Topic: Why you like the Music you do (Read 14432 times)

LordNagash · « **on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:32 »

Have you guys ever given any thought to why you like a song/album/artist/genre?

I started to think about this the other day, and I think I figured out why I like the stuff I do. It seems to me that unless a song provokes an emotional response from me, that I do not care for the song. With that said, it is much easier for a song to affect me if it has some context. For this reason I am very drawn to sountracks. When a theme is given to a character, or a scene, I am much more likely to be affected by the song. I have even noticed that I am starting to like songs I normally would not have thought my type from the radio. This is because I listen to the radio when I drive and I like my car, so these remind me of fun had in my car.

Now the real interesting part is: Since I know why I like music, can I use it to like music from different genres by tricking my subconsious self? What do you people think, about the topic name and this last question?

pilsner · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:38 »

Speaking on behalf of this entire forum: because Pitfork gave it a high rating.

Duh.

Spinless · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:41 »

Because it moves me.

SeanBateman · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:42 »

I like country music because I find it to be the only genre that is authentically american and, while it has it's roots in blues culture, also legitimately authentically "whitey" music.

I think that is pretty cool.

Also they drink a lot.

pilsner · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:46 »

Isn't jazz also "authentically American" if not "whitey", though? Not counting Neko Case and Jenny Lewis, I'd much rather listen to jazz than country.

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:49 »

warning: serious post below

I don't know. Personally I enjoy everything(hyberbole). The only thing I've had a hard time getting into is post-rock. I think it's godawful boring. But besides that....I can get into anything.

I have found that if I wait awhile after hearing something I don't particularly care for and listen to it again in different context or whatever that I'll end up enjoying it, usually. For instance: I hated Tom Waits for a long time and I gave him another chance a couple months ago* and now I can't get enough.

*I may have been really stoned when I did this.....so that may explain it.

But my point remains valid!

pilsner · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:54 »

What changed your mind, SwordfishTrombone?

Lummer · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:55 »

They play real fast..

SeanBateman · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:57 »

Quote from: pilsner on 17 Sep 2007, 11:46

Isn't jazz also "authentically American" if not "whitey", though? Not counting Neko Case and Jenny Lewis, I'd much rather listen to jazz than country.

the "whitey" part is important. Also Neko Case and Jenny Lewis are not country.

pilsner · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 11:59 »

Alt-country? Pseudo-country? They're as country as I get, dammit.

Lummer · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 12:01 »

Quote from: pilsner on 17 Sep 2007, 11:59

Alt-country? Pseudo-country? They're as country as I get, dammit.

They don't have enough blast beats.

Ie. they suck.

IronOxide · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 13:09 »

I generally like music on a couple of levels

How it evokes emotion
How the textures make mentally interesting sounds
How it's recorded
How the technical skill of the artist is exhibited through the piece

If it does any of those things for me, I generally can appreciate it. I think the harder question is what turns you off of music to which you are listening.

pilsner · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 13:18 »

As Douglas Hofstadter put it in Godel Escher Bach, unask the question. There is:

Music I like dancing to
Music I like reading a book to
Music I like making out to
Music I like listening to once but never again
Music I like listening to while working out
Music I like listening to live
Music I like listening to on really good headphones
Music I like listening to while drunk
Music I like listening to all the time but not with other people
Music I like listening to during my commute
Music I used to like listening to that still kind of makes me smile but not really
Music I pretend to like listening to when I don't want to start an argument
etc.

The pretension that there is a uniformity in one's appreciation for "good music" is one (but only one) of the elements that makes assigning a numerical score to music such an amusing and absurd venture. Music is purposive. It can be assigned to a purpose. And the purpose to which one assigns music defines the reasons for which one appreciates music.

Kai · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 14:04 »

how repulsively ugly it sounds.
How many instruments were disfigured in the recording of a particular song.
If it has chainsaws.
It's under a minute in length.
It has a totally unnecessary saxophone solo.

Thrillho · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 14:06 »

I like the music I like because of the influence of my parents, the influence of the people at my church, the influence of my friends and guitar teachers, and then a conscious decision to like whatever the hell I like regardless of trend, credibility, mainstream marketing or what anybody else thought of it.

pilsner · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 14:18 »

There is no such thing as an unnecessary sax solo. This is impossible.

LordNagash · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 14:18 »

Quote from: Dirk Hopeless on 17 Sep 2007, 11:42

I like country music because I find it to be the only genre that is authentically american and, while it has it's roots in blues culture, also legitimately authentically "whitey" music.

I think that is pretty cool.

Also they drink a lot.

I find that interesting. You like it because it is cultural music for you, does that mean you like all of it? Is there no country song you do not like? Would you like any music if it could be culturaly traced back to american "whitey" music?

3Z3VH · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 14:53 »

I think he just likes songs he can drink Beer and/or Whiskey while listening to it, without it being inappropriate.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 15:14 »

Common sense would probably tell you that I like it because I think it's good.

