The Glade 4.0

Lately I've been purchasing a lot of music from my youth to finally have my own definitive collection. I've finally got a good "'90s Alternative" playlist I am satisfied with and have moved on to a bit more pop-y stuff from the mid-to-late '80s and early '90s (my first taste of freedom was my own personal radio at age 11 and discovering new music that my parents didn't listen to).

This new playlist includes bands like Information Society, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Milli Vanilli, INXS, Tears for Fears, and even Vanilla Ice. And while I am driving around blasting Janet's "Escapade" on my car stereo, my giant subwoofer thumping out the beat, it occurred to me that the vast majority of people today don't listen to this type of music. And they certainly avoid and dislike the stuff like Milli Vanilli and Vanilla Ice.

That made me think.... does this mean I am a non-conformist? Does this mean that this music that the rest of the majority despises is actually and technically now considered "punk"?

The thought made me grin evilly.

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Les Zombis et les Loups-Garous!

You know what would be super-hardcore punk?

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Sometimes people want to put labels on things. It can be easier to put people in nice little categories because it gives you a template on how to deal with them. And hey, sometimes people want labels put on them so that they can feel special. There are folks who are obsessed with being non-conformist, rebellious, whatever you call it. They'll do whatever isn't popular so they can feel good about how anti-mainstream they are. They used to call it punk, now it's hipster, and who knows in another decade what it'll be. Don't let them fool you, it's just another attempt at being exclusionary to make them feel superior.

If a million different people look at you and try to get a perspective, you'll get a million slightly-different perspectives.

Do what makes you happy. Listen to the music you enjoy because you enjoy it. Accept others for who they are, even if they don't like the same things as you. If you do this, you won't care what labels people put on you.


(But seriously man, there's a difference between non-conformance and just plain bad music. Milli Vanilli? You're better than that!)

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Nothin' wrong with Milli Vanilli. Some people like their music. Some people like Nickelback. Some people juggle geese.

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Go back to zero, take a pill, and get well ~ Lemmy Kilmister

Blame it on the raaaaiiiin yeah yeah!! Blame it on the staaaaaaaaarrrsss that shine at night but whatever youu doooooo dont put the blame ON YOOOOOUUUUUUUU blame it on the raaaaiiiin yeaaaahhhh yeaaaaahhhh!!

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"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus of Nazareth

Buh buppah baby. Don't forget my number!

I'm all about the "do what makes you happy" philosophy. Listen to what you want to.

If you're listening to Milli Vanilli, though, and someone else is within range to hear it, that's just wrong.

Keep it to yourself. We'll all be better off.

No point if flying a flag if no one can see it. Sing loud and sing proud brother. If they don't like it, **** them and the horse they rode in on.

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Raell Kromwell