Amongst a myriad of other problems with music today, what is up with folks NOT being able to write a hook anymore? Not some all-time classic hook, just a decent fucking hook. This problem, of course, cuts across all music genres.

???

For the same reason that artists these days use samples and Pro Tools; there's no real creativity in music these days. There's an over reliance on drum machines and studio wizardry, and no one knows the basics of creating music. Plus, with all of the cookie cutter music and the record companies trying to push a particular style of crap (e.g., crunk), they lyrics are all the same, which is to say that they don't say anything except parties, hoes, bling bling, and constant product placement in lyrics. And if you don;t know how to write a decent melody, how are you supposed to write a hook? Whatever happened to the traditional practice of storytelling? Most of the greatest songs ever written told stories ("Cats In The Cradle", "Piano Man", even "Billie Jean").

I think, particularly in R&B (whatever that may stand for now), the emphasis has drifted dramatically from the beautiful melodic sounds of by gone era's. Or grooves that made u wanna dance and have fun. Now we often find songs based soley on 'Beats' (a term i hate, by the way). Music is dumbed down, over-simplified, monotonous in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Most simply cant appreciate intelligent compositions 9that includes good pop music). Emphasis is centred on selling units and scoring hits. Not artistic integretary. To, i feel that you are not allowed to have fun in todays music either. It's all aggression, what i got, what u aint gettin and derogatory remarks. Doesnt sound like a party to me. However, Music can still be beautiful, challenging and meaningful outside of the top 40. My advice to music lovers - turn the radio off.

728huey said:

Hey! u typed quicker than me now it looks like i ripped your post off!

3121 said:

thank god I'm not the only one that thinks this way. Sometimes I wonder....

728huey said:

That's a bogus statement. ProTools and samples are creative tools - not art.




The popularity of drum machines does not support the claim that modern songwriting lacks quality hooks. Sgt. Peppers, Pet Sounds, Electric Ladyland; tons of seminal albums exist, in part, because of studio wizardry.



I'm tired of people complaining about the lack of quality music - that's a lazy cop out. Quality music exists if you only took the time to look for it.

Modern commercial R&B and Hip-Hop are not art, but just marketing products!

Sometimes I wish to see a burning of records of some artists like 50 Cent and others. It's like a cancer

chuckaducci said:

thorntonmellon said:

Are you kidding? A typical hip-hop track does have hooks. And THAT The Real problem!

Musically, the producer/beatmaker would compose the hook as a loop and repeat it throughout the whole track.
[Edited 4/15/07 21:43pm]

chuckaducci said:

But some producers had discover techniques to use a Pro-Tools mixing console as an instrument in itself. Even I've learn a few of those technique about 7 years ago.

And don't forget about those sampling drum machines that are still the main instrument for most hip-hop producers:


[Edited 4/15/07 23:59pm]

Yeah, I just looked at what the top 10 on the billboard charts were, and listened to them on youtube... there's little to no hook for me... but I don't see it as a problem with drum machines, and lack of real instrumentation... the rock music had less of a hook than the hip-hop imo...

In the 80s, I loved the top 40 music... 90s onwards, I've looked elsewhere for music and found great stuff...