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A new post from Ars Technica brought a thought back to the front of my mind, why does so much music today SUCK?

Ars references artists such as Kid Rock and Jay Z, who have each boycotted iTunes specifically because it allows you to buy individual songs.  Personally, I almost always buy the full album, because it is rare that the ‘single’ is the best song on the album, although it is usually the catchiest.

When you really think about it though, in recent history, how many albums can you think of, off the top of your head, that you had to have?  How many songs have you bought recently where you were glad you didn’t have to pay for everything else on the album?

I can only come up with 2 albums.  TWO.

• Daughtry, by Daughtry
• This Moment, by Steven Curtis Chapman

I have bought many, many other albums, simply because I like to have as much music as I can get my hands on, and I enjoy finding songs I like better than the single.  Do I really need to pay for a full album, when I’m only going to listen to 3 songs from it?

Way back in the day, music that I still listen to now, artists came out with lots of albums, very quickly, and they were GREAT!  How many guys do you see today, driving around with AC/DC cranked up on the stereo?  Foreigner?  Def Leppard?

What about the great pop songs?  The Beatles.  The Beach Boys.  Billy Joel.

Maybe some of you agree with all the bands I’ve listed, maybe you only agree with some, maybe you hate all of them.  Point is, it used to be you bought full albums because all the music was great.  Now, we buy individual songs because most of the music sucks, and the band is only good enough to be popular for that one song for that one year.  Today’s music culture thrives on one hit wonders.

I don’t know why most of todays music sucks.  Most of todays bands only release a new album every 2 to 3 years, even though some bands used to kick out 3 to 5 albums in their first 2 years (even while doing worldwide tours), and it was all great.

So to all the artists complaining we don’t want to buy the full album, only one song, ask yourself this:  ”In 20 years, will people still want to listen to these songs, or will I be another Survivor, with my Eye of the Tiger?”

Catchy songs last for 8 months to a year, great songs last for decades.

What do you think?  Is today’s music worth buying the full album?

Update:  More on this topic at Mashable:  Good Riddance To Albums