Here's my idea for a music thread: each person posts the name of a song. Everyone downloads the song posted by the person above them, and then edits their post to include a "review" of the song.
If you can't/won't download the song, YOU LOSE.
First song: "The Other Side" - The Dismemberment Plan
The song above
The song above
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
-
Zhan_Dvega
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 6:49 pm
EDIT: Okay, review time. So, neither the song nor the band I've ever heard of, so I was pretty much going in without any expectations. (Okay, that's a lie. The band name being what it was, I was expecting some [bleh] death-metal or something. But, with that said, also let it be said that I was pleasantly surprised.) The first thing that struck me was the rythym. When I listen to songs, I like to get a groove going with it. Bobbin' my head along or something like that, but with this I found it hard to do, but I'm no musicologist, so I gotta ask someone who can tell me: Is this song in something other than 4/4 meter? It sound very much like it is, but I couldn't say honestly.
The arrangement is.. well... an arrangement. You've got the drums that come in first. Effective drumming, with a nice tight and hollow sound (neither good nor bad, just an observation). Some really nice guitar work, creates a nice somewhat eerie, somewhat awe-inspiring atmosphere when it's wailing feedback, and elsewhere restrained and peppered throughout the song to give more flavour to the rythym and bass (which, is also nice.)
The lyrics and vocals, though. He doesn't have the best singing voice, but there are much more worse singers than he than there are better. The melody isn't the best, either, but still strangely catchy. I dunno, it seems to hobble awkwardly in places. Jump up several notes, which does manage to grab one's attention, but more because it sounds strange than anything else. Still, the melody does work well with the backing track. The lyrics, also, were all in all fairly nice. They weren't bullshit, so that's a plus. They seemed pretty straight-forward, but still managed to show some effective wordmanship (mostly anyway, there were a few awkward phrases, like this line: "There are times when you'll think you've got my funny number figured out ", but for every awkward line, there are 3 fine lines, and 1 excellent line. I liked these particularly: "There are years that'll fly like wind across a flood plain :: unaware of its own weight, free of friction, and immune to its own speed") Also something worthy of note is that there are no repeated lines. There are sentence fragments that repeat, sure, but as part of entirely different sentence, which helped give the song a good sense of dynamics.
So, all in all, not a bad song at all. I was really getting prepared to rip it to shreds when I was trying to download it. Then I got it and listened to it and found I had a lot of good to say about it instead. Shucks :(
--------------------------------
Next song: "Suitcase Calling" - The Polyphonic Spree
The arrangement is.. well... an arrangement. You've got the drums that come in first. Effective drumming, with a nice tight and hollow sound (neither good nor bad, just an observation). Some really nice guitar work, creates a nice somewhat eerie, somewhat awe-inspiring atmosphere when it's wailing feedback, and elsewhere restrained and peppered throughout the song to give more flavour to the rythym and bass (which, is also nice.)
The lyrics and vocals, though. He doesn't have the best singing voice, but there are much more worse singers than he than there are better. The melody isn't the best, either, but still strangely catchy. I dunno, it seems to hobble awkwardly in places. Jump up several notes, which does manage to grab one's attention, but more because it sounds strange than anything else. Still, the melody does work well with the backing track. The lyrics, also, were all in all fairly nice. They weren't bullshit, so that's a plus. They seemed pretty straight-forward, but still managed to show some effective wordmanship (mostly anyway, there were a few awkward phrases, like this line: "There are times when you'll think you've got my funny number figured out ", but for every awkward line, there are 3 fine lines, and 1 excellent line. I liked these particularly: "There are years that'll fly like wind across a flood plain :: unaware of its own weight, free of friction, and immune to its own speed") Also something worthy of note is that there are no repeated lines. There are sentence fragments that repeat, sure, but as part of entirely different sentence, which helped give the song a good sense of dynamics.
So, all in all, not a bad song at all. I was really getting prepared to rip it to shreds when I was trying to download it. Then I got it and listened to it and found I had a lot of good to say about it instead. Shucks :(
--------------------------------
Next song: "Suitcase Calling" - The Polyphonic Spree
Last edited by Zhan_Dvega on Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
<a href="http://aiyaiyai.keenspace.com">
</a>
Updates Sundaily
</a>Updates Sundaily
-
RPin
- Gentleman Pornographer
- Posts: 2930
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2003 8:12 am
- Location: I'm off to Brazil, bitches!
- Contact:
On threads like this it's very important that we keep it at a sane lovel of organization. So, do this:
Zhan already called a review and put a placeholder, so the next person NECESSARILY has to wait for him to post his review before reviewing the song he suggested.
It's either this way or the incredibly bloody mess that the last webcomic above was.
