Anyone else sick of the current electronic sound in music?

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HigherLevel

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Maybe I'm a bit biased in what I like because I play guitar, but I've really gotten sick of the sound in popular music the past 5 or 6 years. I feel like everything is way too electronic sounding. A bunch of synthy sounding stuff layered on top of each other with some electronic drum beat in the background. It gets old really quick.

I've felt like I've had to do a lot more searching to find good new rock bands, punk bands, metal bands, or blues artists or anything else. Does anyone else share these feelings, and does anyone think this trend will die soon?

I also hate that there isn't really the same skill level involved in making electronic music compared to playing real instruments. It's incredibly impressive to watch old rockstars shred on their guitars or even on a totally different end of the spectrum listen to a huge orchestra perform.

Who else feels this way?
 
I'm a bit indifferent to the popularity of the trend. I like the sound, especially the retro synthwave stuff, and I mostly don't care about the perceived mechanical skill level of the artist involved in creating good work. If the sound is good, I'm there.
 
HigherLevel said:
Maybe I'm a bit biased in what I like because I play guitar, but I've really gotten sick of the sound in popular music the past 5 or 6 years. I feel like everything is way too electronic sounding. A bunch of synthy sounding stuff layered on top of each other with some electronic drum beat in the background. It gets old really quick.

I've felt like I've had to do a lot more searching to find good new rock bands, punk bands, metal bands, or blues artists or anything else. Does anyone else share these feelings, and does anyone think this trend will die soon?

I also hate that there isn't really the same skill level involved in making electronic music compared to playing real instruments. It's incredibly impressive to watch old rockstars shred on their guitars or even on a totally different end of the spectrum listen to a huge orchestra perform.

Who else feels this way?
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Stop listening to pop music. Boom, done.
I can assure you, as someone who grew up during the annuls of electronica, DnB and synthwave, we find the "all genres" nature of most pop music to be pretty annoying as well. But most people eat it up and result in more and more stuff having dubstep-esque tendencies because they work better in social settings.
 
Do Chvrches count? Because then no, I love the current electronic sound in music. I don't really care what instruments are being used, I just like good music tbh. But it's never been a huge part of my life, it's just something I enjoy in passing for the most part.
 
I've been djing/listening to DnB/House/Break Beats, etc. since the 90s I'm jelly of all these kids making music, if anything I think it's gotten better. The whole "underground" vibe back in the day was cool though.
 
HigherLevel said:
Maybe I'm a bit biased in what I like because I play guitar, but I've really gotten sick of the sound in popular music the past 5 or 6 years. I feel like everything is way too electronic sounding. A bunch of synthy sounding stuff layered on top of each other with some electronic drum beat in the background. It gets old really quick.

I've felt like I've had to do a lot more searching to find good new rock bands, punk bands, metal bands, or blues artists or anything else. Does anyone else share these feelings, and does anyone think this trend will die soon?

I also hate that there isn't really the same skill level involved in making electronic music compared to playing real instruments. It's incredibly impressive to watch old rockstars shred on their guitars or even on a totally different end of the spectrum listen to a huge orchestra perform.

Who else feels this way?
Click to expand...

Ah yes, the old "electronic music is just clicking some buttons"..have not heard that one in a decade.
 
Maybe one is a subset or something but I thought synths that throw back to an 80s sound and electronic were different? I would agree on the electronic front but give me that 80s revitalization all day.
 
Electronic music is so vast and varied, to a point that its hard to say that you are sick of it.
Come to the indie thread and you will see alot of great music in the genre.
 
What about bands like Bat for Lashes, Goldfrapp or Highasakite? Or does that fall too much into indie/dream pop for you? Also since faridmon is in this thread, just ask him for recommendations, that's how I found one of my favourite bands.
 
Munin said:
Ah yes, the old "electronic music is just clicking some buttons"..have not heard that one in a decade.
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Had a buddy who also played guitar feel the same way and hes a stubborn, ignorant old fucker that refuses to accept the fact that some DJ's put way more effort and creativity into their sound than his played out, unoriginal three-chord bullshit that's been played to death for 50+ years.
 
dity said:
Creating electronic music is a lot more difficult than just "shredding a guitar", OP.
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People who "play" an instrument and shit on anything electronic are some of the most obnoxious and ignorant people on the planet. It's so irritating.
 
HigherLevel said:
I also hate that there isn't really the same skill level involved in making electronic music compared to playing real instruments. It's incredibly impressive to watch old rockstars shred on their guitars or even on a totally different end of the spectrum listen to a huge orchestra perform.
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As a producer (both acoustic and electronic) this shit always cracks me up. You have no idea how much hard work and polish most of these songs require. Writing a good song and making it work with the right choice of synths, instruments and plugins (hardware/software) is difficult and such an underrated craft. Not having to "perform" a song doesn't mean it's easy to make one. Even though most of it is played with midi keyboards anyway. And then there's also mixing which most producers these days do by themselves. It takes years and years of studying, practice and ear training to really get good at that.
 
