Musical Musings

 

I was introduced to the world of rap in 9th class when every kid in the (school) block was singing 50 cent's P.I.M.P. As is the trend with pre-teens and cuss words, the uncensored version of the song was a huge hit. Although to be fair, the cussing still appeals to grown ups. I quickly fell out of it. Mainly because I had problem with my teeth (I hadn't gotten braces yet) and an inconspicuous splutter followed by the spectacular launching of my saliva to considerable distances. Unfortunately, it became more pronounced when I tried to sing 50 cent. "Mothofoo!" I'd say before everyone in front of me looked like standard Egyptian exhibits at low budget museums. Also, since Kishore Kumar and rap don't really mix, even clean rap was a no-no in the car tape player. Besides, the constant bass made my ears numb.

 

It was then that I found my saviour in classic rock. Though my mother would often ask me to download softer stuff like ABBA or John Denver, I quickly found I had a preference for the crunchy to downright heavy-toned guitar sounds of classic rock. I quickly fell in love with The Beatles who combined it with soft sounds. Then came Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits and Deep Purple and I haven't looked back since. 

To this day, I feel sad that I wasn't at Woodstock '69, that I couldn't watch Led Zepp or the Beatles play live, that I haven't been able to see Freddie Mercury or even Nirvana. The old times hold a different charm for me. Everything was less organised and seemed to make more sense. The hippie movement and it's idealism of free love, freedom of personal choices and peace is completely at odds with today's rock fans who worship a conveyor belt of plastic, brittle groups making sub-standard music after a couple of good songs/albums. Then there's the idiots who brand people "Rockstars", when they are anything but. The less said about them, the better. 

 

Oh! But I hear you say. What about Green Day? Aren't they good? Sure they are. But they sold their souls for commercial success. There was a time when Green Day released songs like Basket Case and Minority which were rebellious, catchy and downright PUNK. Now they release longer songs with guitar solos and such like East Jesus Nowhere where they just aim for the first few bars to be catchy and build a song with strong political overtones. Yes, over not under. The people who actually stoked anti-establishment fires and encouraged rebellion against oppressive rule were bands like The Who, who are considered proto-punk, through songs like "My Generation". Then there were the bands that gave this genre a name, Punk. Like The Sex Pistols and The Ramones. But they never had to resort to lyrics with the direct intention to protest. Their songs were more of the tone of "F**k 'em". The Sex Pistols' Anarchy in the UK is an example of how they wrote songs just to piss people off. Now it seems to be all about making it to the top of the Billboard 100. Rock anthems became rock anthems not because they were intended to be so, but because they struck a chord (pun intended) without any obvious effort.

 

Rock is not dead, but it has evolved. For the worse. I sometimes wish I was born in simpler times. When a six pack usually meant a carrier for six cans of beer/coke/baygon.

  

The raw musical power of bands such as Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, The Doors and Pink Floyd attracted vast multitudes to concerts with little advertisement. All you had to do was put up "Deep Purple Live tonight" and your place would be chock full. Now we have extensive PR and marketing to sell tickets where people turn up less for the music than for the opportunity to just say "I was there, lol :D"

 

What we need is a musical revolution, a renaissance. Right now, can you name a single new band that has superstars with individual fan followings to themselves as well as the band in epic proportions? The classic line up of a Drummer, a Bassist, a Lead Guitarist and a Singer where each one of them have their own unique contribution and hold on the fans. There is no band out there with a legendary lead guitarist who can hold the stage on his own. A lead singer who expresses his own musical style in the songs he sings, a drummer who is just plain cool. Solid and controlled. A bassist who can sing while playing complex backing lines.

  

For me right now, I see only one band who can loosely be termed of this day and age who can truly be called rockstars. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have a great bassist, amazingly talented guitarist and singer and can perform with the best. We need more like them.Metal is another genre that held my fleeting interest. Any college right now, there are a number of self-confessed metal heads who listen to metal from Iron Maiden to Lamb of God. Personally, growling vocals put me off to the point where I cannot listen to anything by Lamb of God. After a while, it got monotonous, and I moved back to Hard rock. I still have a soft spot for Maiden and old Metallica stuff though.

  

That's the end of this rant, I will get another cribbing session underway soon!