Being just a few days into 2009 and 2008 quietly slipping into the past, I thought it might be worth some interest to reflect on this most recently passed year as well as look forward.

Some years are better than others when it comes to music, and 2008 just felt like a year that didn’t produce a large enough crop of innovative, new, fresh, or exciting sounds. One could argue that I’m just burned out on the scene a bit, which could be the case to a certain extent, but I think that modern music is finding itself awash in mediocre fluff that’s being sold to us as “the next great sound”. I’m not buying it. In fact, I’m running away from it as fast as I can. It’s almost starting to feel like the 80′s all over again. Hell it’s starting to look a lot like the 80′s in a way. And we all know that the 80′s wasn’t the best time for great music. It had it’s fair share, but it also had an over abundance of utter crap. I haven’t lost faith though, as I’ve been here before, and it always seems to change, and I’ll find myself once again engaged and amazed at some crop of new bands that are making music, real music. Music that is pure, artistic, and original.

And now I reflect:

Highlights:

• Dead Confederate bringing back the rock.
• My Morning Jacket @ The Parish
• Fleet Foxes dazzling me with a style of music I wouldn’t usually give much attention.
• Wilco @ Stubbs proving once again why they are such studs.
• Shearwater’s Rook. A beautiful record that I don’t listen to enough.
• Spoon @ The Parish digging deep into a collection of great song after great song.
• Rediscovering my inner stoner-rock compliments of Dead Meadow.
• Colour Revolt rocking me out all 4 times I saw them.
• Sigur Ros DVD Heima. Amazingly beautiful and inspiring.
• Deerhunter @ Emo’s.
• Monotonix @ Mohawk.
• Fun Fun Fun Fest.
• The news that the Jesus Lizard is reuniting for a 2009 tour.

Disapointments:

• An ACL Festival riddled with poor sound and mediocre performances.
• Portishead’s Third. I know a lot of people love this record, but have they not heard Dummy?
• Harp and No Depression calling it quits with the print.
• The Backyard closes it’s doors.
• The remodeled Music Hall.
• Beck @ ACL Festival.
• Music Blogs
• The direction that the modern rock scene has taken. Down, but not out.

Now this is just a quick snapshot of a multitude of memories, and I’m sure that I’ve left something slightly important out of the list.

If anyone has noticed, I haven’t been writing much lately for the blog, and there are a couple of reasons for this void.

First off, not much really happens during the holidays. Sure there are the holiday events, and the occasional touring shows, but the holidays are full of distractions. Shopping, traffic, traveling, parties, etc.

Secondly, I haven’t been moved to inspiration lately as previously mentioned. Sure, I had some great moments over the year, but overall my music experience seemed a bit lackluster. I’ve spent many an hour trying to understand my lack of interest in much that’s happening in the music scene, and I can’t definitively say that I have an answer. Of course my initial reaction is that I’m just a jaded old music snob, which is the case to a certain extent. I’ve seen and heard a lot of music in my lifetime and at some point I can’t help but to notice how much the newer music reminds me something that I’ve heard in the past. It’s true. Originality is hard to come by these days, and even if it sounds somewhat original and really good, you can usually hear a taint of influence. It’s inevitable.

Aside from the obvious, which narrows my tunnel of acceptance, I feel my lack of interest might stem from the environment itself. 2 parts to this if you may. As already stated, the music that is being suggested and promoted heavily in the media these days seems to have lost it’s edge. A lot of cotton candy bullshit with no truly creative element and no heart. In addition to this, the crop of so called “music fans” who have attached themselves to a scene or an idea of something that really only is an accessory to them. An accessory, not a passion. I don’t expect everyone to be as passionate about music as myself, but at least invest a little time into being slightly interested and/or passionate. And those who attend shows for any other reason than being interested the music.. shut the fuck up when the band is playing! If you came to socialize, go do a bump in the bathroom, text your friends, and at the least, get away from the people who are trying to enjoy the show. I know you don’t know who the band is on stage, and are only there because someone told you it was the “show” to be at, to be seen. How about be seen and not heard?

Sound a little angry? Maybe I’m frustrated a bit, but I’ve found myself longing for a time when people were passionate about the music. Passionate about the good music and understood why. A time when people actually listened to a full recording from front to back and not just the songs that they like stored away in some cutely named playlist on their iPod. A time when you went to a show, people danced, sang along, cheered, cried, and felt connected.

photo:charles peterson

With all of that being said, I’m dedicating myself to 2009 in search of a music scene that lives and breathes passion and creativity as it once did. I’m opening myself up, trying to shake the music snob, and embracing more than before. Taking more time to engage myself in the local music scene and discovering the hidden treasures that I know are out there. I hope that you do as well.

The true artists deserve better and the true fans do as well.

Looking forward to things happening with these local folks in 2009:

• Ume
• Harlem
• Monahans
• Lions
• The Black Angels
• {{{Sunset}}}
• White White Light

And of course keeping an ear out for the next crop of Austin hopefuls.

How about you?

This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2009 at 5:52 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.