Just Older

Today is my first post of the new year. I took the month of December off to participate in the holiday craziness in an attempt to make beautiful memories for my family. Did I succeed? Probably not. But while I wasn't thinking about music so much, I was able to pay attention to music. And here's what I came away with.

1. I don't get the fascination with Lady Gaga. Okay, she writes her own stuff, but I don't think she's a good singer. How would she sound without ProTools and all sorts of electronic wizardry behind her? The costumes are an attempt to keep the spotlight on her as much as possible. To me, she's Madonna 2.0. Madonna did it first, and did it brilliantly, and is still doing it. Somehow I don't think Lady Gaga will still be relevant in 25 years.
2. I do, however, like Taylor Swift. Again, she's not a great singer but unlike Lady Gaga she's not contrived. For her age, her songwriting chops are impressive and I think she'll only get better with time. I also think she's a good role model for young girls.
3. Will someone please tell Mr. Jon Bon Jovi to stop rewriting "Living On A Prayer?" You're so far away from the working class roots you cater to in your songs that it just doesn't ring true anymore.
4. I think it's completely unfair that Adam Lambert got blasted for his performance at the American Music Awards. Madonna and Britney kissing is titillating, but Adam kissing a man is horrible. Absolutely wrong.
5. True talent lasts. I couldn't help but be moved by performances by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Sting and U2 at the televised showings of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary show and the Kennedy Center Honors.

This past weekend, I was at a family party and the subject of music came up with some of my younger cousins. When asked what kind of music she liked, my 14 year old cousin replied "Screamo." Excuse me? Apparently, this is a new classification for emo punk. She named a bunch of bands I'd never heard of, except for My Chemical Romance, and I'm hard pressed to give you a song title even though I've heard of the band.

That conversation, in addition to my little list of observations about the past month, started me thinking. Had I become one of those people? One of those people who decry new music while glorifying classic rock? One of those people who claim everything after (insert your own date here) sucks?

Had I become - gulp - OLD?

No. No, I refuse to go there. While I am going to be 40 this year, I can still rock out with the best of them. I still turn it to 11 (granted, it's usually when I'm in the car without the kids, but still). I refuse to turn into one of those people. To quote Bon freakin' Jovi, I'm not old, just older. It will never be too loud.

So this year, my musical resolution is to have an open mind and open ears. But I still won't be buying any Lady Gaga.