Is this the first generation where Music...

[Guest NoCalMike]

Ya know, every generation following the other claims how music is going down to the gutter, getting more explicit with each passing year, and I have to say, I have been downloading some rap tunes that played regularly on the radio(edited of course) back in my junior high - highschool days, and there is no doubt that it was WAY MORE explicit and in your face than the current version of hip hop. Now, I am not taking OVERALL QUALITY into account at all, I am just talking about the brashness and explicitness. Not just in rap either, even rock. I am not counting "underground" artists, since the underground has been about as explicit as you can get for the past decade or so. I am mainly talking about the radio music. I think it peaked in 1994, and after that started making it's way back to being acceptable for the masses. I haven't heard much current hip hop unedited besides Eminem, but even his attitude that comes across can't hold a candle to the sheer greatness and asshole-nature of the early - mid nineties era. So is it safe to say, this new Generation Y is the first generation to go a little BACKWARDS in that regard to music.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

I think being over the top with vulgarity and all that has played itself out. It was alright when everyone wasn't doing it.

[Guest EricMM]

That's because bands like Linkim Park (god I'm not even sure if I spelled that right) who would curse more in previous generations are avoiding that little black swear-label so that parents can feel safe buying it for 11 year olds.

[Guest Anglesault]

I don't know about rap, but rock has certainly mellowed.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Yeah, and I'm tired of it.

 

It's about time rock music actually recaptured some of the rebellion and creativity that helped create it, as opposed to focusing on self-loathing and being stuck inside one's head, whatever that means.

 

Modern rock radio is GARBAGE; absolute tripe. I'm not saying every album has to be all "fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck" but christ, grow a set.

[Guest El Satanico]

The main problem is that commercial radio is total shit and completely useless.

 

Commercial radio as we know it will be dead within 10 years. Replaced by satellite radio and mp3s.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

The way things are now, I won't miss it one bit.

[Guest JebusNassedar]

Well, ain't this a touchy issue....

 

I dont think music has exactly gone explicitly backwards. I think it's been split up decently. You have metal bands like Mudvayne and Slipknot (BLECH) and Hatebreed (Double BLECH) who take the furious approach to music.

 

Off Topic: Mudvayne's gonna be art rock in 5 years. Mark my words.

 

Then, there's a section of music that gets hired because of personal relations (The Used, anyone?), or because they bring the same damn thing to the table, only with one adjustment (The Used, anyone? Possibly Sparta?).

 

And finally, you have the creative masterminds. TooL comes to mind right off the bat. Chevelle, while musically simple, has great production values on "Wonder What's Next" (album, not track). Days of the New is another such band. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, too. And Mars Volta.

 

But I'm not a big rap guy, except for The Streets. More power to him.

 

And on the Commercial Radio thing, as long as the Mikey Show is still on, I'll be happy. Just break the hands of anyone that played "Complicated" over "Cochise".

[Guest My Eyebrow is on fire]

Ever since Willie Dee's "Controversy" CD in 1990 - and NWA's Efil4zaggin in 1991...profanity has been slowly decreasing

 

You'll never ever get more explicit than those 2 albums - no matter how hard you try.

[Guest IDrinkRatsMilk]

I think you could... but it would be hard.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

Yeah. I think "She Swallowed It" should be required listening for anyone trying to be offensive. That's it down to perfection.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

I dont think music has exactly gone explicitly backwards. I think it's been split up decently. You have metal bands like Mudvayne and Slipknot (BLECH) and Hatebreed (Double BLECH) who take the furious approach to music.

...son, I'll fucking rip out your guts, make you listen to Barbara Streisand, AND shove a flaming chainsaw up your ass if you EVER call Mudvayne or Slipknot metal in a serious tone EVER again. And Hatebreed's hardcore. That's kinda obvious, especially since they call themselves a hardcore band.

 

I think no music was as dirty as it was in the 1950's. Honestly. The music was all filled with innuendo disguised as cheesy lyrics like "splish splash, I was taking a bath." I've yet to hear ANY artist with lyrics quite as ingeniously dirty as artists from the dawn of rock 'n roll's age.

[Guest Dace59]

I'd pay to see that happen.

And it would of course be more fun that Slipknot's music.

[rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0]

Ever since Willie Dee's "Controversy" CD in 1990 - and NWA's Efil4zaggin in 1991...profanity has been slowly decreasing

 

You'll never ever get more explicit than those 2 albums - no matter how hard you try.

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore as Pete and Dud. Not music, but satisfyingly sweary.

 

IMHO it seems that being sweary is now the norm. Kids listen to Slipknot/ Limp Bizkit/ Eminem and their ilk (or at least used to), and as such Rap and Metal became mainstream. Look at Ozzy. The guys become a worldwide hero. And his catchphrase is fuck. As people have said, saying fuck is passe.

 

For me theres a difference in the use of swearing in rock. For example, if you're saying fuck to be controversial (like limp bizkit or slipknot have) then its pointless. However if you're using fuck as an expressionistic word, to express feelings no other words can or using it as part of your everyday language, just like any other coloquialism, its cool.

 

I think theres a shift now towards bands consciously not using swear words not because of comercialism but because constantly saying fuck is embarassing. Look at At The Drive-In's Relationship Of Command album. Its angry, heavy, intelligent. And no swearing.

 

To all those complaining about Modern Rock Radio, we've offically become overground. Avril Lavigne and Pink are the new Britney and Christina. Shit happens. It happened to metal a few years back, and it's gonna happen to rap in a few years time. Move onto something new (for example punk or electroclash) or wait a few years and it'll be back to normal.

 

Oh and in answer to the original question, the early fifties saw the tuning down of black rock music for a white audience. Also the early to mid seventies (pre-punk) saw a decrese in radicalism in music in many forms in backlash to the drug fuelled experimentation of the late sixties. I believe these both count as periods of toning down in music

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

Becoming underground happened to metal the moment Motley Crue sold more records than Motörhead or Iron Maiden.