Quote:
Originally Posted by Martian
Top 40 radio has absolutely nothing to do with talent. That's not to say that talented musicians do not break into the charts, but that's not the primary indicator of success. Top 40 is all about profitablity, and that's a whole other discussion. A band like Nickelback has an image. It's marketable. The front man looks good on a poster. And the same things that I don't like about it are what make it good for top 40 radio; namely that it follows a proven successful formula.
I don't understand how people who don't like top 40 are snobs. The opinion expressed here by myself and others seems to run along the lines of 'do what makes you happy, it's not our place to judge.' That seems like the complete antithesis of snobbery to me. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something.
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I gotta agree with you Martian.
When I was a kid (about 10 or so) I joined a private music school...so sometime around 1995. For those years, I was introduced to tons of music. And it became my passion to hear new sounds. Even so, being a kid, I got a lot of stuff off the radio. I used to listen to top 40 and such for awhile.
As I continued my music studies into high school, my music library expanded further, and top 40 was merely a good way to find out who released a new CD.
To this day, I feel that top 40s are corporate controlled. How are singles released? The artist usually picks a couple songs "Single-worthy" and their recording companies do the rest. And those recording companies can buy their way up to number one.
Like you said, its not talent-based. But that's not to say they're not talented. And I certainly don't intend to bash them. They do more than me. I'm not creative enough to write music. I just play it.
In the 90s and early millennium, top 40s were big, really big. Lately, music categorized as "indie" has crept up to mainstream sounds. (side note: I hate the term indie. Its not a genre. just a kewl way of saying independent label. ugh) Bands I never knew existed are finding their way up to the popular music charts.
And so, yet again, a new and different sound is out there gaining attention.
Music preferences change quickly when it comes to mainstream music. If the band/artist fits the profile, cha-ching.
These days, I don't listen to local radio...far too repetitive for my liking. Besides, I go through serious music phases: one day african beats, then irish melodies, euro disco dance tunes, hard rock, metal, jazz...the list goes on and on and on. My collection is extensive and eclectic. Everyone has different tastes. Mine seem to encompass all genres, and I'll listen to it depending on my music mood. :P