a trip with the iTunes

This past Sunday, HH and I dined on Hawiian Haystacks and briefly discussed music. She asked if I liked Regina Spektor. HH was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, I was standing in front of the sink, and I think I sort of gave a grimace and timidly said, "no." HH then went on to talk about how NPR had her on, and she talked about Regina's new song "Laughing With." The premise sounded interesting, I dug it.

Fast forward to this morning. "Laughing With" was on Vh1 while I was getting ready. I loved the lyrics, loved the piano, hated her voice. And then I remembered.

I don't like female singers.

It's not as if I go out of my way to hate them, it's just that all signs point to me not enjoying them.

This isn't news to me. It was actually a revelation I had while in AmeriCorps. John Von played a distinct role in helping to mold my musical tastes into what they are today; and to help me realize that I don't like female singers.

If you take a gander through my iTunes you'll find a diverse spray of male vocalists: All American Rejects ... Aqualung ... The Decemberists ... Barenaked Ladies ... Death Cab for Cutie ... Postal Service ... Coldplay ... Weezer ... Ben Folds ... Sufjan Stevens ... Michael Jackson ... The Beatles ... Lionel Ritchy ... Hellogoodbye ... Plain White T's ... Counting Crows.

The list goes on. Then you look at the female representation: Tegan and Sara ... Madonna ... a few Imogen Heap songs. But that's it. With the exception of my owning every Tegan and Sara album, the girls are not representing.

Why is this? I can't answer that. Really, I can't. I just don't think I like the female voice. Or, maybe, I think all women should be able to sing, thus when a man does so, and well, I am impressed? Or maybe, if I look at the sampling that our society says is a representation of female vocalists today, I find Katy Perry talking about waking up in Vegas, and Lady Gaga wanting to dance on a disco stick. Yeah, ladies, you're painting a great picture. Inspiring.

So, my quest to you is: Help me find some great female vocals I'll like! Certainly Katy Perry and Lady Gaga aren't the only thing my sistas can offer!