Justin Timberlake - A Man of Many Talents

I am astounded at the mass success that Justin Timberlake has achieved throughout his career as a very versatile performer and entertainer. What is most admirable about Timberlake is his uncanny ability to morph into any role (either song writer, producer, actor, or businessman) in order to attain greatness. His true versatility makes him a very strong character that is relatable to many types of audiences. He has class, talent, and a great sense of humor that enables him to thrive on a variety of stages. While I enjoy his singles because of their catchy beats and melodic sounds, I also enjoy watching Timberlake on the big screen in movies like the Social Network and laughing at his amusing persona on Saturday Night Live.

His crazy versatility makes me admire his musical work that much more. I feel that many artists’ success can be attributed to their portrayal of their great personalities. When they are able to have other outlets outside of the music that they compose, it provides audiences insight into who they truly are. While some use this for mere publicity and shallow popularity, others are true and it is reflected accurately through their music as well. Because of his wide spread of work, his talent is able to shine on multiple levels. Despite this, I feel that you can see how talented a songwriter and entertainer Timberlake is simply through his hit singles. Timberlake is one of the artists that is also able to greatly adapt to a constantly changing musical environment. He has successfully stayed in mainstream popular music because he has a very ‘cool’ aura surrounding him. His music is able to mimic this with smooth soulful vibes. His music is also very memorable and songs that I used to listen to by him years ago can be sung on command if I just read the song title. While I originally struggled to think of past songs I liked of Timberlake, songs like “SexyBack”, bring back to me very memorable melodies.

Lately, Timberlake has resurged in his musical career. While he has been busy becoming popular in many other forms of media such as the movies, Timberlake decided to return to his roots when he released two hit singles “Suit and Tie” and “Mirrors”. These songs were fresh and sounded very unique when they were first released. They stick with me and (right now at least) I’m always happy to put it on as background music when I’m driving or working. While his music may not be very deep lyrically, his smooth voice enables the fabric of the melody to merge with the soft countermelody of                the synthesized sounds. While taking a closer look at the analysis and aspects of Timberlake’s most recent hit singles, I’ve noticed that he seems like a reverse Bob Dylan. His voice is very interesting yet his lyrics are rather lacking in meaning. While artists of the past were able to tell whole stories and release impactful messages through their songs, I feel that Timberlake’s music serves more of a purpose to entertain and please people on the surface rather than deeply move them.

While the lyrics may be lacking upon in-depth analysis, I feel that I am able to ignore this for casual listening. I correlate Timberlake’s most recent style of music with the carefree attitude that was illustrated in the remade Great Gatsby movie. It might be because we just discussed this movie, but I feel that this is a good comparison because both focus a lot on production quality A LOT. The vibrant colors of Baz Luhrmann’s remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, greatly mirror the sonic vibrancy of Timberlake’s music that make it seem a perfect fit for party style listening. Overall, I would strongly stand by Timberlake as a multi-talented versatile artist. I greatly appreciate listening to his singles and I can’t wait to see what his new album will bring. Listen to some of my favorite hits recently:

Echotone

At first I didn’t think that this documentary would be appealing to me at first but it quickly picked up. I loved a variety of aspects of the film that made it come to life for me. They were able to effectively contrast the everyday work life of musicians with their exciting “night life” of performances and musical successes. The documentary opens with this guy who is transporting and carrying fish around during the day yet quickly shifts to an exciting scene of him playing the guitar and singing. I like this contrast because it illustrates the perseverance of artists and how people have to work to achieve success. I think this can go beyond simply musical trends because these people are doing everything they can to do what they love. It is very admirable to see people who are living for what they love and achieving pure happiness as a result.

It is also astounding for me to see my local world just a few years ago. The infrastructure and city life looked very different than how it looks today while much of it was very similar. This documentary also addresses issues of the economics behind the musical world and live performances. I thought it was very interesting to hear how Austin (just in 2008, 5 years ago!) was growing at such a rapid pace that they were worried they wouldn’t be able to maintain the infrastructure to support the widespread and notable live music business. The live music venues are a major social attraction for our city and it ultimately brings in a lot of money and revenue for the city and local economy. Seeing the inner workings of the music business resonated with me because I love understanding how things work and how society works on an economic level.

Additionally, I liked that this documentary exposed the personalities of the artists that they were following throughout the film. I feel that this quality provides the audience and viewers of the documentary with a satisfying feeling that we understand that these musicians were everyday people. I was also able to see the cynicism yet continual optimism about life that these musicians illustrated as they constantly went through their everyday routine to simply perform their cherished music. By showing the artist’s personalities, I also can relate to them on a character level. This one woman said that she was doing a gig and not even getting paid for it. This shows they are truly in it for their own benefit, enjoyment and thrill.

While there were many parts of this documentary that I really enjoyed, I felt that it could have focused more on the actual performances and the music venues that dominate the musical market of Austin. I would’ve like to see more insight on the types of music that were quintessential of this time. Don’t get me wrong, they show a lot of clips revolving around the actual music, but I feel that they could’ve incorporated even more! I liked that they backed these clips of music with accounts and opinions of the consumers along with the artists because this exposed both sides of this business and social factor. Additionally, I felt somewhat confused at what was happening at times because they transitioned so often and rapidly throughout the documentary as an entirety. However, this also adds dynamics to the piece by showing not just the music or the experiences of artists, but also things ranging from album cover art to consumer opinions.

The common saying that Austin is a weird place is very much embodied by this piece of work because it exposes the vast variety of musicians, people, and types of music that adds to the overall scene of Austin’s live music. I felt especially connected with this film because it focused on a place that I was very much familiar with and thus comfortable with. Additionally, it showed the other side of Austin that I never truly knew existed behind the scenes.

Green Day’s Dookie

Green Day emits a very revolutionary sound in their album, Dookie. While the punk scene had flourished earlier in musical history, Green Day was able to revamp this classic rebellious sound. When they released Dookie, Green Day became the father of the first real punk crossover album. They incorporate so many different aspects into their hit singles off the album that every moment of the music is interesting and lively. I love how they manipulate the instrumentals in order to create a dynamic pattern to their songs. While it has its high points of excitement and building of suspense to these climactic points, they are also able to sound energetic in the low points. This diversity of pacing throughout the songs provide a fun and ecstatic vibe that constantly oozes out of the guitar and bass sounds of this album. They are able to effectively mix a strong classic punk countermelody with effective vocals and lyrics.

While Green Day does tend to mix in profanity into their lyrics, I feel that the majority of their lyrics are able to convey a lyrical poem that emits powerful and unique messages. Once again, I cherish the 90s decade because they were able to revamp the lyrical capacity of the music world while also incorporating the wildly appealing rock countermelodies. They really grabbed the old punk style and seemed to make it in ‘HD’ while refining its sound through powerful vocals as well. While some of the earlier punk bands such as the Ramones didn’t have nearly the same vocal or lyrical capacity as Green Day, Dookie illustrates that it TRULY IS possible to be universally strong. While I don’t think I would attend a choir concert if Armstrong was the lead, I feel that his voice is fused perfectly with the musical fabric of their hit singles and is able to really do justice to the rebellious tone of Green Day’s music. Additionally, I am impressed by the lyrics that they are able to compose. On the surface, this type of music wouldn’t seem to have a deeper meaning but when I actually can look at the lyrics on paper, I can really understand the deeper messages.

Musically speaking, I was also rather impressed that this trio of artists could really fill up space with their sound. This album is also rather influential because it permanently molded and changed the musical scene of modern music. While it is almost two decades old, Dookie has many catchy pop-like singles that make it seem more modern and hip. While Dookie was much bigger and a lot more successful than all of the punk bands of the 70s, they are not breaking any new ground in rock and roll. The key to Green Day’s success is that they were performing this punk style of music, which hadn’t seen the mainstream music scene in a while, very well.  The thing that they had going for them majorly was that they had some very strong relatable lyrics and attached them to this earlier style of music. This is a great example of how society slowly changes and adapts to musical styles that emerge over time.  The culture needed to grow into accepting this type of music. I feel like the 70s acted like a manner of shocking the audience initially while people responded better later on when Green Day rolled out with Dookie.

