Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Music Buffs Vs. Mere Mortals

I believe there is one key reason at the centre of what makes someone a music buff/expert (call it what you like), and consigns the rest of us to being merely music appreciators. And that is... music categories.

Entering any specialist music shop and I'm at a loss as to whether my desired album will be in rock, funk, soul, motown or groove. This has always been a problem for me. When I did a touch of glowstick conducting in my days masquerading as a DJ, I couldn't find the vinyl in my own bag. House mingled with hardcore, happy hardcore, trance, handbag, digital and two step- even supposed 'chilled' tunes would have a 90's crowd in raptures. Then, like your favourite supermarket, just when you think you might have the hang of it, the rules change. Rap becomes hip hop for instance.

Yesterday, this problem came to a frustrating, and surprising, head. When it came to naming a playlist of tracks containing James Blunt, Coldplay and Eric Clapton, where do you start without sounding like a man on the edge? I fear that 'Middle of the Road' says more about yours truly than the music.

So there you have it. When I'm wiped out with most of the rest of civilisation and those left need something to hum along to, you'll find salvation in my 'Miscellaneous' playlist.

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