While aspects such as your choice of apparel, cuisine etc can be attributed to the maturity you gain over the years, I don’t think any such explanation exists for a person’s musical taste. Or at least, there is none that I know of.

Since the time I first gained exposure to music, I’ve listened to numerous artistes. Some of them became instant favourites while the others faded away from my memory instantly. Today, I find that my choice in music has evolved (or devolved, depending on your point of view) to such an extent that I can hardly imagine myself listening to artistes that used to be my idols only a few years ago.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I used to be a huge fan of boy-bands such as Boyzone, Backstreet Boys, Blue and Westlife, back when they were all the rage. That was largely due to the airtime provided to these bands by the music channels on TV. Owning a cassette (yup, CDs were way too expensive then) of these bands used to be a sort of status symbol and ensured that you were always in demand. Those were the days…

Then, I moved on to Linkin Park, whose mania lasted for a little over 3 years. After that, came the lostprophets, Green Day, Franz Ferdinand et al. The next phase in my musical journey saw A Static Lullaby, As I Lay Dying and Finch take over my headphones. And right now, I’m mostly listening to Daughtry and Fightstar.

So what makes me reminisce over these things now?

The reason is, the Backstreet Boys are gonna be performing live in Bangalore on the 21st of this month. This could be my only opportunity to see my one-time favourite band in person, on stage. So now I’m mulling over whether to attend the gig or not, considering that I’ll probably have to go alone since most of us have spunked our cash on our weekend trip to Coorg. The tickets are not exactly dirt-cheap at Rs.1000 apiece, but that is a fair price to pay to see your boyhood favourites, right?

I’ll see if I can entice someone to part with his dough, and if I can’t get someone to take along, I’ll probably go solo (or not go at all, depending on what my mind tells me then).

So if you’re in Bangalore/Delhi and have fond memories of the band, do go and watch them live. It’ll surely be ‘larger then life’.

Anyways, here’s the second instalment of the Words’ Worth series and it has arrived sooner than I expected. This time the spotlight is on ‘Blinded In Chains’ by ‘Avenged Sevenfold’. Don’t bother with the genre coz I didn’t. The song just sounds good and once you’ve read its lyrics you’ll see that it means something too. This single was also featured in EA Games’ Need For Speed: Most Wanted video game.

Now take a look at the lyrics. Be warned, a little profanity exists but purely for emphasizing the emotions.

And we’re at it again, I turn around another ****ing war, man,
I don’t know where to begin, but I’ll start with the radical leaders
Their steps we’re followin’

Running, don’t go back and fight, too many you’ll lose
(And as clowns you follow suit behind the blood between the red and white and blue but it’s too deep for you to see and
everyone eventually will take the step cause it’s in sight you take the left I’ll take the right I feel the hate you’ve built
for me and I say pay attention baby)

As they thank the Lord the blind can’t see
Like a plague fed to the brain, deadly disease A-Whoa!

But it wasn’t a sin, a sorry life judging every action
And as they’re feeding your mind with this sh*t you forget
How to speak and ask all the questions.

A Business is at hand tonight, make the people choose
(I see another side in you but there’s not much more I can do from on the outside looking in your government is listenin’ to
push you on the story of immortal father mortal son give them your mind and all your wealth the cycle will rebirth itself)
If they had it their way I’d burn in Hell and your future’s a ****in’ disaster can’t you see?
Give them all the power when your future’s in desperate trouble baby

As they thank the Lord the blind can’t see
Like a plague fed to the brain, deadly disease

I’d run away tonight with my mind still intact I’m gonna make it alright
Easier said than done with no place to hide and having no place to
Running away from condition, I see but you’re running away from
Your scared seductive system

Most would claim I live a lie (I live a lie)
When pointing out it’s easy to predict these things (predict these things) Every color has its side, (I have a side!)
They live together vote and most embrace the same dark times.(Aaah-ahh) Please help us, please save us, of course they have control we’re all the same.

Up on the cross, crucified their problem drove the nail and let Him rot
Family and friends, it won’t matter in the end I’m sure they’ll understand
Now look at the world and see how the humans bleed, as I sit up here and wonder ’bout and how you sold your mind body and soul!
Looking at the fields so green I know this sounds obscene
I see you’re livin’ for tomorrow but decisions you have made will leave you empty

As they thank the Lord the blind can’t see
Like a plague fed to the brain, deadly disease

I’d run away tonight with my mind still intact I’m gonna make it alright
Easier said than done with no place to hide and having no place to
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!!

You’ve fallen asleep in denial
Look at the way we’re dyin’ Whoa-whoa
How it ends I’ll never know whooooa!
Just live your life blind like me!

Yeah, the song is lengthy but worth a listen. You’re free to form an opinion about the message in it and if you want to read a few others’ opinions too, go here.

I’ve chosen “Reinvention” by ‘As I Lay Dying’ for the debut post in this category. And to be honest, this song was the major factor behind starting this whole thing. The song belongs to the Metalcore genre and has growling vocals, riffs and loads of screaming. So if you can’t stand any of these 3 things, just skip the video and read the lyrics.

Heard it? Good. This is what they were singing:

“You brought existence
To what I never thought could be
A world where eternity finds description
I followed a dream only to be left in reality
You reminded me of the unexplainable
And then reshaped me by your beauty
Knowing you has reinvented love in my heart
The perfection of love’s true existence
Experienced for the first time
I tried so hard to wake from this dream
But instead realized that I never fell asleep”

Doesn’t seem like a bunch of incoherent sentences screamed out at a high pitch by lunatics now, does it?

And that’s the whole point really. A lot of times it happens that we listen to a song which doesn’t suit our tastes and we instantly dismiss it as a load of crap. But if we pay attention to what is being sung, it just might enable us to see it in an entirely different light.

This song describes how the arrival of someone special changed their life for the better, making it much more fulfilling and turning their dreams into reality.

Beg to differ? Go on, tell me what you think. Or even better, tell me if you’ve felt the same way at any time in your life.