Whatever happened to quality music? If you take a look at all the songs I like from the early 2000s that you've never heard of, you'll see lyrics that convey meaning mixed with great guitar and melodies that are actually good.

Look at popular music and all you see are the same trivial themes -- or, if you do find something conveying an emotion, it's the same emotion all the other pop artists feel when they feel feels.

As for the tune, it's always the same slow, uninteresting rhythms with basic descending or ascending melodies. Most popular music is either all background beat or all lead -- no beautiful chemistry of bass and lead guitars, with the drums to make it complete. Just some catchy background or weightless foreground.

Lyrics? Almost anything you find in pop is a cheap love song or some heartbreak. Were it paired with a decent tune, it might be enjoyable. But pop has the same overly-synthetic sound that makes it impossible to imagine humanity behind.

By contrast, independent rock of the 2000s has a somewhat unrefined but personal sound. Pair that with relatable and honest and open lyrics sung from beautiful tunes and real-life singers, you get the last great period of music.

I wish I could've experienced the early 2000s and heard this music fresh and upcoming; all the greatest bands are gone and to replace their short-lived generation is a bunch of mass-produced fakes.