a common example in here is that music that gets 'better' would not be considered as selling out but music that is worse for mass appeal is. No one addressed what 'better' actually is. Reading the examples, upbeat and raw seems to be 'better' within the listeners of this particular thread. Nonetheless is mellow, soft etc. is NOT a bad thing and i hardly consider that as the criteria of selling out.
I like rock as hard as it can get but you know some of my favourite songs of the rock genre are soft.
As well, just because it appeal to the mass audience is it always worse? Does the general public hold such an awful taste of music? [actually i'd have to say yes to that
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My point is music is too personal to decide what's better or worse. While i believe there is definately such a thing as selling out, to me it means no longer taking the risks the artists use to take due to security from their fame, or money or both. Getting too comfortable for their own good.