A music blog focusing on the feelings music gives you, rather than the genre. Including music news, recommendations, reviews and general stories, I hope to get a community going where we can talk about all this :).
I'm Ciaran Kerr, a student in Brisbane. If you like what I do or have any of your own recommendations, either comment on the blog or email me at holy.emailing.batman@gmail.com
Do titles of songs matter? I wonder this because, although many songs are named after a segment of lyrics or some catchy word in a chorus, I sometimes find the name of songs sometimes seep through into their meanings. A lot of lists like this have been done before, I know this. However, I tried to compile a list where the black is bleak, the brown rough, the yellow warm and the green calming. I wanted to see if, by compiling a playlist, I could create a 'colour wheel' of music. With this in mind, I wanted to make something where you could listen to it smoothly, whilst still experiencing a spectrum of emotions.
So, with that introduction in mind, let's see what we can do here.
1: Black Swan - Thom Yorke
2: Grey Cloudy Lies - George Harrison
3: A Pair of Brown Eyes - The Pogues
4: Fool's Gold - The Stone Roses
5: Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
6: Orange Crush - REM
7: Brick is Red - The Pixies
8: Lilac Wine - Jeff Buckley
9: Blue Lips - Regina Spektor
10: Memories Of Green - Blade Runner Soundtrack
So, what starts of as dark and melancholy can swiftly transform into something more upbeat and warm, slowly fading back into calm, somber tunes. I remember hearing once that the best playlist is one you can fall asleep at the end to, and by following a colour wheel such as this, it could make the darkest moods seem brighter and then, perhaps, a little calmer.
Two members of Radiohead (edit: yes, I count Nigel Godrich as a member), the drummer from REM, a Brazilian and a Red Hot Chilli Pepper later, supergroup Atoms For Peace has released a new album and, well, you didn't expect it to be bad - did you?
The album has opened to mainly positive reviews, however, some criticism has been thrown towards it due to its similarity to Radiohead and Thom Yorke's previous solo project The Eraser. There is one glaringly obvious fact being overlooked here - this album is written and performed by Thom Yorke. It's not a blatant rip off of some classic band - its an artist putting his unique signature on some work he has done. Regardless of the general consensus, I found the album very different to The Eraser, and here's why.
Amok has the same jittery electronic beats that Radiohead are renowned for, however, this album has an overwhelming sense of urgency Yorke's work hasn't focused on before. While listening, I felt unsettled (in a good way, of course), with the sixth track, Stuck Together Pieces evoking an inner monologue during an anxiety attack. Yorke's smooth, melancholic vocals are layered above repetitive, jarring sounds to create an energetic worry. The tracks move from the hyperventilation of Default, to the intense yearning of Ingenue, right to the frantic motivation of Judge, Jury and Executioner. Whereas Radiohead is both sad and comforting - seeming to accept the troubles in this world and softly lament about them, Atoms For Peace evokes an in-the-moment panic not present in any previous works.
I also found it a lot more well rounded than The Eraser. Although there are similar themes (as can be expected from any work from the same artist), this improves on its predecessor due to pure scale. Amok is richer - a pair of headphones being a must to ensure the subtleties of the production aren't missed. The same loops and beats are used, allowing the 9 tracks to flow smoothly, yet the genius lies in the layering of the components. The album swells and pulses, with the frantic percussion perfectly combined with the silky guitar pieces. This creates a unique sound, filling the gaps in The Eraser.
Overall, I think this is a wonderful album that has merit on its own back. It may not be Radiohead, but it is a welcome addition to Yorke's catalogue, and I for one will give it many listens. Below is their single Ingenue.
Words are flowing out like
Endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
Are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light, which
Dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe.
Thoughts meander like a
Restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe.
Jai Guru Deva. Om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of life
Are ringing through my opened ears
Inciting and inviting me.
Limitless undying love, which
Shines around me like a million suns,
It calls me on and on across the universe
Jai Guru Deva.
