I'm In Love, Once Again

I've noticed, in the last few years, that I've started to like more new music. More new bands. More new albums.

I think I know why - artistic control. Human nature, and therefore artistic nature, doesn't change - we're always driven to create something that satisfies us. So what changes?

Outside influence on destiny, that's what. Here's what I mean: In the 70's, the good record executives and A&R guys learned to get out of the way of the creative process, and the result, for much of the decade, was an all-time high of creative output. The record companies got what they wanted, too - money. The product of the free creative process was a win-win.

The examples are endless: the Stones, ELO, Dylan, McCartney solo, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Zeppelin... all of whom took control of making music. Many of them built their own studios, used their own musicians, and handed over a final product to the record company.

Well, today I find a huge amount of history repeating itself. Bands are making their own decisions; they're recording and writing on their own terms, and hoping for the best, with or without major release.

Bon Iver or Band of Horses are great examples. They record everything on their own without guidance from anyone outside their nucleus. The music is awesome, free of restraint, and intensely creative. I'm in love once again. It's a damn good feeling.