I Just Don't Get It

[HeavyMetal]

A conversation with a friend has promoted me to find the answer to this question.

What is the draw of non-metal music?

I've only known a few songs that were not metal that seemed great to me. Some orchestrated, a little John Lennon, and some others.

Metal just offers such a range of songs from anger, sorrow, love, etc. Plus the show is always as brilliant as the sound.

I thought I would see if anyone could explain this to me. While this question applies to most any music the case example of my friend is that of a country fan.

I just don't get it. There are plenty of heartbreaking metal songs and moments if you go for that. Then there are the other aspects. I find it funny when the 'exciting' part of the show is when the country singers spins around the guitar to tap on the back of it.

I'm from the world where the exciting part of the show is full of fire, blood, explosions, larger than life props, fireworks, light shows, and insanely complex solos.

So what is the draw of other music?

(I know somebody may take this as some sort of insult rather than question so in such a case I say chill.)

[Jebadia]

I don't think anyone would find this question insulting....just might find it a stupid one. Just like any other topic on why a person would desire one thing over another, it's all a matter of opinion, or taste..or both. I like some metal, but I'm no fan, nor do I find myself leaning all or most on one domain of music. You need to keep in mind that while metal may cover so many ranges...it's still metal, it's still very distinctly metal, and not everyone is into metal. There is other music that covers just as many ranges, metal isn't the only one out there. I'm gonna take a stretch with a non-musical example and use anime as an example since this is an AMV forum. Anime covers a broad range of genres and ideas...but it's till anime, still distinctly anime, and we all damn well know not everyone likes anime.

The same reason people like black and white films over color, or silent films over non-silent films, digital painting over traditional painting, all vice versa. Not everything appeals to everyone else, and it should be easy to understand by thinking of some other kind of music you don't like that a lot of other people do like. Take Techno, Jazz, Rap, or Polka for instance, if you're not a fan of any or one of those, just take that dislike, and apply it to metal, and there you go. One sound over another. One will like it, another won't, and nothing you can do will change their minds nor will they change yours unless you are really willing to put your foot in and take a dip.

Also keep in mind it's not always the 'show' that draws the people in. I couldn't really care if one of my favorite bands is having a live performance on my front porch, I probably wouldn't watch it (okay I might, it is on my porch afterall). I don't need the spectacle, just the music. If I want a spectacle, I'll edit one myself, that's why I took up amv's.

[Scintilla]

Sometimes you just want some music that fills up the background nicely while your mind is on something else. See also: Onegai Twins soundtrack.

Also, I've been accumulating a lot of club and other electronic dance music in the past few years because it's often happy and bouncy.

And I should mention that I speak as one who doesn't go to live shows.

[Kalium]

Go listen to some Joni Mitchell, and then come back. Some things are ruined by heavy instrumentals.

[downwithpants]

metal covers all the things that make other styles of music enjoyable - emotion, energy/release, skilled composition and performance, etc.

some of the differences between styles of music are function, associated ideologies, and timbre characteristics such as instrumentation and vocalization.

you gave an example of function for metal:

I'm from the world where the exciting part of the show is full of fire, blood, explosions, larger than life props, fireworks, light shows...

and timbre characteristic

and insanely complex solos.

well other styles of music emphasize different functions of music, such as relaxation, dealing with emotions, dance, and socialization...

and appeal through other timber characteristics - rap through, for example, rhythm and lyrical stress, classical through, for example, form and key progression.

[megaman917]

Like Jebadia said, it's a matter of taste and opinion. I've often wondered what the draw to metal was, but I stopped caring (about what the draw was), because it wasn't important to me. I just keep in mind why I love hip-hop & R&B (and some rock/metal), and leave it at that.

[blaku92]

I have several different tastes in music, but I strongly believe Metal is one of the few surviving styles that is created because of an artist's passion for it. Metal bands, at least the good ones that don't sell out, always become better with time because they have a real love for what they do. That's my reason for enjoying metal -- when you hear it, you just know the band means it. I'm not saying all other music sucks -- cuz that's not true at all. It's nice to listen to something relaxing or silly every once in a while. I suppose people who don't particularly care for metal are that way because it doesn't fit their personality. It irritates me when people don't give it a chance though. I've had several friends that never listened to Metal before, and when I introduced a few songs to them, they became addicted. I don't ever judge people because of their musical tastes, but many do. I say just give different types of music a chance, but it's alright to have a personal favorite. There is good music out there that's not metal.

[HeavyMetal]

Jebadia A stupid question huh? (I think I got a Jackass from the start.)

You missed the point by over focusing on my examples. The point was I’ve never seen anything cover the range that metal covers. (I've listened to a ton of other music. Metal people are rare in my town.)

Opinion and taste are not without a basis of 'Why'.

I speak of elements that a person desires in music that draws them to that music.

I like Metal. Why:

Passionate Lyrics
Powerful Bass
Wild Antics
Wide Range of Songs
Wide Range of Fans
Enormous Shows
Legendary Characters
Interesting People
Inventive Styles
Adrenalin Pounding Music

This is what I look for in music for the most part. I do listen to Weird Al, since Metal’s one real limitation is that it does not do funny. (Okay maybe System of the Down does)

Here is a non-musical example:
If you like or dislike Tomatoes you must have a reason. It could be flavor, acidity, color, texture, or some combination of those elements or more. The stupid person is the one that does not understand the Why of what they themselves desire. Know thy Self some may say.


I see your point Scintilla. I suppose some could not listen to metal and do other things at the same time. Though could be like adjusting to a hot tub’s temperature.

Sorry found Joni Mitchell monotonous.

Sorry downwithpants missed my point. I can find different functions of timbre and anything in metal to include relaxation, dealing with emotions, socialization. And metal draws a lot from Classical see Iron Maiden on that one. (Talented violinist were similarly persecuted as devil worshipers too.)


The question is really what would lead one person to chose one form of music over another?

I am somewhat blinded by my own choice, but I see that a breakdown of the elements that construct that music are the source of my desire.

So it must be with other music. I just can't think of enough elements in other music that would lead it to be a desired choice.

Perhaps I am wrong and most people are not self-aware enough to make the choice, but only listen to that to which they were exposed.

I guess it could be some choice and some life experience. Though I certainly was not around metal, but came across it by accident. (I guess its more of sociological question than I realized.)

[blaku92]

Metal’s one real limitation is that it does not do funny. (Okay maybe System of the Down does)

Hmmm this isn't true. Metal doesn't limit anything. Check out my latest amv:

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... p?v=130004

[CerebralAssamite]

What I am about to say may be quite contradictrial to my personality but I can back it up with a decent reason.

There are time (like anyone else) where I have those days, when Metal is just too much for me, so I turn to alternative grunge ie:
Bloc Party, The Strokes, Muse ect ect...

The reason why I enjoy -these- bands is a simple one. Bass, I have favouritism to any band who actually let's their bassist be heard and these bands do it well.

Opinion?, Taste?, Both?

Most definetly, this is where -I- would agree with this statement. As stated above the reason why -I- enjoy these bands is because of my taste with a bass guitar. Opinion?, I try not to have one when it comes to music, fuck I actually enjoy DJ-Rock's Flaunt It song, and some of that DDR stuff isn't bad either.