TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

Help, I have awful taste in music!

Go To

blorgit Since: Apr, 2010
#1: Aug 15th 2011 at 2:45:37 PM

I try. I try hard. Really. I listen to Neutral Milk Hotel, The Antlers, Beulah, DJ Krush, Radiohead, Blue Sky Black Death, Explosions in the Sky, Skybox, all that, and I like them. They're good. However...

I can't help but to gravitate towards stuff that everyone else looks down on - Ke$ha, Cobra Starship, Backstreet Boys, even some Justin Bieber songs. And that really sucks because these aforementioned artists are far from being respected, and though people say you shouldn't care about what others think about your taste in music, it's pretty hard to not care when songs you like are repeatedly bashed as being pure indicators of awful taste both IRL and online by friends, who have no idea of my liking these songs.

So, any tropers have music suggestions that are somewhat similar to the singers/bands I mentioned above but acceptable to listen to?

Wicked223 from Death Star in the forest Since: Apr, 2009
#2: Aug 15th 2011 at 2:52:20 PM

A better question is, why do you care so much whether your musical tastes are 'acceptable'?

You can't even write racist abuse in excrement on somebody's car without the politically correct brigade jumping down your throat!
JHM Apparition in the Woods from Niemandswasser Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hounds of love are hunting
Apparition in the Woods
#3: Aug 15th 2011 at 2:54:33 PM

[up] True.

However, if you mean "less trashy," I... don't have much to say, other than that being articulate and polite relative to why you like "bad" music goes a long way.

I'll hide your name inside a word and paint your eyes with false perception.
blorgit Since: Apr, 2010
#4: Aug 15th 2011 at 3:03:21 PM

Hmm...I like it because it's catchy, upbeat, nice melodies, energetic, fun, stuff like that. It's hard to explain why, but they're just, to me, enjoyable to listen to. I also find it difficult to understand how people dislike the 'trashy' music I enjoy listening to, other than the fact that it's overproduced and soulless, with shallow lyrics, but I have little conception of what 'overproduced' and 'soulless' means when it comes to music. The lyrics may be shallow, but it's not like I'm looking for deep lyrics in a Ke$ha song, so it doesn't really factor in to me. It's just fun to listen to.

Anyways I care because it's upsetting to be dismissed/insulted due to my taste in music. Some people are really into their dislike of the stuff I listen to. Sadly, I'm not one of those people who can just give a middle finger to these people and roll along, being a sensitive person, so yeah, these things matter. Besides, liking these songs, I feel like an uneducated second-class citizen.

edited 15th Aug '11 3:04:43 PM by blorgit

MetaFour AXTE INCAL AXTUCE MUN from A Place (Old Master)
AXTE INCAL AXTUCE MUN
#5: Aug 15th 2011 at 3:11:32 PM

You can one-up your critics by becoming a fan of some musician who's well-respected but actively difficult to listen to. Merzbow, or Danielson Famile, or Ornette Coleman's free jazz stuff. That should give you carte blanche to like whatever the hell else you feel like.

Litis from Israel Since: Jul, 2009
#6: Aug 15th 2011 at 3:23:46 PM

I respect you for being able to tolerate those artists.

TankerMan Since: Jul, 2011
#7: Aug 15th 2011 at 3:29:49 PM

If anyone dismisses you because of your taste in music, is that really the kind of person you want to hang around with?

To me, the trend seems to be the exact opposite on the internet. What folks find "popular" is being into the most esoteric, underground, unknown, strange stuff that exists and they do it just to give the impression of being edgy and looking cool (this isn't just with music, too). If you have no confidence in yourself, then what do you have?

NEO from Qrrbrbirlbel Since: Oct, 2009 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
#9: Aug 15th 2011 at 3:54:24 PM

Dude, there's nothing bad in liking artists nobody does. Most people around me tends to diss my taste in music too, and that doesn't stop me from eventually proudly wearing my Scar Symmetry T-shirt. Forcefully changing your musical taste to stop your friends' bashing means their victory, you know.

