What Went Wrong in Modern Music?

Is modern music letting fans down? In this video, we explore how 21st-century music has changed for the worse, affecting generations of rock fans-especially Millennials. With artists releasing fewer albums, skyrocketing concert ticket prices, and lost creative potential, fans today face challenges Baby Boomers and Gen X never did. This episode dives into why the music industry is failing to meet the needs of modern audiences, leading to an unseen crisis in music culture - and offers four key reasons why 21st-century music is failing fans. This is demonstrated by taking the frequency of modern bands like Vampire Weekend, and placing it over a ‘70s band like Led Zeppelin. Watch now to see what went wrong!
Robert's Record Corner appears here every other Monday.
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FAIR USE NOTICE: This video may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Robert's Record Corner (RRC) uses this material for critical, educational and commentary purposes only -- all with the goal of promoting music knowledge and appreciation. RRC believes that this constitutes a “fair use” of the copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, which provides allowance for "fair use" for purposes such as news reporting, criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
#ModernMusic #RockHistory #VampireWeekend #LedZeppelin #TheBeatles #MusicHistory #MillennialMusic #21stCenturyMusic

[@GregBonks]

Blame the industry, it is very hard to sustain yourself as a musician without touring, record sales don't pay the bills. Look to the underground for the music you're missing, stop paying attention to the charts.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I agree with everything you said! I do blame the industry. And feel we the fans and also the artists lose out. Thanks for watching!

[@glpz462]

I have my own incredibly complicated theory as to why music sucks today. A) I'm old, and B) not enough cow bell. Thank you.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

I think music went into decline when kids turned from drugs to video games for recreation.

[@taker68]

Bands in the 60s and 70s had managers who pushed the bands to make more music. Record companies that insisted on a release date even if there wasn't anything in the can yet. So that pushed bands to get going which lead to some great stuff but also burned them out. So if new bands take their time, it's to prevent burn out. But then it also leads to laziness perhaps. And of course today they have all kinds of non-music projects to do and social media to maintain. Concert ticket prices are why I don't go anymore, along with artists I like are either dead or way past their prime. Not to mention they don't really play "live" anymore. I loved albums but haven't heard many post grunge that could hold my attention like the classics could.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Bands definitely got pushed too hard back then. (Cheap Trick's "Stop this Game" has them singing about being too stretched barely before their career started.) I think the one album per 1.75 to 2.0 years is an ideal ratio. I rarely go to concerts anymore -- though did see PJ Harvey last night for $30 (!) and will see Iron Maiden of all bands next week for the same. (Bad seats for both, alas.) So I have that going for me. Anyway, thank you for the comments!

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

I remember Boston signing a contract to produce 10 albums in 6 years, then producing 6 albums in 48 years. 😅

[@splintercast8092]

To be fair to modern music, it is always going to be on the back foot and lack the vitality of earlier music because all the ideas were used years earlier. This is partly down to to the basic principal of 'first come, first served', but also due to the progression of technology which enabled new ideas to be realised. New innovations were appearing at frequent intervals through the second half of the 20th century, from electric guitars in the '50s to the introduction of the DAW around the turn of the millennium. What has there been since?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@splintercast8092 Good points! I sometimes see the '60s as a Land Run. Early pioneers rushing to stake claims in things like sitars, harpsichords, tape loops, distortion, backward solos, concept albums, long songs etc. New land is increasingly hard to find, at least in rock music. Thanks for watching!

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Somebody needs to invent some new notes.

[@joesalmon5535]

I agree with pretty much everything you said, and am glad that you didn't do the cliché and simply say that all new music is worse.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Thank you for watching!

[@Hydrocorax]

I'm in my late 60s. I have many friends in their 20s or 30s who are very knowledgeable about the popular music of the last 100 years, but I've noticed that very few of them have a sense of history about particular artists--how their work evolved over time. They won't be able to tell you whether "Norwegian Wood" came before or after "Come Together." One of many results of the album no longer being the standard form of music consumption.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@Hydrocorax I was not around in 1965 for its release but worked backward to learn that distinction. To me, chronology and timing is everything. I certainly don't mean to rail on younger fans. Many know more than me. I just think the conditions are somewhat lessened for bands (rock bands in particular). Thanks for watching.

