L'attirail

Many years ago, if you heard a song on the radio, in a shop or bar, you would immediately know the name of the artist or band. Back in the 80’s this was certainly true, especially the pop charts. Since the 90’s though this individuality seemed to trail off with musical styles from different genres being homogenized into rap, R&B and dance for instance. This could be due to the huge US gangsta rap influence — even the spice girls seemed to have borrowed from this. Fashion obviously has a big influence. Could this be why the 80’s is making such a big comeback?

Rock music, on the other hand has seen something of a Renaissance in recent years, often going back to its various innovations like punk, 60″s beat and classic rock. Bands like The Artic Monkeys, The Feeling and Franz Ferdinand are certainly good examples of this. The Killers and Coldplay on the other hand owe a lot to 8o”s bands like The Cure or U2 but made a style all of their own. The interesting thing with rock as opposed to pop is that the rock bands seem to stay together much longer. U2 are an obvious example. The Rolling Stones seem to roll on for ever and even Status Quo are still on the go and numerous others which you don”t hear much of these days. The biggest bands in pop on the other hand i.e. The Beatles, ABBA and The Spice Girls only lasted a few years — often being offered multi-million deals to reform with only the spice girls capitulating. Even so pop seems to have more comeback bands now such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Micheal Jackson. Though Micheal.Jackson had never really left the public eye, he hadn”t toured for over ten years. With his recent death of course, everybody wants a piece of the nostalgia that has blossomed as a result of it. It”s doubtful whether his unique blend of musical style and individuality will ever be matched.  Read more...