Todd 3:16

Ok everyone, if you're going to know one thing about me, it's this: I'm a music junkie. It's pretty much all I do. So it's kind of depressing being around a culture where experimental emo (or screamo), acoustic pantywaists (i.e. Chris Carraba), and poorly done indie rock have become the "in" thing. Seriously, if you listen to some of these albums by these "unknown" artists, it seems like they went into a studio, hit the demo button on a keyboard, and cut an entire album in one take. It's entirely beyond me how a song like Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars," which incorporates four similar chords, maybe three main verse notes, unimaginative melodies, and excruciatingly smarmy, half-baked lyrics, could get so popular. It honestly makes me want to light myself on fire and jump through a window. But I digress.
My point is, what happened to respect for good music? I'm talking about more than just catchy hooks, too. Good music incorporates things like inventive melodies, complex chord structures, original basslines, and fresh lyrics that actually express something deeper than "I love you," "I hate you," etc. Very rarely can one effectively utilize music to express themselves on on their first try. Judging from some of the more obscure indie albums I've heard here and there, however, it seems like artists are gravitating towards just that--they're unwilling to put the neccesary time into the creative process, or just oblivious to the fact that music takes hard work and dedication since the first attempt at any song usually leaves much to be desired. As it is, most of the "in" music I hear around Provo is akin to Paris Hilton: painfully underdeveloped, vastly overhyped, and pretty much retarded in every aspect.
I think part of the reason that so many half-baked "fart"-ists (as I call them) are gaining such popularity is that, for one, it's so much easier to get your own music out to the masses with the advent of the internet, file sharing, and Web sites such as MySpace, ubl.com, and mp3.com, where anybody can post their music and distribute it for free. Couple this with the increasing desire of many for something--anything--new, no matter how trite, and viola! A little positive exposure leads to independent album production or a record deal on a small-time label. Basic business principles say that if you flood the market with enough of this junk, something is bound to hit the radio, which explains why we start hearing stuff like The Postal Service on the airwaves. Finally, once it hits the radio, it becomes "trendy," and there you have it. Underdeveloped, overhyped crap becomes a national sensation. Unfortunate, really.
If you want a good idea of what I call "good" music, here are a few suggestions.
1. Tool's "Parabola"-actually includes a bit of Mormon doctrine refering to a pre-existence and eternal progression. Highly intellectual lyrics, even for the stone-cold sober crowd. The video is also thought-provoking.
2. Fuel's "Sunburn"-great all-around composition, inventive verse riff.
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Aeroplane" or Muse's "Hysteria"-the two best basslines I've ever heard, plus some amazing solos.
4. Our Lady Peace's "One Man Army" or "Clumsy." Just abstract enough to be fresh, without becoming completely unintelligible.
My list could go on forever, really, but finally, I have to say that Breaking Benjamin is probably the most complete band right now in my opinion. Their latest album "Phobia" is easily one of my three all-time favorites. A link to their latest video is below. Enjoy.