[@joesalmon5535]

I understand you point about not having the sense of how artists evolved, but I think most people who are reasonably interested in music and are fans of the beatles no come together came after norweigan wood. Or maybe i'm just a beatles nerd.

[@Hydrocorax]

@@joesalmon5535 I'm sure you're right. I wanted to use an example everyone would get, even though I realized that doing so would partially undermine my thesis.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Or it could be drugs.

[@LoquilloPanama]

Thanks for sharing your points of view. Wishing you a great day from Brazil

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@LoquilloPanama Thank you. You too!

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Which has been worse: the decline of music or the decline of Brazilian soccer?

[@idanwillenchik3050]

Albums don't sell as much today obviously. The Beatles and Led Zeppelin and the Doors didn't exist in the era of social media and streaming. It's not the same world and not the same industry anymore so any comparison on that terms is rather pointless.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@idanwillenchik3050 Pointless is my middle name! jk, i think. Thanks for watching

[@tomrobinson5776]

Fantastic breakdown of the current state of music on all levels. It’s a sad state of affairs. Record companies no longer take chances on unique artists and instead sign whatever sounds fashionable. You have to dig deep these days to find something special. It’s few and far between. It’s the dark ages.

[@-er-un1wt]

I don’t like rap and love rock so most of what gets made today doesn’t hit with me, don’t mind some modern artists like zach brian but often find myself just discovering more old music rather than new music and I’m in that 16-22 window. What are your thoughts on hackney diamond?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Next video! (I am pleasantly surprised by it.)

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

I feel a weird mixture of being both honored and depressed when I hear young people say that.

[@Stonecutter334]

No corporations are ruining music. And pretty much everything else too. Everything they touch turns into deliberately bad raw sewage.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@Stonecutter334 hard to argue!

[@bobdavis4848]

If no corporations are ruining music and almost everything, how can they be turning everything to sewage? It sounds like harm to me.

[@bigkoby]

I appreciate thay this video isnt jusy shitting on new music but rahte just giving some fun insight on 21st century music. Ill say I dont see muxh about your second point but youre third point is very much real and a big issues for fans of music right now. But to oute other two points, I seem so many intriguing records bekng released every week its jusy impossible to keep up with all the great stuff coming out, doesnt necessarily have to be all music released by a specific artist you like, now its more the time to listen to and enjoy as many new artists as you desire. Which I think its hoenstly a much better situation than being limited to fewer bands as people seemed to be years ago

[@someguyorfemaleontheintern5837]

Meanwhile Prince doing an album pretty much every year or sometimes 2 or 3 a year

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Prince rules

[@Daisy-pz7lx]

I agree with a lot of points, however I personally feel that this is still one of the best periods for music. My dad grew up obsessed with music, following along most every genre, keeping tabs on local music. And yet I still have founds loads of artists that he would have never heard of, be it early noise projects like innersystems, french pop like Stromae, or electronic acts like Patrica Taxxon. Streaming is both a blessing & a curse as it's easier than ever to connect with hyper specific genres, & explore new genres & artists. But it also means that people become increasingly disconnected from albums & that it can be overwhelming just how much music is available. It does make it easier for indie projects to thrive. Acts like Billy Cobb or Weatherday which are almost exclusively recorded in someone's bedroom have gained pretty big followings simply from word of mouth through online communities. I'd also argue that 5th wave emo is the best wave due to its lose nature. Previous waves have often consisted of a bunch of mediocre bands copying the same group, but 5th wave has taken influence from all across the board with projects incorporating elements of: Noise, Electronic, Bedroom pop, shoegaze, post rock, post hardcore, hyperpop, and a ton of other genres to create something incredibly unique & interesting.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I don't know those bands and will check them out! I tend to listen to rock and jazz from about 1957 to 1985, but every now and then something really captures my attention. Like that Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver. They blow my mind. Thanks for watching!

[@Daisy-pz7lx]

@@RobertsRecordCorner I'm a very cross the board kinda gal. I try to keep up with most genres. Anytime mate, you've got some great insight & I'll definitely be tuned in.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

What French music would you recommend?

[@BrooksSeanRobinson]

To top if off it must be easier to record an album today than it was in the pre digital days, and probably a lot less expensive. I really don't understand why they take so long to make albums, unless they don't think there's enough money in it anymore now that record/cd sales are so low.

