The Jason Karuza Today.com Blog

Let me go ahead and preface this post by saying I have nothing against everyone who listens to the radio and enjoys their standard pop, hip-hop, alternative, rock, etc. content.  I respect each person’s personal choices and preferences as long as they don’t infringe upon my own (I think we can all agree that that is fair).

Given that that is the case, I choose my favorite artists and tracks based on the quality of the musicianship or production that went into the track itself.  I am a musician and have been involved in performing or teaching music for the last several years of my life.  As is such, I notice technical aspects in music that most other people who are not musicians would not catch.

Since I can tell when a drummer is good, when a guitarist is good, when a singer is good, I usually tend to migrate toward the music that displays high amounts of talent.  That is why I really enjoy Progressive Rock Bands such as Rush, Dream Theater (my all-time favorite band), and others.  I also really enjoy several metal bands that are unique and innovative such as Fear Factory and Meshuggah.

There are some artists that can be found on the radio that I enjoy as well such as Tool, 311, and Avenged Sevenfold.  In genera, these bands find a blend of what the mainstream audiences enjoy while still maintaining their musical integrity and skills.

Every once in a while I will find a song that is nothing like what I normally enjoy that is just super catchy or unique in some way (like “I Kissed a Girl” by Katie Perry and “No Handlebars” by the Flobots) and it totally gets me.  I can’t explain those situations because it has to be something different that just really draws me in.

Just so you don’t think I am a two genre guy, I also enjoy Yanni, Spyro Gyra, Blink 182, Spin Doctors, and a ton of other bands from various styles.  I like to be diverse, but find the most talented or unique artists in each area.  I think by being exposed by all that there is to offer and finding the innovators, further creativity is encouraged and music continues to evolve.  Anyways, thats my two cents.  Hope I didn’t piss you off…too much

-Jason

Trackback URI | Comments RSS