Music is a bit of a funny thing, but like most things, the more you work the more rewarding it is.
Recent conversations with some Generation Xers has helped me realize something I kind of already knew: they don't care for today's music. In some ways I'm right there with them, I understand their frustration, but I just think they found the music they like 35 years ago and they're tired of working to find and cherish something new.
I like some oldies. I love David Bowie and Elton John of the early '70s, or Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. But there is some fantastic new music being recorded. You just have to put in the work. My rule of thumb is that if you like it on first listen, you probably won't like it two years from now.
All of the bands I've been listening to religiously the past few years, I really disliked the first time I heard them. Whether it's quiet, lyric-based stuff from Elliott Smith or Sun Kil Moon, or something with a little more pop in it's step like The Black Keys or Flogging Molly, they've each taken time to grow on me.
For example, I was first introduced to Coheed and Cambria in my first year of college and couldn't stand them. About a year and a half after finishing college, I started listening to them again and they blew me away. That took more than three years.
Same thing happened with Pete Yorn. I heard a song of his I liked, explored the rest of his catalogue and was immediately turned off. Now I listen to that guy all the time. He can produce an uber-folky duet album with Scarlett Johannson and I'll still listen to that stuff. He did it, and I do.
The catchy hits of the summer that get lots of radio play have little longevity. It sounds good and polished, but there isn't any substance. It's easy to catch the beat right away at first listen, but it's a 40-yard dash when I'm more interested in listening to a marathon.
Pete Yorn, who I already listen to in any mood, came out with an album last year; naturally I hated it. Now I love it. I just had to peel away some of his not so spot on vocals to find that nougaty centre.
I just checked out Flogging Molly's new album from this spring. On first listen, there was one memorable track. The next day I listened to parts of it again, and now I will listen to that thing front to back. I expected some trademark vocal belting from Dave King and when it didn't happen, the album felt empty. In the second listen, I found those vocal bursts, they are just maybe not quite as powerful. The guy's a 50-year-old punk rocker, so I will cut him some slack.
Back to the Gen Xers.
Sure there is the good old music that you listened to in your heyday. It works for you and it's safe. I simply recommend when looking for new music, if you ever decide to do so, don't listen to the radio.
Head to the Internet, maybe spend a little time on YouTube.
I understand that lots of good music came out of the '60s and '70s, but the same amount of great music is being produced today. There is just more music being produced, so the ratio of good to not-so-good is more slanted. That factor can make it daunting to navigate today's music scene.
The more work you put into finding and enjoying new music, the more rewarding it is when you finally find something you like.
I think that's why the flower children look down on today's music, because they already worked hard learning to enjoy the music that spoke for their times. They don't want to do any more work. Like anything else though, you have to get your hands a little dirty. Once you do, there's plenty to enjoy.
