[Nick77]

I can think of two right off the bat.

1. 80's rock as background music at the dentist office, how can you relax listening to "crocodile rock". 

2. When the mix tries to create a artificial sound stage by placing the instruments in right or left channel only.


Do you have any??

[opnly bafld]

.

[JackD201]

Autotune, singers that go on runs knowing they can't do 'em well in the first place, use of General MIDI (think cheap karaoke), just off the top of my head.

[rockadanny]

Whistling and humming. Either write some words and sing them or shut up and play something! 

[rockadanny]

Lame remakes of songs. If your version is not better or greatly different than the original, why bother?

[jupiterboy]

Affected vocal styles. Can’t stand a vocal that tries to mimick a style rather than exploring what is special about the real voice. This level of conformity and homogeneity is, honestly, a bit disgusting. When it takes over huge swatch of a genre, it emphasizes the cultural contraction where individuality is trumped by fear, and belonging and blending-in are prized most of all. Maybe I read too much into things. IDK

[richidoo]

+1, and ditto for all new jazz. It has become Museum Art.

[Tyson]

Songs that have choruses something like "Repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff...."

[JackD201]

Songs that have choruses something like "Repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff, repeat stuff...."

There goes Pop as a whole! 

[dB Cooper]

Tyson, is this what you were thinking of with "repeat stuff"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nt9c0UeYhFc

[jarcher]

I can see this is going to be a popular topic...

Offhand, mine would be the excessive and often overly loud use of background music in many establishments in general, particularly restaurants. Just some nice silence every now and then really is golden. I've found this to be particularly a problem having lived in and visited many cities in Latin America.

[Nick77]

+1    Yes it seems to be a trend in new and very popular causal restaurants, its loud and you can barely talk with your guests.

[rockadanny]

often overly loud use of background music in many establishments in general, particularly restaurants

+2

Not sure the reason. Perhaps the person in control of the volume either:
1. Has complete lack of awareness - just not even on their radar;
2. Is satisfying the workers vs. customers;
3. Is trying to provide a specific ambiance, as inappropriate as it is.

Regardless, I always ask to speak to a manager and politely request s/he turn it down. Works 95% of the time.

I can understand it for certain bars, but not for restaurants.

[Peter J]

Along the same lines.

Phone "on hold" music that's just too loud... and I'm half deaf! It must be really bad for some with better hearing.

[jarcher]

I sorta wish folks would stop using music or even jingles for cell phone rings all together.  It destroys any joy or amusement those may have had. It all went down hill with the introduction of the Nokia chime.....

[jarcher]

+2

Not sure the reason. Perhaps the person in control of the volume either:
1. Has complete lack of awareness - just not even on their radar;
2. Is satisfying the workers vs. customers;
3. Is trying to provide a specific ambiance, as inappropriate as it is.

Regardless, I always ask to speak to a manager and politely request s/he turn it down. Works 95% of the time.

I can understand it for certain bars, but not for restaurants.

In some places I think it's done intentionally to get people to do their business as quick as possible and leave. In others I think it's done to try to create a false sense of excitement. As if people are not able to have or express emotion otherwise. And sadly some people do need constant commotion to fill personal voids.

[mix4fix]

1. 80's rock as background music at the dentist office, how can you relax listening to "crocodile rock". 

Listening to most audiophile music is worse then going to the dentist.

[Phil A]

Listening to most audiophile music is worse then going to the dentist.

Listening to mix4fix's music selection at the Capital Audiofest

[charmerci]

What I call the Bolton-Houston Syndrome - as in Michael/Whitney. Where all new pop singers/producers feel that they have to belt out/stretch their voices to the max from beginning to end of the song.  Good voices but lousy singing.

[jarcher]

Listening to most audiophile music is worse then going to the dentist.

I think I'd take even Dianna Krall over Bon Jovi if I was getting a tooth pulled......