robinbloke | Music for the mind

You know there's something to be said for keeping at something even if you don't like it first time.
Like vegetables¹ and music, more importantly. More importantly than a lot of things.
Like the latest Prodigy album; when I first heard it I thought "Nooooo!" Where was the energy? Where was the fire and the tracks that grabbed you by the throat and shook you until your neck snapped and your brain seeped out of your ears?
Well the Prodigy, like anything else, get older and after a few more listenings and weanings I've managed to listen to the whole album and damn, if it isn't just needing an ear at a slightly different angle in order to understand it.
Yes it has a couple of bouncy tracks, like Spitfire and Hotride that do make me want to shake my funky stuff on the boogie floor; but also when you listen to it you realise that Liam is firmly in middle age and the whole theme has advanced and is a lot more mellow, complex and actually pretty groovy.
Dang.

Robin 1: So what's this all mean eh? Does this mean that the Prodigy are getting old or your music tastes are changing?
Robin 2: Of course your music tastes are changing eh matey. Like you. Laser beams for eyes, longer hair, new improved wossnames.
Robin 1: Wossanames, ar. But still, I still like all the old stuff I listen to, but just don't listen to it as much.
Robin 2: Werl, there you go and all that; if you don't listen to it as much you don't like it as much.
Robin 1: Point.
Robin 3: And the wombles, eh, what about them?
Robin 1: Shush you.
Robin 2: He has a point.
Robin 1: Bah, I pish and tish at your point and poke it with sticks.
Robin 2: Right.
Robin 1: Ahem. Yes. Anyway, chart me my musical history, that's what I'll do.
Robin 2: Fine, I'm going back to the Prodigy then.

So, here it be... as I remember it (ha, memory me?) my musical development through the ages...
With no apologies.

Preschool
The Wombles Christmas Album

Primary School
Abba

Secondary school
Dire straits
The Pet shop boys
Jean Michelle Jarre

Sixth Form
Carter USM
The Cure
Neds atomic dustbin
Spaceman 3

University
Guns and roses
Nirvana
Janes addiction
Faith no more

Post Uni, Pre Cambridge
Suzanne Vega
Portishead
Crash test dummies
Duran Duran

Cambridge... In stages... (roughly same time of discovery/liking)

First Job
The Cure (again)
Loreena McKennit
Pink Floyd

Start of Second Job (Note to self, the PI years)
The Prodigy
VNV Nation
Apollo 440

Second job, the CP years
Orbital
Moby

Last year or so
Sneaker Pimps
The Chemical Brothers
Spaceman 3 (again)

...

Also; final thought; name a band and if I've discovered them I'll add them in - if I can remember when!

1 Well, maybe not vegetables.