[yoko102308]

EDIT:

American.

Yeah a lot of Asian music is repetitive and copies Western music but not all and a lot of American music is shi** but still, American.

I <3 <3 <3 both though

[airen_seri]

Tough question this one..... both have its pros and cons.

I'm a lyricist person.... when it comes to mainstream Western music some of the lyrics just talks about sex, but I do know they are some really great singers/song writers that write their own songs with meaning on it, that's the only problem I have with western music. I have to agree with some that indie bands are great, especially those ones who write their own songs. I love singers or bands that write their own songs, because it's showing their creative talent.

K-pop, well mainstream K-pop we all know it's all about love, but the lyrics are good and because i grew up in an era of boybands and girlbands in the 90's and i guess i haven't left it. LOL In all seriousness tho.... what the K-pop scene needs more I think and what everyone had said is originality and let other singers write their own songs, because some of them can write (Epik High). Let singers experiment with their music, but as someone said earlier, they are controlled by their fans.

Asian music in general tho, like the Western music have it's talented singers that actually write their own songs and who can actually sings.

But in the end of the day it will be Asian music/ K-pop just because of its melodies and lyrics, then my old school western music from way back say 70s to 90s and then Jazz!

[Sam Sik]

Quite biased the comparisons.

Not all Asian music is repetitive. Could be only the artists or bands that you are listening to.
After all you mentioned listening to mostly Kpop...

Same goes for American music.
Seems this thread is drawing comparisons of mainstream music.

Unless well-rounded listening is done, this can't really be discussed without bias.

LOL how can you compare music without bias?

[ching22194]

american music is much better that asian music..why?
because asian music tend to sound western..why?
because american music is international..

[_dax_]

LOL how can you compare music without bias?

You can't.

Meaning, for those who commented,
it isn't really fair to say, for example:

"Asian music is too clean cut" thus generalizing all
Have they tried listening to other non 'clean cut' music before commenting?

or "American music is too boring and repetitive"
Well then, they should try listening to some bands that aren't...

[RiceGirl1212]

This is a tough questions.

I agree any answers given are bias as they are based upon personal musical tastes and experiences of listening to mainstream and non-mainstream music. And the truth is both the American and Asian industries have their positives and negatives.

I would like to comment on the argument that “Asian music is unique”. Sorry to say this but it isn’t unique at all. I use to think Asian music was “unique” too until I had a conversation with some music grads if they thought Asian was unique in any way. (These grads by the way were Asian). And they all responded no because of the fact that all the chord progressions and what not were brought over by the missionaries. Western music influenced Asian music. Now of course the Eastern world then took what was learned and applied it and made their own melodies and wrote their own songs. I guess you could say traditional Asian music (the repetitive melodies chosen and the native instruments used that bring a certain flavor that can be identified as traditional Japanese, Korean, Chinese, etc) is “unique”.

I personally prefer Asian music because I’m more of a melody type of person. I guess I’ve been lucky so far that the songs I do listen to have decent lyrics. Of course I indulge in the occasional boy band or girl band stuff too and know too well that the lyrics are cheesy…but since no one else understands what I’m listening to and I don’t either it’s all good.

One thing that has really won me over are the ballads. I have yet to really find an American ballad that I just truly love and can connect with. I find Chinese and Korean ballads are better written. I also like the faster Korean pop/dance songs. They have cleaner lyrics and I don’t have to cringe when I hear the song.

I think the plus about the American Industry is that it is huge and has a large variety of musical genres to choose from. You are bound to find somebody you like. I don’t like the current mainstream music so I choose not to listen to it. The lyrics to some of these songs are “you’re on my heart just like a tattoo” or they are talking about sex, drugs, money, or violence. I sometimes wonder where all the creative song writers went. Where is that creativity?

I'm comparing mainstream music from both industries of course we could all find better music and artists if we looked in the underground scene.

[chrissatinee]

Asian Music is what I prefer.

and yes there is bias in there, because befor eI got into Kpop, I like American Music more but then ater I got into Kpop, I don't listen to American Music anymore (cept when I hear it on the streets or something).

