Is anyone else concerned about the state of rock these days?

no im not. thanks for your concern though !!!

the bands i like never get any fame, they play bars and small theaters and such to crowds of around 50 people because they never get the credit they deserve.

you know there are bands out there that dont get played on the radio by the way. maybe you should check those once in a while

To entertain your query: Yes and No.

Yes, Emo sucks. But the rock is still alive, and much of it has evolved into its own seperate entities that might otherwise be unrecognizable to the untrained ear. Furthermore, there are bands out there who are fusing many styles, both from song to song on an entire album and within any given song. It sounds with the "cohesive theme" comment that you listen to progressive rock. It's all out there, my friend. But technology has leveled the playing field in ways unforseen. People are making their own music in their own studios. Production knowledge has gone through the roof; the problem now for the most talented is not getting recorded, but rather getting promoted.

My advice to you:

Quit listening to rock radio. That's all Bullsh*t based on payola. You know it, I know it. Try National Public Radio every now and then, but seek what you want mostly on the Internet--MySpace is a good place to start--with precise keywords and an open mind.

I make rock/folk/progressive/blues/electronica myself, and I post--without an expecation of payment--on MySpace at myspace.com/indigolotusband. Haven't posted lately due to time restrictions, but I'm hardly retired.

Keep your faith, friend. The world is changing in beautifl ways....

I am a bit concerned, but mostly with the mainstream music. There are a few modern bands I really like. Radiohead is pretty great.

But I agree that we need a revolution. Will there ever be a songwriter as brilliant as Bob Dylan? Will there ever be another band as influential as The Beatles? Will there ever be a frontman as real and rebellious as Jim Morrison? One can only dream...

My own revolution consists of not financially supporting,in any way,those acts,and of trying to influence people around me to think for themselves and form their own tastes(whatever those may be) and not passively eating up what the media has to offer...I don't think I can do more,heh.

I believe there are definitely a few new bands out there with talent,but the mainstream rock scene sucks really,really bad for the most part IMO...the silver lining is 1)today's good bands and 2)about 40 years of excellent rock music to choose from.

Yep. So, I pretty much think I'm in love with you. Ether that, or you are my musical soulmate. I mean this in a totally non-creepy way, I swear lol...but yeah, I ponder that almost daily...or whenever I hear a crappy new song...which is always...It's actually made me quiet cynical and bitter to the point where my mother is afraid to change my classic rock station in the car because I make fun of whatever else she puts on...bad, I know, but I will admit that I am a musical snob to a fault....but honeslty how can you not be in today's sorry state of music?

*I will join your revolution, we are long overdue*

"You say you want a revolution, well, you know, we all want to change the world" : )

Every time there is a decent band that makes it big they get shot down too.

Like Coldplay. They're not that bad. Since everyone else hates them why not join in?

There's no pleasing anyone.

There's nothing inherently worse about rock today then rock from past decades. There's a lot of cool music out there.

And I have been since about 1991.

Not at all. There is enough great music out there. I don't concern myself with crap.