Does it cheapen the music?

- raydirector said...
- User
- 21 Aug 2005, 16:01
Does it cheapen the music?

I have been, for several years now, on an ongoing quest to find new music that interests me. But recently, I have wondered if this 'hording' of music lends to cheapening, {the commoditation of music) turning it into yet another 'form of goods' we consumers purchase, and well, consume.

I am friends with a chap and his wife who grew up in the 60's. How they talk about music, what it meant to them, what it meant in relation to their perspective on the world, seems very different than how we can see music today. What do you guys/gals think? Are there particular artists that lend themselves to keeping with that 'special feeling' music can give us? Or are we just a bunch of elitist music whores looking for the next fix?

When you buy a new album, how much do you listen to it. I recently got ahold of Sufjan Stevens and I've been playing that stuff over, and over and over again.

"I am a rocker. I rock out."
~ Indy Pete

[quote][b][user]raydirector[/user][/b] said: I have been, for several years now, on an ongoing quest to find new music that interests me. But recently, I have wondered if this 'hording' of music lends to cheapening, {the commoditation of music) turning it into yet another 'form of goods' we consumers purchase, and well, consume. I am friends with a chap and his wife who grew up in the 60's. How they talk about music, what it meant to them, what it meant in relation to their perspective on the world, seems very different than how we can see music today. What do you guys/gals think? Are there particular artists that lend themselves to keeping with that 'special feeling' music can give us? Or are we just a bunch of elitist music whores looking for the next fix? When you buy a new album, how much do you listen to it. I recently got ahold of Sufjan Stevens and I've been playing that stuff over, and over and over again. [/quote]

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- fireal said...
- User
- 21 Aug 2005, 16:25
...

I think there is a lot of "searching for the new fix" in many of the now called indie listeners. Not going very far why are we in a group called Eclectic? What do we think about ourselfs? Are we over the rest or something? IMO everything is relationated.

Anyway, this crap doesn't mean an artist can't be as much as significant for you as other was for the listeners in the sixties.

Cheers.

[quote][b][user]fireal[/user][/b] said: I think there is a lot of "searching for the new fix" in many of the now called indie listeners. Not going very far why are we in a group called Eclectic? What do we think about ourselfs? Are we over the rest or something? IMO everything is relationated. Anyway, this crap doesn't mean an artist can't be as much as significant for you as other was for the listeners in the sixties. Cheers.[/quote]

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- moonlitkitty said...
- User
- 23 Aug 2005, 04:24
Hi Ray,
I get what you're saying, and I think there is always the danger that the pursuit of collecting new music can become another form of materialism. I guess that can be avoided by keeping yourself in check - I think even thinking about it and questioning it like you are is a good sign.

And revisiting the past, getting perspectives from people of a different era, like you talked about, and trying to implement some of those attitudes into your own listening habits can be good.

Once a lot of limitations get removed, I find it valuable to try to instate self-imposed limitations. But at the same time, times have changed and it's pretty hard to resist the insatiable curiosity to hear everything. As long as you're making sure you're still enjoying everything and not just afraid of missing out on something, I think it's all good.

I do in some ways miss the days before the internet when you used to stumble upon something in a record store, and then listen to it over and over. Music did feel more special in a way... but still I wouldn't go back. :)

[quote][b][user]moonlitkitty[/user][/b] said: Hi Ray, I get what you're saying, and I think there is always the danger that the pursuit of collecting new music can become another form of materialism. I guess that can be avoided by keeping yourself in check - I think even thinking about it and questioning it like you are is a good sign. And revisiting the past, getting perspectives from people of a different era, like you talked about, and trying to implement some of those attitudes into your own listening habits can be good. Once a lot of limitations get removed, I find it valuable to try to instate self-imposed limitations. But at the same time, times have changed and it's pretty hard to resist the insatiable curiosity to hear everything. As long as you're making sure you're still enjoying everything and not just afraid of missing out on something, I think it's all good. I do in some ways miss the days before the internet when you used to stumble upon something in a record store, and then listen to it over and over. Music did feel more special in a way... but still I wouldn't go back. :)[/quote]
Edited by moonlitkitty on 23 Aug 2005, 04:25

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- tworiversfolk said...
- User
- 24 Aug 2005, 03:06
I think, perhaps, that due to masses of music, it has become a bit impersonal. Also, it seems to wear out more quickly. I often find that out a list of one thousand songs, with a hundred I really like, and the others which I find enjoyable, after a few weeks these numbers become almost insignificant. The search for new bands, new songs, and new genres seems to see no end.