But American music has changed so much.. Pop was really in before now it's all songs about sex, money, cars, girls.. (Okay not all, but most)

[colloquy]

Ex: Namie Amuro is considered RnB artist, in America her songs don't even pass the RnB category and would be placed under Pop/Dance. Ayumi Hamasaki is like Madonna, except again tones down compared to Madonna.Japan's music is basically tones down version of American music, with a few exceptions.

I don't really agree with this assessment. I would agree that Jpop sometimes borrows from American music, but it is much more similar to European in style. Not to mention, female idols at the moment are not really what should represent Jpop - they're not even that popular in their native countries anymore.

[albeitalways]

Well American music for me. Sure, there's a lot of repetitive crap you guys see on mainstream but as somebody said here, mainstream music accounts only for a small percentage of American music in total. And in fairness, most genres of American music have the biggest influence in music around the world.
There's more variety. Plus, it doesn't mean that since all the top charters are hiphop and R&B everyone's gonna shift gears and do it as well.

I'm mostly a fan of Jpop and Kpop in general but there are a lot of things I notice with the latter. In Kpop, it seems that everyone's into following trends. Let's say the 'in' thing was hiphop, you can expect at least one rapper from each group. Or if the trend was cutesy, you'll be seeing every idol group donning colorful clothes and releasing bubblegum pop-ish songs. There's no variety at all. Sure, you'd see an exception from time to time, like Korean band Mate [on a sidenote, there also goes another gripe of mine in Korean music in general--it's all pop and idol groups these days. Or hiphop. With a few smatterings of ballad singers on the side. Rock is dead. Totally.]

Seems to me most artists in the Korean music industry just follow the waves, and just sing what sells. That's not a healthy attitude in music in general.

Whereas, there's more variety in Jpop. I find the Jrock scene fascinating, especially with the visual kei culture. You can't find something like that anywhere else. And their music culture isn't completely dominated by idol groups following trends. Indie music is still alive there.

[Heaven2100]

This is a tough questions.

I agree any answers given are bias as they are based upon personal musical tastes and experiences of listening to mainstream and non-mainstream music. And the truth is both the American and Asian industries have their positives and negatives.

I would like to comment on the argument that “Asian music is unique”. Sorry to say this but it isn’t unique at all. I use to think Asian music was “unique” too until I had a conversation with some music grads if they thought Asian was unique in any way. (These grads by the way were Asian). And they all responded no because of the fact that all the chord progressions and what not were brought over by the missionaries. Western music influenced Asian music. Now of course the Eastern world then took what was learned and applied it and made their own melodies and wrote their own songs. I guess you could say traditional Asian music (the repetitive melodies chosen and the native instruments used that bring a certain flavor that can be identified as traditional Japanese, Korean, Chinese, etc) is “unique”.

I personally prefer Asian music because I’m more of a melody type of person. I guess I’ve been lucky so far that the songs I do listen to have decent lyrics. Of course I indulge in the occasional boy band or girl band stuff too and know too well that the lyrics are cheesy…but since no one else understands what I’m listening to and I don’t either it’s all good.

One thing that has really won me over are the ballads. I have yet to really find an American ballad that I just truly love and can connect with. I find Chinese and Korean ballads are better written. I also like the faster Korean pop/dance songs. They have cleaner lyrics and I don’t have to cringe when I hear the song.

I think the plus about the American Industry is that it is huge and has a large variety of musical genres to choose from. You are bound to find somebody you like. I don’t like the current mainstream music so I choose not to listen to it. The lyrics to some of these songs are “you’re on my heart just like a tattoo” or they are talking about sex, drugs, money, or violence. I sometimes wonder where all the creative song writers went. Where is that creativity?

I'm comparing mainstream music from both industries of course we could all find better music and artists if we looked in the underground scene.

