Why do you like..?

[Sumire_hitsugi]

Whenever I listen to a song by a band I'm checking up on, I usually zone in on the vocalist. About 95% of the bands I listen to have a male vocalist and there's a certain tone that appeals to me. If the tone is too nasally, high, or bland, then I get turned off. Don't get me wrong; I listen to the music as well, ahahaha. For example, Kra's 'Mutaku to mutaku to' or however the hell you spell it . . . . I wasn't really fond of the vocalist, but I really dug the music.

If the music is catchy and has a certain 'something', then I just listen to it however much I want. I'm not one for technical proficiency, either . . . because I don't know anything about music composition and such. But of course, that doesn't prevent anyone from enjoying what they like . . . right?

As for songs I don't like . . . . it would have to be if the song doesn't seem like it's going anywhere and it makes me lose attention to it. So if a song makes me zone out of it instead of into it, then that's not a good sign. Also, some factors in the song that annoy me . . . like, using repetitive parts waaaaaaaay too much or sounds equivalent to 'nails on a chalkboard' kind of thing.

 

[Kinsao]

It's really hard to say exactly what makes me like music, without actually analyzing each individual song.

There are certain intervals and chord progressions which appeal to me. I'm not sure why, but they just have an effect on me. It's almost like a physical thing, rather than an emotional one - something to do with the effect of a certain bunch of frequencies on my brain. That's what it feels like, anyway.

So, a song that has a primary riff or vocal melody or prominent bassline with a certain progression (what these are, varies; I'm not going into the technical side of it @_@) will tend to grab me. You know the feeling you get when a particular chord, in a particular place in a song, just reaches out and grabs you by the heart? That kind of feeling.

Of course, that's not all... for me, to be good, a song has to keep my interest, naturally. I like songs that have a slightly unpredictable melody; they keep me on my toes. ^^ Especially in the vocal line. I like to hear a vocal melody that is a little bit difficult, with a few unusual/awkward intervals that are sung well. In the vocals I also like a voice that varies its emotion and singing style, to keep my interest in the song. For example, songs where the vocalist uses screaming, whispering, growling and clear singing, as long as they are all well-executed. ^^ I like full, open, rather deep voices (with the exception of good falsetto singers; I tend to dislike nasal voices.

The song also has to keep me interested by its composition. Although I play the guitar and am a total sucker for shred, a song doesn't have to have a fiendishly difficult guitar line to interest me. It's more important for the song to have contrasts in it - a variety of textures, and loud/quiet contrasts. Changes in pace and/or timing are also good, when done right. ^^ I have to admit, when a song does feature a guitar solo, I like to hear it with a reasonably clear or at least cutting tone - I don't like it when guitar solos are muffled, it seems like a waste.

An interesting melody in the bass also keeps my attention. Even if it's not especially complicated to play, a distinct bassline, for example behind a verse, is nice to hear. I also like to hear bass solos or little twiddly bass moments. ^^

I don't know much about drums, but an overly 'hissy' tone is really offputting. ><

Generally, I feel that it's good when all instruments get their chance to shine in a song, not necessarily in a flashy way but without feeling that any of them is 'hidden'.

I like songs to be constructed in such a way that I can actually distinguish all the layers and various instruments. This enables me to appreciate what is going on and the composition, keeps my interest and also means I can listen to the song over and over again while still hearing things of interest. I don't like it when songs are muddied by having too many layers or a poor sound balance.

Examples that illustrate the kinds of things I like:
Satoshi of Girugamesh, Tatsurou of MUCC, Sou of Deathgaze - really varied vocal techniques and good quality of voice.
MUCC - Mae e - a song with a lot of variations in pace, tone and texture. Guitar and bass have their moments to shine without being flashy.
Közi - Promenade, Incoherents - songs with a lot going on, but which aren't too cluttered for you to hear what's happening.

 

[evespikey]

Catchy melody. I hate songs with no melody.

Poetic lyrics...to relate to them is good, but not necessary. If the song's describing something I have no experience of but I can understand and empathise with, then I feel it does it's job as lyrics, really. I'm more drawn to songs which have a feel of expressing something important in them, for example Dir en grey's Mazohyst of Decadence.

I'm more likely to try a song if I have previously liked the artists, just because of their track record.

I like pieces with orchestral backing like Moi dix Mois and some Evanescence and Within Temptation because it makes the music feel like it is on a major scale and applies to er, the world as a whole. It transcends the song. /cheesy.

As to why I don't like certain songs, I agree with this:

As for songs I don't like . . . . it would have to be if the song doesn't seem like it's going anywhere and it makes me lose attention to it. So if a song makes me zone out of it instead of into it, then that's not a good sign. Also, some factors in the song that annoy me . . . like, using repetitive parts waaaaaaaay too much or sounds equivalent to 'nails on a chalkboard' kind of thing.