While this experience of a wide array of music can be a good thing, I think it also desensitizes (sorry, murdered the spelling of that word) us to music in general. I've begun to buy CD's again, and have also purchased a turn table. This allows me to get music when I have the money for it, searching and carefully selecting which music I buy. There is something quite soothing about the slight crackling sound of a record.

It is difficult, today, to find music which allows a new perspective on the world. There is a relatively low number of bands who relate their songs to wordly issues in a non-cliche, yet relatable, way. Music will still find ways to meander through all of this, however, and there will always be those 'special' songs, whether it be due to lyrics, tone, or memories which coincide with the songs.

-me

[quote][b][user]tworiversfolk[/user][/b] said: I think, perhaps, that due to masses of music, it has become a bit impersonal. Also, it seems to wear out more quickly. I often find that out a list of one thousand songs, with a hundred I really like, and the others which I find enjoyable, after a few weeks these numbers become almost insignificant. The search for new bands, new songs, and new genres seems to see no end. While this experience of a wide array of music can be a good thing, I think it also desensitizes (sorry, murdered the spelling of that word) us to music in general. I've begun to buy CD's again, and have also purchased a turn table. This allows me to get music when I have the money for it, searching and carefully selecting which music I buy. There is something quite soothing about the slight crackling sound of a record. It is difficult, today, to find music which allows a new perspective on the world. There is a relatively low number of bands who relate their songs to wordly issues in a non-cliche, yet relatable, way. Music will still find ways to meander through all of this, however, and there will always be those 'special' songs, whether it be due to lyrics, tone, or memories which coincide with the songs.[/quote]

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- moonlitkitty said...
- User
- 24 Aug 2005, 09:29
Well said, tworiversfolk. I think bringing it back to a physical medium is a good idea, it's good how it paces your listening habits better.

[quote][b][user]moonlitkitty[/user][/b] said: Well said, tworiversfolk. I think bringing it back to a physical medium is a good idea, it's good how it paces your listening habits better.[/quote]

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- raydirector said...
- User
- 25 Aug 2005, 20:07
You know, I once postulated I was going to return to buying LPs to some friends of mine and they looked at me like I was crazy. But I remember when I was young and my father would bring home a new LP. Seeing that new black disk was something special. I think you're definitely on to something tworiversfolk.

"I am a rocker. I rock out."
~ Indy Pete

[quote][b][user]raydirector[/user][/b] said: You know, I once postulated I was going to return to buying LPs to some friends of mine and they looked at me like I was crazy. But I remember when I was young and my father would bring home a new LP. Seeing that new black disk was something special. I think you're definitely on to something tworiversfolk. [/quote]

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- sexyradio said...
- User
- 8 Sep 2005, 05:41
I used to feel like a music whore with an attention problem, but found a few ways to work around it and not take the stuff for granted.

In line with moonlitkitty's self-imposed regulations, I started listening to my records closely and writing the lyrics in notebooks. I used to do it when I was younger as a way to keep myself from tapping or humming in class. I wasn't paying much attention to them anymore, pretty much just remembering something that stood out or repeated. I end up falling for songs now that I only just liked before.

Playing music helps too. Picking songs apart on the piano and screwing around with them puts me in a different frame of mind than just listening. Something similar happens when making mixes for friends and the like.

I also started buying vinyl because I kept taking CDs home, putting them on then getting distracted by time the latter half kicked in. It doesn't happen with all artists, but there's a good reason why I love EPs. With LPs, there's something about that pause and click that wakes you up and sends you back to flip the record rather than just switching discs or descending into silence like in digital. That break is a constant refresher.