It just swings back and forth doesn't it. Soon everyone will be sick of 90s influenced retro grunge, britpop, shoe gaze, rock clogging up the charts instead of synthpop. /shrug
 
HigherLevel said:
Maybe I'm a bit biased in what I like because I play guitar, but I've really gotten sick of the sound in popular music the past 5 or 6 years. I feel like everything is way too electronic sounding. A bunch of synthy sounding stuff layered on top of each other with some electronic drum beat in the background. It gets old really quick.

I've felt like I've had to do a lot more searching to find good new rock bands, punk bands, metal bands, or blues artists or anything else. Does anyone else share these feelings, and does anyone think this trend will die soon?

I also hate that there isn't really the same skill level involved in making electronic music compared to playing real instruments. It's incredibly impressive to watch old rockstars shred on their guitars or even on a totally different end of the spectrum listen to a huge orchestra perform.

Who else feels this way?
Click to expand...

I agree that guitar-based music is less popular nowadays.
I disagree that electronic music is inherently less-skillful than guitar music.

It takes a great amount of skill to create good electronic-based music (same as guitar-based music). Sure, electronic musicians don't play flashy, shreddy solos but I don't necessarily look for that in all my music.
I would argue that there were as many shitty rock bands in the 60s/70s/80s/90s as there are shitty electronic bands today.

And even though it's harder to find new guitar-based music, it still exists and is worth the effort to seek out. Lucky for us we have the internet and Spotify, which are much more helpful than the radio these days.

What genres do you like? Maybe we can swap good guitar music recommendations here?
 
DoubleYou said:
As a producer (both acoustic and electronic) this shit always cracks me up. You have no idea how much hard work and polish most of these songs require. Writing a good song and making it work with the right choice of synths, instruments and plugins (hardware/software) is difficult and such an underrated craft. Not having to "perform" a song doesn't mean it's easy to make one. Even though most of it is played with midi keyboards anyway. And then there's also mixing which most producers these days do by themselves. It takes years and years of studying, practice and ear training to really get good at that.
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Yeah but can you play wonderwall
 
You... don't have to listen to popular music though. I do agree that electronic music did make for a lower barrier of entry. I myself do not particularly value a live show so someone's ability to "play" music isn't that important for me. Although I am glad at the more skill based music overall I prefer this age where youtube playlists provide an endless supply of music that specifically matches my taste.
 
I really miss actual drums in things which is why I like to see a lot of bands live. Otherwise synth is great. Love melodic synth or electronic noise. The thing that bothers me more is how bland sound mixing has gotten especially in modern rock. I think having to record actual instruments in real spaces without the ability to change it on a computer led to a lot neat accidental creativity and interesting craftsmanship. Was just thinking about what Pet Sounds would sound like if it were made today.
 
I'm not sick of synth and electronic stuff. I'm not really sure how I could be - it's not like I ever got sick of guitars or drums in music. Instruments and instruments, and it all depends on how they're used.

What's annoying is how many songs are just about dancing in a club, but I feel like there's been some pushback against that lately.
 
Completely depends on the artist and the song.
But no, not really.

My instrument is also the guitar.

I have nothing with club/ dance music though.
Popmusic in general doesn't really satisfy my needs.
Be it electronic or with real instruments. Some of those singer songwriters are hard to digest.
 
Rock music was popular for way, way too long. I think it's going to have to lay fallow for a long time.

I think the closest I want to get to electric guitar sounds now is some Forest Swords or Fennesz.
 
That's just the great convergence of radio pop music into a singular, lowest common denominator blob. Most people with more specific and discerning tastes can find music on their own initiative now, so the traditional curated mainstream outlets are no longer relevant for them, hence there's not as much specialized genre music on the billboard any more.

Switch Back 9 said:
People who "play" an instrument and shit on anything electronic are some of the most obnoxious and ignorant people on the planet. It's so irritating.
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Every music scene is saturated with their own ridiculous dogmas. On one end you have people who think programmed music is heresy, and on the other you have people who think you're a pretentious twat if you genuinely enjoy something like Chick Corea. I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of limbo somtimes.
 
Even if you're dirt poor you can download free Spotify and easily find tons of new bands that fit your taste. No excuse in 2016. Also I'm sure you've missed a shit load of bands over the past decade.
 
