TrekBBS vs. the Music

[DevilEyes]

Here are mine...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbRELg8iJvA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_94J5fttVnk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hyrQzhU08w (WARNING!!! LANGUAGE!!!)

1) Vast - One More Day
OMG this is really beautiful! Very atmospheric, beautiful instrumentation and lovely smoky vocals. I've never heard of the artist, who are they? Wikipedia says it's an industrial rock band... I wouldn't have guessed from this.

2) Lifehouse - Take Me Away
I like this one, too, but not as much as the first one. I haven't heard of that artist before either, but they sound like Doves or Snow Patrol.

3) Lily Allen - Fuck You
The only song I already knew. It is awesome! It's great that it has such a sweet bubbegum-y pop melody and vocals but the lyrics are so biting. I know it was directed at GWB, but it would be a perfect message for every narrow-minded politician and bigot I despise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4dHMNSwH3k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s0qbqZeoIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDwTOZjT3Rc (not a fan of this band, but I love this song)

 

[Pingfah]

I dislike Lily Allen.

I mean who sings like that? Apples and pears, apples and pears!!

It's such a fake accent, really distractingly annoying.

 

[Thestral]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4dHMNSwH3k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s0qbqZeoIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDwTOZjT3Rc

Muse - Sing for Absolution
Muse... Muse... have I heard anything by them before? I feel like I have based on the singing in this song, but not sure. Anyway - I like this song. It's nice and mournful, with music that does a nice job of backing up the vocals, which seem to provide most of the music as well as the lyrics. I like how it gets more powerful as it goes along but maintains that element of mournfulness. The lyrics are a bit hard to understand without listening carefully, but they're certainly not the first or last band to do that. And at least I can understand once I actually listen. I would definitely check out more by them. 8/10

Curve - Chinese Burn
Very nice - where the Muse song was mournful this is a bit scary and exciting at the same time. There's a lot of energy flowing through the song and it would make a good background for a dance or fight scene; the tone would work equally well for both I think. There's a lot of sound going on here and mixing together, but I like it for sure. It would probably not be something I'd listen to long stretches of, but I'd check out more. 7/10

Bush - Out of This World
Hmm, this might be the first Bush song I've listened to. It's another of those bands that I've heard talked about a lot but never actually sought out. It starts off very slow, with just a very minimal drumbeat and the singer's voice carrying things. It works since he's got a pretty decent voice. It adds in a couple more instruments and gets a little bit bigger as it goes along, but never really leaves that quiet thoughtful place. I was kinda surprised to be honest; I thought it would shift at some point. That said, I like the song despite it not meeting my expectations. Another one that I probably wouldn't listen to long stretches of similar music at a time, but it's quite effective. 8/10

Quick question: is there an unwritten rule about not reusing bands other people have used, or that you've used yourself?

Anyway, my three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-SQGOYOjxs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdRdqp4N3Jw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQZLPV6xcHI&feature=related

 

[Eyes]

I'd say that as the thread goes on, we're going to find it harder and harder to not repeat bands, and a lot of artists/bands can produce two songs that are completely different from each other (In my last post, I ended up posting 3 artists doing songs that are completely different to their signature style). Also, with different people reviewing your songs, it can hardly matter as much.

So, as far as I'm concerned, repeating a band a couple of times shouldn't matter too much, particularly if they have a large back catalogue and you know that their songs don't all sound the same.

Of course, there's also the case of originality, but as long as you don't go overboard with it...

 

[Volkanismo]

Anyway, my three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-SQGOYOjxs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdRdqp4N3Jw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQZLPV6xcHI&feature=related

Rise Against - Prayer Of The Refugee
Enjoyable, yet somewhat a bit cliched radiopunk. We've heard this a thousand times before, nothing fresh or original here. Ideal music for fighting the police though.

Alison Krauss-Gillian Welch - I'll Fly Away
Loved the polyphony melodies, thanks for this!

Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2
A bit sluggish, perfect for a Sunday morning staring out the window with a cup of coffee in hand, wondering about what will next week bring.

My recommendations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXwVvMPg9WY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyV60kTvEFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1olWHlePhuA

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Regarding 'reusing' bands: we have done it before in this thread, I believe, and I, for one, don't see it as a problem. Songs are different, bands who have been around a while might change style over the years, various posters in this thread come and go, etc. Shoot - sometimes it might be really fun to post a band that someone else has posted, because it gives them a chance to review a band they know a lot about, and about whom they can add a lot of info that they couldn't add when they posted only a link themselves.