[quote][b][user]sexyradio[/user][/b] said: I used to feel like a music whore with an attention problem, but found a few ways to work around it and not take the stuff for granted. In line with moonlitkitty's self-imposed regulations, I started listening to my records closely and writing the lyrics in notebooks. I used to do it when I was younger as a way to keep myself from tapping or humming in class. I wasn't paying much attention to them anymore, pretty much just remembering something that stood out or repeated. I end up falling for songs now that I only just liked before. Playing music helps too. Picking songs apart on the piano and screwing around with them puts me in a different frame of mind than just listening. Something similar happens when making mixes for friends and the like. I also started buying vinyl because I kept taking CDs home, putting them on then getting distracted by time the latter half kicked in. It doesn't happen with all artists, but there's a good reason why I love EPs. With LPs, there's something about that pause and click that wakes you up and sends you back to flip the record rather than just switching discs or descending into silence like in digital. That break is a constant refresher.[/quote]

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- raydirector said...
- User
- 8 Sep 2005, 22:08
With each subsequent entry, I am more convinced I need to begin collecting vinyl again. I think I'll start looking for a local record store that sells vinyl.

"I am a rocker. I rock out."
~ Indy Pete

[quote][b][user]raydirector[/user][/b] said: With each subsequent entry, I am more convinced I need to begin collecting vinyl again. I think I'll start looking for a local record store that sells vinyl. [/quote]
Edited by raydirector on 9 Sep 2005, 01:26

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- cuppacoffee said...
- User
- 12 Sep 2005, 10:59
Does it cheapen the music? Yes and no.

Sorry to sit on the fence but although I agree that the availability detracts from the joy of discovery, the ability to become familiar with new (to me) artists and genres more than balances that loss.

I still buy CDs, records, borrow from friends, buy old tapes in jumble sales, as well as download MP3s and I'm sure there still a spark of magic every time I find a pearl in those oysters!

[quote][b][user]cuppacoffee[/user][/b] said: Does it cheapen the music? Yes and no. Sorry to sit on the fence but although I agree that the availability detracts from the joy of discovery, the ability to become familiar with new (to me) artists and genres more than balances that loss. I still buy CDs, records, borrow from friends, buy old tapes in jumble sales, as well as download MP3s and I'm sure there still a spark of magic every time I find a pearl in those oysters! [/quote]

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- [Deleted user] said...
- User
- 21 Sep 2005, 03:24
I will listen to one band over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again until I happen across another band that's awesome too, then I try to go back and forth but it usualy ends up being 4 artists that I listen to.

[quote][b][user][/user][/b] said: I will listen to one band over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again until I happen across another band that's awesome too, then I [i]try[/i] to go back and forth but it usualy ends up being 4 artists that I listen to.[/quote]

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- CortJstr said...
- User
- 21 Sep 2005, 16:58
There was an article about thise over at Inside Pulse where the guy talks about aquiring all of a band's EPs and obscure live recordings over time as opposed to just get them all at once online. Check it out: http://www.insidepulse.com/articles/39035

Want to eat your cake and have it too? Try new Schröedinger's Cake!
Were you 1979 born?

[quote][b][user]CortJstr[/user][/b] said: There was an article about thise over at Inside Pulse where the guy talks about aquiring all of a band's EPs and obscure live recordings over time as opposed to just get them all at once online. Check it out: http://www.insidepulse.com/articles/39035[/quote]

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- szarka said...
- User
- 22 Sep 2005, 00:29
On a similar note:

http://seaofnoise.com/blosxom/music/soulseeking.html

Swing It!

