Music of pretty much all genres has seemed to exponentially decrease in quality over the past few years. Once upon a time, you could turn on the radio and hear a good song. Once upon a time, you could turn on the radio and hear originality. Once upon a time, you could turn on the radio and hear a song that means something.

Those days seem to be behind us. Now it seems you have to look hard to find good artists and songs. I don’t mind the fact that some of the underground groups and artists who actually do have talent don’t want to sell out to make a buck – I can respect that.

I had the unfortunate experience of catching some of the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month. Now, normally I would change the channel to try and find something that was worth my time, but for some strange reason I felt compelled to tune in a while longer, not because I was interested, but because watching it just reiterated how crappy today’s music is.

When I wasn’t bored out of my mind listening to host Russell Brand’s “jokes,” I watched Britney Spears win three awards. Three. Why are people encouraging her to make more music?

If that doesn’t say enough about how bad things have gotten with MTV and the music industry, I don’t know what can. At the very least, for those two hours, MTV actually showed something that pertains to music. I don’t really know what’s up with all of those redundant reality shows. MTV stands for Music Television, does it not?

Maybe I’m just expecting too much. I just get tired of hearing rock music that features uninspired lyrics that sound like they were written by middle school kids who were bored in detention. Or rap music that utilizes derivative keyboard drum beats and rappers who use the same word to rhyme. Or pop music that is more about image than talent, which we see time and time again.

Yet, you turn on the radio to any given station that plays current music and it’s the same five songs all day long.

There just aren’t many artists out there to whom I would pay money to see in concert or to buy their album. I’m better off going to see local acts.

I hope one day music will get better, both in the mainstream and underground. Until that day comes, I’ll be listening to music that, for the most part, is older than I am.

Kyle Kershner can be reached at [email protected]