For those of you that know me, you already know that I’m really into music. For those of you that really know me, you also may sometimes get frustrated, irritated or overjoyed by my most times insistence on reverting nearly every conversation back to the music that fills up my internal neighborhood.
“I know that you’re world is shit right now, and you probably don’t want to hear me right now. Think positive; Dylan wrote and recorded Blood on the Tracks in the same exact state that you’re in right now. Create your own Blood on the Tracks.”
Anyhow, it’s weird for me to say this, but I’ve been getting frustrated, confused, and indifferent to sounds lately based on thoughts of stagnation. I’ve gone through periods (hours) where I don’t want to turn on the radio, cue up the iPod, or visit one of the dozen or so music blogs that dominate my bookmarks bar. All because of good music.
While so much fun is had seeking out, finding, and writing about bands on the fringe or bands that are attempting to create something new, those searches aren’t always fruitful. And even when they are, chances are I’d still rather be listening to the Grateful Dead or Neutral Milk Hotel. But because those bands aren’t around anymore or because older records by bands still making music crowd my glove compartment more than the new, I sometimes get this guilty feeling. Because new music isn’t being created by these bands, I feel like I’m walking in circles or, worse, not moving at all. Stagnant. Paralyzed.
Not that big of a deal unless you seriously consider that I’ve missed whole months of new releases due to bootleg relapses. For instance, besides the amazing Megafaun show that I saw last night, I’ve listened to nothing but Phish for the past 5 days. Sure they’re fresh shows, but….I suppose this comes down to the fact that most of my favorite music from the past is oftentimes better, more original, and/or is a huge influence on anything that I’d shake a leg to today.
But when the stagnation hangs around long enough, the dust on the old starts to settle and a dinosaur sized itch to find something new takes over. It’s at that point that I realize that there is tons of GREAT new music being created today. Not only that, half the fun of hearing the new, is dissecting the sound to pick out what’s familiar and what might be new/different.
And that people is why I’ll never get too frustrated, confused or indifferent. It’s the circle of life. Well, mine anyway.
BLONDE ON BLONDE 
Nice post Tony. I agree…mostly. I wouldn’t call a lot of new music great. Good, yes, but not great. And the odd thing is, the older I get, the more I realize I’ve only got time for great. Just good isn’t good enough. Bearded guys playing amped up folk is tiring me out; there’s so much of it. About every 6 months I go back into a Wilco listening spree, because – if you know me and I think you do – I consider them great. I get so much out of their stuff.
I’m almost ready for the return of hair metal. 😉
Thanks Mike! Bearded folk is starting to tire me out too. Along with some other over recycled music that comes through my channels. Nowadays EVERYTHING gets pushed heard. Which is good for little bands that have talent but it leaves filtering and weeding the bad out to the people in charge of promoting whatever they want. I’m pretty sure we’ve talked about this before;) Hair metal!! Me too!