“They just don’t make music like they used to” is undeniably one of the most frequently repeated lines in the world of music. The comment is typically followed with praise for a certain decade and a long-winded speech on the “glory days of music.”
Something about this sentiment always bothered me, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Music has a profound and distinctive way of transporting us through time, which is why I think people are so drawn to the music they grew up listening to.
However, I’ve yet to hear a compelling case for music, in its entirety, going downhill.
The relevance of rock music has dwindled over the years, but that shouldn’t mean we dismiss all modern rock completely. Music and culture have changed over time, however, some things do stay the same.
Music (especially rock) has the ability to create a collective experience. I felt this first-hand at the highly-anticipated Oasis reunion.
The tour announcement definitely took me by surprise, as I knew the band’s reunion was long-awaited for many fans, including myself.
If you grew up as a teen in the 90s, (which I obviously did not) Oasis were completely unavoidable. The Gallagher brothers were everywhere.
I occasionally find myself wishing I could experience what 90s rock was in its prime. I love the confidence exuded from the vocals and sounds from the decade.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard Liam Gallagher’s voice in “Supersonic.” I was 14, and up until then, I had never heard anything like it. It’s not an exaggeration to say it was life-changing.
So, when I heard about the reunion, I knew I had to be there.
Just as I thought things couldn’t get any better, I learned that Cage The Elephant would be opening for their North American shows. As excited as I was, this wasn’t entirely surprising to me, as the two bands compliment each other perfectly. Both produce courageously raw and authentic music that goes against social norms and expectations.
I am not saying the two bands sound alike, but rather, they share similar meanings and themes throughout their discographies. I understand no one will ever compare to the Britpop sensation, but Cage The Elephant definitely taps into the 90s alt rock sound.
Considering the combination of these two bands, I knew this concert would be once in a lifetime.
Opening up with their hit “Broken Boy,” Cage The Elephant took the stage ferociously, as lead singer Matt Schultz’s energy was contagious. The band delivered an incredible set that had me on my feet from start to finish.
However, when I looked around to the crowd, I only saw a handful of people singing along. Even during popular songs like “Cigarette Daydreams” and “Come a Little Closer,” the audience was mostly silent.
The only people singing along seemed to be around my age. But, at the end of their set, the older, seemingly skeptical man beside me muttered “wow they were actually pretty good.”
And that’s when it hit me: I was experiencing a total “I told you so moment” — not towards him, but towards his generation.
Something about me took pride in his comment. This was proof that great music doesn’t age, it only amplifies and expands.
Ever since that moment, I view criticism on modern rock a little differently.
For older generations, the genre defined an entire era, providing a soundtrack to many formative moments in their lives. Similar to many young adults today, bands like Cage The Elephant represent a time of uncertainty and realness.
The difference? Gen Z is way more open to exploring the past, along with music of the present.
Regardless if it’s a song that’s trending or one whose lyrics they resonate with, I believe young adults today are far more inclined to add an older song onto their playlist, compared to older generations who often dismiss current artists, acting as though a specific genre diminishes with time.
This generational divide completely disappeared at the Oasis reunion tour, as Cage The Elephant’s performance truly rocked.
As the crowd sat back and watched both bands perform, they were being transported into the realm of new rock.
The show closed one musical circle while opening a new one. Cage The Elephant’s act truly made two generations collapse into one shared roar, proving that they really do make music like they used to.