What has happened to British music?
There are many ills in British society today but I thought I'd start off with something tame but gripe-worthy. Why is there an obsession with American Rap and R&B, which are both very primitive, lazy forms of music? They either anti-social or bump 'n grind lyrics, often with samples stolen from other popular songs.
Where are all the great British rock bands?
Please explain to me how a British youngster can identify with music borne out of US ghettos that represents a US way of life? Where are all the great British rock bands? Great examples such as Queen, Def Leppard and Led Zeppelin just don't happen any more. For some odd reason, people thought The Darkness were here to save rock and roll but look how that ended up.
I don't get Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Amy McDonald etc etc. The obsession with these 'artists' is a sad testament as to the mediocrity of popular taste and what's with all the 'The' bands who have to think up ridiculous names in an attempt to disguise the fact that their music is extremely average. It all sounds the same, can people not hear this? The vocals are shouty/whingey, guitar playing is pathetic and the production sub-standard.
The abundance of reality music shows is a testament to the sorry state of British music. And people are surprised Brits don't crack the US market (Consider Winehouse's Grammys a tragic American mistake - just like Iraq). I often wonder if people are actually thinking for themselves about what they listen to or are they just blindly following trends (as dictated my media/record companies/influential people) to fit in.
Can you honestly argue about the artistic merits of British music these days? For the record, I listen to all types of music (except those referred to above), but especially, heavy metal, AOR, trance - and no, I'm not British!
By: Dave
Comments from visitors
Seriously, what some people complain about on this website is just unreal. Honestly, narrator Dave, get a life. Everyone's entitled to their own music taste. I like quite a lot of the music you slated above, but if you're really that bothered, some British bands I like are;
The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro, The Libertines, The Cribs, The Futureheads, Foals, Enter Shikari. But at the same time, why don't you stop being so narrow minded and open your mind to new things. Seriously, who finds boring people like you impressive in any way. Oh, and get a life, I've already mentioned that, right?
The Vaccines, Biffy Clyro, The Libertines, The Cribs, The Futureheads, Foals, Enter Shikari. But at the same time, why don't you stop being so narrow minded and open your mind to new things. Seriously, who finds boring people like you impressive in any way. Oh, and get a life, I've already mentioned that, right?
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good music is always out there but you gotta look for it and don't believe the hype. Use the internet, Spotify, mflow etc you will be surprised by the good stuff there is.
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The world has changed since those few British bands could sell out stadiums and at the same time enjoy success in the singles charts. But it is still happening under the radar, modern British Bands are shifting huge volumes, only a fraction of the bands of the 70s/80s/90s, there are many reasons for this. The sheer volume of music and number of genres has mushroomed beyond comprehension and pop music seems to cut through the middle and is played by the primary radio staions and clubs etc. People hear it and buy it. How do the DJs chose what is worth playing\?
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the british people are so uneducated hence the big football following.its a mindless boring sport keeps the unthinking masses happy.as a nation we are a load of gutless morons who are scared of our own shadows,they do as they are told without question, dont like anything controversial decent music is only for the thinkers .i rest my case
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There are some great British bands in existence today Muse, Biffy Clyro, Bullet For My Valentine, Lostprophets, just off the top of my head. However, they are not given a platform like the bands from past eras that you listed. Pop music saturates the market to such ridiculous extremes, even american bands don't seem to be cracking the top 40 too frequently. The mentality of the youth has changed, they want to listen to hip hop and Drum and Bass etc. rather than rock music in the 21st century, and that's fine by me, I just ignore the charts completely and listen to my own stuff.
-8
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Direct action. I like it.
I don't think I could put up with 12 hours of rap, it is bad enough kids playing it out loud on their phones on the bus or train.
I don't think I could put up with 12 hours of rap, it is bad enough kids playing it out loud on their phones on the bus or train.
-8
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Gainsborough,
Out of curiosity, did he manage the get the music turned off or at least a better choice of music?
Piped music is one of my pet hates about modern life.
Out of curiosity, did he manage the get the music turned off or at least a better choice of music?
Piped music is one of my pet hates about modern life.
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It is indeed a pity that the type of music Bagpuss mentioned has been replaced to a large degree by anorexic blonde bimbos shrieking into microphones, idiotic blacks with backwards baseball caps thumping drums and shouting crap, and similar rubbish. Sad.
