to spread out my previous two blogs, I would currently have four. bummer.
anyway,
since modern artists are so pressed for time, their lyrics suffer. I guess... the music itself isn't so hot either. I'll explain:
Panic! At The Disco got their start in spring of 2004. Pete Wentz (of the band formerly known as Fall Out Boy) heard some of their demo stuff, brought it to his label (Fueled by Ramen), and wanted a full-length album in September of 2004. Granted, the band had been around for a little while, so they had a few songs in their repertoire to throw on an album, but their first album, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out", is full of mildly interesting, hugely catchy lyrics, and a unique breakdown of songs -- the first half is largely techno/electronically tinged songs which is interrupted by the "Intermission", a track with few words explaining that this is the part of the album where it switches to strings, heavy piano playing and muffled background sounds similar to those of a phonograph with a blanket over it.
so, here's how it sounds, briefly:
interesting, catchy as anything, fun, danceable, but not that impressive musically. clever lyrics, but rather meaningless when it really comes down to it.
then, almost four years later, in spring of 2008, (hey, they deserved the time to write this one carefully...) Panic at the Disco released their second album, Pretty. Odd. - sans the "!", mind you.
this one has more deliberate lyrics. a new sound, different writing styles, a folk-ier sound, and an almost overwhelming Beatles influence. as if there's such a thing as too much Beatles, HA! anyway, no more gimmicks, no more "we don't have another song, so here's an instrumental to fill this track space".
here's how this one sounds:
(also, I apologize for the audio on this one, but I couldn't find a better one)
see what an amazing difference time to write and think can make?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
save the music!
okay, so maybe "save the music" refers more to bringing music to schools whose music programs have gone down the tubes, but I think in a very dramatic sense, it can relate to the music industry as well.
sure, there's loads of great music swimming around out there. the local scene is becoming even more popular too. what used to be reserved for the "indie/hipster" kids (I don't even know which is which, so I'm obviously not really either) has now become THE place to be for anyone who wants new music or wants to be a close part of the music industry without shelling out $100 for a concert ticket (not to mention the CD you'll buy there, and the t-shirt, and the gas, and the parking, and the ... whatever else: booty shorts?). for ten bucks (often less than that), anyone can go to a little local show for a local metal/hardcore/posthardcore/pop/pop-punk/punk/alternative/[insert other genre here...] band. this awesome opportunity isn't guaranteed to be a great one aurally, but let me tell you, supporting these local gigs is what is going to save the industry.
at local shows, it's kids trying to make it big, but they know that without a label behind them, they're not gonna go anywhere unless they're original. without originality, the "scene" is going to write the band of as either posers or wannabes, which DO exist, but they're not common. it's at these shows that music is taken back to its roots and what it should be: pure and untarnished. it's about music and people. not money (although, they do need gas money every once in a while).
the music industry and its cronies are caught up in their own egos. they produce what will make money with little regard to what is actually talent because they're the ones who "know what they're doing".
I say "whatever". it's the local cats who are doing it right. support them instead.
sure, there's loads of great music swimming around out there. the local scene is becoming even more popular too. what used to be reserved for the "indie/hipster" kids (I don't even know which is which, so I'm obviously not really either) has now become THE place to be for anyone who wants new music or wants to be a close part of the music industry without shelling out $100 for a concert ticket (not to mention the CD you'll buy there, and the t-shirt, and the gas, and the parking, and the ... whatever else: booty shorts?). for ten bucks (often less than that), anyone can go to a little local show for a local metal/hardcore/posthardcore/pop/pop-punk/punk/alternative/[insert other genre here...] band. this awesome opportunity isn't guaranteed to be a great one aurally, but let me tell you, supporting these local gigs is what is going to save the industry.
at local shows, it's kids trying to make it big, but they know that without a label behind them, they're not gonna go anywhere unless they're original. without originality, the "scene" is going to write the band of as either posers or wannabes, which DO exist, but they're not common. it's at these shows that music is taken back to its roots and what it should be: pure and untarnished. it's about music and people. not money (although, they do need gas money every once in a while).
the music industry and its cronies are caught up in their own egos. they produce what will make money with little regard to what is actually talent because they're the ones who "know what they're doing".
