“Old-school spirit missing in Nickelback and other radio fodder” was the headline in the Arts and Entertainment section (Sept. 16). My question to you is this: Why do Nickelback and today’s modern rock groups need old-school spirit?

Today’s pop culture is constantly changing, so rapidly that hardly anyone can keep up. Music is no exception.

What I think you fail to realize is that different music within the same genre is not better or worse from each other; it’s just different.

“The lethargy and stupidity of most of the bands just got in the way of their ability to create anything of meaning.” In most cases, with the exception of Eminem, songs that hit the Billboard charts have content.

Just because it’s not the typical lost-love story you’re used to hearing doesn’t mean that it’s bad music.

As for band names like “Nickelback,” “Saliva,” “Hoobastank,” or “Incubus,” does it matter? Would you prefer “The Elephants”? Or “The Giraffes”? Or “The Monkees” (they seemed to make it pretty big)? What about “The Cockroaches” or “The Termites” or maybe “The Beatles”?

Music is a free-form method of expression that people use as inspiration. Bands are idolized, having listeners preach their values because they match their own. You’re exactly right. Today’s music does not have old-school spirit.

Want to know why? Because it doesn’t need to. Our “Generation X” doesn’t want what has already been done.

We are a generation of discovery and independence.

Realize that your rejection of the modern era’s music isn’t anything new. You’re in the same position that your grandparents were in when your “old school” music first debuted. It’s just different.

Learn to accept what America’s youth has chosen as a guide for the future. You’re going to have to live with it for awhile.

Greg Frahm

Freshman

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