It’s that time of the year where everyone puts out a list. best hamburgers of 2023. best hairdo of 2023. So on.
I love lists just like the next guy so here I go.
The best music of 2023.
Uh, let me see. Hmmm.
Nothing!!
Just like every year from probably 1992 or 1993, nothing of note was produced. Zero.
That’s not to say there weren’t stories but as far as any music to speak of, good luck finding something.
The only story of the year was Taylor Swift. While I can really appreciate her accomplishments and I think it’s great that she took total control of her story, I can not ever say that she produced great music. She is talented, no doubt but how many times can you write a song about a bad relationship? It wears thin.
Perfect example, Adele. She has a beautiful voice but enough already with the whining. Guys suck, I get it. Move on. Create something interesting. I am almost to the point with Adele where I think she has been given a gift, and she is squandering it. You didn’t see Barbara squander her talents. She lost an octave, she wrote and acted and produced. She probably has a better voice at 81than 99.9% of the singers out there now but she took it to the limit and retired with class.
I digress. My point about Taylor Swift is simple, if she is the highlight of the year, things have gotten worse than I thought.
To prove my point let’s just take a look at the Grammy nominations for best new artist. I have done a cursory peak into each artists releases and I am not impressed, at all. Yes, I am well aware that music has moved in a new direction and I am stuck somewhere deep in the past but let’s be totally honest, will one of these artists be moving the needle in 10 years. I doubt it.
I am not so sure that the Grammy Award for best new artist is an indication of potential greatness because I did a search of the winners of that award over the years and there are more artists on that list that have completely disappeared than there are Hall of Famers. Anyway, looking at that list however, reminds me of the talent of past generations. For example; In 1978, A Taste of Honey (Who) won over Elvis Costello and The Cars. Figure that one out.
I can say that I was introduced to a couple of interesting artists this year. One of them has taken Europe by storm apparently and they even almost sold out Madison Square Garden this past November. That group is Måneskin. They are an Italian rock band with a German name and I am still trying to wrap my head around the appeal. They are a solid rock and roll band and that alone should make them special but their lead vocalist has an excellent voice. I haven’t found anything in their catalog that is rule breaking or earthshaking but the fact that they are a very popular Rock and Roll band has put them on the radar.
The second artist is Emmaline. The lead singer Emmaline Campbell has a beautiful voice and her band is an R&B/Rock combo that takes advantage of her voice and her songwriting. They do a bunch of very good covers and worth listening to.
Speaking of cover bands, The Main Squeeze is still my number one cover band, maybe of all time. I found these guys on YouTube last year and I constantly go back to see what they have put out. Find their version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, much better than that overhyped version with Prince wailing on his guitar while Tom Petty scratches his head.
Since this is the last column of 2023 I would just like to say thank you for reading and sending over comments. This has been a year of joy and tragedy. Yet, we have made it through in one piece. It’s human resilience at it’s best. Next year promises to be more of the same and I will try and observe it with my slightly jaundiced eye and comment on it wherever appropriate.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
I can't agree with you more !! My question is why is current music called "Popular" , not for my generation . I guess I am getting too old but I will always love Rock and Roll, God bless Bill Halley !!
Happy New Year !!
Ernie
Yep, without a doubt, just lower the bar over and over in our culture to achieve.....what?? mediocrity, well just look around, its working.
And a Very Happy New Year to You, and Thank You for your insights, they've been enjoyable!