Discuss the Musics Thread

[transmogrifier]

Is there such a thing as great music criticism? Where--like with film criticism--individual tracks get analyzed fully in the context of their lyrics, albums, band's bodies of work, chord progressions and whatnot? Generally, the best it seems I can hope for is to see a passing mention of a song in an album review saying "it's better than their last album, its songwriters' indulgences working to fantastic effect, though the synthesized reggae-inspired beats on [track 12] speak to the band's weakness for cheeky reductionism."

Not that I need, need, need to read them, but I'd like it if it were out there.

*is incapable of really appreciating music and prone to dismissive generalizations*

Sounds to me you've spotted a gap in the market place. Go forth and criticize.

[Acapelli]

I think that that's what the whole 33 1/2 series is about, but don't take my word for it.

[Sycophant]

Sounds to me you've spotted a gap in the market place. Go forth and criticize.

Would that I could. But I don't understand music at all.

I think that that's what the whole 33 1/2 series is about, but don't take my word for it.

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into them. However, I'm a little worried about the fact that they publish a book per album, only on what is generally considered canon. I worry they're for fans of the bands/albums.

[transmogrifier]

There's too much music. I can't keep up.

I think that, after 2008, I may stop actively giving brand new bands a chance. I think the best way forward is to finalize a list of bands/singers I love, and just follow whatever they put out, if anything, in the future. It's too tiring.

[Lasse]

Johan Wohlert from Mew and Pernille Rosendahl from Swan Lee, two of my favorite bands, have formed a new band called The Storm. I just heard their first single, Drops In The Ocean, and it's wonderful. It's rock, it's pop, it's dark and it's easy on the ears. So epic! I love it!

Too much? :lol:

http://www.myspace.com/thestormdk

[D_Davis]

There's too much music. I can't keep up.

I think that, after 2008, I may stop actively giving brand new bands a chance. I think the best way forward is to finalize a list of bands/singers I love, and just follow whatever they put out, if anything, in the future. It's too tiring.

This has been my route for the last 5 years. I still pick up the occasional brand new band, but for the most part I do what you said above.

[Acapelli]

There's too much music. I can't keep up.

I think that, after 2008, I may stop actively giving brand new bands a chance. I think the best way forward is to finalize a list of bands/singers I love, and just follow whatever they put out, if anything, in the future. It's too tiring.

As much as I say I'll never do this, I can't imagine 5 years down the line spending the inordinate amount of time on the internet looking up new bands like I do now.

[bac0n]

There's a radio show that they play on public radio, called Sound Opinions, kinda like the Siskel & Ebert of rock music. Two guys arguing about artists, bands, etc.

They're both major rock nerds who have a pretty good knowledge of what's going on in the music biz, and have a good sense of rock music's history, and their album reviews usually take into account those things you mentioned - the genre, the existing body of work of the artist, how well the songs fit together, the songs themselves.

And wow, they nailed the latest Go! Team record.

You might wanna check it out.

[krazed]

So, anyone hear this yet?



So far it's pretty . Pavement's pretty much my favorite band, but I really haven't cared much for Malkmus' solo stuff until now. This is like, Pavement with a classic rock twist. Pretty sweet.

[Kurosawa Fan]

You don't like Pig Lib? How is that humanly possible?

[Lasse]

Johan Wohlert from Mew and Pernille Rosendahl from Swan Lee, two of my favorite bands, have formed a new band called The Storm. I just heard their first single, Drops In The Ocean, and it's wonderful. It's rock, it's pop, it's dark and it's easy on the ears. So epic! I love it!

Too much? :lol:

http://www.myspace.com/thestormdk

Just found out that their album is being produced by Roy Thomas Baker. The man produced the record with Bohemian Rhapsody on it!! Holy f...

[Acapelli]

And wow, they nailed the latest Go! Team record.

And by nailed you mean that they hold the same opinion you do?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[bac0n]

And by nailed you mean that they hold the same opinion you do?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

They nailed the strengths (fun, light-hearted atmosphere) and weaknesses (repetitive, no stand out songs, poor production values, vocals too far back in the mix) of the album.

Which is to say, YES.

[D_Davis]

The soundtrack for Inland Empire came out today! Awesome.

[Acapelli]

They nailed the strengths (fun, light-hearted atmosphere) and weaknesses (repetitive, no stand out songs, poor production values, vocals too far back in the mix) of the album.

See, what I think you consider weaknesses, I don't. The mixing and production are obviously done on purpose in the spirit of lo-fi music (they're debut is similar). And I don't see how having no stand out songs is a weakness, that just sounds silly to me. I'd consider them consistent.

[krazed]

See, what I think you consider weaknesses, I don't. The mixing and production are obviously done on purpose in the spirit of lo-fi music (they're debut is similar). And I don't see how having no stand out songs is a weakness, that just sounds silly to me. I'd consider them consistent.

Their sophomore outing is pretty much an extension of their first. The production is awesome.

[bac0n]

There's something to be said about consistency, but there's also a point where you cross the line from consistency to repetitiveness. I'm of the opinion that Go! Team's latest crosses that point. It's a fuzzy line, to be sure, but it's there. Somewhere behind this album.

And I'm all for the Lo-Fi sound as much as the next guy, but the audio in this album lacks a lot of the warmth I would expect from that. The mix sounds remarkably flat to me, especially on the low end. The brass sections really coulda used some more french horns and tubas, but that's just my personal preference.

[origami_mustache]

They nailed the strengths (fun, light-hearted atmosphere) and weaknesses (repetitive, no stand out songs, poor production values, vocals too far back in the mix) of the album.

Which is to say, YES.

To me there are at least 3 obvious standouts, I'll give concede that the band is a bit repetitive outside the standout tracks. As for the vocals and production values, that's pretty much the sound they are trying to achieve, as Acapelli pointed out and it's how they sound live as well, so it's either your cup of tea or it's not.

[Rowland]

The soundtrack for Inland Empire came out today! Awesome.

I'm listening to it now.

The fourth track, Woods Variation, sounds like the background music from a Resident Evil game.

[megladon8]

The hilariously bad "Starship Trooper" by Sarah Brightman has been entertaining me all day.

Seriously, has anyone else heard this song? It's like "One Night in Bangkok" mixed with ABBA.

[krazed]

Destroyer's Trouble in Dreams leaked!!!!!!!!
ritch:ritch:ritch:ritch:ritch:

[origami_mustache]

Destroyer's Trouble in Dreams leaked!!!!!!!!
ritch:ritch:ritch:ritch:ritch:

really loving "Shooting Rockets (From the Desk of the Night's Ape)"

[Justin]

Even though it is just a covers album, I am digging the new Cat Power album, but then again, I am pretty biased towards her.

[origami_mustache]

Loving the new Xiu Xiu!

[Sven]

My two cents:

T. Rex is the greatest band ever and Marc Bolan is a goddamn genius.