Yesterday, I was speaking with Ed –
Ed, if you’re reading this, don’t try and delete this post. I know it embarrasses you, but technically it embarrasses me more, even though we all know I cannot be embarrassed. – [Ed] (as in Editor, not as in you, Ed.)
– and we were talking about music. Ed, a 30ish guy a very mature 24 year old, said:
“I know you probably don’t know about ‘modern’ music, but there’s this band, it’s like a young band, like the kids listen to it…It’s called ‘Avenged Sevenfold’ – “
Granted, as soon as I heard those quotes around ‘modern’ music, I knew I was honor-bound to claim to know this band, even if I didn’t. However, I have a good reason to be familiar with Avenged Sevenfold. So I was able to reclaim the honor of all forty-four year olds and feign outrage that he assumed I didn’t know of them.
Still and all, I think I probably do have retro musical tastes, even for a forty-four year old. I bought these CDs at the B&N just tonight:
Various Artists – Christmas With the Rat Pack (I am sixty-five.) In Which Dean explains that In Winter It’s a Marshmallow World, thus again giving Christianity a Christmas song that encourages us to confuse Christmas and Camping.
Def Leppard – Yeah! (I am fifty.) And I’m smiling right now at the album cover with the band all standing in a row. The drummer has his arm stretched up high giving the peace sign. How can you not love a band with a one-armed drummer?
Squeeze – Greatest Hits (I am forty-four! I am!) Finally, I act like my demographic. Of course, I’ve never heard of any song by this band.
Ben Folds – Rockin’ in the Suburbs (Oh, sorry, I’m thirty-five.) I heard a clip of Rockin’ the Suburbs on a blog, and the irony made me smile. Plus, the red-headed Catherine recommended it, and she’s thirty-something, so she’s hip.
Nellie McKay – Pretty Little Head (It doesn’t matter how old I am, I was an English major). I haven’t played it yet but I dug out the lyrics and it is a book. I think I have a favorite song, even without hearing it. Old Enough ends with:
Never thought I’d live to be stong enough –
Whaaaaaat? Stong enough? Stong? Now I have to listen to this song. That’s a typo. Oh, man, Nellie McKay must be sooo pissed. Anyway, it ends with:
Never thought I’d live to be strong enough / To be young enough to find a better song / Then you came along / Never thought I’d live to be old enough.
8 responses to “What Your CD Purchases Say About You”
Rather than challenge yourself to learn about new bands, consider becoming a music snob like me. Never listen to band whose members are all under 35, and use caution at if they’re 35 and above (e.g., DEVO). *shudder*
Ben Folds Five was my favorite band hands down of all time besides Journey and Chicago. After they broke up, I found I like Ben Folds all by hisself. We went to see his show once. Him. A Piano. It was so awesome I almost died. He tours sometimes, but not enough for me. So, I guess what I’m saying is, good choice. But really what Ben Folds is saying about you is that you’re 30, NOT 35. Jeez.
I feel old just OWNING cds. I have tons of cds on my Amazon wishlist, but they are only space-savers….reminders to myself to purchase off iTunes when I get the chance. Whenever I see someone holding a portable cd player while riding on the subway? I kinda go “Aww…sad” because you really just don’t see that very much where I’m from anymore. Even kindergarterners have ipods.
I’m in the habit of buying the physical CD and ripping it to iTunes – we don’t have the iPod radio tuner (actually, that may change tonight). Still, I like the shiny pretty CDs. And the cunning liner notes. Even if there are typos.
There are only one (maybe two) good songs from Squeeze. They have been recycling those two for 30 years. Never any new ones that are any good, just a new compilation with those two hits.Strange, yes, but those two are mighty fine songs.
You know, for all your age-related remarks, you should know that Ed (as in Editor) is only 24.Besides, don’t you still call them “albums?”;-)
BURN!!!!
Def Leppard says you’re 35, so not anywhere NEAR 50!