LordNagash · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 15:39 »

Not necessarily, there are songs I know are technically good that I do not care for, and songs I know are bad that I like. Common sense is not with me here.

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 15:49 »

you all make some good points.

<saxophone solo>

...

</solo>

Johnny C · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 16:51 »

Quote from: Dirk Hopeless on 17 Sep 2007, 11:42

I like country music because I find it to be the only genre that is authentically american

Has there been a Ken Burns documentary made about it?

Then I submit that you are mistaken.

Mnementh · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 16:53 »

Quote from: Dirk Hopeless on 17 Sep 2007, 11:57

the "whitey" part is important. Also Neko Case and Jenny Lewis are not country.

Speaking of Jenny Lewis. I would like to see Joan Jett kidnap her and Chan Marshall and beat the ever loving crap out of them.

Carry on.

camelpimp · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 17:28 »

Space cows.

Johnny C · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 17:32 »

By the way, for all the country-loving and Neko-Case-not-being-country talk in this thread, where the fuck are the mentions of Emmylou Harris or Loretta Lynn?

Inlander · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 19:12 »

I'm only a fan of Emmylou Harris's psychedelic freak-out phase.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #26 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 19:29 »

Quote from: LordNagash on 17 Sep 2007, 15:39

Not necessarily, there are songs I know are technically good that I do not care for, and songs I know are bad that I like. Common sense is not with me here.

I'm not talking about technicality, I'm talking about how good the overall song is (composition+songwriting>composition-technicality>composition-songwriting)

muteKi · « **Reply #27 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 21:02 »

I like music that to some degree fits in with these two criteria:
1. Fun
2. Significant -- having more structural "meat" than the average pop song
3. Being "anti-pop" -- incorporating noise or unusual sounds, melodies, or chord progressions

It does not have to fit all three, but 1 is the most important

This is why I like TMBG, Devo, Polysics, the Streets of Rage soundtracks, the Sonic Heroes soundtrack, or, hell, "My Sharona" and "Louie, Louie".

Though I hate to admit it, Vitamin C's vacation is enjoyable for me as well.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 21:03 »

Because I am cooler than you

SeanBateman · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 21:04 »

Quote from: Daniel on 17 Sep 2007, 16:53

Quote from: Dirk Hopeless on 17 Sep 2007, 11:57
the "whitey" part is important. Also Neko Case and Jenny Lewis are not country.

Speaking of Jenny Lewis. I would like to see Joan Jett kidnap her and Chan Marshall and beat the ever loving crap out of them.

Carry on.

Don't you talk about my girlfriend like that.

pilsner · « **Reply #30 on:** 17 Sep 2007, 21:16 »

Quote from: Daniel on 17 Sep 2007, 16:53

Speaking of Jenny Lewis. I would like to see Joan Jett kidnap her and Chan Marshall and beat the ever loving crap out of them.

Carry on.

Joan would be a little more likely to stick her tongue down their throats, no? And then maybe go on tour with them?

Gridgm · « **Reply #31 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 03:21 »

damn i didn't get to this thread before it got stupid
anyway my answer was *points at sig* (it's cat empire...go listen to it)

IronOxide · « **Reply #32 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 03:45 »

Quote from: pilsner on 17 Sep 2007, 21:16

Quote from: Daniel on 17 Sep 2007, 16:53
Speaking of Jenny Lewis. I would like to see Joan Jett kidnap her and Chan Marshall and beat the ever loving crap out of them.

Carry on.

Joan would be a little more likely to stick her tongue down their throats, no? And then maybe go on tour with them?

If Joan Jett made out wit Jenny Lewis and Chan Marshall, I wouldn't even have to die, I would just know that we had somehow ended up in heaven and never look back.

KvP · « **Reply #33 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 04:12 »

Quote from: pilsner on 17 Sep 2007, 14:18

There is no such thing as an unnecessary sax solo. This is impossible.

The AV Club disagrees.

Why do I like the music I like? Repetition. Repetition repitition repitition. Plus some semblance of thematic complexity so I can convince myself that it's good and not all frivolous.

Inlander · « **Reply #34 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 05:04 »

Now for the serious answer: I like the music I like. I just do. That's it. I refuse to qualify it or analyse it any further than that. As soon as a person starts saying "I like music for this reason", they're placing restrictions on what they will and won't listen to. I do not want to do that. I want to always be open to listening to and enjoying everything and anything. The pleasure to be derived from music is so great that I do not wish to deny myself any of it.

bryanthelion · « **Reply #35 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 05:39 »

I generally like the lyrics.

Thats the reason I like Jenny Lewis and Bright Eyes so much.

I also like things very experimental, like Bjork or (this is a stretch) White Stripes.

Its like music scientists!

carrotosaurus · « **Reply #36 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 06:15 »

To quote an Applejacks commercial: "We just do"

Misereatur · « **Reply #37 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 07:39 »

Quote from: Kai on 17 Sep 2007, 14:04

how repulsively ugly it sounds.
How many instruments were disfigured in the recording of a particular song.
If it has chainsaws.
It's under a minute in length.
It has a totally unnecessary saxophone solo.