[quote][b][user]szarka[/user][/b] said: On a similar note: [url]http://seaofnoise.com/blosxom/music/soulseeking.html[/url] [/quote]
Edited by szarka on 22 Sep 2005, 00:30

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- [Deleted user] said...
- User
- 25 Jul 2008, 23:53
No, it is not. Consumer demand and music are two different things. Of course there are/were great bands in the mainstream too; but mostly consumer demand and music are seperated like oil and water.For example, 1920s=tons of jazz musicians, but there is only one Duke Ellington right. I am sure "Does it cheapen the music?" is asked lot of times before, but let's not be pessimistic about it and trust the time to eliminate the junk.
And about the idea of music lost its individuality nowadays stuff, no, actually nowadays with the connection revolution , one can find more music to connect oneself. I mean, I can reach more music, the music which represents me, myself and I. Sharing a representer doesn't mean that it lost its individuality. .So I do not think that it has gone "impersonal" a bit, but I can see why one can state such a fact.
About being an elitist, well... No. The music itself is the only form of art that cannot be censored, because it is raw emotion. Of course lyrics can be censored but I am not talking about that stuff. And because of the fact that it consist of raw emotion, it speaks to majority if not everyone.Well my point is listening to wide range of music is like going to the gym and working out.It will help you to shape yourself, but it will not make you better than anyone.
And that's it.

[quote][b][user][/user][/b] said: No, it is not. Consumer demand and music are two different things. Of course there are/were great bands in the mainstream too; but mostly consumer demand and music are seperated like oil and water.For example, 1920s=tons of jazz musicians, but there is only one Duke Ellington right. I am sure "Does it cheapen the music?" is asked lot of times before, but let's not be pessimistic about it and trust the time to eliminate the junk. And about the idea of music lost its individuality nowadays stuff, no, actually nowadays with the connection revolution , one can find more music to connect oneself. I mean, I can reach more music, the music which represents me, myself and I. Sharing a representer doesn't mean that it lost its individuality. .So I do not think that it has gone "impersonal" a bit, but I can see why one can state such a fact. About being an elitist, well... No. The music itself is the only form of art that cannot be censored, because it is raw emotion. Of course lyrics can be censored but I am not talking about that stuff. And because of the fact that it consist of raw emotion, it speaks to majority if not everyone.Well my point is listening to wide range of music is like going to the gym and working out.It will help you to shape yourself, but it will not make you better than anyone. And that's it.[/quote]

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- [Deleted user] said...
- User
- 16 Nov 2008, 17:46
ANNUNCIO CERCASI MUSICISTI E CANTANTI SU MILANO
Dalla zona 3 Milano un annuncio per organizzare:
sabato, 22 novembre 2008
un'iniziativa che vorremmo fosse fatta propria dai comitati di tutte le zone della città:

UNA DIMOSTRAZIONE MOLTO SONORA per una SCUOLA DI QUALITA'

Cerchiamo:
MUSICISTI, ORCHESTRALI, CANTANTI, BANDE, ma anche GIOVANI E STUDENTI CHE SUONANO IN MANIERA AMATORIALE

LUOGHI: nove luoghi significativi di Milano, uno per ogni zona, affollati e frequentati

DATA E ORA: sabato 22 novembre, ore 16:30 - 17:30
CHI: genitori, insegnanti, bambini, amici di tutte le scuole di zona, musicisti, cantanti
CHE COSA FAREMO: ogni gruppo suonerà e canterà un pezzo da concordare - meglio se uguale per tutte le piazze - e lo ripeterà diverse volte, per un tempo complessivo di circa un'ora.

PROPOSTA DI MUSICA: Marcia trionfale dell'Aida perché
1) è facile da imparare, suonare e cantare;
2) è meno abusata di Inno di Mameli e Va pensiero
3) è molto potente, si fa sentire
4) La musica classica è inusuale: nei luoghi pubblici con molta cacofonia può attirare l'attenzione più di un pezzo di musica leggera;
5) esprime la nostra voglia di batterci fino in fondo e di 'tornare vincitori'!

OBIETTIVI
1) farsi vedere: la protesta per la scuola non si è fermata con l'approvazione del DL Gelmini in Senato!
2) distribuire materiale informativo sulle ragioni della protesta e su come intendiamo proseguire la nostra civilissima e importantissima battaglia;
3) richiamare l'attenzione dei media.

Se lo facciamo in tanti, in tante zone in contemporanea e diamo l'impressione di un buon coordinamento e organizzazione, i media ne parlano.

