Why do we argue about music?

I've done it before, as well. I was trying to defend early Megadeth from some hater. Those first four albums were excellent. I took the hater's words personally and felt insulted. Why? So there I am defending Megadeth, who, despite the brilliance of their first four albums, have one of the biggest assholes in rock-n-roll as their front man. I don't know any of the guys in the band. I'm not related to Dave Mustaine.

I guess that music has become a part of my identity, and tearing it down is akin to tearing down some part of my self. When you say you like to listen to metal, or alternative, or pop, it says something about you, especially if you're a kid. It can affect who you hang out with, what kind of clothes you wear, your hair style, your personality. Some of that stuff can stick with you a long time. I'm 37 and I have heavy metal hair again. :D I still listen to metal, too, even the new stuff.

I think it was Louis Armstrong who, when asked to describe good music, said, "If you like it, it's good." Simple as that. You don't need any justification, and from now on you're not going to hear me giving you a hard time about it.

And neither do mine. I like to turn up the music I enjoy and dance like there's no tomorrow. Forget haters.

But seriously, folks...there's some music out there I can't stand at all, but more power to you if you enjoy it. That's the attitude I try to instill in my students. (Mind you, I make an exception for my wife...I'll always give her crap about her taste in music.)

I kid, I kid!

Oh wait, maybe I don't.

Because music is art, and the positive or negative meaning of any art is mostly (but not entirely) subjective, there is often no "correct" answer. This makes it possible to argue about any art form for lengthy periods of time, whereas an argument over, say, whether 2+2=4 tends to end fairly quickly.

...thinking everyone will ever come to a consensus on a musical artist or band is simply not realistic.

Part of it is not only may you like a certain artist or band because you like how their music sounds, but also because of personal associations you may have with the music. It may remind you of a person, event or place in your life that only really matters to you. So when someone criticizes a band or artist you like, you can often take it personally. Because a really good band or artist to you is someone who makes music at a deeper level than just what you hear on the surface.

It's simply ridiculous to position one's taste in music above that of another person. But it seems to be a favorite pastime of some DUers. Very annoying.

O8)

but stuff that's comfortable enough to dig into AND dynamic enough to change this sort of, comfort zone of identity, is what I'm always rummaging for.

-Brett

It's like any other preference; be it movies, Tv shows, cars or sports teams.
Some just need to tear other's down to make themselves bigger or badder--IMO of course.

I will say I have noticed that a lot of the bands and musicians I do like share my views.