There are also certain tones of voice singers use which I like and dislike. Some of Kagrra,'s songs I can't stand just because of Isshi hits and subsequently holds That One Note Which I Can't Stand.
A vocal style I really like though, for me is hard to describe. Take Yoshiki's whispering on Art of Life and Rusty Nail (I think). I love that, it gives the song layers. If I don't like the vocalist of a band, unless they release instrumental tracks, I can't like the band. The vocalist is very important in that way.

As for the instruments, I love a good bass line. Reita's beginning of Silly God Disco is heavenly. I'm also a huge fan of Yoshiki's drumming in Scars (the chorus-y parts). I think that should be used more often, it brings a feel of energy to the song and lifts it.

I also agree with this:

I like songs to be constructed in such a way that I can actually distinguish all the layers and various instruments. This enables me to appreciate what is going on and the composition, keeps my interest and also means I can listen to the song over and over again while still hearing things of interest. I don't like it when songs are muddied by having too many layers or a poor sound balance.

 

[Pierrot]

Well it clearly depends. If I'm listening to gay synthpop or moi dix mois, there's clearly different reasons for me to like them.

I hate when people only have one reason to like music, and that makes them biaised on everything.

 

[ken]

Well it clearly depends. If I'm listening to gay synthpop or moi dix mois, there's clearly different reasons for me to like them.

I hate when people only have one reason to like music, and that makes them biaised on everything.

That's the beauty of a question so open ended, you can respond from any angle

 

[Pierrot]

Well it clearly depends. If I'm listening to gay synthpop or moi dix mois, there's clearly different reasons for me to like them.

I hate when people only have one reason to like music, and that makes them biaised on everything.

That's the beauty of a question so open ended, you can respond from any angle

But I'm lazy : D.

 

[PureElegance]

I agree about the lyrics part, not knowing what they mean but its the emotion that gets me hooked. But that doesnt really happen anymore since well, I know what they mean when I look it up .

Well here's my opinion:

I love dramatic,dark, and grand songs. I've always loved the villians in movies so that kind of music sort of grew onto me.

I've always favored songs with strings and harpischords. So if it has that, and has a good melody with it, then I will probably like it. That's why I've always loved the Klaha era the best. Voyage was pretty good too. And if there is a piano mixed with those 2 things, even better. But if there is a nice melody to the song without those things, I think I might still love it. It depends ^^; I love it when there are many instruments and I can pick them out and say "I can hear it!" and when I hear it again, I keep looking for new things or keep trying to hear those little hidden parts in a song.

Also, I have to be able to moved emotionally or have some strong emotions when I hear a song. Like they have to make me remember something/someone or make feel me feel something. I usually assign songs to certain people because that song reminds me of them.

I don't really like some slow songs or songs that seem to be going nowhere for me. One example would be Mephisto Waltz. I DO NOT LIKE THAT SONG. I tried but I couldnt because the piano kept going on forever in the same way and I kept looking for some change but nothing happened. I got easily bored with that one.

I like it when I can feel that the person believes in their music and what they're singing/writing/playing.

So many people nowadays just want money and to have people look at them. Mixiwhores with an actual fanbase, for god knows why. They can't do anything for themselves, but they're famous anyway because they're cute or have mad connections.

So for me, it's the ability to convey "themselves" and their ideology in their music I think. That makes a song good.
Lyrics that actually say something are good too. I'm tired of fluff.

^ I totally agree with Faith.

But I have to love the vocalist's voice too. They have to have emotion when they sing. I don't know...hm I feel like I havent really explained myself X_X...

 

[Miruku]

There's not really any concrete(?) thing that makes me love some songs and hate others.. It's more of a feeling.
I can't stand Miyavi. I don't really know why, because his music sounds good and he's really talented, he's got a very nice voice... But I can't listen to it. And I've really tried.

The vocalist is very important... I can't listen to a band if I don't like the vocalist, if his or her voice is bad it doesn't matter how good their music is. Generally I like female vocalists better than male when it comes to pop, but I'm not very fond of females singing rock...

If a song makes me -feel- something, then I like it. And it may sound bad in other peoples ears. It may not be a good song technically. That doesn't really matter... Of course, it's more likely that a song makes me -feel- if it's somekind of a masterpiece.

And I like originall songs. I need a lot of variation in my musictaste. I like it when guitars are mixed with classical instruments like accordeon (I love the sound of accordeons *_*) or violins, and I like acoustic instruments mixed with electric. Lots of bass is good. But as I said, these things are only facts that makes it more likely for me to like the song, sometimes it doesn't agree with this at all..

 

[Mukau]

How it makes me feel.

