My musical evolution

Last week in class I got a chance to do a presentation on a band I listened to when I was in high school. This got me thinking about the music I listened to then, as compared to the music I listened to now. I began to think about how much my musical taste has changed, and why. So to start this off, I'm going to post a timeline, featuring samples of songs I listened to at different ages (the ages are approximate). Feel free to laugh at me, I know I do.

I guarantee you that if you listen to all of these songs in their entirety, you will punch your computer at least once. It's simply impossible for one person to enjoy every song on this list.

Age 12 So embarrassing I can't even say it.
Age 13 I know, I know.

I was a preteen, what else do you want me to say about those two?

Age 14 I had to listen to something "cool"

I never really liked rap that much, but in middle school I listened to it a bit. I specifically remember the moment I found out it wasn't cool to like Prozzak when I said that was my favourite band in class and got laughed at. After that I was sure to listen to something more cool, and I think that was all this phase meant to me.

Age 15 The intro to youth group music
Age 16 The continuation of youth group music

My "TFK" and "P.O.D" phase was the first time I really got into music. They were the first bands I really listened to a lot of, and really identified myself with them. They were bands that both sounded like what I considered cool and spoke to me where I was at. I sincerely enjoyed their music during my high school years, but it had much more to do with identity than that. I looked up to the guys in the bands, and wanted to be like them. Right now, I can pretty much only listen to this stuff for nostalgic purposes.

Age 17 The "Christian Metal" Phase
Age 18 And throw in some Hardcore

This is an interesting time to think about. I got into all sorts of hard Christian music. It started with Demon Hunter, then moved into UnderOath, Project 86, Living Sacrifice, Blindside, Emery, and so on. I wanted loud music with righteous lyrics. I think it allowed me to move in to a new space in my identity. One where I didn't have to be your stereotypical Christian who showed up to church with a tie, and listened to Chris Tomlin all day. I was different from a lot of Christians. I was listening to music that a lot of people felt there wasn't room for in the church. But I was also different from other people who listened to that kind of music, because I wasn't into the "drugs, sex and rock and roll" scene. I was being a good Christian in my eyes, but I was also saying that I didn't have to conform. For a lot of people the Christian music scene was about the church reaching out to the music community, for me it was about the music reaching in to the church. Being Christians, and yet being unique. Seeing light where a good portion of the church saw darkness.

Then again maybe I just wanted to headbang.

I still listen to a little bit of this stuff occasionally and I still see value in it.

Age 19 Hey what? It's more mellow

Relient K, a band which I had long hated, suddenly and without warning, won me over. In a time when I was listening to nothing but hard music, a pop-rock band like Relient K came out of nowhere and won me over. I found the music fun, catchy, entertaining, and engaging. Yet I didn't identify with it at all. It wasn't part of who I was, it was just something I liked to listen to. I think this marked a major shift in how and why I listened to music.

Age 20 It's not even Christian Rock!
Age 21 A little Coldplay
Age 22 A little indie
Age 23 As of like, a week ago

The Past few years I've gone very far away from what I listened to in high school. It's not necessarily as hard, it's not necessarily Christian. It's just music that I enjoy listening to. I find I enjoy music that does something a little different from the norm. I like bands that bring in instruments other than the basic guitar-bass-drums combo. I like lyrics that make you think, but don't exactly slap you in the face with their message. These are the things I look for in music. It's no longer based on whether or not they satisfy the loudness quota, whether or not their lyrics agree with my faith, or if I can work them into my identity.

I think a lot of people, especially teenagers are looking for a way to identify themselves. A way to distinguish themselves from the norm, while still joining a group of like minded peers. Music serves that purpose for a lot of them. It did for me. I'm glad it did, I'm glad I had my music to help me figure out who I was. It made me feel free to explore my identity, faith, and ideology on my own terms, a task which I still continue today. I needed music back then to help me do that, but I think I've grown past the point of needing music for that. I still find myself engaging with music in different ways. It still has the power to grab me emotionally or intellectually. It still has the power to bring me back to my most important memories, give me hope for the future, or make me think about things in ways I haven't before. In a very real way music still plays a large role in my life, it's just an altered role.

It's interesting, how thinking about my musical evolution brought me from laughing at my own musical tastes, to making me realise how big of an impact music truly had, and continues to have, on my life.

On that note, anyone know any good bands?