What Do You Look For In Music?

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Easy one, this, eh? What makes good music good for you? Be as broad or specific or abstract or silly as you like....

― Tom, Monday, 22 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Okay, let's give it a try. I look for moods. I tend to go for the melancholic esp. the nostalgic that never happened or the curious emulation of feelings of lost child-like wonder (Air, The Gentle Waves, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Boards of Canada, Autechre all apply). Sometimes I look for some medicine for the soul (Spiritualized, Carl Craig, Tindersticks, come-down style Primal Scream). Sometimes pure attitude (Doc Scott, Wu-Tang, Patti Smith, Stooges, Underground Resistance, etc.). Sometimes a more practical internal motor when riding my bike (Maurizio, Kraftwerk, 'EXTMNTR'). But what I really look for in music is the impossible, music that gives me that woozy feeling (MBV) or opens new worlds ('Bitches Brew', 4-Hero, Aphex Twin). Well, it's a beginning ;) What I don't care for in music is good lyrics.

― Omar, Monday, 22 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Look? I can't the see the fugging music!

― Phil Paterson, Monday, 22 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I listen to whatever the girls like listening to. Then I prestend to listen to them (the girls).

― JM, Monday, 22 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Communication.

― Snow Dog, Tuesday, 23 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Confidence. Novelty. Groove.

― Sterling Clover, Tuesday, 23 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I realized i forgot an important reason, maybe because it has grown less important through the years but at one time good music made you rush your bollocks off, so to speak. Rave 1991-1993, hours lost in a haze listing to "Pills, thrills & bellyaches", "Ritual de lo Habitual" and "Lazer guided melodies", tripping to "Psalm 69", Butthole Surfers, Can and Stereolab. Also music that makes a pure physical impact, here I think of Sex Pistols 'Holiday in the sun', Patti Smith's 'Rock 'n Roll Nigger' or the way the bass in jungle on a good sound system can lift the hairs on your arm.

― Omar, Tuesday, 23 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I look for tracks that I can put on compilation tapes. For girls, mainly.

I'm serious, by the way.

― Nick, Tuesday, 23 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I think I will have to go for moods as well. There are times when I have to listen to mindless rock to pick myself up after a bad day (AC/DC, Foghat), then there are times I want to be a little soulful (Eryka Badu, Otis), then we got Elvid Costello who is good any old day. Well, depending on how I am feeling (or WANT to feel) sort of influences what makes music good for me.

That and what makes a good mix tape to make for guy friends that I want to make more than friends with. (We make 'em too ya know)

― Amber, Tuesday, 23 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Not-sucky-nes.

― Chewshabadoo, Thursday, 25 January 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

i honestly cant say. i mean, sometimes even I think i have weird/bad taste in music. sure, i like music that doesn't suck. just about any kind of music that is good, and inventive, or that is played in such a way as to convince me its good. but some of my tastes i'll admit are questionable: weird Swans side projects, Marilyn Manson, even Long Fin Killie because i cant decide if theyre great or shit. basically, anything that doesnt make me puke instantly or fly into a rage will find its way into my cd player.

― mattus omallem plurbius, Thursday, 1 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

three weeks pass...

I look for the song's author. If it turns out that I wrote it, then I'll probably connect with it.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 28 February 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

two years pass...

Revive.

― Cozen (Cozen), Sunday, 20 April 2003 10:34 (twenty-one years ago) link

curious how a interesting thread like this one got so little posts...

Well, music... Everytime I buy a new record, I hope it surprises me. With innovation, nice melodies or sheer power, anything, but I hope for something that gets me my the balls and won't let go. This hasn't happened for a long time, since the last time I really stood still with my chin down, just listening, was with "Siamese Dream". Since then, I'm just collecting stuff, from Kinks compilations to My Vitriol limited editions, looking for the Holy Grail. And I'm happy.

― JP Almeida (JP Almeida), Sunday, 20 April 2003 11:24 (twenty-one years ago) link

A new feeling

― SplendidMullet (iamamonkey), Sunday, 20 April 2003 11:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

I think, really it's harmony and a sort of bombastic power (not lyrical).

― jel -- (jel), Sunday, 20 April 2003 11:41 (twenty-one years ago) link

its mainly all about the comfort and affirmation ultimately

― stevem (blueski), Sunday, 20 April 2003 11:44 (twenty-one years ago) link

things I haven't heard yet

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 20 April 2003 11:45 (twenty-one years ago) link

1. Interesting harmonies
2. Great melodies that are built up towards a catchy chorus
...
...
...
...
...
3. Cool stereo effects
4. Cool synth sounds and sound effects

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Sunday, 20 April 2003 12:51 (twenty-one years ago) link

something novel that sounds familiar

― MerkinMuffley (MerkinMuffley), Sunday, 20 April 2003 15:43 (twenty-one years ago) link

julio, why don't you go and listen to illmatic?

― mitch lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Sunday, 20 April 2003 15:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

er...what's that?

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 20 April 2003 15:53 (twenty-one years ago) link

something you haven't heard!

― mitch lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Sunday, 20 April 2003 15:55 (twenty-one years ago) link

ah.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Sunday, 20 April 2003 19:13 (twenty-one years ago) link

1. rhythm
2. riffs
3. texture/timbre/color
4. voice

― jess (dubplatestyle), Sunday, 20 April 2003 20:18 (twenty-one years ago) link

all sorts of things but, lately, mainly that it's something Geir Hongro would not like. (this has been the case since way before I knew of the man but moreso now that I do!)

― Dave Stelfox (Dave Stelfox), Sunday, 20 April 2003 20:53 (twenty-one years ago) link

I have come to the conclusion that I like Odd Pop! I came to this conclusion tonight when listening to Music Is My Radar and enjoying it muchly. Can, Cornelius, Manitoba, Four Tet, Orbital, Blur, De La Soul, The Clash; it's all Odd Pop in one way or another. Obviously I like many many more things than just Odd Pop, but this seems to be the main thing I like. Interesting/mad sounds plus friendly melodies and good rhythms, plenty of nice noise. Occasionally I want big nasty sounds and grooves and abrasion (Cannibal Ox, maybe) or something to make me dance and clap (Sly, Stax soul, house) or some guitar-stuffness which is not so odd (Stone Roses) or else is not so pop (Verve), or else something jazz which I do not understand (Miles, Mingus). So yes, I look for Odd Pop. I think.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Sunday, 20 April 2003 21:33 (twenty-one years ago) link

I look for the song's author. If it turns out that I wrote it, then I'll probably wonder how I did it.

― the pinefox, Monday, 21 April 2003 09:49 (twenty-one years ago) link

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