Given that my old website disappeared because Geocities had finally ended, I chose to pick up the Blog approach that so many artists are doing these days.
So, feel free to check out my new establishment:
http://sketchsurfer.wordpress.com/
=)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Music - Indie Rock (Continued...)
"This band is the greatest form of music I have ever heard of in my life!". "They are incredible! They sound amazing!". "They're different, that's why I like them.". "I knew them when they were just starting out!".
What outcomes usually come from an audience when viewing art? Appreciation or displeasure. Essentially you have the makings of a critic. And is not music the audio form of art? One can easily argue that it is since music can awaken the senses within the human psyche very similar to that art does on a canvas or sculpture. But what makes good music?
It's been a very long time, and music has evolved thousands of times over and each time it has, it has essentially found a place in the human heart. Today music lives louder than it ever has in generations. We can carry it with us, we drive with it, it makes a statement about ourselves, changes our minds, calms us, angers us, drives us, moves us, and can even bring us to tears. There is no doubt that music is very important to us all.
A new trend of music called Indie, short for Independent, is a style of music that is taking over the next generation. I have listened to this new style of music reminded me of some older stuff and yet sometimes Indie Rock definitely needed to be placed in an Indie category for good reason. Some songs were good, and some weren't. Hit and miss, musicians do this all the time; not just this genre.
It seemed that most Indie artists really focus on lyrics and play the music to help carry their message. Indie Rock certainly doesn't sound like the Rock I listen too. It's choppy, the drum beat is simple or electronic. The singing is muffled on the mic or echoed to the point of difficulty in hearing the voice. It's not "orthodox" to normal Rock. Does this make it bad? Does this rock style not meet the standards?
Certainly not, there are millions who love Independant Rock. I have been told that it was newer than anything I had ever heard. This may be true, but after so long, I think we have done everything and merely are trying something again. Even Pixar is making stories that might seem new, but the principles and story are still the same. Nothing is wrong with telling a good story.
What else in this world sounds like it has an electric guitar, a simple beat, and with a slight ringing of vocals holding a very high note?
Try the 50's.
Try even the 80's .
Try the Beatles more specifically.
Or even the Beach Boys.
Is Indie Rock truly that different? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Is it good? For some it really plucks at the heart strings. While for others the repeditive vocals and starving garage band sound put them off faster than wind on a match.
Personally, I listen to everything and will even give Indie a chance.
But to call it the greatest form of Rock today?
I must take a side on this, and disagree.
I have heard this sound before and it sounds exactly like the Golden Oldies and some Classic Electric Rock from the 80's. Not to say Indie Rock stinks, I like some artists for their execution and how everything melted together. Like art. Its just that I think GOOD music can take many forms, and not just because you heard it first, like the lyrics, or appreciate one small segment of the track that stands out the most, DOESN'T make it good! It failed to even impress me. Perhaps this is because I grew up listening to Jazz. Or maybe it's because I left my radio on all day switching through channels like I were watching TV. To me, good music is just that, good music...throughout the entire track. Believe me, I will listen to a Stereo over watching TV any day. I love music, almost a little too much. If the music is good, then maybe i'll listen to the lyrics next. Like a good book, I want to be emeresed in it, not just read the golden letters on the pages of a blue-lined packet. As for the music itself, the kind of Indie I have heard vary so much in variation from electronic euro-rock to punkish simplified rock. This bores me. I listen for the musicians, the clever connection between the band. This will help with the lyrics, if all you are looking for are lyics then listen to rap. They got plenty to say with less of a squawky voice. Maybe a few balls too compared to the whining and tattle-tale lyrics. Clearly, I don't sound like a fan of Indie Rock. The truth is, I am not.
But the other side of the truth (about 1/8th) is that I am. Certain artists do perform to what I specifically listen for and twist my music buds to joy. Such artists can play very well and sing just as well on top of it, therefore I listen to them completely and never even dream of changing the track! No need to force myself to listen through it just to say I need too. They sound great!
Times are changing. And like a critic that I am with music since I was a child, I say, right now I will remain skeptical of this particular genre.
...
Tell you what, I'll give it a year.
What outcomes usually come from an audience when viewing art? Appreciation or displeasure. Essentially you have the makings of a critic. And is not music the audio form of art? One can easily argue that it is since music can awaken the senses within the human psyche very similar to that art does on a canvas or sculpture. But what makes good music?
It's been a very long time, and music has evolved thousands of times over and each time it has, it has essentially found a place in the human heart. Today music lives louder than it ever has in generations. We can carry it with us, we drive with it, it makes a statement about ourselves, changes our minds, calms us, angers us, drives us, moves us, and can even bring us to tears. There is no doubt that music is very important to us all.
