Props on Ry Cooder. Nice one.
Haven't listened to Fairport Convention in a loooooong time though. Might have to try them again, see how well they've aged.
As for Rock being Pop, I think only some is.
Well, OK, most of today's rock is. All the crap you get played on MTV is. And even some sneaks in that isn't pop, but appears it. It will however fade out of recognition in a couple of years and stop being pop.
That's why I like to note the difference by referring to poprock. Kind of like poprocks but without the unnerving fun (OK, as a kid at least).
Basically, I think any rock that is not striving to be now, and happnin', is not pop. There are a few bands around at the moment that are genuinely just making good music.
I do agree though, that most of the good music is a lot older. Most of the rock I listen to (except for the joyous Homme and Lanegan catalogues) is from pre 1990.
But if you listen to either Kyuss (Homme) or some of the Lanegan solo work (
here for instance a superb session of four tracks live on Milan Radio - including two Lanegan originals (Sleep With Me and Mockingbirds) and a Neil Young (ick) cover - Cinnamon Girl and Johnny Cash - You Wild Colorado.) you will see that there is music some good rock that is not going for the dollar.
Ok Lanegan hasn't been entirely rock for most of his solo work, but Homme has, and Lanegan's new album is more rock that he has been prior.