Things That Threaten My Sanity: Windows Media AudioI fell into the WMA format like an arranged marriage. I wanted to rip music from CDs onto my hard drive. Windows had set me up with Media Player, so I used it. This was long before I even entertained the idea of getting an mp3 player, so compatibility wasn't a concern. I just wanted to be able to listen to music on the computer and burn some mix CDs (for personal listening in a confined area far away from all other human beings... please … [Read more...]

Things That Threaten My Sanity: Near Grammatical MissesObviously, country lyrics are not going to be written in the Queen's English. Different language rules apply, and that's fine by me. However, it still bugs me when a songwriter or singer leaves just one word out of place. Especially when the correct word would have fit just as well. Taylor Swift's line about “talk[ing] real slow 'cause it's late and his mama don't know” comes immediately to mind. “Talk real low” would sound … [Read more...]

Things That Threaten My Sanity: Inaudible Influences I understand that singers aren't usually going to sound just like the people they claim as influences. That would be mimicry, not artistry. But I think they should sound somewhat like their influences. There should be something - the voice, the phrasing, the instrumentation, the lyrical preoccupations - that puts you in mind of an artist's heroes. Without reading the PR material. Without thumbing through the iPod. Without them having … [Read more...]

Things That Threaten My Sanity: DigipaksWhat's wrong with this picture? Click to enlarge the image if necessary. See it? One of the CD cases protrudes slightly above the others in a fairly unsightly manner. You might pass the shelf several times before noticing, but once you see it, the minute inconsistency will drive you mad. Or maybe it will just annoy you very slightly. But if you think about it long enough, it will probably drive you mad.The problem is that that “CD case” is … [Read more...]

Things That Threaten My Sanity: #1 FansOkay, I get it. You really, really like your favorite country music star. That's great. I have my favorites, too. But don't you think that calling yourself ______'s #1 Fan is incredibly presumptuous? So you know the words to every Taylor Swift song and have her pictures plastered all over your bedroom walls. It doesn't matter. You haven't met all of Taylor's other fans, so you can't fairly judge your standing. Maybe some other girl has accumulated … [Read more...]