KristaJulieva;
I will concede that these newer musicians do not rise to the heights of Van Morrison, Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen. But remember that music has been poisoned by overreliance on visuals since the introduction of video. Consider, for example, that music categorized as "R&B" has not produced a single notable, quality act in two decades.
When looking back on the last ten years in music, my point is that Springsteen, Dylan, and Morrison have produced the most consistently excellent recordings -- and that this is shocking given the fact that they have been churning it out for four decades.
In terms of longevity, it is silly to pretend that John Mayer will not remain a major contributor for decades. His jazz collaborations, guitar virtuosity, and consistent songwriting are hardly the stuff of "elevator" music, and to suggest so is a bit over the top.
Dave Matthews is simply the best new rock artist over the past fifteen years, and has the best chance of any current artist to remain relevant until his last breath. When you reject him, I have to wonder what you could possibly know about "decent taste."
Okay, Norah Jones and Coldplay are not in the same category. I mention them only because they are both producing pleasant music which will live on beyond a five year shelf life which is typical for modern rock artists.
Jones will never change and will probably sound like a female Perry Como for the rest of her life. But there is a place for that and she will surely last. She is not in the "gag" category occupied by Mariah Carrey and her ilk.
I mentioned Coldplay only for their very short list of good works but, again, in a horrible line-up of recent rock musicians, they still stand out. Forty years ago we would have called Coldplay a one or two hit wonder. But by today's standards they pass the "gag reflex" test for anyone with a music knowledge that goes beyond punk, metal & hip hop.
If your superior "taste" runs to the music of Dylan and his contemporaries, I agree that the current lineup does not belong on the same planet. But times have changed and we take what we can get in the era of American Idol and Justin Timberlake. There are only a handful of good bands who are under fifty (the Decembrists, the Killers, and a few others) -- but they are just sprinkles in an otherwise bleak landscape. Even U-2 and R.E.M. are long in the tooth.
We'll never again see a decade that produces musicians like the Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Cream, Traffic, the Beatles, Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Morrison, Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Otis Redding, and dozens more that didn't just fall from mind without actually thinking.
Finally, the term "adult contempory" is a category invented by Billboard magazine. It's an irrational collection of music that is, according to Billboard, apparently enjoyed by "adults." Ironically, however, the list includes everything from teen idol garbage to cross over jazz and softer rock tunes. The category is so ambiguous it doesn't mean anything to criticize a musician because his music ends up on that chart. All the great rock artists mentioned above have cuts on albums that would be relegated to the adult contemporary list. Even Zeppelin had Stairway to Heaven which would have been sandwiched in between Barry Manilow and the Eagles on that chart thirty-five years ago.
The only acts that never end up on the adult contemporary list at some time or another are club rap and metal bands, none of which, this century, are worth the 99 cents it costs to download them. And consider Nickelback, the biggest selling rock band of the decade-- and an absolutely talentless pack of tone deaf fakes. At least elevator musicians took lessons.
But then again, some children mistake Papa Roach for actual musicians. Admittedly, I don't know what "decent taste" is or what it means to you. It is too personal. But I do know what virtuosity is. When I hear it.
John
