Two Spirit

When I say pussified, I'm not talking about music becoming too feminine/less masculine, but rather how modern day music has become too soft with no daring messages.

Most of us know about the controversial artists throughout music history. Not only was their music engaging, but their ideas were as well and they had something to say. Regardless of their politics, they all made an effort to challenge different social norms of their time.

Elvis simply challenged social norms just by performing in unconventional ways, John Lennon was a peace activist, David Bowie challenged norms surrounding gender and sexuality, Marilyn Manson actively challenged religion, etc. There are too many to be mentioned, but all of these artists seemed to stand for something and meant what they said.

Sadly, I can't say the same about mainstream stars today. If you really take a look at the musical landscape, the most offensive or "out there" artist is Lady Gaga, and that's sad. I love Gaga, but she doesn't really push any boundaries and is mostly a safe artist who just dresses differently.

I don't want this to come off as a "back in my day" type of thread, but modern music to me has no message or meaning. There's no rebellious spirit or groundbreaking artists in the mainstream, whereas in the past there was at least two or three significant artists per decade that made a difference musically and culturally. I just don't see that with today's artists.

Thoughts?

Paul Smeenus

My only thought is how much a detest the term "pussified"

Oh, I guess I have two thoughts. There is vastly more music out there than any one person can hear.

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Black Francis

Even rebellion eventually becomes part of the system.

Idk, i don't really care if music has a topical message, First and foremost i have to like song and if the song has a deep message that makes me think, GOOD, if not, i don't care what they are talking about as long as i like it.

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Moss

What more can someone do to really shake things up at this point? Im fine with where music is at. There are more good and interesting albums released in any given year than I can possibly find the time to hear.

Wpnfire

This. Well said.

I use the same logic with the construction of good, solid video games: Gameplay comes first followed closely by controls, then plot, and then all the rest of the gameplay elements should be designed.

People take offense to the message Slayer seems to portray in their music for instance, but that's all just an act. They're not really satan worshipers (well, I know Araya said he is catholic...)

They just use that **** as part of their act to sell music, and people know that.

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Soulflower

Dont sugar coat it boo, it is pussified

Agree

Part of why modern day artists don't care about these types of issues is because they are not "real artists" to begin with. This especially goes for the current mainstream artists. They are corporate puppets/products that are made to produce money.These singers do not have an interest in influencing people and enlightening people by discussing social issues and norms. They are not being challenged or scolded for not producing music with social messages or deeper meanings so there is no need for them to do it.

I think most of these current pop artists just care about money and their own greed overall. I think they could care less about issues that affect the world and average everyday citizens.

Agree.

Gaga is safe and her 5 minutes are up.


AGREE


Mainstream music sucks point blank period. People need to start voicing their opinions on the horrible direction popular music has taken and stop supporting the radio, itunes, etc.

And I know some people are going to say "Well no one is making you listen to it" and yes that is true but that still does not change that the state of popular music is a major problem.

Nice thread!

djchameleon

This is exactly what this thread boils down to another thread to slack off mainstream music and view the past like they were the only revolutionary people alive.


Realtalk. You should be ashamed of yourself once again. Aren't you a huge Lupe Fiasco fan?



Pink singing Dear Mr. President.


The Dixie chicks got destroyed for speaking out against Bush.


You guys speaking out against mainstream music can put on blinders and say that it's pussified and that they are no political messages in music but that's so far from the truth but go ahead and masturbate over the past with your rose colored shades.

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Janszoon

I can't even believe that Marilyn Manson is even being mentioned in the same breath as three people who are actual music icons. He made some okay music but he was just a gimmicky flash in pan. And even with the other three, what did they really stand for? Elvis was just in the right place at the right time. Lennon was an attention whore who seemed more interested in making headlines than making an actual point (and we have one of those right now in the form of Kanye West). And Bowie, while certainly the most talented of the bunch, didn't really stand for much aside from simply being an interesting person who made good music.

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RoxyRollah

I am not so sure that it is music itself becoming more tame, as I think that in general, the youth today, neither has a clear definable voice, nor has any grasp on the issues are at hand.

With era of Lennon, you had a time of massive social unrest and upheaval. The air at the time, pretty much became so filled with volatile vibrations, that I am almost certain were impossible not to pick up on them in some remote way. There are a couple things that were happening at that time, that simply are not happening now. A groundbreaking hallucinogen was becoming accepted as a way to get to the stairway of enlightenment, race had gotten to a boiling over point, and you had three or assassinations happen.

These are things that this generation will never experience, because it was a right time right place deal.

The major problem in my never to be humble opinion, is the lack of comradery, and what's best for group as a whole . This generation is set up for I, me, mine. And that is reflected in the music you hear.You won't hear songs like power to the people anymore, because 'the people' haven't got a clue, about what's best for themselves, let alone the world outside their four walls.


I am going to disagree with you on the Manson. Because he didn't do anything, that Alice Cooper, or Ozzy hadn't done before him, and they did it when it was actually new.

You have to ask yourself, what is popular now a days man. Sign of the times, it is no longer a rebellious culture as a matter of fact it's so same it hurts. Yes the artists you see in or on mainstream media, seem to value vulgarity, sex, money, and power. And to obtain those things one mostly needs to conform to the unholy music industry. And there is nothing wrong with all those things, I dig them, but I don't hold my mainstream artists to the same standards as I would hold, the mainstream artists of the past. I would not, no.

If you are looking for something that speaks in volumes, you should really look into the indie scene. And even there you won't find protest songs, or whatever is you are looking for all the time. But there certainly be more depth then the garbage that's out there now.

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Pet_Sounds

Like Roxy said, I think that reflects more on the times than the music.

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