I would tend to agree, but I also appreciate the non-guitar focused music. For me, as long as it communicates emotion, whatever that emotion may be, then it’s good music. And it may be that, for a particular song or band, the guitar takes a peripheral role to accomplish that. Take Static X for example, stupidly simple guitar riffs that still hit because the focus is the driving beat, electronic melodies, and Wayne’s insane vocals. Sure, they tried to throw in some solos here and there, but I wouldn’t call their guitarist a virtuoso by any means. Still, one of the best bands for (car) driving music.


Speaking of electronic music, can we talk about the switch in the past decade or so from actual drummers to drum machines. I swear, I can’t stand to hear that tick-tick-tick sound in modern music. I blame rap/hip-hop where it makes more sense, but it’s started to infect rock too. I know there’s a dearth of good drummers out there, but dang, it doesn’t sound good in rock. Maybe in some rap-metal, but I prefer to hear a real drummer on a real drum set.