I like most of the arguments here, they are sound and frank :D , just be carefull to follow the rules here, coz name calling and flaming others are strictly prohibitted.

Anyway It doesn't mean that tuning down will lead to less quality solos , Its just a matter of preference by the artist to create a distinct sound rather than the standard E tuning or trying to focus more on the lyrics and riff instead of the solo.

I admit that Im a solid fan of shred guitar and even though most songs today lack solos, Im still not disappointed by some new breed of artist that plays some good solo's in their songs although not as fast or as technical as the past. Alterbridge is one good example, Mark Tremonti plays some wicked solos Open D tunings, Velvet Rovolver with Slash playing Eb tuning sounds great to name a few from the Mainstream.

It's just nice too see right now that many kids and adults are interested to play guitar. It's very easy to be called a "good guitar player" right Now because the standard of a good player today is not Yngwie, Vai, Satch , EVH, etc. I can say the 90's Slash , Dime and Hamett is still a tough act to follow by people then, but now your considered good if you can play Nickelback, Creed, Korn, Linkin Park, Staind, The Calling, etc. Thanks to them I can now relate to my younger friends who are just new to guitar and I feel blessed coz Im immersed with the Shred revolution. Im like a guitar hero to them everytime I play Eruption, BlackStar, Ice 9 and Sweet Child O mine solo.

The conclusion is Learn to appreciate and accept the trend (they just come and go> shred, blues, funk, metal. etc.), but always honor and remember your roots and apply them. They are good for you....Peace ;)