Zhan already called a review and put a placeholder, so the next person NECESSARILY has to wait for him to post his review before reviewing the song he suggested.
It's either this way or the incredibly bloody mess that the last webcomic above was.
http://www.slsknet.org/
Soulseek seems to be the best place for downloading relatively obscure stuff. There's a Mac version floating around, too.
Soulseek seems to be the best place for downloading relatively obscure stuff. There's a Mac version floating around, too.
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
-
TheLoserHero
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 942
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2003 6:40 am
- Location: Contrary to popular belief, the correct pronunciation of Jersey is "Joisey".
- Contact:
-
Zhan_Dvega
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 6:49 pm
BOBO
Well, I'll hit the Spree.
*downloads*
[EDIT]
Well, first of all, to answer your question about "The Other Side"--from what I can tell, the song is in 3/4, but every fifth measure is in 4/4, so it adds up to 16/16. The clue is at the end of the song, when the bassline loops in its entirety for the first time. Not, as you point out, one of the band's more interesting lyrics, but I love that rhythm!
Now, on to the Polyphonic Spree. Well, what can I say about this thing? It's an indie-pop-prog epic. Very very pretty, a bit syrupy, a lot dorky. The Flaming Lips would be proud.
I'll refrain from criticizing the lyrics, cause they're obviously just an excuse to play the music. Vaguely psychedelic, vaguely bittersweet, but not particularly evocative (for me, at least.) But these guys have got a real talent for insanely lush, over-the-top arrangements and melodies. "Suitcase Calling" is nearly 9 minutes long, but all the different sections are equally lovely, and they flow together nicely.
My concern with a song like this is that it's going to lack replay value. It has the grandeur of a Yes song but not the complexity. I liked it a lot after one listen, but I don't sense any hidden depths that will keep me coming back to it. We shall see....
---------------------
Next: "Relative Ways" - And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
*downloads*
[EDIT]
Well, first of all, to answer your question about "The Other Side"--from what I can tell, the song is in 3/4, but every fifth measure is in 4/4, so it adds up to 16/16. The clue is at the end of the song, when the bassline loops in its entirety for the first time. Not, as you point out, one of the band's more interesting lyrics, but I love that rhythm!
Now, on to the Polyphonic Spree. Well, what can I say about this thing? It's an indie-pop-prog epic. Very very pretty, a bit syrupy, a lot dorky. The Flaming Lips would be proud.
I'll refrain from criticizing the lyrics, cause they're obviously just an excuse to play the music. Vaguely psychedelic, vaguely bittersweet, but not particularly evocative (for me, at least.) But these guys have got a real talent for insanely lush, over-the-top arrangements and melodies. "Suitcase Calling" is nearly 9 minutes long, but all the different sections are equally lovely, and they flow together nicely.
My concern with a song like this is that it's going to lack replay value. It has the grandeur of a Yes song but not the complexity. I liked it a lot after one listen, but I don't sense any hidden depths that will keep me coming back to it. We shall see....
---------------------
Next: "Relative Ways" - And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Last edited by Psiogen on Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Re: BOBO
*bump, motherfucker*
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
-
RPin
- Gentleman Pornographer
- Posts: 2930
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2003 8:12 am
- Location: I'm off to Brazil, bitches!
- Contact:
First of all, I suck at this kind of review. Second, okay, Relative Ways by Trail of the Dead:
I can safely say I never heard of that band, even though I listen to a lot of emo indie rock bands.
And that's exactly what struck me the most while listening to this song, how emo it is. That's not a bad thing, tho.
The arrangements are nicely done, going from a comfortable ballad tune in the begginning to a more complex and strong (maybe even disphonic) sound as the lyrics call for it.
It seems to be what this song is about: the musician's inner worries. The lyrics have a sort of metaliguistical feel, as they express the trouble the song writter have to write his own song, dealing with the expectations of the people he sings for and all. As those fears and emotions start to take over him, the song starts to get more and more fast and repetitive, as if he needed to convince himself that everything is "alright, is o.k". He also switches from a more calm vocal to screaming, which fits that sense of despair. He then breathes reliefed, saying that everything came together in relative ways. He admits he could not find a perfect way to express his feelings, but it all depends on how you look at it, in the end.
I love indie rock, but I'll have to say this won't figure among my favorite bands. I'll give it another chance, tho.
And now, from something emo to something more lighthearted and upbeat, I call The Bells, by Venus Hum.
I can safely say I never heard of that band, even though I listen to a lot of emo indie rock bands.
And that's exactly what struck me the most while listening to this song, how emo it is. That's not a bad thing, tho.
The arrangements are nicely done, going from a comfortable ballad tune in the begginning to a more complex and strong (maybe even disphonic) sound as the lyrics call for it.
