NationStates Jolt Archive

Personally, I have some pretty constistant reactions when I learn what sort of music people like.

Keep in mind that these are only my prejudices against people my age (early 20s) who like these kinds of music.

Doom metal: Out of touch with reality
Alternative schlock: Don't take the time to find good music
Rap: Unintelligent, uncultured
Country: Unintelligent, uncultured, but in a different way.
Classic rock: idiot, and living in the past
Jazz: sophisticated, maybe snobby
Classical: pretentious
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): cosmopolitan, sophisticated
Punk: Is an exciting an interesting person, but maybe a drug user.
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: is a smelly hippy stoner
Non-industrial techno: If asian or indian, just a normal person. If of another ethnicity, someone who is a little more cultured and interesting.
80s: Nostalgic, fun.
Industrial techno: slightly troubled, likes to be active, probably a genuine person
Ska: likes to have fun
Reggae: likes to get high

Flame away if you like.

What I really want to know is, do other people on NSG judge people on the basis of their musical tastes. Feel free to share exactly how you judge others.

Those are some pretty dodgy prejudices.

They like music I like: I would trust them with my daughter
THey don't like my music: They must want the terrorists to win.

Isn't listening to classical living in the past?

EDIT: Also, what do you define as alternative schlock?

It affects my opinion a little, but it wouldn't make me dislike someone I otherwise liked or vice versa.

Doom metal: Out of touch with reality
Why doom specifically? What do you think of other kinds of metal?

Personally I like all kinds of metal, but I wouldn't say people are more or less in touch with reality depending on whether they liked it.

I only think people are out of touch when they say things like "all <genre> is just meaningless noise". That goes for any genre, not just metal.

I have pretty eclectic musical taste and try not to judge others based on what they like, but when people say things like "Good Charlotte is my the best band ever!" I tend to take a few steps back and wonder how I came to a point to have someone like that think they could talk to me.

oh, and I don't trust anyone who claims not to love Abba, they are either lying or some sort of crazy.

What about someone who likes several of the above?

You know, a nice solid base of classic rock, a touch of GOOD alternative, a heavy interest in European metal, and an appreciation for symphony orchestras and operatic vocals.

What the hell does that make me?

What about someone who likes several of the above?

You know, a nice solid base of classic rock, a touch of GOOD alternative, a heavy interest in European metal, and an appreciation for symphony orchestras and operatic vocals.

What the hell does that make me?
Yeah, I wanna know how listening to a few Quebecois rap songs in French makes me sophisticated.

Isn't listening to classical living in the past?

EDIT: Also, what do you define as alternative schlock?
Pretty much what they play on the popular radio stations.


Why doom specifically? What do you think of other kinds of metal?

Personally I like all kinds of metal, but I wouldn't say people are more or less in touch with reality depending on whether they liked it.

I hope I used the right genre. The sort of metal that is slow and has lyrics that are overly 'fantasy'. Cradle of Filth falls into this category for me.

Here's some more prejudices, based on specific bands...
Metallica: Not somebody I ever want to talk to.
Dream Theatre: Only acceptable if the person is a guitarist. I can't see how anyone would like it except for the technical aspects.
Primus: This person is probably a stoner, a bassist, or both.

Yeah, I wanna know how listening to a few Quebecois rap songs in French makes me sophisticated.

Well... if you don't speak French, but you like listening to French rap, you're probably not part of thug culture, and you're probably interested in foreign cultures.

I think your thing is a good template:

I'll do my own (please note this isn't serious, just a stereotype).

Metal: Depressed angry teenager
Alternative schlock: Pretentious and British
Rap: Wannabe Gangstar
Country: Redneck
Classic rock: 30 years old +
Jazz: super snob
Classical: boring
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): geeky
Punk: Angry teenager
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: High
Non-industrial techno: Gay
80s: Camp
Industrial techno: ..... can't really think of a stereotype
Ska: pretentious punk
Reggae: .... can't really think of a stereotype

yes i do. if people listen to the same kind of music like me, i like them more. if they listen to music i hate, i like them less. especially if they listen to jump music or commercial rap.

I hope I used the right genre. The sort of metal that is slow and has lyrics that are overly 'fantasy'. Cradle of Filth falls into this category for me.

Cradle of Filth are some kind of symphonic black metal or something. Really nothing like doom...

Besides, what's wrong with fantasy lyrics? I take it you don't read or watch fiction either then?

There are some bands which can only worsen my opinion on someone. I noticed that the people, I get along well have a broad musical taste and often like CCed music. So this is something which raises my opinion of people.

Some other prejudices:
Music which is 'in' right now: superficial
Likes at least one band, which releases songs under the CreativeCommons: Alternative lifestyle, geekish
Listens only to commercial, alternative bands: Thinks he is alternative and will laugh about me because I AM alternative :p
Listens to music on his iPod: wants to be 'in' and 'hip'.
Plays an instrument: determined, intelligent

It can affect the way I like people, but rarely in a large way. I have one friend who is my friend because of a shared taste in music and other hobbies, but most of my friends have completely different taste in music than I. Then again, there may well only be one person in the entire school with the same taste in music as me.

To be completely fair, my best friends are, respectively, an Emo/Classic Rock fan, a Metalhead, and a Punk/Pop-Punk fan. Needless to say, I feel kinda left out as a Punk/Symphonic Metal/Folk fan.

I think your thing is a good template:

I'll do my own (please note this isn't serious, just a stereotype).

