The Age Of Apathy

Have you ever taken a moment to ponder the thought: When is the next guitar god/legendary band/music revolution going to arrive? All through the 60's right up until the early 90's there was a ground-breaking band every couple of years. Am I the only individual that feels as though this trend has ended?

I think one of the main contributing factors is apathy. Look at our present culture and where it is heading. Exercise has become a chore, cars have replaced legs, people dive into the couch and watch TV late into the night, technology replaces those difficult tasks like preparing and cooking a meal, writing and sending letters, walking up stairs... they are all very challenging feats that take alot of effort.

Are you thinking, "Well, where the hell is this article heading?". Be patient, my children, for I am explaining the Apathy epidemic and how it is affecting music today.

Firstly, digitalization. Why is it that contemporary bands love riddling there albums with special effects, monotonous beeps and dub after dub after dub? Yes, it is extremely conveniant and time-saving, but most of all it requires less effort. This is a serious issue as I believe it is ruining true, meaningful music. Computers have no soul, spirit, emotions, opinions and feelings. So why are we allowing them to control our music? Sure, it can rectify mistakes and slight hiccups made in recording, but that completely ruins the music. It needs that pure, raw edginess to it. You can't 'fix' music, just as you cannot fix art. It destroys the creativity, which is a key building block of any artform.

Secondly, greed. Far too many artists these days are entering the music industry for the prospect of mountains of money, bling-bling (most retarded term ever), big cars and fame. The youth percieve this as being the main purpose for music and in turn creates another generation of greedy humans. Then you get the occasional pseudo-musician who tells the world they just do it for the music e.g. Good Charlotte. No, Good Charlotte, wake up from your stupid dream.

Thirdly, general laziness. I believe immensely in the potential of people. Anyone can be a guitar hero. Ofcourse, the TV will always look more inviting than a book full of music theory and history. But in the long term, which one is going to be more beneficial, fulfilling and lucrative? You can't go into the field of 'TV watching'. The next time are lounging around doing nothing, immerse yourself in music.

Play guitar, learn some theory, scales or modes, meet and collaborate with a fellow musician, organise a jam session, start a band amongst your friends, listen to music, try a new genre or obscure band, make a rhythymic drum beat on a table, record a stupid or serious song on a tape player, sing your guts out in the shower, hum, try harmonics, long bends and screeching, muck around with a new tone, busk, try a new instrument and stay the hell away from a computer whilst doing it all.

With all of those ideas, is there any need to watch television or play video games? I think not, my friends. So, get off your computer, turn off the techno, TV, videogames and DVD player, crank up your guitar and just do something. No matter how insignificant, atleast you've accomplished something, with your own hands. Apathy, be gone!

Comments

[AxeMan88uk]

you know someone will complain and say here are plenty of innovative bands (though i pretty much agree with you), just warning..

[ror]

good charlotte lol u obviously dont know them there music is what gets them through their lives like many people i know who rely on music when the times get hard its good charlottes lyrics that we can relate to. very pointless article.

[jcthomasva]

Fine article, you make some interesting points. Hate to be the grammar nazi, but firstly, secondly and thirdly are not words. Just use first, second and third.

[RadioheadFan]

Well our society is pretty ***ed if people rely on good charlottes lyrics to help them through their lives

[brycey81]

Be patient, my children

gives me the image of grandad having another rant, hehe.

I agree that we're getting lazier as a culture, so it begs the question will music get increasingly lazy too? Computers/effects can be useful tools in music, but of course arnt everyones thing.

I wonder whats on TV..... oh, "bargin hunt" as usual.

[Crazy Diamond]

I couldn't agree much more than I already do. It just makes me think how much better life would be if we lived in the 15th century.....

Okay, maybe not, but you know where I'm coming from.
And who cares if 'firstly' etc aren't words. At least you know what they mean. And I really hope nobody else mentions how 'gr8 good charlottes lirics r'. Just because this person has an opinion it doesn't make this a bad article.

Great article.

[justy]

yeah i love gc lyrics... its always good to relate to when my girlfriend dumped me, or my dad hates me. but thats about it.... come on man what the hell you thinking. gc get you through life. you need proper help then

[konfusion1111]

great article, and i agree with it all. and how can anyone reading this disagree.

and to everyone who uses good charlotte lyrics to get them through the hard times in thier lives... go get some good music, one that is actually written by the band and actually means something. im not naming any bands because you should be able to find something meaningful on your own.

once again, great article.

[nirvana alive]

good article. very good indeed

[Kappa]

Oh you poor, poor bastard. Yeah, this world is sooo stupid, music industry's sooo ***ed up and there isn't any honesty. I'll open up a can of pity for you...You sound like a 14-16 year-old Nu-Metal hearer, you know?

[starbomb13]

agree with the digital age making things too easy and convenient. everything is so polished. yea-the article is true, i known many ppl who quit cause they're lazy.

[Laser]

We have a trend of break-through artists. We have plenty of them, it just only appeals to thirteen year old hormonal females. The 80's were the same way. Itll straighten out eventually, kids these days are listening to older, more talented music, most of the time. So the next generation of musicians probably will bring out a bout of talent... or just an evolution of emo...

[falloutboy106]

what i dont understand, is if you are telling up to stay away from the computer at all costs. then you oviously must be a hypocrit. you wrote this artical on the computer. you posted it on an internet that can only be viewed via a computer, and you must you a computer quite frequently if you went through the trouble to write an artical and get it posted on this website.

[guitare_kid13]

someone tell me where can i get ipods for cheap

[ChordMonger]

i agree wholeheartedly except with the dvds. movies can be a really creative art form, whatever, great article

[caucasian_ninja]

Wow, whoever said Good Charlotte's music gets them through life.....argh

But I agree completely. People are lazy. But have you noticed that solos are becoming cool again? Most of the local high school bands around here have these shredders in them. These kids are the future wave of guitarists, so don't despair! I know this one kid named Will Wyatt, he plays guitar for a band called Bad Karma. That kid is absolutely amazing. Just you wait....

[SethMegadefan]

Effects don't necessarily ruin the music completely. Bands like Radiohead and Pink Floyd make great use of effects and computer-like stuff.
And yes, there are still some innovative bands out there. Most of them don't make it into maintream scene because modern society seems to just want to hear the same four-power-chord songs over and over again.

