Music

...Is a topic I rarely talk about.

I feel uncomfortable when a stranger asks me what music I am into, I feel slightly less when a friend discusses it with me.

Why? A question I was toying with the idea of answering; its a subject close to my heart, and by discussing it I open up my opinions for debate and that is not what I wanted, but as I warm to the idea of blogging, I feel it is best to talk about things close to my heart, things that make me..well..me.

First off I will discuss music that I like. I am eclectic in musical taste, I like rock music, I like rap music, I like classical music, there are very few genres of music I do not like.

I realise that I appreciate music on certain levels. I can appreciate a good pop song for being catchy, I can appreciate a good piece of classical music for its equizity and for the mood it creates.

However, I realise that what determines good music to me, is that I must identify where the artist(s) is coming from. I need to feel that they are sincere in their voice and their emotion; that they mean what they are singing. That they sing with passion.

I admire David Gray for the images conveyed by his powerful lyrics; I admire Damien Rice for the sheer passion and emotion he has in his voice. I admire Linkin Park, as I believe they truly mean the words they sing; re-calling emotional times they have been through in relationships, etc.

I am not ashamed to say of the music I like, but rather, topics about music create raw emotions within me, and often lead to me getting uncharacteristically angry and frustrated.

A pure example of this is Robbie Williams; people like him because he is a 'showman' he has a very bland voice, but he struts on stage and plays to the audience. Is he being emotive and passionate? Does he mean the lyrics he's singing IE(Bodies in the ...lemon tree, etc) No he does not, he is simply out to make some money and be liked.

It angers me to watch the X factor and the like - potential singers who are singing words that are of no importance to them, just so they can be on the cover of heat magazine and have a number 1 album.

Music is a very personal experience for a lot of people; and unfortunately at the moment it seems, the ones who are the least passionate and who can robotically produce single after single about 'shaking your booty' and 'If you can't get a girl but your best friend can it's time to move your body,' very much saddens me.

Maybe I'm getting older, and just a little bit bitter with how the world functions, but I wholeheartedly wish that artists with passion and words that you truly believe are coming straight from their heart and through their vocal cords, would get the recognition that they deserve. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go listen to Damien Rice singing the Blowers Daughter. Or David Gray singing 'alibi.' Even go and listen to Jay Z rapping about New York; at least he's passionate.

This has turned into a rant, I apologise, it was never intended to be.

' A bird sings because he has a song, not because he has an answer'