Metal: Depressed angry teenager
Alternative schlock: Pretentious and British
Rap: Wannabe Gangstar
Country: Redneck
Classic rock: 30 years old +
Jazz: super snob
Classical: boring
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): geeky
Punk: Angry teenager
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: High
Non-industrial techno: Gay
80s: Camp
Industrial techno: ..... can't really think of a stereotype
Ska: pretentious punk
Reggae: .... can't really think of a stereotype

So according to the stereotypes you've listed, I'm a depressed angry teenager who's pretentious and British and wanting to be a gangster, but is really a redneck 40 year old super snob, a little boring and geeky and campy gay as well as being a pretentious punk.

Cool.

If I was to tell you that I like all of those sorts of music, but foreign music(assuming you mean popular foreign music) and non industrial techno not so much, what would that make me?

So according to the stereotypes you've listed, I'm a depressed angry teenager who's pretentious and British and wanting to be a gangster, but is really a redneck 40 year old super snob, a little boring and geeky and campy gay as well as being a pretentious punk.

Cool.

yeah, us eclectics come off as crazy round here huh?

I couldn't care less what someone listens to. If you have a common interest in one style, great, you can speak about it. If you have entirely different styles you like, great, you can rant about how much you hate each other's music.

Given that I like pretty much every type of music, I don't care what other people listen to. I base what I like on whether I like a particular song or not, not what genre it happens to fall in.

It's fairly silly to base your opinion on what music people listen to, in any event. Music, like so many other things, tends to be a product of peer pressure and the culture the individual grew up in. Exactly the same as clothing selection, slang, and any other number of "individual" quirks.

Do you dislike someone because they use a certain phrase? Do you make fast friends with a person because they wear a blouse you're particularly enamored of? Did you pick your spouse/significant other because they use nothing but 133+5P34|< on message boards? That's an incredibly shallow judgement...same goes for music tastes.

If you're living with someone and hate their music...make a rule that headphones have to be used. That's what we do in my house. My husband and I usually want to listen to different things at different times, so we listen to them privately.

Do you dislike someone because they use a certain phrase?

yes.

yeah, us eclectics come off as crazy round here huh?

Well to be fair, I really am crazy, so it's not like I'm giving folks a false impression.

It's fairly silly to base your opinion on what music people listen to, in any event. Music, like so many other things, tends to be a product of peer pressure and the culture the individual grew up in. Exactly the same as clothing selection, slang, and any other number of "individual" quirks.


Even if that was the case, it tells me whom their role-models are. That can be used to rate a person to a certain point. I never said it is important but it has an effect on my perception...

Cradle of Filth are some kind of symphonic black metal or something. Really nothing like doom...

Besides, what's wrong with fantasy lyrics? I take it you don't read or watch fiction either then?

Ok, I'll admit, I really like Harry Potter... and the Wizard of Earthsea is one of my all time favorite books. The thing is, metal (with the exception of Dethklok) seems to take itself too seriously. The impression I get is that the point is to seem all dark and creepy and scary and stuff. The end result is just... lame. Now, I'm sure that my prejudice against people who like that stuff is because I just don't 'get' it.

Let me counterpose some music that I like and don't like. (This is about the music, not the people now).
Emo: not sincere. Waa waa look at me I'm troubled.
(Some) Industrial techno: genuine inner trouble/rage
Soulfly: genuine anger
Metallica: let's make some money.

To me, the point of music is genuine expression of emotions. Even Tenacious D and Bloodhound Gang fit my mold, because the emotions in their songs are pretty much just... happiness and silliness. When metal seems to take itself seriously, but the content is not something you should really take seriously... and then people like it? It gives me the impression that they are out of touch with reality.

Does that make sense?

Does that make sense?


No, because you haven't explained why being silly has anything to do with being in the real world either. Are you just as bad?

Do you dislike someone because they use a certain phrase? Do you make fast friends with a person because they wear a blouse you're particularly enamored of? Did you pick your spouse/significant other because they use nothing but 133+5P34|< on message boards? That's an incredibly shallow judgement...same goes for music tastes.

I can't even talk to people who use 1337, internet abbreviations (u no wat i mean?), or use blatantly poor grammar and spelling. Of course, if someone does these occasionally, just to be funny, then it's not a problem.

The way a person speaks and the music they listen to are indicative of some personality traits.

Ok, I'll admit, I really like Harry Potter... and the Wizard of Earthsea is one of my all time favorite books. The thing is, metal (with the exception of Dethklok) seems to take itself too seriously. The impression I get is that the point is to seem all dark and creepy and scary and stuff. The end result is just... lame. Now, I'm sure that my prejudice against people who like that stuff is because I just don't 'get' it.

...

Does that make sense?

Yeah, to be honest, my musical tastes aren't based on lyrics so much. I like the "dark and creepy" sound and don't really pay attention to the words, so I don't really care how "serious" or "real" the meaning behind it is - I care more about the sound itself. Maybe I'm just strange.

Yes, but only minimally. Generally, I think it's cooler if we like the same music so we have something to discuss but otherwise it's a meh. Emo shit is a no-no.

Also whats with stereotyping metal as depressive? Metal is typically about strength and power, not weakness...

Even if that was the case, it tells me whom their role-models are. That can be used to rate a person to a certain point. I never said it is important but it has an effect on my perception...

For a certain, small proportion of the population, this might be true. Most people don't care what the recording artist's views or beliefs are, they listen to music either because they happen to simply enjoy the music, or because it's what their friends are listening to, or because it gives them some sort of illusory power over their environment (my parents hate it, it's banned at my school, my pastor says it's the music of the devil, etc.).