I couldn't agree with you more!
I prefer Asian music.. in fact i can say that i listen only to asian music... Kpop and Jpop.
I've been listening to asian music only a year but i fell in love with it because of the melody and the lyrics! Like you said... The melody. And i'm that kind of person. but it really depends on the person...
before i got familiar with asian music(thanks to korean dramas.. i listened only to american or russian(yes I'm russian..) but then... i found out that asian music have a melody!!!! and lyrics!!! and yes the are all bout love.. so what?! But really meaningful lyrics.. not just any lirycs about love that you can hear in american industry!
and yes in kpop they are many Hip hop and rappers... of course not all of them are quality... but i don't know.. I prefer big bang then most of the rappers in american industry...
For example i just downloaded new album of britney spears... yes there are very "bouncy and everythin" but i was pretty shocked.. this is not my style...
Of course.. when it comes to R&b and hip hop and rap... American music leads it! but if you talk about repetitce music... then it's in America too... everyday i see new artist in r&b... and to tell you the truth i don''t love them.. it's the same like evrybody else...
And when you talk about the fans.. I think that in America it's the same... The care first of all bout the fans... It's everywhere like this... When you say the don't write... It's not neccesaraly true.... I adimt i'm a fan Of TVXQ or DBSK(as you wish..) but there are songs(and beautiful songs) that they write for themselves..!!!! and I love them... and FT island... but i don;t know... If you compare them with jonas brothers.. tthen for me.. It's FT Island no doubt..!!!!
Not all the people can wirte music for themselves or compose for themselves... when it comes to composing and lyrics... there is nothing like asian music...
And of course many kpop is copied... because american music is really international... the same in europe... the same in asia...
and for me the vocals are important too... they are many singers that i heard in asian music.. that i Haven't heard this kind of voices in america.. and i don't think that i will hear...
and sometimes the "censore" idea is really good.. because there many songs that kids.. even in my age... shouldn't listen too...
So in conclusion.. it really depends on the person...
This is just my opinion... i don';t know if i can judge because i;m pretty new to asian music.. but when it comes to music... this is my weakest spot...
sorry if it's too long!

[jaejoong.ro02]

this is an overrated discussion.

it irks me that people claim american music as the original one and vice versa. like hello! you know all??. even Socrates was humble enough to say, "i know nothing" yet people like you guys tend to know all?? Ehh??

this topic is veryyyy annoying especially when they try to compare in an unfair way. sure i'd say that i prefer asian music more but i don't really know about american music so why would i try to enumerate artists that i don't like then just generalize the whole american music? then why would someone judge asian music coz of for example the wonder girls and even dbsk? do you really know all? i mean, don't try to be cool here. lmao.. that just degrades your thinking. errr.. what's wrong with them? honestly people... boybands? cheesy lyrics? (oh no please japanese to eng lyrics, that just don't give justice to the original lyrics) sorry for being random..

people who try to enumerate their likes and dislikes are biased. that's all.

music is something that entertains us. lyrics is also important but just like the individuality that every person has, we have different preferences. just because some people are enjoying the type of music that you hate then you try to brag how GREATTT your favorites are?? I mean, that's the most nonsense thing to do.


BTW, indeed THSK is great. Call me biased and all. Idc..

EDIT:
I backtracked and I just loled. Seriously how could they diss Asian Music with only knowing about KPOP and JPOP? Really this is getting nonsense. And how do you define kpop? trend? repetitive? what? seriously think twice, trice before you post coz there are some underground artistes who are seriously making their music... i say that they don't get the attention coz it's not the trend right? the same goes with American music...

Asian music copycats, at least I pay more respect to Asian artistes but Asian music has it's different way of interpreting music also. The lyrics has more sense than mainstream western music. and... What a random comment about Britney Spears and Edison Chen. The scandal do get out of hand coz what he did was immoral. Sorry if not all people are not yet ready to welcome the freedom that western countries have. We do have our freedoms too but we're aware of that freedom corresponds to a responsibility and it's not absolute at all. I don't know how western people define freedom with their lyrics.

I can't seem to defend American music if the lyrics is low leveled coz of the topics drug.sex.love. Seriously, that's leaves me an impression of abusing the music... However, American Music do have great artists too with good lyrics^^ I know that! Keke^^ Sorry for the unorganized thoughts.