[sadistic_monkey]

It would be awesome for there to be another musical revolution, but why does it have to have solos? Yeah, I love playing guitar, but a solo doesn't make or break a song.

How many of these articles have there been in the past month or so? 1127? I think so.

Meh, anywho, at least it was well-written. Liked it more than the others.


Spam deleted.

[Bluejay451]

you posted it on an internet that can only be viewed via a computer

Not if you have a chunk of grey matter removed and install a modem in your head.

Anyway, for the most part I agree. I do think, though, that there ARE innovative bands, and that the people who complain (I'm one of them) just don't like that style of music. I find classic rock fans bitch the most. Which I am. And I do bitch a lot.

But there is good stuff out there. Robert Randolph is fairly new and he's an unbelievable player. And plenty innovative...shoot, I've NEVER heard a pedal steel played like that before.

[Rivers]

Its too easy and too cynical to be like every other guitarist on this site and say no good music has been made since metallica or some crap like that (no offense to metallica, i like them). Look at a band like coldplay...musicians have evolved in so much that its about what notes they choose now instead of how fast they can play them.

[Zavorash]

You hit the nail on the head. People would much rather listen to and create the same old stereotyped background music than actually get off their asses and do something worthwhile.

And I really like how you incorporated a bit of social commentary in there as well. I have a generally good group of friends, but they just have no initiative whatsoever. It can get very frustrating.

All in all, a very well written and well-thought article. Nicely done.

[GuitaPlaya]

i think rap has destroyed music. There are plenty of good bands out there right now but every one is into rap(which isn't even music and takes minimum skill). There needs to be a band that wipes out rap but doesn't do it for the money.

[IzzySnakes]

Laser:
We have a trend of break-through artists. We have plenty of them, it just only appeals to thirteen year old hormonal females. The 80's were the same way. Itll straighten out eventually, kids these days are listening to older, more talented music, most of the time. So the next generation of musicians probably will bring out a bout of talent... or just an evolution of emo...
HELL YAH! im 16 and ive been playing guitar for about 4 years and most of my friends listen to old stuff like Gn'R and Aerosmith and Zep and most of them have either just picked up a guitar and are getting good really quickly or have been playing for about the same amount of time as me. The people who like Green Day and those sucky bands are the ones that are giving up at guitar(& music all together)or taking 3 chords and saying okay thats a song and then adding cheesy GC lyrics.

[shenanigans]

I should have been born in the 70s...so in the 80s im a teenager and could have been influenced by so many great bands and seen them in my time. But now as a teenager(14) i have to deal with emo, indie, pop punk, and all that crap and there arent any great metal/hard rock bands. I kno so many geat guitarists wasting thier talent with emo, pop punk, or just bad muzic.!!!.. it makes me mad

[IzzySnakes]

sorry for double posting but I just read this
sadistic_monkey:
It would be awesome for there to be another musical revolution, but why does it have to have solos? Yeah, I love playing guitar, but a solo doesn't make or break a song.
If you look at most of the guitar heros, what made them heros was there ability to solo. Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Paige,and Eric Clapton just to name a few. and the truth is that a solo very often DOES make or break a song. Would Stairway be as big of a hit as it was if not for the brilliant solo before the outro? i think not!

[Cyber_Guitarist]

Rap and r'n'b and all that shit is just another trend, it will die out soon. I think it already is dieing out. Rock's still there, just not mainstream, but MTV will get bored and go back to rock soon, and then the cycle will repeat again...

[altronataku]

ror:
good charlotte lol u obviously dont know them there music is what gets them through their lives like many people i know who rely on music when the times get hard its good charlottes lyrics that we can relate to. very pointless article.

you know its shallow idiots like you who thinks anything GC writes is actually meaningful. guess what? theyre not, and your just shallow, too lazy and materialistic to actually appreciate real poetic lyrics and try to find the meaning, taking them in your own interpretation. you just rather let these fake assholes scam you.

i agree with this article. my philosophy on why music is so shitty today is similar to this one.

[ChordProgressiv]

Although I see where you're coming from in some respects, a lot of what you've said is bullshit.
You talk about there being no "Guitar Heroes", I'm guessing meaning people who have mastered there instrument, but it simply isn't true that there are no technically proficient guitarists coming through. And you talk about computers as if they're some kind of demon. You say they've got no soul, but, much as I love my guitar, neither does it. It's an instument that I use to make music, just like a computer can be.
You say digitalisation destroys creativity, but surely anything that can enhance music encourages creativity.
And as for your comment about Good Charlotte, who I've rarely heard, and not enjoyed when I have, I think you'll find that a relatively small proportion of musicians are only in it for the money, and for those who are, it's pretty easy to disregard them.

All in all, a pretty pointless article.

[dirtyboots]

Hey, asshole! SHUT THE FUCK UP!

How the hell do computers take away from creativity, moron? Computers, just as instruments, are inanimate. They are just another tool, just like you!




...BADA-ZING!

[ak50324]

you know its shallow idiots like you who thinks anything GC writes is actually meaningful. guess what? theyre not, and your just shallow, too lazy and materialistic to actually appreciate real poetic lyrics and try to find the meaning, taking them in your own interpretation. you just rather let these fake assholes scam you. ...yeah you should let the SMART assholes scam you...

[twocenttip]

tom morello could do it if he tried. jason truby could as well.
as could i but we all know that.

[Punk Poser]

Stop bicthin and moanin and theres no good bands these days. Get off your ass and start the next musical revolution. Maybe ill give you 5 dollars or sumthing.

[pabloneruda32]

When considered, apathy is a problem in the music industry. Why be creative when you could just tack some powerchords onto some clichèd lyrics? There are other problems which are much worse. The rap and hip-hop epidemic is what's really ruining the industry, as well as tearing society apart, but that's a different matter. While I do think music has gennerally regressed in the past decade or so, there still are a few bands that strive for innovation and excellence, such as Queens of the Stone Age, Audioslave, and The Mars Volta.

I'm done, let the flaming begin.

[proguit933]

i agree with the article, but there are some great bands out there who are well known, just no gods, we really need one, but even if we did there wouldnt be the same appreciation cuz of the downloading and shit

[proguit933]

but wait wasnt there another article like this with something apathy in its name?

[pistols]

Funny that he wrote this on a computer.
Good article though.

[Needled_24/7]

...

i think ive heard this before. ALOT before. but it doesnt mean i dont agree. just an observation.