Well to be fair, I really am crazy, so it's not like I'm giving folks a false impression.

well, yeah, most people who know me know I am not all there upstairs.....

well, yeah, most people who know me know I am not all there upstairs.....

Actually, I strike me as one of the sanest, most grounded people here. Of course, viewing that distinction from the perspective of normality makes you a raving fucking nutjob!

Probably why you're so lovable! :D

Actually, I strike me as one of the sanest, most grounded people here. Of course, viewing that distinction from the perspective of normality makes you a raving fucking nutjob!

Probably why you're so lovable! :D

do crazy people know they are crazy? I don't think so.

Knowing I am crazy is what makes me think I might be sane.

(Some) Industrial techno: genuine inner trouble/rage

what's the difference between industrial techno and normal techno? there is a wiki article on it, but there are only a few artists, and i don't think it's a big genre.

do crazy people know they are crazy? I don't think so.

Knowing I am crazy is what makes me think I might be sane.

What makes you think you're crazy anyway?

What makes you think you're crazy anyway?

I am too interesting to be normal, and to paranoid to be sane......

I am too interesting to be normal, and to paranoid to be sane......

Your posts seem way to rational for you to suggest any paranoia or insanity in them. :cool:

Your posts seem way to rational for you to suggest any paranoia or insanity in them. :cool:

I keep my insanity close to me.

IRL I am told about 20 times a week at least that something is severely wrong with me.....although I have to consider the source and figure out they might be projecting.

either that or, I am in a weird mood for the last 7 years......

I keep my insanity close to me.

IRL I am told about 20 times a week at least that something is severely wrong with me.....although I have to consider the source and figure out they might be projecting.

either that or, I am in a weird mood for the last 7 years......

Who says that?

I find people shouldn't taste music, they should listen to it.

no i dont judge people based on their musical taste even if it sometimes roll my eyes at the crap people are so taken with. its just another fact about a person, not a reason to judge them.

but it must be a common feeling. as i was driving into town this morning i heard an ad for countrymatch.com that promised to match you up with a local person who shared your love of country music.

i guess it gives you something to talk about but its as shallow as picking a date based on hair color.

i guess it gives you something to talk about but its as shallow as picking a date based on hair color.

not really, you choose what kind of music you listen to, not what kind of hair you have. it says a lot to what sub-culture you belong. when i go to a party and there is a fight, it's almost always certain people who listen to the same kind of music who are picking fights. the 'lyrics' of their music often are quite aggressive and mysogynist. of course it's a generalization, but if you choose to listen to that kind of music and hang out with those people, it does tell something about you, not that much, but more than haircolor.

Musical taste can only worsen my opinion:

Doom metal: childish
Alternative schlock: boring
Rap:
Country: false
Classic rock: a little bit scary
Jazz: snob, doesn't really like music
Classical: snob, doesn't really like music
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): socially disconnected
Punk:
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: stoner
Non-industrial techno: shallow
80s: thinks they're cool
Industrial techno:
Ska: obnoxious
Reggae:

Who says that?

mostly people I shouldn't listen to.

Musical tastes don't change my opinions of people, really. I will give out free mix discs to those who (I feel) should be listening to more than Pop/Pop Rock, though.

mostly people I shouldn't listen to.

You're insane for listening to them.

Although I do find that all fans of System of a Down should have been aborted and left in a dumpster.

not really, you choose what kind of music you listen to, not what kind of hair you have. it says a lot to what sub-culture you belong. when i go to a party and there is a fight, it's almost always certain people who listen to the same kind of music who are picking fights. the 'lyrics' of their music often are quite aggressive and mysogynist. of course it's a generalization, but if you choose to listen to that kind of music and hang out with those people, it does tell something about you, not that much, but more than haircolor.

people who fight, fight. they dont fight because of their music. im sure that many people who listen to this kind of music you refer to never get into fights.

now hanging out with assholes IS a reason to avoid socializing with a particular person.

but if i came up a lone person who acted in a reasonable manner but was listening to violent mysogynistic music, i would dislike the music but have no negative judgement toward the person as long as his behavior was OK. same with manner of dress or funky hairstyle. you cant judge people on how they look or what they are listening to. its what they DO that counts.

Music is a way for me to conenct with people. I feel a sense of kinship with someone if they have similiar musical interests. With some people, it doesn't matter at all, like one best friend of mine who's still into Black Eyed Peas and Nelly Furtado. Our friendship is based on other stuff. But I also have friendships with people that are music based, usually because the other person is a musician. It's really cool to be able to listen to a song and feel connected with a person who is far away from you, just because you know they love that song, too. I also tend to have way more respect for people with ecclectic tastes than for people who listen to the same garbage that's on the top forty lists.



That post made no sense. What a garbled piece of crap. Suffice it to say, music doesn't determine friendships, but it determines love. I can only fall in love with someone who loves the Smiths, too.

what's the difference between industrial techno and normal techno? there is a wiki article on it, but there are only a few artists, and i don't think it's a big genre.

It's techno with direction. It's usually got angry or militant themes, although sometimes it uses zombie and medical themes as well.

try industrialradio.org

Oh, and another thing I just remembered: They did some study (sorry, I don't have a link, so feel free to throw fruit at me), that showed kids who listen to metal music are actually more likely to be gifted, because hard-core music is like an outlet to get rid of their frustrations about not fitting in in high school. But we already knew that, didn't we?

You can't tell me the all metal is the best outlet for emotions. I find most metal to be artificially constructed technical wanking that lacks emotion entirely.

