Speak Up, Please

I had lunch today with a guy who's pretty high up on the foodchain at one of the biggest indie labels in the world, and we both agree: a lot of independent rock music in 2010 sucks, or is at least not terribly interesting or engaging. So much of it is just milktoast, neutered...meh. No one is saying anything anymore. I call it the sissification of indie rock.

For me, the real issue is vocals and lyrics, specifically how both have increasingly taken a backseat to the music over the last decade. These days it's like we're trapped in some gauzy, mush-mouthed, non-committal, thumb-sucking version of what independent rock used to be.

The aforementioned label rep and I were reminiscing about The Minutemen. Now, this was a band comprised of three dorks (there's really no better description for D. Boon, Mike Watt and George Hurley, and they would most likely agree with that estimation). The Minutemen were not cool in any traditional sense of the word. But they didn't need to be. Because their music was so good and so compelling that it negated any need for additional trappings. And perhaps the thing that made the Minutemen one of the greatest bands of all time - other than their kick-ass art-funk/punk - was D. Boon's lyrics, sung loud and clear, usually with very little margin for interpretation. D. Boon sang about stuff like the legacy of Vietnam ("Vietnam"), the role of advertising in American culture ("Shit From An Old Notebook") and the tyranny of working for minimum wage ("This Ain't No Picnic"). He made statements - insightful, powerful, often humorous statements, communicated in straightforward language that everyone could understand.

There are of course legions of other bands that have done the same throughout the history of this music we call indie. Some of my faves:

X - John Doe & Exene's rock poetry was half Bukowski, half George Jones & Tammy Wynette, and all brilliant
Concrete Blonde - Johnette Napolitano was a master at communicating literal thoughts in an engaging, poetic way
The Replacements - The first and best emo band. What real heartache and desperation sounds like.
Archers Of Loaf - With songs like "Harnessed In Slums" and "Greatest Of All Time" Eric Bachman positioned himself as a master of angst articulation
Sebadoh - Lou Barlow is one neurotic mofo, but he's also a lyrical genius
The Hold Steady - I have contended since about 1995 that Craig Finn is the American Elvis Costello, from a lyrical perspective. And though it's my opinion that THS has essentially become an E Street Band tribute act at this point, I'm still grateful that Craig is carrying the torch for real lyrics, sung unironically.
Drive-By Truckers - Some of the best lyrics of the last decade about topics ranging from the war in Iraq to Vegas-bound grifters to the murder of a friend
Ted Leo - A great writer, not afraid to articulate exactly what he's thinking

The list goes on and on and on. But it starts getting very thin around the turn of the millennium. Why? Why do so many of today's young musicians eschew literal lyrics and prominently mixed vocals in favor of non-committal mumbling? Are they embarrassed to speak their minds? Do they not have anything to say? Have they been lulled into complacency by video games and Sidekicks and Facebook?

Now you 20-somethings out there, before you write me off as some nostalgic old codger, understand this: I listen to new music every day, all day. And it's very rare that I hear a band or artist that writes powerful lyrics (about something other than their own personal concerns) and sings them in a well-articulated manner. So I'm sincerely asking you: where are the bands that have something to say?

All I know is that if I see one more innocuous indie band or artist sheepishly approach the mic while staring at the ground I'm gonna hurl. Message to young musicians everywhere: please grow some balls/ovaries, write some real lyrics and turn them up in the mix. We live in an insane world; there is so much to talk about. Some of us would really like to hear what you have to say. ~ Tim