[BlueViper1998]

Listen to Hella.

[azkonceptz]

Everyone is greedy. Nobody is doing music, for the music. Whether it be money or fame or w/e, everyone does what they do for their own personal greed and gain. There is no such thing as a selfless good deed. Like yourself for example, its like your trying to tell us to become musicians w/o the apathy so that you can get your revolutionary band. U GREEDY PUNK

[altronataku]

the only thing i find ironic about this article is you telling us to stay away from the computer yet here you are writing an article....on the internet....which requiers computer access.....

[ad_lib_oz]

ror:
good charlotte lol u obviously dont know them there music is what gets them through their lives like many people i know who rely on music when the times get hard its good charlottes lyrics that we can relate to. very pointless article.
[POSTED: 07 May 2005 - 06:21]|

Yeah... For sure.

[Aristotle]

I love you how say making music for money is bad and then, in the next paragraph, speak of how lucrative music is, like the money is the best thing.

[dan123]

the computer does giv us tabs and lessons from UG but part from that gr8 article

[HoplessNewb]

Since GnR music has been dead

[milk_it_good]

Okay, let me straighten things out. Computers are not evil, they are a great tool. The message, which I made too unclear, was to not RELY on a computer to make your music for you e.g. Garageband.

When I said 'Guiatar Heroes' I did NOT mean the most technically accomplished. I meant a general rock god: Performance, Antics, Riffs, Fame, Controversy, Solos, Technicality and Consistantancy. Joe Straini (I can't ***en spell it) wouldn't be a 1/100th well-known as Jimi Hendrix was.

And yes, a guitar is an inanimate object. We play the guitar, we don't give it commands. There is a blatant difference. Bending, vibrato, harmonics, the spontanaity (wrong spelling) of our fingers, style, accidents, feedback. I would love to see a computer acheive that without prerecording, but I fervently doubt that will happen. We attach ourselves to the guitar and in our greatest moments it's almost like a flux of soul gets transferred. It's not the addition of sounds from a computer that irritate me, its the editing. The over-polishingm of it. I'm the sort of person that would rather have an array of scratches and marks on my guitar than a shiny, immaculate 'trophy'. I think it gives it character. Music requires character.

Another thing, I did not say playing music to make money was greedy and selfish. When it becomes the sole purpose and goal for a band, up to the point where it is disgustingly obvious, then it is wrong. Good Charlotte would have spent 100's of 1000's of money producing their shameful video clips, simply in the hope of receiving more money. I mean, who the *** dresses up as pieces of fruit? I really don't want to judge them so harshly, but their are just so many struggling, talented bands out their try to squeeze their way to the top, whilst and shit-spewing band bathes in fortune and fame.
I realise I probably sound like a cynical, skeptical, naieve prick with unresearched generalisations and judgements. But please keep in mind, I'm just expressing my opinions. I spent the week at a work union, and it compelled me to write about my convictions and beliefs. If I could write an article that conveyed all of my feelings completely clearly and conspicuous, I'd still be writing it now. Clarifiying takes too long. Accept my article, absorb, contemplate, assess, decide and move on. And no, I don't listen to nu-metal.

[Kiri]

I agree with this article but it is lacking in few points.

The one is society. Hippie/punks whatever. What we have today? None. There are few guys from past times and some emo fellows that everyone are laughing at and some pop punks - the worst I think. Looking back every guitar god/musical revolution has a strong society that understood it and had own ideology.

Nowadays? What ideology do we have? Pop punk and emo? Give me a break... From all bands I know that are performing now I can listen to Velvet Revolver/Audioslave/Thursday. 3 bands and the first two started playing some years before. That gives me ONE new band I listen to but I bet the next comment will be "Thursday - emo - sucks". Yeah, I don't like crap music like emo, but because it is crap music, not because it is called emo.

And you are waiting for next guitar god, right? That is interesting - the rap is at it best and you're saying that it will end up soon. You say that there are great shreders in high school bands. And do you think that MTV will all of sudden show these nintedo-like kids insted of rap that is giving them heaps of cash? And you expect to come new musical revolution from these shreders - like they would be something new, like Vai and Satriani weren't there?

I tell you what - the things won't change until there will be real revolution and I'm not talking about some 13-year old shreder that is bond to save the world music. Until there will not show another hippie or punk or no... Today we need even greater ideological mainstream and it HAS TO BE SOMETHING REALY NEW!

I hope that what I've said was understandable since english is my third language, so don't ever bother chceking my spelling.

[VictorDelacroix]

good article sum intresting pointbut u talk but computers being used and its more easy and computers have no soul...well the computer is like a guitar its used to make the music and its not as easy as u say...sure its quicker and simplified...but its still qutie the task to mix it all in and meld, computers dont have souls but it doesnt have to...its a tool, a means of making music...like guitar we use it to make the music.

[thomas_wh]

i think that there might be a chance that the reason we dont see any original innovative artists today is because it is hard to see while they still are active. but i havent lived long enough to tell if this is true, maybe someone else here have?

[monkeyspks]

get off the computer and instead of writing articles, create a revolution. that is what i say.

[thedankle]

I like to consider myself very lucky. I live in Maine out in the boonies, so I have nothing to distract me from playing guitar

[powerhead]

Interesting opinion. However you say "Computers have no soul, spirit, emotions, opinions and feelings" neither does a guitar. A computer and a guitar are tools. Tools can be used to create beauty or destroy. Think man, the computer is not the evil here. It is like saying an electric guitar is bad, and lets all go back and play only on acoustic. I dunno. I agree that we are all a bunch of lazy apathetic ***s. G-d knows i am...

[Design4Life]

Good article, but what gets me is that they guy goes on about being all musical and not sitting around on the computer...yet here he is sitting at his computer punching away at a keyboard having a rant. hohum.

[Flowerpot]

Computers are just like instruments...neither have feelings etc. We humans are the things that have to try and make these inanimate objects sing and make beautiful sounds.
But yes, I do take your point about our apathetic society. But I think most of the bad music around today is down to something I call the three-phenomenon - three minute songs, three chords in these songs, three people in the bands. Someone please get some creativity.

[axeslinger01]

lol he says "stay away from a computer" but he just used one to make the article

[iliketaskate]

at the same time computers allow you to better capture the true sound and energy of a band.

