I was going through my old CDs the other day and pulled out the Indigo Girls’ Strange Fire. That was a disc I had in high rotation back in high school, but I have not listened to it for a long time. Playing it again brought back memories. In all it has held up well, and still sounds fresh and vital 15 years later, since it exists outside the mainstream of sonic styles. It seems that artists who try to sound just like everyone else sound dated very quickly. They sound like typical 1980s synthipop, or 1970s cock rock, or whatever style. However, artists who speaks strongly in their own voice, such as Nick Drake, The Church, and yes, the Indigo Girls, do not sound dated. And if I had to guess who people will still be listening to in 50 years, I would pick these such original artists over those that follow trends.