Tuesday, February 26, 2008

No, really, what’s it all about?

I am a writer, and I am a musician. While anyone can learn how to be either, I believe both have always been in my DNA. Therefore, I write about music. That’s what you’re going to see here.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be without music. My earliest exposure came via the radio and my parents’ record player, so when I began my own journey, those were the places where I heard things. So you can expect to find the occasional lament of the state of radio, alongside references to old records.

However, that’s not to say I’m a total Luddite. I love the convenience of CDs and MP3s/iTunes, but I do miss the vinyl experience. I still think of albums as records, and understand the math that goes into the album side. Listening to an album also involves reading the liner notes, studying the label, checking the inner groove for secret messages, and considering the significance of its place in the rack alongside its brothers. As a product of my generation I’ve also had a fondness for the art form of the mix tape, and the possibilities held by a Maxell XLII-90. That’s something that will be explored here as well.

I admit to being something of a snob, if an open-minded one, which will be more apparent as this blog grows. I will be writing about things I like and don’t like, and while I may not always be able to explain why, I’ll certainly try. I may even contradict myself along the way. But I’m sure you’ll find me to be consistent, even in my inconsistency. A quote from the late great Lester Bangs at the top of the page gives this blog its title, and many of his other asides will certainly find their way into this forum, whether quoted directly or alluded to.

My aim is to update the blog on a regular weekly schedule. I’m fully aware that there are lots of blogs and review sites in cyberspace, and many of them take approaches that are beyond my capabilities. But hopefully visitors will find something in my voice that will warrant return visits. Comments are welcome, and appreciated. I hope you’ll enjoy what you see, and spread the word.

9 comments:

  1. Congrats on the new blog...looking forward to your posts.

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  2. Congratulations on your new writing venture. I look forward to seeing what you have to say. As we seem to have similar (though slightly time-shifted) tastes, I'm sure it will be quite enlightening.

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  3. From one music snob to another... welcome!

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  4. Give 'em hell, Quimby!

    Your pal,
    Chuck D.

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  5. Having just heard a conversation among "the experts" about how men and women "listen to music differently," I'm making an effort to listen more to what men who listen to music have to say.
    Wardo, I'm very impressed that you "understand the math that goes into the album side." At the same time, this may hold a key to one of the inherent differences in the way women and men listen to music--I'm wondering, "Why in the world should I care about that?"
    Your friend,
    Elizabeth

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  6. "Why in the world should I care about that?"

    An excellent question, and one that will surely be explored in this forum. But for now, I can imagine the answer has something to do with the quantity of male music writers versus that of female music writers.

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  7. Wardo, go for the gold, i mean platinum
    Dad

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  8. Now THIS, I gotta see. I look around me and I see that, relative to the population at large, I know an awful lot about music. Then I think about you and realize that I don't really know that much.

    Then I think about how good a writer you actually are, and I can't help but look forward to this.

    Great idea. Great time for it.

    --Ding

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  9. Wardo,

    Its time to rekindle old friendships, great way to start.
    Anyone who doesn't like music or writing need not continue breathing in my opinion.

    TT

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