"Postmodernism is everything
but isn’t anything...” This actually makes my brain swell because it makes no
sense. When we first started “Goon Squad” I spent hours looking for a simple
definition for what postmodernism was. I couldn’t even find a simple example of
it. I eventually had to go up in front of my class and explain what I thought
postmodernism was. So since postmodernism is everything I have my own
definition of what it is when involving music. Postmodernism is merely an
opinion and is different for each person.
What makes music postmodern? Is it
the genre, the band, group or artist? Let’s face it, most of the music made after
2010 was terrible. Compared to music from the 50s-90s we have a lot let downs. See
some would argue that a “classic” song is postmodern and a modern song isn’t.
Like a song by Led Zeppelin is postmodern but a song by Taylor Swift isn’t. What
confuses me is the word “post” meaning “after” and “modern” meaning “present or
recent time.” So combine them “postmodern”
meaning “after the present?” meaning the “future”.
Yes this concept is very confusing
and insane but I guess since postmodernism is nothing you can't really think
about it so much. But if music before the year 2000 is considered postmodern,
then I would totally argue that all music after the year 2000 is also
considered postmodern. See every musician has some type of inspiration or
teacher than makes them who they are. Every musician has used an original style
and turned into something more advanced or sometimes even better. It could be a
drummer practicing a rhythm that’s he’s learned from John Bonham (Drummer from
Led Zeppelin) or a singer trying to match the same pitch as Freddie Mercury (Lead
Vocalist from Queen).
Personally, I'm with you, Kendale. I don't think putting tons of thought into postmodernism is necessary. It's really more a trap than an actual concept--it's simple, but it entices you to think deeply about it and put greater weight to it than it actually has. So it really does mean exactly what we put into it. Great post, man, definitely an outlier for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the both of you. Postmodernism is a weird thing that makes less and less sense the more you think about it. I find it better to just attempt to accept it for whatever each individual perceives it to be.
ReplyDeleteEach of us has our own sense of what postmodernism is. Yes, we think of postmodernism as something funky, futuristic, and different. And yes, by definition music pre-2000s would technically be "pre-modern" by definition. But it's all about perspective.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I do not think that there can be one definition to postmodernism. There is somewhat of an outline of what it is, but it is ultimately up to the individual to create a definition.
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