My friends, the dear ones, are obviously aware of the music I fancy. Many of my closest relationships over the years were sparked by having a passion for the same records and artists. These people know my collection. Iāve left some of them confused (and annoyed!) in the past, not by what is in my collection (Iāve mentioned the Jethro Tull Christmas Albumā¦eeep) but by what itās missing. Along with my long list of favorites I have a short list of bands and artists I absolutely dislike and do not have in my collection:
The Beatles ā I love John Lennon. I even like Wings. Iām not a fan of the Fab 4. I remember being super sick with the flu as a little kid and, while watching an episode of their cartoon, vomiting all over myself. Never mind their being one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular musicā¦theyāre tainted.
Pink Floyd ā Unlike many of my contemporaries in high school, I never subscribed to āFloydāā¦sigh. I loathed the tie-dyed tshirts and pseudo-hippiedom of the crowd who listened to them and The Wall freaked me the hell out. What about the idea (of many) that they invented Shoegaze music, my tip-top, desert island genre of all time? Of course, Iāve listened and the claim is quite valid. Still, I just canāt get into them. Perhaps itās rooted in memories of sweating on the elementary bus on my way home from the last day of school while the ābig kidsā screamed the familiar words of āAnother Brick in the Wallā. Thought control? In the 4th grade? Come on.
Guided By Voices ā They confound me. Itās bright music but makes me feel tired, like I am waking through molasses. I had a roommate who was a superfan. Hearing them takes me back to a time when my health wasnāt so hot. Ugh. My sister and my bff happen to think they are one of the best bands to have walked the planet. Sorry guys.
Ludwig Van Beethoven ā A Clockwork Orange freaked my ass out 1,000 times more than The Wall ever will.
I could go on, but I wonāt. My point has been made. I think.
For as many times as Iāve written positively about a tune transporting me to a special place, serving as a reminder of a lovely specific minute in life, it can also haunt a listener. Itās impossible to like everything. Besides, liking everything is terribly boring. You know that person you once met and never became friends with? The one when asked about their favorite band/artist/genre answered, āOh, I like everything/The radio/A little of this and a little of thatā? Poppycock. Grow a pair, raise your hand and stake your claim. Itās not ok for me to like Gavin Rossdale, but you can.
I understand the reasons behind my not owning and really studying the music of the acclaimed artists listed above are, on a whole, ludicrous, so hold your fire. Iām aware of the Beatles and Beethoven. I can hum along to a large part of their catalogues. Iām not stupid. I know Iām missing out on some incredible material. But whatās the point in suffering? Thatās the beauty of choice.
Happy weekend.
[Abby’s RoadĀ is a Knox Road feature published every other Friday.]