Soothing the savage beast

One of the important constants throughout my four decades of life has been music. As a youngster, the radio became a friend of sorts; I was introduced to pop music on 95.9FM (can't remember what they were called back then) and classic rock on CHOM 97.7FM. I'd guess I preferred the former, since I wasn't really a fan of loud 'devil music' (as my dear Dad would refer to it).

The 1980s was a wonderful era for radio; pop acts (including one hit wonders) ruled the airwaves, alternative songs crept into High School dance playlists, and sing along rock anthems blared from speakers. I have fond memories of walking into Sam The Record Man with my sister, allowed to buy my very own music; I walked out with Can't Slow Down by Lionel Ritchie, and Cyndi Lauper's debut cassette, and played them until the tape snapped.

While maturing into a cranky and misunderstood adolescent, I disregarded Top 40 'junk' and focused on fringe music played by Claude Rajotte during his weekly Monday night new music program. I thirsted for interesting, challenging songs, and was rewarded with tunes by The Stone Roses, Charlatans UK, New Order, and The Cure. I began to frequent Cheap Thrills, a used record shop downtown, and picked up my very first compact disc: Soul Mining by The The (which I still own to this very day).

Music provided me a sense of belonging; I felt like I held a special secret, enjoying songs that the mainstream was clueless about. Songs gave me happiness during rough times, helping distract me from day to day life, or providing a soundtrack for moments, good and bad, that forever remain ingrained in my memories.

I listen to the radio occassionally, but more often to dozens of mixed cds I've created with my all-time favorite songs. My headphones are usually the first thing I reach for when I slump at my drawing table, and I couldn't get through my time on the treadmill without them. My tastes have settled as follows: I don't care if a song is rap, pop, folk or 'alternative'; if it sounds good, I'll enjoy it, without feeling a need to label it. Some current favorite bands include Owl City and Vampire Weekend.

I've always felt that a good song is a journey, with a beginning, middle and end. I find it cool that music has been a part of my own journey through life, and like Queen sang so appropriately, 'radio, someone still loves you'.