[Underhander]

i agree 100% dude, you cudnt have said it any better

[TheParallelFth]

I'm a fan of correcting mistakes in recordings (except, obviously, live recordings). Why? Because if I make one small mistake while playing live, I can just play through it and it's gone forever; I make one small mistake on a recording, and it's going to be heard over and over and over again. Making a CD perfect doesn't make it any less artful. If you're looking for "pure raw edginess", get off your computer and go to a live show.

And stop paying so much attention to Good Charlotte. They do not represent ALL of the music that is being made these days.

Also, it's easy to look back and call a band the gods of rock. We may have gods amongst us right now and not even know it. I mean... look at what happened with Led Zeppelin.

[Sum1]

I dont think many people thought of the Beatles or Led Zepp or Hendrix or Metallica or anyone else is revolutionary in the first few moments of their existence, instead times tells us that these bands are revolutionary because we can see the progression of time looking back on it...also, there are many amazing bands out today that we may not look at as Gods now but a few years down the line may prove to be amazing.. there has always been pop music, there has always been crap on top of everything.. but look a little deeper and you will see the greatness of some music out today.. the difference between today and yesterday is that pop today is going under the guise of the music that has always been much more underground, GC claiming to be punk or rock and whoever else you want to think of... however they are not truly this music.. but you see them on TV and think music is going to hell, while your chosing to ignore loads of good bands...

[jklsadj;sadjfak]

ya, i play and practice all day, its the theory and all that that im too lazy to do.

[strangled]

every wave of music centered itself around a subculture. all we lack right now is a prominent subculture. i personally am 18 and a neo-hippy. so go grab your tiedye buy some bellbottems smoke some weed and start walking with your guitar to the great music gathering.(where it is i have no idea but go there anyways)

[Gr1m R34p3r]

Awesome article, good job!

[Steph Bets]

ground breaking bands of recent years:
red hot chilli peppers, muse, dallas crane (rock revival hll yeah!) not to mention bands in other less popular areas- ie not neccesarily rock.

[slashtobe]

Good Charlotte are shite. Another one of these teeny-rock wankers coming and destroying the name of good music. And anyone who listens to their 'lyrics' to get them through tough times go back to your bedroom and take your frustration out and smash the CD's. Tat might help you more!

[slashtobe]

ror:
good charlotte lol u obviously dont know them there music is what gets them through their lives like many people i know who rely on music when the times get hard its good charlottes lyrics that we can relate to. very pointless article.


you know its shallow idiots like you who thinks anything GC writes is actually meaningful. guess what? theyre not, and your just shallow, too lazy and materialistic to actually appreciate real poetic lyrics and try to find the meaning, taking them in your own interpretation. you just rather let these fake assholes scam you.

i agree with this article. my philosophy on why music is so shitty today is similar to this one.

Agreed...

[Vinura]

this guys got a point...last year

ill give you 2 bands that are innovative and new

THE MARS VOLTA

THE MUSIC

both these bands are somthing else..they rock big time...

but good article

[justgivemetruth]

Pretty good article...although I thought the reason I'm lazy is because all I do is play guitar.

Fuck GC, there just another sell out band.

[KENZI]

Good Charlotte are rubbish

[drowninggeek]

I agree. music has taken a turn for the worst. The influx of indie music is ruining our generation's perception of rock. Bands such as Franz Ferdinand are taking the soul out of rock, and replacing it with bland, boring, lameness. None of these bands have any idea what they should be doing and are bent on earning money. It's about time someone said something. Go you!

[southern_stylin]

Now come on now fellas, if we didn't have computers to make our music for us poor lil' "artists" like Ashlee Simpson, Kelly Osbourne and Britney Spears wouldn't have an outlet for their "art". What would the world do without them?

[rackmesideways]

I think this artical is good. I thought that I was the only one that relized that music isnt what it should be anymore. most of whats considerd rock nowdays is pop. I really thik it will be a long time if ever before a nother led zeplin comes around. im gonna go play a video game now.

[rackmesideways]

mars volt is ok but there no led zeplin.

[rackmesideways]

ground breaking bands of recent years:
red hot chilli peppers, muse, dallas crane (rock revival hll yeah!) not to mention bands in other less popular areas- ie not neccesarily rock.



yes the red hot chilli peppers are good but if you read this artical you would know that the writer said
there havnt been any really good bands since the 90's
and the red hot chilli peppers are from the 90's.

[SixStrings]

I totally agree with this guy on the money/music aspect. Young kids watch MTV and think that that's music. I know once in a blue moon they play something worth a listen, but the kids aren't watching when the moon is blue. And all this "bling bling", fancy cars, and jewlry rap music that relies mostly on studio beats and recordings are killing today's music scene.

[edawg]

RadioheadFan:
Well our society is pretty ***ed if people rely on good charlottes lyrics to help them through their lives

i couldnt have said it better.

[edawg]

all the new music on mtv (rap) is awful. they should take time to learn an instrument and not rely on a studio beat

[sral76]

Interesting article, I agree with many of your ideas but I think it got too preachy near the end. And if anyone does not like the synthesized Rap "music" on MTV thy the Roots. They are a rap band that has a REAL drummer a REAL bassist and a REAL keybord player. They ain't my thing But I respect them because they play their instruments.

[Pyro128]

Well, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are still around, so not like there isn't any innovative music at all. There's a lot of bands who are pretty innovative as well out there, but it definately isn't the same kind of age we had before...

[IAMTHEEGGMAN...]

"Computers have no soul, spirit, emotions, opinions and feelings" neither does a guitar.

He actually covered this in a later post (if you bothered to read it). He said when you play the guitar, you are putting your soul, your spirit, your emotions, opinions, feelings ect. into it. A guitar has no soul of its own, but when you play it, the guitar borrows a piece of your soul.

[Emenius Sleepus]

You sound like a 14-16 year-old Nu-Metal hearer, you know?

no, he sounds like a 14yr-old who is locked in his closet with his fender strat playing smoke on the water and Voodoo Child over and over again and wondering if there was indeed any music after the good ol' 70's.. "oh where oh where did all the solos and guitar heroes gone"... and quite frankly.. enough of this Good Charlotte shit. that line alone discredited the whole article. Don't like the music, then ignore it for ***s sake. Go put a britney record on, just to pasify yourself. The article wasn't too bad, you have a point dude, and I agree with you as far as the laziness factor is concerned - as the technology accelerates, the scary thought is that bands are gonna be like planes on autopilot - all electronics and no soul. But the thing is, you can have the best of both worlds... recording onto a computer is so much more hassle free, and when used sensibly can yield awesome results, and to an average listener there won't be much difference. Just some bands over-use the technology, so the tracks are overproduced and sound bland and almost mechanical. Such is life. There is a lot of crap in the music industry, and it's up to you to weed it out for yourself. No use arguing.

