Will It Last?

Listen to this while you read:




Music is an inarguable important part of our lives. Every generation has the music it prefers. But some generations have music that lives on. Every so often, a musician surfaces who's influence is greater than average. A musician who's influence inexorably penetrates every corner of society, effecting an entire generation of musicians. I would like to discuss some of those artists, both past and present.

First, let us look back. Not quite to the classical, but pretty far back. We all already know how influential artists like Beethoven, or Mozart have been. But back then, there were really only two kinds of music: folk, or classical. But with the industrial revolution and the introduction of leisure time, music has split into many genres, many of which influence the others.

Let's begin with the first song in our play list. Big Bill Broonzy was a country blues musician who's career began in the 1920's. His music later influenced musicians like Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. And he was an early pioneer in what would become a hugely influential genre of music, blues. He wasn't as widely popular as some musicians we will discuss later, but he was pretty important.

Next, let's talk about Glenn Miller. It is hard to find somebody who hasn't heard this song. This song, released in 1939, had quite an impact on the progression of modern music. I think you can hear that influence in the song Sh-boom by The Chords.

The next artist I want to talk about may be one of the most influential musicians in all of history. Bob Dylan has been shaping music since his first releases in the 1960's. That is almost 50 years. He obviously has lasting power. In fact, his era produced many artists who's music is still relevant and effecting musicians. The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix had an effect that is arguably equal to that of Bob Dylan. The 70's saw the rise of The Eagles, who's album Hotel California is widely recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time. In the 1980's we were blessed with Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson is to pop music what the Continental GT is to cars.

Of course I haven't listed every artist of import. Each generation produces a number of musicians who's influence is of varying degrees of impact and lasting power. But what I wanted to do with this post is talk about who I think has that lasting power now. I wanted to talk about musicians who haven't been around long enough for history to venerate them, but who I think are already influential.

So...let's get started.

I feel like this first song is awesome enough to deserve the whole video.

Dave Grohl is amazing. He got started back in Nirvana as their drummer, where he saw plenty of success along with Kurt Cobain. Sadly, Kurt decided life just wasn't worth it and blew his brains out with a shotgun. Not to be stopped, Dave went on to have a stellar solo career. Dave formed the Foo Fighters. These guys have been cranking out hits since their inception in 1995, and I'm pretty sure their (mostly Dave's) influence is here to stay. When I have 26 year-old children, they will be playing Foo Fighters on the oldies station.

My next artist is Jason Mraz. Whether or not you like him, I am certain you have heard him. And you have to admit, this guy has talent. He has a fantastic voice and is a gifted song writer and lyricist. Also, his songs have wide enough appeal that they have a pretty darn good chance of catching the fancy of future generations of angsty teenagers looking for an alternative to whatever is popular in their day. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been around for a while. Almost 20 years. And in that time they have never really lacked for radio play. Their music will certainly be a part of the next 30 years.

Of course, there are many that I didn't mention, but this is just a sampling. Think about today's artists. Who is going to last? Who is going to have a cult following? Who is even playing original music, and who is playing generic copy-crap? Leave me your thoughts below.

Let Us Be Babies!!

When is the last time you sang? I mean really sang. Just let go of everything and shouted at the top of your lungs type of singing. How about dancing. When is the last time you really let your body dance?

Dancing and singing are what I have identified as the two most natural forms of human expression. Why did I pick these two? Watch these videos:



These kids were not thinking about what people thought about them. Well, that Korean kid might have. But he didn't care how he sounded. These children were just enjoying the experience of dancing and singing, respectively. Why does that stop? I know many people who never let themselves break into song or dance. And if they do, it is very carefully controlled song or dance, calculated to make them look good to the people watching. I propose we stop caring what people think of our dancing and singing. We should be able to dance however we please. If I want to flail like a jellyfish to shameless pop music, I am going to. I will sing at the top of my lungs to songs that are waaaay to high for me, and I will not be ashamed. And I invite you all to join me. Let us designate October 1st as the day we all dance and sing however we please. Will you join me?

The Merritts of Metal and Acoustica

I love music. And because I love music, I love sharing good music with people. So, in this post I am going to share some music I like with you all. I hope you at least give it a listen, even if you don't like it.