A new trend of music called Indie, short for Independent, is a style of music that is taking over the next generation. I have listened to this new style of music reminded me of some older stuff and yet sometimes Indie Rock definitely needed to be placed in an Indie category for good reason. Some songs were good, and some weren't. Hit and miss, musicians do this all the time; not just this genre.
It seemed that most Indie artists really focus on lyrics and play the music to help carry their message. Indie Rock certainly doesn't sound like the Rock I listen too. It's choppy, the drum beat is simple or electronic. The singing is muffled on the mic or echoed to the point of difficulty in hearing the voice. It's not "orthodox" to normal Rock. Does this make it bad? Does this rock style not meet the standards?
Certainly not, there are millions who love Independant Rock. I have been told that it was newer than anything I had ever heard. This may be true, but after so long, I think we have done everything and merely are trying something again. Even Pixar is making stories that might seem new, but the principles and story are still the same. Nothing is wrong with telling a good story.
What else in this world sounds like it has an electric guitar, a simple beat, and with a slight ringing of vocals holding a very high note?
Try the 50's.
Try even the 80's .
Try the Beatles more specifically.
Or even the Beach Boys.
Is Indie Rock truly that different? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Is it good? For some it really plucks at the heart strings. While for others the repeditive vocals and starving garage band sound put them off faster than wind on a match.
Personally, I listen to everything and will even give Indie a chance.
But to call it the greatest form of Rock today?
I must take a side on this, and disagree.
I have heard this sound before and it sounds exactly like the Golden Oldies and some Classic Electric Rock from the 80's. Not to say Indie Rock stinks, I like some artists for their execution and how everything melted together. Like art. Its just that I think GOOD music can take many forms, and not just because you heard it first, like the lyrics, or appreciate one small segment of the track that stands out the most, DOESN'T make it good! It failed to even impress me. Perhaps this is because I grew up listening to Jazz. Or maybe it's because I left my radio on all day switching through channels like I were watching TV. To me, good music is just that, good music...throughout the entire track. Believe me, I will listen to a Stereo over watching TV any day. I love music, almost a little too much. If the music is good, then maybe i'll listen to the lyrics next. Like a good book, I want to be emeresed in it, not just read the golden letters on the pages of a blue-lined packet. As for the music itself, the kind of Indie I have heard vary so much in variation from electronic euro-rock to punkish simplified rock. This bores me. I listen for the musicians, the clever connection between the band. This will help with the lyrics, if all you are looking for are lyics then listen to rap. They got plenty to say with less of a squawky voice. Maybe a few balls too compared to the whining and tattle-tale lyrics. Clearly, I don't sound like a fan of Indie Rock. The truth is, I am not.
But the other side of the truth (about 1/8th) is that I am. Certain artists do perform to what I specifically listen for and twist my music buds to joy. Such artists can play very well and sing just as well on top of it, therefore I listen to them completely and never even dream of changing the track! No need to force myself to listen through it just to say I need too. They sound great!
Times are changing. And like a critic that I am with music since I was a child, I say, right now I will remain skeptical of this particular genre.
...
Tell you what, I'll give it a year.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Music
Music is something I have always loved with a passion.At times I find it almost like a separate language in itself. We can certainly relate from it and draw from it emotion, or thoughts; and at times, music can be influential too.
A fortune cookie I got at a Chinese restaurant read: "Calming music helps make the right decisions." Haha! I know take advice from a fortune cookie? Not likely. Would calm music seriously help you make the right decisions? I don't know, that's quite a moral question! If I were listening to calming music I know that I certainly might fall asleep...which to me is a pretty positive decision. Or I guess I would start to read or get some work done, then yes, now we are hitting home on the fortune cookie.
How about aggressive-music? Would you be able to make the right decision with that kind of music blasting in your ears? I have little idea of how that could be true. But I know for a fact that aggressive-music could definitely speed up the thought process, and therefore maybe a more concise decision would be made. So for example, if someone was jogging to hardcore music on their ipod on a pleasent Saturday morning, and suddenly notices a baby in a stoller roll into on-coming traffic...what would happen? Well! That aggressive-music would be the soundtrack of-the-day and the person --just might-- feel like Superman or Superwoman! Time to feel like a badass and save the day! :D ... erm, let's say the baby is saved. my point is that aggressive-music does play a part in decision making.
On a personal note, music to me is a language that speaks universally. It can evoke emotion or tell a story with or without words to anyone! I find that remarkable. I preferably like music without words since that sort of music captures a moment in time. A lot like poetry actually. But today's singers and performers are no true poets am I right? Today's music artists like to talk about their problems and hope that the beat carries to the bump of the booty. Which is fun. But I can only take it for so long. Actual music that is well constructed, in creative-harmony with other instruments, is like time travel. I dunno about the rest but I love to get lost in the music.We can certainly set the mood with music can't we?
Music speaks, all we have to do is listen. =)
Music speaks, all we have to do is listen. =)
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