[ovaltinejenkins]

i was a big fan of kpop, but lately, its been turning into this gay cutesy crap.
american music ftw.

this is an overrated discussion.

it irks me that people claim american music as the original one and vice versa. like hello! you know all??. even Socrates was humble enough to say, "i know nothing" yet people like you guys tend to know all?? Ehh??

this topic is veryyyy annoying especially when they try to compare in an unfair way. sure i'd say that i prefer asian music more but i don't really know about american music so why would i try to enumerate artists that i don't like then just generalize the whole american music? then why would someone judge asian music coz of for example the wonder girls and even dbsk? do you really know all? i mean, don't try to be cool here. lmao.. that just degrades your thinking. errr.. what's wrong with them? honestly people... boybands? cheesy lyrics? (oh no please japanese to eng lyrics, that just don't give justice to the original lyrics) sorry for being random..

people who try to enumerate their likes and dislikes are biased. that's all.

music is something that entertains us. lyrics is also important but just like the individuality that every person has, we have different preferences. just because some people are enjoying the type of music that you hate then you try to brag how GREATTT your favorites are?? I mean, that's the most nonsense thing to do.


BTW, indeed THSK is great. Call me biased and all. tongue.gif Idc..

EDIT:
I backtracked and I just loled. Seriously how could they diss Asian Music with only knowing about KPOP and JPOP? Really this is getting nonsense. And how do you define kpop? trend? repetitive? what? seriously think twice, trice before you post.

Asian music copycats, at least I pay more respect to Asian artistes. What a random comment about Britney Spears and Edison Chen. The scandal do get out of hand coz what he did was immoral. Sorry if not all people are not yet redy to welcome the freedom that western countries have. We do have our freedoms too but we're aware of that freedom corresponds to a responsibility and it's not absolute at all. I don;t know how western people define freedom with their lyrics.

I can't seem to defend American music if the lyrics is low leveled coz of the topics drug.sex.love. Seriously, that's leaves me an impression of abusing the music... However, American Music do have great artists too^^ I know that! Keke^^ Sorry for the unorganized thoughts. tongue.gif

you contradicted yourself like crazy.

i've listen to both sides of the spectrum, and i'd have to say american music is legit. and they're around for a long time... and there is a minimal amount of boybands/girlbands which asian music is really all about.
its not even all the american artists that talk about drug sex and LOVE (which everyone including asian artists sing about -__-)

[jiyongfighting]

I simply think you cannot compare which music is better.
both types of music are very different.
Everyone as a different style and way of expressing things
so we can really conclude that american music is better than asian music or vice-versa.
However, preferably, I would choose to too asain music because nowadays, I really don't like
some of the lyrics of the American songs.

[jaejoong.ro02]

giraffic:

you contradicted yourself like crazy.

i've listen to both sides of the spectrum, and i'd have to say american music is legit. and they're around for a long time... and there is a minimal amount of boybands/girlbands which asian music is really all about.
its not even all the american artists that talk about drug sex and LOVE (which everyone including asian artists sing about -__-)

This is your way of bragging how genius you are. Really? HAHAHA.


you didn't get my post at all.
maybe you're keen with the bolded parts?
i seriously would like you to re-read everything.



---
okay.. if you've read my post, it was not biased at all that's why you said, "You contradicted yourself like crazy.."
you just read it half heartedly and didn't reflect AT ALL. lmao.

it's not biased except for THSK is really great. Call me biased idc....

[lovebum4life]

I couldn't agree with you more!
I prefer Asian music.. in fact i can say that i listen only to asian music... Kpop and Jpop.
I've been listening to asian music only a year but i fell in love with it because of the melody and the lyrics! Like you said... The melody. And i'm that kind of person. but it really depends on the person...
before i got familiar with asian music(thanks to korean dramas.. i listened only to american or russian(yes I'm russian..) but then... i found out that asian music have a melody!!!! and lyrics!!! and yes the are all bout love.. so what?! But really meaningful lyrics.. not just any lirycs about love that you can hear in american industry!
and yes in kpop they are many Hip hop and rappers... of course not all of them are quality... but i don't know.. I prefer big bang then most of the rappers in american industry...
For example i just downloaded new album of britney spears... yes there are very "bouncy and everythin" but i was pretty shocked.. this is not my style...
Of course.. when it comes to R&b and hip hop and rap... American music leads it! but if you talk about repetitce music... then it's in America too... everyday i see new artist in r&b... and to tell you the truth i don''t love them.. it's the same like evrybody else...
And when you talk about the fans.. I think that in America it's the same... The care first of all bout the fans... It's everywhere like this... When you say the don't write... It's not neccesaraly true.... I adimt i'm a fan Of TVXQ or DBSK(as you wish..) but there are songs(and beautiful songs) that they write for themselves..!!!! and I love them... and FT island... but i don;t know... If you compare them with jonas brothers.. tthen for me.. It's FT Island no doubt..!!!!
Not all the people can wirte music for themselves or compose for themselves... when it comes to composing and lyrics... there is nothing like asian music...
And of course many kpop is copied... because american music is really international... the same in europe... the same in asia...
and for me the vocals are important too... they are many singers that i heard in asian music.. that i Haven't heard this kind of voices in america.. and i don't think that i will hear...
and sometimes the "censore" idea is really good.. because there many songs that kids.. even in my age... shouldn't listen too...
So in conclusion.. it really depends on the person...
This is just my opinion... i don';t know if i can judge because i;m pretty new to asian music.. but when it comes to music... this is my weakest spot...
sorry if it's too long!