I think that as long as we as a group don't post the same band over and over, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[cultcross]

Copycats???? Of these guys???? Incredible. I mean, copying these guys would have been so painfully obvious that I wouldn't think anyone would have the balls. I mean, to me...and band like this??? There can BE only one. Because copying them....nah....just wouldn't work. Seems to me as if anyone else doing this would come across as merely a cheap knock-off.

A lot do, but some bands have found success with it, and to be honest I doubt Nightwish invented the style in the first place, they just became the dominant player. When Finland entered Lordi into the Eurovision Song Contest, I think they proved they have a different opinion of what 'pop' is to the rest of Europe. They won, too.

A couple more comments -

1. That female singer (who, if I remember correctly from the Wiki article I read after being so utterly stunned by the cover of Phantom of the Opera, has left the band??) is excellent. I mean, she seriously COULD do quite well in an ALW show. No kidding...one day she could be singing with a band like this...and the next, find herself in the touring company of CATS or something.

Tarja Turunen, the original singer, was unceremoniously fired a few years ago, and replaced by Annette Olzen. She's nowhere near as operatic as Tarja and has been a big driving force of moving even further away from those roots. Tarja has a solo career of sorts, along similar lines to the more melodic parts of her Nightwish career.

2. I had never heard that song you linked to that did okay here in the U.S. I'm not surprised I'd not heard it....but I can definitely see why it would do okay here.

Well when I say 'popular', I am talking in relative terms
But I think you're right, it was their most mainstream release, and it isn't surprising that it did well with the American market.

 

[Thestral]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXwVvMPg9WY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyV60kTvEFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1olWHlePhuA

Star One - Sandrider
Like the music, lots of good metal energy. I wasn't too sure about the singing at first but it grew on me. The chorus was best I'd say and the verses, once I got adjusted, was good too. I can't tell from the lyrics, but was it actually supposed to be about Dune or did that just work out really well for the person making the video? Good beat, nice driving guitar. One thing that appealed to me more as it went along was the various singers at different times. A bit long for some people maybe, but I didn't mind. I'd listen to more by them. 7/10

Yo-Yo Ma and James Taylor - Hard Times Come Again No More
Ah, Yo-Yo Ma. Always good to have his strings playing - it makes everything good. Good instrument work all around with the fiddle (everything needs a good fiddle part!) and just a touch of guitar too. I feel like I should know James Taylor but I can't think from where. I like his singing though. Always good to hear an old folk song being done well and that still has meaning today. Very pleasant to listen to and certainly I'd be glad to hear more by them. 8/10

György Kurtág: Four Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky Op. 11
Well this is something different! I'm... not quite sure what to make of it. It feels like it's trying to start in fits and stops but never really gets going. The singer does a good enough job and the music is well done for what it is, but it doesn't really connect with me. Mostly because it seems never to really start. Or maybe I'm just not in the right mood to appreciate it. I'd be willing to give something else a chance, but I'm not really feeling this. 4/10


My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzyfcys1aLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyhiqq-FzDU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X827MG-ugHE&feature=related

 

[Eyes]

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzyfcys1aLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyhiqq-FzDU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X827MG-ugHE&feature=related

1. The Wallflowers - One Headlight
A nice looking band with guitars, this is a good rock song on first listen, a little more mellow than some others, but that chorus is brilliant. 8/10

2. Great Big Sea - Captain Kidd
Ok, this was unexpected. That's quite catchy, but good. I've never been a huge fan of folk, too homey, and it reminds me of some sort of sailor's ditty, but I liked that. 7/10

3. Warren Zevon - Lawyers, Guns and Money
Nice slideshow, and this song is rather inoffensive, but a bit boring. Can't see myself getting into this much. 5/10

My songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEm74FWJVp0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJQyTnD74gk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbGUEelmzxo

 

[Thestral]

^ Regarding the Wallflowers - I think they've always been somewhat underrated despite their success. I don't think Jacob Dylan has ever been completely able to get out of his dad's massive shadow, to be honest.

 

[Volkanismo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXwVvMPg9WY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyV60kTvEFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1olWHlePhuA

Star One - Sandrider
Like the music, lots of good metal energy. I wasn't too sure about the singing at first but it grew on me. The chorus was best I'd say and the verses, once I got adjusted, was good too. I can't tell from the lyrics, but was it actually supposed to be about Dune or did that just work out really well for the person making the video?

You're spot on, it was inspired by and based on Dune, just like the rest of the songs in the album were all based on cult sci-fi movies and tv series. Thanks for listening!