I say "whatever". it's the local cats who are doing it right. support them instead.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
you're proving my point, Miley
As previously stated, my whole goal with this blog is to establish a clear thought on whether the present music industry is capable of handling the awe that is associated with bands like Queen, the Beatles, and (as much as it pains me to say it,) Metallica.
Exhibit A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxbFLYa0_bw
"Somebody To Love", Queen c. 1976
I mean, seriously. How can you even begin to compare an undisputed music great like Queen with today's latest trash?
The simple answer? You can't.
The industry today, like everyone else in the entire world, doesn't know that it's okay to slow down. They push for shorter deadlines in order to get CDs on the shelves (= money in their pockets). In doing so, they run out of bands ready to produce good music, and resort to anyone who has a: pretty face/"mom-/dad-ager"/no shame/money already/an overly inflated ego, etc., etc. The list goes on! Thus, we get garbage like Nickelback, The Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus.
Now, this isn't to say that I don't like ANYTHING by ANY of the artists who are in similar positions. In fact, there are one or two Nickelback songs that I listen to frequently (though they are from their early years when their one song was new and they hadn't re-done it for four albums and just changed the lyrics...). But I digress...
Basically, the rushed studio time (which I believe is exacerbated by the accessibility of music: iTunes-->search-->click-->done) leads to shoddy workmanship.
What do you think? Does the music industry allow true talent (which takes time) to fall to the wayside in order to keep up with the demands of listeners everywhere?
Forthcoming topics:
-> end of "Rock Gods"?
-> vinyl vs mp3
-> how exactly does one "nod their head like 'yeah'"?
peace.
kateschutte
Exhibit A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxbFLYa0_bw
"Somebody To Love", Queen c. 1976
I mean, seriously. How can you even begin to compare an undisputed music great like Queen with today's latest trash?
The simple answer? You can't.
The industry today, like everyone else in the entire world, doesn't know that it's okay to slow down. They push for shorter deadlines in order to get CDs on the shelves (= money in their pockets). In doing so, they run out of bands ready to produce good music, and resort to anyone who has a: pretty face/"mom-/dad-ager"/no shame/money already/an overly inflated ego, etc., etc. The list goes on! Thus, we get garbage like Nickelback, The Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus.
Now, this isn't to say that I don't like ANYTHING by ANY of the artists who are in similar positions. In fact, there are one or two Nickelback songs that I listen to frequently (though they are from their early years when their one song was new and they hadn't re-done it for four albums and just changed the lyrics...). But I digress...
Basically, the rushed studio time (which I believe is exacerbated by the accessibility of music: iTunes-->search-->click-->done) leads to shoddy workmanship.
What do you think? Does the music industry allow true talent (which takes time) to fall to the wayside in order to keep up with the demands of listeners everywhere?
Forthcoming topics:
-> end of "Rock Gods"?
-> vinyl vs mp3
-> how exactly does one "nod their head like 'yeah'"?
peace.
kateschutte
NOTICE:
all posts prior to this one are irrelevant to the assignment at hand.
on a darker note,
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS DEAD.
unless of course you consider Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana/whoever she is today and the Jonas Brothers "music".
more on this devastating realization to come...
on a darker note,
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS DEAD.
unless of course you consider Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana/whoever she is today and the Jonas Brothers "music".
more on this devastating realization to come...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
it's sad...
that I have to be assigned to blog to actually update this.
hm.
the worst part is I don't know what I'm going to actually blog about. this obviously doesn't count. I just don't have the focus to blog anything of substance. gr. ohwell. I'll get around to it.
hm.
the worst part is I don't know what I'm going to actually blog about. this obviously doesn't count. I just don't have the focus to blog anything of substance. gr. ohwell. I'll get around to it.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
myspace link for News From Verona:
I just realized that I've now posted two lengthy blogs about News From Verona, but haven't provided any information on how to listen to them online, but I'll provide it now!
