Be In Love

Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Location: Work/Car/Home
Task #3

Album: Be In Love
By: Locksley

1. Love You Too                    7. The Whip
2. Darling, It's True                 8. Down For Too Long
3. One More Minute               9. On Fire
4. Days of Youth                  10. It Isn't Love
5. 21st Century                     11. The Way That We Go
6. Away From Here             12. The World Isn't Waiting

Now, I don't know much about music. But when I listened to this CD, I was immediately reminded of the ska music my brother used to try to "school" me on. Which makes sense, because I borrowed  this album from him. It also reminded me a bit of the Strokes, maybe even the Donnas. As I continue to listen, they even have a slight Neon Trees quality.  But like I said, I don't know anything about music and I know there is some band that more accurately compares to Locksley.

Did you know that "The Whip", track # 7, is the new theme song to the American Family Insurance commercial? I didn't until I listened to the album obviously. It's funny for two reasons. One, I happen to find that commercial to be very catchy. Two, it reminds me of the Blue Cross Blue Shield commercial with the song "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes playing in the background, and a while back,  before they had even minor notoriety, Neon Trees' "Animal" was featured in Vegas travel campaigns.

When I notice this,  I can't help but ask myself whether the commercials destroy any credibility the bands have as artists, does it betray their authenticity and originality? Does selling your song for an ad constitute "selling out", or is it simply a way to get yourself on the map, even if it is a  corrupt spot, somewhere near Sin City (or in the case of Neon Trees, exactly in Sin City)?

  I'm inclined toward the affirmative - yes it does destroy the respective band's credibility.  Commercials are generic and meant to appeal to a broad variety of people. Plus, they trend to the misleading and disingenuous.  Which in turn leaves the same stain on the band now associated with the industry of mainstream consumerism in general.  I guess it's difficult for musicians in general,  for performers, to altogether avoid this, if they want to get their music heard. And it doesn't necessarily mean the music is on a whole automatically garbage.  It just seems superficially that artists that come up through the ranks on their own, are in fact the artists. And the stigma of "selling out" automatically puts in our head the product is mass produced, generic swill.

But I digress; that's a debate for another time. The point here was supposed to be about the album specifically, and the experience of partaking in previously unknown music.

I have to say I enjoyed the CD.  And ironically, so far, my favorite track is "The Whip". (Perhaps it's osmosis due to over exposure.) However, it's more novelty for me. I am enjoying learning the music, the words, the melodies, but it's not "my type" of music. It's not my go to when I need to rock out in the car and embarrass myself for the drivers around me. I can't sing to it really. Maybe I could do a silly dance/head bob thing as I drive along on my way to work, but like I said it's more a novelty thing for me. Like "Chelsea's Dagger" by the Fratellis, you don't listen to it for the amazing musical quality, it's a fun little catchy tune, which is great, it serves its purpose, but that's really it.  Locksley would probably be a lot of fun live though...

But now that I think of it, music, clearly,  doesn't have to be serious. Sometimes it's just fun. That's a little barrier I realize I put up with new music. It doesn't always have to mean something.  And sometimes it can be both - the more I listen to Be In Love, the more I see that there is meaning in there too.   Hmm, look at that, I just taught myself something.Whatever the music, it's amazing how it can speak to us, move us, sometimes even unite us. Now I doubt my preferences will completely change here, but I should be more open to variety- all music (well almost).