Pop - nice for the kiddies, but not on my hi-fi thanks (The Charts)

Member Name: hulahoop

Product:	The Charts
Date:	28/09/00 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pleasant, fun

Disadvantages: Detrimental to musical development

I doubt there is one person reading this that cannot think of a No. 1 hit of a chart gone by. Listening to the radio today I heard a song that I remember was at No.1 about 8 years ago, and it brought back many memories (oh in those days people wore cheque shirts, none of this silly kitten heels business). I also have (fond?) memories of religiously sitting in front of Top of The Pops as a wee lass to check out the charts, and still do on the odd occasion. A lot of pop around at the moment is great, Travis, Kelis. But I always feel that a lot of it has a pretty detrimental affect on the music industry and musical development.

The average pop song is constructed of synthetic sounds and unmentioned artists creating them. Songs are reeled out as if on a production line, and have about as much meaning behind them as one of my toenails. No one ever tries to be different, unless its having an even trendier hairstyle, and nobody ever comes up with brand new ideas or concepts. I have minimal problems with this kind of music - it doesn't really affect me becasue I do not buy it, and rarely listen to it. However it does concern me the amount of people that do buy it. True, most songs are just nice to bop or sing along to, but I think there are so many different ways of going about it than just saying, 'oh forget the music side, lets just make money'. I enjoy sixties artists such as Dusty Springfield, Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin. Most of them had their music written and produced for them. A lot of it was about music for them. Yet they were different in many respects because of their influences and inputs. Dusty's presence changed the way women were perceived in the pop world. They used real artists and real music to support them. These girls had soul. Most pop musicians these days have nothing but nice hair and clothes.

OK, so all those opinions could be bypassed. However, one thing is a fact, and that is the manipulation of the music indu
stry by the big companies. Everyone is always on the lookout for talent to make the big money. I hardly ever see anyone looking for something thats different or new. The fast evolution from the 80s to the 90s, fading out from the late 90s to now - is that because theres less concepts to be discovered, there are less talented people? I'd say it was more to do with the fact that no one is prepared to jump up and try something new. Nobody wants to risk losing money, and money is easily gained if you stick to the right formula, or so it seems.

There is still room for charts and for pop bands for kids, but its time for everyone to stop being so absorbed by whats popular, and looking at whats different. Its time for a little more counter-culture.

Summary: