Saturday 2 February 2013

Emo Music


I try to be opened-minded about other people’s music taste. Though the thought of sitting through an Opera, or a two-hour long Justin Bieber session is not a particularly thrilling prospect,  I respect that other people may think it the greatest music in the world. However, there is one genre that I object to, and that is 'Emo'.

I’m not going to try and list all the bands I consider to fall into this genre – it’s not my place to do so, nor does it seem particularly fair. But I can’t help but notice, particularly over recent years, the increasing popularity of what seems to be depressing, incredibly harsh, sad music – music which has the potential to be hugely damaging.

There’s always going to be sadness in the world, and there will always be the need for a soundtrack to match that – god knows bands such as Radiohead and The Joy Division have mastered such music. However, this sadness seems to have been taken to worryingly extreme lengths. 'Emo’ bands have been known to express how exhausting it is to tour with these songs – so surely they might recognise the effect it may be having on those listening? Call me naïve, but I don’t think I could bring myself to release songs into the universe that could have a seriously negative effect on other people’s lives. Such bands have no idea who their music could be reaching. Those in the public eye, especially musicians, are considered role-models or idols by many, particularly young people. Success and fame is all well and good, but it inevitably comes with a sense of responsibility – which many fail to acknowledge.

There have been campaigns and articles in recent weeks, highlighting the importance of discussing mental health, some featuring in major music magazines. However, some are advertising ‘Emo’ bands, just a few pages later.  Of course, I’m not saying we should all start listening to One Direction and celebrate the constant joy of life – but there is a huge leap between sad, thoughtful songs, and ones which are simply depressing. An odd obsession with death and pain has crept into the music industry in recent years - and it's very worrying indeed.

8 comments:

  1. This is a true post, however I also think it's about how you interpret the music too. I did my English GCSE talk about explicit language in music, and the negative language in music, and if you research some of the songs, they aren't meant to be taken the way their listeners take them. Not saying that I don't agree with you though because I do. (but who doesn't love a good singalong/screamalong when you're needing to vent) ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Haha no, I love angry music! But I think there's a big difference between songs that fuel anger, and ones which promote sadness and depression. If someone was in a certain frame of mind, they may read into lyrics in a different way. But there are artists who's lyrics cannot be taken in any other way than hugely depressing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If anything I would consider 'One Direction' to be the most depressing sight... I have seen. HA

    ReplyDelete
  4. The term emo seems to have changed a lot since I started listening to it. None of these new bands sound like or sing like most of the bands I like. A dying term is now used to describe most post-hardcore or pop-punk. Most listeners to this actually say that the music has saved their lives. Also what happened at download was way over the top and really needs to never happen again.Bad scenes. Each to their own I say.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Of course it isn't a general rule - music effects people differently. I did a bit of research on this though, it's alarming what you can find, and how people's lives have been changed in a negative way.
    What happened at Download?

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a ridiculous post. You're just making bold statements and accusations, trying to pass them off as facts, all without any evidence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Town Called Alice4 February 2013 09:43
      If you don't like what I've said, then please, don't waste any more of your time reading my blog.
      Though ironically, your comment is making bold statements and accusations, which you've tried to pass off as facts, with absolutely no evidence for what you've said.

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete