EXCITING NEWS!
The End Groove is expanding into a radio program! Starting next week, The End Groove will air on KOXY Radio Thursdays at 9 p.m. The radio show will be an extension of and compliment to this blog (which will, of course, remain up and running). The goal is to have a more interesting and interactive musical experience. Sometimes I'll have a theme or topic, sometimes I'll just play interesting new music, sometimes I'll be by myself, sometimes I'll have some guests. The show will include more talk and discussion than most music radio programs allow for. I'm not actually 100% sure what it's going to be like, but I'm very excited to try this out! Make sure you like the shiny new The End Groove Facebook page, and tune in online here Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. for music, talk, and all kinds of fun!
WAHOOO!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Speed Review: Gossamer
It's time for another short review! HooooRAY!
Gossamer by Passion Pit is, on balance, a really good album.
That's a really boring sentence for you to read, but it's a really exciting one for me to write because I have not historically been a Passion Pit fan. I've never found their music engaging or interesting. I was always really quite ambivalent about the whole ordeal.
Gossamer just changed that. I don't have time for a full-length review, so I'm going to be brief in my discussion here. Basically there have always been two things keeping me from really enjoying Passion Pit's music (the same two things that will keep me from enjoying basically any music): uninteresting musical construction and melodies, and unimportant lyrics. Thirty seconds into "Take a Walk," the album's opening track, both of those problems have been addressed. The main riff of the song is one of the catchiest and most exciting melodies of the year, and the lyrics are a brilliant discussion of the economic crisis and the ways it has affected people who have no sense of how to deal with it. I actually had to start the song over again after the first listen (which I have never done during a first listen of an album) to hear the words one more time. The track immediately shows a great deal of artistic and musical maturity on the part of the band, something I don't feel I could have said before now. The song leaves me just grasping for more, wishing that I could hear the riff once more. Actually, while this is definitely a good place for the album to take me, the riff could have been far more pronounced in the mix, especially during the choruses. It felt buried, and I couldn't get lost in it in the way I often do with great melodies. Nonetheless, "Take a Walk" closes out and I'm right on the edge of my proverbial seat, eager to hear the rest of the album.
What's true of "Take a Walk" is, generally speaking, true of all the songs on this album. They're catchy, they're interesting, they have a lot to say. They do everything a good song is supposed to. I really can't possibly complain about the songwriting on this album. But of course, that doesn't mean I can't complain about something else, and you know I will. I can't overlook the fact that, twenty minutes into the album, I begin to lose interest. Not because of poor writing, but because the songs begin to run together. And not in the good, gapless concept album-y kind of way, but in the "they all sound the same" kind of way. By the thirty minute mark, my attention almost totally lost. But hark! A thirty-second interlude called "Two Veils To Hide My Face" marks something of a turnaround, and the album finishes out on a relatively strong note. These final songs still sound very similar to all the other songs on the album (and in the band's canon), but they're interesting enough to keep me tuned in and pleased, and I leave content. Looking back, the album felt good. It felt like a step up from Passion Pit's previous work. The band is making forward progress, learning their art and themselves as they go, and Gossamer shows this growth splendidly. I do believe they have a few screws to tighten up when it comes to producing their sound in a way that displays their music optimally, but they're really very close. Gossamer is Passion Pit's best album yet, and it has convinced me to give a band I previously dismissed another shot.
Gossamer (Passion Pit): 7.5/10
Gossamer was released July 20, 2012, and is available now on iTunes and Spotify.
Gossamer by Passion Pit is, on balance, a really good album.
That's a really boring sentence for you to read, but it's a really exciting one for me to write because I have not historically been a Passion Pit fan. I've never found their music engaging or interesting. I was always really quite ambivalent about the whole ordeal.
