Blog # 6 Rock 'N' Revolt by Isabelle Leymarie
Isabelle Leymarie discusses the relationship between music and violence. She talks about the effects is has on us and what it can make people do. As well as the negative action it triggers.
The tone in this piece is informing, Leymarie wants people to be aware of what certain genres of music can affect the actions of people. Also to make us really think, does rock music cause violence. It seems as though she’s pointing out that listening to rock or metal can increase violence and use of drugs. Just because some people associated drugs with rock music doesn’t mean that it the cause of people doing it. I’m sure that everyone will have a different opinion on this subject. She’s trying to get people to think about their actions after listening to certain kinds of music. Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix were examples of artists that had a negative affect when involved with certain types of music, “its history has been fraught with violence” (Leymarie 73).
The audience is directed towards the people who do in fact listen to rock and metal. She wants them to think about the music and how music is linked to violence. Her examples of what music can do got me thinking about the connection between the two. I would have to agree with her on some level that certain music can create certain moods in people. Rock is known as to get people pumped up and ready to party which can lead to unfortunate events or behaviors. Leymarie mentions that plants also are affected by the types of music played and metal is not one of their favorites, “plants seem to hate heavy metal rock music and twist themselves as far away as possible” (75). I once had done a science project back in elementary school and placed certain types of music to different plants and would see which grew faster. It is true that plants don’t like rock music and I found that very fascinating.
The point of the essay to get people to think about the affects of music and what it causes people to do. Leymarie explains her thoughts about it by references actual experiences that have happened, such as deaths and mentioning famous artists. I believe it wasn’t very effective because I didn’t know half the people she was talking about. Everyone has their own set opinion on this subject I’m sure, one of the points she made about how it was believe that certain music causes “brainwashing”. Also, “Some artificial noises, especially those which emanate from continuous -frequency engines, have been found to have a pathological effect on body’s cellular structure, and can sometimes cause cancer (75) “. If she was trying to scare us with that comment then it certainly worked. My original thought was that Leymarie wanted to inform us and now it seems like she educated us. I have learned more about the effects of music than before.
I do believe that certain types of music can affect what people do. Not to the extent that it would make someone go start fights or commits suicide. But music can change the mood of a person, it seems as though when there’s loud blasting music people want to drink and party more. Music has some sort of affect on people whether they realize it or not.
Question for the class: Have you ever thought about how music can affect you? And do you think that music and violence are connected somehow?