[sxesven]

Originally Posted by Terri

Well, I believe many people did.

Exactly my point (aside from that it's mainstream media). Define many people. Again, I think this is merely the result of consensus. If you'd realise how many people dig something because many people dig it, you'd be shocked. My point is that that's such a horrible state we're in, as it seems the vast majority of mankind can't even decide for theirselves on what they like.

Originally Posted by Terri

I'm not one to support mainstream music,

Well, okay, but this doesn't really matter, does it? And in fact, aren't we all fans of Ayumi Hamasaki here? Whichever way we're looking at it, she's mainstream - commercial as hell, even. I personally couldn't care less about whether something's mainstream or not, it's just that I like to decide for myself whether I like it or not. Just to make sure: this isn't where the problem lies. I don't care if a good rock song (or any song, for that matter) is mainstream or not, as long as it is good I'm hooked.

Originally Posted by Terri

but the sheer technical aspects of the song are worth being noticed. The enchanting (even said to be satanic) lyrics, the guitar solo, the emotion, the length of the song, everything is outstanding to many people, including myself. When a song hits mainstream, it can either be garbage, or popular for a reason. I think Stairway became a mainstream song because it was a fantastic song to many people.

I thorougly disagree. Stairway to Heaven is a preposterous work of horrid aesthetics; another 'classic' composition that was indeed bound to appeal limitlessly to those who had no idea what epic songs cóuld actually be. Stairway to Heaven's being highlighted as so very impressive is completely awkward if you consider what was happening musically even during that time already (and before!); it's a highly unremarkable composition at the very best.

Originally Posted by Terri

Songs on my list aren't even songs that I favor that much.

Isn't this really the problem? You don't even favor them; in fact, consensus has led you to believe that these songs are indeed true rock 'classics'. It's exactly the problem I'm addressing.

Originally Posted by Terri

Whenever our generation becomes bored of the same ****, anything different becomes a phenomenon.

Agreed, but I beg to differ still: a: we're measuring popularity here. It may be perfectly obvious that popularity isn't by a longshot any criterium for what is a good piece of music. B: what does it really say? It's exemplary for the generation, for the times? I highly disagree; it's as if we're saying that the entire society at some point was completely indulged in Baby One More Time, or Stairway to Heaven for that matter. This is wrong, so very wrong! We mustn't generalize; so much more happened. The fact that these examples stand out to most folk is their (mainstream) airplay and popularisation.

Originally Posted by Terri

I think even this song can relate to the Britney Spears analogy. It was new, it was different at the time. Nobody looked like that (or at least people were exposed to). When that song came out it was 'the 90's'.

True, and yet this hardly validates its inclusion in the 'classic' rock canon. See my point above; how good something is is not supposed to be measured by popularity or whatever.

Originally Posted by Terri

You can't think 90's without STP, NIN, Nirvana, ect

Ouch. I will get back to this in an hour or so, don't have the time now.

Originally Posted by Terri

I am also guilty of anti-new music. yeah, shoot me. I don't see mutilizing, sell-out guys drowned in make-up gracing Pop Beat as serious. I don't see strumming a few power chords with tweaked out amps to be considered a good guitar player. I'm not shallow, I don't think I'm better because I don't listen to it, I'm just not fond of it.

I personally cannot help but to fall back on statistical, classic rock songs because not only did I grow up on it, but it's hard to find music today that can match up to it. You can't find guitar players, song writers or anything that would compare. You're lucky if somebody screams for more than 4 minutes to please 10 yr old goths.

Same for this, I'll get back to it in an hour or so.

I'm not putting you under the spotlight.

Oh, I know. I just find this an interesting discussion, I don't feel attacked or whatever in whichever way. I'm glad to see some people will actually discuss.