Gossamer just changed that. I don't have time for a full-length review, so I'm going to be brief in my discussion here. Basically there have always been two things keeping me from really enjoying Passion Pit's music (the same two things that will keep me from enjoying basically any music): uninteresting musical construction and melodies, and unimportant lyrics. Thirty seconds into "Take a Walk," the album's opening track, both of those problems have been addressed. The main riff of the song is one of the catchiest and most exciting melodies of the year, and the lyrics are a brilliant discussion of the economic crisis and the ways it has affected people who have no sense of how to deal with it. I actually had to start the song over again after the first listen (which I have never done during a first listen of an album) to hear the words one more time. The track immediately shows a great deal of artistic and musical maturity on the part of the band, something I don't feel I could have said before now. The song leaves me just grasping for more, wishing that I could hear the riff once more. Actually, while this is definitely a good place for the album to take me, the riff could have been far more pronounced in the mix, especially during the choruses. It felt buried, and I couldn't get lost in it in the way I often do with great melodies. Nonetheless, "Take a Walk" closes out and I'm right on the edge of my proverbial seat, eager to hear the rest of the album.
What's true of "Take a Walk" is, generally speaking, true of all the songs on this album. They're catchy, they're interesting, they have a lot to say. They do everything a good song is supposed to. I really can't possibly complain about the songwriting on this album. But of course, that doesn't mean I can't complain about something else, and you know I will. I can't overlook the fact that, twenty minutes into the album, I begin to lose interest. Not because of poor writing, but because the songs begin to run together. And not in the good, gapless concept album-y kind of way, but in the "they all sound the same" kind of way. By the thirty minute mark, my attention almost totally lost. But hark! A thirty-second interlude called "Two Veils To Hide My Face" marks something of a turnaround, and the album finishes out on a relatively strong note. These final songs still sound very similar to all the other songs on the album (and in the band's canon), but they're interesting enough to keep me tuned in and pleased, and I leave content. Looking back, the album felt good. It felt like a step up from Passion Pit's previous work. The band is making forward progress, learning their art and themselves as they go, and Gossamer shows this growth splendidly. I do believe they have a few screws to tighten up when it comes to producing their sound in a way that displays their music optimally, but they're really very close. Gossamer is Passion Pit's best album yet, and it has convinced me to give a band I previously dismissed another shot.
Gossamer (Passion Pit): 7.5/10
Gossamer was released July 20, 2012, and is available now on iTunes and Spotify.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Best Worst Voices
"I would like them if they had a different singer."
"I just can't get over that voice."
"The singer really bothers me for some reason."
We've all heard it before. People complaining about a voice that's just a little too [adjective]. People hate on weird voices in music. As someone who has a weird singing voice, I say enough! Critics be damned! Singers with weird voices are all over the place, and have made some of the most important contributions to the musical universe. There are many artists about whose voices I hear complaints on the regular. Here are ten of my favorite weird, unique, bizarre, and/or unpleasant voices.
10) Bob Dylan
What better place to start? Bob Dylan has never fooled anyone into believing he was a good singer, and his voice is constantly a turnoff to casual listeners. It's probably why covers of his songs have a habit of performing better than the original versions (Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton each performed loads of Dylan songs that became the go-to versions). And yet, Bob Dylan is one of the greatest artists in American history, and people the world over listen to his music religiously. I actually don't even need the rest of this list to prove why a weird voice doesn't keep you out of the realm of the successful, but I don't listen to Bob Dylan that much, so I thought I should still make it.
9) Lou Reed
Remember everything I just wrote about Bob Dylan? All of that carries over to Lou Reed except for the frequent Clapton and Hendrix covers. Also he was in a band called The Velvet Underground, which is neither made of velvet nor underground. Lou Reed has a wonderful horrible singing voice, and he's a great and influential artist. On the list.
8) Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Okay, this one is a little different. Anthony Kiedis is usually not criticized for his voice, but he is criticized for his singing ability. Or perceived lack thereof. For some reason people just do not believe he can really sing. I know he often doesn't really sing and kind of rap-talk-shouts instead, but come on. First of all, he absolutely can sing, and if you don't believe me, I dare you to perform "Can't Stop" or "The Zephyr Song" the way he does. Not as easy as it looks. Secondly, who the fuck cares? Anthony Kiedis is one of rock's great vocalists, and even if you don't like his brand of talk-song, you can't hate on the dude for doing what works.
7) Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell has a shockingly, unsettlingly, uniquely high voice. There are people who, for some weird reason, don't enjoy that. I can't really figure it out. Actually I totally can, it's a bit much. But I invite all of those people to get past their fear of heights (like high pitches, get it?) and listen to her sing. Really listen. And then tell me she isn't one of the best singers around. Listen to "California" because it's one of my favorite songs ever, and because she does things with her voice that I didn't even know were possible. Joni Mitchell is like, really great. If you can't stand her voice, you're just missing out.
6) Justin Vernon (Bon Iver)
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (which is a band, not a person, please see my recent post for details on this breaking story) often sounds less like a person and more like an embattled owl singing a lullaby. His unclear mumbling is the butt of many a joke, and no argument, it's frequently impossible to know what he's saying, or if he's even using words. But his voice is the perfect frosting on the cake that is Bon Iver's music. They make big, orchestral, sweeping songs that flow between one another in long albums. They are majestic works of art, and the vocals come shining through as if sung by angels and butterflies. Vernon's voice would be ill-suited to literally any other kind of music, but I can't imagine a better fit for Bon Iver.
5) Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks (you know, from Fleetwood Mac and stuff) has a low, raspy, abrasive kind of voice that, in an alternate universe, could probably be used to frighten children into eating asparagus. But instead we're in this universe, where it's used to make wonderful music. I love Stevie Nicks. A lot. I have heard people complain about the flat and atonal nature of her voice, as well as about her perceived lack of vocal ability. If you're in either of these camps, or if you're on the fence, listen to Fleetwood Mac's 1975 studio recording of "Rhiannon." The chorus will send chills down your spine. Stevie Nicks is a total rockstar, and her voice, cracked and worn as it may be, is a testament to her musical drive and rock and roll attitude.
4) James Taylor
Okay, I didn't even know people were complaining about James Taylor until recently. And it shocked me because James Taylor is one of the greatest artists in American history, and his voice is quite inoffensive. Nonetheless, some people just don't dig it, I guess. I will never agree, but I suppose I can see where those people are coming from: he does have a very unique voice (I always know when James Taylor comes on the radio, even when I don't know the song), and uniqueness is often synonymous with irritating for listeners. If you're looking to be convinced, first listen to his heart-melting rendition of Carole King's "You've Got A Friend," (1971) then try a couple newer songs (I really like "Line 'Em Up" from 1997's Hourglass). If those don't change your mind, it may be a lost cause. But either way, there's no denying that JT is a prolific and influential musician and singer, and his unique voice is ideal for his music.
3) Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Billy Corgan has probably faced more criticism for his voice than any other modern musician. Seriously, there are no people who hear The Pumpkins and don't go "man, that voice is crazy." And that's because it is crazy. CRAZY AMAZING. Man, I don't even know what the world would be if Billy Corgan's voice wasn't a part of mainstream music. But it would be horrible. The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the great bands of the late-20th century (and 21st century, who am I kidding? Oceania embraced my soul with rock). Billy Corgan's tinny, thin, whiny squeak of a voice is so well suited to the music he writes and performs that it's kind of hard to believe. The dude has a bizarre and unsettling voice, and I love it.
(I'm not kidding about Oceania, if you haven't heard it yet, go now. That will be the next review I write, I'm just finishing a few of these fun posts first.)
2) Geddy Lee (Rush)
RUSH ARE THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME.
Sorry, was that out loud? What I meant to say is that Rush are an amazing band that plays with unbelievable musicianship and intellect. They are true artists. Geddy Lee is one of the best bassists alive. He's also an awesome singer. Weird voice? You betcha. It's way up there, in a higher register than many people can even imagine (especially in the really early Rush recordings). But I'll be damned if he doesn't hit every note nearly perfectly, and he does it while playing a bass and a synth and another synth and some weird pedal shit also. Again, it's a voice that truly compliments its accompaniment. Rush would not be Rush without the piercing and glorious vocal melodies purveyed by Mr. Lee. Geddy Lee is one of the best musicians alive, and his voice is one of his finest assets.
