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Is today’s contemporary music lacking?

I listen to various genres of music, and I am a big fan of rock/pop from the 1950s to today.

When I turn in the radio to hear new pop/rock songs, I often hear “monotonous” verses with minimal melody repeated again and again (4x) then the chorus not quite matching the music of the verses. The artist seems to try using a good voice trying to make the song sound good but these songs seem to lack a good “melody”. Anybody else notice this?

Also, because pop/rock music is well established, is it more difficult nowadays to create new good melodies - are artists running out of creative ideas?  This thought has often crossed my mind whenever I hear another song remake.
kennyc
stuartk
3,511 posts
 
   "The artist seems to try using a good voice trying to make the song sound good but these songs seem to lack a good “melody."

Rick Beato's recently-posted interview with Pat Metheny includes a very  interesting discussion of melody. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEgalcH_-b4


bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,281 posts
 
@stuartk:  Beato's videos are fantastic! I watch at least one a day, often learning a lot.
stuartk
3,511 posts
 
Yeah. I was first drawn to the channel because I play guitar but quickly realized his channel had as much to offer me as a music-lover.  I haven't come across anyone who's doing what he does. 
stuartk
3,511 posts
 
"...if one diligently seeks out lesser known artists, there is a wealth of good musicians/songwriters to be found".

So true.  And in fact, this was the case in the 60's and 70's as well !  

This opinion probably won't be welcomed but I believe my fellow Boomers who never look beyond radio play and then complain that "there's no good music" are just being lazy.

Especially given that now there are so many more resources for seeking out music. Way back when, you had to actually know somebody who knew about the good stuff that wasn't on the radio and was willing to teach you.

At this point, there's no excuse. 

stuartk
3,511 posts
 
@bdp24:

You know about the "No Depression" magazine site, right? 
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