Where has innovation in popular music gone?

Posted by: JamieL on 23 November 2008

I will try and write this without prejudice, as far as I can, in the hope that others here can point me towards what I have been missing, or to hear if others have the same frustration I have with music over the last few years.

Looking at rock music, popular mainstream, and underground music from the last decade, I find myself very disappointed by what appears to currently be a lack of innovation. Perhaps I have missed what is going on, but I can not name a single album form this decade that could not have been made ten years before.

I am not being critical of good song writing, and am happy that there are many albums being released which are getting a lot positive reaction. My concern is that beyond songs, particularly in the underground, or what was once called indie, there seems to be no pushing of boundaries, or experimenting with new forms of music.

I am a white, middle aged, middle class male, and it is very possible that there is plenty going on, and it is just that I am not hearing it, or more probably not being receptive to it. I am not particularly a fan of rap, or predominantly lyrical music, so perhaps plenty of innovation is happening there, and I am unaware of it.

I am also aware that on first hearing something new, often unpolished, that it can sound objectionable, and it is only through acquiring a new taste that it becomes palatable. Such was the case with techno with me, which I found unlistenable at first, but have since developed a great love for.

I am also aware that technological changes have often fuelled change in music, or the arts in general, and that between the 1950's and 1990's the instruments available to musicians were changing far more than now.

I am also not asking that retro, or development on current music forms be abandoned by artists. I am just looking for something innovative beyond the mainstream, to infuse some fresh ideas.

Here are a few albums that I feel could not have been made ten years earlier. Some I like, some I dislike greatly, some have stood the test of time, and others sound terribly dated, however, I would say they are definitively of their time.

The Beatles - 'Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967'

Yes - 'Close to the Edge' 1972

Kraftwerk - 'Autobahn' 1975

The Sex Pistols - 'Never Mind the Bollocks ...' 1977

David Bowie - 'Low' 1977

Duran Duran - 'Rio' 1982

The Smiths - 'The Queen is Dead' 1986

Prince - 'Sign of the Times' 1987

The Pet Shop Boys - 'Actually' 1987

Public Enemy - 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' 1988

Nine Inch Nails - 'The Downward Spiral' 1994

The Prodigy - 'The Fat of the Land' 1997

Madonna - 'Ray of Light' 1998

I realise that this is a mostly white, and mostly middle class acceptable list of artists, and lacks any perspective beyond the English speaking world (a hint of German if you buy the Kraftwerk imports).

Well, please prove me wrong. Jamie

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by BigH47

quote:
Don't think I've ever heard them

Doesn't stop telling people not listen to them though, you related to Mary Shitehouse?

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by Guido Fawkes

Mary Whitehouse - great lady - I used to watch her show the Mary Whitehouse Experience.

Anybody can listen to anything they want, of course, I was just listening to HMHB's Styx Gig (Seen by My Mates Coming Out of A) from the album Some Call It Godcore. It's the album where the lads say I've died and gone to hell, Then I've fallen through a trap-door and landed on the planet prog-rock They end up at a gig listening to a tribute band called I Can't Believe It's Not Focus - here is the full story of that fateful night.

Her mother had never really wanted us to go in the first place, but Helen convinced her that she was worrying needlessly. After all, it’s not as if it was an actual nightclub we were going to, where the debauched minions of Baal and other basement idols would gyrate obscenely around us, apeing our innocence and howling their approval at our terrifying predicament. On the contrary, we were going to the Stipe Records Showcase at the local polytechnic, and we were going to have ourselves a beautiful evening.

Everything was in order, we timed the last bus, and it coincided superbly with the last band finishing their set, allowing for an estimated three-song encore. Although I turned Helen on to the alternative music scene some two years back, she still insisted on wearing a black satin tour jacket with detachable sleeves that she’d bought at a Dogs d’Amour concert, with her friend Jackie, who was unstable. I would rib her mercilessly about it. But one night, after I’d possibly ridden my luck a little too far, she stamped down her foot, which I thought was brilliant, because it reminded me of Talulah Gosh, and said: “Listen, if I’m going to be an indie kid, then I’ll be independent in my choice of clothes, thank you very much.” Wow, what a girl.

And so it was that we set off for the concert, both smelling of that short-lived yet much maligned unisex perfume, Travis, by Cartel (”for those who like their trade rough”). By the time we arrived, the hall was already quite full, so I hurried to the bar while Helen went off to find a good vantage point. Eight-fifteen, and with she drinking cider, and me there beside her, the first band came on. “Oh no”, I shrieked, “real horror show”. I was going through my Clockwork Orange phase. Surely not? It seemed like every band that was performing were one of those tribute bands, and first up was ELP. H-E-L-P more like. “Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. It goes on for at least two hours because we’ve got a brand new Moog.”

