Far From Refuge

I like to consider myself a music enthusiast(read:snob). Someone who knows a lot of music and a lot about music. I also like to think that my tastes are pretty diverse and what most would describe as "good". I put good in quotes because there isn't one artist that is universally liked or hated by everyone. Even The Beatles have their haters and bands like Creed and Train somehow sell millions of records. There are times(probably more than I'd like to admit) where I am drawn to a band that I know I probably shouldn't like but I do. Evanescence is one of these bands. I'm not saying they are my favorite band or that I even love them. They do have their moments though and when those moments arise I can't help but to really enjoy them. First off, the above music video is terrible. I am not sure if it is more weird or lame, but it has a healthy dose of both. I get the analogy it is trying to make, but it just comes off as terrible.

As weird as this video is though, I really dig this song. Under all the corporate rock and overproduction is a really catchy and pretty melody sung by a front woman with (in my opinion) one of the prettiest voices in rock music. The pre-chorus and chorus are so dark yet so pretty. I feel like if the record company/producer let them do there thing without all slick production and generic sounding guitar tones they could really be a great band. Ok, maybe not great but more than what they were.

The funny thing is that while I enjoy this song so much, as well as a few others of theirs, I feel the need to keep it under wraps. Like if someone I respected, as far as music taste goes, found out I liked I would be way embarrassed. I couldn't say how I really felt about them. I'd have to say something like, "Evanescence? Oh yeah, that band sucks. Totally." I feel like such a tool saying that, but I would feel like an even bigger tool if I admitted I liked them. Haha. And this is where I get caught up in my own snobbery. Why can't I just admit that I like what I like? Who cares what other people think? Me apparently. I think one of my biggest fears is that people will think I have crappy taste in music.

There are times where I will in fact break this rule. For some reason, even though it is probably a bigger crime against music, I feel ok telling people that I actually really do enjoy Limp Bizkit's first album. Or, yes, I am a huge Blink 182 fan. I guess admitting you like Blink 182 these days is pretty safe considering the impact they had on my generation. That was not case when I was in high school though, especially if you were in the local punk scene like I was. Blink 182 was NOT punk rock and if you liked them you were a pussy. Sorry for the language but its the truth. If I had rolled up to a Guttermouth or Ignite show in a Blink shirt, I probably would have gotten my ass kicked. Hell, I saw a kid at a Thursday/Bring Me the Horizon show a year or so ago wearing a Blink shirt and I still kind of wanted to punch him in the face. So I'm a hypocrite. I admit it! Admitting you have a problem is the first step to resolving it, right? That will have to be enough for now. We can't face all our demons in one day right?

Also, please don't go starting a rumor that I am a Limp Bizkit fan. Fred Durst sucks and so does that band. I just enjoy their first album which has an unfortunate lame name that I won't list here. Its also unfortunate and embarrassing that I like that record. I hate that I do.