[PjX71]

good charlotte suck

[Emenius Sleepus]

southern_stylin:
Now come on now fellas, if we didn't have computers to make our music for us poor lil' "artists" like Ashlee Simpson, Kelly Osbourne and Britney Spears wouldn't have an outlet for their "art". What would the world do without them?

Hey, everyone, he's got a point... when there's no crap, you can't appreciate good music as much because there is no crap music to compare it to and to run from. there's nothing like watching an hour of mtv, and then getting so pissed off about how the music is so terrible, and then put your pantera or some other cd on and sense how much better you feel. That's almost like a drug after withdrawal.

[Emenius Sleepus]

PjX71:
good charlotte suck

idiot... grow the hell up

[WindJammer]

jcthomasva:

firstly, secondly and thirdly are not words.

Yes


they



ARE. They are adverbial forms of adjectives-- first, second, and third respectively. Why is everyone such a hypocrite with those words?

[Blackbullet]

You raise some good points, but fail to explain them and make alot of sweeping generalisations. I think you meant well but the articles sucked imo, sorry.

[ctb]

I thought that this article would be a load of sh*t but it was quite good

[Desk Jocky]

Anyone else think it is ironic we are discussing the merits of this "computer bashing" article on the computer?

[Slashfan#1]

He is 100% right I give him a 5 when I started getting serious about guitar i chucked my playstation out the window. And as for computer bashing I am at work I have no choice it is either this or work I choose this.

[GReenDAyRulez80]

Secondly and Thridly are words, Firstly however is not

[boothy]

jcthomasva:
Fine article, you make some interesting points. Hate to be the grammar nazi, but firstly, secondly and thirdly are not words. Just use first, second and third.

um... hate to be the grammer nazi, but um... yes they are.

all 3 of them are words.

And damn good article. Agree completely. Good Charlotte? You make me laugh.

[stormchaser]

I would have commented back your column with perfect puncuation, grammar, and spelling if it weren't for the comment limit. Or, judging by your column, I would hav commented back you're column with perfectpunctuation, grammer and spelling if it werent for the comment limit.

[Nirvana_RATM2]

yea pretty much no one is takin inititive to rock out the right way. No one has the i dont give a *** image no more. I feel like we are due for one , all these bands like At the drive in or Mars Volta , sure they can play but they dont know how to act. We need rock stars we need the new face of rock n roll. I feel like me and my band have it , we have the attitude , we have the sound , we have everything that rockstars need. We are rockstars trapped in teen bodies , not this crap rock or this prog rock .. we are rock n roll we are straight i dont care bout nething but music , we have it down . Ill bet my life that in 10 years we will be the next face of rock n roll.

[Nirvana_RATM2]

i also see many others pickin up guitars and listen to real rock , i've turned on alot of people , i just imigane this on a nation scale...and another 70's or 80's is comin , just wait till we get to the age where we can do it. We're still perfectin or stuff....I myself am movin out to LA with my best friend to pursue our dream. I ENCOURAGE ANY ROCK N ROLL TEEN TO DO THE SAME!

[Anti_Samurai]

I agree totaly. I've just started with modes and expanding my scales. The part of your article that would be hard to follow through with is finding someone else. Every one here in Virginia (well, Richmond atleast) are apathetic and lazy when it comes to playing. One guy I know that has great speed doesn't even know his pentatonics or chords!

[rapeme]

good charlotte are for 8 year olds. and so is green day whatever happned to them.

[ferchersan]

I'M INTERESTED IN APATHY. I agree

[IlIk2plygUItAr]

what i dont understand, is if you are telling up to stay away from the computer at all costs. then you oviously must be a hypocrit. you wrote this artical on the computer. you posted it on an internet that can only be viewed via a computer, and you must you a computer quite frequently if you went through the trouble to write an artical and get it posted on this website.

are you retarded? he meant keep computers away from your music and dont fuc.k the music up with computer effects.

[Eamon Orchard]

I'll tell you what's ruining music.
Morons.
You're all idiots.
This article is bland and boring apathy isn't ruining music, it might be ruining the music industry, but who cares about that (LOL how's that for a contradiction LOL).
Fuck that, what's ruining the music in society is idiots who feel that their opinion is better than someone elses (LOL another contradiction LOL). Seriously who are you to say one band is better or one musician is untalented or one form of music is more artistic and inspired than another. Play whatever you want for whatever reasons through whatever methods you want, if it creates happiness it is eliminating apathy you dickhead.
So what if a computer eliminates the faults in music, what makes you the authority to say that naturally produced music is the more correct form or naturally preferred methods of music.
What is subtracting from music is shoddy pretentious opinions from people who try and attack other peoples preference of music by attacking the 'credibility' of the genre/band. Fuck that, enjoy whatever you will and no one should attempt to subtract from your enjoyment by making you feel bad about it, clearly there is passion in music still as you can see on forums and stuff like this as there would be no argument if there was apathy.
This article is biased and crap and essentially just conjecture. I don't personally like 'Good Charlotte' or techno/electronically produced music, but I don't feel that any genre/method is subtracting from the pure joy we can derive from music, and nor do I feel that apathy is present within music for I know people who would go to the craziest lengths in order to obtain the privilege of listening to and/or playing music.

[Super Llama]

I think the article has a point. computer add-ins detract from the real skill of the music.

[5ironaudiorage]

and stay the hell away from a computer whilst doing it all.

Ironic?

[virginrealities]

A new guitar god has arrived, and his name is Matt Bellamy.

'Nuff said.

[Skull8259]

Hey great column. Screw all those bastards who have given you shit about it. You have spoken the truth about the state of today's music. However, some people can't seem to grasp the fact that a generalized statement about anything is not infallable. There are always exceptions to the rule. Keep rocking in the free world.

[A-Mi-eeke]

Yes! Bellamy! Muse! Joy!

I'd also like to add that my band is by far the laziest yet fastest band on Earth. Why did I just say that? Good question, I'll return with an answer later.

