*****
this afternoon, I was sitting with Lilah in front of the CD player, after many repeated listenings of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" (and all the rest on the Movers and Shakers CD), I brought out a stack of my own personal CDs that have been sitting, gathering dust, on the music table. I thought I'd see what ones Lilah would be interested in by the artwork on the covers, and then play her the music from what she chose...
First she picked Florence and the Machine. She liked the photographs on the inside, but after about a minute, wanted it off. Then Lilah grabbed Steven's stack of music and demanded that we listen to Faith No More. (She does know this particular album very well). I said no. I didn't want to listen to FNM just then. So the next choice was Regina Spektor. It took about 15 seconds before "I no like this one" ... next track ... "I no like this one" ... one last track ... "I no like this one."
Right.
"I like this one."
"That's the Deftones."
"Is it a girl?"
"Yes, on the cover. But it's not a girl singing."
"Yes it is."
"No it isn't."
Here, what do you think about this one? (The Killers, Day and Age.) Cool cover, don't you think? And the pictures inside...
"Is it a man?"
Yes, that's Brandon Flowers. He sings the songs.
(Turns the page)
"Is that a lady?"
That's another man.
(Turns the page)
"Is that a lady?"
Nope. Another man.
"What's his name?"
Dunno.
--On the last page of the CD Booklet, there is a picture of one of the guys who also has long hair, but a 5 o'clock shadow sort of incorporated into the artwork.
"This is a man."
Yup.
The music goes on, and I'm really excited because I haven't listened to this CD more than once since we got it... last year? So I'm boppin and bouncing.
"NO! YOU NO LIKE THIS!"
Yes I do! I really do! I love it!
"NO! YOU DON'T LOVE IT!"
I like this music, Lilah.
"NO! I need to listen to THIS! (deftones)"
You don't like that, Lilah.
"YES, I DO."
Really?
"YES!"
--I don't even get to finish the first track on the album and it's over. I put on the Deftones, which she adamantly defends as being the best music ever made in the history of life, and when I put it in, I look around (she's sitting on the bed), and she's covering her ears.
"Is it loud?"
Yes. I told you it was loud.
"Is it a girl singing?"
Nope. It's gonna be a boy.
... one minute later ...
"I no need this one."
****
Conclusion:
I'm thwarted by the fact that Lilah has separated guitars and pianos as boys and girls instruments at the tender age of two. No worries, though, I've got a great live DVD of PJ Harvey that she's going to be watching very soon.
I am saddened that Lilah would prefer not to listen to catchy pop songs in favour of much harder rock songs.
This proves for me that a) we need to spend more time in the car, and b) i need a CD player for the car. Pop music is definitely best listened to at high speeds, over bumpy roads, in beautiful scenery.
