Saturday, June 19, 2010

My Fix

Does Music ever feel like a drug? Are there times in those turbulent monochrome moments (the reds and the grays of moods), that you crave that resounding bass, the rhythmic beats, the angry Rap, the staccato piano, that insane lead, the easy Pop, the feel good Retro, the psychedelic Trance, the romantic Acoustic, the crescendo of a Symphony, the expletive ridden lyrics, the head-banging Metal, the OST’s that take you back to the movie, the aggressive Thrash, the club-by Electronic or just the loudness of any of those?

Does it get your heart pumping, blood rushing, head dizzy, legs aching to pound the ground, leave you out of breath even when you’re just mouthing the lyrics, head moving to the beat with teeth clenched, fists made, in an attempt to contain the energy, eyes shut to keep distractions to a minimum while you immerse yourself in the sound; not knowing what to do with the sudden surge of adrenalin that feels as forceful and yet precarious, as a rising wave in the open sea, just before it’s about to break?

Does it take you to another place, cut you off from everything, drown out all the noise, on the outside and within, the incessant chatter in your own mind; and suddenly you only feel… the sound? Or does it seal out everything external, leaving you with just the empty space in your head to untangle the web of thoughts that feels like stitches slipping off a knitting needle? Does it feel like an invisible protective shield, keeping safe your inner sanctum, giving you just a moment to tidy up the space?

Does it leave you feeling a little cleansed, a little more human, a little more coherent, if only to yourself? Does the release feel invigorating, like you’re ready to take on the world again? Does it unleash in you that form of indignance that is most constructive, motivating you, propelling you, to channel that defiance, to take your best shot?

Is it escape? Is it a deep breath? Is it meditation? Is it white noise? Is it normal? Is it addiction? Is it self-preservation? Is it coping? Is it ritual? Is it remedy? Is it unvalued? Is it unsung? Is it misunderstood? Is it a rescue tube? Is it all that and more?