25-11-2010, 10:08
It's occurred to me that I didn't comment on my choices, and other people have.
So here goes:
1) Hard Rock & Metal
My favourite type of music, ever since I was a longhaired teenager. Actually I went off this stuff for a while but have recently got back into it in a big way. Is it the cathartic aggression? The varied subject matter? The controversy and shock value? The dark, potent atmosphere and imagery? The at-times very insightful lyrics about religion, life after death, war and politics - always in a non-compromising manner? IS it the intricate and highly skilled musicianship? I think it must be a combination of these factors. Basically Metal is always exciting and always interesting, at least in my opinion.
2) Electronic Music
This is my second favourite. I discovered 'rave' music when I was in sixth form, back in 92 when it was all happening. Then it seemed to disappear so I turned my attentions elsewhere. But from that point on I had a soft spot for electronic music. Later I discovered Big Beat (Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim) and then I got myself clued up about the different forms of electronic dance music (courtesy of Simon Reynolds 'Energy Flash') and dived right in. By then I was into hallucinogenics and ecstacy so I naturally gravitated towards the ravier forms of dance (Trance, Happy Hardcore, Hard House etc) and I went all ravey. When I stopped the drugs my tastes changed but I still get excited by electronic dance music. It's because of the variety of sounds you can make on electronic equipment. It sounds otherworldly and it fascinates me. I like IDM now (intelligent dance music - Aphex Twin and Autechre type of stuff). I also like EBM/Electro-industrial and I like Psy Trance. I still like Breakbeat, Old Skool Rave and some Drum n Bass (mainly the dark stuff). Happy Hardcore and Trance? Not so much.
3) Rock:- Rock 'n' Roll, Classic Rock & Progressive Rock
Classic Rock from the 60s and 70s is ace! Need I say more? Pink Floyd, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan - this stuff is heaven for me.
4) Alternative:- Punk, Post-Punk, Grunge & Indie
I'm not so much into Punk but some of it is ok. Same goes for Grunge and Indie. But I love Gothic Rock (The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sisters of Mercy, The Mission (UK)). I also am fond of early nineties Indie - the madchester, shoegazing and grebo stuff. Punk - I like Stooges, Pistols, Dead Kennedys.
5) Pop, & Dance
I've got a thing for girlie pop (pop music sung by women). Maybe it's because I'm bisexual and a bit androgynous. I dunno. But anyway I love a bit of Lady Gaga, Sugababes, Rihanna, Madonna. I'm not into Britney or Kylie though. Boy bands I can't stand and I assume 'dance' means the more commercial electronic music (like house music) which I'm not keen on but it is ok.
6) Soul/R&B & Hip Hop/Rap
I love classic soul. Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye - those three artists alone are absolute perfection. I also like a bit of old skool rap (Run DMC, Public Enemy, NWA). Today's Rap and R&B - not so much but some of it is ok.
7) Classical Music & Opera
It comes as a surprise to some people that I like classical music, but I do. You can thank my Dad, although for many years I spurned his beloved Beethoven in favour of Mozart (but I quite like Beethoven now). I don't like Operas or Choral music much but I definitely like the instrumental forms of classical music. Anything from the beautifully baroque Bach, through the divine Mozart and Beethoven to soppy piano by Chopin and bombastic works of brilliance by Tchaikovsky and Holst. It shouldn't come as such a surprise really - Metal is a lot like the louder classical music at times and the more experimental or atmospheric electronic music has a similar aim to classical but uses an electronic sonic pallette not an orchestral one.
8) Jazz & Blues
I'm just starting to explore this stuff. I only like some of it (mainly the Dizzy Gillespie stuff)
9) Film & Stage Music
I'm not keen on musicals and I like some film scores but I'd rather enjoy them as part of a film than rush out and buy an album.
10) Country, Folk & World Music
I like Reggae and some 'world' music. But I don't really like Country and I've not been exposed to much Folk music. My perception is that I'd find it boring.