 

[Miz]

I expect different things from different artists. Like, I can enjoy a nice melodic song from, say, Malice Mizer, but when I listen to The Locust I expect a trainwreck. But in all, what will 90% of the time hook me is:

Noisy verses, and a gorgeous chorus. I think that's why I'm so fond of Plastic Tree's Ghost. The verses are heavy and whatnot, but the chorus is just.. so pretty! I don't really mind if a song has no melody, because if there's no melody, I listen for the rhythm.

I tend to like bass-driven grooves too. That's probably why I like things like.. rap.. and KoRn.

I also like 'hard-to-enjoy' vocalists.. like.. Tetsu, Kyo, Miyavi, everyone in The Locust, Dani Filth.. ect.. I really enjoy something about vocals that are *supposed* to be grating or annoying.

When it comes to emotion.. I don't care about emotion in music how I used to, because I don't listen to music according to how I feel. I listen to it according to what I want to listen to, and I think that's a downfall when it comes to the fact that I want to one day become a musician. I lack musical feeling so sometimes it may feel distant and inhuman, like pre-VULGAR Dir en grey (no offense!) or ANY Miyavi. But, if a song were to make me actually be swayed in an emotional way, I like to feel energy, like the people performing it are pouring their all into it, rather than a passing interest.. Which is probably what steers me away from the American soft-rock kinda stuff.. because it feels tired and energyless like it's been running all day. 'Cause, I like musical charisma. So, that is most likely why I don't mind songs that are all RAHHRHAHHRGRRRRGBDGSB. As long as they're putting on a show that is pleasing to the ears!

@evespikey: I know what you mean about Kagrra. I really like Chikai no whatever, but the rest of their discography is kinda annoying to me sometimes when he hits that ONE NOTE like Shou from Alice Nine does. Sadly, Juka suffered the same fate at times to me. ::GLARES AT PESSIMISTE:: And.. am I the only person who feels like Silly God Disco's beginning bassline sounds like a rehash of Shadow numberblahbalh? ::bricked by Gazette fans::

 

[Mukau]

@evespikey: I know what you mean about Kagrra. I really like Chikai no whatever, but the rest of their discography is kinda annoying to me sometimes when he hits that ONE NOTE like Shou from Alice Nine does. Sadly, Juka suffered the same fate at times to me. ::GLARES AT PESSIMISTE:: And.. am I the only person who feels like Silly God Disco's beginning bassline sounds like a rehash of Shadow numberblahbalh? ::bricked by Gazette fans::

I thought they did that on purpose? :O But I love it when Isshi hits the high notes.. I'm a sucker for falsettos. Like there's this part in Kotodama where he goes "chi ni kaWAARUUU" and it's like uber-high and it sounds awesome.

 

[Pierrot]

Yes, they did that on purpose. It's just not enjoyable if you begin listening to gazette with that, or don't like them that much.

 

[Miz]

Yes, they did that on purpose. It's just not enjoyable if you begin listening to gazette with that, or don't like them that much.

didwhatonpurpose?

 

[Pierrot]

And.. am I the only person who feels like Silly God Disco's beginning bassline sounds like a rehash of Shadow numberblahbalh?

Thatonpurpose.

ps: VI II I.

 

[Formless]

Yes, they did that on purpose. It's just not enjoyable if you begin listening to gazette with that, or don't like them that much.

didwhatonpurpose?

Yeah, what proof is there that they did that on purpose? o__O Alot of Reita's basslines, while awesome, follow the same format.

 

[Pierrot]

Yes, they did that on purpose. It's just not enjoyable if you begin listening to gazette with that, or don't like them that much.

didwhatonpurpose?

Yeah, what proof is there that they did that on purpose? o__O Alot of Reita's basslines, while awesome, follow the same format.

An interview, but I can't help to find it I sort of have a new computer. the other one died.

 

[navate]

And.. am I the only person who feels like Silly God Disco's beginning bassline sounds like a rehash of Shadow numberblahbalh? ::bricked by Gazette fans::

I tend to forget which is which when they start up, so nope. You're not the only one.

 

[FluffyJuney]

To you, what constitues a "good" song and what sort of things leave you disappointed?

What disappoints me in a song is when I've heard it before, done a million times by a different person/band.

What makes me like an artist is when they're able to either take something that's been done before, and tweak it to make it their own, or if they're doing something that hasn't been done before or sounds completely new compared to everything that's already available.

I like certain instruments, I prefer to hear some genres over others, and there's other specific things that help me choose what's "good" and what's "bad," but when it comes to music, the most important thing for me is to be challenged about my own definition of what music really is.

I don't hate any type of music or song in particular, but it only bothers me when something is overdone too many times.

 

[evespikey]

And.. am I the only person who feels like Silly God Disco's beginning bassline sounds like a rehash of Shadow numberblahbalh?

XD Yeah, I noticed that too. But I love them both so I don't mind.

 

[mink]

I like a song if it makes me feel a certain way, or if I can listen to it and it can make me feel a certain way or remember a certain time that's even better really.