Another Heavy Topic, But Not Heavy Metal

Earlier this month, we had a tragedy in my household: our Rhapsody account stopped working. 

You might think that the use of the word "tragedy" might be a bit traumatic, but let me assure you, it is not.

We use Rhapsody on our computers and our cell phones: that one music library (we've had it for several years and our library is HUGE) can be used by all our family, anywhere we go. But apparently, when we upgraded cell phones, something happened to our account and our cell provider is having a hard time restoring our service. Every time I call, they say it will be 48 hours before they get it fixed. And every time they say that, I feel like yelling, "I CANNOT SURVIVE ANOTHER 48 HOURS WITHOUT MY MUSIC!!!!"

Ahem.

If there is one thing I cannot live without, it is music. I have come to realize that I love music more than books. GASP! I might even love music more than food. But then again, we had elote over the weekend, so that makes it a pretty tough competition. 

We all know the power of music and we've all seen research on how music affects moods, etc. There was even a recent study on the effects of music on Alzheimer and dementia patients. Music affects first the soul, which then affects the mind, and then the body. That is one amazing force.

Homer (no, not that Homer. This Homer.) realized this way back before hundreds of scientific studies had been done on the power of music. In Homer's Odyssey, the sailors were warned not to listen to the Siren's song--their very souls were in danger! Trying to tempt Odysseus to their island, the Sirens said,

Oh, cease thy course, and listen to our lay!
Blest is the man ordain'd our voice to hear,
The song instructs the soul and charms the ear,
Approach! thy soul shall into raptures rise,
Approach! and learn new wisdom from the wise!

It is interesting to note that Homer perceived that the Sirens tempted the soul and not the flesh, yet since we have such a carnal nature, mythology transformed the Sirens into beautiful women whose bodies were seductive as well. I like the original imagery better though, as it really captures how music speaks to the soul with a power second only to deity.

Since music has such divine power, I can only imagine the fulfillment that would come from creating music. I believe that it is our desire to become closer to God that urges us to create. And that creation can be anything--whether it be sewing a blanket, painting a picture, or writing a book. But I would venture to guess that when you create something that uses the body, the mind and the spirit (like creating music) the experience can only be akin to actually creating life. Wowza. Can you imagine what it was like for Handle to create the Messiah? It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

(If I would have been Handel's organist and he showed me this sheet music, I would have been all, "You want me to play what??? Dude, you crazy!")

With this profound appreciation and respect I have for music, you might be asking why I'm not a musician. I DON'T KNOW! I think I got in the wrong line when talents were disbursed in Heaven. Or maybe the "Musicians" line was too long, so I jumped into the "Type Really Fast" line. I am still kicking myself about it. At least I didn't jump into the "Cowboy Poetry" line.

Music is not only a huge part of my life, but it is essential to my writing. I cannot write without it. Music is the key that unlocks my muse; if I'm not in the mood to write, all I have to do is listen to a few songs and words begin to pop up on the page. What do I listen to? I'm sure you are dying to know. It depends on what I am writing, but I will give you my list of must-have music:

Starting with Classical, my very favorite composers are:
Bach (with a special nod to Brandenburg Concerto No.3 as being the most beautiful piece of music ever written.)
Handel 
Vivaldi

Cross-over Classical

Sissel (The girl has the voice of an angel. It's not Christmas at our house until we listen to this.)
William Joseph. (The poor fella was born with six hands, but he somehow is able to keep them from getting tangled and creates the best piano music of the modern age.)
Josh Groban (Wikipedia says he was born in L.A., but that is a big-fat lie. He was born on an island near Italy and is in fact, the first-ever male Siren. But since you think of voluptous women when you say "Siren," we shall de-feminize the name and call him a "Himren." Do not sail your boat near his island. I warn you, do not! But don't put wax in your ears either, because then you wouldn't be able to hear his beautiful voice. So tie yourself to the mast! Quickly!)

My very favorite genre is Alt. Rock, and my all-time favorite bands include:
Matchbox 20
Goo Goo Dolls
Muse
Thirteen Senses
Angels and Airwaves 
The Killers
My Chemical Romance
I could go on and on, but HOLY COW this post is long!

Strangely enough, I am a native Montanan, but I do not like country! GASP! Not a bit of it. However, I do like Bluegrass, especially:
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Nickle Creek

The above listed genres are the types of music that speak to my soul. Dubstep does not speak to my soul, but rather vibrates my brain and gives me one big headache. That means I am not cool since I do not like all the same music my teens do.

What music speaks to you? Do you play/sing/compose? Do you play music constantly, or is it just background noise? Who tops your list of favorite musicians? Please share!