Snobbery

I am a music snob and I am the first person to admit this. I like the idea that my favourite bands are neglected not only by commercial radio but receive limited airplay anywhere. I complain when my chosen songs do not make it into the Hottest 100 but secretly think this is good. I like the idea of seeing bands perform live before the wave of bandwagon jumpers arrive, as soon as the bands become fashionable when they're featured in a film soundtrack or in The Sunday Age.

I was thinking about this the other day when contemplating the Shins album Chutes Too Narrow. It is an almost perfect musical construction but remains neglected by much of the population. And I kind of like this idea. The Shins are a great band, but would they still be a great band if they suddenly received the attention of commercial radio? Not to music snobs like me. We like the idea of being members of an exclusive club who (we think) have good taste. We like the idea of getting excited about seeing Wilco rather than Pink. Hopefully there is something intrinsic about The Shins meaning that commercial radio will never play Mine's Not a High Horse, Australia or the future equivalent of New Slang. That way we music snobs can remain self satisfied at our own brilliant and obscure taste for a bit longer.