Why does most new music suck?

You are sucking lemons. I see and hear dozens of bands everyday that are the equal of the bands you mention.
The difference is that the labels have gone away, and with that, recording studios have gone away as well. Bands do not have access to six figure recording budgets any more, and if they do record, usually self-finance it. In fact, the only real money they make is through live touring. So get out of your #$%@^& rig cave and go to a show. I went and saw three this week: Mumford and Sons, the XX and Watsky. All brilliant. Sorry you are missing out. Oh wait, I am not sorry. Just tired of my generation taking this position, over and over.

Remember ROCK&ROLL sucks and is evil. So I would assume all music after also sucks and is evil. I an dating my age yet again. If anyone wants they can send me ALL the offending music. I will safe guard it for you.

Dare I say , that there is more great Pop Rock bands now than in any era ?
I guess I said it.
My tastes haved moved from straight ahead Rock n Roll back in highschool to Pop Rock, Folk, Alt. County, Blue Grass, Americana
By Pop Rock, I don't mean Adam Lambert , I listen to progressive , innovative (even if reinterpreting styles/genres) intelligent Pop Rock.
The Shins, Vampire Weekend, Broken Bells, The XX, Ben Howard, Wilco, The Wood Brothers, The National, My Morning Jacket, Gomez, Grizzly Bear,Spiritualized, newly discovered bands such as Alt J, Jim James, Here We Go Magic and more!
What a dynamic and exciting time to be a music lover!!!!
I grew up listening to one of three stations playing Rock music in Philadelphia. I listened to what they played . Now the world of music us at our finger tips!! The Internet , social networking, Spotify , MOG , YouTube ,
Rapsody, Sirrus , Cable music , etc... It's easy in this day and age to discover new music. All you need is time and an open mind.
I get disheartened to hear audiophiles say that music is shit, dead , over.
My initial reaction is , I pity these close minded foolish people who do not embrace all the wonderful music released in the past 30 years and today.
You invested thousands of dollars in amazing systems to listen to Bowie and the Beatles and Queen and Rush over and over again ? Really ?
I say ,"Open Your Minds" Discover great new music, it's out there.

Toddnkaya

Amen brother.

The problem with your request for albums that are well recorded, well written and performed, is that music is subjective. There are people out there who don't like the bands you listed.

I could list MY favorite albums that *I* consider solid, however you may not like them at all.

Music is always evolving and much of it will reflect current tastes and trends. If you like it, great; if not that's okay- but that doesn't make it "bad" just not your style.

As other's have said, the industry has changed- the way music is produced, promoted, purchased, discovered has changed drastically. Sometimes in order to listen to talented artists without resources, you have to suffer through poorer quality recordings. Just as going to live performances isn't all about sound quality, it is an experience. Some of us are able to go to a show or buy an imperfect recording and enjoy it for what it is.

If you aren't willing to do that and don't like what is out there today, then stay at home, listen to your superbly recorded albums from yesteryears and enjoy.

I agree with Toddnkaya- this may be the best time for music. I am always amazed at the never ending talent in the world. Do I like all of it? No way. Is there a lot of crap (IMO;)) recorded today? Yep. But there is certainly not a dearth of great music.