Mark, if I recall your age correctly, I think you and Terry are within a year or two of each other in age.
I, too, can't believe I ate read the whole thing (where's the Pepto Bismol/Alka Seltzer?!). It rings true to me. You've put to words what I've wondered aloud. I essentially stopped listening to new music in the late 1990s, and I've wondered if I've missed much as I settle in to the familiar acts of my youth.
I also agree with Aunty Em that there are pockets of good new music (Thanks, pmbuko for turning me on to Rilo Kiley), but nowhere near the "scenes" that we had in the heyday.
