8 worst albums of 2009.

http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2009/12/29/the-eight-worst-albums-of-2009/

I decided to write about this article because I actually think that it's really funny (aside from him dissing Gilmore Girls). In class, we got a lot of lists of "the best" songs or albums, but I think it's interesting to also hear people's opinions of the worst.
Although some of these I agree with (like Weezer's Raditude and Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown), I got the feeling that the dude writing this article was pretty elitest. He definitely had a know-it-all attitude that I found to be pretty annoying even though I agreed with him about most of his choices. This got me thinking about the media and the influence that they have in our musical choices. For instance, would somebody read this article, immediately take his word for it and completely disregard these bands who do, or could possibly have, some great songs? I mean, it is just the author of the article's opinion after all and we all have different preferences. Yet the media write about it with such authority that we sometimes can't help but heed their advice.

musical production and consumption.

Musical production and consumption has changed drastically in the 21st century. Music is now much easier to make, find, and acquire, especially (as I’ve discussed before) via the Internet and other such computerized technologies. Now, with programs like Garage Band, almost anyone can become a “musician” by singing into their computer’s microphone with an auto tuned voice and a few simple beats. They can then place their songs on websites like MySpace and become discovered and downloaded by anyone with Internet access. I think that it’s pretty great, the amount of music now available to us. I can’t imagine only being able to hear music when someone chooses to play it on the radio. I’m really glad that we now have more chance to hear the music of our own choosing.

music and film.

This past semester I took a class on music in film with Dr. Hindman and it turned out to be one of my favorite classes. One of our projects was to pick a film and make a cue sheet of the music in the film and discuss how the music is used. The film I chose was Requiem for a Dream, whose original score actually won quite a bit of recognition. This film is a good example of utilizing music to improve the impact of the movie on the viewer. At many very intense moments in the movie, the music takes on a very shrill, dissonant sound which really helps to connect the viewer with the characters in the film and what they are going through on screen. It also complements the dialogue at times by conforming to whatever the characters are talking about. For example, it becomes very intense when the 2 lovers in the movie argue and soft and lovely when they are saying sweet things to each other. There are about a million more ways the music works together with this particular movie. When I was making the cue sheet, I found it truly incredible how much detail and thought went into the score that you would never notice right away.

music and place.

I think when certain music is played at a party, it can definitely alter the mood. I mean, if you think back on the music you hear at parties, it's generally hip-hop or dance or something generally up-beat and danceable. People come to parties to have a good time and I think the music usually reflects that. You don't really hear sad or soft music at a party because people will be less likely to get up and dance or laugh with something like that playing. When you walk into a room and hear a certain type of music playing, it gives you a clue as to how you should behave and I think party music definitely influences peoples' moods in that sense.

just five.

This has to be one of the hardest things I've ever done. I love all my music so much and I have so many memories tied to all my songs that it was almost painful to search for my top 5. These may not even be my top 5, but right now they're pretty high up there. These are just a few of the songs that have influenced my musical tastes. There are definitely other songs I love just as much.

1. Misunderstood by Wilco. Wilco is, by far, my favorite band and I don't foresee that changing any time in the near future. This song is a recent favorite of mine by them because of attending their concert this past spring. Brilliant, brilliant show by the way. Pretty sure I sobbed a few times it was so beautiful. Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer, is one of the most fantastic performers I've ever had the good fortune of seeing. He has a real connection with the audience and this was exceptionally evident when the band played this song. This song starts out soft and gradually builds into a crescendo where Tweedy is practically shouting the lyrics "I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all". Not in a screamo way though. Just in a very raw, emotional way. The song ends in a very fade-outey, broken-recordy kind of way, which I think fits the idea of being misunderstood. To me, coupled with the beautifully relate-able lyrics and raw intensity in the singer's voice, this song is one of the most beautiful and emotional songs out there. Not bad to scream along to as well. Yes, Jeff Tweedy. I do still love rock and roll.

2. Plea from a Cat Named Virtue by The Weakerthans. Here is an example of another of my all time favorite bands with beautiful lyrics and incredible emotion. This particular song I believe is one of the most inventive in that it is written from a house cat's perspective. Basically, the cat is attempting to convince his/her owner to come out of the emotional rut he's been stuck in. And what a nice concept that is. To think about our pets caring so much about us that they would give us advice like "those bitter songs you sing, they're not helping anything". I mean really. I want this cat. Basically, I just think John Samson is a brilliant song writer who is able to take the little ordinary things in life and turn them into something unbelievably beautiful and poetic and I think this is very apparent in this song.

