So called "Country" Music ...

[Tinuviel Girl]

Why is it that most of it sucks? [shock] Most of the new country songs are all but rock songs sang with such an awful hick accent that the words are indeciferable. But ya know ... that makes it country ... I can hardly stand watching CMT trying to see NC's When In Rome video, because I have to stand listening to this CRAP in the background. People are so gullible these days ... they don't ever try to find something original and creative. Like Nickel Creek ... it really bugs me when people don't even know who Nickel Creek is. I always want to say things like ... well they are just one of the most talented bands out there right now, but ya know talent doesn't matter anymore. Country used to be enjoyable, but now it is just the same basic boring melody with a boring drum beat, and the same old simple bland steel guitar solo ... **Wow that song didn't even have a verse** I LOVE Nickel Creek's instrumentals, but having those on their album can sometimes put them in the same category as all of this bullcrap. Thank god they have spread out into a new land. BUT, the only problem is, the direction they are going is almost as bad ... [guilty] ... [bang]

I tell this to my parents, and they say that it was the same back in their day, but I really don't think it was. There were great bands such as Yes, Chicago, The Beatles, etc. that people actually KNEW about. See there might be good bands now, but since they aren't good looking or rich, nobody ever hears about them. What has my generation done to society? :confused: And this is just what they have done to music ... don't even get me started on other things ... like for instance, when did it become cool to be a hillbilly?

PS - I probably shouldn't have posted this, but I wanted to get it off my chest. And I am SO happy to see how many teenagers are breaking free of this ridiculous trend, and becoming fans of this great band.

Here is a chunk of a poem I wrote ...

Our virtues hidden by stereotype,
our talents completely shadowed
by a useless hype.

Yeah it sucks I know ... :rolleyes:

[e-rock2]

Yes, modern country music is quite pathetic. No real originality and most of it sounds the same with no real soul to it. It is simply music made for the masses because many people actually like it because it is harmless. Country radio doesn't like originality. Plus the focus groups determine what will get played instead of giving a new performer a chance or something that actually is original. There was plenty of bad music too in the 60's and 70's. Trust me on that. But radio and record companies were much different back then. New bands were given time to grow and develop and not have to sell a million copies the first time out. Nowadays, the big corporations have taken over radio and the record companies and the music has suffered greatly. Well at least what is played on the radio. There is still tons of great music out there, but you just have to be willing to hunt it down. Your generation didn't do anything to music, the big corporations did this. Alright, I'm done with my ranting.

[Tinuviel Girl]

Yes but my generation has bought into it.

[Jimmie]

Originally posted by Tinuviel Girl
Why is it that most of it sucks? [shock] Most of the new country songs are all but rock songs sang with such an awful hick accent that the words are indeciferable. But ya know ... that makes it country ...
No it doesn't. Commercial country radio plays pop music that has little, if anything, to do with real country.

If you want to hear real country music in most cities, you have to drop down below 92 on the dial. You'll probably have to check some of the station's program guides to find out when they play any sort of roots music. But when you find it, you'll learn that country music is alive and well and healthier than ever - it just isn't being played on commercial radio.

You want to hear REAL country music? Go listen to Kasey Chambers, or Tim O'Brien, or Robin and Linda Williams, or Eliza Gilkyson, or Riders In The Sky, or Asleep At The Wheel, or any of many scores more....

[Tinuviel Girl]

Yes I know there is decent country music out there. Why? Because that is actually country music. I was not saying all music that has any connection to country music sucks. I was saying that this crap people buy by the mass is not country, but my generation is so ruthless, arrogant, and blind that they can't see that. They just go for whoever is hot, or whoever gets the most press, or whoever thinks their tractor is sexy.

1 more thing i forgot to mention - CMT, MTV, and VH1 (music videos in general) are quite possibly the worst thing to happen to music in this century ...

[e-rock2]

What you have to realize sometimes is that most people just listen to whatever is force fed to them by the radio stations. They don't have a choice in that matter. What you don't realize is that it's not cool to be unique. Look all over society and if you do something different or original, most people will think you are some kind of a freak for not going along with the masses. You can't worry about what other people choose to listen to, just be concerned about finding good music because there is plenty of it out there. Commercial radio is just not going to play most of the really good country music. I agree with you on the music video thing as now image or looks play a bigger role in the music industry. Plus, I think music video plants images in your head when you hear a certain song instead of using your imagination. I personally don't watch music videos for that reason.

