It's a very controversial topic, I think, but, maybe because of, or in spite of, my recent fascination with American Idol and Adam Lambert, I can't help but wonder, and I don't seem to be the only one.

As an 80's baby, I'm right in the middle of a HUGE cultural gap, but I've noticed that...from early-to-mid 90s on, I just can't enjoy popular music anymore. At first I thought it was simply the boy band--Brittany Spears influence, because that's simply not my taste, but as I've been reading what other people are starting to say, maybe it's not just that.

Has mainstream music completely lost the warmth and emotional connection that had made music such a huge cultural influence? Is that why it's been so long since we've had an Elvis, or a Madonna, or a Michael Jackson? (and I don't mean the pale imitation some of those artists have become of themselves, either.)

I HAVE become really fascinated with Adam Lambert as of late and it's starting to occur to me that maybe it's not just because he's adorable. I've always been a big fan of music, even though I can't play a note of it myself, but I've always gravitated back to the 80s, 70s, and even the 60s and 50s rather than current music, because there's just something about it that....really gets inside of you, I think.

This article by Ann Powers really got my attention, though, and got me wondering.

[link]

Why IS it so important for so many people that Adam Lambert win what is, essentially, a popularity contest judged by record label standards, and an army of tween girls?

And maybe it's not just about Adam, either. In an interview with Michael Slezak from EWs Idolatry, former contestant Lil Rounds talk about how music has become cold, and lost the warmth of the older generations. And...that really connected with me, to the point that I have to think there's something to it.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

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