I believe we'd have to go back to the late 70s/early 80s to find music to be in this gooda shape. In the 70s, AOR ruled the air waves and bands like Foreigner were heard in roller rinks across the country. The punk explosion from London spawned a whole new direction and gave us the alternative genre. I think this period is the most important swing since rock music began.

The late 80s spiralled out of control with excess. Whitney Houston is surely responsible for thousands upon thousands of suicides. Hair metal bands riding on the coattails of G 'N R were so bad that Whitesnake can surely only be remembered in punchlines.

While the early nineties exploded with MBV, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana it's effect was brief and eventually gave way to Limp Bizcut. This is what I call the dark ages. Not even the bright light of Blur could save an overwhelming sense of dread.

In the new millenium, thanks to the internet and small labels giving a voice to quality. We are presently in the midst of the most exciting time in rock 'n roll. When bands like Bright Eyes/The Faint can sell out arenas and the White Stripes* can top the US charts I prefer to cast aside my cynacism for the optimistic charge that things are definately moving in our favor.

* who ever called the White Stripes "major label whores" hasn't heard their new record. Or is giving the general public far more credit than even this optimistic guy is willing to give. Or maybe I'm totally missing their point. *shrugs*

Your Turn: Tell Us Your Take On Music -- Where It's Been and (esp) Where It Is Now.