Category: Music Discourse (Page 6 of 14)

Bank Robber Music: Guest Blog

July 2, 2012 / aftertheshow

I wrote a post for this week’s Bank Robber Music blog on my five favorite tracks that Bank Robber licenses:

What initially attracted me to Bank Robber was its superb, unparalleled catalogue. I mean, a place whose roster counts (or has counted) Rilo Kiley, Land of Talk, Tilly and the Wall, AND Nada Surf alone seems like a dream.

Since I began interning in January, I’ve discovered some amazing songs, After careful deliberation, my 5 favorite BRM tracks are (guitar tremolo…):

1. “Runaway” by Imperial Teen: This song sounds like the indie “Call Me Maybe,” and I mean that in the best way possible. I heard this jillion of joy playing in Lyle’s office my first day, and I knew I was in the right place. Or at least that I discovered the best jogging song ever. I went on to delve into older Imperial Teen gems, like “Pig Latin” and “Do It Better.” If only I hadn’t been a 7 year old when Seasick came out…

2. “Betty Wang” by Hospitality: Another Merge track, “Betty Wang” has lyrics that instantly drew me in. Who is she? Why might she leave New York? Isn’t Wang a Chinese not Japanese surname? I’ve since learned that Betty Wang was the only other female investment banker on Amber Papini’s team at work. As a side note, I’m pretty sure I found the real Betty Wang’s LinkedIn profile.

3. “Chair” by Big Deal: I found this grunge-acoustic masterpiece on a BRM compilation CD. This is one of those songs that upon discovery, you listen to over and over again. It helps that it’s a short song, clocking in just under 3 minutes. I love how they slightly change the second chorus, and the absence of drums doesn’t bother me anymore. This song is perfect for the credits of HBO’s Girls.

4. “You’re The Runner” by Mitten: I stumbled upon “You’re The Runner” when I was asked to transcribe the lyrics. Luckily, I found the lyrics on Mitten’s Bandcamp, but I still took the opportunity to listen closely. I’m usually not into electro-synth and distorted bass, but they combine so well with the driving drums and vocals. Lyrically it epitomizes energetic angst.

5. “Not Earned” by Palomar: I’d never heard of this band before. Palomar reminds me of early Rilo Kiley (circa 2002) if RK were an all female band. “Not Earned” is a perfect cycle – it starts and ends the same. The line “You must feel pretty safe with all your records around you” is also a brilliant maxim for any music lover.

Avril Lavigne: Let Go 10th anniversary

June 18, 2012 / aftertheshow

It’s been a decade since a then 17-year-old Avril Lavigne released her debut album Let Go (June 4, 2002).

Let Go was certified six times platinum in the US and has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. The album really stands up ten years after its release, and it’s rightly her highest selling album to date.

Her three albums after Let Go have been disappointing. For the most part, this later music is dumbed down, lyrically simplified, and paradoxically less mature than the songs on the first album, which had a richness and variety of expression. Here’s a look at the tracks that comprised Let Go, before fashion and perfume lines distracted from the music.

Of course, “Complicated” and, to a lesser degree, “Sk8er Boi” were the standout songs. At its core, “Complicated” is an attack on hypocrisy and dishonesty in how one presents oneself to the world. “Sk8er Boi” is a fun yet authentic story-song about music, with a surprise twist at the end when we learn how the narrator fits into the story.

The slower, more dramatic songs “I’m With You,” “Tomorrow,” and “Too Much To Ask” provide a nice balance to the energy of a song like “Sk8er Boi.”

“Anything But Ordinary” and the semi-autobiographical “My World” are about being exceptional, seeking something more for yourself, and wanting to escape small town ennui. “Anything But Ordinary” also works as a personal artistic statement – In 2002 and 2003, Avril Lavigne was different; there was no one else like her on the scene.

Including “Nobody’s Fool” was slightly risky – it doesn’t sound like any other song on the album. The half-speaking half-singing during the verses works brilliantly, though. It’s like a teen girl Linkin Park song.

“Things I’ll Never Say” is strong enough to have been a single. It’s definitely for a young audience — it’s a nice, very catchy middle school anthem.

The least effective songs were the angrier, mid-teen angst tracks “Losing Grip” and “Unwanted,” the latter of which also hints thematically at the struggle of staying true to oneself in the face of record label image issues.

Unfortunately, the second album headed in this gothic, angsty direction, while the third and fourth albums alternate between upbeat yet ultimately insubstantial songs like “Girlfriend” and ballads that are boring and sound too similar to one another (“When You’re Gone,” “Keep Holding On,” “Innocence”).

Alex Patsavas: Music Supervision

May 15, 2012 / aftertheshow

Alex Patsavas has been the music supervisor for TV shows like The OC, Gossip Girl, Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy and The Twilight movies.

Here’s a good video interview where she discusses how music supervision works and how the Internet has made every band a local band:

Chop Shop

Using Music to Learn Vocabulary: Part 5

April 25, 2012 / aftertheshow

“Using Music to Learn Vocabulary” is back with its fifth installment!

(Refresh your memory with parts 1, 2, 3, and 4, then read on below).

1. Maudlin: “Eighth Avenue” by Hospitality

Maudlin means self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental.

2. Rubbernecker: “Ambulance” by Eisley

A rubbernecker is a person who stares or gapes inquisitively, especially in a naive or foolish manner.

3. Super Trouper: “Super Trouper” by ABBA

Super Trouper is the registered trademark name of a brand of huge spotlights used in stadium concerts.

4. Degausser: “Degausser” by Brand New

A degausser is a device that neutralizes a magnetic field or erases information.

5. Cantilever: “You’re the Runner” by Mitten

A cantilever is a projecting structure, such as a beam, that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length.

Using Music to Learn Vocabulary: Part 4

February 6, 2012 / aftertheshow

Even more good vocabulary words are in the 4th installment of “Using Music to Learn Vocabulary”!

1. Treacle: “Black Treacle” by Arctic Monkeys

Treacle means cloying speech or sentiment. In Britain, treacle also refers to molasses.

2. Myna: “Indian Myna” by Ben Lee

A myna is a type of bird native to Asia. The myna is an omnivorous bird with a strong territorial instinct that has adapted extremely well to urban environments. The myna is also an important motif in Indian literature.