It seems to be what this song is about: the musician's inner worries. The lyrics have a sort of metaliguistical feel, as they express the trouble the song writter have to write his own song, dealing with the expectations of the people he sings for and all. As those fears and emotions start to take over him, the song starts to get more and more fast and repetitive, as if he needed to convince himself that everything is "alright, is o.k". He also switches from a more calm vocal to screaming, which fits that sense of despair. He then breathes reliefed, saying that everything came together in relative ways. He admits he could not find a perfect way to express his feelings, but it all depends on how you look at it, in the end.
I love indie rock, but I'll have to say this won't figure among my favorite bands. I'll give it another chance, tho.
And now, from something emo to something more lighthearted and upbeat, I call The Bells, by Venus Hum.
I just realized that I picked <i>another</i> song in mixed 3/4 / 4/4 time.
Funny, your interpretation of that song is so different from mine. I've always thought of it as being very upbeat, almost triumphant, not "emo" at all. Maybe because of the context of the original album.
I'll let someone else review this next one. (Although I want to download it too! I've never heard of Venus Hum.)
Funny, your interpretation of that song is so different from mine. I've always thought of it as being very upbeat, almost triumphant, not "emo" at all. Maybe because of the context of the original album.
I'll let someone else review this next one. (Although I want to download it too! I've never heard of Venus Hum.)
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
-
Birdie
- Keeps telling everyone stuff
- Posts: 813
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2003 2:50 am
- Location: With your mom
- Contact:
Venus Hum: The Bells
Alright, I listen to a lot of music, though most of what I like involves jangly guitars boy-girl singing and lots of tambourine action, but I'll give an honest review of this song.
The music starts out with electronic percussion, instead of a drum, it's more of a pulsing heartbeat, mixed in is something that sounds like an electronic sitar, making the music meld into a transendental piece as the woman sings with strong emotions. The vocals are very intense, and remind me of that chick from that atrocious band Evenescene, but that doesn't make this song bad. What ruins it for me is that the song is really just layers of music that attempt to layer themselves into becoming a more intense song. Though it's all really simple, it's something Trent Reznor could have done in the 8th grade if he never had any angst.
Long story short, singing = good, music = better than subpar but orchestration = sub par
Sorry if you like this, I just never dig heavily techno-influenced music.
My Turn: Trash the fuck out of: Single Frame (or as Single Frame Ashtray) Comm jet (creepy kid remix)
Alright, I listen to a lot of music, though most of what I like involves jangly guitars boy-girl singing and lots of tambourine action, but I'll give an honest review of this song.
The music starts out with electronic percussion, instead of a drum, it's more of a pulsing heartbeat, mixed in is something that sounds like an electronic sitar, making the music meld into a transendental piece as the woman sings with strong emotions. The vocals are very intense, and remind me of that chick from that atrocious band Evenescene, but that doesn't make this song bad. What ruins it for me is that the song is really just layers of music that attempt to layer themselves into becoming a more intense song. Though it's all really simple, it's something Trent Reznor could have done in the 8th grade if he never had any angst.
Long story short, singing = good, music = better than subpar but orchestration = sub par
Sorry if you like this, I just never dig heavily techno-influenced music.
My Turn: Trash the fuck out of: Single Frame (or as Single Frame Ashtray) Comm jet (creepy kid remix)
Last edited by Birdie on Sun Nov 14, 2004 5:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
"I find the first strip on this site incredibly offensive and awful" - Scott Kurtz
SuperFightFight More Filling than Douche Juice!
SuperFightFight More Filling than Douche Juice!
-
RPin
- Gentleman Pornographer
- Posts: 2930
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2003 8:12 am
- Location: I'm off to Brazil, bitches!
- Contact:
I told you I suck at this kinda thing. Anyways, what is your interpretation? I'm curious, because that was all I could get from that song.Psiogen wrote:Funny, your interpretation of that song is so different from mine. I've always thought of it as being very upbeat, almost triumphant, not "emo" at all. Maybe because of the context of the original album.
Well, your interpretation isn't 'wrong', it's a very open-ended song.
Hmm...I think of it as touching on the cycles of life & death, destruction & rebirth, and here we are in the middle of it, trying to figure out where it's all going.....and then there's the refrain of "It's o.k. I'm a saint; I forgave your mistakes" which is a kind of 'fuck you' to all the gods and devils and angels out there: 'we don't need you.'
It's not an entirely happy song, but I don't think it's about despair. It's more of a triumph over despair.
