Way back in the year 2000
I stumbled across a band that I immediately connected with. I only heard a few songs over the loudspeakers at the indie music store I was perusing in Chicago before I had the CD in hand and plunked down my hard-earned $17. I was breaking my "Three Banger Rule," which meant that I wouldn't buy a CD unless I knew it had three great songs on it. Yes, this was back in the day before streaming and music on demand, and the money—equivalent to $30 today—was a lot to spend on the unknown. I had been burned before. 
I don't know why I connected with the music, but I did. I tried to get my friends interested, but their response never matched my enthusiasm and I couldn't understand it. Why didn't they love it as much as I did?
The band was Cousteau
And I wasn't the only person in the world to buy their album. Their debut effort was well received critically, and they had more popularity in Europe. The band toured and then went on to release a few more albums over the next few years. Eventually they broke up but reformed in 2017 under the slightly altered name CousteauX. They have what can only be described as a "cult" following now, and despite how much I like that first album, I am NOT going to try and sell you on them. That's right—Don't look them up.
I promise this isn't some lame attempt at reverse psychology. It's because I've learned that the chance of you liking what I like is not likely for some very scientific reasons.
Why do I like what I like?
It turns out I'm not the first person to ask the question. In fact, there is a lot of research on the subject. In the case of why this group of songs has stayed with me all these years, it seems to be a combination of a few things:
Personal Memories
Certain tastes can become associated with significant moments in your life, acting as "time capsules" that transport you back to those experiences and feelings. The year 2000 was an exciting time in my life, and although I didn't realize it then, the world (or at least my world) was a relatively stable place.
Preference through Familiarity
or the Comfort of Predictability: The CD case in my truck only had 20 slots, so the album was in heavy rotation during a period when I was making a lot of road trips for work. That repetition helped solidify my feelings toward it.
Cultural Background and Social Environment
Both have influenced my tastes from a young age, just as they have yours. The music I heard from my family and peer groups had a unique imprint on me that influenced my preferences and the choices I make. This set of experiences is unique to me and happens without me even thinking about it.
Personality Resonance
Believe it or not, my musical preferences mirror my personality. At least that's what the science journals say, and before you ask, No, I have no idea what this band's music says about my personality. And to be honest, I don't really want to know.
Neurological Pleasure
This album gives my brain a pleasurable neurological response. Studies prove that when you listen to music you enjoy, your brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, and repeated exposure can also strengthen neural pathways, making that music even more enjoyable over time.
So there you have it
There are reasons why we like one thing over another. I suggest a deeper dive into these really interesting studies and their findings. The Harris County Public Library has some great books on this topic. And while I "like" these books for my reasons, I promise you will "like" some of them for your own reasons.
And if you are just too curious now and want to hear the album that inspired this blog, you can find Cousteau on HCPL's free music source, Freegal Harris County Public Library : Search Page - Cousteau
Why do we like what we like? The neuroscience behind the objects that please us
Why do we like what we like? | Yale Insights
Why We Like What We Like – Association for Psychological Science – APS
Tom Vanderbilt's 'You May Also Like' and the Complex Psychology of Taste - The Atlantic
Why Do We Like What We Like? The Neuroscience Behind the Objects That Please Us - Neuroscience News
The Psychology Behind Music Preferences: Why We Like What We Like - Novecore Blog
Why do I like what I like? — Harvard Gazette
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