In Defense of "The Mainstream"
by Sasha Faust
by Sasha Faust
There are some people out there who say that MTV is force-feeding you music and visuals---sort of like junk food for your eyes and ears. And well, yeah, while the Pussycat Dolls are undoubtedly the metaphorical equivalent to a cheddar, bacon, beef, and Splenda burger, that's not the point. The point is, MTV isn't forcefeeding you anything. You can turn that shit off if you want to. But I challenge you not to (right away at least).
This is my way of keeping your attention because you've still got like, five paragraphs to go.
And being able to decipher between the two is a huge part of what being an avid music lover is all about. And being able to say you like Lady Gaga in a room full of punks because you genuinely feel that way takes a sturdy set of lowhangers. If you've got passion for your music, then you should at least have the guts to try something new, even if it isn't your typical preference, even if it completely sucks, even if its playing on MTV. Because sometimes, it isn't so bad. And sometimes, it might even be good. Maybe great.
Don't get me wrong, though, subculture is a beautiful thing. It gives lesser-known artists a forum to do what they love for people willing to listen in a world that embraces aesthetics and packaging more than the tunes themselves.
But you can't call yourself a music lover if you never go above ground, so to speak; refusing to listen to something on the basis of its popularity, genre, or appearance on a major music broadcast. You're only putting up unecessary walls and constructing irrational limits on what you think you're allowed to like. The entire "purist" mentality is a joke, anyway; it's supposed to be about conviction and principle, but you can't be a total purist because there's always a loophole someplace. It's that kind of holier-than-thou elitism that makes you look just as self-important as the kids who thought your music was lame.
And you most certainly can't blame MTV for being responsible for being the only noteworthy crap-factory. There are plenty of so-called underground sites littering the blogosphere with complete bullshit, too.
In conclusion, open your mind! Or suck it.
Because she's totally legit and I love 'er.
Posts
I totally get this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBut there's barely any airtime for music on MMMMMMMtv, anyhow!
ReplyDeleteWhy is it music television if music is never on the screen? Sure, for a while they had fifteen second cuts of songs during the credits of one of their many reality tv shows, and the offensively vain half-hour piles of money grubbing junk brought in a crowd of overly confident teenagers, but honestly, "After Hours" start at three in the morning and end around six and are only on weekdays. I don't even think they do that anymore, and instead have "Run's House" reruns running down "The Hills".
just WHERE did the music go, and when does it plan on coming out of its hiding place?
this isn't really commentary on how much music mtv airs, because it certainly is few and far between, however it's interesting to note that of the music they do play in the mornings, it's not entirely shit. and even so, we need shit in order to put the good stuff in perspective.
ReplyDeleteno, you piss off. MTV makes me sick. 'Sometimes' it isn't so bad, but most times it's just downright abysmal... what qualifies as music today has also become ensconced in a downward spiral. I mean, Lady Gaga? get real.
ReplyDeletemy point isn't that MTV is chock full of quality. they barely play music to begin with. my point is that MTV is the figurehead for the mainstream, and that's why i made use of the logo and made mentions of it. it is TRUE that a lot of music today sucks, but it is also TRUE that there is quality out there.
ReplyDeletemy point is that you need to take a look at everything before shutting out something just because it's 'too mainstream'.
and i use lady gaga as an example because at the very least, she is a fantastic pianist, doesn't lip sync and even if she is no thom yorke writing-wise, she writes her own shit.
which is more than you can say for most popstars.
so, consider my counterpoint made, because i don't think you received the initial point to begin with.
and throughout history there has always been complete shit considered music. this is nothing new.
ReplyDeletewell, I have taken a look and made my decision. To each their own, but mainstream music is essentially dead to me.
ReplyDeletei respect your personal preference. i just wanted to clarify that i'm not blindly defending the mainstream, rather i'm against folks who won't try something on the basis that it's popular. that is all. :) i'm glad this has fostered some kind of discussion.
ReplyDeletewell said, although I am more likely to find things that I "don't hate" rather than like in the mainstream, I'm probably more likely to find things I can't stand in the blogosphere and the underground. And it can be even worse, since the people fueling these hype factories are supposed to be even minded intellectuals
ReplyDelete