First post here, so I figured I'd make it kinda big.
I really like music, and I'm not picky. I used to say that I liked anything that wasn't country or rap, but Johnny Cash and Immortal Technique proved me wrong even there. Basically, anyone with even the slightest amount of musical discernment (i.e., no Soulja Boy or High School Musical) can put on their collection and I will not complain.
However, my own music collection is very defined. I've realized that while I will tolerate and appreciatea huge variety of music, my own music pretty much has to be energetic and aggressive. Just recently, I figured out why... it's because I myself am lazy and passive.
Ok, we all know Marten Reed from the comic. Imagine his personality, but even less self-confident, mixed with the flakiest stoner you've ever met. That's me (even though I don't smoke). I am utterly harmless. When I listen to music I am unconsciously fantasizing about my ideal self, who is infinitely more kickass than my real self. I draw on the energy of The Ramones, Manowar, Black Flag, Iron Maiden or Finntroll, and even though it doesn't change me to be how I want, it feels like it potentially could. To make matters worse, music that isn't aggressive or energetic enough resonates with my real personality, to the extent that Radiohead or The Shins, or even Godspeed! etc. often makes me drowsy or vaguely depressed even as I enjoy it.
On a related note, I leave you with an anecdote: Once I was going through my girlfriend's MP3s and putting them on my player sight unseen (or rather, sound unheard). Hours later, I was quite disappointed to discover that Savage Garden isn't savage at all.
Now, your turn.
