Music or the Image? (1279 hits)
Category: Sound & MusicRating: 1.55 on 19 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <sek__jai.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2002-10-30 10:32:09 EST
How many people can honestly say that they listen to music because they like it and not because of something about the band (what they did, what they represent, who they sponsor or get sponsored by)? So many people claim that they listen to a certain artist for their music and deny that they are obsessed with the band, while so much merchandise featuring popular artists is being purchased on a daily basis that it's created it's own industry.
Although my taste in music runs mostly towards rock, I listen to rap, rave, pop, (even?) country. I listen to Japanese, Chinese and English (because they involve lyrics I understand) and I like the weirdest artists. The only thing that reflects I'm a fan of a current favorite is a wallpaper on my computer featuring that artist.
Let's use ... Christina Aguilera as an example. I can understand if people say that she has a decent voice, but does having a life-sized poster of her stuck on the wall mean that the CD will sound better?
User Reviews
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-12-18 08:15:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Actually, I find that I listen to some Korean and Japanese music mainly because I don't understand whatever the hell they're singing. That way I can hear the music itself. When I find a song that's appealing, chances are that I'll look up the translated lyrics, find out that it's retarded and ditch the song.
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2002-11-18 23:48:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i believe there are people who listen to music because of the way it makes them feel or the deepth and power of the music itself and lyrics.
Submitted by michele_0221 <michele_0221.at.hotmail.com> at 2002-11-18 22:19:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
i love tool for the mental images that their music gives. it makes you think, and that's what will make me listen to a band over and over and over and over again.
but i also like listening to good sounding music. something with a good beat/tune/lyrics. music is so emotional.
Submitted by streetpunk <juggalo44.at.mad.scientist.com> at 2002-11-18 15:06:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I am a fence rider when it comes to all this. I love shareware, but I understand why people in the industry are against it. I play in a band and I love writing good honest music, and I also love listening to fan oriented bands that make me feel welcome. I also understand that the money bands make isn't from album sales at all. Ticket sales give them a nice chunk, but they have to split that with the bar/club/colliseum, and not to mention, roadies and bandmates. That is why they sale t-shirts, buttons, stickers, posters. I have an our lady peace bumper sticker because, I like the band. I wouldn't put an nsync sticker on my car, because I don't like them. Granted, it may not make the music any better, but it gives some support. In the mainstream, if you want a band to keep producing music, they must be successful. I don't want to "sell out," But at the same time, look at the website I am on. Do you think Green Day, Bob Dylan, Outcast, Aerosmith, Britney Spears, or Tool ever say to themselves, "gee I am at work and I am bored" I listen to the most mainstream, and the most underground. I love the indie and the radio scenes. It works both ways too. Do you think a band like Ozma or the Quincy Punks makes that much per show in ticket sales. Let's see, we'll say they are playing big clubs and drawing a crowd of 500 per big show, at $8 a ticket, that comes to be $4000. Now divide that by 1/3, which is what the house gets, because they must make money too that = $2667. Now divide that by 4 (4 members in the band) $650 per band member. That seems like a lot of money, but that is when they play at an absolutely packed house, and most likely a big city. If they went to a place like Amarillo, Tx, they might pull a crowd of 1-200, if they were a well liked, big, underground band like Nofx or SunnyDay Real Estate. The cover would probably be like,$3-5 as well, if it was at the local punk clubs, $7-8 at a regular club. That is considerably less, and all too often an outcome. I know bands that have lost money or merely broke even on tour. Don't get me wrong, I love the artistic outlet from music, but I don't want to starve to death because of it. If I had the choice of sitting in this desk for the rest of my life, or traveling the world in style, with a lot of money, and playing for thousands of people (even though the music was a little soulless)do you think I would ever be sitting in front of a computer reading this website?
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-11-07 13:50:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice to see there are still some people hold back from the money ... but I think it's a matter of time before they get 'recognised' and end up like all the other bands.
What's with Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter going solo? Then again, this seems to be happening to a lot of artists. They form a band, get a record company behind their backs, and then migrate to sing on their own. Does that mean the rest of the band/group can just fake their own deaths and live off all the money they gleaned from adoring fans?
