Am I merely bitter and jaded about music or...

[GrizzlyBearTalon]

Does anyone else ever find that 70% + of nearly all Albums coming out from ALL genres of music have perhaps four songs max that are actually good? It seems like for 15 dollars (or however much a CD costs) you get four good songs (two or three of which would be singles already), four songs that sound the same or simply are sub par, and the rest just seem like either terrible experiments or just some filler they tossed in and literally pulled lyrics out of a magical music hat!

Which is probably why sites that let you download selected tracks are so popular.

And as a random bonus, are there any Albums you have purchased (greatest hits don't count) that actually have solid music throughout? Especially speaking of anything released in the last 3 - 5 years.

[vamp]

No, it is true. Generally speaking the only good songs in an album are the ones you hear on the radio. And even after awhile you realize how old it is and by then their is a new song. Thats why I barely buy albums/soundtracks

[zuludelta]

You're forgetting Sturgeon's Law: 90% of everything is crap  :lol:

As for album recommendations, I recommend most of the stuff I post about in this thread, and I think I listen a fairly wide range of genres (from rock to hip-hop to j-pop to world music to alternative pop).

Also, my thoughts on the whole "singles" business/promotion model, as posted in a different music forum:

... many musicians don't have an album's worth of good songs. Still, the "single" marketing approach has encouraged both listeners and musicians alike to give more weight to the "single" over the whole album (regardless of the quality of the rest of the songs on the album), thus helping pave the way for the current dismal state of the album sales industry: on the one hand, you have listeners who can't be buggered to give the rest of an album an earful (because the single is all they are ever exposed to), and on the other, you've got musicians who aren't exactly encouraged to tighten up their craft and songwriting on the non-singles on their records, because they know that the bulk of the promotion and album sales will be wholly dependent on the designated singles' performance on the charts.

[Protomorph]

Stop listening to popular music, and that may stop happening.

I have found quite a few great, solid albums, but they don't get airplay, because they're so far under the radar.

[Glitch Girl]

Thank God for internet radio (while it lasts)

Most of my recent purchases have been very solid albums by bands I heard online.  Darkwave bands from Sweden, Techno from Germany,  a little goth from the US, techno from France, rock from the UK... Most of the top 40 stuff that actually gets standard airplay around here leaves me cold though.

[Mr. Hamrick]

i don't know that I would go as high as 70% but then again I do have a small collection of CDs.

I've found that there are some artists who put out music that I really enjoy but don't get a lot of radio play.  While a lot of stuff I hear on the radio is only good for about half their album then downhill from there.

[Kommando]

I don't listen to the radio, with the exception of Internet radio.  These days, the music I listen to is based on that, feedback from friends, or seeing a CD catch my eye at the store (10000 Days by Tool was my last purchase, and I am glad I bought it).  Generally I phase out music and only pay attention if its something that's not recycled garbage.

[lugaru]

Same here, no radio, no nothing except occasional podcasts about music.

Frankly I still find a lot I love but it's not really mainstream. Yet when I was a teenager all this mainstream music was just so deep and awesome, unlike music now. Question is: was it awesome and deep because that was a better time for music OR BECAUSE I WAS A TEENAGER?

;)

Hehehehe.

[GhostMachine]

And as a random bonus, are there any Albums you have purchased (greatest hits don't count) that actually have solid music throughout? Especially speaking of anything released in the last 3 - 5 years.

I rarely buy cds at all anymore - I can count the #1 I have bought in the last 5 years on one hand. But, I have two cds that I'd say are pretty solid - but I know I'm gonna get laughed at for mentioning one of them:

Gorillaz - Demon Days - only one track on the entire cd that I don't really care for at all.

Pussycat Dolls - PCD - despite them being a manufactured group, they actually can sing, and there's not a song I would call really bad on the entire cd.

[El Condor]

I agree with Protomorph.  I think that any act swimming in the singles-driven market is going to be vulnerable to that tendency because there's no motivation to stretch out artistically over an entire album.  But there are musicians in every genre who are not fixed on the Top 40, and there's where you'll find the consistent artistry.

I have a lot of favorites, but I'll share two very different ones:

*Beck - Guero (2005)
Beck has been successful without being a slave to singles.  Guero is another genius calliope of mixed styles layered over briliant structure.

*hem - Rabbit Songs (2001)
Not everyone's cup of tea, but the musicianship can't be questioned.  This group plays about a zillion instruments, and the music sounds like a melancholy American quilt of Joni Mitchell, Aaron Copland, Nanci Griffith, and Edward Hopper (!) all woven together.  Evocative and haunting stuff.

EC

[thanoson]

She Wants Revenge had a stellar debut album. Only 2 songs I really didn't care for out of 13. Good times.

[zuludelta]

I rarely buy cds at all anymore - I can count the #1 I have bought in the last 5 years on one hand. But, I have two cds that I'd say are pretty solid - but I know I'm gonna get laughed at for mentioning one of them...

