This is essentially a re-direct post to posts that I made on the Ribbon Room, the OTHER blog I'm writing for.
When Is Music World Music? contemplates the definition of world music.
Likewise, What is Music? contemplates the definition of music. (Note that both posts are essentially unedited versions of what I wrote for a class.)
An Examination of Timbres in Rock Music is a whiny complaint about how post-grunge and other forms of alternative hard rock should obey classical music more rigidly.
What Music is scary? analyzes the proposed question.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Attack of the Clones
Just Kidding. On a more serious note, today will feature many more songs than normal. As usual - but even more pertinent today - feel free to listen to those songs that interest you.
"Celestial (Signal Fills The Void)" by Isis is a remix by Justin Broadrick, leader of the atmospheric metal group Jesu, of their song "Celestial." This remix bears remaining sludge metal elements - very "sludgy" sounding guitar - but it has new electronic elements and changes that decrease the heaviness and create a new song altogether. Remixes like these that drastically change the song demonstrate the power of remixing when done in a creative manner.
"On the Other Side of the Mirage" is an atmospheric instrumental from Tales of Vesperia; it is built around bass guitar, flute, and a transient synthesizer that is psychedelic yet immensely ethereal. The dreamy sense of wonder is perpetuated further by a cello that enters a minute or so later. The song is grounded by percussion and other earthier-sounding instruments as the flute and synthesizer create a sensation of floating.
"Sleepwalk Powder" by Mouth of the Architect is a 17-minute piece built upon steady composition of the guitar texture; a balance between heaviness and softness is struck, where the mostly instrumental metal band tries to create a softer song that is still true to themselves.
"Scrolling In Mind Images of Past Day Before Falling Asleep" by Aesthesys is a simple guitar-based song built upon neoclassical tonality and ambient music.
"Touch of the Sun" from the 127 Hours soundtrack by A.R. Rahman is a minimalist song built around an electric guitar, differing in the amount of distortion used; the sound is similar to that of an acoustic guitar. Slight sounds in the background give the track a desert-feel. Background sounds ascend into providing a full fledged backdrop for the guitar, completing the song's feel. The late-entering drums play a large role in the latter half of the song having a sound befitting a desert.
"Untitled" by Pelican, despite a lo-fi sound that renders rawness onto the song, is a unique folk song. The song sounds fiery yet maintains a strange serenity; the contrasts never unwind the song, and the fire hovers in the background. Electronic and other sounds hover lowly in the mix, giving life to the music.
"Song of Los (Mogwai Remix)" is a song by Apparat that was remixed by instrumental rock group Mogwai. The result adds an atmospheric, painted in feedback feel to the music that differs from the electronic basis of the song . This version differs greatly from the original mainly in part due to the atmosphere given to it.
"In The Deep and Peaceful Brush" from Tales of Vesperia is a low-key, brief song built from several transient parts shifting in and out of the song creating a sensation of flow. Blink, and the song is done.
"Mages of the Shadow's Depths" from the same game is in fact not a dark song; it is a mysterious song whose incorporation of harpsichord is reminiscent of the work of Scarlatti, a Baroque composer. The sound is reminiscent of that era, albeit in a softer manner. Glockenspiel adds a jazz feel, thus completing this genre-bending piece's sound.
"Celestial (Signal Fills The Void)" by Isis is a remix by Justin Broadrick, leader of the atmospheric metal group Jesu, of their song "Celestial." This remix bears remaining sludge metal elements - very "sludgy" sounding guitar - but it has new electronic elements and changes that decrease the heaviness and create a new song altogether. Remixes like these that drastically change the song demonstrate the power of remixing when done in a creative manner.
"On the Other Side of the Mirage" is an atmospheric instrumental from Tales of Vesperia; it is built around bass guitar, flute, and a transient synthesizer that is psychedelic yet immensely ethereal. The dreamy sense of wonder is perpetuated further by a cello that enters a minute or so later. The song is grounded by percussion and other earthier-sounding instruments as the flute and synthesizer create a sensation of floating.
"Sleepwalk Powder" by Mouth of the Architect is a 17-minute piece built upon steady composition of the guitar texture; a balance between heaviness and softness is struck, where the mostly instrumental metal band tries to create a softer song that is still true to themselves.
"Scrolling In Mind Images of Past Day Before Falling Asleep" by Aesthesys is a simple guitar-based song built upon neoclassical tonality and ambient music.
"Touch of the Sun" from the 127 Hours soundtrack by A.R. Rahman is a minimalist song built around an electric guitar, differing in the amount of distortion used; the sound is similar to that of an acoustic guitar. Slight sounds in the background give the track a desert-feel. Background sounds ascend into providing a full fledged backdrop for the guitar, completing the song's feel. The late-entering drums play a large role in the latter half of the song having a sound befitting a desert.
