Bagpipes
 

I just got back from the grocery store to discover that there's a man standing on the sidewalk directly across from my apartment playing the bagpipes. It's really loud in my apartment, like louder than the volume I would normally listen to music at home, and I have to admit I kind of feel like leaning out the window and heckling him.

Anyway, all this is making me think about my feelings toward bagpipes in general and I'm torn about whether I like them or not. On the one hand, let's face it, they sound like a dying animal and the fact that they are an extremely loud instrument means that the dying animal sound also has an in your face quality to it. On the other hand, sometimes I've heard them used in a way that is really great. An example that comes to mind is in the song "Sky Pilot" by the Animals, I don't think that tune would be nearly as good with the bagpipes.

So what are your feelings about bagpipes? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Somewhere in between?

I LOVE bagpipes, usually only when playing more traditional bagpipe music. The only time I haven't liked it is when I was at a hotel breakfast and some guy was playing covers of adult contemporary music hits on one. It was terrible...if you though Phil Collins songs were bad to begin with, you haven't heard anything quite like "You'll Be In my Heart" on a bagpipe. It hurt...

I also have an abnormal obsession with men in kilts. I know it doesn't have anything to do with how bagpipes sound and I know not all bagpipe players wear them...but it can help me enjoy it more. :)

The White Stripes experimented with bagpipes on Icky Thump and it was fairly terrible to be fair. I think they can be great as long as they're not too overbearing, they're very good for atmosphere (a brilliant example is GY!BE - East Hastings).

:rofl:

Well the guy across the street from my place was wearing a kilt so you probably would've loved it (he just left). Of course he was also a big fat guy so maybe not.

Only because you are dying to ask them the age old question- "are you wearing any?" :D Apparently real Scottish Men don't!

Yes...I know. ;)

I'd say "they can be great as long as they're not too overbearing" pretty much sums up my feelings about them as well.