1) Eric Clapton
Wait, what?
Yes, you read it right. If you're confused, it's probably because you, like me and so many other people, were not aware that Eric Clapton had a weird voice. BUT APPARENTLY HE DOES. Eric Clapton is my favorite guitar player, and I listen to his music basically on loop. So to hear that some people didn't like his voice was quite upsetting. But I understand it. Particularly in his younger years, his voice is high and poorly trained, and often sounds off-key or just awkward. He himself didn't like his voice, and did not sing the songs he learned as a budding blues guitarist because he didn't feel his his voice could appropriately capture the low-down, murky, smoky glory of the blues. It wasn't until really the Cream years that he began to sing regularly. And despite his voice being a little shaky (and in the early going, more than a little intoxicated), I sure am glad he did. Eric Clapton is one of the most iconic rock musicians in history. Imagine where he'd be if he never sang?
Yikes.
***
Alrighty, that's it. Those are my ten favorite bad/annoying/weird voices. If you disagree, have other suggestions, or generally have a comment, leave it below! I'm always glad for feedback and audience participation!
"I just can't get over that voice."
"The singer really bothers me for some reason."
We've all heard it before. People complaining about a voice that's just a little too [adjective]. People hate on weird voices in music. As someone who has a weird singing voice, I say enough! Critics be damned! Singers with weird voices are all over the place, and have made some of the most important contributions to the musical universe. There are many artists about whose voices I hear complaints on the regular. Here are ten of my favorite weird, unique, bizarre, and/or unpleasant voices.
10) Bob Dylan
What better place to start? Bob Dylan has never fooled anyone into believing he was a good singer, and his voice is constantly a turnoff to casual listeners. It's probably why covers of his songs have a habit of performing better than the original versions (Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton each performed loads of Dylan songs that became the go-to versions). And yet, Bob Dylan is one of the greatest artists in American history, and people the world over listen to his music religiously. I actually don't even need the rest of this list to prove why a weird voice doesn't keep you out of the realm of the successful, but I don't listen to Bob Dylan that much, so I thought I should still make it.
9) Lou Reed
Remember everything I just wrote about Bob Dylan? All of that carries over to Lou Reed except for the frequent Clapton and Hendrix covers. Also he was in a band called The Velvet Underground, which is neither made of velvet nor underground. Lou Reed has a wonderful horrible singing voice, and he's a great and influential artist. On the list.
8) Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Okay, this one is a little different. Anthony Kiedis is usually not criticized for his voice, but he is criticized for his singing ability. Or perceived lack thereof. For some reason people just do not believe he can really sing. I know he often doesn't really sing and kind of rap-talk-shouts instead, but come on. First of all, he absolutely can sing, and if you don't believe me, I dare you to perform "Can't Stop" or "The Zephyr Song" the way he does. Not as easy as it looks. Secondly, who the fuck cares? Anthony Kiedis is one of rock's great vocalists, and even if you don't like his brand of talk-song, you can't hate on the dude for doing what works.
7) Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell has a shockingly, unsettlingly, uniquely high voice. There are people who, for some weird reason, don't enjoy that. I can't really figure it out. Actually I totally can, it's a bit much. But I invite all of those people to get past their fear of heights (like high pitches, get it?) and listen to her sing. Really listen. And then tell me she isn't one of the best singers around. Listen to "California" because it's one of my favorite songs ever, and because she does things with her voice that I didn't even know were possible. Joni Mitchell is like, really great. If you can't stand her voice, you're just missing out.
6) Justin Vernon (Bon Iver)
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver (which is a band, not a person, please see my recent post for details on this breaking story) often sounds less like a person and more like an embattled owl singing a lullaby. His unclear mumbling is the butt of many a joke, and no argument, it's frequently impossible to know what he's saying, or if he's even using words. But his voice is the perfect frosting on the cake that is Bon Iver's music. They make big, orchestral, sweeping songs that flow between one another in long albums. They are majestic works of art, and the vocals come shining through as if sung by angels and butterflies. Vernon's voice would be ill-suited to literally any other kind of music, but I can't imagine a better fit for Bon Iver.
5) Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks (you know, from Fleetwood Mac and stuff) has a low, raspy, abrasive kind of voice that, in an alternate universe, could probably be used to frighten children into eating asparagus. But instead we're in this universe, where it's used to make wonderful music. I love Stevie Nicks. A lot. I have heard people complain about the flat and atonal nature of her voice, as well as about her perceived lack of vocal ability. If you're in either of these camps, or if you're on the fence, listen to Fleetwood Mac's 1975 studio recording of "Rhiannon." The chorus will send chills down your spine. Stevie Nicks is a total rockstar, and her voice, cracked and worn as it may be, is a testament to her musical drive and rock and roll attitude.
4) James Taylor
Okay, I didn't even know people were complaining about James Taylor until recently. And it shocked me because James Taylor is one of the greatest artists in American history, and his voice is quite inoffensive. Nonetheless, some people just don't dig it, I guess. I will never agree, but I suppose I can see where those people are coming from: he does have a very unique voice (I always know when James Taylor comes on the radio, even when I don't know the song), and uniqueness is often synonymous with irritating for listeners. If you're looking to be convinced, first listen to his heart-melting rendition of Carole King's "You've Got A Friend," (1971) then try a couple newer songs (I really like "Line 'Em Up" from 1997's Hourglass). If those don't change your mind, it may be a lost cause. But either way, there's no denying that JT is a prolific and influential musician and singer, and his unique voice is ideal for his music.
3) Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Billy Corgan has probably faced more criticism for his voice than any other modern musician. Seriously, there are no people who hear The Pumpkins and don't go "man, that voice is crazy." And that's because it is crazy. CRAZY AMAZING. Man, I don't even know what the world would be if Billy Corgan's voice wasn't a part of mainstream music. But it would be horrible. The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the great bands of the late-20th century (and 21st century, who am I kidding? Oceania embraced my soul with rock). Billy Corgan's tinny, thin, whiny squeak of a voice is so well suited to the music he writes and performs that it's kind of hard to believe. The dude has a bizarre and unsettling voice, and I love it.
(I'm not kidding about Oceania, if you haven't heard it yet, go now. That will be the next review I write, I'm just finishing a few of these fun posts first.)
2) Geddy Lee (Rush)
RUSH ARE THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME.
Sorry, was that out loud? What I meant to say is that Rush are an amazing band that plays with unbelievable musicianship and intellect. They are true artists. Geddy Lee is one of the best bassists alive. He's also an awesome singer. Weird voice? You betcha. It's way up there, in a higher register than many people can even imagine (especially in the really early Rush recordings). But I'll be damned if he doesn't hit every note nearly perfectly, and he does it while playing a bass and a synth and another synth and some weird pedal shit also. Again, it's a voice that truly compliments its accompaniment. Rush would not be Rush without the piercing and glorious vocal melodies purveyed by Mr. Lee. Geddy Lee is one of the best musicians alive, and his voice is one of his finest assets.
1) Eric Clapton
Wait, what?
Yes, you read it right. If you're confused, it's probably because you, like me and so many other people, were not aware that Eric Clapton had a weird voice. BUT APPARENTLY HE DOES. Eric Clapton is my favorite guitar player, and I listen to his music basically on loop. So to hear that some people didn't like his voice was quite upsetting. But I understand it. Particularly in his younger years, his voice is high and poorly trained, and often sounds off-key or just awkward. He himself didn't like his voice, and did not sing the songs he learned as a budding blues guitarist because he didn't feel his his voice could appropriately capture the low-down, murky, smoky glory of the blues. It wasn't until really the Cream years that he began to sing regularly. And despite his voice being a little shaky (and in the early going, more than a little intoxicated), I sure am glad he did. Eric Clapton is one of the most iconic rock musicians in history. Imagine where he'd be if he never sang?
Yikes.
***
Alrighty, that's it. Those are my ten favorite bad/annoying/weird voices. If you disagree, have other suggestions, or generally have a comment, leave it below! I'm always glad for feedback and audience participation!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)