I know I have called you a music snob before, and I STILL think you're a music snob, but this article and your (and Asaxy's) replies have helped me understand your position better.

Brandie, you should give yourself some props.  Now when I talk about my feelings on this subject, I *try* to be careful to explain myself in such a way that shows that it isn't snobbery.  It's just LOVE for those that craft and compassion for crafters being marginalized by dollars and big business.  Mass production gets a lot of product to the economy quick, but quality suffers.  In a lot of cases, demand makes it economically necessary to mass produce.  Music is NOT one of those cases, but it's getting mass produced anyway.  Why?  Because the consumer really doesn't know anything different, and in the case of music, many of them seem to actually prefer that their music be served in a Happy Meal™ box at a drive thru.  There are tons of awesome musicians (read: supply) out there as SC mentioned.  The product is there already.  There is no need to accept the mass production of the recording/television industry.

We have a joke in the musicians community.  "People hear with their eyes."  I have actually had people walk up to me and say "You guys sure look loud" based on our speakers.  I am often given to lament that people don't realize how often they are doing that.  As long as people continue to hear with their eyes, the music industry will be happy to feed their eyes which is exactly what they mostly do these days.  It's way easier to dress up a turd than it is to teach it to sing.

Ditto for me too!  I remember a diagreement, make that difference of opinion we had once...can't remember what blog, but I used to think of you as a musical snob...and still do but now with more kindness and affection because I see where you're coming from!

I agree with you a lot about the dumbing down of music and that it is mostly about image and how much money the big wigs make now and it's sad. But it's also the way of the world now.  I hae it when I reflect and go back in the past, making a comment or referring to someone who my kids should know about or have heard about and they look at me with blank stares asking me "who...?"  I"m aghast at how many times I've experienced this with them and their friends! It's very frustrating!  I wonder what the heck the kids of today are learning.  The three Rs are important, but what about the basics? 

So yes...I feel your nostalgia and dare I say pain..?  I love, LOVE Billy Joel too...absolutely enjoy his music and I was watching him recently on television and it was a pleasure!  Now let me shut up...sorry I rambled!

Ah, yes, I agree completely.  But popular music has always been as much about image as the music itself, right from the earliest days of rock and roll.  If Elvis had been an ugly mother, I don't think his voice alone would have sustained his career.  Or if The Beatles didn't have the image to back up their music, well, who knows what might have happened.  It is even more so prevalent in these days of OTT music video productions.

The problem with Fiona Apple and a few others is that she bit the hand that was feeding her (not that I disagreed with anything she said).  She, however, has a good fan base and could very well put her music out without the aid of a record company by doing what a few others have done (Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails to name a few) by making their music available online for anyone to download.

You're dead right, mate.  I agree completely.  I don't listen to much popular music.  I research, read a lot, listen and make an informed and hopefully discerning choice.  Most people, however, want to be told about the latest pop 'sensation' or the latest under-dressed b-grade diva.  They want MTV or Channel V to dictate the next tshirt and haircut they'll have.  They want to be led around by the nose and told what to like.  While their is so much choice out there, people essentially don't want to choose.

Anyway, the way I see it, the pop market acts almost like a filter for me.  If something is in the charts, then there is a very good chance I won't like it. 

SanCho - thanks mate, indeed there are.  Have you heard any Newton Faulkner, for instance?  He is really talented and a nice bloke to boot.  Check him out - YouTube has got a bunch of his songs.

Cacto,

I don't necessarily agree that Triple J actually supports true indie music anymore.  In fact, I think they've become as bland in a lot of respects as any of the major commercial networks.  The major labels have a major presence in their playlists while a lot of indie music gets shoved aside.  Community radio, such as FBI, is where the truly independant musician and band can get their music heard.