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JackUzi · 31-07-02, 11:27 AM

There's too many rock fans out there to let it die but yeah, rock music lately has been dull. Although maybe this is just culture in general, there hasn't really being anything incredible lately even in the world of cinema. Simon Reynolds here gives his own view on the stagnation of rock...(well British indie music to be particular)

"Since major labels alone have the clout to make bands big, the result is a massive withdrawal of energy and interest from the independeant sector. Look at the indie charts now, and you'll find a motley coalition of drum n' bass and techno records, death metal and other micro-genre niche markets and pop stars who happen to go through independent music culture that in 1988 could sustain an AR Kane album at number on for 4 weeks doesn't exist anymore.

By now though, there should have been the backlash, seeds of regeneration buliding if not blooming, Britpop's bubble burst quite a while back and the gold rush A&R blunders have issued their dismal debuts and in many cases already have been downsized from the rosters. Why?

Dane culture done it. Dance culture was the worst thing to happen to British rock. Not just cos its unparalleled enticements permanently hijacked the greater portion of rocks potential audience (even in its lamest, most edge less form-trance and hard house-clubbing beats gigging by a considerable margin). But because the electronic arena has sucked up a good 90 per cent of the musical intellect available. Britrocks ails because this countrys sharpest musical minds are dedicated to making instrumental, non-band music. why should the Eno-type inspired non-musicians bother with all the friction and hassle of bring in a band when they can implement their ideas quickly via compliant, near-infinitely flexible machines? Dance culture and its home listening orientated adjuncts even hold out the possibility of making a few bob.

As a result, rock has been left to people with the worst motivations: fame, exhibitionism, the desire to make music like they did in the old days (the 60's, punk/New Wave). Or its left to people with something to "say": the quote machines, the would-be poets. "All mouth, no trousers" has been Brit rock's cardinal liability siince the post-punk era, when attitude, self-salesmanship and music paper-friendly gift of the gab became more valued than instrumental skill or sonic vision."

31-07-02, 11:27 AM	#5
JackUzi Power and Glory Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 228	There's too many rock fans out there to let it die but yeah, rock music lately has been dull. Although maybe this is just culture in general, there hasn't really being anything incredible lately even in the world of cinema. Simon Reynolds here gives his own view on the stagnation of rock...(well British indie music to be particular) "Since major labels alone have the clout to make bands big, the result is a massive withdrawal of energy and interest from the independeant sector. Look at the indie charts now, and you'll find a motley coalition of drum n' bass and techno records, death metal and other micro-genre niche markets and pop stars who happen to go through independent music culture that in 1988 could sustain an AR Kane album at number on for 4 weeks doesn't exist anymore. By now though, there should have been the backlash, seeds of regeneration buliding if not blooming, Britpop's bubble burst quite a while back and the gold rush A&R blunders have issued their dismal debuts and in many cases already have been downsized from the rosters. Why? Dane culture done it. Dance culture was the worst thing to happen to British rock. Not just cos its unparalleled enticements permanently hijacked the greater portion of rocks potential audience (even in its lamest, most edge less form-trance and hard house-clubbing beats gigging by a considerable margin). But because the electronic arena has sucked up a good 90 per cent of the musical intellect available. Britrocks ails because this countrys sharpest musical minds are dedicated to making instrumental, non-band music. why should the Eno-type inspired non-musicians bother with all the friction and hassle of bring in a band when they can implement their ideas quickly via compliant, near-infinitely flexible machines? Dance culture and its home listening orientated adjuncts even hold out the possibility of making a few bob. As a result, rock has been left to people with the worst motivations: fame, exhibitionism, the desire to make music like they did in the old days (the 60's, punk/New Wave). Or its left to people with something to "say": the quote machines, the would-be poets. "All mouth, no trousers" has been Brit rock's cardinal liability siince the post-punk era, when attitude, self-salesmanship and music paper-friendly gift of the gab became more valued than instrumental skill or sonic vision."