Philosophical: Technicality does not equate good music

[jamcat]

I think that’s why such a high percentage of it is absolute crap that can’t hold the listener’s attention. There’s no human connection there. I don’t think most electronic musicians can even listen to their own stuff more than once.

[crimsonwarlock]

Luckily, I don't call myself an electronic musician

[funky lime]

I think that’s why such a high percentage of it is absolute crap that can’t hold the listener’s attention. There’s no human connection there. I don’t think most electronic musicians can even listen to their own stuff more than once.

This might depend on the genre and intent at least a tiny bit, though. I specifically have playlists of "electronic music that doesn't hold the listener's attention" because I find that type of music extremely useful to me while I'm doing work stuff. For this, I need music that imparts a particular vibe but doesn't cause me to actively think about it, lest I get distracted and lose focus on my work. Not everything needs to be a banger.

[Lerian]

I think that’s why such a high percentage of it is absolute crap that can’t hold the listener’s attention. There’s no human connection there. I don’t think most electronic musicians can even listen to their own stuff more than once.

So have you listened to it all?

Such a cringe take. Seems like you don't understand electronic music, its purposes, use cases.. and know nothing about it.

Music isn't only whining about the girl that cheated on you, or about the rage against the machine But yeah, electronic music is not for everyone, that's for sure. You need some imagination to be able to enjoy it, its not like getting the food already chewed, as in other genres.

[jamcat]

Why does music have "use cases"?

[Lerian]

Why does music have "use cases"?

Newsflash: Everything have use cases.

[jamcat]

Perhaps that mentality is part of the problem with electronic musicians...

[Uncle E]

Such a cringe take. Seems like you don't understand electronic music, its purposes, use cases.. and know nothing about it.

This thread is one giant cringe take. "Quality" is always subjective. There is no single definition of "good music", nor does there need to be.

[Lerian]

Perhaps that mentality is part of the problem with electronic musicians...

Perhaps a lack of understanding of life is the main problem for some people (musicians or not).

Not passing judgements as I am not qualified to do so, but if I think about it, all elitists I have met are mediocre at best at what they do. Which is the main reason why they feel the need to position themselves above others. Elitism, it seems, is the disease of the incompetent ignorant. Everyone I met who's good at their stuff they're very relaxed and able to take and accept whatever flavors life throws at them, without the need to belittle anyone and anything.

[Lerian]

Such a cringe take. Seems like you don't understand electronic music, its purposes, use cases.. and know nothing about it.

This thread is one giant cringe take. "Quality" is always subjective. There is no single definition of "good music", nor does there need to be.

Agree. But I think there's a point in this thread, as many musicians use technicalities to make up for lack of message/feeling/vibe. There's this idea, that music is some kind of product that can be made on the assembly line, and they have to do it regardless of the fact that they have something to say or not. And technicalities are one way of making it sound a bit interesting, even if doesn't really transmit anything else.

Being technical in music is something different than being technical in noise. I very much enjoy technical artists like Yussef Dayes and Alfa Mist, but their music have soul, groove, and vibe, and its not just a display of ability. On the other hand, there are others that lack everything except the technical aspect. Bing skilled with your instrument doesn't necessarily mean that you are also a good composer/producer. Same goes for good engineers - if you can make something sound polished, doesn't mean that the content has any feeling. Take Jimmy Hendrix recordings: sounding-wise they are garbage, yet they will fill you with energy and joy.

[Uncle E]

Agree. But I think there's a point in this thread, as many musicians use technicalities to make up for lack of message/feeling/vibe. There's this idea, that music is some kind of product that can be made on the assembly line, and they have to do it regardless of the fact that they have something to say or not. And technicalities are one way of making it sound a bit interesting, even if doesn't really transmit anything else.

Everything has a use case.

[bobbackwards]

To paraphrase Tolstoy, art brings people together to forward both the individual and humanity. I think that is true even when we don't like a particular kind of art...to discuss it is to move forward. I am not a huge Jean-Michael Jarre fan but I admire his art and even try to emulate some aspects of it. Art is seldom all or nothing. Horses for courses and all that...

[Agg]

there are others that lack everything except the technical aspect.

doubt

[Lerian]

there are others that lack everything except the technical aspect.

doubt

Go to soundcloud and search by hashtags. Its full of it.

To paraphrase Tolstoy, art brings people together to forward both the individual and humanity. I think that is true even when we don't like a particular kind of art...to discuss it is to move forward. I am not a huge Jean-Michael Jarre fan but I admire his art and even try to emulate some aspects of it. Art is seldom all or nothing. Horses for courses and all that...

Not every creation is art. Not every creator is an artist.

Everything has a use case.

Indeed it does.

[bobbackwards]

Perhaps not, but you are not the arbiter of what constitutes art or music.
“If you love my work, you are a good critic. If you do not love my work, you are a 'not good' critic.”