This I have always not understood. There is some amazing stuff out there. Even music from genres I hate that sounds amazing when I listen to it, so you know it has to just be incredible. But that kind of thing is not what the establishment in <art, music, literature, whatever> are pushing.
Well, that's exactly the problem: it is all "good" these days. However, the ability to rate something as good implies that we talk about something we know how to rate and this is the case because the sample size of "good" songs is so incredibly huge by now. In fact, the market is totally saturated with "good" music but nothing has come to replace it yet. Just look at yesterday's Eurovision Song Contest: The songs were rather generic but they were all "good".
When OP talks about amazing stuff I think what s/he gets at is that there is music out there which literally causes amazement instead of a "yeah, this is good" nod.
Current pop music isn't meant to amaze you. If anything it serves as a utility. I.e. it makes unfortunate situations, like a long commute to your dead end job, more bearable.
good but no character. They are good in the sense that vocalists hit the notes they aim for (with or without autotuners), they are good in the sense that they have good harmonics, good rhythm etc.
They just lack any kind of character. cookie-cutter songs from talented but unimaginative people. Their music lacks 'life'.
I can't explain why but a good blues guitarist can strike a nerve just playing relatively simple licks if they do it well. It conveys a feeling that makes modern pop sound bland, lifeless, boring. There is no connection to the musician or the music. no soul.
All said though music is a very much personal taste thing so each to their own. Today you will have 'I'm a barbie girl, in a barbie woo-oorld' stuck in your head. You're welcome :)
