It seems lately like every song I hear on the radio and album out right now mainly from r&b and hip hop all sound the same and more or less uses the same vocabulary and production. I would think this would be the easiest way to make your album sound dated within the next 2 years or so. When you use too much slang like "make it rain" (which i still have no idea what that means, can someone explain)? which is a current expression and in a years time will probably be no longer used, you set yourself up for sounding dated and only of this time. I love Mariah but there's too much slang on her new cd. Why do people do this? What about creating a sound that is timeless??

What are other ways to pre-date your album??

i think we're in an age of disposable pop, where the focus is more on the music as a product and less as artistic expression that could have any validity beyond its shelf date. i think we go through cycles of disposable "trendy" pop, and we go through cycles where songwriters want to write something for the ages. i don't think we're supposed to really worry about if mariah's new album can hold up 30 years from now. it doesn't matter to the bottom line.

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[Edited 5/1/08 12:39pm]

FUNKY BREAK FOR THE 90S!

When are polka dots coming back?

"Makin it rain" is when you shell out your dollar bills and let them fall like you're dealing cards.. or yknow.. buying a lapdance.

Album covers are a good indicator aswell.

All music is dated as soon as its recorded, what makes a song or album special is the quality of the music, the talent and skills of the musicians and singers and the producer. Motown's best stuff was during its inception and was deliberately made to sound universal and clean- I'm sure most here can look up Berry Gordy's history to know what I'm talking about - and it still plays today. POP is meant to be what it is, POP. Some is good and some is bad.

Cinnie said:

wow, that is so sad.

Anxiety said:

but don't you think that is sad? what happened to the days of being able to listen to something 15- 20 years later and it still makes you feel good inside and doesn't neccesarily sound like it came out in a particular year? the artists should be ashamed of themselves for only caring about hits. i know not everything can be an innovative masterpiece but where is the real artistry?

Mara said:

hopefully never!! remember kwame?

Oh, soundtrack albums, particually 80's ones, date ever so quickly. As they are meant to be contemporary to fit in with the film, often they date the quickest.

In the 80's, soundtracks became just as important as the film. Dont get that anymore, but then, most would say thats a good thing LOL

My top 5 big selling dated albums, in no order

1) Top gun OST
2) Paula Abdul "forever your girl"
3) Michael Jackson "bad"
4) Footloose OST
5) Mc Hammer "please hammer don't hurt em"

dancerella said:

oh, i think it's totally sad. but it reminds me of the late '50s/early '60s, when pop music was dominated by fads and crazes, mouseketeers and teen dream idols. we've been through this kind of creative slump before, and i'm sure we will again...

thesexofit said:

oh man, that's a great list! as you know i actually like a lot of dated music, so i can appreciate Bad being on your list. i loved paula abdul when she first came out bu i don't think i could listen to forever your girl now. it is too dated even for me. now, Hammer i can still get down with!
[Edited 4/30/08 18:27pm]

dancerella said:

I dont mind "forever your girl". Its surprisenly strong. Seriously, "the way that you love me" "knocked out" "I need you"..., some great songs. Of course, the late 80's production techniques are a big part to why I like it, but still, the songs are catchy.

Cant do "Please hammer dont hurt 'em" anymore. Hate the production. The remixes for "here comes the hammer" and "you cant touch this" I still play, that and maybe a few others from that album, but thats it.

dancerella said:

They ARE coming back. Hipsters are bringing them back

Anxiety said:

I'm glad you made the distinction in music genre and decades. Because, the R&B/Soul scene was quite the opposite in those days and wasn't as mundane.

MsLegs said:

oh, for sure. in fact, didn't white pop singers used to do quickie cover versions of soul hits back in those days, so there could be versions of r&b hits which were considered "acceptable" for white audiences?

Anxiety said:

True. Its interesting how it is the artists that has been in the industry 20yrs or more that is still making music that is relevant, non disposable, musically and lyrically sound.

UncleGrandpa said:

Agreed

Anxiety said:

You bet. I'm glad you brought this point up. Pat Boone was a well known offender back in the day.