György Kurtág: Four Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky Op. 11
Well this is something different! I'm... not quite sure what to make of it. It feels like it's trying to start in fits and stops but never really gets going. The singer does a good enough job and the music is well done for what it is, but it doesn't really connect with me. Mostly because it seems never to really start. Or maybe I'm just not in the right mood to appreciate it. I'd be willing to give something else a chance, but I'm not really feeling this. 4/10

Well, I also hate this. Kurtág was applauded as the greatest "contemporary" composer for a long time. I don't know what to make of his music. It's worthless garbage, really. And lol, thanks for even trying to tune in.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzyfcys1aLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyhiqq-FzDU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X827MG-ugHE&feature=related

2. Great Big Sea - Captain Kidd
Ok, this was unexpected. That's quite catchy, but good. I've never been a huge fan of folk, too homey, and it reminds me of some sort of sailor's ditty, but I liked that. 7/10

Even tho' these weren't my songs to review, I like to listen to most of the links posted in this thread. And, while I knew that these guys were popular in Canada, I didn't know they got this far into Canadian folk-ish kind of music, but were more an alt rock/alt folk sort of blend.

So I looked them up on Wikipedia...and now I get it. The band is from Labrador and Newfoundland....a pretty sea-going culture. So I guess this makes sense.

I knew they were from Canada...but I just assumed they were from Toronto or Montreal or one of the larger cities.

Anyway, I kind of like them. Not my favorite Canadian band...but I like them a lot for what they are!

 

[Thestral]

^ Yeah, I think I first found GBS by way of the sea shanty/folk stuff; I've only recently seen more of their alt-rock material. Canadian folk has a lot of Celtic influences naturally, so it'll probably turn up in my links again.

Assuming this thread isn't dead; I'd be happy to do more but I've done several recently.

György Kurtág: Four Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky Op. 11
Well this is something different! I'm... not quite sure what to make of it. It feels like it's trying to start in fits and stops but never really gets going. The singer does a good enough job and the music is well done for what it is, but it doesn't really connect with me. Mostly because it seems never to really start. Or maybe I'm just not in the right mood to appreciate it. I'd be willing to give something else a chance, but I'm not really feeling this. 4/10

Well, I also hate this. Kurtág was applauded as the greatest "contemporary" composer for a long time. I don't know what to make of his music. It's worthless garbage, really. And lol, thanks for even trying to tune in.

No problem!

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

Oh thank god, I have (admittedly crappy) computer speakers again, and I can resume participation in this thread.

Why I've been missing sound on this computer all this time is a epic tale of life in an office, romantic cohabitation hijinks, my hatred of top 40 music, a new television with unexpected complications and a cat with severe psychological issues, but I'll spare you all.

Dammit I mixed up my links between Eyes and Kestrel, whose picks have already been discussed. Please hold while I fix...

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzyfcys1aLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJQyTnD74gk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X827MG-ugHE&feature=related

1. Gabriella Cilmi - On a Mission

That is very, very 80's dance, though the production on the piece is more contemporary, I think. Might be fun for a spin or two at the club, but not something I'd make a habit of listening to myself.

2. Gorillaz - Domcamatic feat. Daley

Gorillaz is one of the more innovative bands to come out of the last decade, which really should be no surprise considering its pedigree. That said, ambitious projects (which I always respect) are more likely to hit and miss, rather than consistently hit. I feel this song is one of Gorillaz's misses. Just can't get into this one, it sounds too conventional for this band. They can, and have, done so much better.

3. Noah and the Whale - L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.

One of the commenters on the Youtube post wrote 'flashes of Tom Petty' - that's pretty accurate, sans Tom Petty's very distinctive voice. Sounds so much like "Don't Come Around Here No More' that Tom Petty might have a valid infringement complaint.

I do like the name of this band, though.

Nom Nom on these, my pretties:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1F-I02CCQU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21XRHBwMZMc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FgKuJXkMCU

 

[Eyes]

2. Gorillaz - Domcamatic feat. Daley

Gorillaz is one of the more innovative bands to come out of the last decade, which really should be no surprise considering its pedigree. That said, ambitious projects (which I always respect) are more likely to hit and miss, rather than consistently hit. I feel this song is one of Gorillaz's misses. Just can't get into this one, it sounds too conventional for this band. They can, and have, done so much better.

