The Economic Way of Expressing Yourself

Current Music: Venasque by Ian Pooley

Want the song? ANYBODY, can access them from me now. Just right-click the link and "Save target as" or "Download linked file". Courtesy: (Matt) Peebles

Why should you get this song? The day this song doesn't put a smile on my face, is the day I go out and buy rope for a noose, along with a copy of a Dasboard Confessional album to put on repeat. Geez.

Fall break is upon many students, which means that the Doug Mello Chronicles will go on hold for a short sabbatical. Unless of course we have an emergency. As you know, Mello is always on call whilst crawling the streets of Decorah in his Range Rover. Anyway, as this is a time of break I think it is a good time to leave you with something to think about while you relax this weekend. For it is my hope that it will better inform you in some way or another.

I believe my good friend Janssen has blogged about a topic similar to this. I can't find it, but hopefully I don't overlap thoughts with his post too much. Here goes.

Often times when we are speaking with friends we tend to misuse a lot of words. Many times the misuse of such words will come into play when describing things like, music, movies, TV shows, books, computers etc. I would like to focus on the music aspect of misuse of vocabulary.

Whenever I talk to friends and fellow students about music I find myself frustrated with their word choices. They will say things like "Rascal Flatts are sooooo good." or "Death Cab For Cutie is really good." These types of statements only ask for opposition. I guess I am the one who all to often ends up being this opposition. However, I do feel like a legitimate part of this opposition. I would like to think of myself as someone who is open to a lot of different genres of music. But attending a school such as Luther, I find myself being this opposition all too often. People who make comments like the ones listed above are misspoken. The word "good" "depends on your values." (Would you agree Ross/Peebles/Mitch?) As we know, there are no two people in existence who have identical values. Therefore I feel it is important that if you are going to say such a statement as "Death Cab for Cutie is really good." that you be sociologically mindful of others. I would prefer if you would add on to the statement with something like "...if you enjoy the emo genre of music". This addition to the statement further narrows the level to which this band is "good" to you. Although this does not completely excuse your opinion in the eyes of some, it will help avoid excessive wastes of time. If you were to say the complete statement to a character like myself who does not have much taste for emo music, I can simply put my hand in the air in a calm manner and sincerely say "You're the captain of your musical domain." If you say the incomplete version of the statement, then you just frustrate me, and I have to explain to you why they are not good in the broad sense of music. Because in the world of "good" and "evil" in the musical domain there are many different definitions of "good" music. If you say the complete thought and be specific, at worst you will have told an Emo-buff who disagrees with you. This way you will be spending your time much more wisely (in my mind), and will most likely be educated by the emo-buff who may have a fruitful argument why they are not good in the sense of emo music. It still depends on your values though. However, this to me would be time much better spent than simply saying that "Metallica is the best band of all time."

If you think this is all silly but would like to still help me out, simply say that you "like" a band. This creates much less confusion. Then you can discuss what you like about the band and have a civil conversation. Many old-school music buffs will tell you that music is not "good" today like it was back in the day and therefore you shouldn't like music from this generation. Well, as discussed above, these statements certainly depend on your values. You are always going to have a few people like this who go by whatever Rolling Stone magazine has to say about a band. You're going to have your automatics like Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix etc. that have a holier than thou sort of rating. "If you don't think the band is good you are crazy." Well if you have reasoning behind why those bands do not entertain you then you have a valid point for why, with your values, you feel the band is not good. It may seem absolutely asanine that somebody could say something like this, but you should learn to accept the idea. Even if to you it is people such as these that hold back the quality of music in our culture, they have their right to their thoughts. I will admit, to an extent I fall into that category of "How could you not like them? They're legendary." But for people like us, who feel the much of the pop industry is a total loss, we must educate others of our beliefs. Furthermore, what music we believe should make up the pop world. However, it is important that we musn't be missionaries and force the beliefs upon them. It must be eased upon them. There aren't too many people who will forcably accept music just because you threaten their judgement. In fact, most people put their favourite bands in a special place in their hearts. And when you disagree with this part of their heart and tell them it needs to go and be replaced with the bands you like, you are only going to gain more opposition from this person. Before you know it, they are much stronger in their infatuation with the bands you don't like. It is time that we introduce these people to the music, and express to them why the music is important to us. As well as why it is important to many others. This way we will know in our hearts, at the very least, that the people tried the music and know our feelings about it. This is one small step toward diversifying the music industry. In this sense we are simply sharing music with others and informing them as best we can. There is no sense hoping that the "bad" music will go away (I know how you feel sometimes Peebles). Many people believe it hasn't been good for over 20 years. Think about how long they've waited around for something good to happen. That's longer than some of you have been alive. Action must be taken if you feel this way. Every last bit helps your cause.

Keep in mind, however, if our pop music industry has "gone down the toilet", what about the New Radicals? Well what about them is right. "They are one of the biggest things to happen to the pop music industry in a long time." Don't laugh. The legendary Joni Mitchell said this a couple of years back. She has been in the industry for well over 30 years and has seen a lot. I think she would have a reason or two from all those years that would at least interest us. For those of you who know who Mitchell is, you may be shaking your head and wondering, "What the hell is wrong with her?" "I thought she would have higher standards than that." Well think again. Whether you're a celebrity, a bubble gum chewer, a hippie, or someone over the age of 40, you are entitled to your opnion. But as mentioned earlier, you are welcome to inform others of this opinion in a polite manner if you feel differently. For this is the best way to improve the traits of your fellow musical culture. This is why I try to introduce music at the beginning of each post. I like to keep you guys informed of my taste.

And after all these years I was an in the closet New Radicals fan. I do enjoy them. There, I said it. I have their lone album.

As the large goth character at Luther would say, there are different things and different levels of entertainment one will feel during any given occasion. As silly as this young man is at times, he is wise beyond his years. The words "like" and "good" should not be crudely interchanged to mean the same thing. I, myself, fall victim to the demon that tells me it's OK to tell others their taste in music is "bad." I apologise to you, but also hope you consider this post to further help you understand my feelings about music.

Think of the goth kid, think of me, think of your word choice. Enforce others, enforce myself. Good day, godspeed. Enjoy your break/weekend.