Until I stepped into the Annex Sunday night, I hadn’t been to a metal show in years.

Or maybe metal isn’t the right word for it, since I used to be into the likes of Korn, White Zombie and Staind, which most true, old-school metalheads would classify as nothing more than pop crap.

Nonetheless, I went into the Soulfly show expecting to have an average time with some average music. I was proven wrong, however, as I walked onto a floor full of college-aged males bobbing their heads in unison to the growling vocals. The ground was literally shaking because the bass was tuned so low, and a smile crept onto my face as I took in the whole scene.

Now, I’m the first to admit that “metal” isn’t really my thing anymore. There are, however, a few lingering songs that I can’t quite step away from. These, and others, make up my guilty musical pleasures.

Oh, come on, we all have them. Even people who insist that everyone should listen to whatever they want without feeling bad about it have them. Guilty musical pleasures are those few songs on your playlist that you skip through in embarrassment if they pop up when certain people are in the room; that song on the radio you sing along to at the top of your lungs when you’re in the car alone, but lunge for the dial if it comes on in the presence of friends.

Normally, I’m one of those people who thinks all musical tastes have merit, and no one should be ashamed of what they listen to. Yet I show my true, hypocritical colors at times, too. For example, and I’m taking a big step in admitting this, I downloaded the latest Linkin Park single last week.

That’s right, I did. And I like the song — I really do. So why do I find myself justifying it to my friends whenever they ask why I have a Linkin Park song on my computer?

“Oh, I don’t REALLY like that song — it was mislabeled when I downloaded it.” “I downloaded that song a really long time ago. I really never listen to it.” I sometimes find myself cowering in a corner whenever I’m questioned about some of my musical tastes.

Sometimes I wonder, however, if criticizing someone’s musical tastes isn’t a bit like the old argument regarding homophobia — that those who are most openly homophobic are the ones who are secretly gay. Maybe the people who are the most outspoken about hating a particular genre are the ones who secretly love them the most.

That would make for an interesting musical world, wouldn’t it? I have several friends who would be exposed as secretly being fans of everything from the Dixie Chicks to Simple Plan to Avril Lavigne.

Truthfully, there are relatively few genres of music that I sincerely hate. One is late ’80s-early-’90s adult contemporary music, most notably Phil Collins and any of his associated bands. I used to get carsick when I was younger, and on long car trips my mom liked to listen to Phil Collins. Consequently (and I’m not making this up, contrary to popular belief), I feel slightly nauseous when I hear Phil Collins.

The other genre I just can’t listen to is country music from the past 10 years or so. I’m okay with the likes of Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, but when it comes to Vince Gill, Garth Brooks or pre-superstardom Shania Twain (well, post-stardom Shania Twain, too), I just have to turn the dial.

Other than those particulars, though, I can at least stand most everything. Although I sometimes get flack for my musical picks and pans (and being an arts editor only exasperates this criticism), I like to think I’m moving toward not really caring what people think of my music.

So I’ll go ahead and admit it — I don’t think the Justin Timberlake solo album is all that bad. Hey, the kid’s got talent. I also don’t mind the All-American Rejects, but most would criticize me for this choice, given my general annoyance at the “new punk” movement.

In the end, whether you listen to some of your music in the secrecy of your own room, late at night with headphones on, or stand on your rooftop and loudly proclaim that you love the new J.Lo single, what really matters is that you listen to what you like. Care about others’ opinions or don’t; just don’t compromise your listening because of them.