is my taste in music good?

[the Dept of Science]

[stuff]
Except the difference is that a car has a purpose.
[more stuff]
To suggest I avoid the latter band because the former is better is ridiculous.

Music doesn't have a purpose? Even if that purpose is just "to dance to" or "to relax myself", pretty much all music has some purpose or function ("to enjoy" is a given in the same way as "to drive" is to a car). Obviously some music fits certain functions better than others, I wouldn't listen to Metallica when I'm trying to relax, I wouldn't put Leonard Cohen on in a club and a I wouldn't put Slick Rick on a mix-tape for a girl.
Furthermore, when a bands particular sound has been done better by another band, there is not much reason to listen to the first band. I don't think that people should listen to Owl City because the Postal Service did that sound so well, Owl City just sounds lame and derivative by comparison. If someone told me they were a fan of Owl City, I would point them towards the Postal Service, then say "ok, now you've heard the best that sound has to offer, look for something different". Considering how much variety that is possible in music, I don't see this as limiting in any way.

The only things I could really consider "bad" music taste would be either a narrow one or a poorly informed one.

 

[The Rockerfly]

It's alright but very boring. They are all very safe which music corporations have identified as profitable and made mainstream

Maybe try increasing your horizons? You find a lot of great music out there which these bands wouldn't even consider thinking about

Furthermore, when a bands particular sound has been done better by another band, there is not much reason to listen to the first band. I don't think that people should listen to Owl City because the Postal Service did that sound so well, Owl City just sounds lame and derivative by comparison. If someone told me they were a fan of Owl City, I would point them towards the Postal Service

Funny that, me and most of my six form buddies love Owl City but think the postal service are terrible in comparison.

 

[astrav1]

I personally think your taste in music--aside from the Gorillaz--is bad. But that doesn't matter if you like it then that's all that matters.

 

[The Buck Stops Here]

I like it how a lot of people say "LISTEN TO WHATEVER YOU WANT, IT'S ALL SUBJECTIVE" then proceed to list the musical genres that are OBVIOUSLY terrible no matter what you like

I'm into rap, mostly innovative artists from the 80s and 90s and underground stuff in the 00s. I don't really care what you listen to. People who do try and force their opinions on you about musical taste are missing the point, and they're also control freaks. If you enjoy what you listen to, go ahead and listen to it.

 

[Willis_D]

No one else can really say it's a bad taste in music. Everyone likes different things. All that matters is that you like it.

 

[The Bum]

i have been arguing about my taste in music with a few guys, so i have to check if i was right.
is my taste in music good or bad?
i like the killers, coldplay, onerepublic and gorillaz.
i like more but htose are my faves

Well I don't consider it good but that's irrelevant.

The basic rule is this: if you like it, it's awesome. If you don't, it sucks.

Music is 100% subjective.

take it from him he's got his own batman style symbol for advice giving

 

[silentsentinel]

Nobody has the right to tell you anything about your taste in music. You like what you like, and you should stand by what you like.

 

[MattyDienhoff]

Two things:

1.) Art in general, and music in particular, is highly subjective. I do believe that some music is just plain sub-par, particularly if it's unimaginative or overly simplistic. For example, a good portion of electronic dance music is just bland, repetitive crap with very little variation in tone or style.

2.) Taste is an ever-changing cultural measuring stick of quality that everyone is aware of, and of which everyone has a slightly different interpretation. My point? Asking a group of people (like us) if you have good taste is essentially asking us our opinions of your opinions. I don't see the point.

For the record, I think you have okay taste in music.

 

[Diligent]

Taste is relative, you like what you like, your taste is not good or bad. Unless you dislike Ronald Jenkees, in which case it's bad.

Thank you for making me aware of this guy. It seems like he is absurdly talented, and genuinely enjoys the music he makes.

OT: Everybody has already stated the answer to your question many times. Your opinion is your own etc etc.

 

[YoUnG205]

I don't really get the question.... I mean no taste in music is good it's just what you like. could be pop could be death metal and everything in between.

 

[the Dept of Science]

I don't think that music (or art in general) is entirely subjective. If you like something, then yes, noone can say you don't like it. However, there is no contradiction in saying that you like something bad, or don't enjoy something good.
If there is any musician in existence which you think is in some way "bad", then you do in some way believe that music can be meaningfully assessed.
I think the "art is entirely subjective" thing quickly descends into counter-intuitions or inconsistencies. If you believe that there is no grounds upon which to say one musician is better than another, then why would a musician practice? By Art-is-subjective logic, I wouldn't be getting any better by practicing my instrument, because even if I played like Art Tatum, there would be no grounds to saying that I was better than someone that didn't play piano at all, because it would all be taste. Hey, why even listen to other musicians, the noise I may when I drum my fingers on the table is just as good as a Mozart symphony.
Furthermore, there are some qualities of music that seem to be taken as good in themselves, regardless of personal taste. No-one would say that a "innovation" or "technical skill" are detrimental characteristics. Obviously, its not as simple as that, its very difficult to define "good music", considering that, for example, the Ramones are considered one of the best bands of all time, despite negligible technical skill or innovation. However, the fact that "good music" is an ellusive concept, does not mean that we do not have some idea of it.

Saying "different people like different things" is not sufficient proof to say that all art is subjective. Some people may not think that 2+2=4, but that doesn't mean that maths is subjective. You may appeal to the fact that you cannot say one persons opinion is more valid than anothers, but I think we have all experienced some personal progress in music taste. My ability to assess music is much more honed now than it was when I first started listening to music. For example, with increasing knowledge, I have a better idea about whats an acceptable trope, whats a cliche and what is a genuine innovation.

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

I like Killers and Gorillaz, but that is irrelevant.

If you like it, who cares what others think. Your taste in music is your own.

Stay Strong whoo hooo!

 

[bartman675]

to me they suck, but it your music like whatever you want

 

[Weaver]

You can't have a good taste in music, you can only have your taste in music.