For my introduction, I talk about religion and music. Smart

So, um....hey there. 

*crickets chirping*

How's everyone doing tonight?

*crickets leave*

 Well, now that I have everyone's attention. 

There are two things you should never talk about in public - religion and politics. So I figured the best way to start things out is by talking religion....and....music. Stick with me here. After a preface to a preface to an introduction, I may get to a point somewhere down the line. 

So, religion. I'm not really a fan. The idea of religion is great and serves as an excellent guide for how to lead a good life. Regardless of what religion you claim, the basic tenets - broken down to the simplest level - are the same: The golden rule. Treat others as you want people to treat  you. The basic level of morality. And my belief is that you don't have to label yourself "Christian", "Muslim", "Hindu", or any other organized religion to follow this rule and be a "moral" individual. 

Religion does not equal morality. And its on that point where I become flustered with organized religion. Organized religion says that if you're pro-choice or support the death penalty you cannot ("in good faith") receive communion at a Catholic mass and can be excommunicated (Joe Biden is finding that out the hard way. Shit, no politics in this post). There are just as many atheists living good moral lives as there are Christians leading immoral lives.

So, um....how does this tie into music? I'm glad you asked. Time for preface #2.

I'm a bit of a workaholic. We'll get to that at some later point, but for now, just know that I work a lot. And when I work, I need to have some background noise. Be it Howard Stern on my headphones or music from the speakers in my office, I need something to keep my brain focused on the task at hand. Yeah, I'm kinda weird. 

My music listening kinda follows a cycle. Stream Sirus Alt Nation channel for awhile, tune out songs that don't catch my ear, and make note of the songs that really catch my attention. If the song holds my attention after several listens, I'll download the album or song and listen to it and the other music I've enjoyed on repeat until they bore me. Rinse and repeat. 

So, what catches my attention? An excellent question. One in which I am sooooo unable to answer intelligently that I will act like a 5th grader in my response. 

A song will catch my attention with how the music and the vocals blend together. 

Sounds stupid, right? And it is. I can't explain it better than that though. Music is always background noise to me, so if a song comes on that meshes well, my ears perk up and take notice. I'm sure there are more eloquent ways of stating why I like what I like, but I can't do it. 

....

I'm also a huge metacritc nerd. So sometimes I see an album that is getting rave reviews, that I've never heard of before, and get it on a whim. Sometimes it leads to a wonderful success (Madvillainy, Sigur Ros), and sometimes it has led to disaster (I can't think of anything right now, but there are examples damnit!)

Sometime this summer, I saw the rave reviews for The Hold Steady's new album "Stay Positive".  Metacritc's summary of the album was "this is the fourth album for the Brooklyn, NY indie rock quintet", and is rated an 85 out of 100. 

So I downloaded it. Put it on several times in the office while I was working. Enjoyed what I heard. But lyrics have ALWAYS been the very last thing I listen for in a song. Hell, a good 40% of the time I can't figure out what the lyrics are to any song. I just want to hear how the music and vocal abilities of the band mesh together. If its good, I'll keep listening and try to pay attention to what they're actually saying. To this day, I still can't tell you what a single Radiohead song is about, but I'll still listen to them. 

Cue to this evening. Working on one of 1,583 projects I have due before the end of the month, I decide to throw on The Hold Steady's new album "Stay Positive", which I've listened to 10-15 times in the background. 

Only tonight did I realize the heavy Christian overtones. "Overtones" may actually undersell it a bit. Hold Steady fans are going to have to work hard to convince me that they're not a "Christian band". 

And you know what, I don't care. I'm still going to say its the best (of the 8 or so I've heard) album of 2008. For true musical opinion, you need my friend deutlich (http://deutlich.wordpress.com) for any musical insight. She's the smartest music person I know....nevemind that whole backstreet boys fandom....

So to wrap things up....I don't like organized religion, and I like music. 

And now you see reason #1 while I may or may not be normal. We're still trying to figure that out. If you stick around long enough, maybe we can work that out together.