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I am fed up with British kids who embrace every other culture rather than their own. Folk music isn't for everyone I know, but it is traditional with roots in our own heritage. Remember 'Steeleye Span, Fairport convention, the Dublinners.' I love the rhythm and beat of Celtic music, and the hairy fellas who hold their hand to their ears and look like idiots, but hey, they at least are our idiots.
-7
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@Sally
I could have sworn there was no hostility in my statements.
If I appear hostile, then it's best this thread is ended. I thought it was just a discussion.
With regards to s3x. 3 = e. The site wouldn't allow me to post a comment with that word in it.
Please notice I used the phrase "your generation" and not "you".
Perhaps you are reading too much meaning into my screen name and assuming with a name like that, I must be hostile. Oh well. Have yourself a good day and I wish you well with the caring and with the music. I truly mean those two things.
I love music. It's sad to see it become something that's used to divide people but hey, we're only human.
I could have sworn there was no hostility in my statements.
If I appear hostile, then it's best this thread is ended. I thought it was just a discussion.
With regards to s3x. 3 = e. The site wouldn't allow me to post a comment with that word in it.
Please notice I used the phrase "your generation" and not "you".
Perhaps you are reading too much meaning into my screen name and assuming with a name like that, I must be hostile. Oh well. Have yourself a good day and I wish you well with the caring and with the music. I truly mean those two things.
I love music. It's sad to see it become something that's used to divide people but hey, we're only human.
+12
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Who cares,
you are getting quite hostile for no reason and have no idea what my generation is!
Most young people do seem to have ear phones in when they are out in public and this is not a sly dig at anyone, it is just a fact. I enjoy music and don't want to see it as something I turn to in self defence to tune out other people or their choice in music being inflicted on me. I think that devalues music.
Regarding asking people to turn down music, what makes you think I don't? I do it frequently. You are making a lot of assumptions here.
When have you read any of my posts here talking about money or holidays? There are two people using the name Sally by the way. I am a carer for a disabled relative; I have no bloody money and have not had a holiday in 15 years.
What is a s3x ?
you are getting quite hostile for no reason and have no idea what my generation is!
Most young people do seem to have ear phones in when they are out in public and this is not a sly dig at anyone, it is just a fact. I enjoy music and don't want to see it as something I turn to in self defence to tune out other people or their choice in music being inflicted on me. I think that devalues music.
Regarding asking people to turn down music, what makes you think I don't? I do it frequently. You are making a lot of assumptions here.
When have you read any of my posts here talking about money or holidays? There are two people using the name Sally by the way. I am a carer for a disabled relative; I have no bloody money and have not had a holiday in 15 years.
What is a s3x ?
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@Sally
Again, agree with you 100% about the perpetrators. But if it's getting your goat that bad, ask 'em to tone it down or find a way to ignore it. ultimately piped music is what it is - revenue first, quality is optional.
I have asked bars to turn down their music and they did. I have asked bars to turn down their music and they suggested I engage in self-intercourse! If it irritates one that much, then do something about it in reality.
It's not to great effect to save your "true feelings" for an internet blog.
An internet blog has it's use but you can't truly expect it to have a real effect in the real world.
Have you considered that perhaps these generation you take a sly shot at are sick of constantly hearing your generation yap on about money, s3x, your holidays and all the other topics you discuss in between?
So much so that they are willing to kill their minds in the process of shuting out your "noise"?
Again, agree with you 100% about the perpetrators. But if it's getting your goat that bad, ask 'em to tone it down or find a way to ignore it. ultimately piped music is what it is - revenue first, quality is optional.
I have asked bars to turn down their music and they did. I have asked bars to turn down their music and they suggested I engage in self-intercourse! If it irritates one that much, then do something about it in reality.
It's not to great effect to save your "true feelings" for an internet blog.
An internet blog has it's use but you can't truly expect it to have a real effect in the real world.
Have you considered that perhaps these generation you take a sly shot at are sick of constantly hearing your generation yap on about money, s3x, your holidays and all the other topics you discuss in between?
So much so that they are willing to kill their minds in the process of shuting out your "noise"?
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"who cares",
I am not of the generation that needs to hear music every minute of the day and I don't want to carry an MP3 player with me all the time.
If I am having a drink or meal with friends I want to talk to them, I don't want to have to shout over music. If I am shopping I want to do it in peace and be able to think.
There is of course good music out there but this is always a matter of personal taste and what I think is good you may not. My objection is other people forcing their choice on me.