Overall, this album had a lot going for it. Green Day was able to mix together catchy rhythms, pop-like bass lines, and strong vocals/lyrics. They were able to fuse together this old cultural style of punk with new, revolutionary sounds/lyrics. I feel that Dookie was more successful because of the time period in which it was released as well as musical aspects including stronger vocals. With all of this put together into one album, it makes a very enjoyable piece of art.

Check out some of their songs below:

Mid-90s: RATM and Weezer’s Blue Album

As the 1990s progressed throughout time, the musical world slowly evolved away from the pop-like sounds of the 80s and standard bubble-gummy sound that bands from hair metal were making widespread. Bands adopted a much heavier sound which became widely popular in mainstream music. As time progressed the 90s transitioned into a music style that was more heavy within the lyrics yet had a lighter happier sound. While we got a glimpse of some of this heavier sound with bands such as Nirvana, I think it is even more accentuated in the mid-1990s with other bands. And, the 90s returned to talent which is mighty refreshing!

A prime example of this early anger would be Rage Against the Machine (RATM) where they began to merge the profanity and style of heavy 80s rap, the anger of pure rebellion, with crazy guitar/bass chords. The constant pounding of the beat along with this dynamic yet heavy countermelody makes me simply want to bang my head to the rhythm. While their hit single “Killing in the Name” is definitely one of the most rage filled songs I’ve heard in a while (which would make sense given the band name), it still had great appeal to me. I felt a side of me come to life from within that felt like pure rebellion. I also feel that the arc of the song was dynamic enough to keep the audience engaged throughout the entire work.

Another band that was probably even more influential on history than RATM would be Weezer. Weezer arguably has influenced a lot of modern day music through its unique style that made them ultimately stand out. The Blue Album is a very interesting piece of work. For some reason a lot of their songs sound familiar but this might due to the fact that they so greatly impacted current music styles. I would say that Weezer has a lighter feel than RATM but still utilize heavy guitar/bass sounds among a fast-paced beat throughout many of their songs. What I especially enjoy about Weezer is that I am able to actually understand what they are saying even though they are able to also maintain a relatively loud and intense countermelody. They seem to like to alternate and contrast between this heavy bass with lighter more pop-oriented vocals. I think this makes their music have a wider appeal to audiences and is probably a cause of why they became so widely popular. For the audiences that love a sick beat or a wicked guitar melody, they deliver. For audiences that love the pop feel of lighter vocals and catchy verses, they deliver.

I’d like to spend the rest of this blog talking about the Blue Album by Weezer because there is just so much to listen for in their music! I love how the contrast they emit throughout their songs. If you were to just listen to the main countermelody without lyrics, you would probably classify it as standard classic rock (although I’m also hearing influences of indie rock styles in the mix). The lyrics resemble the lightheartedness of bands from decades earlier in the 60s. The lyrics remind me of the Beatles because they discuss innocent topics such as love yet there is a certain level of skill that went into composing the message. The lyrics are meaningful yet simplistic and ultimately add another side to their songs. They lyrics on other levels are actually sad. They are intellectual yet self-deprecating. Weezer is able to apply a positive connotation to some lyrics that are actually quite depressing. It is simply mind-blowing how they are able to so greatly contrast. The songs and messages off the Blue Album can be relatable and I feel that many others would also have this opinion about the music.

During this time we also see the mild influences of the underground seen in which indie rock was just starting to bubble to the surface. I hear a lot of influences blended together in Weezer including the Beatles and even grunge artists. They somehow adopt the lighthearted feel of pop bands and mix them with the heaviness of earlier 90s bands such as RATM. Weezer is definitely an influential and talented band. Compare RATM’s single to some of Weezer’s:

Why Jazz and Rock Aren't All That Different

While many may argues that rock and roll did not have its roots until the early fifties, after analysis of earlier time periods, I feel that jazz had a major influence on what would later become the heart of rock and roll. After World War 1 came to a close, many people viewed life in a much different manner than their elders and antecedents ever perceived. They didn’t simply want to conform, but the people wanted to live. Thus, they adopted many secular values and partook in many wild activities that drove home the rising attitude of rebellion. Up until this point in modern history, I feel that the younger generation had never had a vibe of pure defiance. Due to the cynicism from the war, people began to defy authority and their values greatly differed from their more conservative parents. This concept of rebellion was adopted in music through the genre of jazz. This rebellion would later influence the heart of rock and roll. Thus, I see a very strong connection between jazz and rock while many others may consider the two genres completely different from one another.

During the time of the Lost Generation and the age of the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age was ushered in. Accompanying a new society where life’s pleasures were enjoyed and morals shifted towards more carefree attitudes, jazz music provided a fun setting for people to simply let loose. During the twenties, many people mixed and interacted in speakeasies which were illegal bars where bootlegged alcohol was served. People merely wanted to enjoy themselves and jazz music made this easier to accomplish. Its recognizably catchy beat and rhythms enabled an exciting ambience to be attained in a society where freeing oneself from previous morals and letting loose was everything.

Because of the tight connection between jazz as a rising music genre that embodied the rebellious attitude of the time with these illegal activities, many blamed the music for the sinful actions of the people. Jazz was classified as an evil influence on society and even associated with communism by the few who weren’t part of the movement during the Lost Generation and Roaring 20s. In actuality, jazz simply mirrored the views and morals of the day. While the society’s elders and authority figures tried to stunt the growing rebellious vibe that was a result of World War 1, jazz enabled the younger generation to express their feelings. Jazz acted as the backdrop to a variety of illegal speakeasies and became a major part of the rebellious activities that took place behind closed doors during the age of great parties and wild nights of the 1920s. The music that was created was not influencing the people; the people were shaping the music.

Jazz ultimately inspired change in society towards a more hedonistic attitude on life. In its very essence, jazz is all about trying new things and solely based off of endeavor. People simply wanted to have fun with their new (and empty) morals. At its heart, jazz is classified by several key characteristics including swing, syncopation, improvisation, and bent notes. Swing and syncopation are closely related and are based off of adding accents and stresses on different notes/times in a song. This innovative technique provided jazz with the classic catchy and rhythmic beat that made people of the time want to get up and dance. Bent notes also illustrate jazz musician’s desire to alter music and change the style. Lastly, improvisation cultures creativity. All of these major aspects of jazz directly reflect the desire for change on a variety of levels and a shift in overall societal views. Rock and roll is also all about endeavoring into the unknown, thus, there are several strong links between these two genre powerhouses.

Many of jazz’s great artists had their humble beginnings playing in the illegal speakeasies of the 1920s including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Bojangles Robinson, and Ethel Waters. Their catchy and hip music enabled all of these artists to greatly impact the musical world as well as reflect societal change through art. To get an idea of my comparison between jazz and rock, listen to two hits from either genre and look for specific similarities in attitude, tone, and general feel. Check it out:

Radiohead – The Bends + "Creep"

Radiohead first became commercially successful through their hit single “Creep”. It was a standard angst filled pop song but Radiohead quickly developed into something revolutionary. On some levels, The Bends contrasts the sound that Radiohead emitted through their first album’s hit single “Creep” because they begin to endeavor into new instrumental techniques. I like that they were attempting to find their own in the music world but this experimental process sometimes produced unappealing sounds throughout the album that made its singles rather hard to listen to at times. While the beginning of the album in “Planet Telex” is intriguing and unique, the harsh howling of wind gave me a headache with its shrillness. At other times, such as in “My Iron Lung”, I felt that they threw in random parts during the instrumental break that did not fit in with the rest of the song’s main countermelody. This blaring randomness sounds simply like noise and I personally feel that it detracts from the fluidness and overall quality of Radiohead’s singles.

Despite these awkward quirks that Radiohead tried desperately to work into their music, I generally found their music unique in a good way. The heavier texture of singles on The Bends makes it appeal to a different type of audience as “Creep” but I feel that I can get used to this type of music. The slow progression in popularity of this album supports my general feeling of this music growing on people. I think when The Bends initially came out, it probably came as a shocker to many of their fans, but as they began to realize that Radiohead was doing revolutionary things with their music that would set the stage later, the singles became more successful.

