Obligation Bands

Does anyone else listen to obligation bands?

When I first got heavy into metal (see what I did there?) a few years ago there were a few bands I got all their stuff because it was "required listening" for Christian metal fans. Now I look at all the mp3's I shelled out money for and think "I don't even like..." some band.

For instance, there are two bands that were "first generation" that I have all their stuff and don't even like them. But then I feel weird because people talk about Theocracy being too happy to be metal and they're my favorite metal band, or at least one of the top 3.

Does anyone else have this issue?

I own several releases that I don't listen to more than once in a great while and don't really care for them so much, but own them for both collect-ability purposes, as well as because of their historical place within the music scene, even if it's somewhat minor.

I have quite a few of those. Luckily, those were all handed down to me from Dad. So I didn't waste any money.

I often wrestle with keeping a cd that I don't really like for collectable reasons versus selling/trading. Usually I end up selling/trading, but it's a little bit hard, because back when I started, there was SO little "Christ-influenced" hard metal that even as a high school kid, I pretty much bought everything that was available (from the bookstores anyway, I never really ordered demo tapes from Heaven's Metal or anything) and wished that there was more.

That said, if there's one album that I don't really like from a band that I DO really like, I'll sometimes hold on to that.

I think if my collection was mostly cd's it wouldn't bother me so because I would know that I could sell it or trade it later. But most of my collection is made up of mp3's...

I only listen to what I like. If it's an "obligation band," great. If not, oh well.

I did that back when I was a teenager. I remember buying one of Slayer's early albums and trying really really hard to like it because all of my friends were totally nuts for the band. I won't waste my time anymore with any music I don't enjoy, and I could care less what I'm "supposed to like".
I just had a conversation with a fellow Christian adult the other day who was a little shocked that I could really like Thrid Day, but not enjoy David Crowder.

there is a world of difference between third day and david crowder.. I'd agree with you there.. though I wouldn't say "really"

Staybrite wrote:I did that back when I was a teenager. I remember buying one of Slayer's early albums and trying really really hard to like it because all of my friends were totally nuts for the band.

Similarly, I remember in high school all (both?) my metal friends were loving Primus. I didn't get it and wondered if I was just missing something. So I borrowed a cd and listened and really tried and tried to like it. Just didn't work, I still don't "get" them.

Also similarly but absolutely backwards, I wished and wished that I didn't love Slayer so much! I didn't/don't have an ability or desire to get past their lyrics (NOT NOT NOT trying to start a thing about lyrics), so I LOVED them and wish that I could have had your problem!

not trying to start a thing about lyrics? .. well you started one!! ...

I have had some bands that people almost seem to revere and I never really cared for them... personally I think music is a pretty personal thing and that there aren't bands that anyone is required to like.

Staybrite wrote:I won't waste my time anymore with any music I don't enjoy, and I could care less what I'm "supposed to like".

That's where I am now. Unfortunately I spent a truckload of money on mp3's I can't sell to get there...

funny thing is to how similar bands can be.. and yet I'll like one and not the other...

Back in the day I thought I had to get anything that was on a certain label becuz it must be good. After all Pure Metal had Whitecross, Saint, Bride. How was I to know back then I wouldn't care for Force 3? I'm older and wiser now!

I usually keep discs, even if they're not necessarily classics. They make the good occasional listen.

They aren't an "obligation" band, but I'm not sure why I bought both of Nephesh's albums, I think it was because they were said to be an unblack version of Dummi Borgir. Nephesh is background music now, something to listen to where I can still concentrate on what I'm doing.

I almost bought several HB albums because they were compared to Nightwish, who is one of my favorite bands. I'm glad I didn't make that purchase, because HB and Nightwish only have slight simmilarities.

I don't care if it's a band I'm "supposed" to like, or not...if I don't enjoy it, I'm not buying it. Black Sabbath is that way for me. They just don't do much for me at all. I used to have some of their CDs, but sold them. I know they're arguably the beginners of heavy metal as we know it, and therefore must be essential listening for the metalhead...but not this metalhead. Boring! Lol...

I have gone though many seasons of buy and trying to get into bands because they were "Christian Bands" and had to show my support and find witnessing tools for people that were into similar bands, and then I played that game too supporting Christian labels a couple of times to show support especially on labels I happened to be part of the street team, I bought pretty much everything they released and some of it really sucked. Most of those cds now reside in used cd bins at FYE.I try not to do the obligation buys anymore I don't make enough money to do that.

I was that way with Petra for years. I had everything they ever put out up through I think Unseen Power, even though I liked them less and less after John Schlitt came on board (nothing against him, I just liked the GXV sound better). So Wake Up Call came out and I went to Family Bookstore to get it. I was waiting in line with it and thought, "Why am I buying this? I don't really listen to them anymore. But it's Petra, and if I don't get it I won't have all their albums. So what?" So I ended up taking it back and getting something else.

Rob, I was the same way with Pure Metal releases, although I was a little more selective about Intense ones.

Now, if I can get these old things cheap somewhere, I'll do it for academic/research purposes (which allows me to justify in my mind paying money for something I may only listen to once or twice ever, if that much).

Im that way with a few CD's.
Most of the later day Mortification albums are obligation buys.

Tourniquets first album... loved the music, hated the vocals.

Bought them just because of "how important they are to Christian music"

I'm not one who has to have everything by every band, I keep what I like and give the rest to someone else.

Mortification is a good example, I suppose, I like the first 4 albums, after that not so much.