Ongoing History of New Music: The 100 Greatest Rock Moments of the Millennium So Far - Part 4 (70-61)
Hosted by Alan Cross | Released on February 12, 2025
Introduction
In the fourth installment of Ongoing History of New Music, host Alan Cross continues his countdown of the 100 greatest rock moments of the millennium so far, delving into items ranked 70 through 61. Drawing from his extensive experience in the Canadian music scene and beyond, Cross provides insightful commentary on pivotal events, trends, and shifts that have shaped the rock landscape over the past 25 years.
Item 70: Establishment of the Polaris Music Prize (2006)
Alan Cross kicks off the segment by discussing the creation of the Polaris Music Prize, Canada's premier music award designed to honor the best album of the year based solely on artistic merit, irrespective of genre or commercial success. Unlike typical award shows driven by sales and publicity, Polaris emphasizes genuine musical excellence through a jury of music professionals.
Alan Cross [05:20]: "Polaris sucks people in encouraging them to listen to records they don't know about or would have otherwise ignored. That's a good thing, right?"
The inaugural winner, Final Fantasy's He Poos Clouds, sparked considerable controversy, highlighting the subjective nature of art and the prize's commitment to unpredictability.
Item 69: Streaming Becomes the Dominant Revenue Source (2016)
Cross highlights the seismic shift in the music industry's revenue streams with the rise of streaming platforms. By 2016, streaming had surpassed physical media sales, accounting for 67% of the industry's total revenue by 2023. This transition marked the end of an era dominated by CDs and vinyl, although vinyl experienced a nostalgic resurgence.
Alan Cross [10:45]: "Streaming takes over as the revenue leader in the music industry."
The success of Twenty One Pilots' Blurry Face album exemplifies this trend, illustrating how digital consumption reshaped artist strategies and industry economics.
Item 68: Resurgence of Heritage Acts and Legacy Bands
The podcast delves into the revival of classic rock bands, driven by nostalgia and the lucrative demand for legacy acts. Events like Desert Trip (2016), dubbed the "Coachella for old people," showcased acts such as The Rolling Stones and Neil Young, attracting massive audiences and generating significant revenue.
Alan Cross [14:30]: "Nostalgia sells. And for the foreseeable future... it's going to continue."
This trend reflects the music industry's reliance on established names to fill arenas, balancing declining album sales with dependable ticket sales from older, affluent fan bases.
Item 67: Democratization of Music Promotion in the Digital Age
With the advent of the internet, the barrier to entry for aspiring musicians has drastically lowered. Home recording technology and digital distribution platforms like Spotify and YouTube empower artists to release music independently. However, this democratization has led to an oversaturated market, making it challenging for new artists to gain visibility.
Alan Cross [18:15]: "There are 202 million songs available now, but about 25% of them have never been heard once."
Despite the abundance of music, platforms like Forgotify highlight the paradox of limitless content with limited discoverability.
Item 66: The Loudness Wars and Their Aftermath
Cross addresses the contentious issue of the Loudness Wars—the trend of mastering music to be as loud as possible, often at the expense of sound quality. This practice peaked in the early 2000s, resulting in diminished dynamic range and listener fatigue. Advocacy groups and streaming platforms' normalization efforts have somewhat mitigated this trend, though remnants persist in albums like Metallica's St. Anger.
Alan Cross [22:50]: "The loudness wars have settled down in recent years, but we're still stuck with audio atrocities like the CD editions of Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers."
Item 65: The Demise of Big Chain Record Stores
The early 2000s witnessed the collapse of major record store chains such as Tower Records, Musicland Group, and Virgin Megastores. The shift to digital consumption and the decline in physical media sales led to the closure of these iconic retailers, leaving independent stores as the last bastions of physical music sales.
Alan Cross [26:10]: "The mass extinction of the chain record store number 65 on our list."
Item 64: The Nickelback Hate Phenomenon
Nickelback became an unlikely target of widespread disdain, transforming into a cultural meme representing bad music despite their commercial success. Originating from early 2000s media ridicule, this animosity was amplified by social media, creating a lasting negative legacy for the band.
Alan Cross [30:00]: "It's completely unwarranted. Nickelback was a solid mainstream rock band with millions of fans around the world."
The band's 2023 documentary, Hate to Love, addresses this cultural backlash head-on, emphasizing respect for diverse musical tastes.
Item 63: The Music Industry's Shift Towards Eco-Friendly Practices
Recognizing its substantial environmental footprint, the music industry has made strides towards sustainability. Initiatives include the production of eco-friendly records, adoption of renewable energy sources for concerts, and the use of sustainable materials in merchandise.
Coldplay stands out as a leader in this movement, integrating renewable energy solutions and eco-conscious practices into their tours and merchandise.
Alan Cross [34:00]: "If you ask me, more artists should be as committed to the future of the planet as Coldplay."
Item 62: Evolution of Lollapalooza and Coachella Away from Rock Roots
Originally founded as bastions of alternative and rock music, both Lollapalooza and Coachella have transformed into festivals dominated by pop and hip-hop acts. This shift mirrors broader cultural changes and the commercial imperative to attract larger, more diverse audiences.
Alan Cross [37:15]: "Music is always driven by youth, and you have to fish where the fish are."
While these festivals occasionally feature rock acts, their identities have largely pivoted towards genres that resonate more with contemporary tastes.
Item 61: The MeToo Movement's Impact on the Music Industry
The MeToo movement catalyzed a profound reckoning within the music industry, addressing systemic issues of sexual misconduct and abuse. Initiated in 2006 on platforms like MySpace, the movement empowered victims to share their stories, leading to accountability and cultural shifts towards safer, more respectful environments.
A poignant moment in the episode features Halsey reciting a powerful poem that encapsulates the personal and systemic struggles faced by women in the industry.
Halsey [28:56]:
"It's 2009, and I'm 14 and I'm crying...
There is work to be done
There are songs to be sung
Lord knows there's a war to be won"
This segment underscores the ongoing challenges and the essential progress made towards a more equitable music industry.
Conclusion
Alan Cross wraps up Chapter Four by recapping the ten moments discussed, emphasizing their significance in shaping the current rock landscape. He previews the upcoming Chapter Five, which promises to explore groundbreaking studio technologies, the rise of podcasting, the closure of iconic venues, and transformative moments in sports-related music events.
For listeners who may have missed previous chapters, Cross encourages them to download earlier episodes and engage with his other podcast, Uncharted Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, which delves into true crime narratives within the music world.
Technical Production by Rob Johnston
Notable Quotes:
-
Alan Cross on Polaris Music Prize:
“Polaris sucks people in encouraging them to listen to records they don't know about or would have otherwise ignored. That's a good thing, right?” [05:20] -
Halsey’s Poem on MeToo:
“There are songs to be sung
Lord knows there's a war to be won.” [28:56]
Looking Ahead
Stay tuned for Part Five of the series, where Alan Cross will delve deeper into the evolution of the music industry, exploring innovative studio technologies, the burgeoning podcasting landscape, the closure of beloved music venues, and unforgettable moments that intersect music with the world of sports.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.