The thing is, while on the surface Radiohead’s second album may seem to greatly differ from their initial hit single, I personally feel that a lot of important qualities stayed the same or improved as time progressed. Their songs still maintained a steady pace that was spiced up with dynamic instrumentals intermediately parsed throughout the melody. Their songs still have the classic vocals of Thom Yorke which is so influential on giving the songs their heart and soul. One thing I love about Radiohead is that they are able to have powerful instrumentals and countermelodies while still preserving the main melody in the vocals. Yorke’s vocals provide so much talent and dynamic to the song. While they are mainly soft (in “Creep” and The Bends) he is able to add various fluctuations in his tone (and utilize a formidable false setto) that provide effective shifts in the song. His voice is able to make songs either extremely powerful or melancholy.

Another thing that Radiohead succeeded at later on in their discography is that they began endeavoring into deeper lyrics that embellished upon larger ideas. There were many powerful lyrics in the few singles that we were exposed to from The Bends and I feel that when these are paired with a strong, melancholy melody, a great deal of emotional weight can be derived from this. Their utilization of guitar strums and keyboards in revolutionary ways also enabled the power to bleed from each of their songs.

Lastly, I feel that Radiohead’s album was able to slowly succeed due to the fact of the changing music society. The way that people consume music greatly influences the success of various types of music and how music is created and produced. Although The Bends was not initially accepted into mass popularity when it was first released, I think the way the musical world was constructed enabled them to slowly build into success. As society developed into a world of consumers of singles rather than albums more, the individual songs off of The Bends enabled it to become more exposed to a wider audience. As people began to enjoy certain songs, I think they probably thought they would give others a chance as well. Additionally, this was around the time when music videos were blowing up in popularity. Radiohead, in order to keep up with the times, created many music videos to publicize their songs and illustrate the meaning of them. Keep in mind, this is the same band who first came out with the “pa what you want” album sales plan. While some music videos of theirs simply detract from the power and mood of the songs, I feel that others effectively convey a message (although sometimes cryptic at times). As we progressed throughout their discography, I was impressed at how the music video quality improved at a rapid rate.

Overall, I enjoyed all of Radiohead’s songs because they were able to effectively blend soft vocals and tone with powerful and intense countermelodies at times. By throwing meaningful lyrics into the mix, I feel that this band was very revolutionary.

R.E.M. - Automatic from the People

R.E.M takes on a very different perspective of rock at this time. Due to the fact that the genre has greatly diversified throughout history, it opened up a variety of styles to emerge. R.E.M takes on a much softer vibe that makes their music take on a tone of peace and tranquility. Although they use many classic rock instruments to push their main countermelody (like bass and electric guitar), the way that they manipulate these instruments to serve a smoother sound makes me want to sway to the lulling melodies. While not all of their songs are slow, their deep bluesy and alternative rock influences from previous decades greatly molds a steady tone throughout the album. This connectedness also serves to tie together the entire album which I always greatly appreciate. Some of the songs are faster paced while others are a bit slower, but they all seem to utilize a calm countermelody.

A lot of the time, bands rely too heavily on their instrumentals and countermelody in order to push across their main message and be appealing to the audience. In the case of R.E.M, the countermelody is just that, a COUNTERmelody! It serves its purpose of backing up the main vocalist. R.E.M perfected a great balance between the slow instrumentals and comforting vocals. While the vocals are high-pitched at times and remind me a lot of Simon and Garfunkel from the 60s, it blends well with the soft bass line and slow guitar strums.

Another thing that I found appealing in their music that seemed rather consistent throughout the album in its entirety was the way that they were able to build up during their individual songs as well as maintain an album story arc. By starting slow and calm in the beginning of their songs, R.E.M provides themselves room for building in intensity. In some of their slower songs at the beginning, they are able to develop a level of dynamics later in the music. When bands use their instruments to play soft sound as R.E.M does skillfully, I tend to forget the true power the instruments actually have. When R.E.M builds in volume and intensity, their countermelodies become more complex and I am quickly reminded of the power music can emit. I also found it mildly humorous when we stopped listening to this album and listened to the next band because the volume/intensity was night and day. But, R.E.M makes a little calm niche for themselves in the relatively insane ecosystem of music.

On a daily basis, I would say that I am a relatively passive listener. When I analyze music, however, I definitely look for some substance in the lyrics as well as having a strong audio skill. I want something that can make me bob my head to the beat, sway to the melody, as well as leave the listening experience impacted by the lyrics. One definite strength in R.E.M’s album Automatic for the People is that they have strong lyrics side by side with calm, down to earth vocals/countermelodies. They remind me of many current bands centered around indie-rock because they are reverting back to a down to earth vibe and refocused on substantial lyrics. Without directly staring at a set of lyrics for a song, I rarely can identify that the lyrics are strong and impactful. I have learned over the years how to  analyzing poetry for meaning and symbolism and doing this with song lyrics is very similar. However, it is definitely hard to consume the art while also looking for lyrical depth. R.E.M’s album made it rather easy, though, which I much appreciated. I could directly identify lyrics that came from the heart and I connected with. I think part of this is lent to the fact that the instruments didn’t overpower the calm, soft vocals and the slow tempo made it more understandable.

R.E.M differed from a lot of what we’ve recently listened and I felt that this was very refreshing. In the midst of wild rock bands like Nirvana and other harder rock 90s bands that emerged at the beginning of the decade along with the rise of hip hop as a genre, R.E.M makes a serene oasis for themselves by putting a majority of their value on lyrics and calm vocals. While hip hop and bands like Nirvana also have this reliance on quality lyrics, it is more blatantly obvious for R.E.M because of the more down to earth nature of their music.

Check out some of their songs. I personally liked their first two songs most. It’s rather calming.

Primus - Suck on This

I would like to preface this blog by first stating that this band is one of the most noisy bands I’ve listened to in a while. When I was listening to their music, I was a little tired and sleepy because it was early in the morning. When the notes of their first song blared across the stereo, I was instantly shocked into submission. It was a jolt of pure energy that ricocheted throughout my entire body. Primus has taken the influence from all sorts of noisy genres, including metal and punk, but they have distinctly carved out their own sound. I don’t necessarily enjoy all of their sounds, but they made it their own in a time where this was widely successful and economically viable. They also laid the groundwork for other alternative metal bands to spawn later on in musical history.

Primus also only has THREE players! When I learned this fact, I was truly astounded because this band is able to fill up so much space with their individual songs. While some may classify this as simply noise, they each take on a huge responsibility in driving their songs forward. This is heavily dependent on each players’ instrumental ability, which none of these three superstars are lacking in. Like I said before, their songs are not my favorite and I would probably not listen to more than three of their songs at one time, but there is no arguing that they are very strong instrumentalists. This band simply murders my eardrums and stings them. I tended to get used to it and appreciate their playing but I feel that it would be hard to acknowledge this if I was listening to it by myself because it is not easy listening type of music.

The vocals in this album are nothing to speak of. They are rather flat and lack diversity. Although this is probably because the bassist is also the singer, I would have appreciated a stronger vocalist. Luckily for Primus, their music heavily relies on the countermelodies and instrumental portions of the songs. Their type of loud music is the kind that people don’t listen to for its lyrics. Every moment of this live album blares incessantly but with deeper listening, it can be broken down and greatly appreciated. The main point of astonishment (for me at least) was that the bassist was so strong AND was able to carry on at least a decent vocalist part. Les Claypool is probably one of the stronger bassists that I’ve listened to thus far. He carries countermelodies and a bass line that are literally insane. I don’t even know how his fingers can move with such ease over the strings that carry on the heart of their songs. Not only can he maintain an interesting strum on the bass, but he also can sing a melody that is to a completely different time (at least it seems). Overlaid on this strong bass sound is a wild and crazed guitar slays along with sick beats. The craziness of the pure rock sounds emitted by Primus makes it appealing if you want your brains exploded.

