Love this line of conversation...
As far as I understood Steve Smith in the History of the US Beat, nothing is new since around '78
or so. I agree 100%. Listen to Led Zep I from 1969...written in 1968. What has changed in
rock n roll? I would argue things have regressed. Technology does not mean progression musically.
All pop music is basically the AABA format or a slight variation. Intro...verse..chorus...verse...chorus
...solo...chorus...end song. Boom. It is all about getting a new sound, usually in the guitar...I mean
drums are drums and bass is bass and keyboards, well, in the 80's they found a new sound, but don't really
hear much today different than what a keyboard should sound like.
The lead singer IS the quarterback of the band...that is the main difference. It's just life...after 40 years
of pop/rock music, where do you go? Rap broke through, but what else. Jojo tried to emulate the machine
influence and became a technique freak in the process, but in the end, if you just sound like a live version
of a machine, it is still the same musically. Of course there are nuances to all of this...this is a generalized
argument I am making.
Just my opinion- but I think he's absolutely right regarding the lack of innovation and progress in music.
There really isn't many places left to go, if at all.
--that said, I totally agree with this thinking.
Listening to EVHalen in Steve's post recently when asked about this topic, EVH said VH entered a world that
was disco and rock was dying out, BUT...VH played rock music similar to Led Zep w/Eddies stylized guitar
work and sound. It was still the AABA rock format. He really didn't break out with a new style of music at
all. His point was that music might have hit a road block today, but as VH broke out during a disco phase
so can another group today. My POV is yes, but it most likely will rehash the old rather than invent the new.
To a new generation it might sound new, but it isn't at all. The movie industry is in the same dilemma.
To a 15yo, CGI is normal, but in the end it is just a new way to make car chases easier to film or a fire escape,
or an explosion or a tidal wave more manageable. It is still the same effects MADE a new way! Because it is
new to a younger audience doesn't mean it is in any way ground breaking.