Article:
Resuscitating Art Music
(NARAS Journal), John Steinmetz
Music as art
This is from an electro/underground/industrial/
noise point of view.
I think the problem lies in the fact that the
legitimacy of music as an artform has been
compromised by record companies and the
commercialization of music.
To me, the only music that I find some real artistic
merit in is the stuff that is hard to find and
"difficult" to listen to, because mainstream music
all pretty much sounds the same and is filled with
lame melodies and meaningless lyrics and is
further glamorized by MTV and empty music videos.
Even mainstream music that IS sincere in its
expression, I find, is hard to take seriously
because of the company it shares with shallow,
corporate bullshit.
It's a guilt-by-association thing.
It's very unfortunate because you'd think that
it would be good for a musician or group to gain
popularity and get their message out to the masses
but it's the other way around.
Many "fans" see appealing to the masses as selling
out (the dumbest phrase I have ever heard in my
life).
Don't get me wrong, I think that some music is great
as pure entertainment, but it's unfortunate that
many people can't make the distinction between
music as art and music as shallow entertainment.
But maybe it's good that true "Art-music" is hard
to find because only the ones that take it
seriously and are willing to look hard for it
"deserve it." ;)
-- James
posted 6/29/98