Oh, and another thing I just remembered: They did some study (sorry, I don't have a link, so feel free to throw fruit at me), that showed kids who listen to metal music are actually more likely to be gifted, because hard-core music is like an outlet to get rid of their frustrations about not fitting in in high school. But we already knew that, didn't we?

What about those of us who listen to "Math Rock" like Rush and Metal? :p

You can't tell me the all metal is the best outlet for emotions. I find most metal to be artificially constructed technical wanking that lacks emotion entirely.

Okay, I won't tell you, but the newsreport will:


Brainiacs prefer heavy metal
Study shows it takes pressure off gifted students

Tom Spears
CanWest News Service


Friday, March 23, 2007


The most gifted teenagers often love heavy metal music because it relieves the pressure of being smart, says a British psychologist who has boosted the images of bright kids and metalheads together.

Stuart Cadwallader is getting thanks from all directions after his cliche-shattering data, announced this week at a psychology conference in England.

The gifted students are relieved not to be seen as clarinet-toting Mozart-lovers. The metalheads are pleased that someone, for a change, isn't calling them all losers.

And the heavy-on-guitar and big-on-drum anthems are getting some respect in the academic community.

Cadwallader is happy, too. He's a PhD student at the University of Warwick. "This was my master's project. I was expecting it to be read by about three people," he said in an interview.

How wrong he was. His findings that about one-third of gifted teenagers enjoy heavy metal perked up a conference that otherwise had topics along the lines of: "Toward a meta-methodology of qualitative research."

(continued...)


Check it out. (http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=5cf4eb30-8161-4d71-8dce-79432dbe39aa&k=70277)

I think your thing is a good template:

I'll do my own (please note this isn't serious, just a stereotype).

Metal: Depressed angry teenager
Alternative schlock: Pretentious and British
Rap: Wannabe Gangstar
Country: Redneck
Classic rock: 30 years old +
Jazz: super snob
Classical: boring
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): geeky
Punk: Angry teenager
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: High
Non-industrial techno: Gay
80s: Camp
Industrial techno: ..... can't really think of a stereotype
Ska: pretentious punk
Reggae: .... can't really think of a stereotype

my turn! basically if they like the same kinds of music as me they're cool. if not they suck. simple as ;)


Metal: interesting, deep
Alternative schlock: pop fan pretending to be 'hardcore' and liking "rock"... pretentious and shallow
Rap: chav or wannabe gangsta/wigga
Country: a cowboy?? (i've never met anyone who likes country music...)
Classic rock: good musical taste, probably a "solid bloke" (if a bloke)
Jazz: dynamic, interesting, laid-back and open minded
Classical: cultured, possibly snobby, probably knows more than i do
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): pretentious.
Punk: angry, angsty, or just likes bad music.
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: smelly old hippies are cool :)
Techno: chavs, probably
80s: Insane. honestly.
Ska: prat with no musical taste
Reggae: a rasta. good candidate for buying skunk
Pop (a la Britney Spears etc): either stupid or shallow... or a 12 year old girl
Power Metal: obsessive
Emo: take a wild guess
RnB: no possible taste in music
Hip-hop: laid-back wannabe gangsta
Trip-hop: even more laidback wannabe gangsta :P

They like music I like: I would trust them with my daughter
THey don't like my music: They must want the terrorists to win.
(x1 Agree)

Metal: probably a high-school dropout or ex-convict
Alternative schlock: sheep
Rap: scary black person, fake white person
Country: Republican
Classic rock: comrade
Jazz: pretentious
Classical: probably pretentious
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): pretentious
Punk: see for metal
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: take a shower
Techno: dorks
80s: droks
Ska: meh
Reggae: feh
Pop (a la Britney Spears etc): dumb
Power Metal: see regular metal and punk
Emo: attention-whoring faggot
RnB: comrade
Hip-hop: slightly less scary black person
Trip-hop: what the fuck is trip-hop?

Music is a way for me to conenct with people. I feel a sense of kinship with someone if they have similiar musical interests. With some people, it doesn't matter at all, like one best friend of mine who's still into Black Eyed Peas and Nelly Furtado. Our friendship is based on other stuff. But I also have friendships with people that are music based, usually because the other person is a musician. It's really cool to be able to listen to a song and feel connected with a person who is far away from you, just because you know they love that song, too. I also tend to have way more respect for people with ecclectic tastes than for people who listen to the same garbage that's on the top forty lists.



That post made no sense. What a garbled piece of crap.
nope, not a piece of crap... it made perfect sense to me! in fact, QFT :)

You can't tell me the all metal is the best outlet for emotions. I find most metal to be artificially constructed technical wanking that lacks emotion entirely.

unlike many other forms of music, the emotion in metal comes - to me - almost entirely from the power of the music, and that technical brilliance, rather than its beauty or the lyrics. i listen to metal when i need to feel connected to others through this big culture of metalheads, when i need to let off steam or feel empowered when i feel down. in those ways the genre is more emotive to me than the other stuff i listen to (jazz, blues, classic rock and drum n bass), for the most part.
i also find it to be a part of my identity, and my past - its helped me pull through some tough times by giving me an outlet for negative feelings, reassuring me that i'm not alone (both in having these feelings and difficulties, and in that there's millions of people like me in the world), and giving me strength. as such metal speaks to me, as a generalisation, on a very personal level.... so i guess you could say unless you're "in it" you won't 'get it' *nods*


edit:

Trip-hop: what the fuck is trip-hop?
very stoned hiphop ;)

People who attempt to poo-poo an entire genre: Stupid and lazy.
People who try to find a good example of every genre in order to prove some stupid point to themselves: Losers with way too much time on their hands.

