so why did you just quote yourself

While I cannot quibble against the massive historical importance of the 50s, it's the decade I enjoy less when actually listening to the music, outside of the biggies (Elvis, Buddy, Johnny).

In a similar comment, I think 50's rock'n'roll was too much singles driven. It makes it hard to really appreciate the music when you can't put on a full album by most of the artist from that period and enjoy it most of the way through. I like a lot of songs from minor artist from that era, but delving into their whole catalog offers few rewarding listens. For example, Joe Clay - Sixteen Chicks is one of my favorite songs from the era. There's really no reason to listen to more Joe Clay.

And how you guys haven't mentioned Carl Perkins in this 50's discussion is embarrassing. Also Gene Vincent has kind of been forgotten and he was an absolute monster. I wonder why time is forgetting him.

Fine, Carl Perkins. Gene Vincent.

I feel better now.

For some perspective, in 2001, I was thirteen.

My generation has no unified (or even fractured) culture or ideology. There is no romanticism. There are no anthems of my generation. We don't even think of ourselves as a generation. There is no political awareness, and definitely no philosophical awareness among the young masses. Everything is so fractured and compartmentalised it is pretty much joyless.

The majority of people my age, for fun and enlightenment: take drugs, go out and listen to electro music that they have no attachment to at a sterile club, dance, sweat, and then go home and take more drugs and fuck. It's all very base.

There is no attachment to any particular memory or music, because it's all so transient now. Music from 2005 sounds horribly dated already and it only happened a couple of years ago.

I first had sex to some shitty forgettable electro compilation on MDMA as a sixteen year old.

I try not to reminisce...

I went 50s if for no other reason than I get sick of people talking like the 60s invented everything rock 'n roll. Yes, there was a decade rock 'n' roll was invented...the 50s. Elvis kicks the Beatles ass every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

The 70s were a fairly amazing time. It held both the best and worst music ever. The best of the Stones, Van Morrison, Springsteen, glam rock, pub rock, NYC punk and UK punk (as well as most of what would later be called, in chronological absurdity, "post punk") - all that sitting side by side with heydays of shit like Steve Miller and Yes and Meatloaf. Crazy days indeed.

as well as James Brown nearly perfect early 70s run, Motown redefining itself with Stevie, Marvin, and the Temptations (and many others) and the outlaw country crew hitting their stride.

I think the 00's may be better than the 90's...otherwise, what you said.

I'd actually put the 00s ahead of the 80s, as well.

Funny that so many people are picking the 90s as worst. 10 years ago I guarantee you just as many would have picked the 80s.

Guarantee, eh?

Yeah, and in 1989 a lot of people may have said that the 70's sucked because all they thought of was disco, bad AM pop and Classic Rock. These things are fluid for sure.