Before 2009 was over, I was already thinking about paying more attention to music, especially to help myself understand the various aspects of pop culture I had ignored for nearly 25 years. In a sort of strange coincidence, I received a copy of the latest Spin Magazine courtesy of Lollapalooza last week. I’m not sure how they deemed I was worthy of such a gift, but thank you.

Music always confused me. I never understood why people were so vocal in support or opposition of particular artists or songs. Why would I care what you think of a song? I often viewed music as a highly personal experience subject to countless variables, most important of which are our ears. Like color, tastes and smells, we experience sound in a unique manner. What sounds good to me, may sound terrible to you. However I decided to take a new approach to interpreting the musical opinions of others. I realized that music reviews are similar to tasting notes of scotch or wine,  which are essentially one’s interpretations of the elements and flavors that make up the finished product. While some liquors and wines can have flavors similar to citrus, vanilla, coffee or tobacco, similarly, an album may have influences of Simon and Garfunkel or the Clash. We’ll see if this approach is helpful, it’s certainly already changed what I think of music reviews.

In the meantime I’m going to cruise through Spin’s 40 Best Albums of 2009.

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