<SNIP!>

Pussycat Dolls - PCD - despite them being a manufactured group, they actually can sing, and there's not a song I would call really bad on the entire cd.

I used to be one of those indie record store music snobs who thumbed his nose at everything "pop" and Top 40 (and yes, I walked around with those large, studio-quality headphones slung around my neck and I had a collection of retro t-shirts) but it wasn't too long before I realized that my disdain for "popular music" was getting in the way of expanding my appreciation of music in general. Hating something because it's popular is just as detrimental to expanding one's listening horizons as liking something for the same reason, I think. While I still find that an overwhelming majority of popular musical acts are pretty derivative and uninspired, I don't think that just because a song is popular means that it's brainless pap designed to appeal to the lowest common musical denominator... sometimes, it's just a really good song.

In fact, I think when most people say they "hate popular music", they're not really making a judgment based solely on the music, they're really reacting to the all-pervading lack of choice and diversity in what's readily available in record stores and on the radio and TV and the ridiculous and superficial force-feeding marketing approach of major record labels.

All that being said, I've never been that enamoured with the craft behind the PussyCat Dolls' brand of dance/pop music, although I think they've got solid production through and through (plus, Nicole Scherzinger is pretty easy on the eyes). I've been in enough clubs to know that it gets people on the dance floor, but I'm not sure how much of that can be attributed to recognition as opposed to solid pop composition. I think that's the problem with appreciating "popular music" in a nutshell: marketing and brand-building has infiltrated every aspect of it so it becomes increasingly hard to disentangle the music from all the ancillary BS that's mixed in with it (the "image" that's tied in to the music).

I agree with Zuludelta.  I think that any act swimming in the singles-driven market is going to be vulnerable to that tendency because there's no motivation to stretch out artistically over an entire album.  But there are musicians in every genre who are not fixed on the Top 40, and there's where you'll find the consistent artistry.

fixed that for you  :D

Agree with your opinion on Beck's music... haven't listened to all of the Guero record just yet (saw a TV special where he and his band played the whole thing live, though) but I've always admired his sense of experimentation. I remember listening to 2002's Sea Change and I couldn't believe it was the same guy who made Mellow Gold and Odelay.

[Tortuga]

Broken Social Scene - self-titled
Sloan - Never Hear the End of it
Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock
Feist - The Reminder
Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief (although out of 14 songs, it does have 3 so-so duds)
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
Rheostatics - 2067
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Tragically Hip - Fully Completely

Those are just a few releases from the 1-5 years (except The Hip) that are solid albums from start to finish.  The thing is, there will always be stand out tracks.  Look at The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper" album from 1967 -- legendary for its consistency throughout but you can't help but be drawn to a few stand out songs.  Not that the other songs are duds, there's just a few songs ('Day in the Life', for me...) that blow the rest away.

[Verfall]

Thanks to the internet my taste in music has exploded to the point my music collection doesn't even make sense anymore. But for stuff I've actually purchased in the last 5 years the only one that stands out is Opeth's "Ghost Reveries". I've listened to this album a gazillion times. It's such a fantastic CD I've practically wore it out.

I'll also say anything tort has listed is fantastic as well. Except for Radiohead. Radiohead is feces. And Feist, damn her and that 1234 song. I had the entire family singing it to themselves after I got it stuck in my head from her Ipod commercial. Something about her voice that just mesmerizes you into singing along.

[Protomorph]

Pop music is so commercialized right now, that it wouldn't surprise me at all if the producers didn't intentionally make albums to have only a handful of quality singles (with the rest filler) in order to sell individual tracks on iTunes for $1 apiece. Truly, they are making a KILLING on this. The public pays their buck, and feels justified that they didn't pay $18. The record companies feel justified they've just gotten a dollar for a digital download, using NO PHYSICAL materials. That is so much more profitable for them, I forsee them doing away with discs completely in the near future. Which will be a bad thing for me, as I actually LIKE cd booklets and coverart. But, like Tony and Reed, I am a futurist. [***Ducks the various objects thrown at me***]

These days, most of the albums I buy are things that most people haven't heard of. My CD library is a veritable "Who's That?" of music. With bands like UNKLE, Nightwish, Epica, Emilanna Torrini, The Mediæval Bæbes, Underworld, The Dresden Dolls, Chumbawamba and many others.  Of course, I am not immune to some of the more "known" bands, like Evanescence, KMFDM, Nine Inch Nails (though have been disapointed by the last few releases), Tori Amos, Celtic Woman, Dido (who I liked WAY before Eminem ruined her), and Disturbed.

And Feist, damn her and that 1234 song. I had the entire family singing it to themselves after I got it stuck in my head from her Ipod commercial. Something about her voice that just mesmerizes you into singing along.

