How can anyone even listen to music???

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by lasti

Yeah, our definitions definitely differ .

I think you have to figure out what you like and not just what you don't like. Listen to different genres, to music of other cultures and languages, to music that is not so well known... Then you will know what you're looking for in music and are more likely to find it.

I'm going to release a german electro-pop album (for free of course). Maybe there's a chance you don't vomit when you listen to it.

I've rarely had THAT reaction... although Brittany has tickled the gag reflex a few times.

[Lucas]

You have the choice to turn the radio off, or the cd. Rarely are you forced to listen to anything you dont want to unless you work in a grocery store or an elevator.

Music is so kinetic that the same song by 2 different people will never sound similar. Plus context is neverending. If it weren't for context we would have run out of music so long ago. Our wester scale has what, 9 notes? Thats not a lot to work with.

Because there happens to be music that annoys you, well, welcome to the club. However theres so much music in the world you could never listen to it all. Instead of bitching about the music you dont like...turn it off and try to define the music you do like and find bands and musicians who produce that kind of music.

I love instrumental music like may others here, but even that is a broad term. The instrumental rock I like is awash in distortion, delay, loud guitar and feedback.

Find your niches

[GonzoCeltic]

At my old job I -- and a few other people that had some sense -- was practically forced to listen to the junk as you're talking about, Dannyboy1.

Most of it was rap -- which, to me, should be called 'dance music', 'club rap,' or 'hip pop' -- and it drove us few that had some taste for music crazy.

A lot of the stuff I listen to varies. As this applies to many people, it depends on my mood. I like a lot of oldies, even the stuff from before my time. I don't know if you can call it 'instrumental-esque' music or not, but I like the stuff they play in Books-A-Million when I'm reading -- it helps me focus and naturally relaxes me.

[SunnKali]

Dannyboy - you might have fun checking out Pandora Internet Radio. I usually listen to New Age or Instrumental on it -- David Arkenstone, Secret Garden, Liquid Mind, David Lanz etc, but today I decided to try out something different and chose Alan Parson's Project. When you chose an artist, it will play a song from that artist, then it will play other artist's music with a similar feel to it and you can rate it so it "learns" what you like on your station. For my Alan Parson's Project experiment, it played Pink Floyd and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Moody Blues which I liked and gave a thumbs up to, yet also Queen, and Electric Light Orchestra which I gave a thumbs down, so it won't play any more of those. I really like Pandora Radio for times when I'm bored with my CD collection and want to mix up my listening pleasure.

[Peyem]

I didn't read this whole thread, but I think you're just looking at mainstream music, which I agree, is horrible at the moment.

Random artists that popped into my head that I like:
Explosions in the Sky -- instrumental
Regina Spektor -- Vocal, but hardly fits your description of music

I have a notoriously bad memory for remembering band names when called upon to do so, so I'll leave it at that. I would suggest Pandora if no one else did.

Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music

It's free, put in a band that you like, and it will create a radio station of similar music. If you don't like something, vote it down and they'll never play it again. I've found dozens of bands I like through it.

[Trezker]

Just like I don't think a painting with some random lines and rectangles is not art. I think music produced in factory like conditions are not art.

I don't listen to any music that I don't experience as a work of art.
Right now I'm listening to Ayreon, now that's art in its highest form if you ask me.