Recording 101: Cut Away from Cookie-Cutter Music

Posted by RiffYou On November 14, 2014 0 Comment

The cookie-cutter approach to music making is destroying originality and contributing to the linear soundscape we are experiencing in modern day music. There, I said it.

It’s impossible to escape and has long been the practice of A&R departments to manufacture a ‘sound-a-like’ version of the latest and greatest. Case in point, the grunge movement spawned so many ‘sound-a-likes’ or as I like to affectionately like to call them: ‘cookie cutter’ bands. The same can be said of the boy/girl band era, featuring Backstreet Boys, New Kids On The Block, N’SYNC, Britney Spears, etc. With these types of artists, it’s more and more a game of economics, whereby money comes first and the quality of music last.

I’m well aware that we’re all products of our environment and influences are inescapable. But, when I hear one act after the next ‘sounding’ like Rihanna, (and I’m a fan) there’s a problem. Where’s the originality kids?!

That’s where my frustration rests. Music today is all starting to ‘sound’ the same, both musically and technically. Part of the reason for this is there is a small circle of ‘hit’ writing teams writing a majority of the songs we hear on Top 40 radio. That, in my opinion, has to change.

I miss the originality of bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, as well as a host of ‘80s bands, like Tears for Fears, A-ha, Simple Minds, Depeche Mode, R.E.M., U2, etc. These artists had an eclectic range of styles, but still managed to co-exist and thrive together.

These bands were unapologetically creating and not taking out the kitchen utensils and recipe book to ‘cookie cut’ their way to their next hit. Variety is what made the music I grew up listening to so amazing.

The trouble as I see it, is in the education of the next generation of musicians and creators. If the industry continues employing the ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to music making, they wont know what they’ve missed.

I have massive respect for the eclectic music listeners and music makers. The more varied influences a songwriter has, the more unique the music is going to sound.

I understand the challenges the industry has been facing to make sense of the ever-changing digital landscape and piracy issues. But ultimately, history has always shown that it’s the ‘unique’ artists who break the biggest and last the longest.

So, to the uncertain musicians out there using the ‘cookie-cutter’ approach, why not create from the heart and see what happens? This idea touches upon the article I wrote on creativity: in order to approach music this way, you have to trust in yourself and the process.

Let me leave you with this thought: Can you think of one song on the radio today that’s given you goosebumps? Or how about made you think about a social issue?

Until next time, some sage advice for the youngsters: let’s all try to be more like Thom Yorke and less like Chad Kroeger.

-Jeff Eden

Check back next month for another instalment of Recording 101!

About the Author: Jeff Eden is an established Composer for Film & TV, and a 20-year veteran of the recording industry. He is the Owner & Head Engineer at Studio8.