I am responding to Greg Frahm’s letter which ran under the headline “Pop music responds to our generation” in the Sept. 18 issue of the Daily.

Somewhere, a wealthy record executive is smiling.

And why not, after reading a letter that says things like, “… different music within the same genre is not better or worse … it’s just different.”

I can’t think of a statement that is farther from the truth.

It’s ludicrous to say that every band with a big record deal and lots of radio play is culturally significant and musically talented.

I guess the easy answer is that some bands are better than others. This should be obvious.

Simply existing as a band isn’t enough, and selling lots of albums doesn’t always equal greatness.

I’m sorry to have to break this to you, but being a “generation of discovery and independence” means more than turning on MTV and listening to the Buzz Clips (if they even do that anymore).

Listeners aren’t discovering anything new or innovative when they tune in Clear Channel radio stations and hear the latest in manufactured music.

It’s a simple fact that most of the music popular on MTV and corporate stations has been carefully tailored by record executives and producers to gain the most profit.

Nickelback didn’t get their record deal by being innovative and daring; they got it by being conservative and sticking to a formula that wouldn’t challenge people.

This is true of almost every genre.

If you truly want to participate in a culture of discovery and independence, I would advise you to strike out on your own and actually look for music that excites you, or even confuses you at first. MTV and commercial radio are just the pathetic tip of the iceberg, and the best is often suspended just below the surface. Read some music magazines and tune into KURE (our DJs don’t have pre-set playlists).

It is my hope that you discover some wonderful and enriching music in the process.

Joe Arling

Junior

Journalism and mass communication

Operations Director, KURE