Listening to a live version of “Add It Up”. So good and so angry. I used to think it was timeless but I’m thinking not that it sounds very dated. Certainly not a song you would hear on classic rock, lite rock, 80′s pop, rap, urban, dance. You might get it on some college stations or an indy-retro channel but it’s just not what people are listening to now. And for that matter, what happened to the Violent Femmes? They were a group I hadn’t even heard of until college and the work that people listened to (then and now) was from 1983. They, like most bands, never broke into the mainstream and remained a cult band. Which, I guess means, marginally successful?
I’ve been told that for the most part your musical tastes tend to freeze at a certain point. Priorities shift. You’re married, have kids, fewer dollars to devote to entertainment. It’s more of an effort to test new singers.
I hear The Cure has a new album out. Great. Who’s listening to it? Who’s playing it on the radio? Who is their target audience now? Goth mommies? What’s their legacy and lasting contribution to rock? Pinnacle of Goth? That said, I do like The Cure but, much like the Violent Femmes, I have a couple albums that mark a specific time/place but their other work never really hooked me. I just don’t see me rushing out to get their new stuff. Same goes for the recent AC/DC release that was exclusive to Wal-Mart. Can you believe that? AC/DC in bed with Wal-Mart. Odd considering I remember some of my more religious friends thinking that was akin to devil-music. And you know how sheepish Wal-Mart is about engaging in anything close to controversy. Amazing how bands soften with age and a desire to sell lots of units.
I’m hoping I can be open to the weird music Bex will certainly enjoy and that I can provide some historical context in the variety of pop, blues, reggae, jazz, and classical his dad will (already is) make him listen to. Variety is important…I just need to be more willing to try the new stuff.