[xdespairfactor]

THE MARS VOLTA.

[xdespairfactor]

omar a rodriguez lopez = the next guitar god.

[exe zc]

Bach wasn't famous for playing an instrument, he was famous for composing pieces. Techno doesn't take skill or talent in a playing sense, but still takes just as much compositional skill, if not more to make.

[exe zc]

And I don't mean more than Bach, I mean rock bands.

[CLOWNDEACAN]

i didnt read any comments, bite me

dude, what you wrote is what ive been thinking for a long time. bands now dole out grad a shit, and that A sint a good thing. coperate 'bands' like Simple plan and Avril lavign... suck. ive played for 1 year, and i can do jsut as well if some idiot record porducer walked up to me and asked me if i wanted money in exchange for my status as a real musician.

and yeah. you could relate a popluar band to a time, even in the 90s. and then it stopped
now you have kids (im 14 btw.. but still) listening to crap, and hip hop shit. the same computer generated riff, for the whole song, while an 'artist'(insert name) (insert letter... G does fine)sings about blingbling or chichs, and drive aroudn it teh most wasteful and counterproductive cars (eg pimp my ride. if you remake the appearance of a 70s car that runs like shit, it still will run liek shit, excpt that you get a ncie view when your car breaks down)

*rant off*

[Gunstar Hero]

brilliant article man

[milk_it_good]

There are simply my opinions and beliefs, and perhaps they are biased, generalising conjectures. What I think is blatantly ironic is that forums and columns were established for the presentation of one's personal opinions, yet everyone on this site immediately scrutinises, judges, scorns and condemns. Do you realise that this discourages people to publish what may have very well been an exempelary, invaluable article?

[Eamon Orchard]

Find me an article that is invaluable.
My view still stands, this artice is shit and that a lack of passion is not what is holding todays music back.

[Eamon Orchard]

Oh and also, what you said isn't really that 'blatantly ironic', whenever anyone publishes an opinion be it through whatever mode writting or speech they are opening themselves up for people to state their own opinions which may run contrary to that. It's not really that ironic it's just cause and effect, action and consequence.

Also considering that you are willing to admit that your article is essentially conjecture, is that not a good enough reason not to post it then? The problem is idiots love to consume shit like this and start to believe it's entirely factual becasue of the mode your opinion has been expressed.

The worst thing about your opinion is that you deny that there is a lack of interest in music today. You couldn't be more wrong. Just because the music industry and the mulitudes views differ from your own does not mean that there is a lack of interest or a lack of knowledge by others than yourself.

I hate your article.

[MinionofZep]

Hey, I agree. Most rock I hear today is dark and crungy. I don't know, maybe it isn't cool to write music about lighter things than hating your life (generaliztion there). How can some of these bands today even make it? People are blind to talent these days, i.e. rap. Nice article.

[doughboy788]

awesome!!! i was just thinking that not too long ago. and i started to play like 6 months ago and sice then i dont even watch any tv anymore. and since me and my friends started a band we all got so much closer good article

[Slasriani]

my god this has started a HUMOUNGOUS arguement. rite FIRSTLY firstly secondly and thirdly are words, trust me on this one. secondly me hate rap, i think that nearly anyone who can keep rytham could go out and make a decent rap record and probably never have to work...i may actually go and do that...mmm....
nyhow, i think for the moment we can pin our hopes on chinese democracy for a proper rock breakthrough...unless axl screws up...
we need a record like dark side of da moon.
and good charlotte..just no..dnt base your life round it please..jst please dont.
and white stripes dont use computers which u gta commend them 4

[prointraining]

I totally see where you are coming from milk_it_good but just because a particular genre of music is not the most popular for the time being, doesn't mean it isn't music. I am not the biggest fan of emo, pop and rap. But that's what is popular now. Any chance I get I poke fun at people I see who worship such music because I think it's ridiculous. However, it's not the necessarily the music I am dissing. I despise any kind of stupid fad and it is the people who are blantently devoted to a band or genre with hopes of being popular that I cannot stand.

Any song from any band from any genre can sound bad. I try to respect all types of music for what it is. I don't have much experience of playing every single type of music nor do I know exactly how difficult each is. Besides, what is easy to one person is hard to another. However, I still respect the people who can stand on stage or in front of a camera and bear it all doing what they love to do. I understand exactly where you mean when you say there is no soul in some music today. But before you judge a certain person or band, try considering what's like from their view. Even if you don't like the music, if their is passion in it, you should at least try to respect and appreciate them for doing what they do. Because what would life be without music??

[AC_friggin'_DC]

i like ur article but there are bands who r amazing and don't use special effects but usually they aren't the most popular

[Nirvana101]

I've thought that many times. When you think about it, real music didn't start to long ago. The first metal bands (black sabbath, led zeppelin) came out more then 30 years ago. But they are still around and are still some of the main influences. Metallica came out in the 1980's and are still popular. But there really are no new guitar legends. They are probably underground still but no band I've heard thats come out in the last 10 years has a good solo at all in them.

[Brand Nizzle182]

Every older generation thinks every younger generation is lazy, quit bitching about it.
Im glad there are no "guitar legends" right now because solos are annoying.
If you dont like new music just shut the fukk up, your time has passed, dont ruin it for us kids.

[Brand Nizzle182]

Every older generation thinks every younger generation is lazy, stop bitching about it.
I'm glad there are no "guitar legends" right now because solos are annoying.
If you dont like new music just shut the fukk up, your time has passed, dont ruin it for the kids.

[zeppelin420]

^^^
you, sir, are a moron. you shut the "fukk" up and get your finger out of your asshole.

[tunskies]

***ing one of the best articles ive read so far, good on him

[tunskies]

FUUUCKKKK YOU eamon orchard who are u to say someone cat tell another person what they think fuk u if thats how u think take a leaf from ur own book and CRAM IT UP UR ASS

[Eamon Orchard]

Tunskies if you had the intelligence to understand my article you would probably realise that I didn't say that people can't express their own opinions. You are retarded. I just think this article is a bunch of bullshit and the author should acknowledge the actual meaning of apathy and then he might realise that apathy is not at all a problem in music today.

[barge]

MARS VOLTA = Groundbreaking

[brakemyhart_13]

I am holding a seance to bring Hendrix back to life...anyone want to join?

