do re mi

I have come to a realization. And, as always, when I come to a realization, that realization gets posted on my blog. Judging by the gaps in posts, I don't realize often.

The youth of America loves music. In fact, of all obsessions in our society, I would say music reigns as #1 - yes, above sports. I have found that my generation defines their lives through music. I have friends who relate to hip-hop and think that Tupac's words were words to live by, or that Luda just "gets it." I have other friends who are into a more underground style of music - the music of raves or "shows" at places I'd likely never enter. They play that music at a high volume and watch their frustration and disdain dissipate more with ever beat. I have friends who have decided that music is what their lives will revolve around, who have majored in music of some sort, spent all of their free time learning and playing music, dedicated their hearts to their bands and concerts or to other bands and concerts, and decided to pursue it professionally. Whether it's jazz greats, jam bands, pop singers, or hard rock, the music moves their lives.

For example, ask 5 of your friends this question:
"If you were stuck on a deserted island for the rest of your life, what one thing would you want with you?"
I promise that at least 4 of those 5 friends will say something along the lines of "my CD collection," "my ipod," "my music collection," or "my instrument of playing preference." Music defines my generation.

Where do I fit in with this? Well, I have come to the conclusion that I'm the odd man out. I don't really care for music. It's not that music bothers me, but I don't really give a shit about it. Sometimes, I enjoy playing some background music while I cook. I certainly like the radio on in the car. I love to dance, and find dancing to be quite easier with music on. But beyond such isolated events, I wouldn't care if music was completely cut out of my life. I like certain singers and groups and can somewhat reasonably call myself a "fan," and I can fairly doubtlessly say I love Billy Joel, but even playing one of my 22 Billy CDs is sometimes a forced action. I just dont like music. Inga made this realization on the 50th time that I turned down the stereo that she had put on for her listening pleasure. I just find it to be noise - even the groups I like.

I may likely attribute this to several facts about myself but inconclusively, as I am not a psychologist and don't have the funds at the moment to speak with such an expert. First, I love television and I think that TV is my music. Just as others couldn't go on without music, I cannot go on without TV. People are shocked when they find out how many hours of TV I fit into my week, but -really- that is just the time that others are listening to their ipods, right? Perhaps I'm better stimulated visually rather than auditorily. Maybe it's because I have no musical talent whatsoever (7 years of piano lessons and I can't play shit). I'm not sure.

The interesting thing is that I'm surrounded by musicians. 70% of my close friends are in a band or have been at some point of their lives. 99% of my friends would say that music is super important to them. There must be a reason I have chosen to associate with such people, or is that really just my entire generation and I have no choice in the matter of music appreciation? I will say, however, that I found my match in Roy. He, too, is not thrilled by music and cannot really answer the question of "What do you listen to?" He, however, is a master pianist. ::Shrug::

Well, anyway, let's take that long-winded post (when is it otherwise?) as a superb introduction to the following musician, who did evoke some emotion from me this evening. There really is music and voices out there that just make you feel lonely, loved, loving, and fairly romantic all at the same time. This is one of them: http://myspace.com/joshuaradin <= Joshua Radin