Why does most new music suck?

Gustav Mahler, at a concert which featured new music of Arnold Schoenberg, was asked his opinion of the piece. "The younger generation," he declared, "is always right."

He went on to say he in fact did not like the piece himself, but that was not the point.

I'm not sure what the particular piece was but I'm probably on Mahler's side on both counts. Nevertheless, each of us is free to choose what we want to listen to. If we say other music sucks we'd better be prepared for a challenge to that statement.

Again, there's a lot of good and even more bad music produced at any moment in time. So listen to the good and try to avoid the bad. It probably means that if you listen to the radio at all you need to be prepared to spend a lot of time changing stations. I know I do.

Even "bad" music sounds pretty good on a good stereo. Every little bit helps.....

Bryon, et al,

I agree with your statement that more production equals more dilution of talent. And I was impressed by your careful and methodical articulation of your point.

I guess what got me, though, on the original post was the implication that compared to the giants of yore, the modern day artists are superficial, etc. Yes, many modern day musicians struggle (or not) to surpass bubble-gum cheese pop status. But the same can be said for just about any decade of music.

Idk; I think when we start denying the modern for a celebration of the past - the whole "ubi sunt" (oh, where have they gone?" motif) is when we delude ourselves to how relevant our perspective really is.

Agree with you mostly, although honestly I haven't heard a lot of new music. FWIW, compression can "mess up" even good to great music. There are plenty of examples, including Bruce Springsteen's "Magic."

Frogman, you are killing me. Especially since I must admit that you are absolutely correct. But did you have to say it? :)