It's not really much of a Gorillaz song, to be honest. 2D does the chorus backing, and there is definitely Gorillaz behind those keyboards, but Daley sings the entirety of the song, really. And 2D's again the only the sight you see of Gorillaz in the video, and that's only on a screen when he does his bits.
I really like it, but I can see where you're coming from with the conventional angle. I thought it reminded me of something when I first heard it. And it's definitely not a patch on DARE or Feel Good Inc.

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

György Kurtág: Four Songs to Poems by János Pilinszky Op. 11
Well this is something different! I'm... not quite sure what to make of it. It feels like it's trying to start in fits and stops but never really gets going. The singer does a good enough job and the music is well done for what it is, but it doesn't really connect with me. Mostly because it seems never to really start. Or maybe I'm just not in the right mood to appreciate it. I'd be willing to give something else a chance, but I'm not really feeling this. 4/10

Well, I also hate this. Kurtág was applauded as the greatest "contemporary" composer for a long time. I don't know what to make of his music. It's worthless garbage, really. And lol, thanks for even trying to tune in.

No problem!

Hmmm, after reading the hate I clicked the link and found I rather liked it. However, my tastes are swinging through an avant-garde phase at the moment...

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Nom Nom on these, my pretties:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1F-I02CCQU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21XRHBwMZMc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FgKuJXkMCU

1. The Verve Pipe - Villians

Love this song, on first listen. But then, this is music from the 90's, which is my decade of preference. This seems sort of post-grunge/alt rockish, and that fits well with my existing taste. Admittedly, it is not any sort of musical stretch for me to like this song...but hey, at least I don't recall hearing it before. Although when things ramp up toward the end, it begins to sound like something I've heard before. So maybe I have heard it and just don't remember it. Either way, good song - 9/10

2. My Brightest Diamond - Lucky (Radiohead cover)

Meh. It's okay. Nothing bad here at all. But just not really my thing. The singer is fine, the music is fine for what it is...but it simply does not do anything for me. I have listened to some Radiohead...but I'm not any kind of huge fan or anything...so I can't even compare it to the original. Radiohead seems to have some popularity though...so I assume that for people who like this type of music, this is a great song. 6/10

3. 02 - John Frusciante & Josh Klinghoffer - The Afterglow (A Sphere in the Heart of Silence)

This is okay. Not really all that familiar with this genre...assuming this is a 'genre'. Sort of techo-lite kind of thing, I guess. I assume this would be dance club music, maybe...and I'm not into that sort of thing anymore. But it's an okay song. I like the singer better than the singer on the Radiohead cover. I like the music itself about the same. So I'll give this one 7/10.

My picks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQqHzPzQsMg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_wssByW7JQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpuDUTPJZL0

 

[Bears Discover Fire]

1. The Verve Pipe - Villians

Love this song, on first listen. But then, this is music from the 90's, which is my decade of preference. This seems sort of post-grunge/alt rockish, and that fits well with my existing taste. Admittedly, it is not any sort of musical stretch for me to like this song...but hey, at least I don't recall hearing it before. Although when things ramp up toward the end, it begins to sound like something I've heard before. So maybe I have heard it and just don't remember it. Either way, good song - 9/10

A memory jogger - The Verve Pipe had two radio hits - "Photograph" and "The Freshmen" then they dropped of the face of the earth, supposedly. I've heard from other people that they have a new album out that is quite good.IMO the Verve Pipe is one of the grossly underrated acts of the '90s.

3. 02 - John Frusciante & Josh Klinghoffer - The Afterglow (A Sphere in the Heart of Silence)

This is okay. Not really all that familiar with this genre...assuming this is a 'genre'. Sort of techo-lite kind of thing, I guess. I assume this would be dance club music, maybe...and I'm not into that sort of thing anymore. But it's an okay song. I like the singer better than the singer on the Radiohead cover. I like the music itself about the same. So I'll give this one 7/10.

Because I like trivia: John Frusciante is better known as the drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers, who has this prolific solo career no one's heard of.

I think this particular album (A Sphere in the Heart of Silence) does not stick to any particular genre, although its heavily seeded with dark electronic elements that are borrowed from NIN and other semi-industrial acts.

"A Sphere in the Heart of Silence" is the 5th album in a series of 6 he did in 6 months.

My picks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQqHzPzQsMg&feature=related

1. Bruce Springsteen w. John Fogerty - Fortunate Son - Madison Square Garden, NYC 2009/10/29&30
The Boss makes another appearance in this thread, and once again, the Gal Who Doesn't Quite Get It ends up critiquing it. Don't worry, I'm nicer this time around. This is a much more energetic, enthusiastic outing than the last one I listened to. I think this particular clip goes a long way in explaining and justifying Springsteen's popular appeal.

