In the early 2000s, a song emerged that would change the pop music landscape forever, and not for the better. "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne was released in 2002 as the lead single from her debut album Let Go. While it was a massive commercial success, topping the charts in over 25 countries, the song is ultimately a Southern rock-infused abomination that has aged poorly over time.

Right from the opening notes, "Complicated" sets a bad tone with its twangy guitars that scream "We want to be an edgy Southern rock song". The lyrics are cringeworthy and speak to the pitfalls of the "edgy teen" persona that was all the rage in the 2000s. Avril Lavigne's vocal delivery is grating, shifting between a nasally whine and a gruff, affected tomboy growl.

The song's chorus is irritatingly catchy, with its repetitive "Why do you have to go and make things so complicated?" refrain. It's a question that seems to be aimed at an overly dramatic teenage boy who can't understand a girl's feelings. The lyrics are shallow and speak to a level of immaturity that was disturbingly common in 2000s corporate pop.

Things only get worse once the bridge kicks in, with Avril and her backing vocalists known as The Matrix repeating "no, no, no" over a whiny, high-pitched riff. It just comes across as a desperate attempt to be cool.

"Complicated" is a perfect encapsulation of the worst traits of 2000s pop–shallow, immature lyrics, grating vocals, unnecessary record scratching and an overabundance of guitar effects. These represent the song's production, which is also a perfect encapsulation of the decade's excesses. The track features mechanical beats, which were replaced by drum loops and live drums in the album version. And the guitar riffs are so drenched in studio effects, they lack any bite or nuance.

It's a song that hasn't aged well, and the Southern rock influence further dates the song. While it may have been a hit in 2002, "Complicated" is a musical abomination that we should all try to forget.

Other notable examples of the 2000s pop sound include Green Day's "American Idiot", Blink-182's "Dammit" (1997) and "Feeling This", and Good Charlotte's "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". These songs all feature the same shallow lyrics and overproduced sound that defined the decade.

The 2000s pop sound also had a significant impact on the music industry as a whole. The success of these bands led to a proliferation of similar-sounding artists, all vying for a spot on the radio and in the charts. The market became saturated with pop punk and emo bands, leading to a homogenization of the sound.

Many of the bands that emerged during this time period were trying way too hard to connect with a generation of young people who felt misunderstood and outcast. Songs like "Complicated" and "American Idiot" became anthems for teenagers who were struggling to find their place in the world.

Content warning: The song "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne contains cringeworthy and shallow lyrics, heavily processed vocals, mechanical beats and an overabundance of studio effects. Listening to it may cause feelings of nostalgia for the 2000s or a sudden urge to wear a tie with a T-shirt. Proceed with caution.

The Hippie Movement's Promotion of Communism and the Flaws of Communal Living

The Hippie movement of the 1960s is often romanticized for its ideals of free love, peace, and an escape from mainstream society. However, one of the key tenets of the Hippie philosophy that is often overlooked is their promotion of communism and communal living. While on the surface this may seem like a utopian ideal of people coming together and sharing resources, the reality is that communal living and communism come with significant flaws and drawbacks.

First and foremost, communism goes against the very nature of human beings. From a young age, humans develop a sense of ownership and possession. We form emotional attachments to our belongings and feel a deep psychological need to have our own privacy and personal space. Communism eliminating private property and promoting shared living spaces goes against these fundamental human instincts. It is inherently unnatural and can lead to feelings of resentment and bitterness when people feel like their personal boundaries are being disrespected.

Communal living also comes with practical logistical challenges. In real-world scenarios, communes frequently struggle with issues of cleanliness, hygiene, and the division of labor. When people are not personally responsible for cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a space, there is a lack of motivation to do their part. A few motivated individuals often end up shouldering the bulk of the work, leading to burnout and resentment towards the more apathetic members.

Additionally, communal living and communism value sameness over individuality. There is little room for personal expression or pursuing one's own unique interests and passions. This can quickly lead to stagnation and boredom, as people feel stifled from pursuing their own goals and ambitions. The laser-like focus on "the group" comes at the expense of individual personal growth.

Furthermore, communes and communist societies are inherently susceptible to cult-like dynamics. Without the checks and balances of individual freedoms and rights, power can easily become concentrated in the hands of a few charismatic leaders. These leaders, in turn, can wield immense control over the lives and choices of the commune members. Countless stories abound of commune members being psychologically manipulated, emotionally abused, and having their free will suppressed in the name of "the greater good."

