A friend of mine recently gave me an iPod. She had two and she didn’t really need two so she gave me one. I showed her immense gratitude and have showered her with Starbucks and massages ever since.
And when I first got it, it was like finding religion. I think. I’m actually a godless heathen who thinks that religion is not only a crutch, but the cause of most of what’s wrong in this world. Still getting an Ipod was a near religious experience.
I say that because I really do love music. Despite my lack of musical ability (the only thing musical that I can play are CDs) music truly is one of my passions. I collect music and about the only times when I’m not listening to it is when I’m watching television or when I’m at work (and even then there’s music in the background.)
So getting an iPod and having hundreds of songs at my disposal (it’s a Mini) seemed like it would completely open me up to new things and broaden my horizon, right? I mean doesn’t that make sense?
Wrong.
Y’see before the iPod, I was listening to music on minidisc. That was 80 minutes of music. I could put an album on there. Or I could make a single artist mix. And was completely fine with that. I actually enjoyed that. The limiting nature of that format meant that only the songs that I truly loved would make it on a mix. I’d have actually have favorites and those would be the songs that made the cut. That finite nature let my mixes to actually building and having momentum. They could rise and fall. Things could build and slow down.
But with the iPod, things are too wide open. Case in point; my playlist for The Roots. It’s 4.4 hours long and spans 60 tracks. That’s not a mix or a playlist, that’s an afternoon.
And that’s not the only thing I became flustered with about the iPod. The other thing was that the device does indeed hold hundreds of songs. Before I was limited to the minidiscs I had on my person. It was pretty much going to H mix or album C. It was really rare that I’d play out a song.
But now I can keep my favorite songs on the iPod as something to fall back on, which ultimately will stunt my musical growth. Here’s a peek at my Top 10 Most Played (and my rationale for playing it so much)
Kenna “Out of Control” (10 times) – I’ve been fiending for a new album by Kenna for years, and being teased with this song in the PSP commercial completely baited my appetite. As a result I play this song way too much.
Alec Baldwin’s Irate Voice Mail to Ireland (10 times) – I love Alec Baldwin, that this monologue probably ties with his Blake scene from Glengarry Glen Ross as my favorite Alec Baldwin moments. It even sounds like it could have been scripted by Mamet. Ultimately this will probably end up being the most played track on my Ipod.
9th Wonder, Mos Def, Jean Grae & Memphis Bleek “Crookly Dodgers III” (9 times) – I’m a fan of ¾’s of this collaboration. I’m also a longtime fan of the Crooklyn Dodger’s songs. And this one actually lived up to the legacy, for the most part.
Buckshot, Masta Ace, Special Ed, Q-tip “Crooklyn” (9 times) – The original Crooklyn Dodgers line up and probably my favorite hip-hop beat of all time. This song is why that era is my Golden Age of Hip-hop. I really have a hard time coming up with words to describe how much I love this song.
O.C., Jeru, Chubb Rock, DJ Premier “Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers” (7 times) – The second Crooklyn Dodgers line up and it didn’t fail to impress. I’m a fan of Jeru’s, but I think that his verse on this is possibly his finest moment. O.C. held his own and even Chubb Rock’s gimmicky flow isn’t off-putting.
Albert Hammond Jr “101” (6 times) – I keep meaning to pick this album up and I do like this song. But it’s also on this list for a dubious reason; it’s the song that immediately follows Alec Baldwin’s voice mail under the “Songs” category. I mean I dig song, but it’s not like I’m seeking it out, I just let it play.
Sufjan Stevens “Dumb I Sound” (6 times) – This isn’t my favorite Sufjan song, it’s just my favorite, right now. I like the tortured lament in this song. Plus I often find myself in that situation.
Queens of the Stone Age “Go With the Flow” (5 times) – Probably my favorite QOTSA songs. I love intensity of the song. I dig the message. It’s kind of a mantra that I follow, when I need that kind of thing.
Ane Brun “Rubber & Soul” (4 times) – This is on Paste compilation, and I just love this song. I love the very basic production. I love the vulnerability in her voice. I’m basically just shy of jumping headfirst into Ane Brun’s catalogue. (A shame I can’t find it to share it with you.)
Bilal “Make Me Over” – (4 times) – This song from the long shelved Love 4 Sale album is one of my faves. I love how the song delves into a free for all. I love the message of someone completely relinquishing themselves to another.
See, that’s what I’m talking about. Now, don’t get me wrong; I love all of those songs. But, in the days of pre-iPod Mathan, it’d probably be five albums up there as opposed to songs. I’ve not really delved into albums as much lately, because I’ve had songs that I could get attached to (or was attached to) at my disposal. And for a guy who really believes in the “album experience” it’s troubling.
But again, don’t get me wrong; I’m not about to give up the convenience of an iPod. I’ve just got to work on being disciplined.
