What do you think is the most generic form of music?

[Timewarp]

So I was thinking about this question all day long. I thought this to the point of insanity. And there is only one brand of music and it's the only brand of music that could ever fit this category without exception, and that is Mexican music.

Here's why I think this. I was driving to work, thumbing my way through station after station when I stumbled my way on "what I call" the mexican station. Once the pain subsided in my brain I changed the station. Again the same music was tearing my fabric of reality. I thought I didn't change the station but the volume so I change the station again, thinking I might hear jazz or a discounted surgery commercial. IT WAS THE SAME SONG!

And most people say can go tone deaf listining to rock all day long. Well you haven't listined to the same three guys saying the exact same thing with the same accordian and trumpets in the background anywhere, anytime, no matter what.

Go ahead take a survey of 100 people, play 5 songs from any Mexican station and asked those surveyed if they notice a difference in the songs. I guarrentee 99 out of 100 will tell you they don't. I'd say 99 out of 100 the same reason why 4 out of 5 doctors agree on any subject. Because the last guy is an asshole.

But that's just my take. How about your takes?

 

[Sockstickler]

Yeah, I mean, there're only so many times you can hear the Macarena or the Catsup Song before they get old. Also, Obdub, what exactly do you mean by pop punk?

 

[Ethereal]

it's definitely any form of pop punk^ seconded,

but hey, nothings wrong with good poppunk if it's catchy and..
I really only described two songs didn't I.

edit: sockstickler
good charlotte, simple plan, avril (although she's more pop)

 

[Sockstickler]

Actually, some of their stuff isn't that bad, especially Good Charlotte. I don't really dig Simple Plan's sound, I'll give you that.
As far as generic stuff here, I'm afraid I'm going to have to go with gangsta rap. No offense to the rap lovers out there, but there are a lot of groups that sound way too similar, and I doubt there are many people who could tell them apart unless they already had the CDs.

 

[Ignatz]

Well, any style of music can sound generic if you're not into it. The very qualities of rhythm, harmony and instrumentation that make it a distinct style also make it all sound alike to a degree. Bluegrass, dixieland, bebop...all of which I enjoy...can still sound like so much random noodling if you aren't paying attention. And there's really only one blues song; it just has thousands of variations. As with the Mexican music, a language barrier is one more factor that can shut us out of a true appreciation. And there has long been a cookie-cutter quality to most of what is produced for airplay, whatever the genre.

 

[Sockstickler]

Well, I'd be glad to give some of it a listen. I am actually pretty openminded, music-wise, and always on the lookout for new stuff.

 

[Iluv2Btickled]

Being a musician, I'd say classical. Not everyone has an ear for classical or has the training to listen to it to fully appreciate it. So I'm saying classical, because to most people, classical sounds the same and to most people, every classical song has "violins and stuff" ( you have no idea how many times I've heard people say that) in it. Listen to Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. 9 1/2 times outta 10, people wll say they all sound the same.

 

[Sockstickler]

That's really sad but true. I mean, I listen to a lot of rock, but I try to fit in some classical and orchestral music in there too. They do have different styles. It's not anything I can put into words, but I can tell they sound different.

 

[TheChameleon]

"I like all kinds of music, I'm really starting to get into this GWAR aged band, called "Green Jelly" which is just funny as watching a toy poodle chase down A 25 pound cat."

I would say, as far as generic though, as A listener of almost all types of music, that Rap is getting pretty bad about that. For example,

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"OKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Lil Jon is by far the least interesting rapper I've heard, simply because he says the same thing over and over. And the Ying Yang Twins, I mean, its funny to 'Honk' at your friends, it got old pretty quick. Though, i'd have to say any good music you can link songs to each other too, for example, Tech N9ne uses "Beatrice" in quite a few songs, because its a nickname used to describe something. Then again, I'm usually one to dislike mainstream music anyway.

So, it really depends on how you feel about the current industry flavor. Its impossible for one style of music to truely be "more generic" than any other. In fact, I'd say that music in general is generic, most have people singing/talking/rapping, the 5% that doesn't still has "music" in it. So, its really all the same anyway. Oh yeah, Techno too, just 'thump thump thump thump thump' with A voice clip of somebody saying something over and over. So, all music is generic."

 

[David Tyler]

I don't know if I'd say all Mexican music sounds the same but ALL instrumental techno does.

We've got a club here that specializes in it and my buddies like to go there. It seems to attract more girls.

Myself, it just makes me edgy and I can't stay there for long. I guess it's because I'm a musician, too.

 

[SOADRyknow]

i definately agree with the pop punk choice.. been saying that for years..and i cant stand any way shape or form of pop punk music.. but unfortunately, alot of the music i listen to is starting to sound the same.. and that would be metal.. i call it metal, but kids nowadays call it 'hardcore' and 'metalcore' and shit like that.. i call it metal.. cuz i dont just listen to one certain type.. i love music, not just that type.. not all of it sounds the same, but most of the new stuff coming out makes me want to puke or makes me say 'wait, didnt that other band have a song just like this?'.. and i HATE when a "hardcore band" makes a song with so many dissonant sounding notes that arent even in the same key or following a rhythm.. and they think its the most metal hardcore ass beating song ever.. or when they make offbeat songs.. im not saying i dont like offbeat rhythms, i appreciate a musician who can pull it off and make it sound good.. but unfortunately, most bands cant do either.. cant pull it off and cant make it sound good.. and a bunch of fast loud noise with homeboy screaming on top of it doesnt constitute music.. it constitutes me never going to another one of your shows

*note : not trying to sound like an asshole, but i play in a 'band' (just me on guitar and my buddy on drums, but we switch on half the songs hah 😉) and im twenty.. turning 21 in 2 weeks and 2 days.. and ive been playing guitar/bass/drums for 7 yrs.. so music is a touchy subject to me i guess hah

 

[cpr1815]

I definitely have to concur woth whoever mentioned "cookie cutter" type of band music. Backstreet Boys-type quality to me is beyond generic. The Mexican style music that was initially referred to is probably the Ranchera-style music. That is more or less Mexico's version of the U.S.'s country style music. And guess what, to me, many country songs ALSO sound the same LOL. However, I don't think it is fair to base all Mexican or Hispanic music on one genre of Spanish-speaking music (not that this is necessarly occuring here).

