Boards
I think I've worked out how I decide what music I like.
This may be a subconscious process.
But I've noticed that every band or artist I become obsessed with don't need any sort of context when I'm justifying their appeal to someone/myself.
That sounds like bollocks. But what I mean is, if somebody asked me 'Why do you like The Beatles?' or 'Why do you like Ryan Adams?' or 'Why do you like Ray Charles?' or 'Why do you like George Gershwin?' etc., you won't ever hear words like "at the time, they were so important" or anything.
Like whenever some TV programme's telling me about Nirvana or The Clash or The Sex Pistols, someone always needs to mention something along the lines of "they spoke to people" or "they were such a breath of fresh air".
To me, a band's impact is irrelevant. The fact The Beatles were the most well-known band ever, or that Oasis were 'a bunch of working class lads' is like telling me the bands' favourite colours.
Therefore, if you can't tell me why you like Nirvana or The Sex Pistols without talking about 'the time', then I hate you forever.