1.20.13 Adam concert in Estonia with ELTON!!

That pic with sarah is really new??? I thought she re-uploaded an old one... hmm.

holst: Your essay fooled me.  When you started I thought you were going to say that during your long drive home you listened to pop music and discovered that much of what you missed was surprisingly good with good singers, creative melodies and harmonies, and meaningful lyrics.  I was then going to reply with  . Are you freakin' kidding me?   ???

Instead, your take on the music resembled mine.  Basically, what a waste of my ears and brain.  Over the past couple of years since becoming an Adam super-fan I have tried listening to pop radio, somehow thinking that if I become more knowledgeable about the genre Adam wants to smash, I will be a more loyal fan.  I end up feeling irritated, frustrated, and/or bored.  I decided a little while ago that my fandom is going to have to be supporting Adam's efforts and listening to/watching him, but the rest of the time going back to music that actually sounds great and makes me feel good.  

To those of you who enjoy the pop music of the past several decades, I mean no disrespect to you.  Research has demonstrated that our musical tastes are largely formed by the music we grew up with before we were old enough to drive a car or buy a beer. In the case of holst and me, I'm guessing we both heard classical music (obviously, since be both play(ed) violin), musical theater, and standards from the American Songbook sung by folks like Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Judy Garland.  Perhaps a little jazz from Dave Brubeck and George Shearing?  This music programmed my brain to be attracted to music much different from pop.  And country (shudder).  

The research does give me a slight hope with regard to what I may some day hear from Adam.  We know that in his early years he was immersed in musical theater and show tunes.  He sang with a jazz band and his mom played Al Jareau.  He performed in a classical choir.  So maybe, just maybe, in the distant future, Adam will create music with those influences and we will hear music that resonates with our brain's programming sung by the world's greatest singer.  In the meantime, I get to enjoy the consummate performer, Adam Lambert, doing vocal exercises on the treadmill.  

Your view is nicely expressed, holst!  

Just bringing up a comment that my hubby made a while back (he's not a glambert, but he introduced me to Adam). While his preferences are quite different from mine (he pays more attention to lyrics and witty/quirky ones appeal to him, my attention gets caught more by melody and emotional weight) - he appreciates all types of music and EXPECTS that popular music should have at least one of the following : good lyrics, catchy melody, good vocals. In his words,  "too many songs on the radio now don't do ANY of that!"  Lyrics - no effort to rhyme or tell a story, usually just about sex (not even romance/love!). Melody - monotonous. Vocals - nasal braying. He teaches 17-20 year olds, and makes an effort to listen to current music to help keep in touch with their interests, but that doesn't mean he likes it.

He also mentioned that there was a study of some sort that measured, um, diversity of music or something? That somehow quantified the vocabulary and range of musical tones used in popular songs.... and he said it proved that in the last couple of decades (since the late 90s or so) there's been a sharp decline in those measures for songs commonly heard on the radio. No idea where he got that from - has anyone else heard of something like that?  If it's true, then it might validate our complaints. :D

C'mon, he is acting - I think. Just starting anyway. No sweat at all, look at his face colour - and not really out of breath. Or maybe I missed it all and need to rewatch it...???