I was recently forcibly baptized into the world of Indie music. A friend (who shall remain anonymous) had me listen to a playlist of 102 songs. I had only heard maybe 3 of the bands on the playlist. I admit that it was a scary experience to step away from my usual progressive rock fare such as Rush, Dream Theater, and King’s X. Usually, I need a lot going on in my music for me to enjoy it, and I wasn’t sure about Indie stuff and its acoustic oddball simplicity. Let us not forget the usual snobbery expressed by the purveyors of evil Indie music.
So much for my expectations. For the most part I truly enjoyed myself. And I even heard one song that was a spiritual experience. I consider this most fortuitous, yeah even serendipitous. I estimate the odds of finding a song so moving to be one in a thousand, and I was able to find this diamond in a playlist of 102 songs. As usual, my perspective has been broadened and once more I will never be the same.
What was the song you ask? It was The Trapeze Swinger by Iron & Wine. Not the studio production, but the Itunes exclusive live cut. When I first heard this song I think my heart stopped beating, my eyes misted, and my mind filled with the rushing sounds, smells, and raw emotions of young love. Thank you Mr. Beam and your lovely sister too.
Why do we limit ourselves so often? There is a whole ‘nother world out there.
I ask you friends, family, and acquaintances. What have been your musical surprises?
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
"The road goes ever on and on." Tolkien
12 comments:
Hi Papi!
I would like to hear these songs you write about. Perhaps, I could use some for my modern dance routines.
Now that this past dance season is over and I have some free time, I wanted to read up on your blogg.
That goes to the rest of the fam. Sorry I've been such a stranger for so long!
I plan to work on our family blogg as well starting next week, so check in every once in a while!
Love,
The Goddess
102 songs is far too many. perhaps he isn't true at heart yea, even perhaps a knave. For if he were true, he would not have force fed you a bastardized around the indie world in 80.....make that 2 days. He would have served up scant, but hearty parcels of nougat filled gems, from time to time...time after time.
Yes, he is a scoundrel, a hound, a joker, and a thief, to whom which I take great umbrage.
Music needs to have time to simmer.
Perhaps the charlatan was only trying to help you kill time in the Muad'Dib cubicle of torture.
Either way......it is good to fine a song that resonates. huzzah's around for that.
Being the prog junky you seem, I wonder if you have ever chanced upon the might of über-hirsute prog rock wonders Aphrodite's Child? Two songs: "It's Five o' Clock" and "The Four Horsemen" made me realize the gaps in my prog armor, but they may be old hat to you. Prolly are.
Your opinion of Iron and Wine is seconded by yours truly. Sam never fails. I remember my first hearing of "Upward Over the Mountain," thinking to myself of the wonderful burden in the years ahead: having to purchase all the albums, attend the shows, spread the soft gospel of Beam. I too was instantly enlisted.
Excellent thread.
I like Indie. I like Rock. I like Progressive. I like Grunge. Heck, I like Country. Overall, I think you can find little gems in most any genre, but it doesn't make the genre good. The point is...you have to judge genres by the composite of all their songs, not just one masterpiece or dungheap of a song within the genre. Since the blog-trend is to speak in Old English: By their averages, ye shall know them.
For me, it plays out like this:
Rock > Grunge > Progressive > Indie > ... > Country.
hey you music nuts-my secret pleasures are finding little gems in all the genres.
country--david ball, dwight yoakum
rock-white stripes,queens of the stone age, disturbed
jazz-stan getz
punk-black flag, husker du
FRANK ZAPPA! he is a genre all by himself. especially "black napkins"
love pa
Ibid,
I caught the "even" Mr. Z.... sneaky my good fellow. It was a good two days, better than most. Thanks for the gift of Beam.
Music does indeed need time to simmer. There have been songs that I have hated, but through repition I began to love them, yeah even a bunch.
If I could listen again, I am sure that there are others that I would begin to love and my heart would grow two sizes bigger and time after time I would hearken back to them.
Hi Goddess,
I am intrigued, who are you? And how did you find yourself in my blogdom? And also, do you find it a hard life, being so fine and hot and all? You...you...you...exotic princess.
Love ya!
Chaucer,
My thanks for the complement as well as the musical find. I had not heard of Aphrodite’s child. A quick look on Youtube yielded instant knowledge. I especially liked “Four Horsemen.” The rolls were very jazzy and reminded me of Ginger Baker, one of my drumming heroes. I will listen more. To be honest, I listen to prog mostly, but I have a limited field that I pick from. However, I am always looking for a good listen. A list would be appreciated. DZ owes me quite a set of lists, but he’s kind of a turd and spends more time playing someone else’s Wii than spreading the gospel of fine art. Stop by any time.
Whodoggy,
You are correct sir. I can’t abide no modern country music. For the most part it is soulless. I’d rather glorify sex, drugs, and rock and roll than the tripe known as redneck culture. There are some really good poets in the country business, but like pop music, their music is bought and performed by musicians that are more like pro wrestlers than true composers.
As always, feel free to disagree.
Grampa Fuzzy,
Thanks for the response, Pop. You are indeed the Genesis of many of my musical loves. My love affair with Rush began while listening to “The Rhythm Method” in your truck. Let us not forget Howlin’ Wolf, Cream, ZZ Top, & Black Sabbath, just to name a few. I still remember you teaching me “Stairway to Heaven” during the summer between 8th and 9th grade. What a wonderful memory! You should not have gotten rid of the Epiphone, both Whodoggy and I had real sentiments for that particular axe. At any rate, I owe much to you in the way of musicality. Love Me
amen to the Zappa comment upthread. I remember the first, shocking time I heard 'Ince Roads'. mind boggling.
Post a Comment