Music Makes The World Go 'Round

Am I the only person on the fact of the planet who really doesn’t give a crap about Coldplay? God, I hope not.

Every time I turn around, I hear someone else babbling on and on about Coldplay’s new album. Oooh, they sing! Well, I for one just don’t care. That stupid “Clocks” song was so overplayed that if I hear it again I’ll probably barf up a stopwatch in their honor. But now Coldplay is back, like it’s the Second Coming or something. So what?

(And before you get all up in arms about my dissing on Coldplay, keep in mind that I have just as much apathy for the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, and all of the latest & “greatest” pop acts out there.)

Let’s face it – for the most part, radio today sucks. Partially because there’s little TALENT in the musicians of today – they may be able to sing with the assistance of a backing vocal track (Ashlee, I’m talkin’ to you, honey), but do any of them have any real musical talent? How many of them can actually play an instrument? How many can write their own songs? It gets really old, that’s all. There are some very talented musicians out there – unfortunately, most of them don’t get much radio time, because they’ve been pushed aside for garbage like Britney and Avril.

Another big part of the problem though is the miserable radio airplay. Sioux City’s major radio stations (and that’s saying something) are all controlled by Clear Channel, the demon spawn of all things musically sucky. Clear Channel’s business philosophy seems to be “Hey, let’s play the same 30 lousy songs over and over and over again, until they are burned into your subconscious! You won’t have any choice but to love them! You’ll like it, because we say so!” Well, guess what, Chipper. Nope. I despise Clear Channel and Sioux City’s stations that are under their grip, mainly because they don’t have an ounce of individuality, creativity, or musical taste amongst them. I’d rather listen to cats in heat howling than Clear Channel stations. The cats would sound better, and have far fewer commercials. (And don’t get me started on VH1 and MTV – their creativity died years ago.)

But back on the lousy music kick for a minute. Why the hell can’t anyone record their own music on their own? Why does every song have to “feature” another half-ass singer? It might as well be “Crappy Talentless Girl, Featuring Loud Obnoxious Rapper”.

Whoa – I’d better be careful. I’m treading into “Andy Rooney” territory with this rant, and nobody wants that.

I know, I know. Back in the 80’s people probably said the same thing about my music. But we had some artists on the charts who actually had talent, and whose music has stood up to the last 20 years. Prince, Springsteen, Tina Turner, AC/DC, Van Halen (before Hagar, if you please), U2, hell even the Stones. These were bands with legacies, and not just one hit wonders. And yes – I’m a major Styx fan, and although “Kilroy Was Here” wasn’t their shiniest moment, they’ve continued to prove that they are MUSICIANS, and have been for over 30 years. So there, Mr. Roboto. Thank you very much.

So here I sit, with my headphones on, listening to my old music. Lots of 80’s stuff, some 60’s and 70’s, plus a little classic Muddy Waters and Frank Sinatra thrown in for fun. I do have a little bit of newer stuff – Green Day’s American Idiot is fantastic, as is the newest album from the Killers (I have Miss Katie to thank for turning me onto them), but for the most part I’ll just continue to live happily in the past, jamming to Styx, the Talking Heads, and the “good stuff” from my days of yore.

Hey, it may be moldy oldie, but at least Britney ain’t there.