While our current music culture is not dominated by substance either, for some reason the music of Primus seems so foreign to me because it seems to have lack of organization. This is fresh and different than other music preceding it and following it that is dominated by catchy choruses and tunes but for some reason I can’t bring myself to truly appreciate the art in its original form. I keep trying to make myself like this music, but it seems impossible. In brief periods of time, I can stomach the loudness of it all in order to be totally rocked away by a wild guitar slay here and there, but overall, it is very hard to listen to. See what you think, though, and check out some of their hits off of this album.  Unless you’re a bassist or guitarist for your occupation, you’ll probably agree with my proposition that this is rather noisy and just plain loud. Their music videos are also rather strange.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Pepers

It took the Chili Peppers a while to rise to the mass stardom that they achieved later on in their career. Blood Sugar Sex Magik was actually their fifth released album which makes sense because their production quality seems rather polished. The countermelodies throughout a variety of their songs mesh well with the intriguing vocals. I feel that the sounds that the Chili Peppers release is an acquired taste. I feel that if I had listened to more of their previous material, I would be able to appreciate this album more. While there are peaks in the album (like any), I think when I first began listening to their songs, it kind of hit me with surprise. The uniqueness of their sounds stood out to me as different than anything else I had heard. They sound like a mix between funk sounds of the 70s and country countermelodies. There are also elements of punk that makes this music seem very versatile and intriguing.

Lyrically, I feel, the Chili Peppers are a good stepping stone between the lyrically sufficient past and the lyrically deficient present music society. While lyrics began to deteriorate once the 80s hit (I’m thinking the intense rap of NWA and others) popular music/rock didn’t really see the drastic change in lyric deficiency until modern times in this century. The Chili Peppers, who straddled these two time periods, illustrate the transition to a music realm dominated by profanity and rather meaningless lyrics. For example, in “Suck My Kiss”, the Chili Peppers use rebellious terminology like “Most motherfuckers
Don't give a damn”. This phraseology is not needed but grabs the attention of the audience. Because lyrics like this add intensity and act as a slap to the listener’s face, they are utilized expertly by the Chili Peppers in order to make their rock wilder.

While some of the early songs in the album didn’t really appeal to me very much, I rather enjoyed the versatility and diversity that the Chili Peppers show throughout this album. Although some of their transitions between songs are not necessarily the strongest (and at times I feel like they pushed me off a cliff of music intensity), I like the mixture that they incorporate. They seemed to build in intensity throughout their first five tracks, climaxing at “Suck My Kiss” but by the sixth track, they release a much more mellow sound. “I Could Have Lied” is probably one of my favorite tracks on this album because it starts out pretty slow with mild vocals and gradually escalates into something more. I can really cherish the vocals throughout this track because the countermelody is soft and mild enough for the calm vocals to shine through. This track also seems like a brief intermission in the middle of the album because immediately after, the seventh track sounds like a tidal wave of blaring sound in the introduction.

It is very hard for me to distinctly classify the countermelody and vocals in the album as a whole, because there seems to be little similarities between them. Some songs are chock full of powerful and forceful electric guitar strums that unleash pure rebellion upon the listener. Others take on a softer vibe dominated by light percussion. A major similarity between all of their songs is that they seem to have short intense introductions before they delve into their main melody. Then, their songs build up until they climax very near the end of the songs in a wild guitar solo. This part of their songs is very exciting. They repeat a minor escalation of intensity and seem to cut off the songs at a rather climactic point without much denouement to leave the listener elated. Then they jump right into the next track! This style is interesting but it MAGIKally works (I apologize for that sad sad attempt at a joke in advance).

On a last note, the Chili Peppers’ album is rather misogynistic throughout a variety of their songs yet they possess a level of youth that makes it seem more innocent lyrically at least(if that makes any sense at all). When listening to their actual tracks, I think the exact opposite.

Anyway, check out some of their tracks below. I’d like you to compare the fifth track with the sixth track in particular because they contrast so much.

Song Parodies

I would like to take a slightly different path for this music blog this week. Amongst the onslaught of serious rock and roll that we’ve been analyzing in the 90s, I would like to have a more lighthearted analysis. Throughout music history, artists and bands become popular not just from their pure music. Popular artists rose in recognition due to their actual tune, the message behind their songs, as well as their personalities. Beyond the actual tune, the message that a song brings to the table is very important to many different audiences. If a song portrays a unique idea or concept, the artist will be revered greater. Additionally, popular artists and bands must possess traits of fun and relatable personalities. Past merely music, people desire entertainment overall. If audiences can feel connected with the artists, the musicians will become more appealing. The reason why many of the documentaries of musicians/bands are so interesting is the fact that it exposes the artists’ personalities.

Thus, when an artist is capable of actively exposing their personalities to the masses, they can potentially become widely popular. Song parodies are a fun and entertaining way that artists are able to expose their fun personalities because, in their essence, parodies make fun of other existing songs. I feel that many artists take their music way too seriously and when outside artists can highlight this fact and create a catchy parody, I enjoy the laughter that follows. Parodies use the melody and rhythm of previously made “serious” songs and change the lyrics to push a different (and often times humorous) message. This gives a much more light hearted tone to songs that gives the audience a feeling of elation.

What makes parodies so successful to the general consumer is the fact that they are creative in their own right. While parodies may simply take the melodies and sounds of existing songs, a lot of parodies greatly alter the lyrics of the song in order to tell a completely different story and message. I feel that the value of the artistic qualities of parodies is similar to that of artists that sample sounds. I would like to draw up this connection because it merges my opinions that both songs that sample music and parodies are real music and songs in their own right. The action of sampling previously recorded instrumental sounds and merging them together in a unique and fresh song should be considered a NEW piece of art because it took a level of artistic skill and creativity to create. Similarly, I believe that parodying songs is also an act of creative art-making because the parody artists are crafting new lyrics to an existing tune.

I am amazed that parody artists are able to so accurately match the rhyme scheme and timing of existing songs to the point that the music is still easily recognizable yet the lyrics are drastically different. This is fun because you can hum along and tap your foot to the catchy rhythms and beats, yet you can laugh as the lyrics become even more outrageous and humorous. One of my favorite parody artists is Weird Al Yankovic. He has developed a great musical career for himself heavily based on parodying songs and creating outrageously funny parodies. I am amazed at every one of his new creations. Some of my favorites of his songs include “Eat It” to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and “White and Nerdy” to the tune of “Ridin’ Dirty” by Chamillionaire. “White and Nerdy” is so funny because it is the complete opposite of the original song’s intention. The great contrast of these songs, accompanied by hilarious music videos, allows for a fun, entertaining, and engaging listening experience. I feel that parodies in general also make the reader WANT to listen intently on the lyrics because of their strong dependence on lyrics to convey a different message to the song. Many people don’t highly value lyrics in their everyday listening, but parodies re-emphasize the importance of lyrics and a song’s message to the overall listening experience.

Check out the following songs. I posted the original songs as well as the Weird Al’s parody versions. Enjoy:

Wilco Documentary

Before I delve into the actual content of the documentary and this phenomenal band’s music, I’d like to discuss the large amount of politics regarding this band in their musical career and discography. I found it very interesting and astounding at the way that this band was capable of playing record companies and labels in order to turn out on top. I was very intrigued by the story in which Wilco’s label company told the band that they were not going to publish their next album and Wilco slowly released their music online for donations in order to subvert this standard industrialized process. While many credit Radiohead with being revolutionary in music, I feel that Wilco began this trend of publicly releasing music. While many current artists have rid themselves from label companies and have reverted to direct funding/donations from their fans (such as Hoodie Allen or Macklemore), I found it interesting to see its origins in this band. It is interesting to see how technology has deeply influenced the sales of music and the way that music is distributed to the masses. Before technology had developed greatly in order to diffuse band’s music, there would’ve been absolutely no way for bands without a record label to succeed in the highly competitive world of music.

Another last not about the politics surrounding this band is the fact that they have cycled through a variety of different band members throughout their musical career. Only a couple of the band members remained constant all the way from 1994 to present day. I feel that this hasn’t happened much in music history up until this point. Bands such as the Beatles never changed their band members. This might have been a disadvantage, however, because those bands (unlike Wilco) could not adapt to the changing music scene in order to maintain appeal to the masses.

Additionally, throughout the album, I got a great vibe for the working environment of this band. While I gained a sense of their personalities and saw how relaxed they were while recording, I enjoyed being able to see how dedicated they were to their music. They were seemingly working nonstop and put so much into creating their music. I also liked being able to see the interactions between the various band members as well. I feel that too often, you don’t get to see the other side of bands because they are very superficial and hide behind their music. This documentary allowed me to observe Wilco’s personalities be fleshed out and it made them overall more personable.