[Tinuviel Girl]

I understand what your saying completely, and I know its not cool to be original, but it just angers me when it detracts from the real musicians ...

[e-rock2]

Unfortunately radio today is about the money and not about the talent. That is the harsh reality of what is now the business of radio. They are trying to suck the art out of the artists.

[NJlowe]

The only good thing(?) about CMT is their
Wide Open Country when they play Creek
there occasionally...

Nancy

[Tinuviel Girl]

I just wish there was something we could do about it ...

[e-rock2]

Always remember that integrity is more important than popularity. It really doesn't matter what everyone else listens to or how popular it is.

[EmmieOdysseus]

I think that we also have to take into consideration that most people don't really appreciate music-real music I mean. Most people wouldn't really care how fast some guy named Chris Thile can play the mandolin.......unless they discover it for themselves[think har

[PrincessNic]

I agree. I love music....all kinds. Even the popular stuff (I won't mention artist names for my own protection) But I think musicians actually know what they are listening to because they play. They know what cords and changes are overdone and what is good. I don't play music. But I know what I like. I like Nickel Creek the best because they are exciting and fun and passionate about what they are doing. But that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate good music when I hear it.

BTW, I just got XM radio and I have been enjoying listening to the Loft station. So far I have heard Nickel Creek, Dar Williams, Wilco, and Sam Phillips. It is not everyday that I hear artists like that on the radio.

[SpockTheater]

This topic really is so profound and it reaches more than just music. E-rock2 nailed the source right between the eyes as the further commercialization of radio has increased over the past several years.[splat] It’s encouraging to see that others take offense to the fact that big business, via commercial radio and eMpTy V, is creating an artistically degenerate and inept generation.

This is what I see going on in the business side of things. I work in the IT (computers) industry and a current trend is called “Common Systems” and it’s nothing new to the business world. For the sake of clarity, Common Systems means that each branch of a corporation has the same type of servers and everything is setup the same way. I agree that this is a healthy trend for the IT community because it minimizes problems and simplifies system support.

Now that they’ve bought out most of the smaller, independent radio stations, Clear Channel is having a joygasm thinking about the money they can save by applying the “Common Systems” concept to the radio industry. In their minds, it’s screw the consequences if they're saving money. Besides, doesn’t money quantify success? That’s the consequence that they ignore, money does not quantify the success of music and art for ALL of society. The only way to transform music and art into a “Common System” is by creating the absence of diversity. I suppose this is why big business men, and not musicians, say what music and art is “popular”. How’s that for a subtle irony? This is why they need to stifle out everything that they don’t define as “popular music”. If society accepts their definition of what “popular” is, then they’re happy. Pair this with the fact that Generation X is plagued and labeled by a terminal case of laziness, and it’s no wonder that they can’t find music outside of what the radio plays. SUCKERS!!!!!! [nono]

So where’s the ray of hope for musicians and those of us who don’t like “popular” music? After a nice walk through Best Buy last week, I found something a little strange in the Best Sellers section of the store. A nice big picture of Dream Theater’s latest cd Octavarium was on display right beside Nine Inch Nails’ latest. Now wait a minute. The last time Dream Theater was consistently played on the radio was in 1992, so what the heck are they doing under the Best Sellers section? I thought only what can be heard on the radio is any good. *note sarcasm* Then I looked around to see what other bands are “Best Sellers”. The Mars Volta?!?! NIN?!?! You must be joking. I thought the idea of progressive music died in the mid 70’s. I guess that the radio industry and I are sadly mistaken.

Seriously though, this shows that a market for successful, creative music does exist in spite of what the radio industry does to ignore it. I really do have a faint hope for the day when the industry will see that the consumer still defines what quality music is and that radio play does not equal success. Sorry if my post was a bit long, but I did say that this is a profound topic.

Tinuviel Girl, you want to do something about it? Just keep doing what you’re doing now, because simple word of mouth has a lot to do with the success of NC and other bands that are not “popular”.

