What Instruments do you listen to?

[DvChWi]

To give us an alternative to the R.E.M. best of turned bitter LP vs. The Good Bands thread(OK, I'm asking for it there.... ), I started this thread asking about what instrument you pay attention to most when you are listening to a song.  For example,  in U2's Beautiful Day, the chiming guitar part always springs to my attention.  In most songs, I would say the guitar part capitivates my attention most, and has a lot to do with how much I like the song.

[oneafroboy]

Depends. Songs that tend to be layered or technically intricate, I'll listen to different parts at different listens. Being a pianist, though, I tend to be biased towards pianos. I'm really not a big fan of how pianos and keyboard instruments are being used nowadays. The fact that songs that usually feature pianos tend to be sappy, sentimental rock ballads; and keyboards are usually just fillers. Nothing wrong with either, but that's what it all boils down to a lot in pop music.

*Anyway*

So, I like listening to pianos, organs and other keyboard instruments. But usually, when I listen to a song, I'll try to pick out all sorts of things. Guitar rhythms and textures. How the drummer uses cymbals and hi-hats. Bass-lines. Harmonies. Things like that.  

[bloop]

[DvChWi]

[bloop]

[Josh]

I try to focus on everything, though sometimes I admit that I pay more attention to the singer.

[RokrantheGreat]

[DvChWi]

[RokrantheGreat]

[oneafroboy]

Ah, first impression.

Well, I just try to take it all in. Sometimes things will stick out. But I really try to listen to the vocals (if it's pop music, and it usually is). I like to hear the words and melodies. So, I guess vocals in order to understand what the artists are trying to say.

[Josh]

Let's keep the Radiohead vs. Linkin Park stuff in the other thread, pholks.

[Skrappybiskit]

For my part (because I play the bongos/jembe/dumbek) I listen to the percussion, which is why I like a lot of folk music. Not the only reason. Also, I have some eastern music that I pick rhythms from.

Also in stuff like Nicole Nordeman, I like the intricacy of the piano parts. And Chasing Furies, for that matter.

In Linkin Park's music, I pick out the scratching sometimes. It's pretty much the same thing all the time, though.

Radiohead I listen to those beautiful backward/obscure/abnormal loops and samples.

I don't like U2.

Skraps

[bloop]

Even putting Linkin Park in the same sentence with Radiohead seems to say to me that they are comparable.  I'm actually sorry for entering into this particular debate.  It makes it seem like it's even debatable that Radiohead is better than Linkin Park.

With Linkin Park I notice the scratching more than anything else as well, like skraps.  Where that is not present at particular moments, then I notice the Chester Bennington signature whine/growl or just cringe at the deft attempts at rhyming, yo.

[DvChWi]

Even putting Linkin Park in the same sentence with Radiohead seems to say to me that they are comparable.  I'm actually sorry for entering into this particular debate.  It makes it seem like it's even debatable that Radiohead is better than Linkin Park.

With Linkin Park I notice the scratching more than anything else as well, like skraps.  Where that is not present at particular moments, then I notice the Chester Bennington signature whine/growl or just cringe at the deft attempts at rhyming, yo.

You know, I think we need to end this little fuede for now, and just stay on the topic.  I will stop posting responses to any LP/Radiohead posts for the time being.  

[RokrantheGreat]

[murlough23]

I listen for drums. For some reason, I'm happiest when a band can do more than pound out a standard 4/4. I like drummers who can play with interesting time signatures, or if it's gonna be standard 4/4, I like for the drums to have a special snap to them. I also like when bands know when it's appropriate to use drum programming and when to switch to live drums... both can really support each other in a song if done correctly.

I also listen carefully to vocals and lyrics. Whether I like a singer's voice can make or break my opinion of the band. I also can't get too far if the lyrics are stoopid.

I listen for cool guitar stuff more so when the guitars are acoustic - sure, I'm a sucker for a blazing solo on the electric, but I love the sound of fingers deftly picking out all the right notes or otherwise getting interesting sounds out of an acoustic guitar. (That's 'cause I play acoustic guitar, and people who are actually good at it make me drool.) One thing I don't like is when your heavy rock bands toss in the obligatory mellow track with acoustic guitar, and it's nothing but basic chords being strummed. I like interesting chord changes and picking patterns... think outside the box, people!

Sometimes, even when there isn't a single band member who stands out on their own as a prodigy, the combination of a lot of my favorite sounds can be a very pleasant experience. This explains why I enjoy Linkin Park's music (though Chester does get on my nerves sometimes).