Dunno Slappy, I guess I'm an old man at 44 cause I'm feeling much like Nrchy regarding music in America. You may take a listen to Jim White's music if you haven't heard it. I think he may strike a chord with you if you like those lyrics. I do like White's music. He has a similar sense of humor, but I'd say was a better poet than the dude who wrote Jesus Loves Me But He Can't Stand You. And where do you turn to hear Jim White, Tom Waits, Over the Rhine, Patty Griffin (a few of my favorites), and others contemporaries who are writing meaningful lyrics and are gifted musicians? There are precious few independent radio stations playing the likes of these artists. NPR would likely have highlighted any one of them at one time or other. But for every NPR channel in any given metropolitan area, if you are lucky enough to have one, there are a hundred more channels on by corporate America playing dreck like N'Synch and Marge Simpson (or is it Bart?). Even NPR seems pretty predicatable at times and leaves many stones unturned, but at least it provides some alternate relief. As far as rap, it's pretty primal and basic. I can take it or leave it myself, but I wouldn't necessarily patently dismiss it. I seldom find myself in the mood for listening to RAP so you won't find much in my collection. Guess that qualifies me for the Geritol contingent according to Slappy! BTW, my dad actually bought Beatles albums and enjoyed them when I was a kid. My grandpappy was dead at that point, so I don't really know how he'd feel about that music. I agree with Chris too that there are plenty of good artists out there, it's just that they just get precious little airtime compared to the septic waste passing for music that fills the airwaves. That's not just limited to pop stations either. The classical stations also have an endless loop of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Barber's Adagion, and other overplayed and boring standards. I'm sure it holds true with rap stations and country music stations as well. Maybe it's that people don't want to have to think anymore...they just wanna be spoon fed their processed carrots and have their heart rate regulated by a subwoofer.
Marco
