The savior of mainstream American music may be coming from the seemingly most unlikely place: American Idol. This season, the contestants' talents showcase a wide variety of genres, from country, to R&B, to metal, to jazz. I think the fact that the finalists in this show are so different from one another really shows that America has a broader taste in music than is perceived. Mainstream "pop" has become such a cultural phenomenon that it has virtually rewritten the rules that define "good music" and replaced it with dumbed down, easily accessible beats and lyrics that often completely detract from the artistic value of what music is supposed to be. It is largely because of money that this bastardization of music has taken place. Record companies and producers take a formula that sells well, and over-produce to the point where artists are no longer writing there own songs, creative expression is no longer taking place, and the music being produced basically, well...sucks. And then it is shoved down our throats and we're expected to like it and pay money for it. Art is not about money, nor has it ever been. Many of the greatest musicians were poor most of their lives; they did what they did because they loved it, not because it was lucrative.
So anyway, back to my point. With all of the diversity of artists on such a competitive and nationally-renown show, maybe America is realizing that it is tired of the same old pop formula. Maybe it wants to get back to its roots. We created country, metal, R&B, jazz; those were our original genres, inspired by the culture of its generation. Whoever wins (personally I think Casey Abrams is the most talented artist on the show) this season of Idol will surely help the revival of good American music.
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