RCRD LBL - lots of free interesting downloads.

Check out this blog. It's legit.

http://rcrdlbl.com/

-Jacob

Hardcore

I'm aware this might not go over well, but this song acquaints us with another style of music we haven't really heard this year or last. This sound is usually genre-lized (I know Dave, your favorite) as "hardcore." It's usually characterized by short, heavy-hitting songs with emotive, almost tortured vocals and "do-it-yourself" production. The song I'll post here is a fairly good example of all of these characteristics. A couple of things to notice: the aggression in the music/vocals, the brevity of the song (what's the point?), and the "build-up" dynamic evident in the song (does it make the "heavier" sections even "heavier"?).

Or you might just hate it.

When you click on the link it will take you to the last.fm page for the song. On the page it will say "Play direct from Departures (2:09)" with a play sign to the left of that. Click it.

Departures - Weak Before Winter

The French Horn

Sometimes one instrument can make all the difference. See if you can tell where in this piece: Finlandia by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

Genres

I am almost completely convinced that 90% of all genre-lization is bogus. It seems to me that if you just keep going with the mentality of the whole category/sub-category method of defining, you end up naming genres after individual bands (which just seems silly). I'm not trying to say that most bands don't have a unique sound, because they do, but I really don't think they'd mind if they were grouped more generally.

Am I wrong?

Dubstep even Nathan might like.

http://soundcloud.com/kickshifta/rule-the-world

This track has an interesting vibe to it. There's some pretty sweet bassy sections, but I really like the underlying keys.

-Jacob

So much fun

this is for you Dave

Contrast: Majesty vs. Subtlety

Music can give me goosebumps in at least two instances: 1) when a soaring melody builds and resolves in a powerful final chord and 2) the opposite: when a soft, sacred melody is laid to rest, or let float up.

Piece #1: Toccata from Widor's Symphony No. 5 for Organ; possibly the most famous organ work...ever. You should be familiar with it.

Piece #2: "Rejoice, O Virgin" (From Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil); I will be posting more from All Night Vigil, on account of it being one of my favorite works of all times.

Music comes in a diversity of flavors. I hope we can appreciate both the overwhelming power and the subtle beauty of it.

The Social Network Soundtrack

If you can, buy it (after seeing the movie of course). It rules. Here's one of my favorite songs from the album:

In Motion

Dance Music

I love the lyrics to this song. It might be difficult to get used to his voice, but try to focus on the words. The music is simplistic folk, just an acoustic guitar and a piano, but it seems to highlight the name of the song. It's also interesting to compare the bouncy rhythm/feel of the music to the somewhat depressing story told in the lyrics.

Another thing: should music be used for an escape? John Darnielle (vocalist/lyricist/catalyst of The Mountain Goats) sure thinks so.

Song here

Lyrics here

Finally, post stuff.