I think "mass
listener" first of all listens to music and only then try to find meaning
in texts. Yes, 2-3 years ago situation started to change.
I can name not big amount of Russian rock groups with great sound, BUT,
for example my favorite group – Epidemic (it's not very popular even in
a scale of our rock industry), their new albums sounds very good, but I
can say they have "two layers" in lyrics. They make texts in a
kind of "Fantasy style" maybe… hard to find name of it. I mean
they sing about nonexistent heroes, wars in inexistent worlds (similar to
Tolkien's worlds). And only because of this thing they have small (very
small) amount of fans.
But if you try to "dig deeper" you can find meaning, BETTER than
in songs of pop-singers.
But, will
"mass listener" go deeper? No, he won't do it. Anyhow, our groups
don't want to be popular in masses. And, I think, it's good, they do things
that they like. I can say these words about other our rock groups, with
some adjustments. Epidemic is only an example.
I'd like to write about one strange thing on our music stage - groups,
playing "soft" rock music. I mean music like in rock style,
but texts, that are usually used in pop music. And they make a right thing
from producer's point of view - they make rock music that can make big
amount of money. But… maybe it's good… maybe people start to like "rock-sound",
and they are preparing to accept groups which play real rock music.
by Ivan
drawing: Tatyana, photos: Dima