3. Bowl of Oranges by Bright Eyes. Conor Oberst is yet another ridiculously talented songwriter. A lot of Bright Eyes is very soft and sad, almost haunting in a way. But this song happens to be one of the much more cheeful, up-tempo bunch. I think that this song is basically about the comfort of another human being, whether it is a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, brother, whatever, and how much just having someone there to hold you and tell you it's okay can help and how everyone needs this at some point. One of the lyrics in particular, although very simple, really seems to speak volumes about what being there for someone means: "Don't worry 'cause now I got your back. And every time you feel like crying I'm going to try and make you laugh. And if I can't, if it just hurts to bad, then we will wait for it to pass. And I will keep you company through those days so long and black."

4. Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams. Ah, the artist who gave me my love of the wonderful genre of alt-country. First of all, I would like to say I really, really, really love this song. That's right, that's THREE reallys. This may be partly because it involves a harmonica (yes, I'm a sucker for a harmonica, what can I say). But Ryan Adams' voice is just...just...how can I even bring myself to explain something so beautiful? The perfection that I hear whenever he opens his mouth and sings is quite unparalleled. His range is unbelievable. He can go from hardcore country boy, to punk rocker, to soft ballady voiced guy who has amazing harmonizing powers. It's really just incredible. This song is one of those you hear and you're like "Hey, yes. I know exactly what he means." It's such a connection I get with the artist whenever I hear this song. It's like I know exactly what he's going through and I feel for him and I relate and understand and I really want whoever it is he's singing this song about to come pick him up already for the love of God.

5. Your Little Hoodrat Friend by The Hold Steady. A good solid rock song. I really dig the use of the keyboard on this song. The Hold Steady is just an all around amazing bar band. They like to sing about partying and shows and controversial feelings toward religion. It's all very On The Roady by Jack Kerouac. In fact, they make several references to him in their music. So what if Craig Finn doesn't really sing? He's a story-teller and I'm his avid and faithful listener. I have rarely heard better story songs than the ones that The Hold Steady belts out complete with heavy guitar riffs and lyrics that make you wish you were a part of the group this band parties with. It doesn't get much better than that.

lady gaga.

I know some of you probably like Lady Gaga, but I personally don't at all. As much as I want to be indifferent toward her, whenever I hear one of my friends playing her music, I have to fight the urge to smash whatever device it is that is allowing her voice to come blaring through the speakers.
Okay so I'll admit, the girl can perform. She has stage presence, that is undeniable. And she's obviously pretty good with the whole making herself famous thing. But I just can't help but feel like everything she does is so outrageous and purposefully over the top just to make more money and/or get more attention. Everything from her outfits, to her performances (like the one at the VMAs), to the things she says, even to her gender/sexuality...It all just seems so ridiculous to me. And the public buys into it so easily. Her stuff might be catchy but what does she sing about? Oh, you know, fame, money, sex. The usual. Nothing of any meaning or value.
Also, what's with the autotuned voice? I've heard her sing some ballads and her voice isn't terrible. Why not just sing like that all the time? Put some emotion into it!
I guess it's just the fact that it's all so generic to me and I don't find it relateable at all. And maybe that's why some people love it. They want to imagine their lives are full of fame, money or sex. But really, I just get sad that it seems American society seems to value these things and the artists that sing about them over other, probably more talented, singers and bands. It's not that I don't respect her for doing her thing and being an artist and it's cool if you like her, it's just not my cup of tea.

the buying and selling of music

There are a whole slew of things I could talk about on this topic, however, I think I'll just stick to my main personal experience when it comes to getting music. Music is distributed in many ways: CD's, radio, television, and internet. I think that the latter is how most people today get their music. The internet also has many ways of distribution. You can buy the album from itunes or a similar program, just listen to 1 or 2 tracks for free or, of course, the illegal downloading method. I have to admit (and I hope no one has me arrested for this) that downloading is probably the main way I get my music. I in no way support it. In fact, I constantly berate myself for falling prey to this technological terror. However, I'm a college student. I'm poor. I have no car. CD's are expensive. But music is my method of survival. The only pure source of happiness I believe I have in my life. I must have it. And I must have it now. I think that downloading was made for the greedy people like me. Those that hear a song, fall in love with it, and can't live without it starting right that very minute. I feel bad, but I guess I don't feel bad at the same time. I feel bad because I'm not paying for this beautiful piece of artwork that the artist has so gracefully bestowed upon the public. But I don't feel bad because it feeds my addiction for owning one more song, for discovering one more artist. I guess when I think about it, I still provide some generous funding to the artists I love. My collection of band t-shirts is one to be rivaled by many and I probably spend money on more concerts than I should. But I still feel a slight tinge of guilt when I click that pesky little download button.