Submitted by 88888 (user info) at 2002-10-31 16:07:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Check this out.. www.umphreys.com
Awesome US Touring band.. who will forever turn down the BIG $ in exchange for a real crowd and their integrity..
A local club here, asked them to play, and offered them 2x their normal rate of pay.. and they turned it down, because they know what the club is about normally. and it sucks!
They are awesome.. and will never be on MTV or your local pop radio station. because they choose to keep it that way.
They are comparible to The Beatles, or Pink Floyd.. both or either.. they are just awesome.. if you get a chance to check them out. DO IT.
88888
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-10-31 10:27:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think the thing is that whenever an 'underground' artist begins to get recognised, a company instantly tries to hitch a ride. From the new artist's point of view: he/she/they are just beginners and there's already a company who wants them. From the company's point of view: We can afford to dish out a few million dollars ... if this new investment becomes the next Britney Spears then they'll be raking in millions more.
I can understand what you mean by respecting the artist, but sometimes they get to be a little disappointing ... after they make their hit, they slack off and stop making (good) music. Hell, I like the Japanese artist Gackt because he can play a shitload of instuments really well and he has an interesting voice, but I like him for the person/artist he is and not quite his music. I wouldn't go and buy every single one of his CDs/posters/miscellaneous crap that his company tries to smother the public with.
Submitted by hendrixjrr (user info) at 2002-10-31 08:51:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think we're neglecting to mention the whole counter-culture thing where people listen to something just because it's not popular...even though it sucks. That's nearly as bad as this marketing driven music scene. Personally, I listen to any music where the artist is good enough (either at songwriting, singing, or playing an instrument) that I am impressed by his/her skills. Just so you know, here's what I listen to and why:
Stevie Wonder <Amazing Voice>
Nat King Cole <Amazing Voice>
James Taylor <Amazing Voice, Great Writer>
Jimi Hendrix <Excellent Improvisation and Expression with his guitar>
Weezer <I Just Like Them, isn't that good enough?>
The Beach Boys <I Just Like Them, isn't that good enough?>
Frank Sinatra <Amazing Voice, Charisma out the WAZOO!>
Do artists have to be underground before I should be allowed to like them? I think that's what a lot of people think and it makes me a little angry. Sure, I listen to more than those 7 artists, but these are a few of my favorites. We'll see if you guys have anything to say about how these people are sellouts and that I should be killed. Maybe not.
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-10-30 20:45:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Another favorite - Masqurade from Phantom of the Opera ....
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-10-30 20:26:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
88888 -
I'd like to send you some of that Chinese Rap, but I only appreciate its lyrics (RIP is a tribute to different people who actually try to communicate through their music and one of those 'music is the universal language' things), but email me and I'll see if I can send some.
lodnem -
I was just using boy bands as an example ... at least Ed the Sock isn't afraid to tell people how much music sucks nowadays
Ever wonder about the 'Top 20 Hits' on TV or the radio? Who actually decides which songs are interesting? There you go: music is going out to the highest bidder.
I'm sure everyone has at least a few 'all time favorites' that aren't affected by how much the media bashes it, but the point is that music is no longer about the lyrics or if the artist ever recieved vocal training. Has anyone seen how much money people pour into award shows and concerts (or at least the Chinese and Japanese ones). Hell, the last one I saw made me think I was watching a play ... They had dozens of interchangable sets. Music isn't about who's good at it ... It's about who has enough money to cover up the fact that they suck. Another unfair thing is that there are so many cases where there's a race to see who can afford the best songs. The record companies decide who they want the next star to be and sells them a hit song. It doesn't matter if the person can't carry a tune in a bucket. They just have to have a catchy song.
Another thing that makes me think ... Female pop artists stick to the "Oh I love you so very much I'm willing to make a slut out of myself" songs ... Boy bands have songs that tell people they are constantly breaking up with their 'one true love' and can't get over it - no matter how many million dollers they rack in.
I used to like one Chinese singer, but when people realized the music was half decent, they tried to glaze it over with money. Now everyone likes her and I hate her. In a way, businesses are trying to force people to *not* like music and start looking at the artist. I agree that most of the good music has been obscured, but what can a garage band do against a multi-million dollar corporation who decides that they aren't popular?
