I was reading Chucky's post: http://mog.com/chucky/blog_post/47657 and I realized I had the opposite tendency of just about everyone who commented. I don't really like to listen to music to call up memories of times past. If anything, I use music to completely obliterate the past!
Here's how it starts: at some point in my life, maybe in a relationship, I am listening to certain artists or CDs or songs. And then life changes. So what works for me is...to start listening to new music that has no connections to the past. It doesn't have to be a new release, just something I haven't connected with before. Usually I spend some time alone scouring the Internet or vinyl shops or used CD stores to find new stuff. I am filled with the energy of new discoveries. I go to shows I wouldn't have gone to before, and talk music with people I wouldn't have met before. Pretty soon my old life and my ex have gone right out of my head and all is right with the world!
Later I can go back and listen to my old music and convince myself it is MINE and it doesn't "belong" to my old life, my old city, my old job, etc. It's a part of MY experience and I own it!
Sure I have some good musical memories...but the best one is the feeling of having a wide-open future that I get when I listen to brand-new music!
"out with the old, in with the new"
My Trusted MOGs
Interesting point. Part of me agrees with you, but I've never been able to avoid slipping back in time through music. Can't help myself. And interestingly enough, using the powerful combination of music and memories has often given me great inspiration to focus on moving forward. I've found.