I’ve died and gone to hell, and then I’ve fallen through a trapdoor and landed on the planet Progrock. And then the applauding Ents Sec introduces the next act. Jeez! (That’s journalese) …PFM! They didn’t really play many songs, just got unnecessarily passionate about the Azzurri and how Rossi was framed, and how his subsequent hat-trick against the Brazilians was a big F-off to the authorities. “Fair enough”, I thought, “but perhaps no need for the language.”

After the Identical Cocteau Twins, came the final act, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Focus. Following a commendable stab at Sylvia, Helen shouted to the guitarist: “Are you knackered, man?” To which he replied: “No, I’m Jan Akkerman”.

And so the stark lights of the hall came on, and we filtered out into the night, saying our goodbyes to the gang, who in turn went their separate ways, to waiting Dads in brown Audis, or some to the college minibus, driven by Bob, who didn’t go our way. I then suddenly realised that because the Dutch clones only had two songs, the concert had finished a little early, and so we could get the 71, which was a lot quicker and didn’t skirt the council estate. It also gave us time to get some chips. The bus approached, and I noticed that it was a double-decker. As we boarded, I immediately felt a little uneasy, as the driver didn’t seem to know the required fare for our intended destination. As we made our way to the upper deck front seat, I felt the vehicle swing round to the left, as if to go along Bridge Street. “He really doesn’t know the route”, I thought, with increasing alarm. “Better go downstairs and help him out. Wait a minute. Bridge Street? The overhead railway Bridge Street? Oh my God - HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLENNNNNNNNNN…”

Ten years on, and here I am on the bus we should have got. And yes, you guessed it, I’m the driver. Therapy, they call it. And every year, on the anniversary of that night, she floats on board, takes the seat behind me. She doesn’t pay of course, but she is keen to make sure we don’t go down Bridge Street. She finally alights at the cemetery, and every year I follow until I reach her grave, where as always, there’s no sign of Helen, but draped over the headstone…is a black tour jacket with detachable sleeves

ATB Rotf

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by stephenjohn

I asked a similar question about 3 years ago and Sloop John B recommended the White Stripe [thanks for that] - very good
Also I think the opeening track to the Kings of Leon's latest album sounds innovative. But that could be because I am a middle aged man too

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by Guido Fawkes

Hi Howard

I did listen to some Styx on YouTube - perhaps not their best tracks: Lady and Babe; just not for me I'm afraid. I wouldn't call it Prog-Rock, more power ballads: well played and well sung, but just didn't make me want to pedestrianise the high street.

ATB Rotf

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by Whizzkid

quote:
Originally posted by dsteady:
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
I have this double vinyl album.

Daniel
Prog,I dont think so.

Busted.

I never really know what people mean when they say prog, except that they tend to like bands like Genesis, Yes and Rush. To me Battles has that sort of bright, super-tight, cloyingly virtuosic sound, but with a modern, punkish treatment. Hence, "latter-day prog." I have the double vinyl too.

Dsteady,

You were right in the first place. Progressive Rock is about bringing in more complex musical arrangements mainly taken from the Jazz and Classical worlds rather than the simple chord structures of Blues or Country where most rock music that came before prog was based. Battles is a great example of modern Prog Rock as is The Mars Volta who have a latin bent to there music.

Dean..

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by BigH47

quote:
I did listen to some Styx on YouTube - perhaps not their best tracks: Lady and Babe; just not for me I'm afraid. I wouldn't call it Prog-Rock, more power ballads: well played and well sung, but just didn't make me want to pedestrianise the high street.

They do tend towards the pop side.
One album I still listen to is Paradise Theatre a musical story of the rise and fall of a Chicago ? venue.

Posted on: 24 November 2008 by dsteady

quote:
Originally posted by Whizzkid:
Dsteady,

You were right in the first place. Progressive Rock is about bringing in more complex musical arrangements mainly taken from the Jazz and Classical worlds rather than the simple chord structures of Blues or Country where most rock music that came before prog was based. Battles is a great example of modern Prog Rock as is The Mars Volta who have a latin bent to there music.

Dean..

Thank you kindly Dean, I feel whole again.

I like the Battles album a lot, although not sure why they recorded inside a mirrored box.

Mars Volta are great as well.

dn'l

Posted on: 25 November 2008 by mike/dallas

How about Beck, Vampire Weekend, the Raconteurs, White Stripes, Radiohead, Spoon, Calexico, Granddaddy, Eels, Arcade Fire, all seem pretty Progressive to me.