I think that's a moot question. A bassline is as effective as the song itself. You get some amazing songs with simple ones, and ditto with complex ones. It's like saying a song is 'better' or 'worse' due to how technical it is. U2 have some incredible songs that have the simplest basslines imaginable. The Who, on the other hand, have equally awsome, catchy songs with basslines that I still haven't fully figured out.icecab21 wrote:I think baselines bring up a question and well as drumming. Bands can get by by being rather straightforward with them it seems. Its’ like at least sometimes that bands will have these songs with complex baselines and then their songs that get most popular will be ones where the bass player just plays the root of the chord. What are your thoughts of the complexity of baselines and from a record deal perspective what difference does it make?
One doesn't write songs with landing a contract in mind. You write the songs that come from your heart naturally. If it's good stuff that sounds fresh and energetic then that's what companies look for.
I mean, there are a lot of ethical issues that are rasied once writing music for the object of selling it arises. In the eyes of the company, you are an asset, a resource. To them, you are not an 'artist' despite them calling you one. You are, to all intents and purposes, like a model of a car sitting on the lot or a brand of breakfast cereal on the shelf, and the more you sell the better. Sure, one brand of coco pops might taste nicer and be better for you than another, but will it necessarily sell more than another? If quality is the only thing that matters, then how does one explain McDonald's selling as much as they do?
Is the instrumentalisation of art in this manner right or wrong? As a musician, your music is your art, it's your expression, your communication of the soul to the outside world. Is wrapping it up in cellophane and putting it on a shelf and charging people 13 euros for it the right thing to do? Is modifying your art and your music in order to make it more pleasing to the ears of the company or the potential buyers the right thing to do?
Philosophers will debate to the end of time over that one.
And when it comes to this genre of music, the importance of the vocalist cannot be underestimated. People who run record labels want a good, strong and recognisable voice that can be linked with the band (perhaps less so with extreme metal but it's still important), so if you have a bad singer you can forget any chances of landing a contract. In fact, any weak members of the band have to be gotten rid of, simple as that. Image helps, sure, but that's stuff that can be fixed. The base material has to be strong first.
And again, landing a contract is the easy part.
Your words are so full of wisdom,but they make me depressed. I don't want to be a cocopop to those ninnyhammers. 
Which tastes better is entirely subjective, but Kellogg's are the famous, established and well-known brand which will sell more.
I have eaten Kellogs all my life. So I am a cocopop??I would like to taste those special ones,Winters Verge, but where can I buy them? Not in my bunco shop. 
If you was the only guy in the world with those dreams it had been easier for you. You have a tough time in front of you and I wish you luck against my knowledge.Remember you are nothing but a cocopop...
I recommend you to read Jens post about Kiev before you are going on with your dreams. To be a worldmusician is not always an easy promenade on roses. 
