Music

In the 1990’s, Primus was one of the most unique bands to come out of the alternative-rock movement. What set them apart was the bass guitar being out front in a non-traditional way. They managed to come up with something original using the same drum-bass-guitar-vocal format that had been the dominating format in rock since the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. The novelty in many of the other bands from that movement was how they diverted from their glam-rock predecessors, but the sound was still similar to classic rock. Primus’s uniqueness brings to mind how difficult it is to come up with something that is both valuable and original. There are many songs with instantly recognizable melodies that set them apart, but they often have chord structures that have been used for decades. Another strategy to make a band different is to use a different combination of instruments. But this can be done ad-infinitum, and eventually is reduced to the same novelty as a username or email address that is not taken. Some of the most original music came out in the 1960’s. Part of the reason for this was Les Paul’s inventions of both the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording. New technology gave musicians more ways to express themselves and (here’s the important part) they weren’t available before. So, whoever had an open mind, talent, and got ahold of that technology first became the trend-setters in this new age. The momentum from this new technology lasted several decades and is just now starting to fade out, since computers don’t seem to be making any sounds that have never been made before.

A unique and influential band from an earlier era than Primus was Van Halen. Like Primus, they used the drum-bass-guitar-vocal format, and, unlike Primus, mostly used blues-based riffs and chord structures, but brought something new to the table: two-hand tapping on the guitar. (It’s important to note here the invention of the locking tremolo for guitar, a new technology that Van Halen was one of the first to attain, adding to the explosive sound of the tapping.) Van Halen is often credited with inventing two-hand tapping. This is not true. Others used it sparingly before him, but he was the first to use it the way he did. One can imagine what it must have felt like to hear “Eruption” for the first time, when there was nothing else that sounded remotely like it. Scientific progress is like musical innovation in that people make discoveries and others capitalize on them to move things forward. Although Darwin receives most of the credit for the theory of evolution, Alfred Russel Wallace conceived the theory at the same time. But Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species, putting in most of the work for this scientific revolution. So, both Van Halen and Darwin deserve the credit they receive, because although these ideas were blossoming when they ran across them, they brought them out into the open for the world to see. And it seems these innovations happen at just the right time in history. Think of the movie “Back to the Future” where Michael J. Fox sits in with the ‘50’s band and plays ‘80’s shred guitar. Nobody in the audience reacted positively to it, because they weren’t ready for it. But in 1978, when Van Halen I was released, hard rock was in full bloom. The world was ready.

It does seem as if the greatest musical innovations were made in the ‘60’s, and before that progress was slow. You can listen to classical pieces separated by over a century and there is not as much difference as there is between early ‘60’s rock n’ roll and ‘80’s thrash metal. This is not only because of technology, but also other elements triggered by technology. But now, because musical technology seems to have reached its peak, radically new ideas also seem to be fading. An artist’s limitations are often what make them unique. No matter how high your skill level, there is always room for improvement; the strategies you come up with to improve or to work around your limitations are how you create your own voice. But music technology is running out of limitations. Auto-tune can correct the pitch of people who can’t sing at all, and people can purchase instrumental backing tracks online. When hip-hop emerged in the late ‘70’s, it deviated from rock’s drum-bass-guitar-vocal format with something new. They used drum machines and samples, and most of the attention was focused on vocals and lyrical complexity. Many rap groups didn’t play instruments; their skill was in their lyricism. It was subversive and many in the rock world hated it. In recent years, a style called mumble-rap has emerged. Taking advantage of new technology, they no longer have to retrieve samples or program drum machines. And they ‘mumble,’ so there’s no longer the lyrical complexity and conscious spirit of the past. Old-school hip-hop heads have been critical of this. So, in a strange way, it retains the original spirit of rock n’ roll.

Literature

“In the particular is contained the universal.” -James Joyce

The topic of originality in literature varies from that of music in that we are dealing only with words rather than sounds, and we are dealing with a format that has remained unchanged for five thousand years, not benefiting from the technology that revolutionized the world of music in the same way. You can read contemporary literature, then go back and read Shakespeare, and see that people’s joys and problems are basically the same, even though culture and technology has changed. (Romeo didn’t send Juliet text messages on his cell phone.) It’s because of this that most of today’s genre-fiction could be considered quite derivative, not providing new ideas that will change the course of history. Stephen King is an incredible author; his books are page-turners, providing hours upon hours of entertainment and suspense. But is he really saying anything new? Pet Sematary is about people bringing their pets and children back to life, hoping to relive memories of the past, but evil consequences result. The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs has a similar theme, where a man’s wishes are granted, but, like in Pet Sematary, there are unexpected results that wreak havoc on his family. Perhaps a truly original masterpiece is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, preceding the two other books, where the doctor’s invention wreaks havoc in an unexpected way as well. One can see the common theme in all three stories. It may be unfair to pick on King, but Needful Things is another story by him that draws from, either intentionally or unintentionally, another author. The Possibility of Evil, by Shirley Jackson, is about an old lady who writes anonymous letters to the people in her town, manipulating them to do her will. The shopkeeper in Needful Things manipulates people in a similar way.

In conclusion, credit should be given to Shakespeare as the writer who may be responsible for the common themes of genre-fiction. He was one of the most important writers of all time, and it’s easy to see his influence, not only in genre-fiction, but also in sitcoms and movies. But just because these (Shakespeare influenced) forms of media aren’t groundbreakingly original doesn’t mean they aren’t inspiring and entertaining. Some of the more groundbreaking literature may be found under the categories of literary fiction, philosophical fiction, philosophical treatises, and scientific theories. But it’s good to have the best of both worlds, and things like sitcoms are better suited for certain moods than more difficult reads. Don’t try to read Kant before you’ve had your coffee!