Yo. My name is Aeryk. I listen to a lot of music. Thanks to the iPod, and now my iPhone, I live my life to a soundtrack. Also, I write. A lot. Most of it surrounds what I like, or don’t like, about b-movies that I watch. Some of it makes sense, sort of. Some of it’s funny. 

Now that I’ve got all that touchy-feely introduction stuff out of the way, I would like to lay one thing out: I don't know a treble note from a hole in the ground. I never took music classes to learn about music. I did take guitar lessons, but it was all tablature, and the vast majority was learning to play Metallica songs. Musician and/or music scholar I am not.

I do, on the other hand, know what I like. So, when I read that my buddies at AudioADD needed contributors, I thought, “I could do that. Maybe.” For weeks I’ve let the idea steep. Then, yesterday the old saying came to me, “Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one and they all stink (to which I like to add, except mine).” That would be a great column title, I thought. So I shortened and acronymed it, leaving O.A.L.A.

The truth behind that saying is what has puzzled me for years about professional critics. In art, whatever flavor, there’s no right answer. The only answer is the one you supply. That being the case, what difference does it make if Joe Blow thinks this or that? Who cares if he has a well-structured argument for thinking so? If you think something’s shite, it’s shite.

I understand that all of this seems wildly contradictive, when what I’ll be writing is basically a "critique corner". Yet, I don’t believe it is. I would like to present my idea as not another critique, but as my Personal Pandora Project.

I am going to take you along with me as I discover new music. Some of it I will like, some not. You might agree. You might disagree. The difference will be that I’ll be expecting you to come back to learn about something you didn't know existed or to learn about a connection you never knew was there. Likewise, I hope, whether you agree or disagree with my taste, you'll enjoy the way I write about how the music effects me.

I plan to start with an experimental music group, which for me is the band whose music I would have with me if I were deserted on a desert island. So, until next time, go enjoy what you enjoy, and if you don’t agree with me, piss off.

Next Time on O.A.L.A.: Mr Bungle