So apparently according to some individuals on another site [where I discuss music critically on a consistent basis] Laura Marling has no legitimacy as a folk musician because she comes from big money. This opinion makes no sense to me – because when did it become sensible to disregard an artist’s lyrical and musical depth due to their wealth? Has great art not been produced by the ‘aristocracy’ before?

@Inkarnate
Well the site I usually go to, to find new music. (and see every black metal and rap record get overrated to the point of wondering if fans of those genres on that site can accurately critique things.) Seems to like her okay. Though her current album is the lowest rated one.

But as for that particular argument. I'd like to believe nobody is stupid enough to argue that, given how musical production often costs a decent chunk of money in the first place. But I literally went through a "rap music is special, since it's street musik argument." which seems to imply the exact same thing. If you lived in the ghetto, or even exist in the genre that started there. You're all set. And if you haven't lived there. (or have and just think it sucks.) You don't know nothing.

There's always been a 'sellout ideal' of all genres of music or people wishing their artists "stay underground" or be "not known". While there's some backing to that, the word sellout is so overused. It's ridiculous.

Artists and writers often get this criticism when they try to profit off their work, or youtubers that open a patreon. Creative people making money seems to be a sin for many individuals, and anyone who isn't blinded by their own greed. It's obvious that argument comes from greed from their success. Some people are born more creative and some actually work hard enough to become good at something. Some don't try and some aren't born with any creative talent. That's just how the world works. Just because you work a desk job doesn't mean an artist shouldn't be paid for their hours of work.

People in general seem to think rich/well off people are evil and impure, it's even a winning political argument more often than not. More money, whether earned from hard work or not. You shouldn't have so much money. Same baseless logical process.

Having too much money makes what you're doing wrong and being poor makes you pure, is a shitty argument in any situation. But it's a more commonplace argument than you might think...

Also I could always use more indie folk in my life. So that's another band I need to listen to today. <.<

@Inkarnate
Okay doing them in order and will edit with the rest once I finish. Here's my thoughts on your recommendations. (The first half.)

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds

Wouldn't it be nice, is like instantly catchy and reminded me of a Beatles track. Though nearly every track afterward were much slower and musically a lot of the tracks felt a bit somber. There's plenty of sad moments of this record. I think the word 'sad' or 'cry' is in like every song. I'll admit I know this band from Surfin USA, so I'm surprised how melancholy this record sounds to me in general. Was an okay listen, though are you sure you sent me their happy album? XD

I'm from Barcelona: Growing Up Is For Trees

This band apparently doesn't exist, because it's impossible to find their lyrics or anything about them. So a little hard to judge this. Would appreciate if you could find the lyrics for anything but the first song. >.< But these songs seemed pretty simple lyrically. “Helium Heart” “Growing Up Is For Trees“ “Sirens” didn't seem particularly lyrically happy to me either. Some of it was enjoyable, but this wasn't my album.

The Boy Least Likely To : The Law Of The Playground

I feel like I'm listening to the band that inspired Owl City. Songs 1,2,3,4,7,11 actually don't have happy lyrics either. Not gonna lie, this one was a really tough one to even sit through for me. >.<

Couldn't even find track 10 on youtube. Though the ending track is a decent song/ending track.

(Track 9 is will give me night terrors at how bad these lyrics are.)

The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

Well I listened to their most highly rated album (on the site I frequent) Though this one seems to be the most listened too. I'm hoping that this will actually be happier lyrically than the last one. Because I'm getting a pattern of my recommendations, that I'm getting happy sounding music that is either, lyrically not that happy. Or so childish sounding that it's unbearable to stomach. So crossed fingers.

Track 1, Track 6, Track 8, Track 9. I would argue aren't particularly happy. Though this album is a tad more silly which gives it a more happy vibe and is more musically upbeat as well. The Soft Bulletin album had stronger lyrics in general. I don't know which one I liked more though. But I liked this one too. The first instrumental track on this one was probably their most enjoyable song for me.

Edit: (Next three albums recommended.)

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: You're All I Need

*looks at track list* Oh boy 12 love songs. XD

Yep, this was an album with just happy stuff. So that criteria was met.

First track has a women expressing that she was confused and sad because she tried to talked to a picture, but it didn't respond because it was a picture... :I Okay all this felt like was a bunch of generic love pop songs that used 'love' and 'baby' like it was going out of style. I was happy that they had the grace to be short...(Sorry, really not a fan of this one either. This stuff was my musical kryptonite.)

The New Pornographers: Brill Bruisers

"You Tell Me Where" Isn't happy. "Born With A Sound" I guess is debateable. As for the album itself. Their rock style guitar tracks we're enjoyable. It's not a bad album.

Nada Surf: You Know Who You Are

Well I looked up at most of it was written by Semisonic. So that's a start.

Track 2, 3, 4, 8 aren't that happy. The album is okay, sort of feels like t.v show background music.