Best Ever Albums

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

creator — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:24:44 GMT

Author: creator

Posted: 08/15/2017 15:24

Discovering new music is a hobby just like gardening or knitting. Most people can take care of a potted plant, but how many people can tell a tulip from a lisianthus? The most important factor is how much time an individual is willing to invest - not their age, sex, race, etc..

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Temporary33 — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 09:37:43 GMT

Author: Temporary33

Posted: 08/15/2017 13:37

Gowi wrote:

I don’t think it does. I think I question experience, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding over something as simple as age. I suppose sites like BEA is part of the reason why I don’t really seem affected by the age of a particular user or not – there are many users on this site and others who are younger than me and have a background or comprehension of genre material that I still don’t grasp. This is also true in the inverse of knowing people older who don’t really know what they are talking about; but that is most often to do with other factors than something as arbitrary as a numerical estimate of one’s age.

While I tend to agree with this, it seems more likely that an older music fan is to comprehend music of his time more so than someone who comes in and listens to it later. The whole "experience, wisdom, and understanding" bit is something that correlates directly to age. The older you are, the more likely it is you possess all three within certain parameters. There's no doubt that age doesn't necessarily dictate you possess any of these qualities, but it increases the chances of possessing these qualities as with experience generally comes understanding and wisdom and with age generally comes experience.

Though I will say I'm disliking this whole shift some people have over the last 10 maybe even 20 (if it dates that far back I wouldn't know) years where they think that age more likely gives you foolishness or stupidity rather than wisdom which is, to me, a complete waste of resources. This is obviously off topic though, but it's something I dislike in certain people where they dismiss entirely how age can actually affect other qualities of a person in a positive manner.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

carpents — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:00:40 GMT

Author: carpents

Posted: 08/15/2017 12:00

Words wrote:

Today's culture really bums me out because the things we are glorifying are just in the moment and that really doesn't last.

If it makes you feel better, every generation thinks this.

To the OP: Age is going to influence what music was accessible in that all-important musical discovery stage of life. It's going to color everything after whether you want it to or not.

However, we've broken down barriers to accessing music. I have a family account with that rotten streaming service, so my son can listen to millions of albums any time he wants to. When I was his age, we were scouring bargain bins for good deals on CDs because we couldn't afford to buy new ones. Much of those finds were hidden gems that were 5-20 years old at the time, so it wasn't necessarily the music of 'my' generation.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

RoundTheBend — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 14:07:56 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 08/14/2017 18:07

Gowi wrote:

Well said.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

glynspsa — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:04:15 GMT

Author: glynspsa

Posted: 08/14/2017 16:04

I'm 45 and my favorite period of music is 1966-1972. So I am a fan of music mostly from before i was born. i do like most genres of music except for those real loud head ache inducing speed metal. I used to be a preppy but a dead head, now i am more hippie than when i was young, so i never judge fans of a band by the media. Even Juggalos I have met some real nice ones. now i hate ICP but hey to each his own.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

RockyRaccoon — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 11:20:29 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 08/14/2017 15:20

I would have to echo what Gowi said. I don't think someone's age necessarily plays a part, though like he said, I may question their experience with a genre initially simply because, as younger people, they may be new to listening to music intently or new to a genre or something.

That being said, BEA is full of folks who are much younger than me and have way more musical knowledge than I do, so it's entirely possible for younger people to be well-versed in music, you've just gotta talk with them to find out. Don't judge a book by it's cover and all.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

RoundTheBend — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:25:01 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 08/13/2017 23:25

There are rarely black and white answers/truths. As stated, context helps.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

CA Dreamin — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 14:15:03 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 08/13/2017 18:15

Words, this isn't a silly question. It's a good discussion and Gowi, bobby, and Michael have made great points.

I agree with Words that when listening to music, it's helpful to think of the environment the music was created in to gain a better perspective. We can consider the political climate, the cultural climate, etc. But sometimes, as bobby has suggested, maybe the best way to experience music was to be there when it was first released? Which is only possible depending on your age.

My favorite music suggests I'm older than I actually am. When I talk to older people who share my music taste, it's always a fun conversation. However I've received sideways glances, as if I can't possibly like the music as much as they do because they were when it was first released, and I wasn't. But whatever, I can't help what music resonates with me. I may have missed out on a bigger, better experience, but there's nothing I can do about that. I was born too late.

Anyway, age definitely affects your perception. But as Gowi has pointed out, there are other factors...experience and open-mindedness for example. And age does not always correlate to those. For example, baby-boomers who won't listen to anything post-1975.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Tha1ChiefRocka — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:21:02 GMT

Author: Tha1ChiefRocka

Posted: 08/12/2017 14:21

I felt like an old curmudgeon at the Green Day concert last night, because most of their audience is teen age girls.
I was working security; not attending the event.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 05:14:44 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 09:14

Words wrote:

Very true. I mean, how do I reply to this? I guess for me when I listen to older music I like to think of the culture of yesteryear the best I can. That leaves me with family stories and CNN decade specials to work with. Some albums feel more like a time capsule like 'Innuendo' from Queen and the whole aids scare. Today's culture really bums me out because the things we are glorifying are just in the moment and that really doesn't last. Who knows, maybe it will get better. My generation hasn't grown up yet haha..........but I would still recommend a bomb shelter though. What were we talking about again?

