You hear it every year: Rock n Roll is dead, nobody cares anymore. Hip Hop is the new Rock, and the demise of the major-label chokehold on the industry means we’ll see less of an impact from four-on-the-floor rockers who, throughout history, have thrived from a label’s willingness to invest in them as career artists.
However, the numbers from 2013 don’t suggest anything of the sort. According to Mashable, rock albums topped U.S. music sales in 2013 by far, with nearly 35% of the total album market, buoyed by excellent and highly celebrated new albums from Queens of The Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire and more:
While 2013 was great for rock, this year’s shaping up to be even better. Check out 20 Rock Albums We Can’t Wait to Hear in 2014, as well as our list of 10 anticipated upcoming metal album releases.
As I’ve previously explained in exhaustive detail, Rock ‘n Roll is alive and well, despite the major labels drowning in their own hypemongering deceit and corporate disconnect while endlessly shoving pop-saturated R&B and Hip Hop in our faces. If you’re not celebrating the fall of the wretched empire jacking the entire system by promoting calculated hype instead of true quality, you’re a part of the problem. If you’re not hearing the genius, it’s because you’re not listening. Rather than crying over the loss of Sam Goody and Tower records in years past, over downturning profits at top-heavy major labels, why not pay a little closer attention to the avenues that are suddenly thriving in this leveled playing field? YouTube and Spotify are the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to outlets for the explosion of great music exposure out there.
Embrace this beautiful, terrifying chaos. Listen closely. Dig deeper. It’s amazing what you’ll find when you let go of your flags and labels, when you cover your eyes to the gimmicks and promotional theatrics and uncover your ears. As with anything worthwhile, the wastelands and unpleasantries far outweigh the beauty, but if you can find one great tree, there may be many in the surrounding forest to your liking. And if you do find one, respect it. Tell your friends. Go to their shows. Buy their T-shirt. Wear it.
We’re doing just that with our CraveOnstage and Band of The Month sessions, where we’re screaming from the rooftops in celebration of tremendous artists like Dessa, Irontom (seriously, check out their cover of Gorillaz’ “Feel Good Inc”), The Silent Comedy and more. As 2014 progresses, we’ll keep bringing you more exciting up-and-coming artists and music to freak the hell out over. That’s a promise.
Photo: Johnny Firecloud
