Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces

No, I'm not reviewing a Seether album. I'm feeling the slightest bit of optimism today, so I decided to take a positive perspective on something that is usually touted upon: music piracy.

I think its a bad thing on the whole, but if music files weren't easily transferable from computer to computer, there would be hundreds of bands that never got off the ground, millions of iPods with thousands of songs fewer, and less of a stir about music releases nowadays. If the CD torrenters didn't exist, there would be much more hype for new releases, much less knowledge about bands and music in general, much lower attendance at shows, and far, far fewer people paying for CDs. Even though bands lose money from internet piracy, its not like every single torrent download is equivalent to the purchase of an album, and its not like people who steal but enjoy music don't go to shows or buy the occasional band t-shirt.

With some exceptions, I don't think its a smart thing to do, but with any decision, there are consequences. While there are significant consequences to internet piracy, even outside of music, there are benefits to both parties, even those who seem to suffer on the whole.

Of Instrumentation

While listening to Sigur Ros's Hoppipolla I realized a characteristic of some of my favorite bands is a wide use of instrumentation. King Crimson is a decent example of progressive instrumentation, The Dear Hunter and Sigur Ros both use small brass ensembles, and even guitar-and-voice Conor Oberst has incorporated a few off instruments into his music. My (current) all-time favorite live album, Dream Theater's Score, is better than the rest of my favorites partially because of the impressive incorporation of the live orchestra in the second set.

I'd really like to see Matthew Bellamy play the harp in a song like Falling Away With You, Claudio Sanchez play the voilin in a sad emo love song, Flea play the French Horn in an epic RH composition, and Mike Portnoy play some marimba.

A Blurb

Today I realized one of the most beautiful forms of music: uplifting songs from otherwise depressing artists. I enjoy depressing music and the melancholy atmosphere and its unique beauty, but when an album is full of mellow, depressing songs, and one that doesn't fit, that oddball is usually a gem. I'm taking about the likes of "No Sunlight," "Blackest Eyes," and "Let Down" from Death Cab For Cutie, Porcupine Tree, and Radiohead, respectively. The joy I derive from those types of songs is a unique one. Optimistic, almost euphoric, and beautiful in a way that Sigur Ros doesn't do.

Between The Buried And Me - Colors

Never before did I think that a band based off of heavily distorted guitars, blast beats, and screams could be so beautiful. I enjoy listening to albums full of \m/ moment after \m/ moment, but I have more respect for guys that can be brutal and branch out into other genres. (That's one of the reasons that I like bands such as Dream Theater and Coheed and Cambria so much.) In Colors, Between The Buried and me expands their remarkably heavy metalcore style to a wider realm, including progressive, jazz, and acoustic elements. A tasteful combination of beautiful, brutal, and epic moments makes Colors not only one of the heaviest albums I own in terms of metal, but also in terms of listening ease and pure musical creativity.

More to come.

Rant: On

I seem to be alone in this, but I have a huge pet peeve with bands doing covers. It really bothers me when bands cover songs and don't give the original band credit. I know there's a ton of legal stuff behind this, but that's unimportant to me. Its a matter of the creator of a song taking credit for writing it. I can't take a friend's paper, put my name on it, and turn it in, but bands can do the same with songs.

For example, Van Halen covered The Kinks' classic "You Really Got Me Now." Save a tiny mention in the liner notes that nobody actually reads, the song labeled just as any other song on the album. No "You Really Got Me Now (The Kinks cover)" in the name slot or any mention of the song's authors. I had heard it before, but not known that it was The Kinks', and it seemed to be right up Van Halen's alley. So, being my stupid self, I was led to believe that Van Halen wrote the song. Wrong. I still love Van Halen's music, but not crediting the band who wrote a song that you cover is just something that grinds my gears.

I don't hear much about this from other people. Ugh.

Rant: Off.

Mute Math - Mute Math

So far, I've listened to this album five times through and I love it. I'm not sure what to call the genre other than a mix of indie and alt rock with a bit of electronic influence, but labels are for squares anyway. The songwriting is fantastic, the production is fresh, and the album as a whole is fantastic. Within the first two songs, you hear the unique Mute Math sound, the keyboard work underneath, and a catchy, almost poppy element. I also like how they can play slower, mellower songs, like "Break The Same" and "Stall Out" in addition to quick, upbeat songs, like "Typical" and "Chaos." It was also nice to hear throughout the album a group of musicians that could legitimately play their instruments and not just sing, something that isn't always the case with indie and pop. It might not become a classic, but its quite fun to listen to. If they ever made the mistake of touring in Eastern Iowa, I'd see them in an instant.

4.5 stars

A Few Introductory Notes

I intend for this to be a music-based blog. I might end up posting lengthy album reviews, short rants and raves of happenings in my musical world, revelations of my musical listening preferences, or notes about the directions that my ears have been leading me lately.

Right now, I have a Last.fm account that is always up to date and a Rate Your Music account that needs some updating.

The title of this blog comes from a favorite Porcupine Tree song of mine and the url comes from a play on a tasty Muse song.

I'd like to say that half a dozen people might ever read this blog, but I don't want to set my hopes too high. This might end up being a diary that a few of my friends read, which I would be fine with.