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2002-10-30 20:00:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think I've proved that I listen to music for music's sake and am not afraid to dislike it, even if I like the artist.
http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=1035922922393132278
(see comment posted at 2002-10-30 19:28:19)
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2002-10-30 19:15:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
The truth is that *nobody* is listening to any of that crap. There are *giant* corporations like Clear Channel, Infinity, Cox, and Disney whose soul responsibility is to make you think that everybody is listening to their crap.
Check this out... this is a list of the radio stations owned by Clear Channel:
http://www.cjr.org/owners/clearchannel.asp
Oh. My. God. This company is a monster. If you turn on the radio and the DJ says "This is the hottest new song! The phones are ringing off the hook for this one!", what is really happening is that:
1. He is lying. Nobody is calling about the song.
2. He has been told by his station manager to play that song.
3. His radio station has been told by the corporate office to play that song.
4. The corporate office has been paid by a record label to play that song.
5. The record label has charged the musician for the cost of this "promotion"
6. The musician ends up with no money, no ownership of the music, and is in debt to the label to record another five albums.
You too can help to stop the proliferation of this sort of behavior by doing the following:
1. Turn off the television
2. Turn off the radio
3. Stay out of Best Buy, Tower Records, Wal-Mart, The Gap, and Hard Rock Cafe
4. Read a book, go for a walk, paint something, or write a story... it doesn't matter what, just do something else.
5. EDUCATE yourself. Make yourself aware of the true world out there, not the world fed to you by mass media. Realize that your mind has been enslaved and the truth as you know it does not exist.
6. Buy things from other people or groups who appreciate your new found freedom instead of from groups who try to take it away.
This will make you free. It was also make you depressed and angry, but at least you will no longer be blind.
Pass your findings on to your friends, strangers, and then go vote. Let the rest of the world know that you're free and you know the truth.
Most importantly, realize that you are a human being and your thoughts have value. Don't buy into other people's crap just because they tell you it's "cool". Don't buy into my crap. Discover it on your own and keep true to yourself. No one can take that away.
Submitted by woslom (user info) at 2002-10-30 14:55:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
music nowadays suck.. everyone knows it, but barely anyone says it. It is all about the image. Stoopid ass kids that dont know shit keep buying into the looks thats why its still being crappy music and its not gonna change
Submitted by lodnem.at.yahoo.com at 2002-10-30 14:36:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
what are you talking about?
the boy bands? mtv?
no one is listening to that shit except for pre-teens.
there is incredible art happening all around the world, you just have to get up off your butt to find it.
Submitted by 88888 (user info) at 2002-10-30 12:40:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
If you are listening to some Robert Miles, and like it.. you are barely nipping the tip of the iceburg when it comes to "rave" music.
Listen to some
- Digweed(popular, but mostly good)
- Keoki(people all claim he sucks, but that's because they are ignorant of his awesome producing skills)
- Tiesto
- Carl Cox
- anything on the Platipus label..
thats still only the tip of the iceburg.. there is a whole new world of "rave" music, if you can to search for it.
I would like to hear some of that Chinese Rap you got there.. get ahold of me about sending me some!
88888
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-10-30 12:26:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I say the winner of those programs ought to be killed to show people that being a star isn't as easy as it looks like. I think good music still exists, but people are now looking at the packaging first, resulting in the 'arranged popularity' being an easier road.
Submitted by dpcoe (user info) at 2002-10-30 12:15:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Unfortunately all musicians/bands right back to the fifties were groomed by marketing experts, told what to wear and how to act etc... to make them appeal to their perceived target audiences, but you're right it is getting to a sick level now, where they aren't even ashamed of it any more, I mean for christs sake they even make shitty TV progs about it!! and the "winners" are supposed to be our Stars of tomorrow! I feel sorry for generations to come, living under the impression that Will young (Uk pop idol winner) can sing...
So my advice to you is, move to England, pay your licence fee and listen to BBC Radio stations, because they are totally funded there are no adverts and they play what the hell they like! from live broadcasts of clubs in Ibiza to Eva cassidy and Neil young!
