iris.
true confession: i have a secret affinity for iTunes celebrity playlists.
there was a time not too long ago when i neglected to distinguish my personal opinions about something from the truth about something. it took me awhile to learn that something's worth was not contingent on my appreciation of it. so, for example, you may have noticed that among my list of dislikes over there to your right is the name james taylor. (it should, i suppose, say "james taylor's music" as i have no particular objection to the man himself other than the way he pronounces "theeee.") it is true that i don't much care for james taylor's repertiore. however, it is not true that i believe james taylor, for lack of better words, sucks. there is the reality that james taylor is a successful singer/songwriter revered by not a few people who's musical tastes i respect and admire. and there is the reality that i don't like james taylor. i believe if more people were willing and able to make those kinds of distinctions this world would be a much more tolerant place. not that there isn't a time and a place to conclude that something has no inherent value. but that's a subject for a different kind of post. (see mine about bees.)
some people probably scoff at celebrity playlists assuming a false sense of musical superiority. does starring in one's very own FOX sitcom qualify one to make music recommendations to the masses? sure, why not. if the distinction is made between said FOX celebrity's opinions and the quality of his respective musical selections. i mean, if russell crowe can muster up enough enthusiasm about the goo goo dolls to make me want to download one of their radio hits from 1997, then more power to him. it's cool to be able to revisit songs from your past or look twice at music you might not have given a second chance otherwise. and who knows, maybe some day luke perry's earnest appreciation of his greatest hits will reveal to me the hidden joys of listening to james taylor.
though i highly doubt it.
there was a time not too long ago when i neglected to distinguish my personal opinions about something from the truth about something. it took me awhile to learn that something's worth was not contingent on my appreciation of it. so, for example, you may have noticed that among my list of dislikes over there to your right is the name james taylor. (it should, i suppose, say "james taylor's music" as i have no particular objection to the man himself other than the way he pronounces "theeee.") it is true that i don't much care for james taylor's repertiore. however, it is not true that i believe james taylor, for lack of better words, sucks. there is the reality that james taylor is a successful singer/songwriter revered by not a few people who's musical tastes i respect and admire. and there is the reality that i don't like james taylor. i believe if more people were willing and able to make those kinds of distinctions this world would be a much more tolerant place. not that there isn't a time and a place to conclude that something has no inherent value. but that's a subject for a different kind of post. (see mine about bees.)
some people probably scoff at celebrity playlists assuming a false sense of musical superiority. does starring in one's very own FOX sitcom qualify one to make music recommendations to the masses? sure, why not. if the distinction is made between said FOX celebrity's opinions and the quality of his respective musical selections. i mean, if russell crowe can muster up enough enthusiasm about the goo goo dolls to make me want to download one of their radio hits from 1997, then more power to him. it's cool to be able to revisit songs from your past or look twice at music you might not have given a second chance otherwise. and who knows, maybe some day luke perry's earnest appreciation of his greatest hits will reveal to me the hidden joys of listening to james taylor.
though i highly doubt it.
posted by sara at 12:14 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home