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negative tendencies
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7/29/2016 6:46:33 AM
The ultimate act of musical rebellion
in an online environment of short attention spans is to create a song that challenges all that. If you know that listeners will X out their player if you do not fulfill their need for immediate song accessibility, why should anyone ever create music that is built to last? You know of the kind of song I'm talking about. It sits on a CD you own, you never notice it til the 4th or 5th time you play the entire record, only then does it unfold to the extent that you start to absorb the tune and where it's taking you.
Negative Tendencies released a song yesterday that we know can't even be grokked in one listen by anyone but the most visionary of listeners. There exists a kind of song that requires more familiarity to even show its charms, one listen more than likely won't cut it. Too much going on, but if you hone in long enough to hear the payoff, you will love it for years.
So why put out a song that you know going in won't ever have the chance to be appreciated by most listeners? Because you know the outcome. Whether anyone gets there or not doesn't matter as long as you do.
Nothing To Fear
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Richard Scotti
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7/29/2016 8:29:56 AM
Great lyrics and lead guitar interplay - excellent bridge - tight band- cool use of bells -
the song really rocks! I grok it!
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7/29/2016 9:33:32 AM
I just want to say that William Shakespeare wrote some great stuff too but most students would find what it takes to understand him is too much like hard work and would rather indulge themselves in a quick fix E L James - I usually save your latest for a time when I can give them more respect. I don't get many listeners myself, maybe because I pump songs out like bubbles and rarely promote anything.... but mostly I think some people would enjoy some of them (or one person might like them all) :)
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negative tendencies
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7/29/2016 10:09:35 AM
Well the thing about many quick fix songs is that you tire of them quickly as well.
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Father Time
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7/29/2016 10:13:49 AM
Thanks Richard!
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listener
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7/29/2016 11:44:26 AM
I think I understand what you're saying Negative Tendencies but I just wanted to point out that there is a way to have the best of both options, a quick fix and a grower. I'm talking more about Pop mainly.
Writing complicated pop lyrics is relatively easy compared with writing good simple pop lyrics. Great lyricists will write on several levels providing you with deeper meanings if you want to look for them. This is a skill that is harder than it sounds and can take a long time to develop.
Early Motown records are a good example of this sort of thing, where the writers provided a catchy “surface” meaning that sounded like great pop music, but underneath there was often another motivation (sometimes with social or political overtones). Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye were among those who dabbled with this sort of writing, and were responsible for creating some staple pop hits that were accessible to everyone, but often had a second “layer” of meaning.
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7/29/2016 1:41:10 PM
Well Done, Mates.
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negative tendencies
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7/29/2016 2:28:09 PM
Thanks!
Listener I wasn't really talking about the lyrics, that's a whole other dimension. When I first heard Dark Side of the Moon for instance. I didn't like it at all. After I heard it 5 or 6 times, the music started to engulf me. Nothing To Fear can have that time-released aspect as well.
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JeffH
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7/29/2016 4:19:17 PM
Doesn't the relationship build from the beginning. First song first sounds first images... so you've got to have the goods to start with. (not saying you don't have "it")
Otherwise they won't get to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th songs etc..
And the 2nd better be really good as well otherwise people will move on...
If you go to a restaurant they have that one chance to either impress you or you move on. So the service and food needs to be right. Right? There are plenty of other places to eat...
I listened to the song all the way It's got an early Elvis Costello vibe to it. The way it's sung and written and even some of the music.
But honestly it didn't grab me shake me... but it is jmo
Could be I'm one of the unvisionariers! :-)
If you're lucky enough to have a band you're probably building your audience when you're out playing.
That method has worked since the beginning of musicians time here on earth. Not easy but it still works. Dues to pay as they say...
Good luck to you guys!
Jeff
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negative tendencies
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7/29/2016 4:28:00 PM
Thanks for checking it out, Jeff and for your comments.
Out of the 8 songs we've finished, this is really the only one that is harder to reach the first time or 2 around. I guess the question we're dealing with is, if the internet makes attention spans shorter, is that going to lead to the end of songs without accessible appeal? I think an artist needs to be open to making music that IS more challenging to listeners - with of course the awareness that songs like this will probably only be appreciated by those who stick with them longer.
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JeffH
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7/29/2016 6:24:32 PM
Millennials all have A.D.D. ;-0
I think that's why I believe playing live is the only tried and true.
When it comes to writing music... I just feel lucky that some idea comes to me and so I record it.
I don't give much thought when that's happening about anything other than what do I add next or does it make sense... but it's never crossed my mind will it be challenging to the listener. If there are any. I take this more as a Hobby. No expectations.
I've only been writing for 5 years now so maybe down the road I'll find some deeper waters.
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negative tendencies
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7/29/2016 6:48:30 PM
Jeff I checked out your page, you are really good. I added the song I heard to one of my stations.
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Stoneman
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7/29/2016 9:54:29 PM
Nice 3 Chord flavor going on here. I really enjoyed the double guitar solos also. Well recorded and produced. Very appropriate vocals. They fit this style of music perfectly.
Much Respect,
Stoneman
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negative tendencies
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7/29/2016 11:07:18 PM
Thanks Stoneman!
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LyinDan
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7/30/2016 7:45:27 PM
So
I recognize the Weap guitar of course. There are some things that sound so FT guitar though, too. It's a mix, isn't it?
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negative tendencies
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7/30/2016 11:33:50 PM
yes, it's dual lead guitars in the tradition of Stills and Young.
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JeffH
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7/31/2016 12:15:48 PM
Thanks for the add NT! ;-)
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