Submitted by SeK (user info) at 2002-10-30 11:39:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I used to think that music played in raves was just an excuse for people to get high (or think they do) but then I started listening to Robert Miles. I don't know if he's #1 but I know I like it. My friends claim that I listen to the weirdest songs, but then start asking me who sings it. They flip out when they find out it's some weird band (like the Japanese L'Arc~en~Ciel) but then start stealing my CDs. I don't know a lot about the songs I like, but I hate it when someone mixes a song and call it their own. Here's a bunch of songs I like ... omitting the Chinese ones because I don't think you'll appreciate it if I started typing in Chinese:
- Wanna Be An Angel (from the Japanese animation Macross Plus"
- Evolution (Japanese - Ayumi Hamasaki)
- R.I.P. (Chinese rap group LMF)
- Forgiven (Alanis Morisette)
- Fable (Robert Miles)
- In The End (Linkin Park)
- Somewhere Out There (Our Lady Peace)
- Chop Suey (System of A Down)
- New York Mining Disaster (Bee Gees I think?)
- I Started a Joke (Eagles)
- Rainy Days And Mondays (Carpenters)
- Way I Am (Eminem)
- Snowdrop (Japanese - L'Arc~en~Ciel)
- Wait And See (Japanese - Utada Hikaru)
- Remember 16 (Japanese animation - Macross 7)
- Let Me Die (Chinese - Nicholas Tse)
- Sealed With A Kiss
- Careless Whisper
- Cry (Mandy Moore)
- Swear It Again (Westlife)
- Hymn of the Fayth (Playstation 2 game Final Fantasy X)
- Gregorian Chant (Japanese animation Vision of Escaflowne)
- A bunch of music from Japanese animation Initial D
Ok ... ought to stop ... you get my idea.
Submitted by 88888 (user info) at 2002-10-30 11:16:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This is a huge one in my book..
I HATE what the music industry has become.. it is by far, the most corrupt business in existence! BAR NONE!! THE FLESH MARKETS IN BANGKHOK have nothing on the music industry!
OH man..
It's all fucking IMAGE.. NO TALENT IS REQUIRED.. as has been shown with such bastards and bitches as Christina Aguliera, Britney fucking Spears, Back Street Boys - ALL THE FUCKING BOY BANDS! NELLY, and all those fucking commercial ass mother fuckers who were "made" and suck ass! They are nothing more than a commercial for a shitty product the record labels call music!
I'm a fan of all underground music.. what you reffered to as "RAVE" is probably not even what is really played at "RAVES". Give me some examples.. because lately, the music industry has been trying to commercialize this too! Paul Oakenfold is no better than Joey fucking Lawrence! If you think that is RAVE, then you are sadly mistaken!
I listen to mainly: Trance, Techno, Underground Hip Hop(I must specify Underground because if I don't, some stupid ass will say "you like hip hop, but you don't like Nelly?!" and I will have to reply to that with "YOU ARE A RETARD!".. so lets avoid that please), House, Jungle.. and so on..
However, I am not limited to those catergories. I like good music. PERIOD. If it's good, then it's good. If it's SHIT, and almost everything I hear on the radio IS SHIT.. THEN FUCK THAT SHIT!
Which really leads me to another point.. RADIO!! AHH! ALL SHIT!
did you know that records companies pay for having their songs played on the radio, they are not being played because they are good songs, or good music! it's because they are being paid to play them! They can even go as far as to PAY THEM TO BE IN TOP 10 spots and shit like that! You know why? because of all the people out there who just want to be like everyone else and they think "hey, that song is in the top 10... other people must like it.. therefore I SHOULD FUCKING LIKE IT BECAUSE I'M A MINDLESS RETARDED IDIOT!!"
and it fucking works! the record companies know it's going to work.. and they make millions this way. even though it's SHIT music! C'mon, how long has that NELLY and KELLY bullshit song been #1?! PRIME EXAMPLE! it's a SHIT SONG!
man.. i can go on.. and maybe I will add more later.. but damn, i hate the music industry.
88888