Heart of Glass

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1.)  Philip Glass- Opening/Floe

a.    Philip Glass has this amazing talent for taking absolute chaos and containing it into a tiny, neat little minimalist package. His works can drive people insane, and at the same time cure insanity. I have found emotional sanctuary in the repetitive, yet touching notes he writes. Glass is able to change the entire song while maintaining the exact same concept throughout. I see it as a predecessor to techno, repetitious with subtle progression.

                                              i.     These two particular pieces from 'Glassworks' are striking to me. ‘Opening’ is appropriately titled, it’s a river of passion, trickling along piano keys introducing something you would not expect. I have heard many piano works, but none stay with me as much as this one. He manages to just hit the right chord (pun intended) with me, as if he is expressing something that I could never relay into words. A certain thing that I feel every time I look at the mountains, every time I see the sun set over the ocean, and every time I drive through rural areas. It tells a story without ever speaking a word, and the repetition allows you to reflect within yourself; to really think about an emotional reaction rather than just having it. As it fades out, it hangs a low note, which leads the listener quietly into ‘Floe’. And what a complete 180…while yes, it is still Glass, and still repetitious, it’s a completely different musical perspective. It sounds like it came from the future, or from some far reach of outer space. The use of electronic keyboard combined with the classic orchestra is incomparable. The first time I heard this I felt like I was spinning through a black hole. The turmoil of my mind was suddenly solved through music. Most people think it sounds weird, or too arty, and well, it does. And that is what is so fucking awesome about it. The vocalist isn’t even saying a damn thing. She is literally just repeating basic scales.  Around 3 minutes and 11 seconds, he breaks it right back down and reveals all of the layers to you, one by one. Starting with the beginning low note of whatever instrument it is, and then showing you little glimpses of his soul. Whatever it is about these two pieces, they make me feel alive; they express something for me that I could never express for myself. Enjoy.

Yeah it feels like...

*Picture is a reference to the music video.

4.) MGMT- Someone's Missing

         a. I didn't really develop a relationship with MGMT until this album, 'Congratulations'. I had heard all of the radio hits, 'Electric Eel' , 'Kids' and 'Time to Prentend', but I didn't feel a strong musical connection to them until I popped this CD in. I loved it from the moment 'It's Working' came railing on. But when number three hit, I was stunned. A slow drum roll to ring it in, followed by harmonic guitar and vocals. The song is well thought out, yet kind of novice and spontaneous.

        i. This song, in particular, makes me think about two important people in my life. They might not even know that this song reminds me of them, and they have no idea how much they mean to me. I will just never forget this one particular night, where I was the only one left standing (well, sitting actually), playing DJ in my mind, as these two particular people lay silently in the two adjacent chairs, napping lightly, or daydreaming on some other level. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that we were in our 20’s and having the time of our lives previous to this little musical moment. It became what felt like my duty to wind down the musical atmosphere with something calming and yet deep enough to linger a little. At that moment, it became my ultimate calling to make sure these two important people in my life were relaxed (whether they were awake or not through all of this I will never know, nor ask). While no one was missing from this, the song was just such a sweet and quiet way to tone down the night. I was reminded of this song tonight as I was sitting with these same people, about 6 months later, contemplating the concept of “dying to live, and living to die”. Seemed like a fitting moment to my recent ‘funeral’ theme. The slow start might bore you, but once you hit that 44 seconds, it’s pure joy. Like a sudden burst of energy; suddenly you are in a field of flowers and it’s the 1960’s and you just feel groovy as hell. It has just the right wave of guitars, the perfect vocal echoes, a strong enough bass-line and a drum kick to get you dancing. All of these things stir together so fittingly to make a song that is strong enough to pull you out of your seat, and quiet enough to settle you into it. Enjoy.

So school is in session..

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Picture unrelated.. i just thought it was cool and fit in with the 'funeral' theme.

3.)  Ani DiFranco- Educated Guess

a.    Ah, Ani… a strong force in my musical world. Each of her albums is completely different than the last, swirling through all sorts of genres. Her voice is like an instrument all in itself…soulful, jazzy, smooth and rough. I would place her tone and timbre with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and other scat-spitting jazz queens. Not to mention she started her own record label at 18 or some crazy shit.  Her lyrics cover topics along the lines of political agenda, gender/sexuality issues, and just straight up poetry. This particular song is from one of her newer, less radical album, appropriately titled Educated Guess. She managed to record the entire album with an 8track, and the result is pure gold. I have related so strongly with the lyrics, and felt as if she was explaining something to me about myself, at varying moments of my life with very different interpretations. The only justice I could do with this one is to post the lyrics. But the lyrics only swim well with the music. Enjoy:

                                              i.     Looks like my crazy family
Is down one crazy daughter ‘cause
I'm shipwrecked in a desert that
Once was underwater just
Looking for a swift turn of phrase
Some colors to fly
As I float by
In the parade

Plus I dream in skin scented sentences
Of a stronger faster fiercer you
And to each noun, verb and predicate
I dedicate a vivid hue
But you ain't done too well
Getting past your permanent pastel
Have you now?
Yes, the desert seemed so promising
And then it paled somehow

So school is in session
Get your chin off your desk
Now pick up your pencil
And turn over your test
Use your education
And take an educated guess
About me

I've got a slot at eye level like
A speakeasy door
And I know you know the password
‘Cause I've seen you here before
And I've got something sweet for you
And I don't care if it is more than you deserve
I've got a lot of love and a lot of nerve
So, baby, watch me while I take this curve