Yeah, I think I found a similar thing when I was younger. Everyone kind of making snap judgements and a culture of building things up and knocking them down quickly. Could get pretty annoying sometimes 🤐

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 04:54:21 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 08:54

Gowi wrote:

For me, it goes to the whole theorem of “validity vs invalidity of opinions”, which I guess can seem a bit elitist or pretentious in retrospect but for my purview I don’t particularly see it that way. Bob actually made a point that context is important and a lot of people don’t recognize or try to understand the context or intent of a piece and kind of judge it by shallow merits. To me, that would be an invalid opinion or an opinion without much weight. I’ve seen it from both sides of the aisle (younger commentators and older commentators).

Do you need to have wisdom, understanding, etc. to rate an album based on how it resonates with you? No, absolutely not. But in a discussion about the music in question I would say it does.

Yeah, I agree with your point. I definitely value reviews and charts when I think the user has tried to engage "more fully" with the listening experience, which in some cases I guess would mean trying to appreciate the context and intentions of the album more thoughtfully. I kind of feel that really great albums shouldn't require too much homework, but at least a little bit of patience and open-mindedness on the part of the listener is probably needed. And like you said before, being older does not necessarily mean a more open-minded, patient or thoughtful approach. However, I also get the point youth-orientated pop culture often cultivates loud, fast and polarising opinions that don't particularly contribute to an interesting discussion.[/i]

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 20:52:15 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/12/2017 00:52

bobbyb5 wrote:

Definitely. Im in my 40s now, and I've noticed something that I never would have guessed. When younger people talk to me about the music of the past, I notice that they view it through the same lens that they view today's music. and it just doesn't fit. This is really hard to explain and I'm not I sure I can, but I think it has something to do with context. Allmost like you had to have been there when this older music was released to have an accurate view of it. I noticed that people younger than me talk about it in a completely different way than the people I know who are my age or older. They tend to focus on the personalities and styles of the people and the music. Today's pop music culture is so driven by image and personality that music made today is very different than the music of the past. The priorities of today are nothing like the priorities of the past. And really can't be viewed through the same lens.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Hayden — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 20:14:24 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 08/12/2017 00:14

Age affects your perception of everything, so, yes. I'd say it does.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

mickilennial — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:58:59 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 08/11/2017 23:58

Michael1981 wrote:

Good point. But I would question whether experience and expertise is really needed to rate albums effectively. Maybe there are alternative standards, like honesty and thoughtfulness, that anyone can draw on to rate albums effectively, regardless of their level of expertise? #-o

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 09:35:29 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/11/2017 13:35

Gowi wrote:

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

bobbyb5 — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 06:44:46 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 08/11/2017 10:44

Definitely. Im in my 40s now, and I've noticed something that I never would have guessed. When younger people talk to me about the music of the past, I notice that they view it through the same lens that they view today's music. and it just doesn't fit. This is really hard to explain and I'm not I sure I can, but I think it has something to do with context. Allmost like you had to have been there when this older music was released to have an accurate view of it. I noticed that people younger than me talk about it in a completely different way than the people I know who are my age or older. They tend to focus on the personalities and styles of the people and the music. Today's pop music culture is so driven by image and personality that music made today is very different than the music of the past. The priorities of today are nothing like the priorities of the past. And really can't be viewed through the same lens.

Re: Does age affect your perception of music fans?

mickilennial — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 06:01:06 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 08/11/2017 10:01

I don’t think it does. I think I question experience, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding over something as simple as age. I suppose sites like BEA is part of the reason why I don’t really seem affected by the age of a particular user or not – there are many users on this site and others who are younger than me and have a background or comprehension of genre material that I still don’t grasp. This is also true in the inverse of knowing people older who don’t really know what they are talking about; but that is most often to do with other factors than something as arbitrary as a numerical estimate of one’s age.

Does age affect your perception of music fans?

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 05:24:56 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/11/2017 09:24

I know it's a silly question, but from my experience it's been mixed. It's both "Wow your ___ and you know that band?" And "Well that says a lot. Knowing how old you are."

I love music but I don't go looking for music because of blah blah blah. I look for music because I'm looking for something to relate to (most of the time, I love music for music too) in this world...and there isn't much so I end up finding records I like 6-10 times A month but I'm actually finding tons of records a month. Not to say I only like 6-10 records that I've listen to...you get the point.

To be honest my mind is just full of thoughts and I need to get some out. 🙄