The Wave

Rock is long dead, they say. But the electronic age has signaled the beginning of another “rock” era. In essence what has happened is that rock hasn’t died at all…it has just been evolved and reborn as a new incarnation. Electronic music has become such a formidable wave, it has taken over all kinds of music. Fusion is no more a form of music which is “different” simply because all music is now fusion! The Internet and the Info Super Highway has brought people, cultures and values close together- so very much that now boundaries in music have become very difficult to define.

Synth-pop had ruled the eighties with bands using programmed drum and bass lines and instrument simulations. But the fact remains that those were just simulations and in spite of being a force to reckon with, they could never overthrow rock. But now, after more than a decade, the synth-fever is higher and hotter and the role which sampling, mixing, and sound programming plays in this industry is a tornado at its apex of force, taking everything with it for the ride of a lifetime. This is one epidemic that is here to stay and the casualties are welcome. Funnily the same guys who wouldn’t be seen with programmed stuff then, are now more than happy to go with the flow. Call it abandoning your principles or changing with the times…what is apparent that nothing will survive before this surging power. Everyone now knows the sheer convenience with which one can create music so that even the musically challenged can make music at the pressing of a key. What’s new you ask, producers have been doing that for like, forever. Well, what I mean is that technology has made life really easy and making music has taken a whole new dimension now.

So where does rock stand in all this? I’d say, the way we perceive music will have to be changed simply because rock ‘n’ roll has changed and the future of music is a much wider spectrum now. Acoustic guitars and Harmonicas are immortal and have their own place in the scene and the piano will always be the mother of all instruments. But today computers can create truly real simulations of all the above and a lot more, and pay heed that these are not simply “simulations” but are indistinguishable from the real thing! But you thought this applied only to electro, techno, house, rave and dance music in general but like I said earlier, perceptions have to change. Although it did initially apply to dance music it has extended to all forms of music now.

This amalgamation did not take place in 10 seconds flat, it has been going on all these years only not so drastically. Jazz has had offshoots all along, but did not leave its followers high and dry simply because it is in the very nature of jazz to combine the best and give you even better. Rock has its divisions too, only they haven’t deviated this far ever. So is this good or bad for the future of rock? Like I say again and again , rock has now awakened from it’s hibernation and is hungry for prey. So, the comeback is not far and you’ll see this is one wave you’ll love to drown in!