Here we are now, entertain us

About 10 years ago, a friend of mine said, "new music is mostly garbage because there is a dearth of good guitar players".  He is definitely what you'd call an audiophile, who especially loves the sound of his vintage record collection.  I agreed and we discussed, over many beers, selected facts that supported his point.  Around that time, another friend, within our group, commented that the only new music he likes is U2.  I said "oh, you mean the band that formed in the late 1970's?"

I don't have the focus or inclination to write a post that would give this topic proper treatment.  Instead, I'll say a couple of things, contradict myself, allow a contrary view the final word, and call it a day.

I know one song in the top 10 of the current Billboard Hot 100.  I have heard of many of the artists, and know some of their other songs. I am going to assume most new artists are corporate creations, and that people like Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers are not particularly talented.  I am not going to watch American Idol.

That being said, I like Robbie Williams and Justin Timberlake.  I very much enjoyed two Girl Talk concerts, even though the guy is a walking copyright infringement.  Not all rap is bad.  Just most of it.

So, maybe I am becoming more like my older friends, and closing my mind to new, and possibly good music.  In the car, there is an approximately 100% chance I am going to find the radio station that plays the old songs I know and like, instead of giving new music a fair chance.

With this in mind, take a minutes to peruse Blender Magazine's,

The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born

I will give up the final word, since I am not actually trying to win an argument with myself.  I will also resist the temptation to quibble with the songs and the ordering.  Feel free to do that for yourself.   

"Blender has never bought the myth that rock & roll declined at middle age; the last 25 years were as good as the 25 before them, unless you somehow think Eminem and U2 aren’t as Genius Level as the Moody Blues and Captain & Tennille. So we’ve constructed an alternative rock history that begins long after Woodstock stopped smelling bad and the Sex Pistols quit with dignity, a list of the 500 greatest songs since 1980. And believe us, it was hard to stop at only 500. Sometimes, the good ol’ days were yesterday and today."