Image via WikipediaFirst, I have to say that I'm not a curmudgeon. I like a good song just as much as the next 40-plus year old dad seeking relevance with his kids. I do have some Katy Perry in my iTunes. And some Black Eyed Peas. And there are moments when those songs could be appropriate to blast from my iPhone.
I'm trying to remember the reasons I listened to them, and they escape me for the moment... but there were reasons. A couple at least.
Sadly, the Top 40 song list is peppered with stuff that I can only describe as "crap" as decorum prohibits me from using the words that really come to mind. Bruno Mars? Seriously? Bleh! At least on iTunes the top singles have a few interesting nuggets among them: The new Lil' Wayne single "Gonnereah" is "bangin'"--to coin a phrase from my 15 year-old son who listens to such stuff. Okay, I sort of like Rhianna, too... especially on Eminem's song about love and domestic violence - "Love the Way You Lie."
What the heck? I guess I do like a lot of pop music. Dang it.
Even so... Mostly these days I listen to Alternative music. Sirrius has a great station: "Alt Nation" where you can listen to all of the newest and most engaging music that is being made today. Or you can just go to Pandora and find a similar station. There are several. I bought the newest Weezer release last week. Weezer have sort of become the elder statesman of Alt Rock, and with good reason. They're awesome. Weezer draws from a number of influences for their sound, and if you're not familiar with them they sound a bit like a mix between Nirvana and the Beach Boys without the doom and gloom of Cobain's lyrics.
I think that the defining characteristic of Alt Rock/Music is it's ability to reinterpret music without parodying it or bastardizing it. For those of us of a certain age who grew up listening to both Iron Maiden and the Cure (depending upon the girl that we were trying to date, no doubt), Alt Rock offers a welcome release from the shallow garbage that litters most of the airwaves of most radio stations.
Even now as I am writing this, I am listening to the Genius Mix on my iTunes for Alternative Rock and the inspiring sounds of Foo Fighters "Best of You" is causing me to pause from typing and pretend I am playing the drums. There. I am back.
At any rate, go and buy Weezer's newest album "Hurley" (named for the character on lost, and featuring his mug on the cover). Listen to "Memories" and allow the pop music toxins to flow out of you and leave you cleansed.
Weezer indeed. And maybe some Radiohead. I like me some Radiohead.
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