Shanty Town (007) by Ken Boothe & The Tamlins
Pure Joy.
Ken Boothe sings about rude boys (felons) in Shanty Town who rob and terrorize the neighborhood after they get out of jail. Despite the depressing concept of the lyrics, the musical structure of the song is what gets me excited. The bass line is a resemblance, or an icon, of my father's reggae music. When I listen to my father's music, I always feel jubilant because his bass lines have a simple way intertwining with the sophisticated melody. Whenever we compose songs together, he always has some really cool bass line to try out. Our goal is to always make the bass line simple to play, but smooth progression wise, giving all the other sounds more room to show off. I am happy when I hear this song, but I'm happiest performing with my father.
After The Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind, & Fire
I reside here.
Maurice White, one of the lead singers, captivates my mind with his soothing voice. Personally, I think this is one of, if not the best musical group of all time because of the way their music is arranged. Every sound is clearly understood and distinctively different from the other, making the blend of sounds sweet to the ear. This song is a resemblance of how music sounds when my brother and I compose all the parts together. Whenever I hear Earth, Wind, & Fire, I envision our musical ideas in their music (the interpretant). Our compositions make me feel a sense of belonging as does this song.
Atlantic by Keane
"I don't want to be old and sleep alone. An empty house is not a home."
Lead singer Tom Chaplin's melancholy words sung to a distorted, redundant beat and never ending arpeggios on key board emphasize the idea of a surreal and gothic world. Although toward the end of the song the melody becomes brighter, the dreamy tone is extended as if the dreamer could never wake up. The keyboard's melody reminds me of the Twilight Zone's theme song. I used to watch this show with my mom when I was younger and I could never feel content about the concepts in the show. In one episode, a beautiful woman was considered hideous in another world, so they exiled her with all the other "ugly" people.
This song reminds me of the sadness I felt for the woman in that one episode.
Little L by Jamiroquai
L'amour.
This song is the epitome of "groovy". The upbeat rhythm, funky bass line, and spotaneous guitar melody are essential to the groovy-ness of the song. The lyrics are a resemblance of my feelings for my kitten when she slept toward the end of my bed. Whenever she slept in my bed, her little hairs attached themselves to the sheets. The worst part is she used to end up on my pillow the next morning along with her many hairs. Although I hated this process of sleeping, I loved her because she meant more to me than my irritated emotions when I found fur on my pillow. With love I overcome obstacles.
Nyhla -
ReplyDeleteI liked the songs you picked throughout the blog, but the Keane song really struck a chord with me. I wanted to ask you earlier, but have you listened to the entire album of 'Under the Iron Sea'? Because the entire album more or less makes me feel the way you mentioned in class 'Atlantic' makes you feel. Wanted to talk about it, see what you thought.
And, stemming from that, I've heard it said that there's no room for that kind of music, and I've read reviews (not of Keane specifically) that talk about albums done entirely to perpetuate what is typically 'negative' emotions in a bad way - but as far as I can tell, music is music, and should perpetuate whatever it wants. As long as you're getting a feeling or message out, it shouldn't matter what it is or what other people think of it.
To that end, do you think that music is made by people for themselves, as a form of self expression, or do you think it's made for other people? Or, both? Or neither?
Just a few thoughts.
- casey
Nhyla,
ReplyDeletei really enjoyed all of the songs in your blog. i really enjoy earth, wind, and fire and i think its cool that they have such an impact on you. i really enjoyed your story about your kitten. i have a kitten who means very much to me, but your story was bigger than that. i think love is much more important than the petty feelings that we sometimes get towards ones we really love. i really enjoyed this!