Metal: The Intelligent Choice 3
The Telegraph recently posted an article reporting that many of today’s brightest children listen to metal as a way to relieve stress and relax.
“Participants said they appreciated the complex and sometimes political themes of heavy metal music more than perhaps the average pop song. It has a tendency to worry adults a bit but I think it is just a cathartic thing. It does not indicate problems.”
— Stuart Cadwallader, psychologist, University of Warwick
Metal to me is a useful tool, as well as something I generally just enjoy. It’s my main music of choice, so I listen to it all the time. When I’m working, it relieves some of the inherent stress. When I’m just lazing around, I enjoy the instrumentation and the words, they help me to unwind. And going to a metal concert is always fun to me.
Being a fan of metal myself (long hair and all), it’s a relief to finally see someone trying to dispell the myth that anyone who listens to metal is either on some kind of drug, dumb, or any of the other silly stereotypes.
That Online Music Gravy Train 5
Apparently, the masses need appeasing; I don’t write and you all get antsy, geez.
Anyways, I caught word of this here news story while watching TV and thought I should put down some words about it.
Basically, if you don’t feel like reading the whole article, the gist of it is that album sales are down about 7% compared to this time last year, and music sales online have nearly tripled from where it was at this time last year. And the record companies are sad because they don’t get money from selling their $18 CDs (oh, boo hoo *cough*).
I’ll keep my point short and to the point. If the record companies can’t see that now is the time to get on the online music sales gravy train, completely, then they’re blind. With mp3 players jumping all over the scene, especially the iPod, and the demand rising, I think perhaps the big guys should maybe rethink they’re marketing strategy? You say not? Well, go back, compare +300% to -7% and enjoy your meal (that being your own heart). I’m not saying CDs should be done away with, because I know I’ll still buy and use them, they’re still a valid format. I just think the shift should be made now, gradually— if that isn’t glaringly obvious.
The Musical Baton 24
Since sleep is not my friend, and no one has passed it to me yet, that I know of, I’m stealing the musical baton, like the awesome folks at The Big Noob. That’s right— I’m like one of those random guys you see on TV that runs out onto the football field during the middle of the game and steals the ball, then gets tackled by 20 security guards and at least 10 football players and a coach. So without furthur ado…
Total Volume Of Music Files On My Computer:
This computer? 1.95GB. However, I keep nothing on this computer, so what my iPod holds (4.77GB) is probably a far more accurate representation.
The Last CD I Bought Was:
Hm. “Frail Words Collapse” by As I Lay Dying, I think.
Song Playing Right Now:
“Return to Snake Mountain” by Machinae Supremacy (go download their free songs and buy their album)
Five Songs I Listen To A Lot, Or That Mean A Lot To Me:
You had to make this difficult, didn’t you? *sigh*
- “Return to Snake Mountain” by Machinae Supremacy
- “Overload” by Soilwork
- “The Quiet Place” by In Flames
- “Civil War” by Guns N’ Roses
- “My Last Serenade” by Killswitch Engage
Five People To Whom I’m Passing The Baton:
Buahahahaha. I’m chucking this stolen baton at:
- Tom Park
- Reid Lynch
- Eric McLean
- Shawn Parker (I better see lots of 80s pop, mister)
- And what the heck, maybe he’ll do it— John Whittet
For the Love of Music 12
Recently, I read an essay written by a good friend about the travesties of what today passes as popular music, and wanted to expand on it.
Today, to most artists, I think it’s about money. Money should not be a factor when you create music. Music is a vessel with which to express yourself, in terms of emotion or a message you feel you have to express. It isn’t about rolling around with your 24-inch chromed-out, spinning rims on your 0.32924mpg Hummer H2, and it isn’t about how much you tapped that, yo.
It’s not just rap/hip hop I’m against, either, they’re just the easiest examples to cite. And don’t get me wrong, there are several rap songs I love to death, because they have meaning and depth, unlike so many out there today.
If you insist on being on the radio (which I haven’t listened to outside a car or any where remotely recreationally in some years), then sing something with meaning. “Oops, I did it again” isn’t music— it’s words accompanied by instruments, with something I’d hesitate to call a melody.
If you want to listen to music, listen to something you can get meaning from. Listen to something you can listen to and take something out of. If you have to dig and search and find unknown bands from Sweden, like myself, well, that’s fine. Just don’t settle for cheap imitations of music where the artists are only in it for the money— it’s degrading.
Machinae Supremacy 0
Can’t believe I didn’t pimp these guys earlier, but I was on their forum a few seconds ago and thought to recommend them to you guys. Machinae Supremacy is a alternative band straight out of Luleå, Sweden, consisting of a catchy mix of synthesizer, blazing electric guitar, a wonderful voice to back it all up, and then some. The group, all in all, is heavily influenced by game music, and such is shown throughout their music. They offer free music on their site, and lots of it, in mp3 and ogg formats. They also have an album out. So, check them out. They’re really good in my opinion. [link]
