Psht... well were to start. I got an open mind when it comes to music but I'm very picky, being a musician myself the song/band has be perfect. As such I listen to a lot of bands that a lot of people haven't of, because I'm conatantly searching high and low for something awesome (and believe me, that isn't an easy job these days ).
Alternate rock, Hard Rock and progressive rock/metal is where I tend to get my musical kicks though... I usually Hate all the mainstream sounding music, regardless of it being rock metal pop or whatever (paradoxically I hate when my favourite bands don't get their time to shine though )... Though lately a kinda pop rock band called Motion City Soundtrack has really taken my fancy Lately .
I'll usually like a band/artist if :
They have a distinguished vocalist (screaming doesn't count ... though if they can do that too then ... meh cool)
They are talented
The memebers are likable (I know it's silly, but if the guys a Dbag I'm gunna hate the band ... Pete Wents springs to mind)
The don't sound like a 1000 other bands who do exactly what they do but better
Aren't completely force fed to me (That ruined kings of leon for me...I can only hear 'Use Somebody' So many times in a year ...let alone twice every 10 minutes)
The music just basically sounds cool
My music library of bands and artists that I usually listen to caps at about 85 - 100, so I'll just tell you my top ten lol.
Coheed and Cambria, Tool, A perfect Circle, Fair To Midland, Cire, Karnivool, Chevelle, Incubus, Motion City Sound Track, Dredg.
I too am not a fan of over hyped classic rock, and I don't like people that can't see that some rap is talented. You 'metalheads' might scoff, but Eminem is a hell of a lyricist. Appreciate the rappers and maybe your favourite bands won't be so frowned upon .