Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Boy Bands: The Next Generation

Speaking of being trendy... I sometimes read or hear comments about how someone doesn't like something because "it's trendy." That doesn't make any sense to me. I assume it is because a person wants to break away from the norm and be an individual.

That makes sense on the surface, but does it really? If you choose to disavow everything "trendy" aren't you really just allowing everyone else to decide what you don't like? Wouldn't you be more of an individual if you allowed yourself to pick and choose what you enjoy from all genres of music, all types of hobbies, etc.?

I do understand the feeling of pride that comes from being one of the first to know and love a band, a TV show, an obscure movie, etc. That makes sense to me. But deciding you don't like them anymore after they become popular is just stubborn, isn't it?

So now I will come out of the closet and admit that I listen to a lot of Top 40 radio. I know many of my family and friends are way too sophisticated for such things, but I'm not a music snob. I love music... even the cheesy stuff that's shallow but entertaining. But have no fear! I like a lot of the stuff my elitist husband likes, too.

(Speaking of my elitest husband, we had this same conversation about "trendy" things, and I actually think I may have convinced him to give my way of thinking about music a try. He even e-mailed me as he was listening to pop music on the radio, telling me which songs had "merit." I was so proud.)

But I have to draw the line somewhere.

There seems to be a new wave of particularly annoying pop music. Today's boy bands are very... whiney. Aren't they? They all sound like Weird Al to me, but I suspect they'd like to be taken seriously.

9 comments:

Lisa said...

Fun blog! I agree about the whiny bands these days. Funny story, Joel and I heard a guy we know sing, and thought he fit right in with the whiny bands that seems to be so popular right now, and so whenever we'd hear a whiny band, we'd call it a "John" band (name has been changed ;). We figured he was in his element with music right now. Later, Joel was talking to "John", and he firmly stated, "All the music today SUCKS!" We can't call them "John" bands anymore.

Kristina P. said...

First, I'm so happy that I have a blog I can see on my Reader.

And second, I don't dislike things that are trendy, per se, but I dislike things with a lot of hype. Mainly because they rarely live up to what everyone is saying (I'm looking at you, Twilight.) Sometimes they do, but I really dislike hype.

Rebecca and Nick said...

I agree with the boy band thing. And I love your new blog, too! It'll be fun.

jen said...

thank you for allowing me to be lazy and only check blogs that allow feed readers. I'm simply too important to have to manual check them the old way. :) Plus now you can write a blog that is ALL! ABOUT! YOU! (trust me, it's underrated).
I don't really follow the Top 40 stuff anymore - but I listen to a lot of indie music that then becomes popular. It doesn't make me love it any less though. I'm happy for stuff that takes off and becomes trendy. As long as they don't sell out to become trendy. That's different.

Wonder Woman said...

You're officially in my reader. Yay! And I listen to mostly top 40 (my995 is the bomb-diggity) but I don't know what boy bands you're talking about. I love all kinds of music, too, and want to answer your question, but I really can't think of any popular boy "bands." Maybe some boys who sing with bands behind them......I'm not trying to be difficult......maybe I'm just up too late and can't think. That's probably it.

Anyway. Glad to have you in my reader!

Wonder Woman said...

Oh. And thanks for no word verification. And you can change your blog "title" without changing your html address. So you can still be clever. That's the one people see, anyway!! =D

Emily said...

Hi Wonder Woman. (BTW... I figured out your real name finally... but I'll still call you WW to protect your anonymity.) :)

I'm talking about bands like Boys Like Girls. They are a whinefest.

Emily said...

Kristina- I agree Twilight was hyped beyond its actual entertainment value. That being said, I DID read all of them and plan to go on a girls night to see the movie. I like them, but not as much as my psycho-freak sister (Love you, Hillary!). There is a girl in my ward who is basically a Twilight encyclopedia. Truly devoted.

Emily said...

Kristina- I agree Twilight was hyped beyond its actual entertainment value. That being said, I DID read all of them and plan to go on a girls night to see the movie. I like them, but not as much as my psycho-freak sister (Love you, Hillary!). There is a girl in my ward who is basically a Twilight encyclopedia. Truly devoted.