One thing I have definitely noticed is what I would call music with an engineered outcome.
It just seems that the record industry has pre-ordained the types of music that will be at the top of the chart then they either find an existing group to perform the song or they assemble a band to do it (like the boy band craze).
Judging by the stark decline in diversity even within given genres (pop, country, etc.), I am wondering if bands have been reduced to order takers following the instruction of the record label's chosen producers.
I was a big fan of alternative in the early 80s but it pretty much died by 1992. At this point, I have resorted to techno/house/trance etc. to find the originality that attracts me to music.
Check out !!
The Ministry Of Sound for some good stuff