COOL BAND, DOOODE
you know, back in the day, when indians were discovering a new plant or food item; they would often feed it to a baby to test it to see if it was poisonous (for example, acorns are very poisonous to humans).
well, what i do with music, when i'm in doubt, is i go onto some specific people's facebook profiles and read their "music interests." there is one specific person, actually, that i go for the ultimate verdict; i go and check to see what he likes listening to and i'm then like, "holy shit." (none of those people are on this list, thankfully)
it's not about being able to identify "cool" music; that's easy! all you have to do is follow the recipe or compare the footprints (interpol and bloc party vs. killers and bravery). here are the basic levels of evaluating music:
I HEAR WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE - i would say most people don't go beyond this; they fall for a catchy melody, lyrics that are easy to memorize and a message that doesn't require any second thoughts.
I HEAR WHAT IT'S SAYING (AND I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS) - this shows some refinement. there is a deeper, more emotive message to it and it is at a point where people can have an opinion on music and discuss it.
THIS SONG HAS AN EFFECT ON ME - the next level -- where the person starts to tout a specific artist and makes a case for him/her/them. it evokes a reaction in you and therefore becomes a good song. this is the last major stop for the remainder of the people; and only a fractional percentage go beyond this comfort zone.
I KNOW WHY THIS SONG EXISTS - this is the complete comprehension of it. when you're deciding what makes a good song, ask yourself why it exists. what is the motive? the purpose? what implications does it carry? how does it effect music? what (do you think) caused this song to be made? what does it contribute to the art? where did the song come from -- literally, influentially, what does it emulate? imitate?
"oh fuck you, Roe. you can't say shit. music's subjective. it's all a matter of opinion and you can't say the song sucks just because you don't like it. if someone likes it, then it's good to them and that's all that matters. the connection between the music and the listener; you're just quick to judge and criticize."
(i have to argue with myself because i'm sure ya'll think it; but ya'll don't speak it)
the problem is that people get lazy and stop processing the artist once it has an effect on them. "i like it. i rest my case." well, stopping there is cool; but it doesn't build a case at all. the truth is that there really is a difference between good music and bad music; and it's not as subjective as you may think. and there is a difference between people that know which artists are cool and people that know what actually makes an artist cool -- it mostly lies in the way the process and understand it.
-- sonnyred
http://www.box.net/shared/j5kxvm40o0
please, feel free to bash, refute, comment, ask additional questions, make any corrections to my logic. please don't ever feel intimidated -- we're here to build off each other, so let's have a word or two and build.
you know, back in the day, when indians were discovering a new plant or food item; they would often feed it to a baby to test it to see if it was poisonous (for example, acorns are very poisonous to humans).
well, what i do with music, when i'm in doubt, is i go onto some specific people's facebook profiles and read their "music interests." there is one specific person, actually, that i go for the ultimate verdict; i go and check to see what he likes listening to and i'm then like, "holy shit." (none of those people are on this list, thankfully)
it's not about being able to identify "cool" music; that's easy! all you have to do is follow the recipe or compare the footprints (interpol and bloc party vs. killers and bravery). here are the basic levels of evaluating music:
I HEAR WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE - i would say most people don't go beyond this; they fall for a catchy melody, lyrics that are easy to memorize and a message that doesn't require any second thoughts.
I HEAR WHAT IT'S SAYING (AND I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS) - this shows some refinement. there is a deeper, more emotive message to it and it is at a point where people can have an opinion on music and discuss it.
THIS SONG HAS AN EFFECT ON ME - the next level -- where the person starts to tout a specific artist and makes a case for him/her/them. it evokes a reaction in you and therefore becomes a good song. this is the last major stop for the remainder of the people; and only a fractional percentage go beyond this comfort zone.
I KNOW WHY THIS SONG EXISTS - this is the complete comprehension of it. when you're deciding what makes a good song, ask yourself why it exists. what is the motive? the purpose? what implications does it carry? how does it effect music? what (do you think) caused this song to be made? what does it contribute to the art? where did the song come from -- literally, influentially, what does it emulate? imitate?
"oh fuck you, Roe. you can't say shit. music's subjective. it's all a matter of opinion and you can't say the song sucks just because you don't like it. if someone likes it, then it's good to them and that's all that matters. the connection between the music and the listener; you're just quick to judge and criticize."
(i have to argue with myself because i'm sure ya'll think it; but ya'll don't speak it)
the problem is that people get lazy and stop processing the artist once it has an effect on them. "i like it. i rest my case." well, stopping there is cool; but it doesn't build a case at all. the truth is that there really is a difference between good music and bad music; and it's not as subjective as you may think. and there is a difference between people that know which artists are cool and people that know what actually makes an artist cool -- it mostly lies in the way the process and understand it.
-- sonnyred
http://www.box.net/shared/j5kxvm40o0
please, feel free to bash, refute, comment, ask additional questions, make any corrections to my logic. please don't ever feel intimidated -- we're here to build off each other, so let's have a word or two and build.
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