WARNING: This article might step on some toes (in some cases, maybe even whole feet). These are just my opinions, NOT necessarily the opinions of all Frequency writers. So if you have any issues/complaints/comments on what you are about to read, voice them directly to me at cbarrett6@neo.tamu.edu .

Now, on with the article…

I am getting sick of music snobs. Before I continue, let me give you my own personal definition of the term. By music snobs, in this particular case, I mean people who listen to one type of music and one type only, and who refuse to give the time of day to any other type of music. More specifically, I am referring to people who claim to only like independent bands and who get disgusted any time someone mentions a band signed to a major record label.

I honestly think these people have no idea how much music is really out there.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m still a member of the large community of people who strongly dislike Clear Channel’s monopolization of radio stations. But I recognize there are more than a handful of bands signed to major labels that recently made the switch from an indie label to a major; several of these still classify themselves as “indie,” like Death Cab for Cutie who just released their new album on Atlantic Records.

"[Being indie] used to mean, especially in the late '80s, early '90s, that you were on an indie label like Matador or Sub Pop," Sia Michel, editor-in-chief of Spin magazine, told Ocala, Florida's Star Banner last week. Now, she says, the term defines a specific sound, "this kind of smart, but tuneful and passionate kind of rock music." However, there are bands out there, who, unlike Death Cab, do not seem to enjoy being dubbed “indie.” In chartattack.com’s interview with the Indie band, Wheat who just made their major label debut, their drummer Brendan Harney stated, “…indie music right now doesn’t know where it wants to be — it’s in a funk. It kind of has its own code and its own language now. And to me, the experimental aspect of it, the desire to be unique and strive for something, that is different. It just seems to be more about being "cool" now, than about actually touching people…” So, for some bands, although the media labels them as indie, that’s just not their goal. Imagine that! Some people don’t have a desire to be independent because of the barriers that title puts around their creativity.