Jai Guru Deva.
Jai Guru Deva.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
These are some of my favourite lyrics ever sung. Although my favourite Beatles song changes by the day, these have remained my favourite Beatles lyrics since I first heard the song on a rainy car journey. The way it is sung is so ethereal it seems to transport you out of yourself, and I would say that this is the song I turn to if I need to soothe my mind and think about something seriously.
The most important line in this song is: 'Pools of sorrow waves of joy/Are drifting through my opened mind/Possessing and caressing me.' This is especially profound to someone anxious, as it shows a state of mind anyone with worries feels like they need to inhibit. Lennon here allows us to truly understand what he is thinking, and that is - nothing. He keeps his mind open, letting whatever thoughts he must have float through and leave as they see fit. His thoughts are there and he is aware of them, but he pays them no hedence. He locks them away and packages them inside a box to send away. He knows that all
negativity is an illusion created by the mind - only real experiences matter.
Now, 'Jai Duru Deva Om' is supposed to roughly translate to 'praise to the victorious one' or 'glory to the guru' or something along those lines. However, this is merely just a mantra. What matters is the sound of the words, not what they actually mean. Purely, its what they mean to you that matters. Your mantra could be something as nonsensical as 'Buddha is a fluffy cushion' and it would be completely appropriate, because saying the very word - letting the syllables roll over your tongue over and over will occupy your mind so only the truest thoughts come through. Well, that is my theory anyway.
I personally listen to this song when I'm feeling hopeless. My mantra is 'nothings gonna change my world' because it gives me such comfort to think that no matter what happens, I will always be the same inherent person. Nothing can change your state of mind, the way you are. I like it because it gives me a sense of destiny. Yes this thing happened, but it was meant to. My world is supposed to go one way, and nothing can divert it from that track.
So, in essence, this is a song to comfort you. To soothe your worries, and keep you feeling absolutely safe in your destiny.
This blog has always been about the feelings music instil in you. I have already looked at songs without singers - showing where music begins at words' ends - however, lyrics also provide a great poetry unrivaled by any other medium. I have decided to purely decode a song based on what I, personally, got from it - looking deeply into the background of why I see it in a certain way, and hopefully opening your minds to another view. Everyone's take on a song's lyrics are equally valid as I believe the listener has just as much weight on meaning as the artist does.
Pyramid Song - Radiohead
I jumped in the river and what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
All the things I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
I jumped into the river
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the things I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
I thought long and hard about what I would choose to decode first. I eventually chose this because it seems to hold more weight lyrically to me than any other song I have been pleasured with hearing. It doesn't just resonate with me on a physical level - instead it seems to encapsulate my religious and philosophical beliefs more than any organized religion or outdated philosopher ever has.
One aspect I got from this was musings on an afterlife. What is so beautiful about this, to me, is this afterlife doesn't exclude. Radiohead's words are ones of togetherness. 'all my lovers were with me/ all my past and futures/we all went to heaven in a little rowboat/and there was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt'. This song seems to bind together humanity in such a simple way. The imagery of a little rowboat is crucial - we have to move it. We all must come together to row this little boat in order to get to our destination. 'Heaven' here can be subjective. Is heaven actually an afterlife? Or is it an earthly bliss - a world of peace. Either way, it works wonders. We must come together in order to get to heaven. Everyone's personal heaven will be different, but the beauty here lies in togetherness. My personal view on this IS of an afterlife, but of one that transcends all religion. A sort of collective unconscious that pools together a shared knowledge - ultimate togetherness. I came to this conclusion after reading a lot of Carl Jung, who described this theory as:
“The third level [of consciousness], the
innermost core, is what we are now calling the superconscious mind... [it]
houses our real identity, augmented by the subconscious which contains the
memories of many….”. Once listening to this song after reading Jung's theories, I began to see the world in a whole new light. I also found a sense of great comfort from this song. Most hear the drawling piano and decide this song is 'depressing', but this always saddens me. Here is a perfect example of how lyrics can transform a song. The melancholy vocals of this track have the juxtaposition of an isolating comfort. They seem to remove you from the 'real world', having a strange, disconnected sensation with every listen. However, they also seem to envelop you - I fidn myself not caring or feeling lonely in the isolation. Instead, I truly begin to believe 'there is nothing to fear/nothing to doubt'. I don't find this song depressing at all. Instead, I find it strongly comforting and bursting with hope. I do hope you enjoyed my viewpoint, and would love to hear any of your takes on the song. I reiterate - there are many ways to view this. This is just a personal discussion, that I think everyone must get involved in when listening to any song.