And here I was, just a half-hour ago, wondering who did that tune. I actually have her previous CD (though I haven't listened to it much), and I've heard she had a new one. I may have to check it out.

[zuludelta]

And here I was, just a half-hour ago, wondering who did that tune. I actually have her previous CD (though I haven't listened to it much), and I've heard she had a new one. I may have to check it out.

Judging from the reviews I've read, I think I'm in the minority when I say I vastly prefer Feist's previous album (Let It Die)to the current one. The Reminder failed miserably in the "Nodoff Test," wherein I put on a new CD/mp3 album at around the time I go to bed. If I'm enamoured enough with the music, I generally stay up to finish the whole thing but I started to "nod off" to The Reminder about halfway through. It's not bad, but it didn't really work for me, either.

[Kommando]

And here I was, just a half-hour ago, wondering who did that tune. I actually have her previous CD (though I haven't listened to it much), and I've heard she had a new one. I may have to check it out.

Judging from the reviews I've read, I think I'm in the minority when I say I vastly prefer Feist's previous album (Let It Die)to the current one. The Reminder failed miserably in the "Nodoff Test," wherein I put on a new CD/mp3 album at around the time I go to bed. If I'm enamoured enough with the music, I generally stay up to finish the whole thing but I started to "nod off" to The Reminder about halfway through. It's not bad, but it didn't really work for me, either.

Its always weird to see her name pop up or hear her music.  I went to high school with her, and the music she put out shortly after was much different than it is now.  Leslie and the others in our small group of friends was my highlight of highschool which otherwise revolved around pandering to my various vices.

[Protomorph]

Color me intrigued. What sort of music did she do prior to her releases?

[Tortuga]

Pop music is so commercialized right now, that it wouldn't surprise me at all if the producers didn't intentionally make albums to have only a handful of quality singles (with the rest filler) in order to sell individual tracks on iTunes for $1 apiece. Truly, they are making a KILLING on this. The public pays their buck, and feels justified that they didn't pay $18. The record companies feel justified they've just gotten a dollar for a digital download, using NO PHYSICAL materials. That is so much more profitable for them, I forsee them doing away with discs completely in the near future.

Independent artists get $0.70 for every $1.00 song bought on iTunes.  I'm guessing the record label is getting roughly the same.  So for a $10.00 iTunes album, the record label gets roughly $7.00.  Compare that with a $14.00 CD (which is a little higher than the average new major label CD release) in which the record label is earning around 60-70%...it's roughly the same, or even a bit less.  Really, it's Apple that's making the killing.  :P

Which will be a bad thing for me, as I actually LIKE cd booklets and coverart. But, like Tony and Reed, I am a futurist.

I have to agree though, unless the in-store price is ridiculously high or the iTunes album has great bonus offers (the new New Pornographers album had THREE bonus tracks via iTunes), I buy the CD in the store and lovingly add it to my collection.

Neat to hear about your Feist connection, Komm.  "My Moon My Man" is one heckuva song -- even the harmonies are catchy!  Is Feist's musical transformation anything like Alanis'? :lol:

[Spring Heeled Jack]

You can always trust the classics. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones--they're as good now as they were back then, and it's all for a very good reason (hint: they're awesome). Before they were painfully obvious or even cliche, they were rocking the world in a very real and exciting way. It might rock you in a new way if you haven't taken them seriously before.

Instead of slogging through a zoo of reject only-rans, plunder the boundless vault of rock & roll history. Take up a band you've always heard about but never given the time of day before; reconnect with old favorites; boldly venture into a genre you've never considered before.

And if none of that works, try jazz!

[zuludelta]

And if none of that works, try jazz!

And if it still doesn't work, try "music enhancers"! I finally "got" the Grateful Dead with the help of some indica  :lol:

Seriously, though, drugs are bad m'kay. 

[Mr. Hamrick]

Pop music is so commercialized right now, that it wouldn't surprise me at all if the producers didn't intentionally make albums to have only a handful of quality singles (with the rest filler) in order to sell individual tracks on iTunes for $1 apiece. Truly, they are making a KILLING on this. The public pays their buck, and feels justified that they didn't pay $18. The record companies feel justified they've just gotten a dollar for a digital download, using NO PHYSICAL materials. That is so much more profitable for them, I forsee them doing away with discs completely in the near future. Which will be a bad thing for me, as I actually LIKE cd booklets and coverart. But, like Tony and Reed, I am a futurist. [***Ducks the various objects thrown at me***]

These days, most of the albums I buy are things that most people haven't heard of. My CD library is a veritable "Who's That?" of music. With bands like UNKLE, Nightwish, Epica, Emilanna Torrini, The Mediæval Bæbes, Underworld, The Dresden Dolls, Chumbawamba and many others.  Of course, I am not immune to some of the more "known" bands, like Evanescence, KMFDM, Nine Inch Nails (though have been disapointed by the last few releases), Tori Amos, Celtic Woman, Dido (who I liked WAY before Eminem ruined her), and Disturbed.

