Poll: Innovation vs. Quality

[lithiumvocals]

While this could refer to pretty much any art form(Video games, movies, books), I am mainly talking about music. Should an artist stick to what they know and focus on perfecting that sound or should they try to mix it up and explore new genres and styles. The reason why I'm making this is in the spoiler box.

Spoiler: STORY TIME!!!

So, at the moment, my two favorite bands are Wolfmother and Radio Moscow. Those of you who saw [link]http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.236001-Bands-people-dont-seem-to-know-about[/link] probably know the latter. As I was listening to them, when I realized something. I love classic blues-rock. But while Wolfmother takes that genre and adds their own spin by adding alternative rock influences in to the mix, Radio Moscow doesn't. I swear to god, if I didn't know better, I would have said RM was from that 60's/70's age of awesomeness. They aren't really adding anything new to the mix. Mind you, it's damn great music and I like them just the same as Wolfmother.

This kinda ties into my life at the moment. As the front man of my band, I'm kinda supposed to be the creative head. I'm stuck in between doing the music I love as a purist, focusing on making the best music using the genre's strengths, or fusing different styles together to make my own sound. Both approaches have their strengths and weaknesses, so I'm at a loss.

So, what do you think? Please specify why in a post if you can.

 

[lithiumvocals]

Well, that didn't work...

 

[Marter]

Shameless bump. Don't judge me.

I am judging you. Don't do this, please.

OT: I'm fine with both, to be honest. A story told in a quality way can often be better than something that does something new just for the sake of it. However, seeing something done over and over again does tend to get boring.

 

[JRCB]

Try innovating, and see what people have to say. If the majority of people- not even your bandmates- like it, go back and try to perfect what you were doing. Which could lead to innovation along the way.

So, I guess I'll say quality, because it will still evolve, I think.

 

[Dexiro]

Why can't we have both?

Innovate and then perfect it. I think they're both important for game's to evolve.

 

[faspxina]

They're both necessary.

 

[lithiumvocals]

Why can't we have both?

Innovate and then perfect it. I think they're both important for art(why not?) to evolve.

I was referring to music, but all art(games included) could work for this, I guess.

 

[Dexiro]

Why can't we have both?

Innovate and then perfect it. I think they're both important for art(why not?) to evolve.

I was referring to music, but all art(games included) could work for this, I guess.

Oh sorry, didn't read the first post properly. I stick with what I said though; it's good to see some innovation, and when it pays off you get the increase in quality.

 

[Daffy F]

Oh... Interesting point. I think a bit of both is very important. Personally, I'm all in favour of innovation, but sometimes it works, and sometimes it feels like a step in the wrong direction. A good example of this for me is the Beatles. I think they were amazing, but when their music changed they weren't so good to me. (Not to say that ALL the stuff later was bad, I am just less into it the the older stuff).

 

[Mikeyfell]

Stagnation is worse than death

But when it comes to music I don't think it gets much better than the 70's
don't get me wrong I love me some 90's grunge like Pearl Jam.
and 2000's bands like Coheed and Cambria Breaking Benjamin are my favorites.

but no Rock'n'Roll band will ever beat Led Zeppelin, or The Who, or The Stones. so they should stop trying.
Not "they should stop making music" they should mix it up.

tie your drummer to a chair and force him to listen to the entire discography of Rush and Dream Theater before you let him anywhere near the kit. and only let them use a double bass for rapid doubles and triplets. no more constant double bass rolls. it doesn't make your song better

don't let your guitarist play the same cord pattern for more than 1 measure.

find a singer who can hit a god dammed note

and look for a bassist who didn't pick bass because it's "easier than guitar" because it shouldn't be

simple answer "progressive rock"
It's hard to stagnate when one song isn't allowed to sound the same all the way through.

and for fuck's sake no more death metal. every song in that genre sounds the same
really fast scales on guitar
blast beat on drums
singer going "Rarr Wahh Blah Blah Blah Rarr"
and the bass strumming the same note really fast
then a guitar solo

 

[lithiumvocals]

Spoiler: Long-ass comment

Stagnation is worse than death

But when it comes to music I don't think it gets much better than the 70's
don't get me wrong I love me some 90's grunge like Pearl Jam.
and 2000's bands like Coheed and Cambria Breaking Benjamin are my favorites.

but no Rock'n'Roll band will ever beat Led Zeppelin, or The Who, or The Stones. so they should stop trying.
Not "they should stop making music" they should mix it up.

tie your drummer to a chair and force him to listen to the entire discography of Rush and Dream Theater before you let him anywhere near the kit. and only let them use a double bass for rapid doubles and triplets. no more constant double bass rolls. it doesn't make your song better

don't let your guitarist play the same cord pattern for more than 1 measure.

find a singer who can hit a god dammed note

and look for a bassist who didn't pick bass because it's "easier than guitar" because it shouldn't be

simple answer "progressive rock"
It's hard to stagnate when one song isn't allowed to sound the same all the way through.

and for fuck's sake no more death metal. every song in that genre sounds the same
really fast scales on guitar
blast beat on drums
singer going "Rarr Wahh Blah Blah Blah Rarr"
and the bass strumming the same note really fast
then a guitar solo

First off, chord patterns/repetitiveness are a bit of a staple in music in general. And I can sing. And my bassist actually likes bass. And I like Rush and Pink Floyd, but Progressive Rock not my style. Rush is closer, but Pink Floyd-esque stuff is off my creative radar(for now).

That being said, I agree. No more Death Metal.

 

[Mikeyfell]

Spoiler: Long-ass comment

Stagnation is worse than death

But when it comes to music I don't think it gets much better than the 70's
don't get me wrong I love me some 90's grunge like Pearl Jam.
and 2000's bands like Coheed and Cambria Breaking Benjamin are my favorites.

but no Rock'n'Roll band will ever beat Led Zeppelin, or The Who, or The Stones. so they should stop trying.
Not "they should stop making music" they should mix it up.

tie your drummer to a chair and force him to listen to the entire discography of Rush and Dream Theater before you let him anywhere near the kit. and only let them use a double bass for rapid doubles and triplets. no more constant double bass rolls. it doesn't make your song better

don't let your guitarist play the same cord pattern for more than 1 measure.

find a singer who can hit a god dammed note

and look for a bassist who didn't pick bass because it's "easier than guitar" because it shouldn't be

simple answer "progressive rock"
It's hard to stagnate when one song isn't allowed to sound the same all the way through.

and for fuck's sake no more death metal. every song in that genre sounds the same
really fast scales on guitar
blast beat on drums
singer going "Rarr Wahh Blah Blah Blah Rarr"
and the bass strumming the same note really fast
then a guitar solo

First off, chord patterns/repetitiveness are a bit of a staple in music in general. And I can sing. And my bassist actually likes bass. And I like Rush and Pink Floyd, but Progressive Rock not my style. Rush is closer, but Pink Floyd-esque stuff is off my creative radar(for now).

That being said, I agree. No more Death Metal.

I've got to agree with you on the Chord patterns and the repetitiveness.

but break it up
throw mini solos or drum fills in between your choruses and Verses. also make sure your bridge is appropriately different from the rest of your song.

one thing my guitarist does that drives me crazy is that he has a lot of classical training so he doesn't like to play anything he can't notate, even though he has the skills

the most important thing to me is the drum pattern. (spoken like a true[sub]ly egotistical[/sub] drummer) You can't just beat out the same Hi Hat pattern ad nauseum change it for the chorus, the verse and the bridge. drum solo on the toms or at least a couple fills.
the Hi Hat should be a sometimes piece.