Some Points on Music

My own thoughts of course.

I'm a fan of music, but not of headphones. Music is an element of the world around you, not an insulation from it.

Listen to tons of different music, even if it's crap. Yeah, you don't have to listen to the whole song, but give it a chance. It helps you define what you really do like and strengthen your opinions of music in general.

You're gonna change your taste in music numerous times in your life. Don't be embarrassed by what you used to like, and definitely don't be embarrassed by what you like right now. People might put you down for it, but remember that at least some other people all over the world are bound to like the same thing too. And obviously the people making the music.

I'm a music collector and appreciator, much like the art kind. I know how to play the instruments you had in band class and that's it. I wish I could play the drums well, or the guitar, but I can't. Just because you can't play music doesn't mean can't like it. But I imagine it wouldn't necessarily be in the same way as a musician might.

Research the music you like. Find out who makes it and who influences it. Wikipedia is your friend. Have something to talk about when you talk music. The only downside is finding out the people who make the music you like are a.) ugly b.) dead c.) a computer. But even then a.) you don't have to see them unless they're live b.) Tupac still puts out much more than his fair share c.) there's nothing wrong with electro.

Discover the HypeMachine. Sure it's full of remixes and a hell of a lot more dance/electro than is healthy for anytime that isn't a Saturday night out on the town, but it's a hell of an aggregator. You know what's new, what's popular, you don't have to download anything, and you can search some band's entire discographies if you want to get a taste for them. Bookmark it: hypem.com

Read blogs. Of course this ties in with hypem.com, but get out on your own, find music blogs you like, that are a bit out of your range, and that keep current. Check out rollingstone.com, pitchfork.com, nme.com, all the mainstream music sites. Make yourself knowledgeable. The radio is alright, but you're getting maybe 2% of what's really out there. Especially in Canada.

If you really like music, buy it. I'm not saying go out and download singles, but if you really love an artist, get out and buy their new album, and most importantly, catch their show if they come through town. Nothing makes you appreciate music more than live performances.

Sure your iPod is nice, but that's music you know you like. Don't play the shit out of it. Expand your tastes, keep finding new music and don't get complacent.

Personal feeling 1: rap really is going down the shitter. Hip-hop is close behind.

Personal feeling 2: noise rock is actually good.

Personal feeling 3: repetitive dance music makes for good, mindless background noise for writing.

Personal feeling 4: really good dance music makes you feel like...you guessed it. Dancing. If you want that Saturday night feeling on a boring Tuesday afternoon, get out and find some good bangers.

Personal feeling 5: current artist's interpretations of the 80's are much better than the actual 80's were.

Personal feeling 6: Old Kings of Leon is much better than new Kings of Leon.

I already mentioned Pitchfork. Sure it has its criticisms, but it's refreshing. You don't get a lot of ass-kissing, and when you do (and you're smart) you can pick it out. They're harsh, but if something is really so bad, give it a listen and see if it's justified. If you like it, pitchfork can go suck it. But guess what? Would you have even known about them if not for pitchfork? Probably not.

Remixes are rarely better than the originals. But when they are, they're pretty freakin' good.

Listen to at least a bit of old music. It's nice to know the roots and how we got to where we are.

That's all I've got for now.