What a well-written post and very astute observations.

I completely agree that the age of decade-defining genres are over. I think it ended in around 2005 after bands like the Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs, and even then, there was no specific fashion, art or culture that surrounded them as there had been in the 90s and most definitely the 80s and before. The intrinsic bonds have definitely been broken.

Cause? Perhaps around that time, streaming and downloads started to become the norm, and as x-rain mentions below, the physical music collecting gene had been wiped out. This time also coincides with the rise of the TV 'talent' shows that created a throwaway musical culture where instant success followed by instant obscurity became the norm. Going back to those old links to culture, fashion and art, how many people fashion trends did Hear'Say initiate?

For the elderly like myself, it appears the only musical genre left is bland. I can't remember the last time I heard a new song that made me want to hit 'repeat' but I'm not sure I can blame anyone for this except for younger consumers. If they didn't listen to it or pay for it, it wouldn't exist, but they will continue to do so because the music of the age is linked to lifestyle, and that's all that anyone seems to want to follow these days. Perhaps it's lifestyles that's the Rock'n'Roll of the age!

Thanks for the best post I've read here for quite a while and best wishes to you and your loved ones.