[@matthewburris769]

I think it takes them a long time to come up with a rhyme for 'bitches', that's why.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

We all want good music. Maybe the truth is bands, with extended tours and marketing previous works perhaps, are too stretched to write and to write well? Fans were conditioned to getting music a little more often, in most cases. Thanks for watching!

[@ravigamer4734]

i'm a teenager from Brazil, and can't really seem to understand why people like modern music so much. my favorite band is King Crimson, from the late 60's, and this progressive rock type of music just doesn't have much attention today. my personal teory is that most of the music genres (that were created at that time) have had their peak in the 60's - 90's. with prog rock, you have Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, Zappa, and many other giants of the genre, but today you don't see any prog rock band/ artist rising to the top, because people nowadays want new genres of music, because we, in 2024, have a veeery different kind of view than people in the 90's. I came to the conclusion that, music created by 21th century artists is not bad, it's just for another kind of audience. your point about how albuns have decayed correlates perfectly with my teory. anyways, great video, really love your content. hope you make more videos soon.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Thank you for your comments! feliz ouvindo!

[@bigkoby]

Recommended listen to Hellfire by black midi. Very Prog like. Only came out 2022

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

I've gone all in on Japan because they have made and are still making music in pretty much any genre you can think of. And they have a lot of this kind of stuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKvSdaGMq6d4f9E

[@kevinputry5655]

I can't argue with any of this. I'd also say that the quality of music has gone downhill these days even though the young fans don't seem to care about that. But yeah, in every way the music industry is not the same as it used to be. Lousy economy and a less enthusiastic work ethic.

[@MurdGrit]

Largely disagree. Observations 1. Music as a % of GDP or % of entertainment industry declined. it’s not profitable to make music and there is a certain level of brain drain 2. Main source of income for music industry is concerts now which is an inversion from the past aka singles EPs and albums are used to support concerts 3. Many iconic artists like Fiona Apple, Radiohead or Swans make music once every 5 years or more and they still move you 4. More recent artists such as Tyler the Creator or CharliXCX or are still making very interesting yet mainstream enough stuff for hype 5. Steaming music makes you able to conveniently stream a long tail of experimental, world music or ambient we wouldn’t have dreamt of during album era

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I actually agree with all your points, so I'm not certain where the disagreement is necessarily. I still will have to be talked off my hill that having more music from more bands (in their prime), and not having to work 38.2 hours for a concert ticket, isn't a better thing for fans ultimately. I say nothing about comparative quality over the eras. Thanks for your observations!

[@ExileOnMyStreet]

Great content! I agree 100% but, to be honest, I would be OK in a world where "Stairway to Heaven" didn't exist.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I've heard it way too many times too. But every now and then I re-realize its majesty! Thanks for the comment

[@ExileOnMyStreet]

@@RobertsRecordCorner I never got its majesty, always seemed sort of silly. Keep up the great work on the vids!

[@Dick_Weapon]

Like many other songs in the genre, I've been beaten over the head with it due to twenty years of having to listen to "classic rock" radio at work. (Thanks, WAPL) I never want to hear it again, just like...well, Bohemian Rhapsody makes me want to puke. So yeah.

[@Sharkwhisperer]

You cant complain about the output of king gizzard or ty segall or deatHshroud. Of course those are exceptions. And billy eilish for 280 dollars???? Im shocked.

[@matthewburris769]

All I seem to hear is bass-heavy urban autotune nursery rhyme repetitive aggressive posturing SHIT (music). So there's that. Today's music seems increasingly to be created by, and especially FOR, non-music appreciative types. It's all about.......crap. Certainly not music. Heavy metal had this appeal, sure, but there were usually 3-4 guys who knew a little about playing an instrument ( Tommy Lee excepted). None of these rappers and hip-hoppers want to learn anything musical, it's just mass unconnected verbiage, bragadocio, and which beats to buy. It's sad.

[@janhommer]

But quality over quantity, I mean, today's artists might not be pumping out as much music as the Beatles, but... they're.. OK, nevermind, you're probably right... 🤣

[@bobdavis4848]

Hi Robert; this is a great wise evaluation! It makes me gladder I grew up in the 1970s. I don’t deal with Spotify. I buy physical media. My current job pays me in CDs. I miss when songs were parts of sequencing and flow of sometimes conceptual albums. Twice you said bands are "less assessable.” But assessing them is what you’re doing; you’re judging them. You didn’t pronounce the word as “accessible” like the capital graphics said. You left out the “k” sound. Have a nice day.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@bobdavis4848 Thanks! I often talk fast and mess up words all the time. (i butchered "extra curricular" yesterday.) I tend to let 'em ride

[@sportygamer4585]

I agree that modern pop isn't good, but in alternative and electronic music there are very much great things in modern music!