Some might say this past year has not been the best for music. With hits such as Gangnam Style's coordinated spasms, and Carly Rae Jepson's stalker sensation 'Call Me Maybe', these past twelve months seem to have been littered with musical mishaps more than they have marvels.
But for me personally, I will always remember 2012 to be the year music mattered to me. Don't get me wrong, before now I have of course called myself a music lover - I mean, who doesn't? But, this year was the year I actually discovered its merit. Before now, I used to be a straight-up rock girl (in a phase I would affectionately call the 'grunge monkey' days), turning up my nose at genre's such as country, folk or jazz. It was this year that my eyes (or more appropriately, ears) were opened. Mostly through my vinyl collection I have been slowly building since January, but some through the different musical individuals I have met over the course of this year. Whether it be a record store owner that puts on free gigs to whoever has the time to listen, the people that play there, or a duo of intelligent musicians who wanted to tell the story of a Blank Room - I have been shown what music means. And more than that, what music can do.
So yes, Muse has brought out a new album that I loved, Adele has written a Bond theme I actually like, and Gotye got me singing to the radio every so often with his hit 'Somebody I Used to Know'. However, I think these artists have had enough coverage, especially with the nostalgic new year reviews littering the television. No, I want to shed light on some of the independent artists I have come to enjoy this year.
Brandall/Tyrrell - Blank Room
Here are some personal friends of mine that have decided to try to bring something new to the musical spectrum - something that seems to hardly happen nowadays. A far cry from the pointless lyrics and robotic voices of this year's hits, Blank Room creates a complex picture of entrapment and solitude. Here, we can hear intelligent lyrics that still seem to hit your heart, and music that actually transform your surroundings. When listening to this EP, I find myself in that Blank Room. This is so transcendent, you feel in a state of being that is both solitary and comfortable, being helped along the way by the friendly vocals of the rapper. It's hard to define this genre as rap, as I find it a spoken word masterpiece that transcends any genre, and is rather worth a listen.
Since this EP has been announced to be only half of a full album (the rest supposedly coming some time next year), it is available for free download on Bandcamp, and streaming on soundcloud (both links below).
Jack Carty - Break Your Own Heart I am aware that acoustic singer-songwriters aren't scarce today - you can find one in your nearest Grill'd on a Saturday night. Jack Carty, however, speaks to me like poetry. His song given the most coverage, She's Got A Boyfriend, seems to have picked the most accessible out of the bunch - in this case showcasing the weakest song on the album. When I saw him back when I first started this blog, the simple guitar arrangement and honesty in the vocals affected me deeply. This wasn't just music - this was a man's feelings and poetry put forward in musical form.
The best song that expresses this seems to be Travelling Shoes. To me, it conveys an honesty that isn't found in the poppy styling of She's Got A Boyfriend. Below is Jack himself just singing it as I first heard it, live with just a guitar.
So, my year in music sure has been an interesting one. I would like to thank those who made me come to the realizations that I have this year, and also those who have stuck with this blog since the beginning. I hope in the next year to come, I will find many more interesting artists with something new to bring to the table.
