It started with pop music. Those annoying, catchy songs everyone has heard that cling to the inside of your cranium like crazy glue. For those of you who do not radio, I hope you never know this type of torture. Growing up in my teens, I latched onto the idea that if a song was super pop-y and catchy, I would not like it - you all know the whole teenage rebellion ways. This is why I initially despised rap & hip hop (although I was diggin' Bob Marley and a few of my parents' favorites that eventually turned into a love of reggae and hip hop [check out Sublime or 311]).
I hated or at least heavily disliked bands and artists like Papa Roach, the Smashing Pumpkins, Filter, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, and even Tool, who now are all mainstays, upon our first impressions. Papa Roach was too radio friendly, as were the Smashing Pumpkins and Linkin Park, whereas Jay-Z was a hustler, a type of lifestyle I wasn't OK with, Tool was over hyped, and Filter was just...something. Yes, I realize that these guys are all pretty pop rock in general (except Hova), but I've always considered myself at the cusp of pop and non-pop. Because of my ability to enjoy entire albums, I consider myself somewhat an unconventional listener. Most of my favorites songs are not singles, which I'm sure mirrors quite a few of you here.
So what made me change my views around? I simply became more open minded and I think that had a lot to do with 311. During this era (roughly '95), their album lineup was the Blue album, Grassroots, and Music, most of which offered a full feast of auditory delights. Blue was mostly a hard rock/hip hop mash, with a few smooth soothers dotted throughout the album, while Grassroots really displayed 311's lyrical style and talent and had a hip hop sort of zenith. Music was a middle ground between the two, but one of their best efforts and best balanced albums to this date. The multitude of different styles and the way they were sewn together on the meats of their music really struck a chord within, laid waste to my walls of certain music types and totally changed my view of how music was "supposed" to be. Now, I listen to pretty much everything. This has it's own blessings and hardships.
If anyone reads this, I'm interested to hear whether you've had a similar experience, or if you just want to throw a comment in for good measure, be my guest!
My Trusted MOGs
I just came across your post and wanted to say......... I kind of get what you are saying and I kind of do the same thing but with artists my mates rave about. It first started with Jeff Buckley. Everyone said you have to listen to him you will love him he is the best rah rah rah (you get the idea) and I my head I just went NO, no I do not have to listen to him, I do not have to like him and no I will not think he is the best. And in my head that was that BUT a good 5 years on or so I was rummaging through a second hand store and saw the album Grace for a bargain $5. I thought well I will see about this (plus I am a girl thus I love a good bargain). I think I listened to that album 8 times in entirety in the first 48 hours I owned it. unfortunately on occasion I still do the same thing BUT that album/ experience for me, changed my mind 5 days out of 7 in regards to listening to artists people rave about. I mean what's the worst that can happen ...... I waste 45 minutes of my life listening to an album that I don't dig. meah not the end of the world.
My Trusted MOGs
But I was so much older then I'm younger than that now - Bob Dylan
My Trusted MOGs
tortoise: Good point.
dermahrk: I need to give Dylan a good listening to, he's one of those artists I was talking about above. I've probably avoided him because of the old hometown association - not a good argument.
....and two months later, he replies....