Hmm...I think of it as touching on the cycles of life & death, destruction & rebirth, and here we are in the middle of it, trying to figure out where it's all going.....and then there's the refrain of "It's o.k. I'm a saint; I forgave your mistakes" which is a kind of 'fuck you' to all the gods and devils and angels out there: 'we don't need you.'
It's not an entirely happy song, but I don't think it's about despair. It's more of a triumph over despair.
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Hey! I'll take this one, since I've had this song one my hard drive for almost two years but for some reason still haven't really listened to it. The only song of theirs I know is The Slip, which is a nifty little ditty.supernerdcore wrote:My Turn: Trash the fuck out of: Single Frame (or as Single Frame Ashtray) Comm jet (creepy kid remix)
REVIEWAGE:
Mellow. It seems to be a lament about being being trapped in the digital age. I could stand some more obvious hooks, but it's got its melodic charms. And it just sounds nice, a soft, womblike guitar/keyboard environment--appropriate for the subject matter, certainly. I doubt this is in any danger of becoming one of my favorite songs, but it does what it sets out to do.
-------------
And my next pick: "From the Air" - Laurie Anderson
A similar kind of "modern world" track, except from 25 years earlier...
Sylvan, fadin motherfuckers like bleach.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
Last edited by Sailor Moon on Fri Bec 55th, 9239 56:82 pm; edited 229425 times in total.
-
Spoder Mon
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:21 pm
- Location: Spoder Mon
- Contact:
-
Nyke
- Cartoon Villain
- Posts: 4704
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 6:02 am
- Location: OT AND GD HAVE MERGED! *jumps out the window*
- Contact:
Considering SpoderMon's trolling again (Three words a review does not make.), I'll take "From the Air", review, and hand my own in a few minutes.
EDIT: That is, if I can find a place to download it.
EDIT: That is, if I can find a place to download it.
My LJ | ComicGen CoH/V | Vampire/Amazon looking for Betas. Want to sign up? PM me. | Figure out my Avatar's joke, and win bragging rights.
-
Spoder Mon
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:21 pm
- Location: Spoder Mon
- Contact:
Fine, here's a real review:
Like many of their system pieces, this is modal. In this case the mode is the Phrygian, whose flattened second evokes the Moorish atmosphere alluded to in the title. In this mode the seventh is also flattened, and the combination of these unusual intervals creates a mysterious tonal ambiguity. This is further emphasized in Neroli, because the root note of the mode is rarely played, whereas the fifth of the scale is prominent. Together, the blurred tonality and the lack of a distinct tonal centre give the piece a hovering, weightless character. The melodic line, with little forward momentum and no sense of pulse, disperses and coalesces into exotic new constellations.
Like many of their system pieces, this is modal. In this case the mode is the Phrygian, whose flattened second evokes the Moorish atmosphere alluded to in the title. In this mode the seventh is also flattened, and the combination of these unusual intervals creates a mysterious tonal ambiguity. This is further emphasized in Neroli, because the root note of the mode is rarely played, whereas the fifth of the scale is prominent. Together, the blurred tonality and the lack of a distinct tonal centre give the piece a hovering, weightless character. The melodic line, with little forward momentum and no sense of pulse, disperses and coalesces into exotic new constellations.
Spoder Mon
Previously Spoder Man, registered October 30, 2004
Previously Spoder Man, registered October 30, 2004
-
Birdie
- Keeps telling everyone stuff
- Posts: 813
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2003 2:50 am
- Location: With your mom
- Contact:
WOw, someone else heard this band. I found them on a local Texas comp (though I'm in FL) and I thought the song sounded a lot like early modest mouse work, and then I got the album and it's one of my favorite modern bands though I'm saddened they signed with volcom and do the warped tour, though they didn't play here. But it's cool that you didn't say it suckedPsiogen wrote:Hey! I'll take this one, since I've had this song one my hard drive for almost two years but for some reason still haven't really listened to it. The only song of theirs I know is The Slip, which is a nifty little ditty.supernerdcore wrote:My Turn: Trash the fuck out of: Single Frame (or as Single Frame Ashtray) Comm jet (creepy kid remix)
"I find the first strip on this site incredibly offensive and awful" - Scott Kurtz
SuperFightFight More Filling than Douche Juice!
SuperFightFight More Filling than Douche Juice!
-
Phact0rri
- The Establishment (Moderator)
- Posts: 5772
- Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:04 pm
- Location: ????
- Contact:
I should have checked on this thread earlier! rats! well at any rate I have no idea whats going on... so this is just a watching post.. I'll review when the next rounds start coming in. once DM gets reviewing on the "Of the Air" track.
*pretends he didn't see the backstreet boys track*
*pretends he didn't see the backstreet boys track*
<KittyKatBlack> You look deranged. But I mean that in the nicest way possible. ^_^;