I’ve talked a lot about iTunes and iPod and whatnot here over the years, but I can hardly recall talking about my musical taste. I think it’s because it’s kind of sprawling.
Generics: I tend to like pretty much anything by Robbie Williams, Monty Python (and, by extension, Eric Idle), Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. I tend to not like “rock” or “metal” or dark music of any kind, but I don’t like overly buttery music either (”Diana” in its original arrangement would make me reach for my shotgun, if I had any). I loathe most “love songs” or “ballads”, with very few exceptions. To be diplomatic, I’m very glad my ears only spent a few years in the 80’s. I understand how people get off at mostly electronic music and music with lots of bass, but I don’t.
Compass points: These pinpoint a number of extremes or exceptions in my taste.
- The Road to Mandalay, Robbie Williams. I submitted this (and only this) to Jon Hicks’ “Endings” list. I don’t tend to like these sorts of songs, but this is an exception.
- In the Mood, Glenn Miller.
- My Way, Frank Sinatra. One of, oh, five good things to come out of Paul Anka, ever?
- Psyche Rock, Pierre Henry. I have no idea who this is, but it was the inspiration for the Futurama theme song (they couldn’t use this because of licensing issues) and it sounds very different.
- Virtual Insanity, Jamiroquai.
- One for My Baby (and One More for the Road), Frank Sinatra.
- Albuquerque, “Weird Al” Yankovic. 11:21 of pure originality.
- As Time Goes By, Frank Sinatra.
- I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Dean Martin.
- Snoopy vs The Red Baron, Johnny Horton.
- Come Away With Me, Norah Jones.
- Here We Go Again, Ray Charles.
- Me and My Monkey, Robbie Williams. Trying to understand why he did what he did.
- Dry Your Eyes, The Streets. Unique arrangement.
- Buggy Ride, Wynton Marsalis.
- Stardust, Nat King Cole. Melodic and poetic: the whole song flows like one long sentence.
What’s your taste in music? If it aligns with mine, do you know of something you think I should listen to?
Give Frou Frou a try, start with “shh” and “let go”. In fact, check out the soundtrack for the movie Garden State, in particular “Caring is Creepy” by the shins.. ooh and “lebanese blond” by Theirvery Corporation on the same album. Coldplay may be too mainstream for you, but I love them.
By bob · 2006.09.14 02:04
Let’s make one thing clear: I don’t care one bit whether something is “mainstream” or not, I care about how it sounds. As for Coldplay, I’ve already said “thanks, but no thanks”, but I can’t claim to have heard of the rest.
By Jesper · 2006.09.14 08:07