 

[SOADRyknow]

spanish music.. i had this friend in high school.. me and him used to play guitar together and jam out and stuff.. but hes puerto rican and can seriously play as well as carlos santana (his idol).. and trust me.. from everything i learned from this guy, spanish music is only what the musicians make it.. there is so much potential in that music.. unfortunately, most of it doesnt get mainstream or anything.. so only die hard spanish music fans would hear most of the good stuff.. they also have alot of sweet instruments.. i cant remember any of the names, but there was this one instrument that was like a guitar.. it was a stringed instrument.. but it was alot smaller and the strings had a more metalic sound to them.. if i ever remember what its called ill let you know

 

[RedMan01]

This is an old thread

But I am very offened by this, I being a mariachi can tell you tha no one here knows mexican music.
Firstly the Macarena is SPANISH, not Mexican we are INDIANS or MESTIZOS not white, and secondly we have different instruments - Indian Harp, Bongo, Vihuela, Violin which we use. Ranchera is NOT the music u are thinking of thats Coriddos or Norte. REAL MARIACHI is played by bands like LOS LOBOS, MARIACHI VARGAS and songs of for instance ROBERT RODRIGUEZ.

Also ALL LATINO MUSIC DIFFERS- COMPARE PERUVIAN MUSIC, GUARANIA, TANGO AND SALSA and see what I mean

 

[Sorcerer Lance]

I'd have to say rap, namely gangsta rap...to me, it's all the same...excessive cussing, demeaning women, glorifying the gangsta lifestyle, shooting people, evading the law and everything...the beat is generally the same and I can't see how it can be danced to, I'm sorry.

 

[Betchass1]

I don't know if I'd say all Mexican music sounds the same but ALL instrumental techno does.

We've got a club here that specializes in it and my buddies like to go there. It seems to attract more girls.

Myself, it just makes me edgy and I can't stay there for long. I guess it's because I'm a musician, too.

I agree. Club techno has an added bonus in the generic department by virtue of the fact that most techno tracks could easily have been created in less time than it takes to listen to them. Copy-Paste-Copy-Paste-Copy-Paste. Or rather, Copy-Paste(45x).
Music and sex are closely related. I think people fuck like the music they like.

 

[Cavum]

Club techno has an added bonus in the generic department by virtue of the fact that most techno tracks could easily have been created in less time than it takes to listen to them. Copy-Paste-Copy-Paste-Copy-Paste. Or rather, Copy-Paste(45x).

Sorry to say it, but that statement makes you a complete idiot.
Just the fact that you call everything "techno music" says how little you acculy know about the style. I shall agree that some of the styles within the electronic scene is allmoust like you say, but you have NO IDEA how much work there can be behind electronic music. Get some knowledge before you trash on a music genere.

Im going to quote the manager on the record label Im at to end this reply:

I wish I could instate a rule that says that you can only be criticized by people who have made or released more than 5 records. That would be the end of it.

 

[Betchass1]

Sorry to say it, but that statement makes you a complete idiot.
Just the fact that you call everything "techno music" says how little you acculy know about the style. I shall agree that some of the styles within the electronic scene is allmoust like you say, but you have NO IDEA how much work there can be behind electronic music. Get some knowledge before you trash on a music genere.

Im going to quote the manager on the record label Im at to end this reply:

Sorry I offended you. I've listened to some techno, mostly through the wall against my will. I bought a compilation from Northern Europe a few years ago and dug it, but dug it in a very repetitive way. What I've heard through the wall has made me crazier than I was.
I actually specialize in computer music. Nothing anyone would call techno, though. I am particularly drawn to spectral manipulation, and I've done a good bit of reading on filter design (i.e. equations and such). I use several audio-oriented programming languages. I do know how much work can go into electronic music. I also know how little work it can take to pump some out. And, sorry to say, once simple tools are available, simple things are going to be made with them in abundance. Some will keep learning and take it to a higher level, MOST won't.

I wish I could instate a rule that says that you can only be criticized by people who have made or released more than 5 records. That would be the end of it.

Kind of silly if more than 5 records could take a weekend.

 

[P[a]pi]

I'd say movie scores. Different movies use the same or similar songs a lot.

But, the score of a movie can really make or break it. And I like some songs in some movies, so oh well.

 

[Comfort Eagle]

I've heard some really really REALLY generic, bland nu-metal in my days, and I'm a fan of Korn, P.O.D., Limp Bizkit, old Papa Roach and Linkin Park, so when I say generic and bland (especially with Papa Roach being in there...) I know some weak music.

But these days, I'd say "emo" (God I hate using that word these days...) is pretty weak, so I guess whatevers cool at the time, that's whatever the weak music will be a knockoff of.

 

[GARIMTO]

Certainly such a prime example exists within the entire roster of Plan-It-X.