Nope. Music has never been better. Also I find it hard to believe that you have a harder time finding your kind of music nowadays than in the past. Open up Spotify, choose a band you like, take a look at the recommended similar bands. There's more music there than you can listen in a lifetime.
 
There is a ton of archival blues, gospel, international, pysch rock, electronic, etc. being reissued these days. Check out the Forced Exposure website. You never have to hear modern pop music again, Op.
 
Some mainstream Electronica/EDM sucks just how like how some mainstream rock sucked when it was a top 40 genre

all the interesting stuff is indie, underground, or non-mainstream and I think that applies for most genres or most popular genres at least in 2016
 
Weetrick said:
I agree that guitar-based music is less popular nowadays.
I disagree that electronic music is inherently less-skillful than guitar music.

It takes a great amount of skill to create good electronic-based music (same as guitar-based music). Sure, electronic musicians don't play flashy, shreddy solos but I don't necessarily look for that in all my music.
I would argue that there were as many shitty rock bands in the 60s/70s/80s/90s as there are shitty electronic bands today.

And even though it's harder to find new guitar-based music, it still exists and is worth the effort to seek out. Lucky for us we have the internet and Spotify, which are much more helpful than the radio these days.

What genres do you like? Maybe we can swap good guitar music recommendations here?
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I like metal, all kinds of bands, but I prefer stuff that's a little more melodic than bands with just repeating the same dark power chords over and over. One recent band I've gotten into is Bring me the Horizon, so maybe stuff like that?

I also like heavier rock, bands like Alter Bridge, some of Slash's current solo stuff.

Punk rock is another big favorite of mine, Sum 41, the Offspring, blink 182, bands like that.

I'm only recently getting into blues stuff but anything a little more upbeat would probably be something I like.

Also, to be clear, I didn't mean that there is no skill involved in making electronic music, I've spent many hours working on hip-hop stuff but I still don't think sitting down at a computer to make music requires the same level of skill of mastering an instrument. They both require a level of skill, but there's a physical element to playing instruments like drums, guitars, piano, bass, banjos, violin, or whatever else that isn't there with electronic music.
 
HigherLevel said:
I like metal, all kinds of bands, but I prefer stuff that's a little more melodic than bands with just repeating the same dark power chords over and over. One recent band I've gotten into is Bring me the Horizon, so maybe stuff like that?

I also like heavier rock, bands like Alter Bridge, some of Slash's current solo stuff.

Punk rock is another big favorite of mine, Sum 41, the Offspring, blink 182, bands like that.

I'm only recently getting into blues stuff but anything a little more upbeat would probably be something I like.

Also, to be clear, I didn't mean that there is no skill involved in making electronic music, I've spent many hours working on hip-hop stuff but I still don't think sitting down at a computer to make music requires the same level of skill of mastering an instrument. They both require a level of skill, but there's a physical element to playing instruments like drums, guitars, piano, bass, banjos, violin, or whatever else that isn't there with electronic music.
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I thought you didn't like pop?
 
HigherLevel said:
I like metal, all kinds of bands, but I prefer stuff that's a little more melodic than bands with just repeating the same dark power chords over and over. One recent band I've gotten into is Bring me the Horizon, so maybe stuff like that?
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"A little FUCKING LOUDER! To a HAPPY SONG!"

Yeah, not sure that's any better than the crap on pop radio.
 
Also thinking playing a single instrument makes someone more talented than electronic music artists is hilarious because there are many electronic artists who are multi-instrumentalist; playing guitar, bass, drums, keys, and all, while being accompanied by a synth beat.
 
Nah. Stuff like Nu.disco and Kaytranada are bringing back live instruments into the mix. It's beautiful.
 
There are literally endless possibilities in the medium for you to enjoy.

HigherLevel said:
I also hate that there isn't really the same skill level involved in making electronic music compared to playing real instruments. It's incredibly impressive to watch old rockstars shred on their guitars or even on a totally different end of the spectrum listen to a huge orchestra perform.
Click to expand...
This is the dumbest mentality regarding music. "Yeah brother back in the day we didn't just push a button dude, we had guitars man, and we played em man"

Electronic instruments are just another means of creating and making a different sound. There are countless useless people with real instruments that provide nothing of value. Lack of inspiration and quality is not unique to electronic music

If a classically trained guitar player becomes injured/handicapped and can no longer play their instrument, is their music worth less if they write it with a computer?

Bring Me The Horizon is worthless, along with the rest of the metalcore gang desperately trying to stay relevant by changing their look and sound. My opinion of course, glad people dig it
 
I don't understand this complaint at all. You can literally access *all of the music* in an instant for free or close to it. There have never been more options available to you and the Internet is making more and more available every single day.

Listen to what you like?
 
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