Thanks for replying, max. But right there you illustrate the same problem we're having with WildRanger. What if someone thinks Black Crows and Nickelback have decent solos? What if someone likes the guitar solo in Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit even though a lot of metalheads shit on it? It's all subjective. Black Crows and Nickelback are still professional musicians, and, dare I say, make a better living than a lot of technically-obsessed progressive metal artists who can shred. Shredding is cool, but it doesn't matter much if it doesn't connect with people. And, as sad as it makes some people, technicality isn't at the front of most music fans' minds. They want music that makes them feel, and as much as metalheads don't like hearing it, shredding doesn't invoke much emotion for most people.
Also, not really sure what is 'PC' about what I wrote. That's confusing. Nothing here is being sugarcoated with political correctness.
I was in a band back then and had to play " Smells Like Teen Spirit " . One night I said " never again " , and that was my last gig with that.
I learned a hard lesson back then ... kids are going to listen to something different than their parents , and if that means less or more talented than the former than so be it. Back in the 80's we had a quick rise and fall in what was an acceptable " standard " , and both were drivin by record execs.
Thats when I decided to cut off from the industry and music all together. The best guitar had already been played , Billy Sheehan had played all he could , and the same with drums. 1989 is the cut off for me as far as rock music , there is nothing beyond that. A few sparks here and ther but mostly nothingness ( as Fates Warning would say ).
But in the end , there is a standard as to what a pro musician should be. Today a guitar player needs to be able to do anything the players before him did ( alternate picking , arpeggios , tapping , blues , etc. ). Or at least write songs for people that can ? I don't know , F a Nickleback and a Black Crow.