Wednesday 23 March 2011

Portfolio task 2: Popular music

Quickly read Adorno's (1941) article 'On Popular Music' (links below). In no more than a few paragraphs, summarise his ideas on pop music, concentrating on highlighting key points such as 'standardisation' etc

Adorno raises the point that all popular music has been standardised, this is agreeable with the introduction of modern electronics and techniques. This has become an easy way for artists to compose music that is redicuously similar in style. Modern pop music and pop music culture is now, a giant engine spewing mediocre songs and relying on the image of the artist. For instance one of pop music's "Greats" Rhianna. A young girl who began her life in the Pop music machine at the age of 17. She is now a Lustrous sex symbol idolised by millions. Unfortunately , i don't believe her musical talent has helped her boom to success, more the development of her body. Rhianna's lyrics are open to matters of Sex, Glamour, Money and relationships. and for an artist who i find myself guessing is aimed at teenage girls, speaks about matters completely irrelevant to her intended audience. obviously throw a catchy beat on there and a singable chorus and the problem is resovled.

This is the case with modern pop music now, it is a modern market designed for making money, would you watch a rhianna video if she was fully dressed most of the time? and for girls this "independant woman" sexiness is so apparent of the time. if your good looking your gonna get money thrown at you and processed via autotune.

However, not all modern music is Standardised. there are cultural revolutuions happening all the time and artits fight the mass and produce great pieces of music. unfortunately you have to process the heaps of incredible dross to access it.


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