I'm a multi-genre fan as well. Being a hobbyist musician has sort of forced me to evaluate different types of music more objectively, from a craftsmanship point of view, so I don't have a genre that I "can't stand".
Most of the stuff I really like a lot tends to have electronic instruments in some prominent fashion: synthpop, trance, Eurodance, techno, house, Hi-NRG, industrial/darkwave/"goth rock". As much pop since the early 80s is produced using synths/samplers, I have a bit of pop stuff mixed in too. In the interest of going global with my collection have stumbled upon some great artists from across the world like Etienne Daho, H.O.T., Kotoko, Talvin Singh, Daler Mehndi and Angelique Kidjo.
I do like some hip-hop, if it's a really out-of-left-field beat like Timbaland's early productions or Mantronix or if the rapper has a really exciting, catchy flow (Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J's first album, occasionally Eminem) or if the message is profound (Public Enemy, Arrested Development). I'm not so much into the "bling & b**ches" type of Dirty South hip hop, though. The only Dirty South artist I can enjoy is Ludacris, and only because of Timbaland's sick beat behind "The Potion."
I can appreciate country and guitar-based rock/metal in small doses, if it's nicely arranged and well performed. Same for opera and classical music.
When I want to "chill out", I do it with New Age or Muzak-like instrumentals, especially if done primarily on synths, mixed in with lighter, more melodic trance. Examples: Jean-Michel Jarre, Synergy, Kraftwerk's "Ralf und Florian" album, Mannheim Steamroller (don't let the Christmas stuff fool you).
I also occasionally get a craving for what some call "Outsider Music," perhaps because I've always been an "outsider" myself from a social point of view. Examples: Leslie Hall and the Ly's, Little Fyodor, TISM, Devo.
Most of the stuff I really like a lot tends to have electronic instruments in some prominent fashion: synthpop, trance, Eurodance, techno, house, Hi-NRG, industrial/darkwave/"goth rock". As much pop since the early 80s is produced using synths/samplers, I have a bit of pop stuff mixed in too. In the interest of going global with my collection have stumbled upon some great artists from across the world like Etienne Daho, H.O.T., Kotoko, Talvin Singh, Daler Mehndi and Angelique Kidjo.
I do like some hip-hop, if it's a really out-of-left-field beat like Timbaland's early productions or Mantronix or if the rapper has a really exciting, catchy flow (Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J's first album, occasionally Eminem) or if the message is profound (Public Enemy, Arrested Development). I'm not so much into the "bling & b**ches" type of Dirty South hip hop, though. The only Dirty South artist I can enjoy is Ludacris, and only because of Timbaland's sick beat behind "The Potion."
I can appreciate country and guitar-based rock/metal in small doses, if it's nicely arranged and well performed. Same for opera and classical music.
When I want to "chill out", I do it with New Age or Muzak-like instrumentals, especially if done primarily on synths, mixed in with lighter, more melodic trance. Examples: Jean-Michel Jarre, Synergy, Kraftwerk's "Ralf und Florian" album, Mannheim Steamroller (don't let the Christmas stuff fool you).
I also occasionally get a craving for what some call "Outsider Music," perhaps because I've always been an "outsider" myself from a social point of view. Examples: Leslie Hall and the Ly's, Little Fyodor, TISM, Devo.
