To Talk About Music Just to Talk About Music

IF YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT MUSIC, it's important to understand why you're talking about music. I think most individuals are only really interested interested in a sort of mutual masturbation of each other's interests. No one likes being questioned about why they like something... most people can't really explain why they like what they like. People talk about music just to talk about music--just to feel that minor moment of connection with someone else that comes when you both agree on a shared interest. That band is good. Yes that band is good. The only time criticism is really tolerated in discussion is when everybody agrees on how the band is, so no one's opinions or ego is bruised.

There's nothing wrong with talking about music this way, but it's important to understand that this is the nerd equivalent of small talk. And small talk is something that may seem grotesque, but isn't really all that bad sometimes. I won't lie, I talk like that too. But I never feel particularly satisfied talking this way; I want to figure out what it means. Eventually, I get bored just saying how awesome something is, over and over again, and have to dig deeper. This, to me, is the point where music gets interesting. This is where music becomes something worth talking about, I think; where you tap into this idea of culture, and the idea of the musician being someone that has a music of some sort of message that somehow contributes to our larger culture.

Talking about what the music means is the only way to truly understand what "good" and "bad" mean in a more tangible, less subjective way. Good to me might be Bob Dylan, while good to you might be Boyz II Men. I may think the concept of hair metal lingering on in some nostalgic circle-jerk is revolting, while maybe you can't wait to get down to your local county fair to see Poison play all their hits--it's all subjective and totally fine. Whatever floats your boat. But talking about what it means is the only real way to explain why Katy Perry will probably be forgotten in a few years time. It's the only sort of discussion where you could say that Katy Perry's music is a homogeonized, made-for-sale version of smarter modern female vocalists like Amy Winehouse or Lily Allen, and not be called a prick. I don't really understand why you wouldn't want to talk this way about this music, beyond maybe you just can't find the words to express how you feel. Which is also fine.