CHIUNQUE CONOSCA QUALCUNO CHE SUONA QUALUNQUE STRUMENTO
INOLTRI PER FAVORE QUESTA EMAIL E CHIEDA DI METTERSI IN CONTATTO CON ME:
lisa.vozza@gmail.com

[quote][b][user][/user][/b] said: ANNUNCIO CERCASI MUSICISTI E CANTANTI SU MILANO Dalla zona 3 Milano un annuncio per organizzare: sabato, 22 novembre 2008 un'iniziativa che vorremmo fosse fatta propria dai comitati di tutte le zone della città: UNA DIMOSTRAZIONE MOLTO SONORA per una SCUOLA DI QUALITA' Cerchiamo: MUSICISTI, ORCHESTRALI, CANTANTI, BANDE, ma anche GIOVANI E STUDENTI CHE SUONANO IN MANIERA AMATORIALE LUOGHI: nove luoghi significativi di Milano, uno per ogni zona, affollati e frequentati DATA E ORA: sabato 22 novembre, ore 16:30 - 17:30 CHI: genitori, insegnanti, bambini, amici di tutte le scuole di zona, musicisti, cantanti CHE COSA FAREMO: ogni gruppo suonerà e canterà un pezzo da concordare - meglio se uguale per tutte le piazze - e lo ripeterà diverse volte, per un tempo complessivo di circa un'ora. PROPOSTA DI MUSICA: Marcia trionfale dell'Aida perché 1) è facile da imparare, suonare e cantare; 2) è meno abusata di Inno di Mameli e Va pensiero 3) è molto potente, si fa sentire 4) La musica classica è inusuale: nei luoghi pubblici con molta cacofonia può attirare l'attenzione più di un pezzo di musica leggera; 5) esprime la nostra voglia di batterci fino in fondo e di 'tornare vincitori'! OBIETTIVI 1) farsi vedere: la protesta per la scuola non si è fermata con l'approvazione del DL Gelmini in Senato! 2) distribuire materiale informativo sulle ragioni della protesta e su come intendiamo proseguire la nostra civilissima e importantissima battaglia; 3) richiamare l'attenzione dei media. Se lo facciamo in tanti, in tante zone in contemporanea e diamo l'impressione di un buon coordinamento e organizzazione, i media ne parlano. CHIUNQUE CONOSCA QUALCUNO CHE SUONA QUALUNQUE STRUMENTO INOLTRI PER FAVORE QUESTA EMAIL E CHIEDA DI METTERSI IN CONTATTO CON ME: lisa.vozza@gmail.com[/quote]

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- idiotintraining said...
- User
- 11 Oct 2009, 22:48
Devendra Banhart!!! "Freak Folk" is AMAZING!! It reminds me of the music from Woodstock, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylanness type music. It is very powerful and moving music. Joanna Newsome is amazing too, playing the harp! I just love the whole "Freak Folk" movement. It is very inspiring.

☮ ♥☺

[quote][b][user]idiotintraining[/user][/b] said: Devendra Banhart!!! "Freak Folk" is AMAZING!! It reminds me of the music from Woodstock, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylanness type music. It is very powerful and moving music. Joanna Newsome is amazing too, playing the harp! I just love the whole "Freak Folk" movement. It is very inspiring.[/quote]

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- headey said...
- User
- 13 Oct 2009, 12:08
cuppacoffee said:
... Sorry to sit on the fence but ...
Surely cuppacoffee -it's ok to sit on an eclectic fence for a while, because very soon you'll just HAVE to jump off one way or the other.

[oh sorry, but I'm new here and I still think the words electric & eclectic are funny when they get mixed up]

Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
-but how boring life would be

headey cocktail

[quote][b][user]headey[/user][/b] said: [quote][b][user]cuppacoffee[/user][/b] said: ... Sorry to sit on the fence but ...[/quote] Surely cuppacoffee -it's ok to sit on an eclectic fence for a while, because very soon you'll just HAVE to jump off one way or the other. [oh sorry, but I'm new here and I still think the words electric & eclectic are funny when they get mixed up] [/quote]

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