The reason I began this blog is because of my love of music. The one thing I haven't really touched on, however, is my love for records in particular. I have an ever expanding collection, ranging from Frank Sinatra to Gotye, and I must admit - I find it a better way to listen to music.
Most people would argue it is better because of the sound quality. Although I don't deny this might be true, I find a deeper reason for loving my turntable. It's the experience of music you don't get anywhere else. A lot more love and care is taken by placing the huge disk on its platform, placing the needle gently on its edge. I find that when I listen to a vinyl, its not just music to nod along to in the background. It overshadows the entire an atmosphere, almost like a grand fireplace. For me, it makes me feel at home.
It is also great to highlight albums in particular. I must admit, I was the worst for picking highlight tracks and sticking with them, never bothering to listen to a full album as, in honesty, I could never be bothered. It was my worst habit as a listener, and through discovering vinyl I also discovered the merits of letting an album flow seamlessly through its story.
The vinyl that started this all off was The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (the super special red edition)
This is, by far, my favourite Flaming Lips LP. Now, usually, I would just listen to 'Do You Realize?' and perhaps 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1' from time to time, without really giving the rest of the album a look in. However, when this was played to me on vinyl it was something else. The strange but happy beats filled the room, making everyone in it seem bouncier and that bit more vibrant a technicolour. This album taught me not to skip (well, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 2 might be an exception), and taught me the value of a full, untouched album. And for that, to the Flaming Lips, I would be forever grateful.
It's no longer news that Baz Luhrmann is adapting The Great Gatsby into a Hollywood production early next year. I was excited at this prospect, before it was revealed that this 'Gatsby' remake will be backed by modern music (although it will still be set in the 1920's... what's the logic?). Although, to me, doing it like that made as much sense as a chocolate teapot, I thought I'd do some research and try to discover what music will be blaring at Gatsby's parties. Surely something big band - something jazz influenced with grand, expensive sounds?
Unfortunately, no. Instead of the warm, rich brass sounds we instead get synthetic beats. Artists such as Jay Z, Kanye West and Jack White (albeit covering U2) all grace Gatsby's playlist, and it just doesn't sit right with me. So, I decided to make my own version of Gatsby's personal playlist as part of my Literary iPod posts.
1. Big Spender - Shirley Bassey
This is everything Gatsby thinks he needs to be for Daisy. His whole identity is constructed to be this 'big spender'. He would probably listen to this and imagine himself surrounded by wealth, being pursued by that one woman he wants. When he eventually does become that, he would listen to his song as a way to celebrate.
2. I Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations
This mirrors his obsession, his frantic need to be with Daisy. No matter what feats he has accomplished, Daisy is still as far away as ever. This version suits his more passionate, frustrated moments, whereas I couldn't resist thinking of him floating on his pool listening to the Al Green version (below) and thinking of that green light.
3. The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra
An absolute classic, I think Gatsby would lie on his bed, lonely, going over his times with Daisy in his head. The lyrics 'you'd be hers if only she would call' are chillingly beautiful, especially if seen in relation to his plight. On a personal note, this is one of my absolute favorite songs - a timeless classic that will always remain untouchable, no matter what the latest trend in music is.
4. Dream a Little Dream - Ella Fitzgeraldand Louis Armstrong
After his reunion with Daisy, Gatsby would probably listen to this song as a reminder of their love. He would probably imagine Daisy thinking of him while lying in bed next to her husband, listening to this as a reminder that he owns her heart. He wants her to be obsessed with him as much as he is with her, which brings another layer into this already gorgeous song.
5. Money - Pink Floyd
Although different to everything else I put on this list, I can't listen to this song without thinking of, arguably, the greatest materialist in literature. Although more contemporary than other songs on his playlist, this song will remain forever timeless with its simple backing. Oh, and of course Gatsby would just love to hear the sound of the cash register on repeat. An obsession with money would probably make that one of his favorite sounds in the universe.
Due to the great reception these posts are receiving, I will be sure to do more :) So stay tuned!