First on our list is Chris Merritt. My friend Beau has been trying to get me to listen to this guy for ages, and this summer I finally gave him a listen. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he would just be the same as every other pop artist. While I have to admit that he is strictly pop music, I also have to admit that he has a very individual feel to his music. He has managed to do the same thing as everyone else, but in a way that feels completely his. When listening to his music, I often feel like he is really having fun with his songs. They have a lighthearted feel that I really appreciate. Check out this free sample here.

Next let us talk about Built To Spill. I have loved this band since high school and this Friday they are coming to SLC. AND I GET TO GO!!! I am so freaking stoked. It almost makes up for the fact that I have missed Brandi Carlile every single time she has come to Utah. So enjoy this video of Built To Spill playing a pretty darn good song.


Lest things become too much the same, allow me to show you a different kind of song that I have been loving lately. Please forgive the video. It is quite a creative concept, but the girls are embarrassments to rock music.


My last musical selection is a band I discovered through my favorite webcomic Questionable Content. If you check out the comic, be sure to start at the beginning or it won't make any sense. As far as the music goes, these guys are creative and eclectic. This is their most catchy song. It gets stuck in my head for weeks at a time.


So, enjoy these, please, and support the artists the best you know how.

Wasting Time

The interesting thing about the internet is that it has given everyone a unique new way to waste time. I don't mean that the internet is new. What I mean is, in the ever-expanding interweb, there is something to be found that will interest you. Something that will catch your attention for hours at a time without you even realizing it. Perhaps you are a person who loves Facebook. I know I have spent more time browsing that damn book that I ever should have. Or if that doesn't catch your fancy, maybe you are a blog reader. Some of us are forum-hounds. Some of us are gamers. Some of us spend hours browsing the internet and reading scholarly research. The point is, every person you or I know can find a way to waste time on the interwebs, and probably already has.

Why?

Let me relate a conversation I once had:

Friend (probably girl): "Why do you waste so much time playing video games?"

Me (probably boy): "I don't really. Well, maybe I do. I don't know. They are fun? Do you not waste time?"

Girl: "Not really. I never play games."

Me: "You don't waste time on facebook?"

Girl: "Well, some...."

(This conversation may or may not have happened. I might be making it up.)

The point of this conversation has nothing to do with games. I couldn't care less how you waste your time. The point is that we do waste our time. Before I had video games, I had books. Before televisions, we had the newspaper. Before the newspaper, we had the rocking chair. We humans always find ways to waste our time. And it would seem that all of our effort goes towards finding ways to free up more time for wasting. Industrialization? Freed up lots of time, which Americans promptly began to waste. We have an enormous entertainment industry whose soul purpose is to make our wasted time more enjoyable. It is an entire industry based around our desire to do nothing. What is it about humankind that makes us want to waste our time? I honestly have no idea. But I would love to hear what your thoughts are.

The Ugly Face Of Fear

I have come to a conclusion. It is based on years of evidence. I am convinced that this is the only explanation for the phenomenon. What phenomenon? Let me explain.

If I sit in an empty room, surrounded by empty chairs, the seats next to me will be the last seats occupied. This is always true. For example, in my Econ class on Tuesday, I saw Karen from my ward. She looked at me, and I said hello an waved. She then sat three rows behind me. As the room filled up, the seats next to me remained empty. Another example: every Sunday at church, no matter where I sit, the seats next to me will remain unoccupied until the very last possible moment when there are no other seats anywhere. I have even seen people sit on the floor, rather than sit by me. And I have come up with an explanation for this.

I must be terrifying.

My appearance has to be the most intimidating, fear inspiring appearance on earth. People are actually afraid to sit next to me. And I understand this. I am pretty darn manly. So manly in fact, I could scare a bear to death with one grimace. Apparently.

An alternative explanation is that I am truly hideous. I mean the kind of hideous they make movies about. The kind of hideous that plastic surgeons are willing to fix for free, if only I'll stop looking at them. I find this explanation implausible, considering how likely it is that my frightening manliness translates directly into attractiveness. That actually gives another option. I am so good looking, people are intimidated by me. They can't sit by someone that good looking, lest they appear ugly by comparison. That must be it.

Well, world, you are pretty just as you are. I am not going to bite you. Now come talk to me in class.