>Exactly when a sound expires is unknown to me, but I am still
>researching. I think it's very closely related to that sound
>going "pop." If you look through history there is a cycle;
>first there is a totally new sound noone has heard before. It
>is creative, unique, and progressive. It is so good everyone
>wants it. Then they dumb it down, make it for everyone, and
>it becomes pop. All genres; jazz, folk, rock and roll, Soul,
>R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, etc. Have at one point been totally
>creative, and at another point dominated the "pop" sound.

A poster made a similar point in the current 'indie folk' post.

>I agree with Jakob,

Generally a good tactic!

>That is the sound, and the culture I think of when I hear the
>word "indie." You say that these days the indie scene is
>mainstream. This makes me think that indie has made its way
>into the cycle of pop. It is sad, but it was inevitable.

Just wanted to point out that this isn't the first go-round 'indie' has had with 'pop' - see the bands Jakob referenced. Or do comparative listens to, say, Camper Van Beethoven, Meat Puppets or fIREHOSE on their independent- versus major-label releases...