Musical trash or treasure

During my daily Facebook creeper session, I ran into a fan page called “There should be a special font for sarcasm.”

After last week, truer words have never been spoken.

To my sheer and utter shock, my column about Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus created quite the kerfuffle with a few commenters, namely one strong-minded fellow, Kal, who set me straight.

Kal wrote, “Make sure what you like is good before you bash on what other people like.”

In part, I agree.

I do think I was brutal on the Biebster and MyCy, and I don’t like the idea of readers thinking I am knocking anyone for what kind of music they prefer.

However, I think Kal is slightly confused about what I think is good music.

I tried a feeble attempt at humor by saying Lil Wayne’s incarceration was a sign of the musical apocalypse, which I might have exaggerated.

I like to think my sarcasm reads through, but I should clear things up. The day music hinges on the existence of Lil Wayne is the day I fill out my March Madness tournament bracket based on actual statistics rather than attractiveness of the most recognizable player on the team.

In other words, it’s highly unlikely.

Now, I like Lil Wayne, but I like Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington, too. I grew up listening to Burt Bacharach, Anita Baker and Teena Marie. I used to be the biggest fan of Fall Out Boy and will thumb wrestle anyone who believes they love Pete Wentz more than me.

On any given day I’ll listen to N.E.R.D, Corinne Bailey Rae, Motion City Soundtrack, Kid Sister and Notorious B.I.G — and even John Mayer, when he keeps the part of him that’s racist in his pants.

So which artists are “good” enough to make the cut?

I’m betting Kal — and plenty of others — think there might be nothing good in that lineup, but I guess that proves the point that what we love about music is personal.
One person might think an artist has the musical depth of a March rain puddle, but for someone else, that artist is a musical pioneer.

Kal made me see the error of my ways. Last week, I came off as a bully, and not even the cool kind on TV that wear leather jackets and give toilet-swirlies. I just came off as one of the average ones that write threatening MySpace messages and trip you in the hallway.

So was I in the wrong for saying Bieber is Lunchable-snacking jailbait? Probably. Or mentioning that Cyrus should have voice lessons before trying to mentor on “American Idol”?

Eh, that’s debatable.

What I do know is that I am not trying to bash anyone for the music they love, because it’s a bond that has nothing to do with me or the words I write each week.

All I am trying to do is have a bit of fun with one of the things I hold so dearly, and that’s music.