Why Music?

Last night I was watching a tv show on MTV (which I still think is amazing it’s still called MTV and shows no music on it anymore), and it was a so-called reality show about a girl breaking away from the in-crowd she was use to and going off on her own for her senior year. The show is called My Life as Liz, which is still heavily scripted (that’s why it’s a so-called reality show for me), but it was actually good to my surprise. It really pains me to admit it, but it was. Yes it was a scripted “reality” show, but the premise behind the show is was I got attached to. The main character Liz is a regular high school kid trying to figure out who she actually is. I have to say, if I knew a girl like this in high school I would have wanted to hang out with her. I am sure wanting to be cool, I wouldn't have and that is why I don't miss high school.

While watching this, it made me think about why I am how I am now, and how I am attached to music. For me music was sometimes the only thing that got me through the days as an awkward kid in high school. With my friends I listened to the latest hip-hop song that was out, but once I got home or by myself I popped in Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, R.E.M., Nirvana, Love and Rockets, Blind Melon, the Chili Peppers, the Black Crowes, Violent Femmes, and many more. Not to mention the stuff my sister turned me on to. I guess it was my little secret that I had that no one else knew about. Pearl Jam and Nirvana made it ok for me to fell awkward and a little shy in high school. Some of the bands made me realize there was more in the world than what I saw in a tiny town in Oklahoma.

I can thank music for finding friendships with some of my dearest friends I met in college. I can find a core band with each of my friends that we both share a love for. I have very few of my friends that don’t love music in some way. We have all gone to concerts together, had some crazy nights and it giving us the soundtrack to that night. Now I can see that love starting up with Sloan. Yes, she loves the pop music, but she is starting to listen to some of the stuff I listen too. We listen to the alternative channel on XM together when we are in the car, and she is picking up on songs that she likes and doesn’t like. She is a huge Matt and Kim fan among other bands she has started to like. I like we have that bond going along with our sports bond.

I am a firm believer that music can not only motivate you, help with your moods, but it also helps you get through good and bad patches in your life. I know it has helped me and a few friends through break ups while growing up. It has helped me express myself in times when I am happy, mad, or sad. It is sometimes hard for me to think about people that don’t listen to some form of music. I don’t see how you can go through life without it. I think my love for music sometimes over shadows my love for sports. That is hard for some to believe, but it does, I feel sports without music would be less entertaining. To me without music the world would seem a little less colorful. Plus how would a high schooler get over all the awkward times growing up without music? (here is a song that puts me in a good mood no matter what lately. Sleepyhead by Passion Pit)

This week’s music
Well, it seems at times my new music dries up and then it over flows the next minute with old and new that I felt I needed or needed to listen too. I am really liking going back and finding bands and albums that helped shape what music I listen to now, with me doing some reissues on here. So with that said hopefully this week’s music will help you somewhere down the line in life.

Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
Well, I have loved The Strokes every since I bought their first album and listened to it the whole summer I lived in Colorado. I had heard nothing but good things about Casablancas solo album and of course I wanted to give it a listen due to me loving the Strokes. It is a really great album, I was a little worried that I might not like his solo stuff outside of the Strokes. It is a little electronic heavy if you are a Strokes fan. Overall it is a great album. I like the song 11th Dimension and Glass.

The Low Anthem-Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
I am still on my indie-folk (as I like to call it) kick, of course that goes until I get over indulged and have to step away. Another band that I have heard a lot about is The Low Anthem. This is their second album that the band has released. I have listened to it for a couple of times and I like it so far. They have a great sound, and I expect some good things coming from them in future releases. Check out Home I’ll Never Be and Champion Angel.

Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Self Titled
This band made a few of the 2009 lists this past year, so I of course had to see what all the talk was about. They really remind me of a band from the 80’s for some reason. They are more of an Indie Pop, if I had to put them in an category. It is still taking me a few listens to know if I really like them or not. So far I like the song Come Saturday.

Reissue:
Bob Dylan- Live at Budokan
As some of you know, I love Bob Dylan. I pride myself with owning almost every album of his. This album is a tough one, it got some of the worst reviews he has ever got for an album when it was released. Most said it was his “Las Vegas Phase” with making different arrangements for some of his classics. I personally love this album for the fact that the arrangements he made live are different. To me that is why you go see a band live, for the fact they will play a song differently or arrange it different to give fans something new when they play live. If you are a fan of Bob Dylan I think you should check it out, just for the fact that it is something different.