Some people I know say that they’ve stopped listening to new music and just replay their CD collections over and over; I’m the opposite. I voraciously seek out new music. I listen to Internet radio to find new artists, and I even sometimes TIVO video blocks to find a mainstream song that I might have otherwise missed (that Maroon 5 video in the airport is catchy, damn, you, and if you don’t agree with me I’ll totally shiv you).
The problem is, I feel as though I’m becoming a less sophisticated listener than I used to be. If I found another album like Peter Gabriel’s Security--which I initially didn’t like--would I keep listening to it until it started to unpeel its layers and reveal its art to me? I did that as a teenager but I don’t know if I have the patience now. I’m like a drug abuser, years and years into his addiction. I’m looking for the quick hit. I’m looking for the easy buzz. I want a song to slice through me and enflame those nerve endings which, after decades of heavy music use, have become more jaded and deadened than I like to admit.
But it’s always worth it when the hit comes off just right. For one week only (because that’s when the links will expire), here’s three songs* that have recently given me that energy rush. They’re not especially deep or sophisticated; they’re like blunt hammers. But they make my senses speed up a little when I hear them.
The Sippy Cups - Drinking from the Sky
*And hopefully they’re obscure enough that the artists won’t sue because I’m, like, giving them exposure or something. Right guys? Right.
Now what did I tell you about sharing music with me? I warned you. Now I’m afraid I’m just going to have to make good with my threat. You are officially a BFF for life. I’m one of those people that no longer listens to the radio. It isn’t that I think today’s music sucks; it’s just that I don’t have the patience to sit through commercials and DJ chatter. I rely on suggestions from friends to keep me in touch. (Last.fm has also been really good for finding new stuff.) What I like about my listening habits is that I tend to give everything a fair shot. Will it all make it into the regular rotation? Not likely but I very rarely dismiss something outright. But, uhm, that’s also a bad thing. Hence the over abundance of seriously unhip 80s music in my iTunes collection. oooph.
What’s really great is when you find a music gem from long ago that you somehow missed in its own time. This happened to me recently with Voice of the Beehive.
Sheesh, first a nice new recommendation on GoodReads, now new music…
You do know that internet crushes can’t really put out, don’t you?
You think you’re jaded...’nuff said.
That Pandora thing is getting praise from some, but didn’t suit me very well. I was surprised at the complete 100% crossover appeal of Amy Winehouse among my friends and family. (8 year-old was singing ‘tried to make her go to rehab, she said ok, I guess, so’).
I have to say that I still read snarky review sites and a few magazines to find new stuff. It’s tough to make the leap from a written review to a purchase, but life is just that way sometimes. Also, it helps to have a 1500 cd collection to fall back on in a pinch.
This week’s classic - Humair Louiss Ponty - HLP Trio. Outstanding!
I have the same feelings. As I get older, I find myself enjoying more and more mainstream stuff alongside the underground stuff. I suspect that it’s mostly because there’s just no reason to pursue cool at this age. No one cares if I listen to Christina Aguilera or Cannibal Corpse.
Has there been any new music since Elvis? I haven’t noticed ...
-- david
I’m constantly looking for new music too. I’m always struggling with whether or not I don’t like some of the new music because it’s bad, or because I’m getting too old. There’s not right answer to that. But I can always count on two musicians for quality offerings. Oddly enough, one of them is Tim Armstrong. Either as a solo act, or with Rancid, or with The Transplants, he’s been a mainstay in my collection since 1989. The other is Roger Clyne, but nobody ever recognizes the name, so I’ve given up on hoping someone will know who I’m talking about.
At any rate, I’m just happy to see that Tim is making other people happy too, no matter how they got there.
That Hot Chip song is worming its way into my head. Very excellent.
Found you though Riley’s Rrrrramblings, BTW