Why Music Has Lost it’s Charms (Article)

I tend to agree with article as it pertains to 'commercial' music, however, I assume much prejudice from certain cohorts. The music of our youth and adolescence is often perceived as best since it elicits fond memories of those discovery years. So, at least some of these judgments are clouded by bias.

In favor of yesterday's commercial music being superior to today's is the idea that the cohesiveness of society was much stronger then. In general terms, individual lives were far more similar in past years, Virtually everyone experienced the same culture since we were all informed by similar limited media.

I suppose much greater individual variability is a natural evolving phenomenon, but certainly the IT revolution accelerated that variability. Based on my observations, individual alienation,increased number of out groups, and generally smaller numbers of cohorts within highly variable groups is symptom of increased societal fragmentation. In fragmented societies, entire lives can be lived devoid of contact or empathy for other individual lives and groups.  Not difficult to understand some can't  appreciate music coming from those individuals and groups!

Today's music reflects that fragmentation, I have absolutely no sense of familiarity with many forms of music. I've not paid any attention to 'commercial' music for decades, I have no idea of any songs from Top 40, So, for me, today's  'commercial' music is rather alien, I haven't a clue as to the culture it represents. I can relate to 'commercial' music made from anytime in past and into the 80's, as it came from times when society was far more cohesive, and I have either lived in those times or can at least understand the group think of the eras I wasn't alive in.

As for more recent decade's music, I've continued to listen to music I can relate to. Its just not the 'commercial' music, I've discovered a great variety of genres that represent much smaller cohort groups. Popular and/or mass culture holds nothing for me, tons of out groups is where I find the culture I can relate to. May seem rather strange, but I can even relate to 'world' music far more than mass market American music.

Shazam,  streaming is the key, so much good music made in recent decades, just not in commercial releases. I'm sure at least 25% of listening 2010-now releases.

For those who believe contemporary music and artists suck, give us a list of the all the artists who suck.

@tylermunns  Couldn't agree more! I've given up on major film releases. The best movies are now on various streaming services in the form of the mini series, you get some damn character development. I much prefer the classic movies/film on TCM, I guess people don't care about story lines anymore, action and escape from reality is what they seek. I don't care about the tenth remake of some lame movie which seems to be profit model for theatrical releases these days.

Contemporary music nothing like this, major studios don't control the music business like they did back in the bad old days. There is so much obscure never heard of artists out there via streaming services, how one couldn't find some wonderful music is beyond me

@tylermunns While I understand the attachment to physical media, I have well over 3500 vinyl. Isn't the true intrinsic value of recordings the music itself?

As far as the business model of streaming, don't blame it on streaming, nothing inherent to streaming that makes it unfair to artist's renumeration. Blame this on a society/culture that doesn't value artists in general, mass taste means only a few artist reap vast majority of rewards, the rest are lucky to make a living salary or do it expecting little or no income.

For those who think the golden age of music all in the past, music business models existent in those days were far worse for vast majority of artists. Extremely limited number of labels controlled entire music business, percentage of artists getting studio time for recording miniscule. I often think about how many great artists were never recorded, what a waste. Funny how people often remember things with rose colored glasses.

@jbhiller Barriers to entry much less today than ever, I agree may be more difficult to find the cream only due to much larger catalog to choose from. On the other hand, easier than ever to find the cream with streaming, one can sample great number of releases in relatively little time. Prior to streaming the only place I discovered less commercial music was University student radios stations and a few independents,

How do we know the cream easily rose to the top from 30's-70's with oligopolies controlling music business. There was exclusive cadre of A&R guys, vast majority looking for profit generating artists, perfect climate for domination of commercial music.

I agree far more distractions and entertainment  venues exist for young folks today, music as anything more than background noise is minority pursuit. But then, hasn't music always served that purpose for the vast majority.

My perception of those who can't find quality music from recent times. I observe many use music to reminisce and/or hear familiar themes from the decades they more relate to. I understand the nostalgia and reminiscing, don't understand the mental block for more recent music, plenty of newer music and artists with retro sound and themes. The other thing I don't understand is avoidance of newer genres and lack of curiosity, arguments as to lack of musicianship is just a weak rationalization for chosen ignorance and closed mind. Music, just like everything changes over time, sometimes for the best, sometimes for the worse, never only for the worst or best.

Returning to present streaming business model, and my statement "nothing inherently wrong with it".

Streaming business model could be many things, supply and demand are but one imposition on it, another important component would be artists leverage. In society where masses value artists highly, artists could pursue association, backed by masses, and demand higher remuneration. This leverage would be in the form of threatened or actively pursued strike by artists and/or boycotts by consumers. As things stand, owners of streaming services hold all the cards, and if not them record companies, distributors, etc.

Artists supply the content, based on how money presently distributed, you'd think many artists don't exist, like giving away one's labor for free while others profit. True upside down world! Value I receive from music is far more than my costs, and I give to my local student and university radio stations, and attend live concerts. I doubt physical media going to be future of music distribution, streaming business models will only change for betterment of artists if society values them more highly.

@robones54 Agree with you on Sirius radio sound quality. However, streaming sound quality extremely variable depending on source and streaming equipment. I've had high end cd transports in past, my present streaming setup exceeds any cd playback I had, also exceeds pretty nice present vinyl setup. One can have both vast music selection and highest sound quality with streaming

. I also find it odd that some claim they have greater selection with physical media vs. streaming, I have at least 2500 cds and 3500 lp's, extremely rare any of this physical media not available with streaming. Much more likely, streams not available on any physical media, many releases will never be available on physical media, either due to being cut outs or having never been released on physical media.

I observe a  lot of disdain for more contemporary artists and releases due to disdain for streaming technology and perhaps the entire zeitgeist of contemporary society. There is a burgeoning 'culture of complaint' out there, many turn away, or purposely choose ignorance to avoid having to interface with new artists they assume are part of a culture/society they don't like. Too bad, so many wonderful messages and feelings evoked by many contemporary artists!  On streaming front, no media is perfect, avoiding streaming for unjustified prejudicial reasons denies one a wonderful musical experience.