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Nothing good.... Nothing New (Reply to this comment)
by pbase
I stopped listening to the radio many years ago. I also dislike most new music, regardless of genre. The corporate mentality has been married with popular music since its inception. The talent of the late 60's, 70's and 80's kept it somewhat in check. Now the product is completely contrived. Let's hope things change soon.
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Jul 22 '01
10:27 pm PDT
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Much truth here (Reply to this comment)
by keithpruitt
Ok, so I'm not quite as skeptical as you in certain areas of your critique, but I know it contains some truths. I called my local station this weekend and asked to hear a George Jones song (one recorded in the last two years for which he won a Grammy) and was told he couldn't play it or he would lose his job because it wasn't on the program. Damn these corporate no bodies.
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Jul 11 '01
4:19 pm PDT
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The truth... (Reply to this comment)
by 3BCoach
...is always refreshing when put so eloquently. I personally never listen to the radio. And, my musical tastes are never considered to be "in", but I know what I like, and that's really what it's supposed to be about. Welcome to my WOT.
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Jul 11 '01
6:40 am PDT
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Totally... (Reply to this comment)
by mkp51
...on-topic, if you ask me!! Wonderfully written! I'm glad to see someone stand up for a return to personal responsibility in our society.
Many major corporations, realizing their responsibility to society, have, in fact begun acting in a much more socially responsible manner. It may be argued that this is one factor behind Ford Motor Company's decision to recall Firestone tires. In recent years, many other companies have become involved in strong efforts at environmental protection; the elimination of all forms of prejudice in their business practices; and the like. Granted, their primary motivation behind what they do remains their "bottom line," and they still have a long way to go, but it's good to see corporate America beginning to take those first faltering steps toward social responsibility.
In my mind, the one area of corporate America that refuses to modify its sometimes outrageous behavior is the media. Corporate executives of the movie, television, and radio industries, self-righteously hiding behind the First Amendment, continue to put on the screen and the airwaves only those things that benefit their "bottom line," with no thought given to the effects of their "product" on society at large. You want violence? Sex? Drugs? You got it. Only when government regulators intervene do the media moguls modify what they put out to the general public.
I'm glad to see someone finally speak out on the sorry state of the American music industry, which is plagued with the same problems as the TV and movie industries. It doesn't matter what genre you listen to... rock, rap, jazz, country, folk, or classical... it's all become homogenized pap, thanks largely to the fine hand of the "bean counters" and executives trying to manipulate their audiences to a particular taste in music.
Music used to be an art form. Pick a genre and go back not too many years... to the '60s, '70s and '80s. Listen to the words of songwriters, and real music played on real instruments. Real artistry involved. Nowadays, it's all digitally enhanced voices and computers playing the same monotonous rhythms, and, in some cases, scandalous, socially irresponsible lyrics. But, hey... whatever sells, right?!
Small wonder, then, that I've dusted off my classical music CD collection, and now spend my days listening to Bach Beethoven and Mozart and Haydn.
mkp51
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Jul 11 '01
4:48 am PDT
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Who Might Be Giants? (Reply to this comment)
by Afterglow34
Dale, I must say that this essay was absolutely spot on. What we hear on our airwaves today is a minute fraction of radio-worthy acts today, and it ashames me to realize that so few people actually know that. Living smack in between two huge radio markets, that fact is accentuated all the more. It's becoming all too obvious with each passing day that the almighty dollar will be the one thing that causes our society to implode upon itself...
I think that this would make a smart topic for a write-off in the future. Meanwhile, I've got to go call my local talking head DJ and see if I can get the latest They Might Be Giants song played... "Who Might Be Giants?"
~Luke
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Jul 11 '01
12:01 am PDT
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good call (Reply to this comment)
by spermologer
thank you for recognizing the things about our society that many people choose to ignore. I applaud you for not being another "victim". I also wrote on this topic and took more of a "who should we blame now stance". Good review.
Kristan
(spermologer)
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Jul 10 '01
8:18 pm PDT
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You got me thinking on this one (Reply to this comment)
by jo.com
I haven't quite formulate all my thoughts on this topic because I see so many variables. My general reaction is yes, they do have a social responsibility but then I read something as well said as this and I can easily see your point...of course I don't necessarily consider capitalism holy so that may skew my perspective a bit. In any case looking forward to the St. A. reviews...pipe dreaming about living there. Oh it must be nice to have your computer with you...I'm not allowed to take it on vacation :) jo
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Jul 10 '01
4:24 pm PDT
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Re: Exactly! (Reply to this comment)
by monssfisch
It's the same deal with commercial radio in the UK, which is exactly why I don't listen to it. The ironic thing is, the slogan for most of these stations is "Today's Best Music Mix". Please.
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Jul 10 '01
12:07 pm PDT
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Exactly! (Reply to this comment)
by telynor,  in Music
And then the parents wonder why the kids are listening to that [deleted]. Me, I can't even bear to turn on the 'modern' music stations any more. To my fellow epinioneers: seek out your local NPR (National Public Radio) station, they need the support, they are listener-supported and funded and they cover all sorts of musical styles, news, world information, and you name it. Good work, Dale! I salute you! And keep up the fight! -- Telynor
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Jul 10 '01
11:06 am PDT
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Bravo! (Reply to this comment)
by JennJoy
This is exactly why I really do not listen to the radio anymore! If only all artists could go at the way Ani DiFranco does--I may never hear her on the radio or see her on MTV, but she sells out concerts, has her own record label (that has begun supporting up and coming musicians), never bows to corporate america and otherwise maintains a firm grip on her roots. Maybe if more people got involved in these types of efforts the radio stations, promoters etc would take notice.
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Jul 10 '01
9:37 am PDT
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Even though... (Reply to this comment)
by Tibullus
... I'm rather young and there wasn't much in the way of independent radio where i came from, I was exposed to a couple of great radio stations in Minneapolis when I came here for school. There are still a couple of independent stations in the city, but for the most part they have been swallowed up by the Disney/ABC conglomerate who are playing 3 card monty with the radio formats of the different stations.
When I came to the city, there was a station called Rev 105 which was actually very independent and just a great all around radio station. However, in about 1997 it also was bought out by the megacorporation and any semblance of an independent set list was lost forever and the only thing upholding it seems to be a few smaller stations (KFAI and RadioK are the ones that come to my mind)...
Thanks for the great review...
marc
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Jul 10 '01
9:36 am PDT
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4 real ... (Reply to this comment)
by conter7
I can't even put on a request for an old dance song which I want to hear .......... they say ....... "Well, we won't be playing that song .. how about Destiny's Child with Bootylicious!???!!!!"
NO! NO! NO! I am sick and tired of Nelly, Destinys Child and Britney Spears, Grrrr
Great Review, you have covered all areas
Rich (conter7)
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Jul 10 '01
9:22 am PDT
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Excellent . . . (Reply to this comment)
by phineaskc
Excellent review Dale. You made some very good points. Gone are the days when DJ's took it upon themselves to help promote a lessor known act or a particular song that isn't mainstream. DJ's were what helped make rock n' roll and even country for that matter. Remember the movie Coal Miner's Daughter? Where would Loretta Lynn have been if she hadn't gotten breaks from local DJs?
Personally, I listen to very little radio unless of course I want to hear Britney Spears, N'Sync, and the Backstreet Boys played over and over and over again.
Nice job!
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Jul 10 '01
7:50 am PDT
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