Matt and Kendall, I think you both have important things to say from time to time, and I don't think anybody here is unintelligent.Mister's uncle, who is a curmudgeon from the word Go, once said almost exactly that same thing to me about the battle of wits. While Uncle is very often unreasonable in his arguments, he was right. Even if he is wrong a lot of the time, he is still older and wiser than me so I just don't argue with him anymore. I just nod my head and have another glass of wine. And once in awhile, we will actually agree on something. :)
I do agree that volume does not replace talent - but I also think there is a time and place for volume, and a time and place for silence. I love rock music. Always have. I also love classical music and have to agree with Kendall here that some of it is noise - I don't care for the arty dissonance that some modern composers like to use.
But I say, if it sounds good, it IS good, even if it's only good to you.