So here goes:
1) Hard Rock & Metal
My favourite type of music, ever since I was a longhaired teenager. Actually I went off this stuff for a while but have recently got back into it in a big way. Is it the cathartic aggression? The varied subject matter? The controversy and shock value? The dark, potent atmosphere and imagery? The at-times very insightful lyrics about religion, life after death, war and politics - always in a non-compromising manner? IS it the intricate and highly skilled musicianship? I think it must be a combination of these factors. Basically Metal is always exciting and always interesting, at least in my opinion.
2) Electronic Music
This is my second favourite. I discovered 'rave' music when I was in sixth form, back in 92 when it was all happening. Then it seemed to disappear so I turned my attentions elsewhere. But from that point on I had a soft spot for electronic music. Later I discovered Big Beat (Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim) and then I got myself clued up about the different forms of electronic dance music (courtesy of Simon Reynolds 'Energy Flash') and dived right in. By then I was into hallucinogenics and ecstacy so I naturally gravitated towards the ravier forms of dance (Trance, Happy Hardcore, Hard House etc) and I went all ravey. When I stopped the drugs my tastes changed but I still get excited by electronic dance music. It's because of the variety of sounds you can make on electronic equipment. It sounds otherworldly and it fascinates me. I like IDM now (intelligent dance music - Aphex Twin and Autechre type of stuff). I also like EBM/Electro-industrial and I like Psy Trance. I still like Breakbeat, Old Skool Rave and some Drum n Bass (mainly the dark stuff). Happy Hardcore and Trance? Not so much.
3) Rock:- Rock 'n' Roll, Classic Rock & Progressive Rock
Classic Rock from the 60s and 70s is ace! Need I say more? Pink Floyd, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan - this stuff is heaven for me.
4) Alternative:- Punk, Post-Punk, Grunge & Indie
I'm not so much into Punk but some of it is ok. Same goes for Grunge and Indie. But I love Gothic Rock (The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sisters of Mercy, The Mission (UK)). I also am fond of early nineties Indie - the madchester, shoegazing and grebo stuff. Punk - I like Stooges, Pistols, Dead Kennedys.
5) Pop, & Dance
I've got a thing for girlie pop (pop music sung by women). Maybe it's because I'm bisexual and a bit androgynous. I dunno. But anyway I love a bit of Lady Gaga, Sugababes, Rihanna, Madonna. I'm not into Britney or Kylie though. Boy bands I can't stand and I assume 'dance' means the more commercial electronic music (like house music) which I'm not keen on but it is ok.
6) Soul/R&B & Hip Hop/Rap
I love classic soul. Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye - those three artists alone are absolute perfection. I also like a bit of old skool rap (Run DMC, Public Enemy, NWA). Today's Rap and R&B - not so much but some of it is ok.
7) Classical Music & Opera
It comes as a surprise to some people that I like classical music, but I do. You can thank my Dad, although for many years I spurned his beloved Beethoven in favour of Mozart (but I quite like Beethoven now). I don't like Operas or Choral music much but I definitely like the instrumental forms of classical music. Anything from the beautifully baroque Bach, through the divine Mozart and Beethoven to soppy piano by Chopin and bombastic works of brilliance by Tchaikovsky and Holst. It shouldn't come as such a surprise really - Metal is a lot like the louder classical music at times and the more experimental or atmospheric electronic music has a similar aim to classical but uses an electronic sonic pallette not an orchestral one.
8) Jazz & Blues
I'm just starting to explore this stuff. I only like some of it (mainly the Dizzy Gillespie stuff)
9) Film & Stage Music
I'm not keen on musicals and I like some film scores but I'd rather enjoy them as part of a film than rush out and buy an album.
10) Country, Folk & World Music
I like Reggae and some 'world' music. But I don't really like Country and I've not been exposed to much Folk music. My perception is that I'd find it boring.