Why does mainstream music appeal?

djchameleon · 10-15-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtalk92

Agree

I think the industry itself creates these markets and brands.

Because there is not a doubt in my mind that if the industry promoted and marketed acts like Janelle Monae they would be just as popular. I think the industry purposely chooses to market certain artists and certain songs over others because they want a particular brand of music to sell.

If kids are only exposed to the Gaga's or the Bieber's that is only thing they are going to have to judge by. People just listen to what is easily accessible not necessarily because its prolific.

Take Miguel for instance, he makes some of the most blandest non catchiest music known to man (come me a snob or a elist I dont care its true) but ...he is oddly widely popular, do people honestly think this is by coincidance?

The same with Frank Ocean who doesnt have marketbable looks (although I do think his cute) and okay music but the industry decided to promote him therefore he was successful.

So all this talk about so and so isnt marketbable is all bull**** because there have been successful artists who dont have catchy music or marketbable looks who have been successful ex. Adele...

Adele is an exception and a rare one. How many other types of Adeles and unmarketable mainstream artists do you see out there? They are far and few between.

Also that Janelle mention doesn't hold up either. I personally think she's great and talented but it doesn't seem like the masses think so. I went to her Today show concert in the morning and it wasn't as packed as when I went to see Flordia Georgia Line featuring Nelly in the same place.

Also if it was just Nelly there headlining by himself. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been as packed either but country fans know how to turn up for bands that they love.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 10-13-2013, 02:40 PM

Unthreatening, bland, designed to be passively consumed when you're doing tasks like driving to work, ironing etc.

Fat Pie's David Firth ridicules 2009's music scene - BBC Comedy Extra - YouTube

~~Soulflower~~ · 10-13-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Unthreatening, bland, designed to be passively consumed when you're doing tasks like driving to work, ironing etc.

Fat Pie's David Firth ridicules 2009's music scene - BBC Comedy Extra - YouTube

Pretty much... but I wouldnt say ALL mainstream music is bland but the mainstream music over the last decade has been pretty bland.

Mainstream music appeals because it is easily accesible and its not to complex for the casual music listener. It is also more memorable because of the catchy choruses and beats that makes the songs easy to recognize. Personally, I think mainstream music is not even about "music" or talent anymore and more about marketing and branding. Not to say that it hasnt always been like that but it appears that this is the only premise that the industry is looking to promote currently.

There are a ton of artists that have been in the industry for over 5 plus years that have made some amazing music but the industry just doesnt want to promote it. As a result, the youth are forced to consume corporate puppets as their music library because that is all that is being given to them. Just imagine if an artist like Janelle Monae or Jack White had the backing and support of the industry it would add some needed flavor in this bland mainstream industry.

Once upon time, music listeners had control over what got played on the radio but its not like that anymore. Now the powers that be control what gets played which is why you will find the same artist played 6 or 7 times within in a hour on 3 different stations because of Clear Channel, Viacom, etc

Its all bull**** to me which is why I dont listen to the radio or watch award shows. Its all about money and popularity and less about quality music. Mainstream music wasnt like this in the past but its trash now...

~~Cuthbert~~ · 10-13-2013, 07:14 PM

Agree that it's always been wank, it's just that imo it moves with the times depending on what's in at that particular moment, but it's just a watered down version of said genre. Dubstep was big here 2008-2012 roughly, the only tracks that charted were piss poor interpretations of that genre. Can keep going back in time and it's always the way. There are exceptions, not many.

Quote:

Originally Posted by realtalk92

Mainstream music appeals because it is easily accesible and its not to complex for the casual music listener. It is also more memorable because of the catchy choruses and beats that makes the songs easy to recognize.

Agree, also radio stations hammering the same 10-15 songs all day long until it's stuck in your head has something to do with it.

Quote:

I think mainstream music is not even about "music" or talent anymore and more about marketing and branding. Not to say that it hasnt always been like that but it appears that this is the only premise that the industry is looking to promote currently.

Yeah, which is why the music itself is so vanilla, because that allows it to appeal to the widest possible audience, thus more $$$

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveYourCarDownToTheSea

LOL, I bet if someone actually released "This is the song I made" it would be a big hit, even if just as a goof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c2OfAzDTI

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 10-13-2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name - YouTube

LOL, had never heard that song before.

Almost a case of, "It's so bad, it's good."

lususvir · 10-13-2013, 10:02 PM

Companies pay billions of dollars to "help" you discover music.

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 10-13-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Unthreatening, bland, designed to be passively consumed when you're doing tasks like driving to work, ironing etc.

Fat Pie's David Firth ridicules 2009's music scene - BBC Comedy Extra - YouTube

LOL, I bet if someone actually released "This is the song I made" it would be a big hit, even if just as a goof.

**Goofle** · 10-13-2013, 06:14 PM

Mainstream music has always been generally bland. But you get some gems here and there.

Also, some people just don't like more "alternative" styles of music, even if they attempt to listen to it.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 10-14-2013, 05:00 AM

It's not all bad, I like a lot of mainstream music. Lorde is a great example of brilliant talent and a fantastic debut album.

Ninetales · 10-14-2013, 04:29 PM

It's as if making catchy fun music is a bad thing or something. Ill jam to biebs anytime come at me.

10-14-2013, 05:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Scarlett O'Hara Make it so Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,775	It's not all bad, I like a lot of mainstream music. Lorde is a great example of brilliant talent and a fantastic debut album. __________________ "Elph is truly an enfant terrible of the forum, bless and curse him" - Marie, Queen of Thots

10-13-2013, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	Unthreatening, bland, designed to be passively consumed when you're doing tasks like driving to work, ironing etc. Fat Pie's David Firth ridicules 2009's music scene - BBC Comedy Extra - YouTube

10-13-2013, 10:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
lususvir Groupie Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 4	Companies pay billions of dollars to "help" you discover music.

10-14-2013, 04:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ninetales Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: livin wild Posts: 2,179	It's as if making catchy fun music is a bad thing or something. Ill jam to biebs anytime come at me.