There are few feelings that I cherish more than the feeling of realizing you are in the presence of something new. When I was 12, I thought I really understood rock music. I had been playing guitar for a couple of years, grunge had run its course and become a predictable commodity, I had studied all of the big classic rock stuff. Then I cut on the new album from Radiohead, “Ok Computer”. I felt equal parts discomfort, curiosity, confusion, and excitement. It felt like all of my certainty shattered into a thousand little pieces.
This feeling happens less and less. In a world of algorithmic discovery, where frictionless suggestions are rewarded and brave challenging art is discouraged, I have to constantly remind myself of my formative moment. Fortunately, this feeling came rushing back this past Friday when I put on Dijon’s new album, “Baby”.
Bobby Fisher learned to become a Chess Master by studying the games of previous masters. We should be doing the same thing with entertainment.
On that note, let’s nerd out on a new masterwork, the beauty of discomfort in art, Modernism, German Expressionism, Soul Music, and pedal tones.
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Grateful
jm
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