Music changes depending on Democratic/Republicans?
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Topic: Music changes depending on Democratic/Republicans?
Posted By: natedoppler
Subject: Music changes depending on Democratic/Republicans?
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 14:16
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I have a theory that music is more guitar-driven and genuine during Democratic presidential rule. Oppositely, Republican presidents bring more superficial and studio-rich music. Now, I've only noticed it during the Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush administrations because these were the only ones I was alive for. First, during the Reagan and Bush years: Flock of Seagulls, Hairbands, Culture Club, and other types of keyboard or synthesizer studio over-processing took place. In the case of hair bands, their music took alot of studio magic to come out clean, and their music had a very superficial message. Second, dudring the Clinton years (1992): Tool releases their first album, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden arrive. Hairbands and synthesizers die and give way to the resurgence of legends like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Wildflowers). Weezer releases the Blue album. Woodstock makes its first appearance since the 60's! Overall, music takes more of a guitar-driven, acoustic stance that can be performed without the aid of studio effects. Third, during the new Bush era: Emo takes hold, but not before modern rock turns into a mush of Rap-Rock, Staind, Nickelback, and Lincoln Park. Now modern rockers are whining about their childhoods and dissing their friends. Little did we know that Emo would become larger than we could ever imagine, making Sugar Ray's bubblegum drivel seem like a legitimate successor to Led Zeppelin. Finally, Today: A new decision awaits our country and,maybe,record executives. I may be wrong about this political/musical correlation, but only time will tell if we elect a democrat. Sure, there are exceptions to all of these time periods, but I think there's no denying the general trends of the day. If Obama/Biden win and Emo dies within a year of two, more credibility will be lent to this theory. Until the musical climate changes, I cannot play the type of music I respect and expect a warm reception.
I just want music to go back to how it used to be in 60s/70s, when even the pop stars wrote good songs and musicians were the ones writing these good songs. I know that day will come again and I would do anything to help it happen.
TJ of Doppler "I know when I started I would have been happy to sound like the Beatles or Joe Tex or whoever. You want to sound like most bands, you want to sound like their records and that's how you learn your chops." |
Replies:
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 14:20
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1968-1976 Nixon/Ford both republicans
1976-1980 Jimmy Carter democrat and disco and punk
Some major flaws in your theory
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"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: WinterLight
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 14:26
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You're assuming that there's a substantive difference between Republican and Democratic administrations. In fact, such distinction is negligible (especially in the context of foreign policy), aside from proclamations (which rarely translate into actions) over various social policy. But let's assume that the difference is meaningful. Well, there are counterexamples to this hypothesis. Prog rock arose during the infamous Nixon administration, and metal took flight during the Reagan years. Admittedly, these are not necessarily similar genres, but they're certainly "guitar-driven" (though not quite so much in prog rock). Still, culture does reflect the values of the ruling class to some extent; but generally popular culture (under which prog is subsumed) is by definition the culture of the people, whence it is frequently regarded as "lowbrow" (I personally disapprove of the label, but that's the reality here). |
Posted By: Hawkwise
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 14:27
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I think maybe you need some better Weed
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 14:48
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A Flock of Seagulls and Culture Club are both British acts. I don't think the US presidency had anything to do with anything (and probably won't). |
Posted By: mickstafa
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 14:59
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Nonsense. The only parallels between the President and the direction of pop music would be the abundance of music that relates to worldy events caused, in part, by current elected officials. While the butterfly effect certainly applies here, to make a direct causual relationship between the party of the American president and music is quite absurd. If Green Day wasn't complaining about their disagreement with President Bush's foreign policies, they'd be complaining about something else; that is the nature of their music. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 16:32
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this theory is pretty much off, however, i do agree musical trends do change and evolve with the political and social changes we all deal with. But this is always how it's been, it's just that in the last 100 years or so, it seems the musical trends change about every 8-10 years, whereas before it would take much longer, due to advancements in technology and the media. btw listen to The Adventure of Greggory Peccary. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 20:01
I was about to say, you have to take it backwards a couple more administrations at least to check if it's really a rule. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Garion81 wrote:Posted By: ClassicRocker
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 21:59
Fix'd (Can't forget that a president's term doesn't end until January! Lyndon Johnson was prez until Jan '69  )I do agree though that the party in office has no bearing whatsoever on the music style of the time. ------------- 
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Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: August 26 2008 at 23:56
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Wilson 1913 - 1921 a democrat, a terrible divider, and he really f'ed up S. America. Jazz, Blues. No synths, no distorted guitar.
hheh heh. Also Nirvana Pearl Jam, other NW bands that got popular, were around before Clinton, and famous too. |
Posted By: Avantgardehead
Date Posted: August 27 2008 at 15:16
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90% of my favorite music came to be from 2000 and on during Republican rule...
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: August 27 2008 at 15:19
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can we please get in a president with taste and tact so that music will have interesting instruments again
goddamn ron paul harps 2008 ------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: August 28 2008 at 01:32
That would almost get me to vote for him. The massive upheaval would probably be worth not having to hear horrible pop music anymore. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |