iPod Official genres?

[OrangeCuse44]

The one thing that bugs me about iTunes store is genre tagging of bands. I feel like everything is "Alternative." Being that I'm OCD when it comes to my iTunes, I was wondering if there are official genres for bands. For example, Playradioplay! is Indietronic, not Alternative. Streetlight Manifesto is Ska, not Alternative. I guess what I'm looking for is maybe a database or something with more specific genre labeling for bands to better utilize Genius.

 

[hollerz]

Ask 10 different people the genre of a band and you'll probably get 5 or 6 different answers. I think when you get down to sub-genres and sub-sub-genres it can get quite subjective, so I find it's best to just use your own. I know this doesn't help

 

[OrangeCuse44]

Ask 10 different people the genre of a band and you'll probably get 5 or 6 different answers. I think when you get down to sub-genres and sub-sub-genres it can get quite subjective, so I find it's best to just use your own. I know this doesn't help

Unfortunately, that is what I figured and what I have been doing. Thanks.

 

[NightStorm]

I've been using the genre and styles listed on http://www.allmusic.com when importing my own CDs (or when the iTunes tags are "wrong").

 

[OrangeCuse44]

I've been using the genre and styles listed on http://www.allmusic.com when importing my own CDs (or when the iTunes tags are "wrong").

Wow, that's great! Thanks for the link.

 

[dXTC]

Ask 10 different people the genre of a band and you'll probably get 5 or 6 different answers. I think when you get down to sub-genres and sub-sub-genres it can get quite subjective, so I find it's best to just use your own.

Agreed. And artist don't like being pigeonholed, so they'll cross subgenres in the same album. I usually re-genre a CD before I import it (after correcting the inevitable typos in the song titles).

 

[synth3tik]

The problem is bands and artist want their own genre. It's cooler to start your own genre. However this leads to just a stupid mess of "Sub-genres". Like you pointed out, that one band is Indietronic. What the hell is that?

The genre game has been a huge problem in the electronic music scene for 15-20 years. Only lately does it seem like more conventional bands are starting to make new genres.

Don't get me wrong I am somewhat OCD about genre tags too. However I think a more simplified streamline genre naming would be more beneficial for you. I mean if you have 10,000 songs and 800 genres that is going to be no help to you.
Now as far as ska is concerned I would have to agree with you.

 

[dXTC]

The genre game has been a huge problem in the electronic music scene for 15-20 years.

You're preaching to the choir here. Case in point:

• Progressive trance vs.
• Melodic trance vs.
• Epic trance vs.
• Anthem trance...

Yikes. And this, from a guy who still likes trance.

 

[synth3tik]

You're preaching to the choir here. Case in point:

• Progressive trance vs.
• Melodic trance vs.
• Epic trance vs.
• Anthem trance...

Yikes. And this, from a guy who still likes trance.

fully agreed with you. Years back I used to spin Trance along with a couple other styles. Progressive Trance makes sense, as most trance is repetitive and non evolving. Anthem trance though... That's just as bad as "ballad Rock" although I have never hear of ballad rock, thank god. An anthem is a song structure, not a style.