What's going on with Thai pop music? Anyone in Thailand can't help but hear it nearly everywhere, as it's in restaurants, buses, boats, malls, .....along streets, you name it.

There was a prolonged period of years (still going on, but abating somewhat) where all Thai boy pop songs were insipid to a fault - rather like a 14 year old singing a good-night tune to his grandparents.

There must be an unwritten rule in Thailand where pop singers, boys and girls and katoy, have to be under 18 to enter the biz, and can't keep recording after the age of 21. Ok, I jest, but that's what it sounds like. Actually, many of the girl pop songs sound like they're being squeezed out of barbie sized dolls.

Ok, here's what I wanted to post: An increasing number of song recordings in farang lands appear to be live sessions. If you're a musician, as I am, you may appreciate that. Whereas, for decades, nearly all recordings were layered on 'tracks' - now some musicians are harking back to pre-stereo days. Not quite five guys around one microphone hanging from the ceiling like the good-'ol do-wap days, but here's what I've observed, while watching an array of videos via NPR.org:

A sound studio with several musicians. Each has their own microphone, and here's the best part: they're all performing at the same time. It's a joy to watch, particularly if the musicians are talented. Later, I'm sure there's mixing, but the dynamic and music is exciting when it's all happening in real time and ensemble.

My advice to Thai musicians: Learn from the masters. If you can't travel to places like Cuba or Brazil or Africa or (many other locales) where some of the best new music is being made, at least research and emulate some of the exciting new sounds and (retro) recording styles.

If you were studying to be an engineer, you wouldn't study just one simple style, would you? You'd probably want to expose yourself to a wide range of styles and innovations.

Sorry for the long OP, but just wanted to vent a bit.

Yesterday evening, met some friends at an open air venue in the middle of town. The 'Night Bazaar.' Night sky was clear, food was good, only problem was: the music on stage was immensely loud. Not only the featured musician, but even the preceding recorded music. Why is it Thai music venues always have to crank up the P.A. system as loud as possible? And in the past 25 years, not one Thai musician has played to an audience without using microphones and amplifiers.

Thai musicians are incapable of performing without amplification. Their voices and instruments are all being pumped through black colored cardboard speakers. No exceptions. It's impossible to hear a performing singing voice or musical instrument in Thailand with its own timbre (it's natural sound).