I've noticed an odd recurring pattern in my buying practices where music is concerned. The pattern being dramatic shifts in the music I'm buying.

For the longest time, the only music I'd ever been exposed to was what my parents listened to; an odd amalgamation of "Classic" rock, modern pop, and Creed. I was perfectly fine with this when I was five. Then around the time I was ten there was that whole Backstreet Boys/Britney Spears/N'Sync phase every prepubescent child went through (and admit it, you still have those CDs tucked away in the back of your closet, hidden from discerning eyes). Then My tastes slowly evolved into stuff more along the lines of Disturbed. After a few years that got boring and I completely jumped off the map and headed for the bright technicolored world of Techno, Specifically House music.

And NOW, I'm taking a few steps back, and I've brazenly marched into the hyper-literate valley of "Indy".

The Decemberists, The Raveonettes, Les Savy Fav, Phenomenauts, Pavement, Arcade Fire. These are some good examples of the genre.

It's an odd feeling listening to this music. For the first time I actually feel. . .Comfortable. Whenever I listened to music there was always this question in the back of my head; "Am I listening this because I genuinely like it, or am I trying to impress those around me with this music?" Whereas, with most of the stuff I listen to, no one I know has really ever heard the names of most of the bands before. It does lead to some interesting conversations, I'll admit. But my drive for listening to this stuff is merely because I like the sound. There's no experience quite like listening to the Decemberists' eighteen-minute long epic "The Tain".

Hell, The simple task of FINDING most of these bands is always an interesting experience. It's al done through word of mouth, or the internet. Most of these bands have never had a music video on MTV or anything like that. I can tell you pretty much exactly how I heard about every band I listen to.

Well, I think I've said enough. Next time you're listening to music though, ask yourself a question; "Why am I listening to it?"

-Psh, out
Caz/Maskedslackr

PS: Watch the Hulk, it's amazing