And Feist, damn her and that 1234 song. I had the entire family singing it to themselves after I got it stuck in my head from her Ipod commercial. Something about her voice that just mesmerizes you into singing along.

And here I was, just a half-hour ago, wondering who did that tune. I actually have her previous CD (though I haven't listened to it much), and I've heard she had a new one. I may have to check it out.

WAIT!!!  YOU'VE HEARD OF EPICA??  They rock.  I filmed some stuff at their show here in Atlanta back in 2006.  Incredibly nice people too even if they were a little ticked at the kraft service people at the show and generally tired from just having gotten off stage.  (I would've been too had I been in their shoes.)   I wound up with the set list from their performance but forgot to get it autographed.  I figured I was the only one here who was familiar with them.

And Verfall, you're wrong about Radiohead. 

[Verfall]

Pop music is so commercialized right now, that it wouldn't surprise me at all if the producers didn't intentionally make albums to have only a handful of quality singles (with the rest filler) in order to sell individual tracks on iTunes for $1 apiece. Truly, they are making a KILLING on this. The public pays their buck, and feels justified that they didn't pay $18. The record companies feel justified they've just gotten a dollar for a digital download, using NO PHYSICAL materials. That is so much more profitable for them, I forsee them doing away with discs completely in the near future. Which will be a bad thing for me, as I actually LIKE cd booklets and coverart. But, like Tony and Reed, I am a futurist. [***Ducks the various objects thrown at me***]

These days, most of the albums I buy are things that most people haven't heard of. My CD library is a veritable "Who's That?" of music. With bands like UNKLE, Nightwish, Epica, Emilanna Torrini, The Mediæval Bæbes, Underworld, The Dresden Dolls, Chumbawamba and many others.  Of course, I am not immune to some of the more "known" bands, like Evanescence, KMFDM, Nine Inch Nails (though have been disapointed by the last few releases), Tori Amos, Celtic Woman, Dido (who I liked WAY before Eminem ruined her), and Disturbed.

And Feist, damn her and that 1234 song. I had the entire family singing it to themselves after I got it stuck in my head from her Ipod commercial. Something about her voice that just mesmerizes you into singing along.

And here I was, just a half-hour ago, wondering who did that tune. I actually have her previous CD (though I haven't listened to it much), and I've heard she had a new one. I may have to check it out.

WAIT!!!  YOU'VE HEARD OF EPICA??  They rock.  I filmed some stuff at their show here in Atlanta back in 2006.  Incredibly nice people too even if they were a little ticked at the kraft service people at the show and generally tired from just having gotten off stage.  (I would've been too had I been in their shoes.)   I wound up with the set list from their performance but forgot to get it autographed.  I figured I was the only one here who was familiar with them.

And Verfall, you're wrong about Radiohead. 

No I'm not. Just ask Tort.  :P

And since we mentioned Epica, I'll say I enjoy them. Got three of their albums. Also gonna agree with the mention of the Dresden Dolls. As for Nightwish, they're bloody well awesome. The new singer is a big change from their original though. She has what a lot of people have called "a more mainstream voice." Their new album drops later this month, it should still be good.

I'm actually an avid collector of metal bands with female leads. If you like Nightwish, I'd also suggest giving a listen to Regicide, Within Temptation and Xandria. Stolen Babies were also good in concert if you like your vocals a bit more harsh. I'd also recommend The Gathering if you like a bit more celtic feel.

Also, since I know there's quite a few religious folks around here, I'll recommend the band Orphaned Land. They're from Israel, and they put out a fantastic album in 2004 called Mabool. It tells the story of a flood like Noah's from the perspective of 3 people from each of the Abrahamic religions as they try to warn the populace. They have a video on youtube for the song called Ocean Land if you care to search.

[lugaru]

Also, since I know there's quite a few religious folks around here, I'll recommend the band Orphaned Land. They're from Israel, and they put out a fantastic album in 2004 called Mabool. It tells the story of a flood like Noah's from the perspective of 3 people from each of the Abrahamic religions as they try to warn the populace. They have a video on youtube for the song called Ocean Land if you care to search.

Ah Mabool, that is one of my favorite albums in recent years although I guess you noticed that in the 'albums' thread. Glad you dig it too, and btw their new album is due really soon so that's more good news.

ORWarriOR is the fourth full-length studio album by the Israeli oriental/dark metal band Orphaned Land, expected to be released in late 2007 or early 2008. OrWarrior means "warrior of light", representing a conceptual hero of the battle of light versus darkness.[1] OrWarriOr will be Orphaned Land's second concept album. Orphaned Land is currently working on the new album with Producer Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.[2] The album will also have a different sound than Mabool.[3]