What Your CD Purchases Say About You

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.

Comments

[Marcia]

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*

[melati]

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.

[Erin G.]

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.

[TheQueen]

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.

[judibleu]

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.

[robin]

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?"

;-)

[Marcia]

BURN!!!!

[Catherine (redheaded one)]

Def Leppard says you're 35, so not anywhere NEAR 50!