Quiet Times?

Musically speaking, it's been a rather quiet year. At least, as near as I can tell. New music by some of the more familiar major label artists are just starting to be released. New music from Dave Matthews Band, Bob Dylan, David Byrne, Dwight Yoakam, No Doubt, Pink and more are all expected this fall. So why so quiet this year?

I don't know. As near as I can tell, one of the biggest selling albums of 2012 is last year's "21" by Adele. That might tell you something. While it's not odd for an album to have success in multiple years, it makes you wonder about the music that's been released since the beginning of this year by artist such as John Mayer, Chris Brown, and Usher. I have no criticism of their work at this time. I only know that they are major label artists with huge followings.

Of course, if you've read any of my previous posts, then you know that I have a theory about how loss of melody in favor of more rhythm is most likely the reason. And, I know this sounds like a broken record effect, but maybe there's something to it.

Back in the 1990s, Hootie & The Blowfish went against the the Rap and Hip Hop heavy sounds of the time, with the release of their debut album, "Cracked rear View."  The album featured slow to mid tempo Pop songs that were not only heavy on melody, but contained lyrics that were easy to remember and not nearly as offensive as some of the other releases of that time. Not only could you sing the words, but so could your parents. The album sold 16 million copies. That may not mean much to some, but if you've ever heard any of the songs from that album, then I think that you might get an idea of why I believe my theory to be true.

We all have a favorite kind of music that we like to listen to. As someone who makes their own music, I have an eclectic sense of taste when it come to what I like about it. But, all in all, I think that when we hear something that not only moves us, but is so memorable that it stays in our minds, it's usually something that most of us can relate to. When a song or a piece of music comes along and no matter what your favorite kind of music is, if that song or piece of music grabs you and not only holds your attention. But, when you hear it, you don't really recognize it as being part of a genre. That particular song or piece of music appeals to so many at one time that it's appeal could be considered, universal.

At that point, it's not about how much money the song or music makes, or how many units sold. In fact, when that happens, I think, and this is just my opinion, that it's about where you were and what you were doing when you first heard it. That we only think about how many people related to the experience of hearing that particular song or music, even though we all may have heard it at different times and in different places.

It's been a while since anyone has done that. But, with music, it can happen again, over and over. And, it may just be that it will happen again some time soon. We'll just have to keep listening.