Dbsk does write some songs but they don't write a majority of them
and comparing FT Island to the Jonas Brothers

this is an overrated discussion.

it irks me that people claim american music as the original one and vice versa. like hello! you know all??. even Socrates was humble enough to say, "i know nothing" yet people like you guys tend to know all?? Ehh??

this topic is veryyyy annoying especially when they try to compare in an unfair way. sure i'd say that i prefer asian music more but i don't really know about american music so why would i try to enumerate artists that i don't like then just generalize the whole american music? then why would someone judge asian music coz of for example the wonder girls and even dbsk? do you really know all? i mean, don't try to be cool here. lmao.. that just degrades your thinking. errr.. what's wrong with them? honestly people... boybands? cheesy lyrics? (oh no please japanese to eng lyrics, that just don't give justice to the original lyrics) sorry for being random..

people who try to enumerate their likes and dislikes are biased. that's all.

music is something that entertains us. lyrics is also important but just like the individuality that every person has, we have different preferences. just because some people are enjoying the type of music that you hate then you try to brag how GREATTT your favorites are?? I mean, that's the most nonsense thing to do.


BTW, indeed THSK is great. Call me biased and all. Idc..

EDIT:
I backtracked and I just loled. Seriously how could they diss Asian Music with only knowing about KPOP and JPOP? Really this is getting nonsense. And how do you define kpop? trend? repetitive? what? seriously think twice, trice before you post coz there are some underground artistes who are seriously making their music... i say that they don't get the attention coz it's not the trend right? the same goes with American music...

Asian music copycats, at least I pay more respect to Asian artistes but Asian music has it's different way of interpreting music also. The lyrics has more sense than mainstream western music. and... What a random comment about Britney Spears and Edison Chen. The scandal do get out of hand coz what he did was immoral. Sorry if not all people are not yet ready to welcome the freedom that western countries have. We do have our freedoms too but we're aware of that freedom corresponds to a responsibility and it's not absolute at all. I don't know how western people define freedom with their lyrics.

I can't seem to defend American music if the lyrics is low leveled coz of the topics drug.sex.love. Seriously, that's leaves me an impression of abusing the music... However, American Music do have great artists too with good lyrics^^ I know that! Keke^^ Sorry for the unorganized thoughts.

I don't see why you're getting so annoyed. No one's bragging we're just trying being logical and blunt. A lot of Asian music is influenced by America or Europe. It's the truth. You can watch asian videos and see how people like Mariah Carey or Michael Jackson or any other legends have influenced music worldwide. You always hear she is the korean Beyonce or he is the korean JT. Asia has a lot of original music but a great portion of the industries is influenced by the West. Oh and about the lyrics, you're trying not the be bias but then you label American music as low leveled and only dealing with sex, drugs, and love.....
If don't really know about american music then don't critique it.....a majority of us know what we're talking about considering we actually know about and listen both american and asian music daily...

[RisingxSun06]

i just like both =) haha ~
as long as it has a nice beat ~ or nice lyrics ~ i like it.

