Theodor Adorno a Marxist ideologist claims that music can be split into two spheres. The first is Popular music which is highly standardised for a particular market. This includes song structure, lyrics, content, musicians, instruments ect. The industry has learnt that by conforming to this developed standardized structure will sell music in large quantities. As a result music gets recycled and loosely altered to be sold again as fresh and new, to this already interested audience/market. Therefor this music is no longer challenging and there is no real listening required as the listener has already heard it before and so can predict the same for the next. This form of Pseudo-individualisation where by the listener thinks they have a free choice however because of the standardization of the song this means the listening has already been done for them. Even some 'artists' who consider their music to be alternative actually also follow this standard. As their appeal of 'alternative' is made with the intention to appeal to that target audience/market.
Adorno explains that people respond to popular music rhythmically, obeying the beat and emotionally identifying with the lyrics and image personally. i.e stereotypically indie, rap, club etc The audiences associate themselves with the music as a package including singer, image, lifestyle etc. With the success of the music the listener gains a scene of belonging and escapism. Record lables have learnt exploit this sense and need audiences have to belong to these particular types of music, also the effectiveness of peer pressure.
The second sphere, serious music (classical), Adorno considered to have more value as it is more creative and unique and doesn't conform to the model of popular music.
Speaking of gimmicks made to seem like a fresh new style/talent. I immediately thought of Lady GaGa. she has developed a large fan base (which i'll admit i'm apart of) who like her music for it's 'originality' and dance beat. However it has become very clear all her material is standardised to a structure conforming to appeal to this mass market. Guess what, shes number 1 in the charts again, this week with 'Telephone feat Beyonce'. I have found that the name GaGa is not as original as i had once thought, taken from the rock band Queen's song 'Radio Ga Ga'.
This is Lady Ga Ga's Pokerface.
A more obvious example would be the Pussycatdolls, same as Girls Allowed, the Sugarbabes, much earlier with the spicegirls and before then Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Tuesday 12 January 2010
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