music

[gerbie]

I like my music, but I always find it very difficult to define what my taste is. People ask that a lot, but an easy answer is impossible for me. But as over here I've got plenty of space, I'll try to explain.

I like artists that do something original, like mixing some styles that you'd normally wouldn't expect together (Guru, John Cale)

I like any song that stands up when it is being played acoustic, i.e. only with a guitar or piano (John Hiatt, Fishbone)

I like people who dare to different things, who dare to be different (Elvis Costello, Gavin Friday)

I like someone who dares to make bad albums, but therefore makes other albums even more brilliant (Neil Young, Lou Reed)

I like rock music sang by females (Garage, some Pixies and Sonic youth)

I like songs in languages I can't understand (Cheb Khaled, Reboelje)

I like bands that are even better live than on album (Mano Negra, les Negresses vertes)

I appreciate people who are brilliant, though I wouldn't become a fan of them (Prince, Beck, Miles Davis)

I think I don't like extremes. So I do like hardrock (Queensryche), but no metal. I like Latin music (Buena Vista social club), but not the trashy variety. I like some classical music (Tjaikovsky), but not too often.

I like bands that I think are doing something new (Massive Attack, Radiohead)

I like old music (Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald) and Jazz (Charlie Parker). I like Dutch bands who dare to sing in dialect (Skik, Klinkhamer), knowing that they'll never become huge anywhere.

I like political messages to be put in the lyrics (Donovan, Rage against the machine, Michelle Shocked)

I like bands that put humour in their music (Mojo Nixon) or don't take themselves seriously (The Presidents of the USA)

I love bands for sentimental reasons (Trockener kecks, old U2 albums)

I like bands who influenced the history of music (Velvet Underground, Pink Floyd)

There are some styles that I haven't covered: Ska (madness, Jammah Tammah), Crossover (Gotcha, Red hot chili peppers), Country (Guy Clark) but not too much, Britpop (Blur, Oasis, Supergrass, Pulp).

I've got favorite artists in a lot of countries: Germany (Herbert Groenemeyer), Colombia (Shakira), Italy (Paolo Conte), Belgium (Soulwax), Ireland (Sinead O'Connor) and France (MC Solaar).

I think I could go on for a bit on the subject. I think I missed out several of my favorites still (REM, Krang, John Lennon) and probably some styles as well.

Possibly I could have made it easier for myself by defining what I don't like. Basically anythin that hasn't got any GUTS. Anything that was produced and made up. Any band that didn't form spontaneously.

Comments

Re: music

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I already found out that I left out a whole category myself. People with voices that are different, i.e. Tom Waits, Tori Amos, Karl Wallinger (World Party).

Re: music

[tbone.livejournal.com]

One thing I would like to add to the list, if I may: Songs with a powerful bass guitar. I don't know why, but it really drives me wild.

Re: music

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Examples? Should I be thinking Bootsy Collins type bass, or mark King hammering it away as he used to when level42 made some good tunes (very very long ago), or more the P-Funk o Fishbone, Living Colour where the bass does a good job as well.

Re: music

[tbone.livejournal.com]

Well, the classic bass track is "Another One Bites the Dust." Other top favorites include REM's "Texarkana" and Golden Earring's "Twilight Zone." If you take a look at my "memories" section in LJ, you'll find an entry where I list some of my all-time favorite songs.

Re: music

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I can remember reading your list of all time favorites, am surprised to find out the Dutch band Golden Earring having made an impression in the states! On which album is the R.E.M. track, I must know it, have just lost track in titles the last couple of years...

Re: music

[tbone.livejournal.com]

"Texarkana" is track 9 on my "Out of Time" CD. As for Golden Earring, it might be a bit of a stretch to say they made an impression. To the best of my knowledge, they had to solid songs, both of which can be found on several '80s compilation albums. I'd really love to get my hands on the "Twilight Zone" song, but haven't had any luck finding it in my price range (which is very close to zero).

Re: music

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I thought their biggest hit was Radar Love, in the 70's that must have been. They have made a few reasonable albums, are still going at the moment, done a theatre tour and make albums after 30-something years. I will find my 'Out of time' tape by the time I get home.