Can younger people appreciate music better than people of an advanced age?

[TheStig]

Dumb topic, but this is something I sometimes think about and wonder why. I've noticed the older crowd (40+) almost always passes off any new(er) music as crap. I'm not talking about the stuff you hear on top 40 pop radio stations, because I do think most pop music sounds the same and has no creativity or originality. There is the odd gem that actually is a pretty good song, but it's rare.

I'm talking more about bands that are original, and produce quality stuff.

It seems they dismiss anything with a moderate amount of guitar distortion and even a semi aggressive/upbeat theme, odd time signature as a load of modern garbage with no musicality.

On the flip side, I've noticed a lot of young people can appreciate the old and the new. My musical taste has a huge range that spans from the 40s - present day. Most all of my friends are the same way. It just seems younger people have more of a capacity to look objectively at a song and decide whether it's good or not.

In any given day I could be listening to Zeppelin, Mudvayne, Talib Kweli, NWA, Billy Idol, Jimmy Buffet, Wu Tang, Toby Kieth, Skrillex, Bassnectar, Heart, Macklemore, Hendrix, CCR, Linkin Park, Luke Bryan, Sinatra, Andrews Sisters Porcupine Tree, etc... I like it all. Big band, all forms of rock, some country, electronic, classic songs...it's all good.

I guess there's no real point to this thread, but it really irks me and I wanted to put it out there for discussion.

 

[Mike32ct]

I think it's because a lot of older people aren't exposed to modern stuff.

They stopped going to clubs and concerts years ago, so they don't get the exposure to newer stuff.

A lot of songs are an aquired taste. You have to listen to it enough times to really appreciate it.

Without that exposure, they stay in their comfort zone of listening to the oldies station. When a new song comes on, it's easy to dismiss it as crap because its new/different.

I'm pushing 40 but listen to everything because of dance classes and being in the game later than usual. Otherwise, I'd tell kids to turn that noise off LOL.

 

[Poonani Maker]

I'm weirdo at my age cause I'm ever now and then searching out "new" music, last night just added this to my rotation lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by-iMbUiqsw I'm sure ppl my age think it's "****" but it's pretty on it's own, unlike another, to me, what I like

 

[Mike32ct]

Not to get off-topic, but I absolutely LOVE the new/recent song "Get L u cky" by Daft P unk.

It has cool lyrics and a perfect Hustle (i.e. disco-like) beat for dancing.

 

[TheStig]

Not to get off-topic, but I absolutely LOVE the new/recent song "Get L u cky" by Daft P unk.

It has cool lyrics and a perfect Hustle (i.e. disco-like) beat for dancing.

I heard it once a couple weeks ago, it's a pretty good song.

I posted the same OP to another forum I'm a member of, and a really interesting and stimulating discussion is going on right now, but that's to be expected because of the type of forum it is. I posted here and there to see more diverse responses.

http://drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108146

 

[FairShake]

To be fair, alot of today's music isn't really MUSIC. Just kidding...but not really!

I don't think everyone likes music the way real deep fans do. Alot of people like music that they grew up listening to because of the memories they equate with the music. Us nerds like music for a million technical reasons they just want something they used to drink, fvck, drive, relax to. Since they do less of that now and already have a rich history of tunes to remind them of that why bother with anything new?

I guess us old farts wish we were 18 again.

Interestingly mainstream country seems to be bucking this trend. It has by far the most diverse listeners by age. Many of the older people who listen to country used to be "everything except country" people. But as country has become more like soft rock and classic rock you see more and more people listening. More than any other genre nowadays I think.

 

[VladPatton]

Your taste refines as you get older. You like things with certainty. You want a certain sound, a certain style because it releases all your feel-good hormones just the way you like. I am a metal/hard rock guy, play guitar, record my stuff, and if a band came out yesterday that sounds great, so be it. I will buy their CD, and appreciate and support their music whole heartily. The thing is, there is a lot of shıt out there just to make money, whether you believe this or not. If you think Bieber is talented in ANY way you need to get your head examined. I can't stand Adele. Do I think she is talented? No doubt.

The true lover of his music genre has an open mind and an insatiable appetite for new music always.

You can't feed someone shıt and expect them to like it no matter how hungry they are, for it is, without a doubt, shıt.

 

[Atom Smasher]

OP, I'm 56 and a successful musician.

Hit mw with a couple of links and I'll tell you what I think.

 

[jamespenn]

Well no. Definitely not. There is just a difference of liking in old age people and the ones in young age. Both of them understand and have an admirable music sense.
http://www.ranker.com/list/cheap-men_s-clothing-websites/sirsinister

 

[Desdinova]

A lot of times I give new music a chance. I'll buy an album by a newer artist that sounds decent and give it a listen. The sad part is usually the rest of the album sounds the exact same as the song that got me to pick it up. When there's no unique songs on the album, the entire thing gets dismissed as boring.

On the flip side, I've noticed a lot of young people can appreciate the old and the new. My musical taste has a huge range that spans from the 40s - present day. Most all of my friends are the same way. It just seems younger people have more of a capacity to look objectively at a song and decide whether it's good or not.

I've noticed that as well. In high school, I would get made fun of for listening to something like Deep Purple because it was "old". Now people embrace older music and it's very well accepted because it's a "classic".

...and as for songs with bizarre time signatures, bring on the Yes and Dream Theater.