Contemporary??? Whats is it really??

[mojobone]

You can listen, but the sounds used, by the real expensive engineers, such as the ones used by the engineer who works on Lady Gaga's music; are untouchable to most musicians.

Well, those producers are not most musicians. Most musicians already own synthesizers that are perfectly capable of making the same sounds, or even better ones, but never learn to program them, never investigate the possibilities beyond the presets. The tools are available for free download, in many cases, and I would suggest that those producers you mentioned could manage to sound contemporary with a used laptop your mom would look down her nose at. But of course, having access to million dollar studios doesn't exactly hurt.

[admin]

The innovators win, such as in the case of Facebook.

In my earlier post, note that I used the word "Immovators," which I would define as someone who imitates, but with an added twist or improvement. Facebook and Lady GaGa are both pretty decent examples of that.

Also:
con·tem·po·rary
adj \kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē, -ˌre-rē\
Definition of CONTEMPORARY
1
: happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time
2
a : simultaneous b : marked by characteristics of the present period : modern, current

Maybe we should change the word we use in the listings (and what the industry uses, for that matter) to CURRENT instead of contemporary. Then we could debate the meaning of THAT word

Ever notice that it's pretty easy to tell the difference between stuff that sounds intentionally retro (which is hip and cool) VS stuff that sounds UNintentionally retro? Maybe THAT'S the definition of contemporary? Whatever it is, we all know it when we hear it, except for the person who failed to make it!!!

And that's what we try to help folks fix every day at TAXI

Michael

[billg1]

I've always loved new music that didn't seem to have an "era" stamped to it. My current favorite "new" recording is actually of an older song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdTK-qqtrec

If I didn't know this was from a new CD release I don't think I would be able to attach an era to it. Is it contemporary because it's a new release, critics like it, and people are buying it? To me it just sounds kind of timeless, can timeless also be contemporary?

[mojobone]

Timeless might be the opposite of contemporary; "dated" means it used to sound contemporary...right?

[ernstinen]

Timeless might be the opposite of contemporary; "dated" means it used to sound contemporary...right?

Well, Mojo, THAT is the most truthful statement I've heard in a LONG TIME! -----Right on, Bro!

Thanks for that!

Ern

[2lane]

Maybe we should change the word we use in the listings (and what the industry uses, for that matter) to CURRENT instead of contemporary. Then we could debate the meaning of THAT word


Michael

True dat
But here's something: If contemporary means modern, means contemporary, look @ what Dictionary.com says
about modern:

–adjective
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of contemporary styles of art, literature, music, etc., that
reject traditionally accepted or sanctioned forms and emphasize individual experimentation and
sensibility

To me, this sounds like what I had always thought contemporary means....newer, fresher. NOT exactly
like what is current?
I guess it's all semantics

Just speaking for myself here, but I'm damn glad I have a pair of rose colored glasses, and I am a
"glass half full" kinda guy when it comes to other peoples music. I would think it would suck to stake
a position that every new piece of music that I hear, my first instinct is to be critical of it. That
CAN'T be very fun!

Steve

[2lane]

Timeless might be the opposite of contemporary; "dated" means it used to sound contemporary...right?

I'm not so sure Mojo. If timeless means that it's still as relevant today as was then, how could it not be contemporary?
Just a thought.
Steve

[mojobone]

Touche.

[byllsong]

It was contemporary when I wrote it.