[18_prophets]

Wot ur saying is tru. But since im only a teenager and where i live.. i seem to be the only decent guitarist ther (not being big headed or anything lol). Its tru tho.. apathy has taken over dispite groundbreaking bands like lostprophets fighting against it!
ps. if anyone has got a problem with Lostprophets, then bugger off, im allowd 2 like the bands i like, so are u!!! sortd! x

[Jason212]

I have to agree that this may be the Age of Apathy, but that is only the mainstream. You could stop worrying about what most people think and surround yourself with people who aren't part of this mainstream attitude. Obviously this music is popular, and just because some music is digitilized, doesn't not make it music. Let most people listen to what they want and if you don't like it, get off your butt and help change it.

[archangels666]

great point man. computers are useful, but they arent a musical instrument. we have bands out there like lostprophets, the mars volta, breaking benjamin, and a bunch of others, but theyre just the opposite of mainstream musicians. theyre too busy worrying about making music to promote wut theyve already done...go figure

and by the way, u guys on here that only post the phrase 'good charlotte sucks' just because he mentioned them, ur the exact ppl hes talkin about.
get a life and learn to play guitar because obviously, ur a bit too busy insulting bands u dont like to ever play.

[ce12872001]

I'm not a good charlotte fan(In my humble opinion they suck great big hairy donkey ball), but to each is own. Saying that computers aren't useful in an article thats posted on the internet is just a bit hippocritical, don't you think? Finally, I agree about the laziness thing. I'm actually a very lazy bastard myself, but this article has inspired me to go jam with some friends, so thanks.

[ce12872001]

By the way, I'd like to join the Hendrix seance.

[Fade2Cobain]

don't worry about the next rock revolution. as soon as i put my band together I will lead the revolution, and then become a legend. (ahhh.. dreams)

[TimmyHendriix]

I think computers are useful. I go onto this site and read lessons like every day in school, but not to make music with. Im not sure how music is gunna turn out in like 10 years prolly all computerized. Even computers have remotes so you dont even have to lean foward to change the song. I agree with him. Although its really the same now because even in the 70s and 80s there were prolly alot of bands that werent that good and sounded the same.

[fender-4-eva]

great article, but without a computer how would you get it to us?

[caynen]

This was a well writen and organized article. However, I believe there are some revolutionary bands heading the musical crusade of the future. These bands are in the new forms of independant metal that is springing up across the nation, just watch fuse late into the night. Oh yeah, and Good Charlotte lyrics get me through my day--NOT!

[gratefuldead22]

this is definately a good article and its extremely true. Also fortunately for anyone who likes jam-band and that "old time Rock-n-Roll" there are some good bands out there just starting, unfortunately there masked over by MTV and VH1 and modern day pop culture.
Some of those bands (you may have heard of them if you live in the Northeast) like Max Creek, String Cheese Incident, Moe, and John Butler Trio. go to www.maxcreek.com and read about Camp Creek, if you like Jam Bands and the Woodstock era, than youll love this. 3 Days of music and marijuana in upstate NY.

[gratefuldead22]

i didnt mean to say "just starting cause Max Creek has been around for 25 years, i meant non famous ones that are still goin

[ak50324]

The article wars all died finally

nice job 4 stars

[madbasslover]

dude, using computers in music isn't lazy! if you make it the basis of your song, then yeah, but most real musicians tweak their music on computer to polish it so you can hear it better. Have you ever heard the cd "Concrete" from Fear Factory? The music's good, but the production values and sound mastering are such low quality that when it all kicks off it sounds like a noisy boom. Without computers, we'd have a lot more unpolished, low production value cd's like Concrete. Although music is music, and therefore is good mastered or not, it sounds better with polishing, mastering and all that, and THAT is why artists use computers...'cept for hip hop, they can't play instruments so they talk to a tune, and put in a bunch of annoying little beeps and blips. anyways, I do agree with you though that everyone else is lazy. a lot of people think playing an instruments would be all sh*ts and grins, but once they pick it up, they pansy out cuz they realize they have to work to play like the guys on tv. those people aren't generally passionate about it, so they weren't gonna get anywhere anyways. just a little random fyi (to show off, of course, lol), i'm learning guitar and bass, and i'm pretty good at both, so i'm not lazy MUAH HAHAHAHAHAHA

[madbasslover]

guitare_kid13:
someone tell me where can i get ipods for cheap

^^how many damn places have you posted this?! try amazon.com or something! damn!

[madbasslover]

this whole things reminds me of a Manson song..
Ya said you wanted evolution
The ape was a great big hit
Ya say you want a revolution, man
And I say that you're full of sh*t!

Yep...Manson, good stuff, good stuff

[pinion18]

Hahaha none of you ***ing idiots have any idea what youre talking about. This article is dead on and while i was reading it it was kind of like old news... recent music sucks. people following those pussies from korn writing lyrics about how terrible their lives are. you people think you can relate to todays music. These people have been feeding off your self-pity. and slapping anything on a sheet of paper to fit a few power chords and your pitiful attitudes. Nobody gives a *** what shits happening to you. Your life is what you make of it, and all you spoiled little dipshits that think your life is so awful. go get your maid to slit your wrists for you. and run your face into my fist to save me the trouble.

[omgitscj]

Well I agree with him and the only reason I'm on the cp right now is because I am looking up tabs to learn and lessons to study and whatnot. For the 3 weeks I have had my guitar, I haven't played a game and haven't watched tv for more than 4 hours (I like dave chapelle and the Dl Hughely special). I think that we should all shut the hell up and start getting a revolution started before rap and sh1t music take over for good.

[omgitscj]

And good charlotte is a gay band I hate them more than I hate rap and I despize rap with alot of my heart. And have any of you heard of multi tasking?? You can play guitar and talk on the cp (I would know I am doing it as we speak. And if anyone could send me a list of all the chords and appeggios I would be very greatful (Come on ppl lets speed up the revolution). If you want please send it to [e-mail] so I can get better at guitar and help this revolution.

[pinion18]

dirtyboots:
Hey, asshole! SHUT THE FUCK UP!

How the hell do computers take away from creativity, moron? Computers, just as instruments, are inanimate. They are just another tool, just like you!

XD Serve it up.

[hell awaits 666]

well, computers don't really ruin music, pretty much old and new music have computer effects...but, like the article says, it makes people more lazy, another thing, you're right, they just do it for ***in' money, if you want good lyrics you can relate to, and good music, go hear some Guns N' Roses, the tell me if Good Charlotte isn't crap...

