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Random Noise - I'm iFull of Tunes |
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Written by and photos by BARRY BRECHEISEN
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Tuesday, 09 May 2006 |
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It's quite possible I may have all the music I will ever need in my lifetime. My 60 gig iPod is almost full and I probably have only a quarter of my music on it. How much is too much? Call it laziness. Call it what you will, but I find myself listening to the same tunes I've loved for years.
Yeah, there are a few new ones added here and there, but mostly it's the same albums, the same bands, the same ones that have stood the test of time. Do I really have more hours in my day to add to my playlist? I'm not convinced I do. OK, I occasionally get sucked in to an alternate version or a demo of a song, but it's still the same band, and the same damn song.
You might be thinking I'm limiting myself, or perhaps it's simply that I know what I like for that particular mood and that's it. Yes, I'm also the guy that will order the same entrée consistently at my favorite restaurant. I know what I crave. Why change it? That's why I'm here.
Do I really need another band to cover a song that was perfect the first time? I like the Hives and the new critic darling, the Editors, but I loved them when they were called the Stooges and Joy Division!
Look at legends like the Rolling Stones or David Bowie who always get crucified when they release an album of new material. I don't even care and I'm not knocking them on releasing new material. I get it. They need to grow and keep going forward. That's respectable and all, but I'm just thankful for what they already gave us. Those perfect riffs and those poignant lyrics that both changed my life and stamped a moment in time that will stay with me forever. It's unbelievable the amount of songs many artists have given us through the years. So I'm not arguing the desire to continue adding to their already healthy catalog. But that doesn't mean I need any more songs from them, or anyone.
If the Rolling Stones stopped after recording “Tattoo You” would they have any less of a legacy? Or if David Bowie never stepped into a studio again after releasing “Scary Monsters” would we have forgotten him? Of course not. I confess I do enjoy Bowie's very NIN's song, “I'm Afraid of Americans” but I'll still take “Fame” or “TVC15” over it any day of the week. Not to mention, if the critics are kind to a new Stones album it's only because they are comparing it to their glory days.
Now I'm not saying stop buying new music. I'm sure there are plenty of great new songs that are being recorded at this very moment. I'm just not convinced I can fit them into my schedule. Of course don't get me wrong, I'm counting the days until the new Radiohead album hits the shelves…I'm not insane. It's going to rawk. I hear it sounds a lot like “The Bends”!
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