Trip-hop: what the fuck is trip-hop?

Pretty much laid back music with electronic influences.

Uhm... portishead, bjork, thievery corporation.

Slightly, yes. Having something to talk about helps me to connect with people better.

*snip*

It's like... you're me!

Of course I do. It's horrible, and I sometimes feel bad, but they're often subconscious, instant reactions.

Anybody into black metal I will respect a bit more unless they soon prove they don't deserve any by proclaiming Burzum their favorite band.

Those into exclusively techno (a term I use for all electronica, knowing full well that it is demeaning in some cases) I will subconsciously assume to be musical idiots until proven otherwise.

Same with those mainly into rap. Or pop.

Also those who hear metal and go "Oh my god, that's scaarrry." Of course, here my reaction is entirely conscious, and I will think "fucking shitbag."

Someone into modern jazz mainly I will think must be an even bigger snob than me.

Are these prejudices unfair? Completely. But, I'm being honest here.

Isn't listening to classical living in the past?

EDIT: Also, what do you define as alternative schlock?

Not really. I don't really listen to classical because I'm ADD. If the entire tune isn't looped every 4 seconds, I'm likely to miss most of it.

However I can say that the music of Beethoven has more nuance and sophistication, and is more complete than virtually any music that has come since.

The music of his successors, Brahms and Wagner, was sentimental and uninspired. The music that came along after theirs is, by comparison, little more than children's games.

Yes, every generation thinks that the music their kids listens to stinks, but music really has been going downhill fairly consistently since Beethoven. Today, you occasionally hear musicians bragging about being able to write a song in 45 minutes. In the case of some gangsta rappers, a whole album takes that long.

That's because if they write their own tunes, it's just one chord over and over again. In the case of rappers, they neither write music, nor sing to it, and the lyrics are just made up off the tops of their heads.

In the 80's, the rappers may not have written music, and the synth-pop may have been simplistic, but at least the rappers drew from many sources to create an original sound, instead of just rapping over one song they liked when they were 12. And the pop musicians tended to write their own tunes, and took the time to make music people hadn't heard before.

In the 70's Disco and R&B may have been self-indulgent, but there was some amount of complexity to the dance. It took a certain amount of sophistication to appreciate it. And it challenged the way people saw themselves. It wasn't all watered-down corporate pablum like in the 80's and onwards.

In the 60's music... well, it was pretty much all a step up. The 50's was a fairly soulless episode in American history, and not just with music. Everything from cooking to comicbooks became bland and soulless. Music in the 50's was heavy on rip-offs of more soulful "underground" music ripped off for "white tastes." Pat Boone dancing arthriticly while singing anemic renditions of contemporary Little Richard songs should be a national disgrace. It sucked all the passion out, but added nothing by way of sophistication or grace. And it lacked the liveliness of the music of the 40's.

Big Band music of the 40's may have lacked the passion of the Jazz and Ragtime musicians that were their predecessors, but it did possess a certain amount of compensating complexity, making it a richer, if less vibrant, sound.

And so on back to the late 1800's.

Personally, I have some pretty constistant reactions when I learn what sort of music people like.

...

Classic rock: idiot, and living in the past
...
80s: Nostalgic, fun.

...



I'm having a hard time following your logic for differentiating "nostalgia" from "an idiot living in the past". I think it would be more correct to just say you're an idiot for making assumptions about people based on their taste in music, while also limiting your own experiences. But that's your problem I guess. :confused:

Yes i do.

Not really. I don't really listen to classical because I'm ADD. If the entire tune isn't looped every 4 seconds, I'm likely to miss most of it.

However I can say that the music of Beethoven has more nuance and sophistication, and is more complete than virtually any music that has come since.

The music of his successors, Brahms and Wagner, was sentimental and uninspired. The music that came along after theirs is, by comparison, little more than children's games.

Yes, every generation thinks that the music their kids listens to stinks, but music really has been going downhill fairly consistently since Beethoven. Today, you occasionally hear musicians bragging about being able to write a song in 45 minutes. In the case of some gangsta rappers, a whole album takes that long.

That's because if they write their own tunes, it's just one chord over and over again. In the case of rappers, they neither write music, nor sing to it, and the lyrics are just made up off the tops of their heads.

In the 80's, the rappers may not have written music, and the synth-pop may have been simplistic, but at least the rappers drew from many sources to create an original sound, instead of just rapping over one song they liked when they were 12. And the pop musicians tended to write their own tunes, and took the time to make music people hadn't heard before.

In the 70's Disco and R&B may have been self-indulgent, but there was some amount of complexity to the dance. It took a certain amount of sophistication to appreciate it. And it challenged the way people saw themselves. It wasn't all watered-down corporate pablum like in the 80's and onwards.

In the 60's music... well, it was pretty much all a step up. The 50's was a fairly soulless episode in American history, and not just with music. Everything from cooking to comicbooks became bland and soulless. Music in the 50's was heavy on rip-offs of more soulful "underground" music ripped off for "white tastes." Pat Boone dancing arthriticly while singing anemic renditions of contemporary Little Richard songs should be a national disgrace. It sucked all the passion out, but added nothing by way of sophistication or grace. And it lacked the liveliness of the music of the 40's.

Big Band music of the 40's may have lacked the passion of the Jazz and Ragtime musicians that were their predecessors, but it did possess a certain amount of compensating complexity, making it a richer, if less vibrant, sound.