[hell awaits 666]

and by the way, if you say you hear it cause it sounds well...go shoot yourself, understand, Good Charlotte is not genuine music.

[nightprowler]

Sadly, a long time ago, I used to like rap. The ONLY thing that changed my music course was my guitar. When I began to play guitar, I was introduced to such bands as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Guns n Roses. I was in awe of how there are no uplifting songs made today that even rival songs made by these and other great bands. My solution to the new generation's music problem (I'm in this generation so listen up), GIVE THEM A BLEEPIN GUITAR AND MAKE THEM TAKE BLEEPIN LESSONS. If they refuse, slap them upside the head!

Finally got that out.....

Ok, I REALLY hope you were joking when you rely on Good Charlotte's lyrics to get you through life. You do know that they only make songs for money, right? They just throw lyrics together that rhyme and sound good, like all other bands today.

Ignorance.....

[milk_it_good]

Whoah, I sparked a bloody war! Okay, a penny for my thoughts. My article is predominantly centered around mainstream music, but please don't type as if mainstream doesn't mean a thing. A local band may make extraordinary, intense music which could challenge that of past legends, but todays mainstream doesn't respect that. Call me crazy, but I assume that a local band doesn't want to cram into a dank, smoggy pub occupied by a mixture of drunks and drop-kicks for the rest of their life. Deny it or not, every band desires public recognition. The Beatles, Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Pink Floyd... they all surged to enormous fame. Even the humblest of people yearn for respect. My NEW opinion is that the music industry needs to seriously reconsider their values and priorities. Fantastic rock bands are being strangled at the base of the ladder.

[Slackerton]

Irony: Using a computer to B*tch about people using a computer

[Gurgle!Argh!]

a guitar has no more soul that a computer. its just another tool to make music. the soul comes from the person making the music; whether its made on guitar or computer is irrelevant.

and the reason you dont see any ground-breaking bands is because you're complaning about them. there is a lot of groundbreaking music about right now, it just happens to be using computers a lot, because its something that allows us to do new things with music.

in short, you're being, well, really stupid.

[SuicideNation]

the second post...by "ror" made me laugh real hard

[black_sabbath85]

good article....very true.
Power chords = rock nowdays.

[NikkiSixx440]

You need to talk to the guy who wrote "Music today sucks?No" or whatever, because you my friend are right. Black Sabbath forever, peace out.

[Benesyed]

I dont think he meant there are no innovations just few and far in between. I think most of his artical was inflamed to get people more pumped. I agree that music has been in a state of lethargy, put I think that alot of UG'ers will make some change maybe not mainstream but a little at a time.

[prettyduck]

ur right...todays bands dont even have talent...everything today is about apperance (correct me if i spelt that wrong...im from texas)its all about a pretty face or a nice body...no one even cares about the music...and thats what counts

[prettyduck]

i just need to get this off my chest


GC SUX!!!!

[Abyssal]

I totally agree with this. The bands these days, and their choices of music style also are laziness. Pop, rap, hip hop, etc are all way to easy to make a song. All you need is a catchy chorus, repeat it a couple hundred times, and there ya go.. Even this generation of metal has been going downwards. (Not counting bands from the 70's, 80's, early 90's, that are still around).

The music industry has been turned into a money making scam. I repeat "scam".

[pinion18]

The music industry have gotten so ***ed up, a lot of bands are writing songs about how ***ed up it is. Wonder whats next by chevelle, kill the music industry by cold, songs by nine inch nails, etc.

[jade_rock24]

i need my computer for tabs man... and I think music today sounds perfectly fine you just need to search for it.

[Gotrix]

I AGREE WITH MOST OF WHAT HE SAID (EXCEPT I LOVE TV VIDEO GAMES AND MY PC) HAHAH

[ledsoldier]

depending on computers for your music is disgusting and disrespectful. if you shitty emo and techno bands are STILL confused why real musicians hate this, here you go. there are some guitarists who practice up to five hours a day to acheive and master the guitar that sound they want. its possible to duplicate their sound in Garageband in five minutes. There are people who put so much heart and soul into their music, just to find out that some 13 on garageband can make the same thing in five minutes.

[cryan2]

i have one thing to say:

RAP SUX!


hahahaahah!!

[hardcoreatheist]

listen to Send More Paramedics and tell me nobody does great solos. SMP are inspired by Slayer meaning they thought "hey Slayer are good we need to be better"

what about slipknot? at least they did something new
and they used digital keyboard and turntables to good use.
You dont have to be majorly talented to play good songs, i could play iron man in a week of playin bass and lead and thats a brilliant song

[Dogwillhunt]

BLING BLING!!! No, seriously, folks. WAKE UP! This author is not throwing a pity party for himself. If you are a musician, we are all in this together. I don't care if you only know 3 chords or if you can shred like the Satch. Irrelevant. Good Charlotte is NOT about the music, so could we please stop talking about MTV's butt boys for one second? I'm not saying we should all "sell out" and become rich rock stars, but we are musicians, right? So why is it people with less talent than us are making money playing crappy music? I don't know about everyone else, but I wouldn't be too sad if my band got a record deal. I'd be happy if it was an Indie label. I am one of those "pseudo-musicians" who is about the music, but it takes money to survive these days, so wouldn't it be cool to at least keep your head above water doing what you enjoy doing? There's no entry level positions for musicians, there's either starving artists or rich rock stars. I'd be happy just getting by playing music. Nobody in the industry cares if you have talent and that's where rap comes in. You could have a line of 20 of the most talented musicians perform an audition for the industry execs and if they don't have the right image, they will all be told the same thing, "You are THIS CLOSE, but thanks for playing, try again." The industry is rigged just like a carnival game. It sucks, and if you don't like it... DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! We're all tired of seeing the same stupid emo rock and rap videos on MTV, so instead of bitching about it, take action. Who'd like to see good music videos return to MTV? Who'd like to hear good songs return to the radio? We've got to take a stand before music is destroyed altogether. Who's with me? Anybody? Hmmm... do I sense a little apathy?

[cdk4bls]

Thanks for a great article, though as the author, I advise you not to mention the names of bands first off, since it shows an inherent bias to the readers

[cdk4bls]

Dogwillhunt, you're the best.

[cdk4bls]

ledsoldier, you are also the man.