Music

I didn’t originally plan to write a post on Beyoncé’s self-titled album, figuring by now everyone is “Beyonced” out, but a comment I made to a friend earlier today led to a few questions I want to pose to the universe…

As consumers we have grown somewhat accustomed to hearing music before we see the videos, TV specials, documentaries, etc. and the music has to stand on its own.

I mentioned to her that I felt my opinion of the music was biased because I had chosen to watch the stunning visuals first, prior to listening the audio portion alone (a decision I struggled with). Now, it would seem, my thoughts of the music are instantly tied to my opinion and understanding of the visual piece.

That brought me to the question — what is the “right” way to consume an audio visual album? When you go to listen to the music for the first time, should it always be accompanied by the visual?

After watching the video Beyoncé released on her Facebook shortly after the album hit iTunes on Thursday, it would seem she would answer “yes” to the latter.

“I see music,” Beyoncé said in the video. “It’s more than just what I hear. When I’m connected to something, I immediately see a visual or a series of images that are tied to a feeling or an emotion, a memory from my childhood, thoughts about life, my dreams or my fantasies. And they’re all connected to the music.”

The questions I struggle with based on that assumption: should the music be able to stand on its own, and does it? Isn’t a part of music allowing the consumer to paint a picture with your words — is she cheating us out of an experience by providing a packaged picture for us?

After I finished “watching” the album, I felt (and feel) an attachment to what the songs means to her, and her experiences, but I wonder if I will ever be able to make my own connection to the deeply personal and reflective elements showcased on the album.

Thoughts?