Yes school is in session
Get your chin off your desk
Now pick up your pencil
And turn over your test
Use your education
And take an educated guess
About me

Plus I have this whole new family
And I'm in love with each of them
And I'm on this list called lucky
Whenever I'm in reach of them
And I'm learning how to say
That I'd be happy either way
With your love

I'm calling on the stars above

School is in session
Get your chin off your desk
Now pick up your pencil
Turn over your test
Use your education
And take an educated guess
About me

Run to the hills...Run for your life

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2.)  Iron Maiden-The Trooper

a.    Now, this would seem a little more appropriate to most of you. I have always and will always love metal. I’ve explored most of varying subgenres, and listen to so many different metallic wonders regularly. But I could safely say, that this particular song is my favorite of all time. My non-metal friends and loved ones would roll their eyes, and I will forever claim that I could make anyone a metal fan. It might not always be true, but I do always try to explain the joy I find in metal. It’s hard to translate it to others because it’s a relationship you either have or you don’t. Either way, in my moment of passing, I would want as many people to rock out to this song as possible. It’s just so damn good.

                                              i.     Lightning strikes. The opening riff. It’s so powerful that while I was writing this I had to start it over three times just because it’s so awesome. And I do that…literally every time I listen to it. Even when it comes on shuffle, I let the opening riff play and then I start it over. Bah. Anyone who knows me anyways would not find this surprising…Then suddenly, the intertwined guitars that meant to be together before they were even created.  The drumbeat is like a carriage, the bass line like galloping horses pulling the carriage. Iron Maiden just has this incredible talent for bringing you to the battlefield. The description of sight and smell, the tone of Bruce Dickinson’s voice, strong enough to lead to the soldiers. Let me just say too, that in my opinion, he is the king of metal vocals. Rob Halford can hit the high notes, but there is a driving force in Dickinson’s voice that puts a certain emotionally descriptive quality to the music. I feel like I’m listening to musical version of  ‘Song of Roland’ every time I press play. This truly is just the perfect metal song. This song makes me feel alive, motivates me and reminds me that metal can lift a veil of stress. That sometimes when you feel overwhelmed with problems, you just need to listen to metal and rock the fuck out. Now head-bang.  

Hello Again

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It has been over a year since I’ve written anything on this blog, and I think there are three problems. The first one is, I have a career that consumes about 90% of my life, and rightfully so as it is a family business, so naturally a lot of my loved ones are also involved. Secondly, not enough discipline. I put such an image of grandeur in the concept of writing that I can’t even just sit down and do it. The thought process goes in, and then I think, “who would really give a shit about this?” Then I realized…I don’t care who gives a shit about it. I give a shit about it. The third… I’ve put too much pressure on myself to be writing about certain types of music; to be writing in a certain way about these songs. I feel like I have to be constantly worrying about new music, and the reader's preference, confining to a genre... and all that I really want to do is sit down and write about different music and how songs make me feel. I want to remember songs that remind me of my friends and family, and send them the love I feel every time I hear that song. I want to express my relationship with music. I started out with a decent concept, I had a vision and a ‘hypothesis’, so to speak. I find it hard to conform to ideals… especially my own lofty ones.  So I’m starting again. And I might stop again, and then start again. The cycle continues. 

5/27/2014

I went to two memorial services this past weekend. Fitting for ‘Memorial Day’, but I was honoring two special people in different ways. One thing that stood out so specifically to me was the choice of music during the services… and how that one song can leave the mark on all of the attendees for the rest of their lives. Of course in my typical morbid fashion, I began to ponder death, funerals, and what music I would want to be played for my family and friends after my passing. In my perfect world, everyone would just salvage through my iTunes and Amazon account and listen to every single song. The thought of what music would pair to my death and remembrance was overwhelming. I decided to make a funeral playlist.

Song One:

1.)  Svefn-G-Englar by Sigur Ros

a.    To the majority of people that I've subjected this to, it just seems like noise. A nice, quiet start with an electric shock of guitar, and then some pale man wailing an undecipherable language. (some sort of Icelandic, but Sigur Ros fans might note otherwise). But to me, it sounds like this:

                                              i.     Close your eyes. Really listen. If any of you were in the car with me and I turned it on, you would say “Turn this shit off! Depressing!” I laugh, because I know it does have a lowering, mellow sound, and it is certainly an acquired taste. I respect that, and I do my best not to force it on anyone. But in my last moments of remembrance, I would want everyone to give it a fair listen.  I love the shit out of it. It’s like an orchestra of modern sound, so many layers and harmony…voice blending into wailing guitar. The beginning sounds like a funeral parlor, or a wedding hymn, somber and deep, steady and simple. A spark of twilight flicks steady in the background, like the sound of a submarine radar, a twinkle of starlight, or a satellite. Sounds cheesy, but if you give it a listen you will secretly know it’s true. Nice low notes to set out the tone of darkness, of confusion. Then slowly, subtly, the stringed bow on the guitar. At first, to me, it can’t even be identified as a sound. I see great rays of light; the sun beginning to rise. Only a note that sharp could reflect so perfectly such a display; a beam of light to your ears. Just imagine a sun rising over a vast plain, a summer thunderstorm rolling in, a child being born, and even a slow and peaceful death. All of these things are beautiful parts of life. Sad, cyclical and hard to understand, yes, but I have found few other audio landscapes more powerful. What other song could display such an overwhelming sense of natural wonder, vast stretches, emptiness and wholeness altogether. 

Tune in next time for funeral song #2... quite a different experience.