Piped music is usually bland, bad and loud, in my opinion.
I am not of the generation that needs to hear music every minute of the day and I don't want to carry an MP3 player with me all the time.
If I am having a drink or meal with friends I want to talk to them, I don't want to have to shout over music. If I am shopping I want to do it in peace and be able to think.
There is of course good music out there but this is always a matter of personal taste and what I think is good you may not. My objection is other people forcing their choice on me.
Piped music is usually bland, bad and loud, in my opinion.
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@Sally
Then get yourself a portable music player and listen to the music you like. :)
I agree with you 100% on your diagnosis BUT what are YOU doing to minimize your exposure to the mind-numbing cr@P? Or have you concluded, like the original poster, that "good" music is dead?
:)
Then get yourself a portable music player and listen to the music you like. :)
I agree with you 100% on your diagnosis BUT what are YOU doing to minimize your exposure to the mind-numbing cr@P? Or have you concluded, like the original poster, that "good" music is dead?
:)
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We can choose what we listen to at home but what drives me insane is the "music" that is played these days wherever I go. Shops, supermarkets, doctor's offices, shopping centres and even some stations just play this tuneless drivel all day.
Even in the street or on public transport you cannot escape it as kids now play music out loud on their phones.
It always seems to be the same kind of sound with repetitive phrasing both in the music and the lyrics. It should contravene our human rights to have this stuff forced on us.
Even in the street or on public transport you cannot escape it as kids now play music out loud on their phones.
It always seems to be the same kind of sound with repetitive phrasing both in the music and the lyrics. It should contravene our human rights to have this stuff forced on us.
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You are just LAZY! The internet age and the X-Factor age have made it a chore to seek out good new music but it's still out there.
Music is not owned by any single race or nation. So, if "British Music" is lagging, find music from another country or geographic region that you enjoy.
You are taking the notion of patriotism to an extreme. Music is in the realm of creativity - it's not part of politics.
With regards to denegrating Hip Hop - please, these Richard Heads running around claiming Hip Hop are merely Pop Artists controlled by Puppet Masters who focus SOLELY ON MAKING MONEY!!!
Hip Hop was started out of the need to say something. I know a lot of people can't get their head around it especially since all they hear is Booty Hip Hop!
What you're doing here is like judging what some foods do to humans by using ONLY processed super market junk as your representation of "FOODS". If you understand that, then there's hope for you yet, if you don't and keep insisting that you are only going to listen to music when there is a return of "GOOD BRITISH MUSIC" then keep waiting and brewing on your frustration.
Music is not owned by any single race or nation. So, if "British Music" is lagging, find music from another country or geographic region that you enjoy.
You are taking the notion of patriotism to an extreme. Music is in the realm of creativity - it's not part of politics.
With regards to denegrating Hip Hop - please, these Richard Heads running around claiming Hip Hop are merely Pop Artists controlled by Puppet Masters who focus SOLELY ON MAKING MONEY!!!
Hip Hop was started out of the need to say something. I know a lot of people can't get their head around it especially since all they hear is Booty Hip Hop!
What you're doing here is like judging what some foods do to humans by using ONLY processed super market junk as your representation of "FOODS". If you understand that, then there's hope for you yet, if you don't and keep insisting that you are only going to listen to music when there is a return of "GOOD BRITISH MUSIC" then keep waiting and brewing on your frustration.
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Old classics and records are being replaced with "new","hip-hop" songs with the artist's vocals enhanced to make the unsuspecting public buy this s**t they call "music".
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I swear,if I find one of these so called "celebrities",I will hunt them down and disembowel them with a spoon. Slowly.
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But I have to agree, that the X factor takes on centre stage in the music world which is awful!
It has always been the case where the masses prefer the very simple repetitive, reproduction pop stuff.
Original musicians and music writers are few and far between.
It has always been the case where the masses prefer the very simple repetitive, reproduction pop stuff.
Original musicians and music writers are few and far between.
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X Factor is not the only place to see music. You are getting too old. Just think, the music in the your days was criticised too. Yes it is mostly rubbish but you do not have to watch it. It is targeted mainly at a young age group and it is Pop Music. Pop music has always been very commercial since the 50's and 60's.
There is plenty of good music about - just get out there. Why limit your watching only watch X factor?
There is plenty of good music about - just get out there. Why limit your watching only watch X factor?
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