Quote:
Originally Posted by strandinthewind
I just do not see any of the above mentioned peeps as earth shattering talents along the likes of Dylan, Mitchell, King, Taylor, The Beatles, The Stones, The Mac (hell yea in the 70's) , Elvis, etc.
Maybe Winehouse, but her schtick, for the moment, is unproven.
|
Yes, that is true... we don't have the "earth shattering" talents today. And even the once "earth shattering" talents are now churning out pretty crappy albums (for the most part). Of course there have been much better albums than the ones mentioned here, but the original question was about who/what will define the decade's music, regardless of whether it was any good. We are talking about music that will be remembered, or will live on to be played on oldies or classic rock radio years from now.
Unfortunately we are today in a situation where radio has become monopolized by the same conglomerate and the programming always caters to the lowest common denominator. Any hint of innovation is snuffed out by the suits whose sole objective is to ensure sales. Music is either marketed to the public as manufactured instant-stars (aka, American Idol, Rihanna, etc.), or some kind of thugged out, gangsterish, misogynistic lifestyle. Why should people learn to play instruments or to compose original music when it can all be sampled and recycled so easily with computers? Why should people go to concerts merely to listen to some people on a stage playing instruments and singing when they can have pyrotechnics, choreography, video screens and other things that go 'pop' and 'zowie'? Would the Beatles even stand a chance of being successful if they were just starting out? Yes, they would be critically acclaimed and go on to sell a few albums based on word of mouth and a devoted cult following (e.g., Wilco). But they wouldn't stand a chance of being played on the radio or charting hits, and they certainly would not go on to define the sound of an era. Why do we need the Beatles when we have 'lil Jon?
As for Amy Winehouse... yes, her sound is a bit retro, but it's also distinctly modern but organic. But at the end of the day it's all about that voice. I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard a new artist and declared 'this is the real deal,' and she is one of them. Maybe she will stay stuck in the same rut... or maybe she will break out and do something completely unexpected. In any case, with that voice, she will be the one to watch...