Anyway, let’s dive into the actual music because now that I’ve been listening to them, I feel that I have a general idea about the type of music they are creating. While they are officially classified as alternative country, I think this band is a great fusion a variety of sounds that merge together in an overall great vibe. In the documentary, the band members say that at the time they were completely engineering and composing the album/music by themselves without any outside influence. They were able to basically create their own perfect recording environment with increased sonic in order to perfect the songs that they were creating. They put so much effort into recording these songs that it’s truly hard NOT to love their songs.

The genre coined as alternative rock has really grown on me as I continue to expose myself to different types of music. I feel that Wilco had a very large influence and impact on a lot of popular folk/alternative rock bands of today because I hear a variety of aspects in this popularize modern music that was at the heart of Wilco’s sound. The way that they were able to mix the acoustic sound of the guitar with the soft voice of Tweedy is truly impressive. The experimentation process really paid off on the creation of their 2002 album and I feel that this allowed the band to thrive as well later on in their musical career. While I was only able to hear bits and pieces of their songs/album, from what I’ve heard of their music I am relatively happy with. The documentary better illustrates their dedication to their work rather than the actual music, but I still feel that the little diddies that they perform throughout the video are polished and sound very down to earth. This particular vibe is very appealing to me. They have fresh and unique melodies mixed with a variety of wild percussion/auxiliary instruments that pepper and flavor their music.

If you want to hear some of Wilco’s songs from the time of this documentary, check them out below:

Nirvana - Nevermind

Before listening to this album, I believed that I had never heard any of Nirvana’s songs before. The name seemed rather familiar to me, but I had no idea from where. I tend to be rather bad at remembering the artist and band names of the songs that I’ve heard, though. When the first song kicked into the main chorus with the drum entrance, I recognized the song instantaneously.  The catchy and very familiar melody had stuck with me from somewhere and I felt reenergized with the sick drum beats and fierce countermelodies. Many of the songs I remembered hearing before after listening to them a second time. Every song that I recognize, I simply love because it’s so exciting to remember these very talent filled pieces of art.

If I were to classify any particular band as rock and roll so far, Nirvana would meet the quintessential stereotype of hard rock. With every drum beat and every strum of the guitar, they release an epic stream of rebellion that fuels a wild attitude and tone to their music. Listening to their music combines an energizing feeling, but their music is rather easy to listen to. I may just believe that it is easy to listen to, though, because I really cherish smooth electric guitar strums that so dominate their songs. I love the way Nirvana is able to mix together steady and constant beats, insane guitar/bass chords, and vocal prowess. While some may argue that this type of music is simply noise and lacks the fluidity of calmer music, I could not disagree more. Although Nirvana does push a much louder and more intense sound through this entire album, there is actually strict organization. If you strip away the loud countermelody for a second, you can see that Nirvana’s songs progress from a quick introduction into a harsh drum break. This entering of the percussion provides a great lead into the main chorus and heavy countermelody. Every one of their songs follows a similar pattern and this consistency pulls the entire album together into one unifying piece of art.

Another thing that I like as this album (AS A WHOLE) is the fact that there is also a decent amount of diversity. While many of the songs heavily utilize electric guitar and bass to drive the songs, there are also many singles throughout the album that rely more on the vocals and use a softer countermelody to accentuate the vocal capacity of the band. “Polly” utilizes decent amount of bass and guitar, but it is softer and muted compared to the dominant vocals. Even the vocals maintain a softer tone that changes the entire song. In the very next track, “Territorial Pissings”, however, Nirvana reverts right back to their “hard rocker” type of music. These tracks I classify because of their loud and intense countermelodies and scream-like vocals. Additionally, Nirvana’s music also thrives in just singles along with the entire album. Each song on the album can be separated and stand independently of one another.  While some are more wild than others and some are more personally appealing to me, they all stand strong to analysis by themselves. This is what I think has enabled Nirvana to stay popular: Because its music is strong as just singles, it enables this band to adapt to the changing structure of the way music is listening (on a strongly single basis). I love being able to digest this album as a whole, but for the main consumer, albums need to be easily dividable into strong singles.

Lastly, I feel that Nirvana has effectively mixed together aspects of a variety of genres into their music. They are a great example of the convergence of various music styles into rock. While on the surface Nirvana may seem like they are simply one dimensional and are focused on “classic rock”, they also mix together elements of country and sometimes the soft tone of ballads. This ability is quite astounding and quite respectable in fact. I feel that they used this in order to accentuate the complete album arc. They maintained a relatively intense sound throughout most of the album, but descend towards the end of the album with country and softer tones. The 11^th track on the album, “On a Plain”, oozes country vibes and the album concludes with “Something in the Way” which leaves the listener in a place of tranquility and ultimately desiring more.

Oh, and whatever you do, don’t listen to the bonus track; it utterly stinks.

Check out the following songs, though:

Paul's Boutique - Beastie Boys

I had never before listened to a single Beastie Boys song before but this album makes me wish I had discovered them sooner. While the record company initially didn’t want to publicize Paul’s Boutique, it was received very well with a vast variety of audiences. The Beastie Boys seem to merge together great aspects of music across a variety of genres and blend them into one amazing work of music. This album incorporates a great mix of diversity, sick beats and bass line.

Paul’s Boutique also brings up interesting topics of discussion regarding sampling of music. A lot of the controversy regarding this album was the fact that it took a lot of bits of beats, rhythms and melodies from previously made music. While some people in the corporate area of music feel that this is stealing from the artists who initially created these beats, I believe that the way that the beats were manipulated in this album as a whole makes it alright. The Beastie Boys were able to mold these sounds into completely different songs and incorporate their own harmonies and melodies in with these beats. For this reason, I feel that, although they used samplings, they were able to create their own unique fabric of music that shines through in its own way.

Moving past the mere sampling aspect of this album, this album is overall strong and versatile. While the Beastie Boys tend to lean towards a more ‘rap’ sound in their songs, they are able to interlay various sounds that make the melodies very distinct from another. Additionally, the production quality of this album as a whole is very impressive. The fact that they are able to mix together so many varying beats and countermelodies are astounding. In addition, they have FLAWLESS transitions from each song. These strong and fluid transitions between songs make the album flow very easily. This also enables album listening more comfortable and appealing because it makes the album more digestible in its complete form. While some albums seem like a hodge-podge of random songs with immediate stops and starts, Paul’s Boutique connects each song together which makes the music arc throughout the entire album.

On the other hand, within some of the songs, there is such a diverse conglomeration of various sounds that the songs sound random at times. For example, in the middle of the album they bust out a short tune called “5-Piece Chicken Dinner” which is just them screaming like hillbillies. Another example, “The Sounds of Science” mixes together sounds from the Beatles to gangster rap. This blend of music I think led to the dawn of a new decade in music. This album’s revolutionary sounds I feel led to an ultimate change in the music scene. While this might seem like a bold hypothesis, I think it pushed so many boundaries at the time that it probably had a major influence on later music. I even hear bits of early style of music such as house and other electronically developed music.

Analyzing this album as a whole, I generally enjoy listening to the songs. The style of the music on this album is very appealing to me because it mixes together hard, sharp beats with a wicked bass line, turntable manipulation, and harsh harmonies. The Beastie Boys have also perfected a strong, rap-oriented vocals. What is appealing about the Beastie Boys as compared to other rap artists around this time period is that they also tend to avoid the use of profanity throughout their songs. I was impressed that they were able to take on a tough vibe and match the intensity of groups such as NWA and simultaneously avoid the use of vulgar language and profanity that take away from the messages of the songs. While I would’ve liked it better if they had more fluctuation and diversity in their vocal capacity, I think that it generally matches the intense countermelody that they heavily utilize.

