NME Review

NME includes the latest 'next big thing' in their issue. You may not know the band on the cover but you may go on and pick up the magazine due to the colourful front cover which may grab your attention.

First page includes a band index, letting you know they are dedicated to the bands.  Then being able to turn to the page of the band that you like, and read up on what they have been up to, likes or dislikes.

Reviews in the magazine looks short. However the use of language is quite descriptive, resulting in the reviews being quite difficult to reach an outcome.

NME is packed with latest new and upcoming band news. This to an outsider it could be difficult to buy,because the bands featured are not always known in the mainstream and people may think they would have to  know about it in order to pick up this magazine, but the articles are written with the assumption you already know them, and whatever they say goes.

Does The Emergence Of The Digital Download Signal The End For The Music Industry?

Since February 2010 the iTunes music store first launch in 2002 10 billion downloads. This shows that the digital download market is not the end of the music industry. Music industry should take notice of the digital download, as a majority of music devices like iPod’s are entirely digital. Digital downloads are more convenient now a days to the consumer. Uploading tracks straight to their MP3 players, giving them large amount of tracks on the go.

iTunes agreed with record labels to remove DRM in January 2009, Making downloading appealing to consumers, now being able to download a track and not have the restrictions they once had.

iTunes provide a better way to download. Consumers are choosing to pay for the tracks they download.  Which Means that digital downloads are helping the music industry evolve with technology more specifically the internet which is the future for music.

Can Popular Music Achieve Genuine Political Change?!?

Over the years music has tried to change the world politics. for example 'Live aid' music concert is one of the most famous for being involved in attempting to try and change politics. I believe, It was a successful campaign and people in third world countries who may not be alive today, if it was not for the events that took place.

This event was believed to raised awareness around the world about all the  terrible disasters that are happening in third world countries, making people want to watch and see whats going on, which resulted them wanting to help out. This proves music can achieve genuine political change.

Live aid had gotten one of the highest viewing figures in television in history, billions of people watched it worldwide. This was achieved through a concert of music, bringing famous people together on stage to performing  for a good cause. Therefore I Then believe music can make a difference in the world and may influence politics to make change.

What Is World Music? Why Do We Have Such A Category?

‘World Music’ is a traditional  type of music genre which comes from a certain country or origin where the music started. For example Ireland's traditional music is Irish folk, and Spain traditional music is Andalusian also known as flamenco music. If you were to classify these genres, you would class them as ‘World Music’ and this music would be exclusive to their part of the world.

On the other hand, modern day HMV music store would include music from all different music genres all over the world.  But there might be some genres that do not sell as well as others, to and from places like America and England. 

I believe we have this category for a reason because it may give people an insight to a multi-cultural world we live in, which then gives us the opportunity to listen and learn from these different types of music.

Is Popular Music A Mass Produced Commodity of a Genuine Art Form?

The Arts is an expression of human creative skill and imagination.

I believe when the performer/ artist creates the lyrics/choreography or music, it then should be classed as an art or art form, as it has come from their imagination and creativity from what they believe is art to them. This is very true that this happens and clearly confirms that the genuine art form is so rare to witness.

Most “artists/performers” of popular music don’t write their own lyrics or come up with the dances routines or on some cases beats to the music.

The only realistic skill of the performer performing is their ability to stand on stage and deliver the lyrics/ routine to the audience. Their songs or choreography have been created for them.  Which shows that they are just merely part of the product of the song and only given credit for their singing or dance.

Is It Reasonable To Consider That Rock Music Is Gendered Male?

In Rock ‘n’ Roll, The men have more of a dominate role in this genre, while the women are seen to have some sort of influence, But on a rare occasion, you hear a band that may include a female. This could in-tail the female as a lead singer, or a backing singer,

   This shows that Rock And Roll has a clear vision of the sexes. This is Because instruments are associated by gender, For example; the guitar associated with males, and the piano or violin is associated with females. This happens because of the influences around us and also in which way we are brought up into society. “lead guitarists are made, not born. The reason for women’s absence are entirely social” (Bayton, 1997)

I believe it more male gendered than female, because if females pick up a guitar they’re would be known as “One of the boys.”

Can Popular Music Ever Really Be Unplugged?!

Unplugged means the music is live and acoustic so there is no help from electric instruments, amplifiers and the artist would have to sing without a microphone. Music unplugged can sometimes lose its quality of the song but then gain the more emotional side of the song, it works two ways. As the years have passed music has developed drastically and there is so much machinery that can make a song sound one hundred times better. For Example, Auto Tune used famously by T-Pain which along with his song writing ability has made him what he is today.  If T-Pain was to do an acoustic cover for “Buy You A Drink” it wouldn’t have the same effect on the people that listen. Therefore I feel that there isn’t really a market for Unplugged Popular Music as it would just lose the quality of the song and wouldn’t be the same.