August 16, 2005

  • Being a fan of rock music, I've always been somewhat pessimistic about
    how unpopular the genre is compared to pop, hip-hop, and rap.  But
    the past couple of years, I've noticed an increase in support for rock
    music.  To a point where the rock sub-genre of metal music has
    also shown some increase in support by the public.  Thinking about
    this recently, I thought the best way to see how accepted rock really
    is to the mainstream audience is to refer to what's in the top ten of MTV's Total Request Live.

    First off, I'd like to mention that I don't watch TRL.  The last
    time I even bothered to watch the show was probably about five years
    ago. The reason I don't watch it is because it's very much a vapid
    program. It's just a popularity contest that doesn't really consider
    the actual craft of music and song.  But ofcourse what better source to answer my question on how accepted rock is. 

    Now looking at the results from last week's top ten
    (week ending Aug 12), it shows that only four rock themed bands are in
    the running against six pop / rap / hip-hop artists.  But if you
    look at the top five spots, you've got three rock themed bands
    there!  Not only that but "My Chemical Romance" is at the top spot, and that's not just rock, it's hard rock, emo, and a little bit of metal.  "Green Day"
    is also in the second slot, and that's a punk rock band.  I'm just
    trying to imagine pre-teens voting for bands like those! I mean,
    seriously? Ofcourse they DID have Hilary Duff and Rihanna right next to
    those two, so somethings haven't really changed.