While you can’t get a feel for the amazing transitions throughout the entire album, the following videos are a few of the songs off of this talent-filled album. When listening to “Shake Your Rump”, take note of an awesomely wild mix of bass and turntable manipulation that creates an old school dubstep vibe. Check it out:

Straight Outta Compton - NWA

At first glance, I thought there was no possibility of me liking the heavy rap released by NWA. I felt so disconnected from their messages and they rely HEAVILY on profanity to fill in gaps in their musical message. Even the titles of their songs give a formidable impression: “Fuck Tha Police”, “Gangsta Gangsta”, and “Parental Discretion Iz Advised” (that ‘z’ was not a typo).

Despite profane lyrics, I began to enjoy the power and intensity of the beats and countermelodies of NWA’s music because they methodically drove the songs forward. I think the only way that these types of songs are even bearable to current audiences is the fact that we have become desensitized to vulgarity and offensiveness in art and music. This is a very intriguing topic of discussion but I’ll save that for another time. When pondering how this album was accepted AT THE TIME, however, it is no surprise that it utterly shocked the masses. I believe that the album did so well at the time because it was so drastically different and shocking that a lot of people started talking about it. This peaked interest probably allowed the notoriety of the album to skyrocket. This album resonated with suburban white kids because they had never been exposed to such concepts. These innocent kids not only were appealed to the danger of it all but they probably felt connected to the injustice of their situation. Because of this, I feel more qualified to evaluate this type of music even though I do not come from a similar background as the artists.

This album is interesting because it was the first major commercially available album that exposed gangster rap on a new hardcore level. After analyzing other music in the 80s, I could see that rap up until this point had a rather innocent vibe. Centralized in New York, this earlier rap didn’t have NEARLY the same amount of swear words or discussion of gross concepts. As rap shifted towards California, it took on a new sound. While the beats and rhythms got more intensified which is appealing, their lyrics also got WAY more dangerous. I feel that the idea that music (and rock for that matter) is an expression of rebellion is very applicable to this evolution of rap because this album utterly exposes an exaggerated, but true, view of poor neighborhoods.

I generally enjoy listening to this music. With passive listening, I am able to tap my foot to the methodical and repetitive rhythms. With in depth analysis, however, it is hard for me to take this album seriously and try to evaluate all the good qualities of it because I can’t bring myself to look past the lyrics. The lyrics are so vulgar and absurd that it’s almost laughable at how disgusting and intense they are. If you take the lyrics too seriously, it will definitely strip the song of any qualities that it has.  Despite this, the album takes on a very different and fresh method of production. As compared to earlier rap in the decade, this music has much rawer and deeper beats. Additionally, they utilize a very strong bass line in order to drive the main countermelody. These two main music aspects are the main reason that these songs are tolerable for me. I like the heavy beat so much that I can actually block out the disgusting messages that this album (IN PASSIVE LISTENING). Overall, I actually enjoyed this album because it was so different than what we have listened to so far. It’s pure attitude and blatant offensiveness makes me appreciate the guts of these artists.

When viewing the music videos accompanying several of the singles off of the album, I gained a greater sense for what NWA was actually singing about. When I simply listened to the songs I tried to focus a lot on the rhythms rather than the lyrics but the videos forced me to focus on the content of the music. They exposed a reality that seems so far removed from my life. It is hard for me to imagine such a world because of my background but this makes the music videos so interesting. In their videos, NWA shows the injustice of the police which were the main authoritative figure in the poor neighborhoods. Visually, these videos are also different than earlier rap because they told an explicit story that applied towards the actual song’s story. The artists also drastically changed the style of clothing in hip hop. They premiered dress such as baseball caps, sunglasses, and large chains that have maintained in the genre until present time. I felt more connected with NWA’s message with the music videos and it added a visual to enhance the already sick beats and countermelody. Check out the hits off of this powerful album:

U2 Movie

Watching the movie compiled of several U2 performances was a very interesting experience because, once again, you get to connect a visual with the actual music. Artists and musicians are just as successful because of their image and vibe that they portray along with their actual music and sound. U2 shines through in a variety of aspects that made them so famous. These qualities can be grouped into three main categories. There’s the actual music and sound which has such a commanding presence. Second, they have a wild/hardcore look. Lastly, they have a very commanding stage presence that makes their music hold more passion and power than simply playing the album. The energy that they ooze when onstage enables their music to shine.

The movie also exposes their personalities as well, which is always an interesting endeavor. I like when I can see the other side of artists because it reveals their personal attributes and allows a connection to be formed between them and their audiences. I think that the music and sound initially attracts people but the fans stay a lot of the time because they feel a connection towards the audience. This only happens when they are personable. When the movie first began, the band seemed fairly nervous and reserved (for rock artists that is). I think their rookie behavior is a result of being instantly successful on the world music stage. They are talented but it almost seemed like it took them by surprise that they were so successful! They are very shy with their answers and look down at the ground a lot. This apparent innocence is what appeals to people. They seem just like normal people. Any awkwardness, anxiety, or shyness exhibited in the interviews, though, ultimately vanishes when they get behind their instruments and perform.

Contrasting this shyness in conversations at the beginning of the film, they take control of their feelings and expression when they can utilize music in order to portray their thoughts. I think this is at the core and essence of what makes a great artist. A great artist is one that only feels comfortable and free when performing and playing their creations. The stage presence illustrates this fact fantastically to me because I can visualize just how free they look onstage. Each band member has their own niche in the concert performance and they work together to fully utilize their space. Their actions and music depicts their true passion and is capable of pulling together the entire audience into the experience. Even during dress rehearsals, their interactions with one another shows how comfortable they feel when playing music. Music had connected their band together and it maintained as a unifying factor that all of them profusely enjoyed. I can simply tell by their happy expressions when playing!

Another point of the movie that was really enlightening to the overall vibe of U2 as a band was when they incorporated a talented Harlem choir into their songs. This not only shows character by mixing in the community with their music and business but it also was a smart way to add dynamic to their songs. The gospel sound of the church choir adds a fresh sound in with the band’s talented sound already. I love that they were willing to take risks in their music.

Lastly, this movie provided me with the chance to listen to a variety of their songs. They are a very versatile band and their music has a wide range. Their talent is not too focused in any one area of their music either! Some bands have a dominance of vocals. Other bands too heavily rely on their countermelody and the vocals and lyrics become drowned out and overpowered. U2 is so good because they have perfectly nailed that balance between vocals and countermelody. They heavily use electric guitar but a strong beat evens it out. Additionally, the vocals are powerful enough that it used as another instrument. While the vocals are not constantly present, when they are present, they shine through and take command of the songs. I like this dynamic on and off shift from vocals to countermelody because it makes their songs take me on a journey.

Overall, I rather enjoyed most of U2’s music and seeing them perform and interact simply enhanced the experience.

Hoodie Allen

I don’t really know what I’m doing blogging about a rap artist but here I go. Although I wouldn’t normally analyze music under the genre of rap, I feel that rap is fine in casual listening. I think if you don’t look too deep into the song, you can bob your head to the catchy beat and generally relax. Just as a preface to this blog: I know very little about this genre because I tend to stray away from such types of music. Just recently, though, some of my friends were talking about the Hoodie Allen concert a few days ago and I wanted to know what all the buzz was about. And given that the whole point of this blog page is to expand on my musical horizons, here I go.

Hoodie Allen is a very interesting character with an intriguing background. I think that it is refreshing to see an artist who has worked his way up to the top instead of relying on others. Hoodie’s story is what makes him different from many rap artists presently and it has completely changed how he conducts his music career. In the actual songs themselves, Hoodie is not much different than the legends of present rap. They all talk about nonsense and their lyrics have slowly degraded. What makes Hoodie different is that he grew up with a relatively normal life. He found his affinity towards music and making beats and has become an independent artist. This is astounding because present-day music is so focused on money that most artists would be forced to sign on to a record label. This down-to-earth vibe appeals to many of Hoodie’s fans. Additionally, a lot of Hoodie’s music can be downloaded (legally) with payment being optional. This relaxed outlook on the business of music makes Hoodie seem much more focused on the actual content of his songs rather than money. This passion for making music mixed with perseverance is what made Hoodie Allen a relatively popular rap artist in the past four years.