And so on back to the late 1800's.

I disagree. Beethoven is great, but I prefer Shostakovitch and Prokofiev.

I care much more about the emotion put into music than the complexity. I'm not a fan of showing off for its own sake.

I also generally don't like short songs, though. They feel clipped to me, there's not enough room to expand on musical ideas.

It's techno with direction. It's usually got angry or militant themes, although sometimes it uses zombie and medical themes as well.

try industrialradio.org

i don't really, like it. is it normal that they use electric guitars?

people who fight, fight. they dont fight because of their music. im sure that many people who listen to this kind of music you refer to never get into fights.

now hanging out with assholes IS a reason to avoid socializing with a particular person.

but if i came up a lone person who acted in a reasonable manner but was listening to violent mysogynistic music, i would dislike the music but have no negative judgement toward the person as long as his behavior was OK. same with manner of dress or funky hairstyle. you cant judge people on how they look or what they are listening to. its what they DO that counts.

yeah, you're right, especially because the music i was refering to is becomming very mainstream. it's just that that many assholes i know listen to the kind of music i was refering to. of course not all assholes do, and not everybody who does is an asshole (probably only a small minority).

i do like someone better when they listen to good music though. it's cool when you can talk about bands you like with someone, and go to the same kind of parties and gigs.

Not really. I don't really listen to classical because I'm ADD. If the entire tune isn't looped every 4 seconds, I'm likely to miss most of it.

However I can say that the music of Beethoven has more nuance and sophistication, and is more complete than virtually any music that has come since.

The music of his successors, Brahms and Wagner, was sentimental and uninspired. The music that came along after theirs is, by comparison, little more than children's games.

Yes, every generation thinks that the music their kids listens to stinks, but music really has been going downhill fairly consistently since Beethoven. Today, you occasionally hear musicians bragging about being able to write a song in 45 minutes. In the case of some gangsta rappers, a whole album takes that long.

That's because if they write their own tunes, it's just one chord over and over again. In the case of rappers, they neither write music, nor sing to it, and the lyrics are just made up off the tops of their heads.

In the 80's, the rappers may not have written music, and the synth-pop may have been simplistic, but at least the rappers drew from many sources to create an original sound, instead of just rapping over one song they liked when they were 12. And the pop musicians tended to write their own tunes, and took the time to make music people hadn't heard before.

In the 70's Disco and R&B may have been self-indulgent, but there was some amount of complexity to the dance. It took a certain amount of sophistication to appreciate it. And it challenged the way people saw themselves. It wasn't all watered-down corporate pablum like in the 80's and onwards.

In the 60's music... well, it was pretty much all a step up. The 50's was a fairly soulless episode in American history, and not just with music. Everything from cooking to comicbooks became bland and soulless. Music in the 50's was heavy on rip-offs of more soulful "underground" music ripped off for "white tastes." Pat Boone dancing arthriticly while singing anemic renditions of contemporary Little Richard songs should be a national disgrace. It sucked all the passion out, but added nothing by way of sophistication or grace. And it lacked the liveliness of the music of the 40's.

Big Band music of the 40's may have lacked the passion of the Jazz and Ragtime musicians that were their predecessors, but it did possess a certain amount of compensating complexity, making it a richer, if less vibrant, sound.

And so on back to the late 1800's.
:) I have been trying to explain that to people for ages *prints out post*

Not really. I don't really listen to classical because I'm ADD. If the entire tune isn't looped every 4 seconds, I'm likely to miss most of it.

However I can say that the music of Beethoven has more nuance and sophistication, and is more complete than virtually any music that has come since.

The music of his successors, Brahms and Wagner, was sentimental and uninspired. The music that came along after theirs is, by comparison, little more than children's games.

Yes, every generation thinks that the music their kids listens to stinks, but music really has been going downhill fairly consistently since Beethoven. Today, you occasionally hear musicians bragging about being able to write a song in 45 minutes. In the case of some gangsta rappers, a whole album takes that long.

This argument is full of holes so large I could put a major label through them.

1) Beethoven, for all of his so-called redeeming traits, really doesn't get complex until the 9th. Most of his music shares the stripped down characteristics of the Classical era. Brahms certainly puts him to shame in terms of complexity. Wagner wouldn't have known complexity if it danced in front of him wearing a swastika. Still, Brahms is far more inspiring than the droll and uninteresting repetition of theme that Beethoven practiced. Beyond them, the music of modernists is so much more complex than Beethoven that the whole argument is completely undermined.

2) There is music today in Rock genres with as much complexity as many of the classical-era composers. I would put to you that most Progressive, Progressive Metal, and Symphonic Metal all qualify as being technically as complex as most of Beethoven's work (and, beyond that, more interesting, as well!).

3) The concept that subtlety or complexity can define value in a piece is utter and complete tripe. Not only is it snobbery of the highest order, it ignores the entire purpose of art. Art is not craft. It is not about the technical difficulty of making it. Art is about expressive qualities. You can express as much in a simple I-IV-V-IV progression with a guitar on power chords, a bass playing the root, and a singer who can't sing as Beethoven did in the 5th (more, actually). The whole concept that complexity justifies art is myopic and shallow. I could write the most complex piece of music in the world, and it still wouldn't necessarily be any good. Most of Post-Modernism in music does just that.

Sure I do.
Chances are I'll let them know it too.

Well... if you don't speak French, but you like listening to French rap, you're probably not part of thug culture, and you're probably interested in foreign cultures.

