But why do you like it?

The answer to that question really tells you something. Everyone knows what they like, and don't like for that matter, but to try and explain why you like it means that you may have to expose some guarded portion of your self, or perhaps it is so guarded that you, yourself have yet to explore the root of your preferences. This probably does not apply in the case of taste in foods because that appears to be predetermined as noted in many exchanges:

Edgar: "You haven't touched your broccoli."

Deirdre: "I don't like broccoli."

Edgar: "But why not, dear?"

Deirdre: "Well, the signals from my taste cells interpret the dissolving molecules of said vegetable to my brain to be that of the bitter sensation."

Edgar: "Say again, porkchop?"

Deirdre: "I don't like the taste."

When it comes to more artistic matters, such as books, music, and cinema the reasons seem to become less deterministic, but are they really? In the past, I have made a determined decision that I was going to really give this book a chance, or dedicate a significant portion of time listening to this artist everyone seems to be into right now. The first time I tried to get into Dylan by randomly selecting songs off Blonde on Blonde because I fancied the title got me nowhere. No, Dylan's voice takes some getting used to and "great lyrics" weren't part of my listening criteria.

I can point out specific characteristics of tunes that draw me in and keep me coming back, but when I think about compiling a comprehensive list of all these factors I feel completely overwhelmed, especially about the songs with elusive properties. Sometimes it's a piece or the it's how the pie is put together, but something strikes a chord in me. Other times it is the blatant honesty of the song, as if the song exists independent of its author. And sometimes I just really like that guitar riff in the bridge.

There is no doubt that music is often tied to a place or person in time, that is to say that it evokes the times you used to ride around after dark listening to Springsteen or the dancing in the kitchen with your Mom to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Experiences both positive and negative are tangled up in so many of the songs we love. A lot of my time is spent searching for more music to love and the more I discover, the more I want to share the experience with others. To hear a great song for the first time is a joyfully fleeting thing.

I haven't been a huge fan of topical music blogs, for one thing you get a bunch of blogs talking about the same songs/news and it becomes dictated by who or what is active and I tend to focus more on whatever I am currently obsessing over/musing about. Everyone has their own musical path ("I got into The Flaming Lips to take a break from Radiohead and then I started listening to Mercury Rev..."), mine is finally going public (yikes!).

Songs that have caught my interest as of late:

Lame to Be - Papas Fritas

Did I Step On Your Trumpet - Danielson

Cars Can't Escape - Wilco