What do you look for in music?

[[RiCE]cancer]

What's the most important factor for you when you determine whether or not you like an artist or song? I can think of a few things I consider:

1) Originality - does the song use the same tired chord progessions and verse/chorus/verse/chorus structure as every other song? Do all the band's songs sound the same?

2) Technical Difficulty - could anyone even remotely good at the instrument sit down and play the song with only 20 minutes of practice? I especially look for this in songs that include piano, since I play. I find that when piano is included in a song, it's usually far too simple of a part.

And the number one factor for me:

3) Emotional Effect - does the song actually affect me in some way, or do I feel like I'm just listening to a song? I like pieces that have the power to change my emotional state, whether it be from happy to sad, or sad to happy. (One of my biggest pet peeves is when people dismiss a song or artist for the sole reason that they're, "too depressing.")

So, what do you look for in your music?

[Palmy]

Originality - This is the biggest deciding factor for me as of now.

Texture - Lots of layered sounds and maybe some atmospherics tossed into the mix. I love listening to songs over and over, and discovering something new upon every listen.

Execution - Even if a band isn't doing something new, if it's extremely well-executed, then I may give them a listen.

That's about it. Originality seems to be the most difficult aspect to pull off.

[maizy]

1) Raw sound. I don't like over-produced albums. NIN "the fragile" or Smashing Pumpkins "La Machina" are perfect examples of great albums being over produced.

2) Bands who are in it for the music not the money. Although I am NOT a dead fan, I respect bands that care more for their fans and music than of image and $$$

3) Creative and orginal. Primus is a great example. Beck is also a perfect example

[Thrash]

Emotion, that's it for me.

It doesn't have to be good, or sound good to anyone but me, but it has to hit me with a strong emotion of some kind.

[jerriko]

emotion - I like aggresive, but to the point where its tedious it gets on my nerves
Guitarwork - I'm not a fan of one finger powerchords, I like it to be aggresive but still have complexity.
Lyrical Substance - It flows, but still gets the message that it tries to convey.
I have to see a band live before I consider going to the store and buying a album.

[YourFavoriteWeapon]

For all things rock, I would have to say:

Execution - It's not what you do, but how it's done.

Dynamics - I applaud the use of loud/soft and fast/slow dynamics, but not to the point where it becomes routine.

Production - I like to hear production that's geared towards a band's strengths. I don't like plastic radio production and I don't like low budget basement/closet/swamp production.

Influences - I like bands that listen to artists from different genres and different time periods. A band (and likewise, a listener) that knows nothing from before 2000 is just as bad as a band that knows nothing after 1979. Respect for classical/jazz is a plus.

Electronics - Stop with the techno, faggots.


For all things rap:

Culture - It's important to stay true to the culture of "black" music. I don't want to hear some idiot rapping about Nintendo games or his girlfriend. I'll take intelligent, socially conscious black rappers like Nas, Black Thought, KRS-One, Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli over a white rapper signed to Anticon or Epitaph nine times out of ten.

Imagery/Storytelling - Rappers that paint vivid pictures of street life with tremendous attention to detail are always a treat. It's also important to "be real" with it, so to speak, and not glorify the lifestyle for MTV.

Production/Beats - Real world instrumentation is a plus. I enjoy producers who do a lot of sampling from jazz, soul, and even classical music (Premier, Kno, Alchemist, Necro, Stoupe, RZA, etc). I don't like assembly line production from clowns like Lil Jon (WHAT), Dr. Dre (post-Chronic), Eminem (wack), or Kanye West (right idea, wrong execution).

Intelligent Rhyme Schemes - If I have to hear another generic G-Unit sing-song chorus that rhymes "high" with "die" or some other bullshit like that, I'm going to shoot up a mall.

[Unfor]

lyrics and vocals, and how well it blends/enhances the musical experience.

variation WITHIN the song...does the song lead up to a 'musical orgasm' or does it keep the same tone throughout? i prefer the former.

[sani]

bands that don't give a flying shit about profits and do what they love.

[Googol]

#1 I have to feel it. Whether I'm trying to relax or whether or not I want to bang my head to the beat. Metal should be more rigid and jazz should be very loose.

#2 Execution is critical. The band has to be tight. Not too much so that it sounds mechanical (but if that's the style it's fine with me), but enough so that it doesn't sound like a garage band either or one of your better local bands.

#3 Lyrics. Once I like a song I'll listen more closely to the lyrics (unless they are obviously bad) to make a final judgement call, if you will.

#4 Hook. If it's not a long song (6+ minutes) I always find it's the hook I'm listening for. A good vocal melody is downright essential.

#5 Good live show. Very important, if I get to see a band, that #1 and #2 fuse. I hate being disappointed in a live performance and it can turn me away from a band very easily.

At times, but not always:
#6 The "epicness," almost like you on a journey when you are listening to a song. This is essential for a piece of music to be considered one of my favorites.

[destroy the map]

i look for
emotion and energy
i always look for a band/song to fit the mood that i'm in at the time i'm listening to music. that would be the emotional part of it. i have a band for about every emotion i can display. i also tend to get shivers at certain times when the singer is singing... anyone every get those? there will be a part in a song that just makes your whole body shiver, but in a good way of course.
as for energy, i always try to look for it in a band because i'm not into that lowkey music. i want something that will get me going.. something i can listen to in the morning and suddenly start getting into even if i'm tired from lack of sleep. energy is also a factor when i end up seeing the band at a show.. and i know how i'm going to react when the band gets to certain parts in their songs.

[Ignatz]

every single musician is in it for the money.
and the pussy.

i myself like music that doesnt suck. if it doesn't suck, i'm there.

simple and brainless enough, but then What sucks? you ask.
you just know it when you hear it, but i'll try.

Music that's dumb in a dumb way.
Dumb in a dumb way = Poison
Dumb in a smart way = Ramones

Music that rips off others and does it badly.
Ripping off others poorly = Evanescence
Ripping off others well = Led Zeppelin

Music that is so wrapped up in being bad ass that it forgets to be any good, like Pantera or 50 Cent.

Music that is fake or manufactured according to a Music Business formula, like Mariah Carey or Britney Spears.

Music made by people who didnt pay their dues, like teenyboppers from every age, from Ricky Nelson to Ashlee Simpson.