After listening to a variety of his music over his musical career, I’ve noticed that I actually tend to like his earlier music better than his most recent hits. I think that as Hoodie became more exposed to the current rap world, it began to mold his music into something a little more stereotypical for the genre. One of my main objections to rap in general (and indirectly some of Hoodie’s later hits) is the fact that they simply use swear words to fill the space and convey negatively influential messages. I think they use swear words because they are incapable of producing meaningful lyrics that might actually add something to the song lyrically. Rap too heavily relies on their sick beats to drive their songs (and their sales) when, I feel that substantial lyrics might add depth to their hollow singles.

The reason why Hoodie’s original songs were better than his later ones is the fact that he avoided using so much derogatory terminology. He mixed a short (slightly electronic at times) verse among a lyrics that weren’t anything special but did their job of supporting the good beat without over utilizing swear words. I think Hoodie was also more apt towards experimenting with actual singing. His current singles have shifted more towards the style of rap that I don’t appreciate as much because there is almost NO talent exhibited. I know that Hoodie is capable of creating a pretty catchy song as illustrated by all of his singles, but I still can’t bring myself to look past the lyrics when I’m heavily analyzing the songs. Songs like “Fame is for Assholes” are pretty catchy due to the beats but when you stop and listen/read the lyrics you have to take a double take sometimes. This is the norm of modern rap so it’s not that surprising to a majority of audiences but I tend to not appreciate it as much.

Check out “Fame is for Assholes” and see if you think the lyrics also outweigh the catchiness of the beat. Don’t get me wrong, though. There are a lot of aspects that I like in this single. Unlike other artists, he still maintains a certain level of rhyme and creativeness that adds at least a little spice. But, for the most part, listeners aren’t going to listen to Hoodie (or any rap artist for that matter) for the lyrics.

One last intriguing thing about Hoodie Allen is his style of rap. It differs so greatly from others that it’s hard to classify. His voice is so drastically different than the stereotypical low, deep voice of modern rappers. His almost whiny voice makes his songs stand out and become easily recognizable. The juxtaposition between his higher voice/wimpy look and the vile lyrics/sick beats makes his songs very astounding to analyze. Check out one of his earlier hits though and compare it to the previous songs. Like I said before, people listen to rap for the beat not lyrics and that’s why Hoodie and all these rap artists have become so successful.

Graceland

Paul Simon, while successful earlier in his life, comes back in a decade of music without a lot of artistic quality or ability. Amongst a growing environment where Hair Metal was the norm, it is stunning that Graceland was received so well towards the popular audience. The 80s was a time of massive consumerism and it is amazing that such a deep album did so well. Paul Simon also did not match the epitome of a rocker at the time but certainly shined through as one of the best.

One refreshing thing regarding Paul Simon’s music that probably was received better during this era of music was the fact that it addressed deeper issues in society that were not so shallow. With the relatively talentless hair metal genre on the rise, Paul Simon brought back a culture of music that was popular in previous decades. He used his songs to push messages and his opinions about several issues about society. Simon jumps right into these touchy subjects with his very first song. A lot of times, albums like to lead in with something lighter but Simon told a story of a boy with autoimmune deficiency. To me, this just crosses over previously untouched subjects. The messages and intriguing stories that he is able to tell throughout his songs are a direct result of his uncanny lyricism ability.

Building off of this lyricism, I am also amazed at his remarkable and unique rhyming scheme. While at first I thought his rhyming scheme wasn’t that complex but as I listened further into this album, I began to uncover a much more deeper and intertwined rhyming scheme. To me, this just illustrates Simon’s phenomenal writing and composing ability as an artist.

Unlike the amazing lyricists that preceded him (like Bob Dylan), Paul Simon shines through as being a very versatile/multitalented artist. Not only is he able to create songs that challenge the intelligence of the listener and makes them ponder issues regarding society and the world, but he upholds the musical part as well. His vocals are soft but effective at matching the general tone of his music. While he has a softer voice, it is still powerful and strong throughout the album. He definitely has a distinctive voice but I think that it blends well with the countermelody. In general, his countermelodies also follow a general pattern. The songs lead in with an instrumental and then fade out a little in order for Simon to take control of the reigns with the vocals. Then they will slowly be reincorporated with the rest of the song. This is an effective and engaging method of using the countermelody in his songs because I think it adds a level of dynamic to each and every one of his songs.

While I may have made it sound like a lot of his songs follow a standard pattern, I am amazed at how well Simon is able to utilize a variety of different instruments and sounds to create COMPLETELY different musical fabrics in each of his songs. In one song, his voice and instruments ooze a country vibe. The very next one uses effectual guitars to portray a bluesy sound. And the next, uses an African choir as the complementing melody/introduction. The variety never stops throughout the album. Right when I think I’ve figured him out, he throws me a different way. At the beginning of the album I thought that he was primarily a country/blues style artist, but as the album progressed, I realized he basically made his own niche in the music scene (especially given the time period). He even uses horns and congas in the same song! I personally think this is astounding.

Overall, I’m pretty surprised how much the album appealed to me. I usually generalize the 80s like most people; a dark time of pop with a serious lack of talent. As I’ve become more exposed to more music from this time period, I realized that there are little spotlights of talent amongst the sea of hair metal. This album is definitely one of those spotlights. I think that because Paul Simon was an older artist at the time, it allowed him to succeed because he brought a “fresh” outlook (or probably more like a throwback style of music).  As I listen to his music, I keep thinking and comparing it to music of the 60s because that was a time where artists were pushing limits of what sounds they could create. Simon definitely brings a similar technique and style to the 80s that seems like an anachronism but is much appreciated.  For example, in “You Can Call Me Al”, Simon uses a unique studio method in order to spice up the song.

To get an appreciation for just how varied Paul Simon’s music is, check out the following two songs and compare them. I think the title song, “Graceland”, takes on a much more country vibe while it is really hard for me to even classify “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”. By that track on the album, I began to reevaluate how I categorized/viewed Paul Simon as an artist. I hope you see the rich music culture that he brings.

Icona Pop

Before I delve into this on-the-rise musical duo, I’d like to note that I’ve observed a trend recently regarding how I have digested and become exposed to music. The progression runs something like this. I listen to Pandora and suddenly, to my surprise, a new single comes on the air that I’ve never heard. Mind you, this is a pretty big deal because most of the time Pandora is pretty monotonous. I screenshot the song so I can remember it later and blog about the artist. When I get around to exploring more about this artist, I see that the song has skyrocketed to the top of the charts (apparently a lot of others are also listening). Weeks later, the song is way overplayed and dominates the airways.

Right now, I’m not sure if Icona Pop is going to have the same fate as some of those other artists without substance or if they’re going to explode into successful artists. While I discovered them just recently, I learned that this synthpop duo has been around for about 4 years now and just recently hit the international and popular stage. While they match other bands in the way that they come out of the underground music scene, I feel that Icona Pop has promise because I observed how their music has evolved and adapted to their audiences. After listening to a progression of samplings from throughout their career, I began to see that they slowly transitioned from their roots and grew into something more “sellable” to the music market. While in doing so, they might have lost some of their edge/depth, I think it shows perseverance in that they continued to strive towards stardom. Their style of synthetically derived music also is on the rise which makes me think that they will fit right into the new staple of music.

This might be a side note as well, but there’s no other place to say it so I’ll say it now. Recently, I’ve noticed two major trends surface in the most recent music scene/underground. The first trend encompasses alternative rock/indie rock. Bands like Mumford and Sons are slowly dominating the more “talent filled” part of the market. The second trend is synthesized music which utilizes technology and computer generated sounds to drive the melody forward. This is where Icona Pop comes in. Music is slowly evolving to meet both of these trends because there has been much positive feedback regarding them. Icona Pop started making music in 2009 and popular culture didn’t catch up with their forward-thinking music until right now. It also doesn’t hurt that their latest hit single, “I Love It”, is really catchy.

Icona Pop is a Swedish DJ/electro duo that has grasped the world with their fresh and captivating style. They fit right in with the rise of the electro-house genre and the computerized age of music as a whole. In the midst of dubstep and electro-house, Icona Pop is definitely on the rise and growing rapidly in popularity. Just viewing various YouTube clips of their singles, I got a vibe of just how much their popularity skyrocketed in the past year. One of their older songs had 70,000 views while the most recent hit single has over 11 million. Needless to say, there must be something attractive about their music.