The inclusion of John Fogerty is a nice cherry on top, to say the least.

Two legends of American rock on stage together, giving it their all. Tough to find fault with that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_wssByW7JQ

2. The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated

Speaking of legends...

This song is just too much fun to bounce to. I never heard the Ramones in any appreciable amount before college; once I began listening I found myself rueing the fact that I was too young and insulated to find the punk scene when it was full bore.

I remember buying "Mania" at the now-closed Morning Glory Music in Santa Barbara, the owner cursing as he rang me up because he was forced to honor the mislabeled price sticker. So I got this album for $4.99 and a string of expletives. And that is punk rock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpuDUTPJZL0

3. Coheed and Cambria - The Running Free

My cousin loves this type of metal, but it doesn't do much for me. Still, its a decent effort with a nice chorus and with enough listens might grow into an earworm.

MOAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmlnbXbBCJI&playnext=1&list=PL9EF8ACE005F6594C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9J8RIzX_vA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcj3AYnnmgk

 

[PKTrekGirl]

^ Ha! Pretty funny that you pulled Springsteen again, because I think I'm the only one who has posted any of his music in this thread, and I've only posted one song before this one...so I guess you and I are two for two. Although in fairness, this is of course not a Springsteen song, but a CCR song.

Nevertheless, part of the reason I love Springsteen so much is because he has one of the more awesome live acts around (this is also true of my other all-time fave band, Pearl Jam). The guy loves what he does, and gives every performance his all. He does not take his fans for granted, and I appreciate that! I thought this was a particularly good performance of a particularly awesome cover..with the original artist (or one of them, anyway) included. Hard to beat that.

I also enjoyed your Ramones story. I love it when I have an interesting story around a record I've purchased, or even an album that I associate with a unique setting that no one else would, simply because of what was going on in my own life when it came out or when I was enjoying it most. I find it so interesting that we often associate music even with sort of insignificant events and remember them because of a song or a record.

As for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I have not kept up with all of their personnel changes over the years. I was aware of one of their drummers, Jack Irons, because he has strong links to Pearl Jam in two different ways...but I was not familiar with that guy's name who did the video you posted.

Anyway, we will have to wait for someone else to review your songs...but I am nevertheless listening to them now. That second one is really interesting and pretty original.

 

[Thestral]

^ I also love Springsteen. If you hadn't posted another by him, I was going to. Probably "The River" or "American Skin (41 Shots)."

Hmmm, after reading the hate I clicked the link and found I rather liked it. However, my tastes are swinging through an avant-garde phase at the moment...

Hey, each to his or her own, yeah?

A memory jogger - The Verve Pipe had two radio hits - "Photograph" and "The Freshmen" then they dropped of the face of the earth, supposedly. I've heard from other people that they have a new album out that is quite good.IMO the Verve Pipe is one of the grossly underrated acts of the '90s.

I adore "The Freshmen." One of my favorite songs I think.

MOAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmlnbXbBCJI&playnext=1&list=PL9EF8ACE005F6594C
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9J8RIzX_vA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcj3AYnnmgk

PJ Harvey Sixteen Fifteen Fourteen
Mmm... I'm mixed on this. I like the instruments and it sounds like the singer has a nice voice, but it seems a bit repetitive and rough. HOwever, as it goes along I like it more. I wish the instruments had more variation, to be honest. Overall I'd say it's not really to my taste, but there are times when I really like it. Weird to have such a mixed reaction within the same song. Call it a 5/10 overall.

Patrick Wolf - The Libertine
I like the quiet orchestration at the beginning and how that carries through. Once the song gets going it turns a bit creepy - but in a good way. The music is very atmospheric and the singing is good too. The sometimes-disturbing lyrics go along nicely with the slightly disturbing music. Very good and very original overall - not something I'd have found on my own but I do like it and I'd listen to more by him. I like how the song gets more... desperate? as it goes along especially near the end. 7/10

Modwheelmood - Thursday
Speaking of moody and atmospheric. Strings and 8-bit-sounding beat make for a nice combination which I wouldn't have expected. And the voices that get slowly added in make you feel like you're slowly going deeper and deeper into the song. Traveling music - maybe not driving music, but something for traveling, if that makes sense. Interesting to hear a true instrumental chosen - might have to do that myself sometime. I like how it builds up at the end - "environment of sound" a good phrase? 7/10

My three:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G_L9tXEwmc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDipxXOL8yk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQE2afr7XUA