Goodbye Les Paul. And all you squares leave me alone!!!!!!

First off, I would like to say goodbye to one of my musical inspirations, who died Thursday, Les Paul. So to you God of all Guitar Gods, please bless me with some of your magic talent dust from guitar heaven. And goodbye.

This has not been a good summer for musicians.

Now that that's off my chest, I will get to the real blogging part. Since we're on the topic of music, how many of you have ever mentioned a certain genre of music that you listen to, and then have a surprising reaction from whenever you were talking to?

Me! Me! I have Ms. T!

Really, I listen to most kinds of music, except those that involve accordions, banjos, and graphic details concerning the human anatomy. That said, whenever I mention I listen to heavy metal, people react as if I told them I was on America's Most Wanted.

"You're kidding?! You? I don't believe this! Why?"

"Because I like it so leave me alone."

I don't really say that, because I'm too nice (or a wimp), which apparently is why my musical preferences shock people. No I don't wear black leather, chains, or heavy make up. I don't wear any makeup at all, really, which is not to say that I only use long denim skirts and old lady shoes. But I am the nice girl. Which is inconvenient, in some cases, as in this one.

Then people think that I only listen to heavy metal. Usually, these are people that have only ventured into the lands of the Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, or if they're really adventurous (gasp!) Green Day. So whenever the radio is on they ask if the they should change the channel.

"Uhh, this is Jason Mraz, do you listen to him? We can change it to another station, like, well, I don't know what stations do you listen to?"

It's nice that they care. I think. But only people who do wear black leather, chains, and heavy make up would be irritated to have to listen to Pop. I will listen to Jason Mraz, or Kelly Klarkson, and some Jonas Brothers songs. I would even listen to Lady Gaga if someone paid me to. Even though musically, I'm more of a rock person, I don't limit myself to distorted guitars or growling vocals. Even if my list of favorite bands includes Metallica, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC (which aren't even hardcore, for pete's sake!), I have Vivaldi, Bob Marley, The Velvet Underground (which is one of my all time favorite musical acts evar) and The Beatles on my Pandora Radio account.

Metal is just misunderstood. If you can get past the brooding lyrics and vocals (which are really what scare people, not the music per se), you can find genuine depth.

I mean, how can you even begin to compare this:

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold.

With this gem:

Life is just a party so come as you are
Dress it up or dress it down, never forget your guitar
Just be courageous, this styles contagious
Everyone can rock out like a superstar

(Please, Miley fire your songwriter. He's ruining your credibility)

So even though I obviously like metal a lot, I should say here that that doesn't make me a metalhead. Yes, you people, you raise your eyebrows or pray for my salvation or ask what the heck I'm listening to because it's bringing back memories of bad Halloween experiences or childhood nightmares. I will announce here, for all to see, that heavy metal is not my favorite type of music.

Nope. It's not.

It's grunge.

So, please excuse my rant, sleep well, and listen to some nice music, like the Beach Boys (May I recommend Wouldn't It Be Nice?). It will make you happy.

-Maria T.