I stumbled on this diagram from the Diesel Sweeties guy today. Thought it would go well with the current run of BS making the rounds about how the Golden Age of Pop Culture is when you’re 12. I immediately dismissed it since I can recall at least several Golden Ages for just music alone: a couple in high school, one with college and 1993 was a watershed for Alternative Radio, probably its pinnacle. They tend to coincide with the years I have surges in my CD collection.
Years ago, I used to feel this way. Now, I like what I like and if it’s popular with the masses, it doesn’t bother me since I’m trying to think about the long term—will I really listen to it again in five, ten or 20 years? For example, Fountains of Wayne. They had their 15 minutes in 2003 courtesy of “Stacy’s Mom.” Their new album came out recently to practically no notice from commercial radio, press, etc. Still like ’em now because they’ve retained the clever writing and story telling which drew me to their stuff way back in 1996. On the other side of the coin is Sarah McLachlan. One friend said she really disliked the recent stuff and popularity led to Sarah to in a sucky direction. Maybe but there’s the eternal debate: did the artist start catering to his/her newly acquired, larger fan base or was she/he headed down the road of mediocrity regardless of sales? After 1995, I readily admit Sarah’s material began to suck and I don’t care how many people were into her, weak music is weak music if it’s performed in a stadium or the Cactus Cafe.
Still, it’s a funny graphic representing the attitude I used to have in college and being a staff member of the school’s station, WMUR, which has now been renamed MUR because the inept FCC charges money to have the W or K in the call letters.