Trust me, if you want to feel the full brunt of music snobbery, try mentioning that your favorite genre is country. Even on the country music message boards, there's a general disdain for almost anyone that is still embraced by top 40 radio.

Part of that snobbery comes from getting exposure to artists that are overlooked by the mainstream. You find yourself wondering why this artist is on magazines that have nothing to do with music and the artist you're into is entirely ignored by his or her own industry; after enough time thinking just about music, it fosters a resentment in you on behalf of the artists you like. Why *is* Taylor Swift a big star and Shelby Lynne can't buy a hit on radio?

Music snobs egg each other on, yes, so you're going to get a certain amount of jackass behavior discussing music with a group of dedicated music fans. Still, I do sincerely believe that the more you listen to, the more critical you become. Once you listen to enough stuff--especially if you get away from what radio programmers are pushing--you find yourself losing interest in stuff that sounds the same, whatever it is that you like. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with liking mainstream music at all. What you do, however, is find yourself less and less impressed by the clones of the mainstream leaders.

Because they hear it over and over again throughout the day, until it becomes familiar. Most people like the familiar in music, regardless of what genre(s) they listen to.

it's like a classic rock station. they play the same damn songs every day. or an oldies station. aren't there any other oldies?

Because it's like saying your favorite movies are Meet the Spartans ("so funny!") and The Matrix ("it blew my mind! it's really deep!").

A lot of top 40 music is the equivalent of eating at McDonalds. Eating at McDonalds is fine, but people who love food would be upset if that was the only option.

A local radio station here in Detroit played a live recording of Britney. All the tracks were cancelled out except for her voice which was terrible and off key.

I used to be pretty snobby when it came to music, but I've toned it down quite a bit after I stopped working at a record store. With that said, I can't stand listening to the same stuff over and over (see: popular radio). I tend to go through phases where I'll stick with a genre for anywhere between a day and a couple weeks, and I'll usually listen to a mix of things for a few days in between when I'm trying to find the next genre to stick with.

I've been saying for the last few years that there's good music in every genre. You just have to find it. I may despise top 40 radio, but that doesn't mean I don't like at least one artist that shows up on those radio stations.

Here's a game I like to play:
If you get into a discussion about music with someone, tell them you hate Radiohead. If they get angry at you, they're a music snob.

But The Matrix IS my favorite movie and Country happens to be my favorite genre

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ZOMG... like velvet!

Read the first result here ("How to Fake It"), which I can't link to directly.

And yet, the best-reviewed album of the year only has one response. And the second-best reviewed album of the year doesn't even have a thread.

Exactly. Pound a song into your head enough times and it becomes catchy...not good, but catchy.

you guys do realize that Britney thing is fake...

I like music, and giving rockists enough rope to hang themselves is thoroughly amusing.

I also think there's a common thread with posters and writers who can't, or won't, communicate that they're kidding. I may say "country sucks, it's for rednecks and child molesters" but the statement itself is ridiculous enough that it shouldn't be taken seriously. Johnny Cash is damn good and there's a lot of talented country musicians out there, and child molesters can listen to more than just country.

Anyone who automatically dislikes/likes something because it is/isn't popular doesn't have an opinion that's worth a damn. That said, if I don't know someone well and find out they love music I can't stand, I tend to lose interest in getting to know them better. I think it's human nature for us to be drawn to people who share our tastes in the areas that are important to us.

There's also the matter of respecting an artist or musician for what they do without liking what they do. To wit, Brad Paisley is just an amazing guitar player. He burns that shit up, and is someone who is well-respected by axe-slingers of all genres. But I still don't want to listen to his music.

And yet people here say they sometimes have to listen to an album multiple times to appreciate it. But if it's a pop song it's only because it has been pounded into your head. Interesting.

Agreed! Those stations play the same Janis Joplin song, the same Doors song, etc. Why not play other tracks off the albums?

Worse than I ever imagined!

"The only Radiohead song I like is 'Creep.'"

I don't listen to any music from the past two or so decades really, maybe a small fraction of a percentage. I don't not listen to it because I want to be snobbish, I don't listen to it because I know I don't like 99% of it. Sure if I flipped the radio on and listened for the day I would find one or two songs I found moderately appealing, but it just isn't worth it.

How is it any less snobbish to call me a snob because I listen to music from a certain era and none from 'today's'. Not saying you guys are calling me or people like me a snob for those reasons, but I have known people who have.

Music snobs abound, for sure, kinda like the "cinema aficionados" who crop up here once in a while. Oh, and the format snobs. Brilliant.

TheBus, that's a great Venn diagram. Where did you find it?

Josh-da-man may be right, and I'm a Radiohead fan so there's that.

If you don't listen to it, how would you know?

I guarantee you that there are a countless number of newer bands out there that you would like. The thing is, a great majority of them are obscure enough that you have to do the legwork to find them. And if you don't, then you weren't that big a music fan in the first place. Otherwise, you'd seek it out.

Am I being snobby by calling you out for not being a music fan? Maybe. But I feel that if music is important enough to me that I can find music I like (and honestly, with the internet, it's pretty easy) then anyone that chooses not to look for new music they might doesn't really like music all that much in the first place.