'Why Can't Music Sound Like This?'
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 12:01AM Every time I watch a classic Glam video on YouTube, there's at least 12 comments that all basically say "Why can't music today sound like this?" For years now, I've read those comments and just shook my head a little. Then, a few hours ago, it just sort of hit me: "Why the hell can't music today sound like [insert classic Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Aerosmith]?" Professional music is a business after all. It is driven by what the consumer wants and will pay for. It seems like a lot of consumers are asking for music that sounds like Hysteria... but are they just not willing to pay for it? Or do the labels just not care? Basically pop country has evolved out of the model of Glam metal (yes, seriously). I don't care for country at all, but it is a music format that works... and sells albums. I guess Hip Hop or R&B sell too because that's all you see on every music awards show these days. I watched the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night and I didn't know 80% of the acts... and I'm 34!
So what's going on here? Is it because labels all basically suck now and don't support their talent or put money behind them? Is it because artists can just make their own albums with a laptop and release via Facebook so there isn't a big marketing machine? Is it really because people just steal music? I'll be honest, all the people I know in real life buy music - none of my friends steal. Maybe it's because we're a little older, all grew up actually buying tapes and CDs and really appreciate music.
If an album came out today that sounded like, say, Hysteria, would it be successful? Would it reach a RIAA Diamond status like the real Hysteria? People say it's impossible to even go platinum these days, but that isn't true. Plenty of new acts have done it. Lady Gaga is a great example. She sort of came out of nowhere and made her own way. Then again, she's commercial pop, had a huge label pushing her and radio went "gaga" over her debut and subsequent tunes.
So do people REALLY want current music to sound like 1988 Whitesnake or not? Or is it just us rockers that know and appreciate real music (and talent)?
Reader Comments (33)
The best thing he truly ever did after Nirvana was make the documentary, "Soundcity", which is superb! And he was also fortunate enough to buy the soundboard from there. Musically, he needs all the help he can get!
Beautiful paragraph: that summer, heavy petting etc!!
It was about the time and place we were in as much as the tunes!
Six pack & the radio...we didn't need no place to go....
Why?
Because we've had at least 20 years to let the good stuff rise to the top and to forget about all the crap. And let's not let nostalgia get in the way and kid ourselves that there wasn't some real crap put out back in the day.
I'm not going to name any names, but there was some bad stuff put out under the guise of glam in the late 80's. We conveniently sweep that under the rug like it never happened. But we can do that because 15 years into the future, nobody remembers that crap.
There's still good new stuff around that resembles what we loved int he 80's. But as I've grown older, I've expanded my musical tastes.
If you like Southern Rock in the vein of Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, et al, there is Blackberry Smoke and Whiskey Myers.
I know there was a review here that panned the Richie Sambora/Orianthi performance at Soundwave, but from what I've seen on youtube, there is some really good stuff happening with those two. A record is in the works.
Million Dollar Reload does sleaze rock justice.
Samantha Fish is more blues than rock, but with too much rock to be blues. Her album is worth checking out.
I'm just saying that the stuff we loved from the 80's can't be replicated. And it shouldn't be attempted because it will never be the same.
To address the download/stealing issue: I have a paid Spotify account that allows me to listen to anything I want. I think it's worth the 10 bucks a month to decide which records I want to purchase. CD quality is so much better than download quality. But I'm not going to plunk down the cash for a record when I only like one song.
Whatever I think of Grohl overall, he got that right and got it right when he snagged that soundboard!
His drums will forever have that classic Soundcity Drum Sound!
And thanks for the compliment and the clarification (if at least to me, of your position) bkallday. I use Pandora and other similar programs to get music I want when I want it. That is, granted, different than Spotify. But your point is a valid one, even the nuance you show in pointing to how you choose to use your money to support bands. I think we are often closer in terms of POV than our posts suggest.
Nice to see you back, up and running at full steam Metalboy! When you are on, you are on. And you were right to point out that Allyson has also been directing us to hidden gems on this site.
The Cheap Seats: great posts. You provided a history lesson (those bands we forgot were crap or remember as being more than they were) and an education on a wide range of bands that other posters could take an interest in if they are so inclined. I like to think that my tastes have expanded too. Funny thing is, they have mostly expanded beyond Glam and metal and towards other, older, bands in other genres that I avoided back in the day or to newer bands, also in other genres, that just grab my attention.
This was one of the better series of posts in recent history on this site. I keep repeating myself. But I will do it again: this is not the sort of discussion you get at other sites. Educated, angry, passionate, and enjoyable. Very lucky I found this place.
Though, you way too complimentary toward me.
Once again, it's kudos to our fearless leader, the lovely Miss Al, er... um... Ms. Al... Sorry, Eric!... as she makes it all possible (and Eric for building the site!)...
And when we are all firing on all pistons, it's her great posts that bring the best out of us us all! \m/
Just to clarify a bit, when I said it can't and shouldn't attempt to be replicated, I was mostly talking about what happened at the end of Glam's heyday, when every label was signing a multitude of of similar sounding crap. I don't think any band now needs to try to replicate what the good music was at the time because it will end up sounding like the crap destroyed the genre. If it happens organically, then I'm all for it, but it should not be forced.
That is all.
Hardcore Superstar, conversely, I liked what songs I heard. Then I got sidetracked with Crashdiet. Apparently they have been mentioned here before I stumbled across this site. Kinda like the love child between early Queensryche and Skid Row with a bit of Buckcherry thrown in.
I'll have to get more in depth with Hardcore Superstar, so far, so good.