Column: 'Arsenic in our cultural Kool-Aid': Music throughout college

Tuesday, September, 15, 2009; 9:00 PM | 15 | | Print

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TOPICS: music college town of blacksburg

Do most people sing lyrics from songs they like as they walk around campus or am I the only one?

I used to have an iPod, but I broke it. I have a hand-held AM/FM radio that I use from time to time, but for the most part I simply keep a couple of songs in my head throughout a given day. If I am feeling tense and angry I might whisper a few lines from Exodus's "Now Thy Death Day Come": "When you see my demon eyes, it's too late to apologize. ... The gates of Heaven have been shattered, the wings of angels torn and tattered." If I am feeling rather jovial, then perhaps some Van Morrison is more fitting: "And Sam Cooke is on the radio, and the night is filled with space, and your finger tips touch my face." Most people have music collections consisting of a minimum of about 1,000 to 2,000 songs with any number of artists and albums. Technology has turned the music industry on its head, but what has it done to society?

Judging by the thumping bass coming from the apartment above mine, I can safely say very little. Music is a mystical, beautiful art that touches us on a deep personal level more so than any other art form. Unlike a Dali painting or a David Lynch film, music needs little explanation. Our natural reaction to what we hear is our own interpretation. The artist is trying to convey something that the listener eventually catches on to and accepts or rejects in turn for his or her own feelings of the music. Truly this is the most accessible and available art form we have in our society.

And yet, it feels like someone has dropped arsenic in our cultural Kool-Aid.

If it is not obvious by how I write, then I will come out and say it: I don't get out much. The times I have gone out and enjoyed the more poignant moments of college life I have observed a horrendous trend. Wherever the beer flows like wine, the music sucks.

I hate "party" music. I hate even calling it music. It's not music; it's an abortion for my ears. Call me a decent human being with a soul, but I like to share music that means something to me with the people that mean something to me. I would never punish my friends with atrocious music even though society tells me to do differently. Who is responsible for this, and why haven't we beaten him with sticks by now?

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Adam | # September 16, 2009 @ 8:29 AM — Flag Comment

So if I enjoy some mainstream music that means I don't understand music? I hate party music as much as the next guy, but that doesn't make all mainstream music worthless. All you have done in this article is shown that you like music that is off the beaten path just for the sake of it not being popular. I would say it is more ignorant to like off-mainstream music for that purpose, than to like music for being good music. King Diamond is talentless. I prefer music from artists that have some level of talent.

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Anonymous | # September 16, 2009 @ 11:29 AM — Flag Comment

This opinions piece is completely pointless. As a recently graduated hokie, I think I speak for all of us when I say that Lane Stadium is a huge part of what makes Virginia Tech so great. How about you continue singing your songs as you walk across the drillfield and the rest of us will continue to listen to whatever we want in peace.

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Becca | # September 16, 2009 @ 11:42 AM — Flag Comment

How can you say, 'Music is a mystical, beautiful art that touches us on a deep personal level more so than any other art form. Unlike a Dali painting or a David Lynch film, music needs little explanation.' and then go on to bash peoples' tastes and preferences in music? That's the beautiful thing about music; it's subjective and people can have their own opinions, like different things, and enjoy what they wish. If someone is inspired and gets that level of meaning through Kelly Clarkson, great for them -- they found something that makes them happy, and inspires them.

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Becca | # September 16, 2009 @ 11:43 AM — Flag Comment

How can you say, 'Music is a mystical, beautiful art that touches us on a deep personal level more so than any other art form. Unlike a Dali painting or a David Lynch film, music needs little explanation.' and then go on to bash peoples' tastes and preferences in music? That's the beautiful thing about music; it's subjective and people can have their own opinions, like different things, and enjoy what they wish. If someone is inspired and gets that level of meaning through Kelly Clarkson, great for them -- they found something that makes them happy, and inspires them.

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Anonymous | # September 16, 2009 @ 1:28 PM — Flag Comment

Hypocritical and shallow piece of writing. Perhaps you should expand your horizons and listen to some grammy winners (Lil Wayne).

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Anon | # September 16, 2009 @ 1:31 PM — Flag Comment

This is a hypocritical and shallow piece. Perhaps you should listen to some grammy winning artists such as Lil Wayne.

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Lauren | # September 16, 2009 @ 7:40 PM — Flag Comment

This sort of thinking is what really irks me about a lot of the people around me. Ever since Kanye's outburst, a lot of his fans have defended him by putting down Taylor Swift's music. Who are they to say that Kanye has more talent or makes "better" music than Taylor?

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Anonymous | # September 16, 2009 @ 9:50 PM — Flag Comment

because Kanye said so. but that's what happens when everyone doesn't get a trophy. Losers get their feelings hurt. Competition brings out the worst in everyone

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Hey-O Captain Obvious | # September 17, 2009 @ 12:40 AM — Flag Comment

"Losers get their feelings hurt." Welcome to the real world.

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Jochebed | # September 17, 2009 @ 9:11 AM — Flag Comment

Any music that causes your car or house to "thump" is not "music" at all - it's noise.

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Anonymous | # September 19, 2009 @ 1:14 AM — Flag Comment

LOL. Everyone sample the author's music on iTunes. That Exodus song is the biggest pile of trash I've heard. No melody. Just guitar noise. At least with this "party music," there is a rhythm and not just rabid guitars. Please stop writing.

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Anonymous | # November 29, 2009 @ 10:37 PM — Flag Comment

The point is that perhaps you should try music other than what is force-fed to you. You might like some. He's not saying you have to like Exodus or Slayer, just that there's a world outside of 92.3.

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Neets | # October 22, 2009 @ 12:04 PM — Flag Comment

Wow dude...every article you've written has sucked in a major way. This article in particular...I can't stand music snobs, especially those with preferences such as yours.

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Fratty Frat McGee III | # November 19, 2009 @ 5:59 PM — Flag Comment

You suck so bad. Die.

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