"Untitled" by Pelican, despite a lo-fi sound that renders rawness onto the song, is a unique folk song. The song sounds fiery yet maintains a strange serenity; the contrasts never unwind the song, and the fire hovers in the background. Electronic and other sounds hover lowly in the mix, giving life to the music.
"Song of Los (Mogwai Remix)" is a song by Apparat that was remixed by instrumental rock group Mogwai. The result adds an atmospheric, painted in feedback feel to the music that differs from the electronic basis of the song . This version differs greatly from the original mainly in part due to the atmosphere given to it.
"In The Deep and Peaceful Brush" from Tales of Vesperia is a low-key, brief song built from several transient parts shifting in and out of the song creating a sensation of flow. Blink, and the song is done.
"Mages of the Shadow's Depths" from the same game is in fact not a dark song; it is a mysterious song whose incorporation of harpsichord is reminiscent of the work of Scarlatti, a Baroque composer. The sound is reminiscent of that era, albeit in a softer manner. Glockenspiel adds a jazz feel, thus completing this genre-bending piece's sound.
I'm Uncreative
"Hunted by a Freak" by Mogwai is an atmospheric instrumental built sparsely around melody; it evolves and grows into a full-fledged piece, marked by a clean yet distinctive sound. This track gains order, rather than devolving into chaos.
"Thanks A Lot" by Third Eye Blind is a distinctive-sounding post-grunge song from the late 90s that bears a strong reminiscence to the Smashing Pumpkins' song "Rocket" off Siamese Dream. Comparisons to other bands don't really help describe a band, so rather consider a rock song based off of the usual elements. The song reveals both maturity and youth at the same time, creating an interesting contrast throughout.
"Jimmy Jazz" by the Clash is a "lazy" rock song, an impression given by the lax tempo and guitar sound. In some respects it is a blues song, based off of harmonizing and emphasis moreso than sophisticated guitar texture created off of complex progression.
"Thanks A Lot" by Third Eye Blind is a distinctive-sounding post-grunge song from the late 90s that bears a strong reminiscence to the Smashing Pumpkins' song "Rocket" off Siamese Dream. Comparisons to other bands don't really help describe a band, so rather consider a rock song based off of the usual elements. The song reveals both maturity and youth at the same time, creating an interesting contrast throughout.
"Jimmy Jazz" by the Clash is a "lazy" rock song, an impression given by the lax tempo and guitar sound. In some respects it is a blues song, based off of harmonizing and emphasis moreso than sophisticated guitar texture created off of complex progression.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
La Mer
Note: This entry is going to be on both this blog and my sister's blog When in Pakistan. La Mer is a poem about sailing in Pakistan with my uncle and sister, as well as my uncle's friend who helped with the boat.
Oscillations sway slowly,
wind sweeping across vision;
they etch a fractional path.
Above the water birds circle above,
gliding with the sea,
an amalgamation of black and white
dotting the quadrant with color.
Keeping up, the birds flew,
diving at fish and each other
in an attempt to breach the water first.
And they move in the air,
continuing acrobatics,
continuing to skirt above the water
as if something either menacing or tasty lay below it.
One sat on a recognizable perch,
as if birds really aren't that unique.
Oscillations sway slowly,
wind sweeping across vision;
they etch a fractional path.
Above the water birds circle above,
gliding with the sea,
an amalgamation of black and white
dotting the quadrant with color.
Keeping up, the birds flew,
diving at fish and each other
in an attempt to breach the water first.
And they move in the air,
continuing acrobatics,
continuing to skirt above the water
as if something either menacing or tasty lay below it.
One sat on a recognizable perch,
as if birds really aren't that unique.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Nobody's Fault But My Own
"Nobody's Fault But My Own" by Beck is a folk song backed by strings and a sitar. The convergence of the styles creates a full sound, despite the song's focus on the guitar and vocals. Beck plays around with his style while still creating a distinctive sound as well as a memorable song.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
And With Her Came The Birds
"And With Her Came The Birds" by Cult Of Luna is oddly enough essentially a folk song transmitted into guitar; it features a slow tempo and whispered vocals that create a calming feel. Barely audible percussion keeps a slight beat going, no matter how small. The song is cyclic but changing.
"Inside the Sandship (Past)" from Skyward Sword is an ambient song built upon orchestral principles; it features progression and melody, while layers are shifted to create varying sounds. Electronic and orchestral music are fused together seamlessly to create a song reminiscent of the desert.
"Inside the Sandship (Past)" from Skyward Sword is an ambient song built upon orchestral principles; it features progression and melody, while layers are shifted to create varying sounds. Electronic and orchestral music are fused together seamlessly to create a song reminiscent of the desert.
Piano and the Playing, It's a thing
"Laura Plays The Piano" by Akira Yamaoka is a fairly simplistic take on the ambient interlude; it incorporates a simple piano melody playing on top musically. The result is quite calming.
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