Worst Music of All-Time

I must have missed the press release that "The Barbra" was in league with the devil. I thought she had gained the noteriety she had because in her historical context, she was one of the few doing what she was doing, that being making a name for herself as a popular singer, then jumping into movies (funny girl, et al, ad naseum). I think part of the same phenomena contributed to Sinatra's fame as well, not necessarily his pure musical talent (although I enjoy his music). While rap in a few isolated instances has made timely cultural statements, its 15 minutes is well over and should slink back into its grimy hole and go the way of the hula hoop. Unfortunately, the decline of American culture and society in general probably means its here to stay. Eminem is simply the most outrageous example de jour. But that's another thread entirely. Returning to topic, IMHO Christina Ag, nsync, et al are just the latest version of bubblegum that has always floated atop American music like film on teeth. This too will pass. OTOH, I find some of the "contemporary" classical forays into atonal experimentation some of the worst "pots and pans clanging, cat in heat, fingernail scratching" published. Stuff like Schoenberg, John Cage, some Bartok. But some folks eat that stuff up. Your mileage may vary.

Actually, I have not heard much music I've liked since about 1985. today's music is thoughtless, or boring re-makes of the stuff I grew up on. I tuned in to a local "today's rock" station and every song I heard, I forgot within minutes, un-memorable, well............

Spoken like a true old timer...no offense.

Too many to mention and life is short enough trying to find the really good music and recordings. I can think of one though on Chesky that really pissed me off because one of Stereophile's yahoo music reviewers, can't remember who and don't want to, recommended it (early 90's), I stopped buying recommended Chesky recordings after this one. They have some real dogs. The dude's name is Kenny Rankin and the album is "Because of You" his phrasing sucks, his interpretations suck, and last but far from least his voice really sucks. I have truly heard much better singing in a Karioke bar by guys three sheet's to the wind, myself included. I play it on occasion to demonstrate "image focus, depth and soundstaging" of the system but no one cares "TURN IT OFF G DAMM IT! . I better stop now, I'm starting to get peed all over again.

Chesky also has some very good music, want to make it clear that not all of them are bad. Watch out for their original artists, the ones that no other label will take. I suspect Rankin is a rich kid that probably PAID Chesky to make the recording, its gotta be the only explanation.