You forgot if it has any references to the occult.

Baggy · « **Reply #38 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 10:54 »

I mostly like things that are apart from the norm and surprise me. But I'm also a big lyrics person.

If a song has a bad message, I feel that I'm being fed that message regardless of the musical quality behind it.

I have a hard time with pure instrumental music, even when its very different, unless i'm working on something and its in the background. I have a hard time engaging with the music without a voice.

Joseph · « **Reply #39 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 11:13 »

Quote from: thatwittygeek on 18 Sep 2007, 05:39

I also like things very experimental, like Bjork or (this is a stretch) White Stripes.

I'm sorry, I missed which part of the White Stripes was experimental.

Do you like Sun Ra? Or John Zorn? Or Metal Machine Music?

David_Dovey · « **Reply #40 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 11:39 »

Silly man, no one likes Metal Machine Music.

Mnementh · « **Reply #41 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 11:53 »

Quote from: pilsner on 17 Sep 2007, 21:16

Quote from: Daniel on 17 Sep 2007, 16:53
Speaking of Jenny Lewis. I would like to see Joan Jett kidnap her and Chan Marshall and beat the ever loving crap out of them.

Carry on.

Joan would be a little more likely to stick her tongue down their throats, no? And then maybe go on tour with them?

Nope, Joan is shagging Carmen Electra right now.

Quote from: Inlander on 18 Sep 2007, 05:04

Now for the serious answer: I like the music I like. I just do. That's it. I refuse to qualify it or analyse it any further than that. As soon as a person starts saying "I like music for this reason", they're placing restrictions on what they will and won't listen to. I do not want to do that. I want to always be open to listening to and enjoying everything and anything. The pleasure to be derived from music is so great that I do not wish to deny myself any of it.

I feel the same way and can't think of any way to improve upon what Harry says here.

Mnementh · « **Reply #42 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 12:08 »

Quote from: tommydski on 18 Sep 2007, 12:06

Quote from: David_Dovey on 18 Sep 2007, 11:39
Silly man, no one likes Metal Machine Music.

Obligatory objection.

ad hominem reply

muteKi · « **Reply #43 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 14:11 »

Quote from: carrotosaurus on 18 Sep 2007, 06:15

To quote an Applejacks commercial: "We just do"

BUT IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE MUSIC!

LordNagash · « **Reply #44 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 14:47 »

Quote from: Inlander on 18 Sep 2007, 05:04

Now for the serious answer: I like the music I like. I just do. That's it. I refuse to qualify it or analyse it any further than that. As soon as a person starts saying "I like music for this reason", they're placing restrictions on what they will and won't listen to. I do not want to do that. I want to always be open to listening to and enjoying everything and anything. The pleasure to be derived from music is so great that I do not wish to deny myself any of it.

I do not think knowing why I like what I like limits my music selection. I will still listen to anything, and I will probably like it if it provokes an emotional response. But by attaching a new context to a song I might like a song I would otherwise have passed up. For example I would not normally have liked it, but I found enjoyment listening to 'How to Save a Life" by The Fray simply because I watched Scrubs a lot, and they used the song in an episode. I listened to the song, moved by the events of the episode. Now even though I do not immediately think of Scrubs when hearing it it still evokes the same emotions. I have grown attached to a song that I would have scoffed at beforehand.

Quote from: carrotosaurus on 18 Sep 2007, 06:15

To quote an Applejacks commercial: "We just do"

But they added apple into apple jacks because that was a stupid commercial.

Kai · « **Reply #45 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 15:36 »

Quote from: David_Dovey on 18 Sep 2007, 11:39

Silly man, no one likes Metal Machine Music.

I say this without any trace of irony and without any attempt at humor.

I love Metal Machine Music.

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #46 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 18:08 »

Considering that people are always on about tiresome things like Sunn being amazing you shouldn't have to qualify liking a perfectly good album such as Metal Machine Music.

Kai · « **Reply #47 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 18:22 »

don't be knockin the Sunn

I have much love for the Sunn

oh Excuse me

SUNN O)))

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #48 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 18:27 »

I knock the Sunn with impunity. Them and bloody Khanate, although at least Khanate have had the decency to bugger off and leave us all alone and not inflict their drivel on otherwise perfectly good gigs. I'd much rather listen to Last Good Sleep, Naked Shit or Earth. You know, good bands.

Sunn O))) did make some awesome amps though, so kudos to them for recognising that fact I guess.

Johnny C · « **Reply #49 on:** 18 Sep 2007, 23:34 »

naked shit <<<<<<< khanate

sorry dude capture/release is a fantastic record

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Why you like the Music you do (Read 14432 times)

LordNagash

Spinless

SeanBateman

SeanBateman

LordNagash

LordNagash

Mnementh

camelpimp

muteKi

SeanBateman

Baggy

Mnementh

Mnementh

muteKi

LordNagash