[@suartgilmour4540]

Cool video and some great points! Would agree and disagree. Yes, it's bad that bands are generally putting out less music, and the album as an artform may have suffered with streaming. And yes, ticket prices for major (though not local) acts are ridiculous. But I would argue that the window or age of influence you mention is much wider. In my case, it started before 10 years old, and it is yet to close, lol. Secondly, advances in tech and streaming have made it possible for there to be more music overall, as acts can create and distribute music much more easily. Therefore, the consumer has far, far, far more choice than at any time before. Finally, many bands are still producing music at a fast rate, like Big Thief, The Smile, DBTs, or Wilco. The Smile, an offshoot of Radiohead, have put out 3 albums in 3 years, all excellent, imo. It's difficult, of course, to generalise about music, but I'm convinced the best time to listen to music is right now, as that's all we have. Thanks, Stuart.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@suartgilmour4540 Thank you for your thoughtful response. It's certainly true many bands, particularly of "indie" caliber, keep the creative stream flowing. (Guided By Voices/Robert Pollard is almost exhausting.) I tended to look at more charting bands here, roughly equivalent of charting bands of '70s to '80s. But it's no science. I tend to think the peak "hunger years" fades more often than not. And sometimes does so quicker than ten years. I do know great bands in their prime tend to make great things whenever opportunity rises. I worry they/we miss out some by not having chance to record/write more? I appreciate your excellent examples though. Thank you!

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

How are you finding this cool stuff?

[@404no57]

7:43 assesses bands - "they're not assessable" 😅

[@74Cornfed]

No Stairway? Denied! It was right there, man…

[@RJLKMRD]

There's nothing wrong with it all, it's utterly fascinating, but at the end of the day, you got to write stuff that the public's going to love

[@sierrabianca]

While it's true that ppl might hear fewer albums from any individual band/artist during those pivotal years, I wonder if that's offset by the sheer volume of musical choice ppl are confronted with these days? You might have 15 "favourite" artists that you listen to and although each has a sparse release schedule, all of them combined provide a steady stream of new music. The quality of that music is of course up for debate. The squandered creative potential point is an interesting one too. Could Radiohead, for example, have had twice as many great albums if they churned them out year on year or have they managed to preserve a level of quality, sanity and stability by not burning the candle at both ends? We'll never know I guess. You're also having to factor in things like diminishing musical returns as genres become saturated and stagnant because most of the colours on the creative palette have been used and reused ten times over.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I probably should have looked at Radiohead's discography more closely for this. To your point, I think the '60s and '70s rate was too much for bands. I think one album per 1.75 to 2 years is pretty perfect. It gives a chance for an early music fan to grow with an artist -- and keeps material fresher? Thanks for your comments!

[@bystrozrak]

What do you think about (what I consider) the lack of melody in today's music, I think melody pretty much disappeared.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I've thought about this at times, but don't know modern pop enough to really have an opinion!

[@bystrozrak]

​@@RobertsRecordCorner Which music at all still has a melody that's old-school melodic?

[@genesmiley9866]

I'm off your lawn already, Jesus...

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Never been called Jesus before.

[@MrThomyorkey]

So young ppl don’t care. What can you do about it?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Let's change the world! I don't know. Make more graphs? Thanks for watching.

[@MrThomyorkey]

@@RobertsRecordCorner Sounds perfect for yoof engagement! Good luck mate

[@malphusmclerius9455]

Everything sucks now except diddy!

[@Sharkwhisperer]

Why not talk about the quality? I have seen it going down in 2016. Latin pop songs, charts music, indie and best albums were not the same anymore as last great albums currents and to kiss a butterfly. As if the songmaler that whispers somgs into musicans ears got less inspired. And also music even when its good like bony horsemN sounds over-eqed/ produced in a perfect but robotic way. I dont carr about frequency so much as thousands of albums are releSed every month and quality would go down if they try to be the beatles or zep.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@Sharkwhisperer Quality absolutely matters. But think I do talk about it? A hungry band making an album ever 3.33 years in, say, its first ten years imo is missing some great songs. I realize this can never be proven. Thank you for watching.