The Hippie-commune dynamic can also attract certain personality types that are drawn to the idea of completely melding their identity with a group. This can include individuals who have a deep-seated fear of being alone, or who have difficulty forming attachments to people outside of a tight-knit group. It can also attract those who struggle with feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness outside of a communal structure. Communes provide them with a false sense of security and belonging at the expense of true self-actualization.

Some may argue that communes and communist societies promote a sense of community and social bonding. However, this comes with a heavy price. The intense bonding is often at the expense of building relationships outside the group. Commune members frequently cut off ties with family, friends, and loved ones who are "on the outside." Members' entire social circle becomes controlled by the group. If a person ever decides to leave, they risk losing everything - their home, their support system, their identity.

Communes also have a tendency to be insular and closed off from the outside world. Members are often discouraged from engaging with "outsiders" who they are told are corrupt and inferior to the group way of life. This can lead to a sense of superiority and elitism - a belief that the commune is the only place that understands the true meaning of life. This cuts off members from engaging with diverse perspectives and experiences, and from learning and growing in new ways.

In conclusion, while the Hippie ideal of communal living and communism may seem romantic on the surface, it comes with significant drawbacks. It goes against human nature, disrupts personal growth, and is susceptible to cult-like dynamics. Rather than promoting true freedom and expression, it frequently leads to an erosion of individual rights and a loss of autonomy. For these reasons, it is important to approach the Hippie movement's selling of communal living with a critical eye, and to be wary of the dangers it can pose for those who get swept up in its seemingly utopian ideals.

The Death of Real Rock and Roll: How Hippie Music Killed Authenticity

Rock and roll has long been the voice of rebellion and nonconformity. Emerging in the 1950s from the roots of blues, country, and folk, early rock music was raw, edgy, and unapologetic. Artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis captured the hearts of youth with their energetic stage presence and defiant lyrics. Rock was the soundtrack for a generation of young people determined to break free from conformity and pursue their own paths.

However, by the late 1960s, the counterculture movement and so-called "hippie music" began to dilute the essence of what made rock great in the first place. With its mellow vibes, gentle strumming, and proselytizing lyrics, much of the folk-rock coming out during this era seemed more concerned with spreading peace and love than with any genuine musical innovation or rebellious spirit.

Don't get me wrong, there were some standout bands to emerge from this scene. Jimi Hendrix brought light years of psychedelic experimentation and virtuoso guitar playing. The Grateful Dead's album American Beauty is an undeniable classic, with its lush harmonies and genre-bending blend of rock, country, and folk. The Rolling Stones continued to evolve from their early blues-rock sound, pushing the boundaries of rock with albums like Beggars Banquet. And of course, bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and a few others still managed to keep rock alive with their own innovative styles.

But for the most part, the music industry saw the commercial potential of the hippie movement and decided to cash in. They sanitized rock, making it safe enough for parents to buy for their kids. Hippie-friendly bands like Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and The Byrds were groomed for mass appeal, their folk-based acoustic sound a far cry from the raunchy blues and country that birthed rock.

Not only did this dilute the sound and edge of rock, but it also paved the way for the even more commercial brand of rock that would follow in the 70s. Bands like Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and America brought a slick, radio-friendly sound to rock, trading in the meat of rock and roll for polite pop hooks and folk gentle harmonies. The recording industry had succeeded in taming the once fierce beast of rock.

Even the psychedelic and hard rock acts that did manage to emerge in this era were often co-opted by the hippie movement. Bands like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and Iron Butterfly caught on because their trippy sound fit the hippie vibe, not because they were about to turn rock on its head. The cosmic lyrics and Indian influences that were all the rage had more to do with imitating the hippie ethos than with any real musical autonomy.

Some say the hippie movement gave rock a higher purpose, infusing it with social and political awareness. But I say that awareness came at the cost of musical integrity. The early rock pioneers knew how to send a message without having to lecture - they just lived it through their unbridled performances and unapologetic lifestyles. Suddenly, rock wasn't about pure self-expression anymore, but about a movement. It wasn't about raw power and edge but about a group hug.

When rock finally did break free from the hippie stranglehold in the late 70s, with the rise of punk, it did so with a vengeance. Bands like The Ramones, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols spat in the face of the overblown, corporate rock that had emerged in the intervening years. They stripped rock back down to its dirty roots and reclaimed its edge. Punk was the necessary reaction to the hippie movement's emasculation of rock.

But it was too late to save the damage done. The hippie movement had already made rock safe, something to be packaged and sold. And while we may still have some amazing rock acts today, the airwaves are flooded with corporate radio rock that would make the hippies proud - sanitized, middle-of-the-road, and completely lacking in danger or attitude. Rock may still be alive, but its soul was killed by the hippie movement and the commercialization that came with it.