Except, I've got French Rap that I can understand that has nothing to do with thug culture whatsoever. Rap isn't all thug culture, you know.

Doom metal: Out of touch with reality
Punk: Is an exciting an interesting person, but maybe a drug user.
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: is a smelly hippy stoner

Go me!

What I really want to know is, do other people on NSG judge people on the basis of their musical tastes. Feel free to share exactly how you judge others.

No, I really don't.

EDIT - well, maybe that's a lie - I don't automatically think people are stupid because of their tastes or whatever, but i often use music as a conversation point when meeting new people, so i'm likely to not associate much with a person who says "I don't care about music." or "I hate that sort of music."


Anybody into black metal I will respect a bit more unless they soon prove they don't deserve any by proclaiming Burzum their favorite band.
.

Heehee, or Demon Burger.

Despite myself, I tend to judge anyone who listens to music I don't like. Mostly because the vast majority of people I've encountered tend to listen to those types of music on their car stereos with their windows rolled down, sing along to their MP3 players, conform to certain social stereotypes, et cetera.

As for my musical tastes, I like anything that isn't too loud, isn't too repetitive, and isn't too consonant. What does that make me?

Your posts seem way to rational for you to suggest any paranoia or insanity in them. :cool:

Bah. I'm clinically depressive, OCD, several kinds of paranoia, SAD, and generally insane. Yet my posts and writings in general are quite rational and controlled. In fact, it's mostly the "sane" or "normal" people who act irrationally, from what I've seen. Perhaps it all depends on your perspective on rationality.... after all, there is no objective rationality. :p

Personally, I have some pretty constistant reactions when I learn what sort of music people like.

Keep in mind that these are only my prejudices against people my age (early 20s) who like these kinds of music.

Doom metal: Out of touch with reality
Alternative schlock: Don't take the time to find good music
Rap: Unintelligent, uncultured
Country: Unintelligent, uncultured, but in a different way.
Classic rock: idiot, and living in the past
Jazz: sophisticated, maybe snobby
Classical: pretentious
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): cosmopolitan, sophisticated
Punk: Is an exciting an interesting person, but maybe a drug user.
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: is a smelly hippy stoner
Non-industrial techno: If asian or indian, just a normal person. If of another ethnicity, someone who is a little more cultured and interesting.
80s: Nostalgic, fun.
Industrial techno: slightly troubled, likes to be active, probably a genuine person
Ska: likes to have fun
Reggae: likes to get high

Flame away if you like.

What I really want to know is, do other people on NSG judge people on the basis of their musical tastes. Feel free to share exactly how you judge others.


Heh thats quite funny, and underlies that prejudice although it may appear to be quite well though out and even rational in some case, is nowt more than an irrational, knee jerk, gut, instinctive reaction.

For example why would classic rock, which streches from perhaps the mid to late 60's through to the 80's is seems sad, and living in th epast, whilst 80's music is seen as fun nostalgia?

You taste in music in reality says only one thing about you, 'I like this!'

What I wonder would the OP think of anybody whos taste in music constituted some or even all of the above?

Personally, I have some pretty constistant reactions when I learn what sort of music people like.

Keep in mind that these are only my prejudices against people my age (early 20s) who like these kinds of music.

Doom metal: Out of touch with reality
Alternative schlock: Don't take the time to find good music
Rap: Unintelligent, uncultured
Country: Unintelligent, uncultured, but in a different way.
Classic rock: idiot, and living in the past
Jazz: sophisticated, maybe snobby
Classical: pretentious
Foreign music (including rap in foreign languages): cosmopolitan, sophisticated
Punk: Is an exciting an interesting person, but maybe a drug user.
Smelly old hippy stoner bands: is a smelly hippy stoner
Non-industrial techno: If asian or indian, just a normal person. If of another ethnicity, someone who is a little more cultured and interesting.
80s: Nostalgic, fun.
Industrial techno: slightly troubled, likes to be active, probably a genuine person
Ska: likes to have fun
Reggae: likes to get high

Flame away if you like.

What I really want to know is, do other people on NSG judge people on the basis of their musical tastes. Feel free to share exactly how you judge others.


I'm drowning in frankly stupid axioms and prejudices. "Maybe a drug user"? Which school textbook or leaflet was that platitude lifted from?:rolleyes:

As for myself, to an extent. I have an urge to punch anybody who claims to be "nu rave", and would be wary of any intensely "gangsta" kid, but beyond that, not really. Although I naturally associate with those who share my musical tastes, given that this generally renders them similar in outlook and the like, I would like to think that, in most regards, I'm reasonably circumspect.

Heehee, or Demon Burger.

Having a conversation with somebody that eventually leads to music can end in tragedy when the other person mentions Demon Burger.


Guy #1: "So, what's your favorite band?"

Guy #2: "Demon Burger."

Guy #1: *stares blankly for exactly ten seconds, turns around, and breaks own neck*


Friends don't let friends talk to people who like Demon Burger.

Oh, and obligatory:

Minimalist (Monkian): Likes a slow pace to life; prefers complexity to simplicity.
Minimalist (Adamsian): Likes a faster pace to life; actively searches for complexity.
Serialist: Way too cerebral, probably has a MA degree.
Neo-classical: Slightly old-fashioned, unsentimental
Neo-romantic: Nostalgic, melodramatic
Electro-acoustical: Likes computers and technology, progressive.
Aleatoric: Appreciates humour in music; probably a musician.
Postmodernist: Probably over 30.
Popular-contemporary synthesis (i.e. Schuller, Schnittke): Probably overflow from the jazz/rock camps.
Pre-Stravinsky: People even listen to that crap?
Jazz and offshoots (blues, etc.): Old-fashioned, slightly sentimental, perhaps snobbish, and so on.
Rock and offshoots (metal, country, pop, etc.): Bunch of hippie emo goth stoner punk gangstas, I reckon.
Folk/world music: Provincial. :P No, not really.

