Music that lasts.

I saw most of the documentary Before the Music Dies, an interesting story about the music industry and the new avenues of getting quality music (i.e. the kids turning to the internet when radio, television, etc. dissappoint). If you don't feel up to watching the whole thing, then at least watch the first 5 minutes; the late, great Billy Preston opens up with a reminder that no matter how cool you are, you aren't as cool as he was. Seriously, it's worth a view.

One of the comments from an interviewee in the film was right in line with what I've been thinking lately and it was something like this: There is a good chance that a lot of truly good music will not sound good to the average listener at first. He went on to say that this is because much of the creative new stuff is just that; new and therefore probably a bit different than what we are listening to currently. He pointed out (and I wholeheartedly agree) that truly good music will sound better after a few listens.

There are a few examples I can think of personally that fit this description. A lot of music that I enjoy I never cared for when I was a kid/teen. For instance, Bob Dylan. I could say that the change their was just in my musical preferences. There are however, some bands that I changed my mind about quickly, after listening through their album once or twice.

The first band that really had this strange phenomenon for me was Bright Eyes. I think mostly because I started listening to them on Cassadaga, which starts off with a pretty strange interview with a psychic. But after putting it (figuratively because I listen to digital copies) aside for a month or so, I retried it and it. is. brilliant. Don't argue with me, just accept it.

Next was Neutral Milk Hotel. I had never heard anything like it. The constant fuzzed guitars were just weird. I mean, it wasn't my first experience with lo-fi (I've got Bee Thousand) but it was still just a little too much for me. However, I thought "I'll give another shot seeing as how it was voted the #1 album on eMusic." that second playthrough was enough for me to be in love.

Lastly and most recently was the band I am currently obsessed about: Vampire Weekend. I remember previewing their album back in late '07 maybe early '08 and just being kind of unimpressed. I have no idea how or why. I may be being fickle because they are THE thing I'm into right now but hell, how did I skim over this one?

I think all this goes to say that maybe now my "Don't bash it unless you've tried it" rule may turn into "Don't bash it unless you've tried it at least a few times" when it comes to music.