I’m probably venting my frustration in the wrong outlet as readers of Jambands are probably reading this thinking, “I still listen to albums and concerts of my favorite artist.” I just think it’s a travesty that new music is not as appreciated as much as it used to be.
Back in the olden times (2002), you heard a song, and then you bought the album and discovered more songs that you loved. Or, you heard that a band was good, took a gamble and bought the album. Or, you were in a record store, bought an album based on the cover, got home, listened to it and got blown away by what you heard. Or you hated it and pawned it off to some derelict for double the cost.
Look at The Grateful Dead’s album covers. Those things are oozing with buying incentive. I bought AOXOMOXA when I was thirteen years old because it looked cool (side-note: my older brother was a Dead fan and I was also trying to impress him to win his approval. Probably more pertinent information for my therapist however).
Bands’ record albums to be listened to in one sitting from beginning to end. Like a concert set-list, every song is put there for a particular reason. Look at an album like a movie. You get up to go to the bathroom and you’re going to miss something. Every scene in that movie is put there for a specific reason to help move the story forward.
I do think a large part of it has to do with technology, which forces your mind to think that you always have to be available.
Music and art of all forms is created to get lost in. To elicit emotion that you don’t get from your conventionial day. It’s an escape in the best way imaginable. Listening to an album by your favorite artist is supposed to be therapeutic. Instead of forcing yourself to make phone calls while driving, hide the phone and listen to some music.
Society is thriving on negativity. Just watch the news or pick up a newspaper. Or, look at me. I spent two weeks writing an article based on my distain of people’s musical listening abilities. But I do I have a point. And that point is that every now and again it’s healthy to step away and get a little lost in some music. Buy the album and not just the song. Chances are if you like that song then you’re going to find some other gems on there that you’re going to like as much, or more than the song that got you hooked.
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