[jaejoong.ro02]

I don't see why you're getting so annoyed. No one's bragging we're just trying being logical and blunt. A lot of Asian music is influenced by America or Europe. It's the truth. You can watch asian videos and see how people like Mariah Carey or Michael Jackson or any other legends have influenced music worldwide. You always hear she is the korean Beyonce or he is the korean JT. Asia has a lot of original music but a great portion of the industries is influenced by the West. Oh and about the lyrics, you're trying not the be bias but then you label American music as low leveled and only dealing with sex, drugs, and love.....
If don't really know about american music then don't critique it.....a majority of us know what we're talking about considering we actually know about and listen both american and asian music daily...

I get so annoyed because some people here are just bragging how american music was original bla bla even if they didn't really made a research. Sorry if I'm being really particular with history... lmao.. I'm sure music also evolved like humans do and it gets more developed, but just because american music is international doesn't mean that they are original... C'mon people, Asian music is not original also, therefore they influence each other. Side Note: Though I really find japanese music diverse and very original...

I quote, "you label American music as low leveled and only dealing with sex, drugs, and love..."

no.. i didn't labeled american lyrics as low leveled in general. i only think that the topics drug.sex.love degrades the quality of music that american music does and leaves me an impression of abusing music.

lol.. i find it funny that people only reply to my post based on the parts that would make the meaning different from the whole meaning of the context. yeah... and i find it funny that you generalize asian music coz you only listen to kpop and jpop.. what about other countries' music in asia? and kpop and jpop, learn to listen to underground and you'll learn something new...

coming from someone who only listens to mainstream american music, I don't generalize american music at all though the topics of love.sex.drugs are making it worse in my opinion that's why i don't listen to them at all. (referring to songs with abusive lyrics)

[Eltoshen]

For mainstream pop, I really like asian music and american music.

My favorite solo singers all tend to be American though. People like Keri Hilson and Leona Lewis can sing so well. I don't think they have any rivals in the asian music industry.

[Sanyu]

I like both, but find I listen to more music I don't understand (European and Asian), otherwise I'm too critical of the lyrics and don't focus on the music ^^; Like with some of the American music I listen to - I want to sing it because I know the words, but the words aren't nice XD it's a lesser chance that someone around me will know Swedish or Japanese or something hahaha. I don't know.. Music has never been about quality as a whole for me. If I hear it and I like the beat, like the melody, like the lyrics, or whatever catches my attention, I like the song. If I'm curious, I look the band or artist up and see if they have anything else I like.

I have more Asian music than I do American music, I think. I guess that's because I lost a lot of it in numerous HD wipings... but even the stuff I do have tends to be older, same with a lot of Asian music come to think of it.. Some is new on both sides, but I don't like a lot of the new stuff making radio here.. and newer Asian stuff tends to be easier to find online because of the places I err to looking at. ^^ New American stuff that isn't mainstream is harder to find since I don't surround myself with people into non-mainstream American music anymore.

[Sam Sik]

I get so annoyed because some people here are just bragging how american music was original bla bla even if they didn't really made a research. Sorry if I'm being really particular with history... lmao.. I'm sure music also evolved like humans do and it gets more developed, but just because american music is international doesn't mean that they are original... C'mon people, Asian music is not original also, therefore they influence each other. Side Note: Though I really find japanese music diverse and very original...

I quote, "you label American music as low leveled and only dealing with sex, drugs, and love..."

no.. i didn't labeled american lyrics as low leveled in general. i only think that the topics drug.sex.love degrades the quality of music that american music does and leaves me an impression of abusing music.

lol.. i find it funny that people only reply to my post based on the parts that would make the meaning different from the whole meaning of the context. yeah... and i find it funny that you generalize asian music coz you only listen to kpop and jpop.. what about other countries' music in asia? and kpop and jpop, learn to listen to underground and you'll learn something new...

coming from someone who only listens to mainstream american music, I don't generalize american music at all though the topics of love.sex.drugs are making it worse in my opinion that's why i don't listen to them at all. (referring to songs with abusive lyrics)

American music is original.

If it helps.

Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Backstreet boys, Run DMC, CCR, Stevie Wonder etc.

The birth of pop, rock, hip hop, etc. pretty much originated from America.

people who try to enumerate their likes and dislikes are biased. that's all.

Thanks Captain obvious.

Historians are always biased yet they always have arguments and discussions. People who discuss about the news are biased as well, yet we talk about it amongst our peers offering our opinion. This thread is no different.