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/newsfromverona
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/News-from-Verona/54999791652?ref=ts
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/newsfromverona
PureVolume:
http://www.purevolume.com/newsfromverona
If I think of anymore I'll update this.
peace.
kateschutte
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/newsfromverona
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/News-from-Verona/54999791652?ref=ts
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/newsfromverona
PureVolume:
http://www.purevolume.com/newsfromverona
If I think of anymore I'll update this.
peace.
kateschutte
on News From Verona... again.
so, I spent a good majority of my last post talking about News From Verona. I saw their show last night, and it was, hands down, the best show I've seen in a while.
The last few shows of theirs that I've seen have been all-acoustic since their drummer (Dan) was out in VA at school. Last night's show blew those (and most of the others I've seen) out of the water. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED their acoustic sets, but there's just so much more energy when Dan's back in town. Plus, they've got their friend Tyler playing keys with them to make their live set more like the album and he brings an unreal amount of energy to the show too. There is no doubt that that renewed and added energy made their set so much better. I thought at first that maybe I was a little biased since I am friends with all these guys and, naturally, I missed seeing Dan so just seeing him made me automatically think the show was great. However, after sitting by their table after their set, I heard multiple people at the show (fans, newcomers, friends, etc.) come up and say something to the effect of "wow, you guys were really great tonight!"
Everything that was happening just felt right. The energy coming from the band was off the charts. They sounded good, they looked good, and people were having a good time. there weren't crazy moshpits throwing people around, and there weren't hardcore dancers in the back, but they didn't need it. I firmly believe that everyone who saw that show walked away feeling better than they had when they arrived. It was that kind of show. the kind that didn't need to employ any artificial means in order to get people into it. it just needed a few good friends, some fans, and the energy of five boys doing what they love.
As I was standing at the very front of the stage (as is customary for me), I realized that I was entirely captivated by this band and have been for over half of the time that I've known them (about a year and a half). I don't think that has happened with any other band I've ever been around. sure, I like bands as soon as I listen to them, and sure I really like listening to bands. but being entirely captivated? I think not. News From Verona quickly won over my heart. between the music and the personality of each of the guys in the band, I found myself doing everything that I could to get people into them weeks after I saw them for the first time. I still do that. I'm the self-proclaimed official unoffical numero uno when it comes to anything NfV related. before this year is up, I'll have (hopefully) gotten at least two more grades to begin really following these guys. They'll make it big. I'm sure of it. and even if they don't, I'll still love them.
peace.
kateschutte
The last few shows of theirs that I've seen have been all-acoustic since their drummer (Dan) was out in VA at school. Last night's show blew those (and most of the others I've seen) out of the water. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED their acoustic sets, but there's just so much more energy when Dan's back in town. Plus, they've got their friend Tyler playing keys with them to make their live set more like the album and he brings an unreal amount of energy to the show too. There is no doubt that that renewed and added energy made their set so much better. I thought at first that maybe I was a little biased since I am friends with all these guys and, naturally, I missed seeing Dan so just seeing him made me automatically think the show was great. However, after sitting by their table after their set, I heard multiple people at the show (fans, newcomers, friends, etc.) come up and say something to the effect of "wow, you guys were really great tonight!"
Everything that was happening just felt right. The energy coming from the band was off the charts. They sounded good, they looked good, and people were having a good time. there weren't crazy moshpits throwing people around, and there weren't hardcore dancers in the back, but they didn't need it. I firmly believe that everyone who saw that show walked away feeling better than they had when they arrived. It was that kind of show. the kind that didn't need to employ any artificial means in order to get people into it. it just needed a few good friends, some fans, and the energy of five boys doing what they love.
As I was standing at the very front of the stage (as is customary for me), I realized that I was entirely captivated by this band and have been for over half of the time that I've known them (about a year and a half). I don't think that has happened with any other band I've ever been around. sure, I like bands as soon as I listen to them, and sure I really like listening to bands. but being entirely captivated? I think not. News From Verona quickly won over my heart. between the music and the personality of each of the guys in the band, I found myself doing everything that I could to get people into them weeks after I saw them for the first time. I still do that. I'm the self-proclaimed official unoffical numero uno when it comes to anything NfV related. before this year is up, I'll have (hopefully) gotten at least two more grades to begin really following these guys. They'll make it big. I'm sure of it. and even if they don't, I'll still love them.
peace.
kateschutte
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