Is rock out of the conversation?

Is rock relevant anymore?

These times go so fast that I'm surprised to ask myself this question, but it's indeed happening.

I'm listening a lot to Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool, the more I listen to it the more I love it.
I can't help but think, though, that it's the only real important "rock" album of 2016. This, and another great album like Blackstar.

But, Radiohead are almost in their 50s and Bowie was 69. What about young bands? Yes, the indie scene is still vibrant but none of those musicians have a real impact nowadays and too many times I find myself to listen to a praised indie band and think there's nothing new to write about. And brilliant albums go in very different directions: the new Wild Beasts' album, Boy King, is very good but can it be even defined "rock" at this point? Just an example, obviously.

Thoughts?

 

I still talk about it a lot.

 

Never been an all out rocker, most of my favorite artists are more like a melting pot of styles but I miss more rock bands nowadays. Especially rock with roll. I guess being a rocker and a computer geek at once don't mix very well.

 

Must we go there yet again ? I'm sure that the intentions of this thread are sincere but this will just mutate into a Peter Pyle-on about the shortcomings of contemporary rock before page two, run about 10-15 pages full of drive-by snark vs. impassioned but futile defenses of music made after Presence and then get folded up and locked down by a Gort after people start losing their sh!t. Like clockwork.

There. I've just saved us all some bandwidth. You're welcome.

D.D.

 

These things come and go in waves, look at the first half of the 90s vs the second half of the 90s. It was nothing but grunge, then nothing but Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys and Nsync... Pop has been enjoying an extended revival, probably because it lends itself better to shuffling/streaming/single downloads. But that's only if you're looking at Billboard and nowhere else. Plenty of great rock bands still releasing albums. They're just not selling like The Weeknd or Ariana Grande, so you don't hear about them as much.

Like @the sands said, I appreciate the melting pot style, and a lot of the throwback style found in recent "popular" recordings. I love that Tegan and Sara sound like 80s pop, I love that The Weeknd sounds like Michael Jackson in his prime on most of his tracks, etc.

 

I've always felt rock music will find it's way like classical music has from centuries gone by. It will always be performed and listened to, it just won't command as strong a world wide audience it enjoyed during the '50's til now.

 

These guys certainly hope not!

 

My kid listens to rock bands all the time. Are they my cup of tea? No, but it's rock music with guitars, bass and drums. It's not really my turn now is it? I prefer old crap.

 

"Like clockwork", now that's a great rock album!

 

"Conversation?" Are you, sir, or have you ever been, a member of the Pundit Party?

 

Still rockin' !!

 

just admit you're old, not interested in finding new rock, and move on. yes, it's still out there. the heart of rock and roll is still beating.

 

It's not all that "fashionable" any more. It's not really socially relevant like it used to be. I suppose it's gone more "underground" which is a good thing in a way as it give bands a little more mystique (and there are plenty of them out there).
Music itself isn't as relevant as it used to be and people are more interested in social media, TV series and movies (as downloads - legal or otherwise) and forums! I think I spend more time on here than I do actually listening to music (well, Art Tatum is tinkling away as I write).

 

Rock isn't dead, however the 'conversation' may be conducted in a different language:

 

I like Cage The Elephant. They still rock.

 

Guitar Bands are on their way out! (Decca records quote, regarding not signing the Beatles)

 

Yeah, @pathosdrama's premise is wrong, you just need to try a little harder, rock is still vibrant and relevant. For example, The New Yorker recently did a feature on a newer artist named Mitski, who is pretty damn good, and may remind you of Radiohead when Radiohead still played rock music. She also has a thread devoted to her on this forum. You can watch a video below. The point is, when major mainstream publications write multipage articles about a rock artist, rock is still very much "in the conversation," even if it isn't dominating the charts.

 

You probably misunderstood my words. I look for new music all the time.
It's just that rock isn't interesting, most often.

 

I don't know....
whenever I hear a band doing "rock" it just sounds so cheezy now.

Monster Truck , The Sheepdogs etc.
sound like a real "throwback" to days of yore.

It isn't fashionable ,that's true, but there are soooo many genres and sub-genres and music is compartmentalized so much now that I don't even know what rock is anymore.

 

Rock is not dead, it just smells funny.

 

It's still in the conversation, but it's just not nearly as central as it once was. Nothing stays on top forever. Now, EDM, hip hop, and (new) country are more significant though these forms often reflect rock's influence.

 

Rock has run its course. Rock and playing in bands is something men over 40 do. But they don't stay out past 10:30. Rock has been a museum piece since Nirvana ended the rock era. With the rise of rap, the superstar DJ, and domination of the smartphone/social media, rock has been marginalized to a niche entertainment for old men and young nerds. It was a fun ride tho.

 

Absolutely ! I mean, without rock, what the hell are ya gonna build a house outta ? Wood ? That's just crazy talk ...

D.D.

 

Right.
Rock is the new Jazz!