Music historian: In the past, radio stations would not play rock songs that were more than three minutes in length. Rock musicians claimed that such commercial barriers limited their creativity, and some critics argue that only since those barriers have been lifted has rock music become artistic. In fact, however, when these barriers were lifted, the standards for song structures broke down and the music became aimless, because the styles from which rock derived were not well suited to songs of extended length.
Summary
Usually, radio stations do not play rock songs longer than three minutes. Rock musicians argue that this time constraint limited their creativity, and some critics argue that rock music has become artistic only because this time constraints have been lifted. However, song structures began to break down and music became aimless when the time constraints were lifted. This is because the styles that are the basis of rock music are not well suited for songs of extended length.
Strongly Supported Conclusions
In some cases, rock music can benefit from time constraints rather than be harmed by them.
A
Rock music is not a good outlet for creative musicians who have a great many ideas.
This answer is unsupported. To say that rock music is not a good outlet for creativity is too extreme. We only know rock musicians argue that time constraints limit creativity, not eliminate creativity entirely.
B
Rock music must borrow from styles more conducive to songs of extended length if it is to become artistic.
This answer is unsupported. To say that rock music must borrow from other styles is too extreme. We don’t know from the stimulus if there are any styles that are suited for songs of extended length.
C
Rock music requires more discipline than some other forms of music.
This answer is unsupported. We are not told anything about other forms of music in order to make this comparison.
D
Rock music can sometimes benefit from the existence of commercial barriers rather than being harmed by them.
This answer is strongly supported. We know from the stimulus that, after time constraints were lifted, song structures began to break down. Therefore, rock music benefited at least somewhat from the time constraints.
E
Rock music is best when it is made by musicians who do not think of themselves as being self-conscious artists.
This answer is unsupported. We don’t know from the stimulus under what circumstances rock music is the best.