simple.

i hear a lot of people talkin lately about simple music. its the thing. i play simple music. i like a lot of music that seems to be simple music. i also can't shred so i don't have many options. but at the same time i'm getting a little annoyed with simple music, or at least what people think simple music is supposed to be, cause whenever i hear someone mention something about simple music i get bored immediately.
i'm having trouble trying to progress with my point so i'll just give some examples or something. i am tired.

the standards for good simple music these days seem to be bands like coldplay and U2 and maybe Kings of Leon, especially for worship musicians who are reminded constantly that they need to play simple so they're not distracting but anyway. tangent. so what are these bands doing that makes them so special? i have a lot of ideas, but what i find is the pattern i see in my attraction to certain artists, whether or not they are popular, is that they are doing something that is more or less, a thing i have never heard before. it is definitely arguable that everything has been done, there is nothing new under the sun, and its hard to be original anymore. but i think that if you are being yourself and really trying to express yourself, your influences will play only a small role in how you create art. and the result will be that, because you are a unique individual like no one else, who isn't trying to be someone else, you have no option but to create something that is "new."

I think what makes certain simple music good is when musicians are skilled in ability beyond the music they make. they understand that music is a language that needs to be spoken clearly and eloquently. so when they can play something really complex, but never actually show anyone, they'll be able to play a basic hook way better than the guy who is playing at maximum capacity. That guy can't pay attention to detail, because he is trying to hit all the right notes- he's always catching up or something. (im speaking to myself) The guy who is holding back has a chance to think ahead, focus on good tone (not just manipulating gear, but fingers), and focus on doing something that contributes to the big picture- meaning you can pay attention to what everybody else is doing and make sure you are blending. and when its time to play your solo you can stick out for that small time frame, and then leave listeners wanting more.

i guess my point is that simple doesn't mean you should be boring. play music that fits inside the picture frame, so that you have a nice tidy piece of art that can be enjoyed by the average person. but still think outside the box while doing so. case and point:

the guy who plays bass for kings of leon is one of my favorite musicians. this guy really knows what he's doing. he finds something cool to do for every song. and if the song calls for playing quarter notes on the root of the chord over and over again then he can do it. but most of the time he finds something that, when played by itself sounds really cool, but when played with the rest of the instruments sounds even cooler. He is the kind of bass player that guitar players like, because he's sort of playing like one. but a lot of bass players get frustrated when trying to understand what guys like him do because they might not take the time to do more than contribute the same thing as the rhythm guitar just in a lower register.
i also really enjoy listening to the bass players from death cab for cutie, radiohead, and death from above 1979. but who cares.
what i mean is that these guys fit in the pocket but not like a folded up piece of paper. more like chap stick or something. you wanna ask, "is that chap stick in your pocket? cause i can tell. and i forgot mine at home."

another example: an album i haven't been able stop listening to since thanksgiving is Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Its impossible. Its an addiction i feed and its only like 30 minutes worth of music. enough to get me to school and back. You could play almost every song on that album at a dance party. But dancey music is usually so boring musically. there's not much there except a phat beat and some sampled synth stuff. but whatever. somehow the guy that plays drums for Phoenix manages to make a consistent 4/4 time in every song into really cool things i cant recall ever hearing before. why? Because he has figured out how to have fun while playing simple tunes. He is playing something that makes an average joe (including me) want to dance like a moron while driving, while still impressing every drummer i've ever met thats heard of them. He has found a way to fit cool syncopations and fills and what have you into music that calls for something you can dance to. its something the average music enjoyer can relate to and not feel dumb because he can't technically understand the music. its genious.

And then there's The Edge. I rest my case.

this is my conclusion. i hope i don't sound arrogant or pretentious. i'm only 21 and have much to learn.
forcing yourself to play simply, especially for those who tend to overplay, can help when your goal is to hone in your ideas into one consistent statement. don't play scales or riffs the whole song and never repeat anything. thats just musical diarrhea (i had to google the spelling of that) and its fatiguing to both the player and the listener. just because it fits in the key doesn't mean it works. plus if you talk too much people won't want to listen (i have a feeling doing that now so i'm gonna wrap things up.) (i'm also abusing my privilege of parentheses use)

basically, if you can hum it or get it stuck in your head then you're golden. but don't be boring goodness sake. thats the anti-epitome of music. play something that has meaning and is you being yourself, even if it means shredding or having a 15 piece drumset. but just remember that there's enough mediocre/annoying music out there already, so make sure its something you'd wanna listen to, whether you are playing your own music or somebody else's.

im sure at any point in time i could be caught doing the exact opposite of anything ive just said.
i hope that my thoughts have been said in love and humility. last time i checked i was pretty humble.