We find music relaxing because it provides pattern out of chaos - but reality is chaos. The effect of music is to calm by way of tying-up emotional loose ends in the mind, with different types of music working on different loose ends. Music draws unresolved conflicts and anxieties to the surface of the mind where they are pandered to. Go ahead, tie up those loose ends - and end up with a beautifully rounded mass of seething knots!
Music works as a drug to disable the mind. It helps to distract our attention away from everyday problems, giving us a holiday from categories. We sense a sublime, impalpable message in music; and it is impalpable for one good reason - it is not rational! Beware this demon, who masquerades as a God! Music is like a plastic flower, pretty, but not the real thing. The Ultimate is like music, but music is not like the Ultimate. Do not be deceived by temporary clarity: where the ocean is smoothest the most dangerous currents flow.