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Just out of personal curiosity. I've noticed that most people have a certain preference when it comes to the type of music they like. I know some of my friends seem to only judge lead singers when it comes to bands, no matter how good the rest of the band is, if the lead singer sucks, the band sucks period. Some others look for pure blasts of aggression in their music, some others look for soothing melodies and well coordinated harmonies. Others look for catchy jumpy beats that they can tap their feet to, others look for killer riffs that makes you wish you had a guitar to smash. So what rocks your boat?

actually, I listen to all types of music, but I tend to like most the singers/groups/songs that have vocals that I could sing. I pick things that I think I could possibly sing. I actually don't have a very low voice for a girl and there are so many singers out there that I absolutely love but I can't sing their stuff because it is way too low for me. I actually prefer singers that sing in higher registers. (Like Amy Grant, she sings way to low for me to attempt, but so do a lot of other popular artists, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlen-sometimes-, Rebecca St. James, Martina McBride) but I actually can sing things that people like Josh Groban sing (in my register, of course). I sang his version of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" at my church this past Christmas, and that goes up to a high A, but I'd rather do that than have to sing any lower than middle C.

For me, the most important things when it comes to music is vocals and easy-listening melodies. For example, I absolutely adore James Blunt's music, but his voice is just too high for my liking. I always say that if his music was sung by someone else, I would go running to get the CD.

I also tend towards male vocals. I don't think I own even one CD with a female vocals on it.

It all needs to work together for me. The singer, the band, the music and the lyrics. All four have to combine to be something wonderful for me to claim a "great" song. Sometimes I'll say things like "nice vocals" or "I like the beat." But, if I say I love a song, I love all aspects of it.

As for what exactly makes them all great... well, that changes from song to song. I just need to feel they all work well together.

I guess I kind of look for 'unstructured' music... so many songs have the standard Intro-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Solo-Ending... I like it jazzed up a bit. I'm a sucker for hooky guitar, especially if I sense its got a bit if improvisation in it.

If not the above, then its usually full out aggressive vocals with mean and fast guitar and a steady drum beat with plenty of clash cymbals. Its not a very clear point because many times I find some aggression to be 'fake'... which is probably a bit a bit pretentious of me but meh, some songs will just naturally hit the spot.

As lame as it sounds, for me it's about the all around feel of the music.
That means good instrumentals that can put me in a certain mood (calm, energetic, happy, emotional) & decent vocals too.

i usually listen for good vocals and instrument tunes that stand out. a band still sucks if they have a really awesome melody.... that they use in every single song.

In general, music by people who are not tone-deaf.
Thank you very much.