Minimalist: Likes a slow pace to life. Probably Buddhist.


hmm, some minimalist music is the most stressfull music i've ever heard. (with minimalism you do mean stuff like Steve Reich, don't you?)

hmm, some minimalist music is the most stressfull music i've ever heard. (with minimalism you do mean stuff like Steve Reich, don't you?)

I was actually thinking more of people like Meredith Monk and Morton Feldman, but come to think of it, there is the Reich-Adams-Glass school of minimalism as well. I should give that a separate entry!

People who like "classical" music are worth my time.

People who don't, aren't, and I would gladly stand atop their broken bodies after the apocalypse and piss in their gaping fishlike eyes.

Well, it depends what one means by "judge."

I am a musician, and a great many of my friends are also musicians. Their taste in music will obviously affect my opinions of their musicality, and as their musicality is one of the foundations of our friendship, it will necessarily impact that in some way as well - probably not to any significant degree, though, of course.

Now, when dealing with non-musicians, certain opinions on music can lessen my overall opinion of someone. For example, a blanket dislike of "classical music" will definitely decrease my respect for the person expressing that opinion. (I mean, I'm a freaking classical musician. How am I supposed to take anyone seriously who would dismiss hundreds of years of very, very varied music as universally "lame" or "boring"? :p )

I was actually thinking more of people like Meredith Monk and Morton Feldman, but come to think of it, there is the Reich-Adams-Glass school of minimalism as well. I should give that a separate entry!

i'm listening to monk, i don't really know what i'm hearing, but i guess it's a choir. and it sounds more like ambient, not really like classical music.

I stopped reading after the second page, so I'm probably echoing someone-

I do judge, but not on genre since that is too broad. If, for instance (selected from the front page), I characterized all the people who like rap as 'gangster' then I would be mis-categorizing fans of groups like The Roots. Or country, the people who listen to whoever that fucker is who pimps Ford trucks...Toby Keith, are not necessarily the same people who listen to Junior Brown. A fan of bar blues might not be the same as a fan of Delta Blues, and on and on.

And even within those categories there are 'good' bands and performers and 'bad' ones.

So I won't look down on someone who, say, likes hip hop (I like some of it too) but if they like Fergie, then yeah-I'm going to think that their musical tastes leave something to be desired.

I was actually thinking more of people like Meredith Monk and Morton Feldman, but come to think of it, there is the Reich-Adams-Glass school of minimalism as well. I should give that a separate entry!
Wait, come to think of it Reich-Adams-Glass is minimalism 'as well?' It's like you just said "I guess Chuck Berry is rock and roll."

Wait, come to think of it Reich-Adams-Glass is minimalism 'as well?' It's like you just said "I guess Chuck Berry is rock and roll."

No, I realised I was lumping all of minimalism together when there are two (at least) different types of it, so I separated it into two groups. It's a less extreme example of saying Telemann is different from Louis Armstrong, even though they're part of the same musical tradition.

Ok, I think I'll go back to my corner now.

I'm less likely to judge someone on what they like, and more likely to judge someone on why they like it. *nod*

I'm less likely to judge someone on what they like, and more likely to judge someone on why they like it. *nod*

There's truth in there.

There's truth in there.

:eek: WHere? Kill it! KILL IT!!! :eek:

I tend to take people that like gangster rap with a grain of salt and I think people that only listen to pop music are funny and probably fake. I don't know anybody who doesn't like at least some music from the 80's, that stuff is fun, and the fact that people try to classify bands that do thier own thing as indie pisses me off because you can't classify things that only share the fact they are different in common. Oh yeah, and power ballads piss me off... who the fuck's stupid idea was that?

Me? My personal music tastes are strange I'll try and list it from the most liked to least for me.

Rock - Rock N' Roll for the win fucking period. I can listen to Led Zepplin or Mushroomhead with equal gusto and can listen to music by both one after another.

Alternative - Things like Franz Ferdinand and Gorillaz.

80's - Fun, quirky... often times damn funny.

Indie - Not Indie-Pop

Hip Hop - Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff, Beastie Boys, Sir Mixalot, Run DMC. Mostly early 90's and late 80's.

Classical/Baroque - Can fit any mood.

Country Western - Classic Bluegrass and the happy or clever stuff. For Instance 'Ticks by Brad Paisely'

Electronic - Occasionally I like a few of those.

So I suppose by some peoples ideas of what everyone thinks I'm either faking this (knowing people here they will thinks its the most likely sceneario, or a freak of nature, maybe possibly just a paradox.

Not really. Pretty much everyone in my limited circle of friends and acquaintances listens to music that I can't stand (at least the ones whose favorite music they've played or mentioned). My tastes are rather unusual, particularly for these days and especially for a far leftist.

The original post had some interesting stereotypes. I find it exceptionally fascinating that people who listen to techno or foreign rap are "cultured" or "sophisticated". My own personal experiences? Everyone I've met who listens to techno or electronica is a loser. Bad acne, superiority complex, extremely fat or unbelievably skinny/short, and they're usually into anime. Not saying that everybody who listens to those genres is like that, but those are pretty much all the encounters I've had with people who listen to them.