Music is a big part of my life; has been for as long as I can remember. I spend a lot of each day listening to music. Not just background while at work but time dedicated only to listening to music. Not as much as I'd like but as much as I can squeeze into my week. I've reached the point where most of what I buy is online, not that I don't like browsing music stores but most of the stuff I like isn't found in your typical mall or outlet store.
Here is a list of recordings I'm currently listening to - and some words about why they're taking up so much of my time.
There are a number of artists I'm pretty obsessed with, enough so that they sort of need their own individual appreciation pages. Think of them as primers for the first time listener. And at the request of my daughter, a list of my favorite musicians.
I have a page devoted to technical metal. Some people call it "progressive metal", some call it "math rock", some call it "complex rock"; the typical characteristics of technical metal are: odd and shifting time signatures, complex interlocking instumental passages, virtuoso musicianship, and of course, loud guitars. Click here if you're interested in music you can't tap your toes to (unless you can count 6 against 7).
I have a page devoted to zeuhl. Zeuhl (pronounced "tsoil") is a very peculiar music genre which derives from the hugely influencial French band Magma (influencial, at least, in France and Japan). Lead by drummer Christian Vander, Magma sythesized a very dark, heady brew of Carl Orff, Igor Stravinsky, Bela Bartok, John Coltrane and rock into one of the most unique catalogs of the 70's. Add to that Kobaian, the language Vander invented to sing in (there is an entire mythology around the Kobaians and Earth that flows through the Magma discography) and it's one strange and challanging listening experience. Not for everyone to be sure. Dark, heavy and intense - if you're interested in learning more go here for a primer.
In the old days, people made mix tapes. People used to spend hours pouring over record collections, looking for the perfect songs in the perfect sequence for whatever occasion-- a party, a gift for a friend, a road trip, kicking around town with a Walkman. Now it's all iTunes and iPods, which have added the ability to pull stuff together with an ease not possible before. No time restrictions (45 minutes per side for a cassette, and God forbid you cut part of a song off at the end of a side...). Thus, iPod lists -- goofy collections I've put together both to amuse myself and for my listening pleasure, especially when I have to take trips out of town.
One day I heard a Pretenders song on the radio and I suddenly remembered I'd seen them in concert. This led me to start trying to list all the shows I've attended (in chronological order of course...). This list is a work in progress.
If you asked me to pick 20 recordings that are the most crucial or influencial or important or whatever you want to call it, this would be the list. Related and different are my favorite records ever made, and they are here . A few recordings that have proven useful in my work are here.
The greatest band names ever are here. If you need a name for your band, help yourself here.
There are a lot of concerts coming out on DVD these days. Most of them are boring, badly shot, and not really worth releasing. But occasionally something comes out that warrents your valuable time and money. Here are a few I enjoy.