In the wake of Miley Cyrus' destruction I wanted to address pop music and its lack of, for a better word, "music". As a matter of fact it was news to me that the VMA's were even on. Doesn't that stand for video music awards? Do music videos even exist anymore? So here's how I look at music in terms of excellence: vocal presentation, creativity, emotional involvement (goose bump effect), lyrics, story, , presentation, and harmony, harmony, harmony.
Pop music that is on the radio today is terrible. The only redeeming excellence aspect of it is that these artists have found a brilliant way to market mediocrity.
Here's what I mean. Most of these artists can't sing in public unless they can have someone there to synthesize their voice. They don't tell much of a compelling story and lyrically and emotionally they don't move you. The only emotional involvement you feel is the beat of the song. There is little to no harmony, but tons of creativity/marketing, because how else are they going to sell their "music"?
As Rob Gordon says in High Fidelity "Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?" My answer to that is "Yes".
So my goal is not to bash pop music, but to encourage you to seek out more excellent music. This can take many forms. I don't really listen to country music, but I love Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, and Brad Paisley. These guys sang/wrote some very unique songs that required some creativity and guts to do. Toby Keith and his patriotic songs and red solo cup, Garth's friends in low places, Paisley's "Celebrity" song. Incredibly creative musicians, I'm sure there are others and I would love to hear about them.
As far as pure quality of harmony you must give Barbershop music a shot. Four part mens harmony is without peer when sung well. There are cords and harmonies that the majority of musicians and non musicians have never heard. Take a listen to one of the best quartets of all time singing "Tonight Tonight" from West Side Story. Don't mind the mullet. Not Excellent. And if you can't bring yourself to listen to the entire song, just go to the 1:40 mark and listen to the chord progression and change.
The second song you must listen to is them singing a rendition of The Beatles "Blackbird". Once again if you can't listen to the whole thing just pick it up at the 1:45 mark and be amazed till the end of the song.
When Whitney Houston died last year the world lost one of the greatest voices ever. If you don't believe me, just watch some of her videos on You Tube. I think I spent a good day or so online watching her sing. It was her voice that made the songs what they were. I get goosebumps thinking about her voice. To be cliche, she could sing the phone book and I'd listen. Barbra Streisand and Glee's Lea Michele are unbelievable as well. Barbra and Lea lead me to my next thought: GO TO A BROADWAY SHOW!!! The music and voices are unbelievable and without effects.
In regards to Worship music at church. The songs that move me to tears and cause me to be unable to sing them are the hymns many grew up singing. The vast majority of the contemporary worship music today doesn't come close to the messages and lyrics or musicality of the old hymns. I'm not talking about singing them with an organ either. When done with a full band, hymns are incredible. I remember being at the chapel services at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where they only sang hymns. But something amazing happens when you have a full chapel of people singing their hearts out in four part harmony. God has to be smiling not only at the worship but also at the ear candy that it is. Not all hymns are excellent nor is all contemporary worship not excellent. (Disclaimer: God doesn't care what we praise Him with, just that we do it.) Look up the words to some of the greatest hymns sometime: It Is Well With My Soul, How Great Thou Art, Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace, Crown Him With Many Crowns, and others. Modern versions of some great hymns are crazy good, like Jesus Paid It All and Before The Throne. One Contemporary song that I believe is excellent is "Revelation song". But I've decided that if you have to use the word "Everyday" in a worship song then the author is not being creative enough.
Anyone watch "The Sing-Off" before it was cancelled? This show combined some of the best music, creativity, musicality, harmony, vocal presentation, and emotional involvement all in one place. The group that won the last season, Pentatonix, were the best of the 3 seasons winners. Watch the video and see if you don't get goosebumps, and by the way I don't really like the original song that much. These guys are just that excellent. The song starts at the 1:45 mark.
Oh yeah, and the one dude in Pentatonix did this on his cello. Unreal.
All of this is simply my opinion and preference. After all my blog is called
demand excellence. So why waste time on mediocrity or even below average
entertainment. Again everyone, help me out and point out who and what I've missed.
Pop music that is on the radio today is terrible. The only redeeming excellence aspect of it is that these artists have found a brilliant way to market mediocrity.
Here's what I mean. Most of these artists can't sing in public unless they can have someone there to synthesize their voice. They don't tell much of a compelling story and lyrically and emotionally they don't move you. The only emotional involvement you feel is the beat of the song. There is little to no harmony, but tons of creativity/marketing, because how else are they going to sell their "music"?
As Rob Gordon says in High Fidelity "Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?" My answer to that is "Yes".
So my goal is not to bash pop music, but to encourage you to seek out more excellent music. This can take many forms. I don't really listen to country music, but I love Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, and Brad Paisley. These guys sang/wrote some very unique songs that required some creativity and guts to do. Toby Keith and his patriotic songs and red solo cup, Garth's friends in low places, Paisley's "Celebrity" song. Incredibly creative musicians, I'm sure there are others and I would love to hear about them.
As far as pure quality of harmony you must give Barbershop music a shot. Four part mens harmony is without peer when sung well. There are cords and harmonies that the majority of musicians and non musicians have never heard. Take a listen to one of the best quartets of all time singing "Tonight Tonight" from West Side Story. Don't mind the mullet. Not Excellent. And if you can't bring yourself to listen to the entire song, just go to the 1:40 mark and listen to the chord progression and change.
The second song you must listen to is them singing a rendition of The Beatles "Blackbird". Once again if you can't listen to the whole thing just pick it up at the 1:45 mark and be amazed till the end of the song.
When Whitney Houston died last year the world lost one of the greatest voices ever. If you don't believe me, just watch some of her videos on You Tube. I think I spent a good day or so online watching her sing. It was her voice that made the songs what they were. I get goosebumps thinking about her voice. To be cliche, she could sing the phone book and I'd listen. Barbra Streisand and Glee's Lea Michele are unbelievable as well. Barbra and Lea lead me to my next thought: GO TO A BROADWAY SHOW!!! The music and voices are unbelievable and without effects.
In regards to Worship music at church. The songs that move me to tears and cause me to be unable to sing them are the hymns many grew up singing. The vast majority of the contemporary worship music today doesn't come close to the messages and lyrics or musicality of the old hymns. I'm not talking about singing them with an organ either. When done with a full band, hymns are incredible. I remember being at the chapel services at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where they only sang hymns. But something amazing happens when you have a full chapel of people singing their hearts out in four part harmony. God has to be smiling not only at the worship but also at the ear candy that it is. Not all hymns are excellent nor is all contemporary worship not excellent. (Disclaimer: God doesn't care what we praise Him with, just that we do it.) Look up the words to some of the greatest hymns sometime: It Is Well With My Soul, How Great Thou Art, Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace, Crown Him With Many Crowns, and others. Modern versions of some great hymns are crazy good, like Jesus Paid It All and Before The Throne. One Contemporary song that I believe is excellent is "Revelation song". But I've decided that if you have to use the word "Everyday" in a worship song then the author is not being creative enough.
Oh yeah, and the one dude in Pentatonix did this on his cello. Unreal.