The vocals of this duo’s songs are full of edge and attitude. The two artists are able to harmonize well together, even if some of it is due to heavy autotune (but, the genre is synthpop so you kind of have to expect that). Through their vocals, I feel a heavy vibe of rebellion and an influence of the punk mentality. Throughout their various songs, the lyrics also add to this. While the lyrics have digressed poetically throughout their career (in my humble opinion), they have maintained the heart and soul of their songs which is the meaning. Their meaning conveys a mindset of defiance which makes their songs appealing to their audiences (probably most likely the youth of the world).

Besides the meaning and lyrics, the countermelodies of Icona Pop’s songs are limitless. When you have unlimited possibilities at your fingertips due to advanced musical technology, anything is possible. No more does an artist have to rely on their ability to play a specific instrument to get a certain sound. Technology has revolutionized how music is not only listened to, but also how it is created. This is greatly appreciated when listening to the counter melodies of songs by such artists like Icona Pop because they are so dynamic and wild. While the rebellious vocals drive the main melody, synthesized guitars and driving beats add spice and flavor to the songs.

To understand what all the buzz is about, you really need to check out their songs. I would recommend watching both of these videos so that you can see how Icona Pop has progressed in their sound. The first song is one of their earlier hits while the second is their latest single, “I Love It”.

Thriller

Michael Jackson, in his prime, released a very distinct style of music. Various components added to his massive success as an artist. His songs have a very funky vibe. I can definitely feel a heavy disco influence on his music that ultimately sculpted the music composed of the album along with a lot of the 80s pop music. The dance aspect of 70s music slowly evolved into a pop-like boppy sound of the 80s. While a lot of the 80s music is famously bad, Jackson fully embraces this shift in music and at the beginning of the 80s sets the bar very high for other artists to follow.

One can really grasp how influential a piece of music is by how much it maintains appealing throughout various eras and fads of music. Many artists are incapable of having a lasting impression because their music is limited to merely a single slot of history. Michael Jackson had such a lasting impression on music as a whole because his songs were universally catchy. I was surprised when I browsed the track listing of this album before listening, as to just how many of the songs I ALREADY knew! I never would’ve expected that I would know these songs but sure enough they were very familiar. His talent as a vocalist and entertainer sustained which made his music be embraced by consumers of every generation.

So what exactly did Michael Jackson have that made him stand out so much during this time period of music? Without even considering his very showy performances and methods of entertainment during shows, we can easily see how he became so popular. Even right now, as I listen to this album, I sit in my chair and can’t help but bob my head and tap my foot to the beat. Even though some of the songs sound fairly similar, this consistency connects all of his songs and makes the album easier to digest as a whole. Usually, I have the opposite philosophy, but Jackson was able to really transform his consistent voice and countermelodies into versatile songs. His songs also seem to have universal purpose. I feel that you could dance to all the music or simply easy listening. While the lyrics don’t necessarily have a very deep meaning that makes me challenge society, Jackson is still able to tell stories with each of his songs. These stories are very interesting and serve their purpose to entertain.

Musically speaking, Jackson is able to forge a new strong countermelody for each and every song that drives his music forward. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such countermelodies that keep the listener so engaged. They play such an instrumental (no pun intended) part of the music that I cannot simply ignore it. This commanding presence makes Jackson’s music catchy and appealing to the masses. The other main factor of Jackson’s music is his distinct voice. Although he has a high vocal range, he is still able to have many vocal fluctuations that add to the variety of his songs. Although you might think he would get overpowered by his strong countermelody, the vocals withstand this and surge ahead as a dominating aspect. If there was a less talented and commanding lead vocalist, the songs would seem lopsided and disfigured. Luckily for Jackson, his variety of vocal ticks and edgy voice allows for his songs to thrive. He definitely adds a level of edginess to his songs by building attitude throughout his music. This attitude is utilized as another instrument because it sets the tone of each of Jackson’s songs.

A great example of how Jackson’s vocals take control and bleed edginess would be in “Billie Jean”. This song has all of the components that make Jackson’s songs to stand out in the abyss of 80s music. With a captivating melody and harsh drum beats, the overall tone of the song (set by the pent-up vocals) is greatly accentuated. This song is one of Michael Jackson’s classic singles and embodies his younger singing days very well. Check it out:

I can’t leave out the title song either! “Thriller” is much different than anything else I’ve heard in a while because Michael Jackson seemingly takes on an alternative ego/personality throughout the song. While it is also famous for dance choreography during performances, merely a song, “Thriller” has thrilled a variety of audiences for years. He tells a haunted and dangerous story throughout the song that allows the listener to escape from everyday life. And you've just have to watch the music videod! Check out what all the buzz was about:

Fall Out Boy

After analyzing the rise of punk in the 70s, I think it would be nice to compare a more recent punk band, Fall Out Boy. This band is hard to classify and thus lands in the large conglomeration of “punk” music. Their music has a very distinct sound yet doesn’t exactly follow standards of the music realm today. Today, a lot of people like to classify the “fresh” type of music as “alternative rock”. This is similar to what occurred in the 70s because people didn’t know how to deal with this new music that was rising at an exponential rate. In the most recent years, we have seen a similar trend occur with music again! This influx of alternative rock music, from Imagine Dragons to Cold Play to Fall Out Boy, has sculpted a new niche in the music scene. I think people are finally getting tired of the cheesy pop sounds of bubbly artists (like Katy Perry or Lady Gaga or Kesha). In response to this shallow pop music, consumers and artists are responding by the rise of such alternative rock bands.

To my surprise, Fall Out Boy had been around a lot longer than I thought. While starting in the underground music scene, they entered the mainstream in 2001. From Illinois, this band released various hits that topped the charts. They also came out with several albums. If you look at the Wikipedia page, however, the classification of their music ranges from pop punk, alternative rock, pop rock, to emo! This wide range of classification shows that current music doesn’t know what to do with them because they are so different!

I had never heard of Fall Out Boy until they came out with their lead single for their comeback album just a couple weeks ago. When I’m not analyzing music, I am a casual Pandora listener. I’ve noticed that at a certain time of year, Pandora begins to shift to newly released material. This is when I get exposed to songs that are on the rise and can look into them in more depth. As you might expect then, I was casually listening to Pandora when Fall Out Boy’s new single, “My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark” came on the air. I know, the title sounds pretty stupid but they were able to grab my attention. Maybe it was just because it was the first time I’d heard anything new in the past month or so, but it still intrigued me! From there, I began to look at more of their earlier hits and singles as well.

Fall Out Boy relies heavily on their instrumentals. They love blaring the guitar and kicking an insane beat. They are great at utilizing their countermelody to build tension and suspense. This ultimately helps construct a decent song arc. The vocals are present but (like most punk bands) are nothing to speak of per say. I feel like the lead vocals is more screaming and shouting rather than actually making music with his voice. Despite this, I think if it was any other way, the attitude and tone of the songs would not be accurately depicted. Because of the way the vocals are delivered, the songs can take on that classic punk idea of rebellion. Thus, in a variety of ways this band greatly mirrors the punk bands of the 70s, especially the Ramones. Both bands rely on instrumentals to carry the song. Both have passionate vocals that are not anywhere near being polished. And both are able to deliver a pretty kickass show.

Before you go and buy all the Fall Out Boy paraphernalia you can get, I’d like to vocalize the fact that I definitely have mixed feelings about the band as a whole. A lot of their past songs didn’t really appeal to me. Songs like “Dance Dance” seemed rather simplistic, repetitive and way too long to stay interesting. Despite this, their seeming lack of talent may be due to the fact that they hadn’t yet grown as a band. That is why I’m really interested to see what their next album, “Save Rock and Roll”, will bring. I can’t quite decide if their music is a flash in the pan or revolutionary in the whole scheme of things. I think that this band brings a fresh outlook on music and a vibe of rebellion that music really needs today. As bands like Fall Out Boy enter the stage, we see our current music being spiced up. While they may not have as much talent as other bands and artists I’ve blogged about, I’m excited to see how Fall Out Boy influences music as a whole.

Check out the following videos I’ve found of their songs. I think you’ll understand my mixed feelings as well as identify similar comparisons between 70s punk bands and their music. Enjoy (or not, that’s up to you):