Reply #23: Yeah, there seemed to be a paradigm shift circa 1996 or so... [View All]

[RandomKoolzip]

The last great solo I heard on modern rock radio was on Stone Temple Pilots' "Looking Through a Hole In a Paper-something or other" or whatever that song was called, in 1996. And Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins was also a versatile soloist (although I hated his music). As the music industry began forcing musicians to streamline their music for radio play, and began jettisonning the appearance of the original grunge standard bearers (i.e. Soundgarden's guitarist Kim Thayil, another great soloist) on the charts in favor of dudes who LOOKED the part, but hadn't paid their dues, it seems even these examples became a thing of the past.

It also seems in retrospect that this was part and parcel of a gradual shift towards replacing the rythym section as well with computerized ryhtyms, a la dance pop or hip hop. That year, 1996, Beck released "Odelay," and was hailed as a kind of savior, for uniting grunge fans and hip hop against a backdrop of kitchen-sink samples, thus creating an example for the record industry to copy: the singular artist, uniting disparate genres (i.e. black and white people. Who wouldn't object to that?), without the need for other musicians, thus cutting overhead costs in the recording process. This was a cheaper method of recording than the earlier grunge model, whose paragons often demanded paid babysitters, drum techs, multiple takes in the studio, and often had costly drug habits, further hindering the profit-taking of the industry honchos. Synthesizers and computers don't ask the record company for per diems.

The industry, of course, applauded any kind of cost-cutting, and poured money into promotion for hip-hop and dance musics rather than uppity musicians who needed to learn how to play instruments ($$$ for lessons) or to be fed, clothed, given new instruments, and kept high on the company's dollar. The streamlining of modern rock was now firmly in place. In the process, the appearance of guitar solos began to wane, culminating in the state of music in which we find ourselves today: dire.

By the way, guys, you're looking at the reason why I no longer can make a living as a rock critic.