With such a wide variety of music, and such a wide variety of people, the combinations of music interests are endless. It’s surprising to find how eclectic our musical tastes are.
A major genre that floods the radio streams today is hip-hop. Originating in the South Bronx in the 1970’s, it began with disc jockeys creating rhythmic beats by mixing loops and samples together. Rap later developed as a sub-genre when chanting and poetry began to accompany the rhythms. But what is the appeal of hip-hop?
“I really like loud music,” Sarah Helou, freshman, said. “And if it doesn’t have good words, I won’t listen to it.”
This is very understandable. Music with a rhythm, interesting lyrics, and something that one can dance to is important. The energy that flows from hip-hop is what makes it so fun to listen to.
Counry music, too, grips the ears of students. Country has it’s beginnings in the 1920’s. Country began as a blend of popular music from the Southern United States and Canadian Maritime. The music captivates simple ideas of the middle class man, love, and easy living. One music idol encompassing all of this today is Taylor Swift, who continues to top the country charts time and time again.
“Taylor Swift puts a lot of emotion into her songs. She thinks out the situation and pretends it’s happening. That’s what makes her really great,” Helou said.
It’s this sort of story telling through music that defines the country genre. The music isn’t a rebellion or a political statement, it’s a story to enjoy.
Rock has become a worldwide mainstream since the 1950’s. It developed out of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, and classical music. Rock has become an extremely versatile genre. It has made use of the typical guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard, but often expands to more interesting sounds such as the organ, harmonica, saxophone, and even utilizes classical string instruments as well. Sub-genres such as classic rock, alternative, grunge, heavy metal, indie, and baroque-pop all stem from this incredible music.
Emily Snyder, junior, along with lunch mates Brian Kirn and Cody Cunov, both juniors as well, all have a particular interest in alternative-rock music.
“I like ‘Vampire Weekend’. Their sound just isn’t like anything else,” Snyder said.
When asked to describe the alternative-rock sound, no one at the table could quite put their finger on it.
“Well, it doesn’t exactly fit into any other category. You can’t call it like, jazz or anything,” Snyder said.
Rock has a diversity and a magic unlike anything else. Its always saying something, and never stops rocking.
Beyond the major categories there are still even more genres to explore. Hannah Clark, junior, for example, is a fan of acoustic indie and jazz.
“I like it because there’s not really a whole lot of talk about disco sticks in the songs,” Clark said.
Nic Palumbo, junior, on the other hand, loves techno.
“‘The Prodigy’ is really good,” Palumbo said. “And ‘Daft Punk’ is classic.”
Some might find Ethan Terry’s, junior, appreciation for symphonic metal even more eccentric.
“It’s different. It’s got that old world kind of feel to it while still being really powerful,” Terry said.
Across the board, people like music that stands out. People like music that’s different because it could only be that kind of music that outlines their unique ideas. It’s absolutely brilliant how people think and listen to music, and it’s absolutely brilliant how music defines us.
