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Underground

By Jon DEAGLE

It seems that i crafted music is now a minority. It could be that

_there are more artists today than there

were in the past — however this should not

be an excuse. Today's artists have less tal- ent, but ironically make more money than _

artists of the past. Of course, a band with talent can be respected, even if a person doesn't like their music. The current trend seems intent on filling the music-consum- ing community with untalented "upstarts". Besides musical talent these newly creat- ed stars lack one crucial feature-the ability to smile.

Although sad ae have been around since human emotions were con- verted to music, never before have they been so bleak-sounding. The idea of touch- ing songs about lost love, loneliness, etc. used to be commonplace. Now, the line between a sad song and an upbeat one is blurred by an "angst"-ridden melancholy. As a result, there are no "happy" songs. They have been replaced by vapid, formu- laic, popular music. As it turns out, this "pop music" is worse than the negatively charged "angst rock" of today's main- stream. These two musical genre fiascoes have simultaneously given music a heart extraction and a lobotomy.

If these two styles destroyed music's heart and mind, rap has stolen its . soul. Somewhat distanced from the other two genres, yet on a downward spiral of its own, rap has managed to pollute itself — with repetitive message of sex, easy living, and drugs. This genre has potential, of all

Bomb Shelter

music styles: it is closest to prose. Although most of its power is defused by endless references to senseless violence, rap music maintains its popularity. Its fans claim that rap "tells it like it is". This begs the question: Is having a cynical opinion really equivalent of truth? Or is it just another point of view, opposite to the much-despised "optimistic" standpoint?

Perhaps the answer to this ques- tion lies in the musical underground. Ironically, the term describes music that is far superior to "popular" music. Similar to Plato's theory of a two- levelled reality, there are two realms of musical existence. Just as popular music signifies the mun- dane, the underground represents the sub- lime. It seems there are refreshingly per- fect forms of every genre within the underground: rap songs with a message, sad songs without pretentious brooding, and upbeat, intelligent antitheses to "pop" music. The underground music scene is definitely a haven for those who are scored, or are confused by, the main- stream. :

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t of Systems and Computer Engineering at ity offers top quality graduate programs in Electrical Engineering. We are seeking bright Ph.D. and ts. With excellent professors, including IEEE Fellows hairs, state-of-the-art laboratories, and ongoing rations with the high tech industries and government wa area, the Department provides an excellent advanced studies and cutting-edge research.