The subject of our age relative to our perception of some music's quality has been mentioned a couple of times, but has been given short shrift. As we age we (hopefully) become more discerning and mature in our tastes. We also tend to become more cynical. The focus on the perceived decline of the quality of pop music is ultimately pointless and, in a way, self-serving and potentially limiting. As Don_c55 points out music (all art) reflects the time it was recorded or performed in. Pop music, by definition, appeals primarily to the young as they ARE the time; it is their time. Every generation produces quality art, as defined by how well it reflects the time; wether we like what the art says or not is a different matter. We may not be able to relate to it because it is not our time, or it may be harder to find due other changes in our culture. But, it's out there to be sure and we should see this as an opportunity to explore other music genres, current and from the past, that are not "popular", but are music that is more sophisticated and mature; as we are supposed to be.
