Thursday, July 5, 2012

Pop Music Gets a Bad Rap!!

Recently, I got to read an article on Wired magazine titled "Pop Music is Boring".  The article went on to describe how today's pop music all sounds the same.  And she used the following mashup by vissagan as an example to prove her point.


She also goes on to argue that in today's Pop culture the words "club", "hands", "party", and "alcohol" are used repeatedly in song lyrics.  

Now I produce mashups on a weekly basis for my club gigs and radio mix-shows, so I understand there are relationships between songs that may be predictable but also unlikely.  In the above example, the person who created the Pop mashup just put a bunch of vocal parts on the same beat.  Some elements I can clearly hear that he modified the key of the singer to fit the key of the song.  In my opinion, the entire mashup was a mess.  But if the goal was to showcase how Pop music is so similar these days, by taking different vocals and layering them on the same beat, I have a counter to that argument.

In the example below, I take a well known House track that many may consider a House anthem and layered it with thirteen different vocals from the same genre.  The only exception being "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, which many might consider a classic and beyond pop-bashing.


You can hear that the vocal elements I use fit the melodic progression and key of the song, but they are different.  Different verses, hooks, choruses.  If you listen to the content of the lyrics, many sing about "Dancing", "Clubbing", and "Love".  My point is that based on my mashup example, it does not prove that House music is boring.  And based on vissagan's Pop mashup above, the argument that Pop music is boring also has no merit.  

What is true is that people have opinions.  And at the end of the day you have to qualify your assertion by stating "This is my opinion only".  The writer of the article, Holt Kay, heard the Pop mashup and came to the conclusion "Aha, this means Pop music is repetitive and boring".  It's clear she does not have experience producing music, or creating mashups.  To a mashup artist, we understand that songs have a relationship with one another on some level.  As a result, it's possible to combine songs together and exploit those tonal relationships.  That is what we mashup artists do on the regular.

As for the criticism directed to the lyrics in Pop music today.  it's not that much different than it was 20-30 years ago.  Since when does Pop music have to be so serious?  Pop music today is intended for people to dance and party, not take life so seriously.  That's like criticizing a bar for selling alcohol.  Even the quintessential Hip-Hop song "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by The Sugarhill Gang, is all about partying, sex, cars, money, status, competition, and more sex.  Nothing deep going on there folks.  And to top it off, it uses a breakbeat from the Disco hit "Good Times" by Chic.  

Personally, I can appreciate all types of music and take it for what it is.  I can enjoy Jazz and Classical music, but understand that it may not resonate well at a party or night club.  And I can respect that some songs aim to tell us a story or make us reflect.  And I am present enough to realize that as I get older and as music evolves, I may fall out of favor with the current trends and reminisce of the days gone past when I believed music was "real".  But in reality, that would just signify that I have fallen behind with the times and that is what I think has happened with Ms. Holt in writing her piece on Pop music.  But that is just my opinion on that. ;)

28 comments:

  1. The problem here is that she speaks for the whole pop culture based on one mash-up. First off i would say that a mash-up might not be the best choice to judge a music culture as it can mix different styles, but i can agree that most of the times they sing about the same thing, but it has been like that through all generations and there will always be people picking on that.

    I personally love all kinds of music and im not really bothered about the lyrics as long as its well produced and can get your feet stomping and the crowd moving in the club (and pop music does that well).

    And for mash-up's i can only say that they make the whole thing more interesting (if they are well produced ) i remember hearing one in a club for the first time (Ultra Nate "Free" and Robin S "Show me Love") and i was like "Damn is this for real" never heard it again since but its stuck in my mind as something ground breaking and different, and thats what we need in pop music.

    //DJ Buffaz

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in
    accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account
    your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

    Also visit my website; visit

    ReplyDelete
  3. Howdy! I'm at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the excellent work!

    my homepage; http://www.taylormademusic.org/member/198517/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Does your blog have a contact page? I'm having problems locating it but, I'd
    like to send you an email. I've got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    my webpage; http://Teengangbangs.net

    ReplyDelete
  5. Undeniably consider that which you stated. Your favourite reason appeared to be on the internet the easiest factor to take note of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed even as folks consider issues that they just do not recognize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the entire
    thing without having side-effects , other folks could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

    my blog :: visit

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
    I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.
    Any tips?

    My website; visit
    my webpage :: http://stretchedteenass.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It's pretty worth enough for
    me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers
    made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.


    My blog ... Vintage home movies with a unique wife plus husband

    ReplyDelete
  8. What's up, yeah this paragraph is really good and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.

    Here is my web-site: Young Orgies

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello there! I could have sworn I've been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it's new to me.
    Nonetheless, I'm definitely delighted I found it and I'll be book-marking and checking
    back frequently!

    Here is my site - http://hardfucked.org

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful goods from you, man. I've understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you've acquired here, really like what
    you're stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific website.

    my blog post visit website

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after
    I clicked submit my comment didn't appear. Grrrr... well I'm not
    writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!


    My site ... visit website

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved as much as you will receive carried out
    right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be
    delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the
    same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.


    Here is my weblog ... more

    ReplyDelete
  13. What's up, I log on to your blog regularly. Your writing style is witty, keep it up!

    Also visit my web site: the Retro Porn

    ReplyDelete
  14. My relatives all the time say that I am wasting
    my time here at web, but I know I am getting experience all
    the time by reading thes nice articles or reviews.

    my blog :: http://hotmilf.ws/index.php?own=2495393

    ReplyDelete
  15. What's up everybody, here every person is sharing these familiarity, thus it's pleasant to read this blog, and I used to pay a visit this weblog every day.


    Review my weblog - http://pornharvest.com/index.php?m=2207345

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
    and found that it is truly informative. I am going to watch
    out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.

    Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!


    Here is my homepage Campus Orgies

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is a very good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Brief but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing
    this one. A must read post!

    my homepage - click here

    ReplyDelete
  18. If some one wishes to be updated with newest technologies afterward
    he must be visit this website and be up to date daily.


    Stop by my site ... pornharvest.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Awesome things here. I am very glad to peer your post.
    Thanks a lot and I'm having a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?

    Here is my weblog - presenting alexa - Pornharvest.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello, after reading this awesome paragraph i am too
    cheerful to share my knowledge here with friends.

    Review my site :: flirty brunette vibrates her pussy with the magic wand

    ReplyDelete
  21. Its such as you learn my mind! You appear to
    understand a lot approximately this, such
    as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you just can do
    with some p.c. to force the message home a little bit, however other than that,
    this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.


    my webpage: Baseball divisions

    ReplyDelete
  22. When someone writes an post he/she keeps the plan of
    a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it.
    Thus that's why this paragraph is great. Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage :: read more

    ReplyDelete
  23. This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost.
    ..HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Feel free to visit my web page :: nude in the backyard

    ReplyDelete
  24. This information is priceless. How can I find out more?



    My homepage ... the photo

    ReplyDelete
  25. It's a pity you don't have a donate button!
    I'd certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i'll settle
    for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this
    site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

    Stop by my blog post - link

    ReplyDelete
  26. For the reason that the admin of this web site is working,
    no doubt very shortly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.


    My website - more

    ReplyDelete
  27. Howdy! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up
    for your excellent info you have got right here on this post.
    I will be coming back to your web site for more soon.

    my web page visit

    ReplyDelete
  28. If some one needs to be updated with hottest technologies
    then he must be pay a quick visit this website and be up to date daily.


    Also visit my homepage; visit website

    ReplyDelete