[@chipdalby5925]

Quality is a very interesting topic to talk about in these terms, but quality really is subjective. I love how RRC breaks down the more objective qualities about music.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@chipdalby5925 Thanks! Said better than I could say it

[@Sharkwhisperer]

First of all scientific studies have proven there is less melody in somgs of today. Second of all what makes talking about music interesting is because it is subjective. So that means you can make videos about it and discuss it. 1+1=2 is objective but fat less interesting. People dont watch fantano because he is objective for example.

[@chipdalby5925]

@@Sharkwhisperer Big time. Subjectivity is the magic sauce. Maybe RRC will focus on that in a future video? I personally hadn't thought about the change in cadence of band's releasing new music before - so thought this video was pretty informative from that perspective. You mention scientific studies - isn't science inherently objective and not subjective? I may have that wrong though - but i like the idea of objective science shining a light on subjectivity.

[@Nelward64]

The only thing I hear you on is ticket sales. but even then, you seem to be cherry picking from a sampling of (almost exclusively white) top 40 artists, which is what all of the videos like these do. Looking past the top 40 gives us a much different picture, even with regards to your ticket sales argument

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I understand. Science of this could consume months of work I think. I tried to pick bands that are in the charts and winning awards now -- and generally did the same for the past decades too. The only exceptions perhaps are Sonic Youth and LCD Soundsystem, one from '80s and one from '00s. To me, bands and singers clearly make less music -- I think that's something music fans had as an advantage in previous decades. I'll probably die on that hill! Thanks for watching.

[@idanwillenchik3050]

Drake also isn't a band....

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

True. I initially said "bands and singers" a lot but found it too cumbersome.

[@idanwillenchik3050]

Bob Dylan isn't a band ....

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

True. At least he played with The Band!

[@BoynamedMagnus183]

Taylor Swift is literally releasing an album in each second And The Album is not dead at all,just a bit weaker than it used to be And the 2020`s is the best music decade ever,so i disagree with you very much

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@BoynamedMagnus183 It feels like the 2020s is the decade of the woman artist. And it has been exciting to watch. Music feels more interesting now, for me, than most of this century at least. Thanks for the comment

[@BoynamedMagnus183]

@@RobertsRecordCorner What an Honor,i`m a huge fan of your channel!💝❤️💯👋🏻🔥 You have to remember we have had some great music news for male also like The Black Crowes releasing their first album in 15 Years called Happiness Bastards(Released in 2024),and also the fact that Oasis just have reunited,and The Rolling Stones releasing their first studio album in 18 years called Hackney Diamonds in 2023,and Lewis Capaldi Releasing his best album to date which i love called Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent,and it is a new Guitar Rock/Rock And Roll Band Movement in The UK slowly but surely emerging into the mainstream which is all male bands like:Paradise Row,Marseille, The Rolling People,Cucamaras,Pastel and Afflecks Palace So i think it`s not too bad for men either!(even though i agree with you that 2024 was the year of woman artist!)😊👌🏻🤘🏻💪🏻🔥💯💝❤️❤️💝👋🏻❤️💝

[@Strimbles]

Stop with the meme clips, they are not funny or clever, just annoying......you're not a teenager!!!!! Otherwise I like the depressing video

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I'm still a teenager inside though! Thanks for watching.

[@Bluemusic66]

No one is ruining music. I’m a music fan older than you bud. It’s fine. Stop being an old fart. You’re comparing studio albums like the new model has to be like the old one. Bands aren’t making as much music? What?! You’re saying that a limited number of bands aren’t outputting as much. And? You’ve got 1000x more bands with less individual output, but collectively making 100 times more music. If you are stuck into the old days where you only follow a few bands and they have to output lots of content you’re done bud. Get over it.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

I deliberately don't talk about quality.I deliberately picked bands/singers that are popular in the charts. To me, it shows a very clear difference. I worry that fans cannot be as "connected" to artists when they have less chance to see them or see them grow. Doesn't seem that farty to me! Anyway, thanks for watching.

[@Stratmanable]

What went wrong is that you got lazier the older you got. Great music exists, but you'll have to get off your useless ass and look forvit.

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

@@Stratmanable I made clear in video I was not talking about quality of music!