Feb 28, 2007 1:01:03 GMT
Mr. Cent
Hahahahah
That's classic.
|
|
|
|
Post by quelquefois on Feb 28, 2007 3:05:33 GMT
Sometimes a band doesn't need huge success to be generally recognised and loved. Personally, I'm happy that the KOL have a half-cult status (i.e. known, but not mainstream). When a band becomes too popular for its own good, over-played on the radio, loved by everyone just because it's "the popular thing at the moment", I think it loses a lot of style and uniqueness. Ditto. Usually when music becomes mainstream it changes for the worst to serve the public and appeal to them. And, we know the public ain't very... .. ... .. sane. |
|
|
|
Post by lostdogscry on Mar 2, 2007 22:12:41 GMT
I enjoy reading everyone's opinion on this topic!!
|
|
ruby
Knocked Up
Some like it HOT
Posts: 477
|
Post by ruby on Mar 3, 2007 1:01:40 GMT
I love Family Guy  |
|
|
|
Post by sunshowers on Mar 4, 2007 3:43:15 GMT
The whole problem with this is the music industry and executives.
Just as an example, if you look at rock radio today, most of it is post-grunge and emo. The demographic of the most popular rock station in my area is men ages 18-49. The music execs are going to sign bands and promote bands that fit into this demographic. (In my city, that's men who have beer bellies and watch nascar.) They promote Kings of Leon into this demographic, but they aren't fitting, so they don't get played on the radio. They have a different sound, and if the execs catered to a demographic that likes new sounds (young people) then they would be successful. Trying to get middle aged men whose favoite song has been "Welcome to the Jungle" ever since they were 12 isn't going to work out.
The industry is also going in tough times right now. I think sales are down about 15-20% just from last year. The execs blame it on illegal downloading, which is taking their focus away from the real problem, THE MUSIC. If they learned to experiment with different sounding bands (like Kings of Leon) then they'd sell more. Most of my friends download illegally, but they'll buy the CD if they love the band That much. It's a part of the experience. The execs are so caught up in the piracy and copyright problem that they don't take time to develop their artists, so a lot of music is shitty right now. (How else could the "High School Musical Soundtrack" be the hightest selling album of last year, with a tiny 4 million+ copies?)
If you look at the charts right now, some indie acts (and British acts, too) are gaining ground within popular radio. This is happening through the word of mouth, especially the Internet. Not thanks to radio and major record labels. People are searching for something new to hear because they're sick of the same old crap they hear on the radio. I'm not positive about this, but I believe that indie labels acts sell 14% of all total physical (CD) sales, but 26% of all digital sales. As more people buy digital, this is only going to grow and grow.
The Kings could easily become popular, it just depends on the timing. I don't think the popular music scene is going to embrace them just yet, but maybe by their next CD they will. I'm guessing that 2007 will be a pivotal year for them, but it won't be the height of their success. The industry is in too much turmoil. Of course, they could lead the industry out of the mess, but that's almost impossible for a band to do single-handedly. It all comes down to the fans.
In other words, it all comes down to us.
|
|
|
|
Post by compton on Mar 6, 2007 16:00:59 GMT
I do think that most of the music that north Americans like does suck. But its not only due to people liking rap music, there are a lot of crappy rock bands that are popular. Creed, Fall out Boy, Panic at the Disco, and many others.
However The Strokes, The White Stripes and KOL seems to be gaining a pretty fierce following. All of their shows sell out here. I don't know about albums sells...
I do think it is time for people to really give KOL some credit, they are my favorite band, and they are one of the few bands that keep making consistently fantastic music.
I think i have lost my point. ha. oh well.
|
|
|
|
Post by abnewton08 on Mar 6, 2007 21:47:34 GMT
The ruin of all bands lie at the foot of the industry.
They arleady are huge. You know about 'em. Is that not good enough? Last thing I'd want is for them to get sucked into that kind of lifestyle............[TOO LATE(December, 2011)]
The rare thing about the kings is that they are nothing in their homeland. How many groups have you known that have that oppurtunity. They can come home to an actual home rather than fans chasing them down. I believe if the kings become the equivalent to the stones, they would form a new way of looking at things, different way of writing things, different way of playing things. (things = music?)
In the end, does anybody really WANT them to be "rockstars"?
I'd rather have an artist.
|
|
k
Cold as a Grave
Posts: 82
|
Post by k on Mar 8, 2007 22:47:05 GMT
i've really enjoyed this discussion, but please don't believe the music scene in the uk is so cool, just check this week's official chart... www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles.shtmlmaybe two and a half good songs in the top ten! the gossip track at number seven is brilliant (and they're american!). the mainstream in the uk and the us seems very similar to me - hip hop and r 'n' b are very big here too, but so too is dance and pop. perhaps bands get established here quicker because a band can do an extensive tour of the country in about two weeks - but that would barely scratch the surface of america. also, our charts are based purely on sales, whereas i believe yours include airplay - which would have a huge effect on displacing alternative music i think. i grew up believing the us to be superior because of your 'college radio' scene playing the likes of the flaming lips, pavement etc. and building there reputation - is this not the case any more? thanks to mcfearless for mentioning m.i.a. everyone should check her myspace www.myspace.com/mia (it isn't to most peoples' taste) she is on the same label as the white stripes, but don't expect them to sound alike! finally, they're obviously massive here - but the arctic monkeys are about to explode with their second album, and they recently played a gig in my hometown (which is an english 'smallville', where no good bands have played since the britpop heyday about ten years ago) and i filmed their new single if you're interested in hearing it... youtube.com/watch?v=cFKn1si6dPA |
|