[fiddlincklcrker]

Well I must say I agree with you. CMT does showcase a lot of none country artists. And when I try to explain Nickel Creek to people they are like oh country/bluegrass I don't like that. I just want to scream in their faces they are so much more than that. I try to explain Nickel Creek to my cousin but she just keeps telling me I don't like bluegrass or country. I just want to yell in her face if you would listen to most of the songs on the new album they are so much more than just that label. Some songs might seem country but you have to give all of their music a taste before you can make judgement. Thank you

[Tinuviel Girl]

Nice post Spock (can I call you Spock?)

You too Gedita, short simple and very much to the point.

Thank you people for responding and letting me know I'm not alone in these feelings.

[fiddlincklcrker]

Your very welcome, always happy to help in the assist of a fellow creeker. :)

[Stevendean]

As for my take on the modern country crapola that is on both radio and tv, it is just that......crap.
It is either love anthems, loss anthems, or party your butt of booze music. (I think that pretty much sums it all up).

Ultimately, the demise of music stems from the jello minded masses that shoot out and buy most of the mindless jibberish that is shot at them from the airwaves.

Thank goodness there are some musicians that have remained truely independant and that they will not compromise their belief in great music.

To the credit of the pop-music promoters, radio and tv, at least they leave room for bands like NC, or Glen Phillips, etc..... to be seen and heard.

Stand fast, you warriors of epic indie music, stand fast!

Steven

[Meghan Narser]

I also think that one of the problems is that, it is cool to be different in a rebel kind of way. But that means things such as punk music, or rock music, hardly bluegrass. And I don't think a lot of the talented artists are willing to go into that rebel music.
And people fear bands like Nickel Creek that you can't label. They don't want to go through the same problems we do in we don't know what to call them, we can't do them justice with explainations, they'd rather just listen to something simple that everyone else will understand immediatly.

[fiddlincklcrker]

Meghan Narser I think you hit the nail on the head with the one. 5 brownie points for that. :)

[kayla2006]

I know what you mean about the hillbilly thing. I live in the hills.. and so does my grandma and grandpa and most of my family. They used to be made fun of but now being unlearned is cool.
I dont think so. They had to do what they could back then to get by. I just dont like people claiming to be a hillbilly when they are sitting in an airconditioned house or even surfing online. Sorry if I stepped on some toes.

[Tinuviel Girl]

That is really bothering me. Its like, ok you have been so keen your entire life not to be labelled as a hillbilly, but now that they've made a series about it (which is incredibly demeaning) they thinks its cool. WTF?!?!?!?!?

[kayla2006]

Originally posted by Tinuviel Girl
That is really bothering me. Its like, ok you have been so keen your entire life not to be labelled as a hillbilly, but now that they've made a series about it (which is incredibly demeaning) they thinks its cool. WTF?!?!?!?!?
Okay.. I know there has to be a series but I cant think of it... what is it? [bang]

[Tinuviel Girl]

Blue Collar TV er whatever ...

[kayla2006]

Oh yes. I remember lol.. well I think there is a difference between a redneck and a hillbilly.. rednecks probably know better or have the chance to know better and a hillbilly lives in the hills and has no chance to be taught.. or isnt taught... wow.. okay.. Im sorry.. Im sounding mighty silly right now lol

[thebiglargeness]

hillbilles are the way they are through their culture, ad upbringing

rednecks are the way they are because of a lack of civility in a civilized environment



i think that came out right anyway

[greyhart]

Country music has changed in the last few decades. Used to be country music was actually from the areas between highly populated areas known then as the country (vs. city).

Appalachian music, bluegrass, small community music then sounded so much different than what we know today as country music. Today if it includes a dog, a woman and a pickup truck, it can be titled under country.

You never hear songs on the country station that have no lyrics which is endlessly annoying for people like me who like those songs, you never hear bluegrass and rarely banjo playing (and when there is it's not even really that great).

The stereotypical country music title is still affixed to the other types of music too...Rant over...just gets on my nerves coming from a family that loves bluegrass and folk music.

I'm glad Allison Krauss has been on the radio lately though.