Music, what the hell else do I write about??
I just wanted to share some recent reflections, revelations and ruminations of mine on pop music, in mean that in the broad sense of the word, which is to say: rock, country, hip-hop, and what is generally recognized as "pop" (Ashley Simpson, etc...)
I want to say there is nothing cool about hating certain artists. It does not demonstrate that you have a fine and discriminating taste in music. It just makes you seem like a pompous hipper than thou ass. There are two sides to this coin and I realize I've been leaning toward the latter lately:
1. Hipper-than-thou. These are the folks who like underground music, sometimes only as a means by which to identify with an exclusive group- the "hipsters", kids in the know, what have. Others just genuinely prefer certain styles or artitists that are not widely embraced by the mainstream. Grand. The problem arises when this preference manifests itself in hate for more popular or widely known artists: "I can't believe The Fruitcakes are so huge while the Flying Shitballs are still struggling to get by! I HATE the fruitcakes" Trust me, with VERY rare exceptions The Fruitcakes are where they are because they busted their asses - and made all the right moves.
2. Cream will rise to the top. These are folks like me who have become lazy in their listening habits and only check out artists who are either already established or about whom a buzz is already happening. An overemphasis on what is "in" is often accompanied by this mentality.
I've only recently struck the middle ground which is the reason for my post here. The best situation you can be in is that in which you are able to dig all kinds of music. Try as I might I can't seem to get into jazz... But hip-hop and R&B were formerly no-nos for me I can now at the very least understand it, if not dig it. I guess my message is expand your fucking horizons! There is nothing to feel guilty about listening (and liking) a Hilary Duff song, or being into an obscure defunct band from the 80s. It's all music and it's all good...
I want to say there is nothing cool about hating certain artists. It does not demonstrate that you have a fine and discriminating taste in music. It just makes you seem like a pompous hipper than thou ass. There are two sides to this coin and I realize I've been leaning toward the latter lately:
1. Hipper-than-thou. These are the folks who like underground music, sometimes only as a means by which to identify with an exclusive group- the "hipsters", kids in the know, what have. Others just genuinely prefer certain styles or artitists that are not widely embraced by the mainstream. Grand. The problem arises when this preference manifests itself in hate for more popular or widely known artists: "I can't believe The Fruitcakes are so huge while the Flying Shitballs are still struggling to get by! I HATE the fruitcakes" Trust me, with VERY rare exceptions The Fruitcakes are where they are because they busted their asses - and made all the right moves.
2. Cream will rise to the top. These are folks like me who have become lazy in their listening habits and only check out artists who are either already established or about whom a buzz is already happening. An overemphasis on what is "in" is often accompanied by this mentality.
I've only recently struck the middle ground which is the reason for my post here. The best situation you can be in is that in which you are able to dig all kinds of music. Try as I might I can't seem to get into jazz... But hip-hop and R&B were formerly no-nos for me I can now at the very least understand it, if not dig it. I guess my message is expand your fucking horizons! There is nothing to feel guilty about listening (and liking) a Hilary Duff song, or being into an obscure defunct band from the 80s. It's all music and it's all good...