Pollution to Music Industry

Music is no longer the only focus in the 20th century industrial world of music. Compared to the time when my parents was little, the pop culture now is much more popular. Music becomes an important aspect of everyone's life. A little over 10 years ago, the only music media was radio. The musicians are known for their voice that was broadcasted on radio. Only once in a big while will they ever get to show their face in the crowd. Now, music is also presented in TV contribute to sense of sight. This indicates the presentation of music is associated with looks. Now, not only are the artists known for their voice, music production, they are also known for their appearance. In fact, their physical image contribute more to their success than their music.

This greatly applies in the pop music industry, the industry where Britney, Backstreet Boys Christina Aguilera are part of. What do these artist have in common, the glamorous looks, choreography, and typical pop tunes. Of course the dance moves and artists make ups add some color to the music listening, but all this become a problem when the audience and the artist pay too much attention to the pictorial aspect.

The concern for looks replaces the concern for the sound. It occupies the artist's time to focus on their musical aspect, and as the result, they pay less and less attention to the quality of their music. To my ears, pop songs are all the same. They consist of the same old tune that is rearranged over and over, fabricated with melodramatic and love-sick lyrics. Maybe there will be more variety to characteristics of pop songs if only they can get out of value. But, that what makes them categorized as POP music. If it were to have better quality, different characteristic, it will not be called pop. And Fortunately, their are other genre music around like alternative, rock where looks was never the main focus. Sadly, it is POP culture that dominates the music industry - just when it less contribute to the music than other genres do. It is pop music that is on radio 95% of the day, it is pop acts that usually get awards. It is pop music that pollutes the world If you see these excessive typical pop music pollution, just simply ignore the acts. Start with yourself by prioritizing the sense of hearing before the sense of sight. Be a real music listener, this way you will focus on the music and know what kind of music to ignore what's not. Once in while you will hear beautiful pop songs around, it is very unnecessary to resist it and say, 'O, it's pop, not my music. Do listen to ones you like but just don't buy the latest N'Sync CD just because it was No.1 in the billboard chart. This may offend many pop act's fan.

Ploy Thirati <stu5-318@isb.ac.th>
International School Bangkok, Thailand