is this a horible confesion

[Dr Strangelove]

I used to think that Gaga was one of those industrial music products.

My respect for her grew a lot after seeing this.

Uh, wait, she said this song was about her relationship with her grandad?

[regexcellent]

I don't like the electronic stuff that much myself.

This might not really fit the topic for the thread but I'm going to post it anyway. A lot of pop songs sound really samey to me and I'm not sure why. A few months ago I was driving down US-29 in Virginia and I was tuned into a country station, but it didn't sound like country music to me, it sounded like pop music with banjos. Same language but with a different accent. I wonder if the music industry as a whole has sort of figured out a formula that sells, and translated it into every "genre."

[Sava]

This might not really fit the topic for the thread but I'm going to post it anyway. A lot of pop songs sound really samey to me and I'm not sure why. A few months ago I was driving down US-29 in Virginia and I was tuned into a country station, but it didn't sound like country music to me, it sounded like pop music with banjos. Same language but with a different accent. I wonder if the music industry as a whole has sort of figured out a formula that sells, and translated it into every "genre."

Yup. I've noticed this too.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I remember reading an article (that I can't find anymore) that basically postulated that there is basically becoming one genre: as all other genres borrow from each other, they start becoming more and more the same and the distinctions become smaller and smaller.

[Sava]

I can get on board with that, somewhat.

It does seem, at times, like it's getting to the point where the only distinctions are cultural... and purposefully so to appeal to the target demographic.

[My Wife Hates CIV]

lady who? and do tell... what has this lady googo done for the people of earth?

[joncha]

I've watched the entire series from start to finish... maybe three times.

I don't remember this scene.

Try watching it when you're not stoned.

If I recall correctly, it's what gets AJ kicked out of school and (almost) sent to a military academy or something.

[Sava]

Try watching it when you're not stoned.

If I recall correctly, it's what gets AJ kicked out of school and (almost) sent to a military academy or something.

The last time I watched it I was not stoned.

I think.

I remember that part of the story... just not the actual scene itself.

[joncha]

Also, why does pizza on tv always look so unappetizing?

[C0ckney]

I don't like the electronic stuff that much myself.

This might not really fit the topic for the thread but I'm going to post it anyway. A lot of pop songs sound really samey to me and I'm not sure why. A few months ago I was driving down US-29 in Virginia and I was tuned into a country station, but it didn't sound like country music to me, it sounded like pop music with banjos. Same language but with a different accent. I wonder if the music industry as a whole has sort of figured out a formula that sells, and translated it into every "genre."

yes. there is a formula for making a successful pop song, and most (like almost all) songs you hear on the radio will follow it, with some minor variations. broadly speaking you'll hear 2.5 to 4 minutes of: intro, verse, (pre-chorus), chorus, verse, (pre-chorus), chorus, bridge, (verse), chorus, (chorus), outro; the ones in brackets being optional.

[Sava]

Also, why does pizza on tv always look so unappetizing?

tv can be a bit gamey

[-Jrabbit]

yes. there is a formula for making a successful pop song, and most (like almost all) songs you hear on the radio will follow it, with some minor variations. broadly speaking you'll hear 2.5 to 4 minutes of: intro, verse, (pre-chorus), chorus, verse, (pre-chorus), chorus, bridge, (verse), chorus, (chorus), outro; the ones in brackets being optional.

Pop music has been formulaic for well over 50 (more like 70) years. Why do you think songwriting mills exist? Why do you think the same producers have hits over and over with a wide range of artists?

In recent years, digital production and its inherent portability have enabled production of music without the musicians ever meeting. Upload a ProTools file to your buddy anywhere in the world so he can add his tracks. Not to mention sampling. So it's no surprise that there's been a major increase in the number of "strange bedfellows" pairings you hear. Punk polka? Got it. Country hip-hop? You betcha (check out Big Smo). Also, the fact that pro audio production can now be done by an individual who never leaves home encourages quirkiness, and the InterTubeWebs allow the world to check it out immediately.

There are also programs to analyze songs for their hit potential based on spectral usage, lyrical content, instrumentation, tempo, etc. I tend regard this as a way of letting non-musical people influence the process, but I suppose it has legitimate uses. I don't actually know any producers who use things like that for anything other than internal validation during mixdown and mastering.

Some talk about trends like this in terms of cultural inclusion (or imperialism), but it's mostly just people trying to make a living in a failing industry.