Even I agree that some stuff I like is bad, or at least bland, but hell, that doesn't stop me from liking it a single bit and it works fine; in that sense, there's no "bad" music.

That said, I'd recommend you to search for less known artists of the same genre you like; that way, nobody can call it trash if they don't know it, and you wouldn't be changing your taste at all, just expanding it.

No regret shall pass over the threshold!
Saeglopur Resident Hipster from Various places in the UK Since: Jan, 2001
Resident Hipster
#10: Aug 15th 2011 at 4:35:10 PM

Anyone who has the ability to simultaneously appreciate the merits of Radiohead, The Antlers and Explosions In The Sky alongside those of Ke$ha and the Backstreet Boys, quite frankly has my undying respect and astonishment. That takes one hell of an open mind, which is something not all of us are lucky enough to have. Kudos to you, friend.

Listen to Music with Tropers at The Troper Turntable!
blorgit Since: Apr, 2010
#11: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:35:50 PM

@Meta Four: Thank you for the suggestions. I might check out Ornette Coleman because I like jazz, though I gotta admit that when it comes to jazz I usually listen to stuff by Miles Davis, The Dale Cooper Quartet, Bohren & Der Club Of Gore, etc. Not very familiar with jazz terminology but this 'free jazz' thing sounds like it'll be cool to check out.

@Tanker Man: True. the internet from what I've seen is pretty anti-mainstream. And yeah, I know...well I'll be moving in a few days but I can't help but to feel that potential friends would be put off by my liking of these bands...hopefully not though.

@NEO: Thanks! I'll try that out. I'm not sure what kind of genre Ke$ha falls into - dance pop? - but most dance pop artists are pretty mainstream...I'll look for more 'obscure' dance pop artists though.

@Saeglopur: Thanks! Usually I get weird looks when I tell people the bands/music I like since they're so different from each other.

inane242 Anwalt der Verdammten from A B-Movie Bildungsroman Since: Nov, 2010
Anwalt der Verdammten
#12: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:40:20 PM

@ OP: Don't feel bad, as long as you've chosen the artists you like having considered other sorts of music, you're good in my book.

I wish I liked more popular stuff, 'cause I'm really passionate about music and I can't even get name recognition out of KMFDM IRL.

The closest I get to listening to pop is Skrillex. :/

The 5 geek social fallacies. Know them well.
DogLikeSparky Magic Pig Detective Since: Mar, 2011
Magic Pig Detective
#13: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:48:20 PM

Listen to the music that brings you joy and don't let anyone get under your skin about. What do dick-measuring contests have to do with being a music fan, anyway?

That said, if you really are concerned about your music taste, I can think of a band or forty that could do with a greater degree of exposure. I'd list them but I probably shouldn't be doing so unsolicited, especially given the sentiments expressed in the above paragraph.

"People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent." - Bob Dylan
SpainSun Laugh it off, everybody from Somewhere Beyond Here Since: Jan, 2010
Laugh it off, everybody
#14: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:48:38 PM

If anyone questions your taste in music, hit them upside the head with records.

It always works.

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....
inane242 Anwalt der Verdammten from A B-Movie Bildungsroman Since: Nov, 2010
Anwalt der Verdammten
#15: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:52:03 PM

'obscure' dance pop

Closest I could come up with (*Provided you don't mind Italodisco*):

The 5 geek social fallacies. Know them well.
BoundByTheMoon Kvltvre Vvltvre from The Spanish Sahara Since: Jun, 2010
Kvltvre Vvltvre
#16: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:52:55 PM

I'm in college, and that might even worse. If someone asks you your favorite band, and you don't answer Animal Collective, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, or Immortal Technique, you're dead to them. Kiuas? Kiuwhatnow? I've learned to appreciate what they (pretend to) like for what it is, but listen to whatever the hell I want (usually metal).

