i check these bands out when i'm going through the show listings in detroit, and it's really remarkable - every song from every band is exactly the same. and, the basic formula they're all using is pretty much trash to begin with.

i know i'm not the first person to point this out. but, it's really remarkably frustrating. i should at least have a passing interest in the modern equivalent of alternative/prog rock, and i know that there are interesting things being produced, but what the labels are throwing out there and sending out on the tour circuit is just the same boring thing over and over again, trying to cash in on this stagnant late teen market that seems uninterested in defining itself.

this kind of commodification is what destroys art forms. i know - i'm twenty years too late for this rant. but, dammit rise and the rest of you medium sized indies, can you try to focus at least a little bit on getting some creative acts some exposure? relapse seems to be taking some chances, at least - what they're doing is picking up alternative acts that have established markets, but at least they're doing something to break the monotony..