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"The closest thing to heaven is rock 'n' roll"

I think rock'n'roll by definition -- or at least good/great rock'n'roll -- is that it is the music of being young. That very heady time when something can be very powerful and exciting, and things touch you very deeply. It's music of rebellion and freedom. Something in the music of a particular band or of a particular song or style reaches what you feel inside but maybe can't quite articulate. And you say "YES!!" and for that moment you feel less alone or unsure, all's right with the world, and you can fly on that. That's very close to heavenly... That's why so many different genres fall under that "rock'n'roll" heading -- it's all so personal, what one is feeling or needing at a particular time of life. There are bands that are loved by younger kids because they touch those 13 and 14 year old insecurities -- those bands get dismissed by others who have maybe "gone beyond" those things. But those little schoolgirl crushes on pretty rock boys are very valid and useful at that time of life. There's metal for those who need to yell "F--- the World," in one way, and bands like Pearl Jam or whatever that deal with the perception of being alone and apart. Scorn me if you will, but I really like Pearl Jam because I can remember that raw emotion. I can understand exactly how that music touches people. It's like a cosmic shriek or something. And if you can tap into that and be a part of it during the song, it's like a great letting go. The very best bands of any of the "sub-genres" touch a universal chord -- no matter how old you are or where you are in your life, you can identify with the emotion, whether you're currently living it or remembering it. Oh, I've gone on and on, just to say that I think music is emotional, and emotions can certainly be heavenly, when they aren't a living hell... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . This message was brought to you by the Sinister mailing list. . To send to the list please mail "sinister@majordomo.net". . For subscribing, unsubscribing and other list information please see . http://www.majordomo.net/sinister . For questions about how the list works mail owner-sinister@majordomo.net . We're all happy bunnies humming happy bunny tunes. Aren't we? -----------------------------------------------------------------------