Keep in mind, a lot of these people listen to "thinking man's music" to fit in. By listening to pop just because you like it, you've one-upped them already. What matters is that you tried their music- I did, and eventually I just thought "fuck it, my library's fine the way it is". Since then, I've just been checking up on the indie zeitgeist from time to time and haven't run into any trouble.

edited 15th Aug '11 5:55:41 PM by BoundByTheMoon

There are snakes in the grass, so we'd better go hunting!
SpainSun Laugh it off, everybody from Somewhere Beyond Here Since: Jan, 2010
Laugh it off, everybody
#17: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:54:05 PM

Can we pause the thread for just a second, here?

Fuck Immortal Technique

we now return to your conversation.

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....
BoundByTheMoon Kvltvre Vvltvre from The Spanish Sahara Since: Jun, 2010
Kvltvre Vvltvre
#18: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:58:22 PM

[up]I know, right? At least here, people seem to listen to him just because he raps about weed. And also so they have something to bitch about. You're in college!

There are snakes in the grass, so we'd better go hunting!
SpainSun Laugh it off, everybody from Somewhere Beyond Here Since: Jan, 2010
Laugh it off, everybody
#19: Aug 15th 2011 at 5:59:49 PM

My problem is less that, and more that he is fucking crazy.

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....
MetaFour AXTE INCAL AXTUCE MUN from A Place (Old Master)
AXTE INCAL AXTUCE MUN
#20: Aug 15th 2011 at 6:13:33 PM

Anyone who has the ability to simultaneously appreciate the merits of Radiohead, The Antlers and Explosions In The Sky alongside those of Ke$ha and the Backstreet Boys, quite frankly has my undying respect and astonishment. That takes one hell of an open mind, which is something not all of us are lucky enough to have. Kudos to you, friend.
Saeg speaks the truth.

As for free jazz, here's the other wiki's take on it. I haven't listened to very much myself; my own taste in jazz tends to gravitate towards either swing or fusion.

Thenamelesssamurai from Atlanta, Georgia Since: Nov, 2010
#21: Aug 15th 2011 at 6:16:22 PM

@ OP: Saeg said it best. Good for you for enjoying what you enjoy. And if anyone doesn't like the fact that you like certain artists, they can bugger off. My record collection extends through ethnic jewish music (read: Masada and John zorn's stuff) to death and black metal to ambient to some K Pop and 80s Pop, so if you like various styles of music, it's all good.

That said, if you just want general recommendations, we have the Gateway Albums thread and I have a bunch of stuff I can recommend generally.

As for Ornette Coleman, here's a little bit of a taste, so you can see if you like it:

Wikipedia article on free jazz

Edit: Ninja'd.

edited 15th Aug '11 6:17:32 PM by Thenamelesssamurai

Imagine Rakan applying Calling Your Attacks to doing paperwork.~Anarchy Rakan for the hell of it COMMISSION THIS BRIDGE!~EHK
DogLikeSparky Magic Pig Detective Since: Mar, 2011
Magic Pig Detective
#22: Aug 15th 2011 at 6:44:42 PM

[up] Seconded. On the subject of Ornette Coleman, let's not forget This Is Our Music and The Shape of Jazz to Come.

EDIT: Also ninja'd.

edited 15th Aug '11 6:45:16 PM by DogLikeSparky

"People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent." - Bob Dylan
SpainSun Laugh it off, everybody from Somewhere Beyond Here Since: Jan, 2010
Laugh it off, everybody
#23: Aug 15th 2011 at 6:59:27 PM

re, Ornette Coleman: It's not bad, but it is very...rambly. I guess is a good word.

I spread my wings and I learn how to fly....
JHM Apparition in the Woods from Niemandswasser Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: Hounds of love are hunting
Thenamelesssamurai from Atlanta, Georgia Since: Nov, 2010
#25: Aug 15th 2011 at 10:07:43 PM

Well, for Ornette's Free Jazz, it has two quartet's playing at the same time, one quartet mixed to each side of the stereo field and they're all improvising at once, so it would sound pretty rambling.

Imagine Rakan applying Calling Your Attacks to doing paperwork.~Anarchy Rakan for the hell of it COMMISSION THIS BRIDGE!~EHK

Total posts: 56
Top