Friday, September 2, 2011
Songs of The Day
For Love (I Come You Friend): The opening on this tune is so beautiful. Love the harmonies going on, and all of the synth sounds work really well together. It has a very ethereal feel to it. The vocals are ok, but I like the tune better instrumental - it's so good, vocals aren't needing. Also, the vocals aren't on the same level as the instrumental stuff going on, so they kind of drag the song down. That, being siad, they do provide interesting harmonies that are pretty out there and cool. The groove pick up at the end is sweet. It's how I would have wanted to end a song like this. Drums are pretty cool on this one. Pretty solid tune.
It Really Doesn't Matter to You: This song kind of confuses me. I like the groove that's going on for the most part, but something about the mix really throws me off. The mix and the drums. The balance just sounds off. The drums shouldn't be in so much in the forefront, because they sound a little sloppy. They're not as in pocket as I would like to be. And the tone of them just sounds like it was recorded in someones basement, which is completely plausible and in fact sounds cool at times, but it doesn't sound right on this tune. I'm distracted. And the solo at the end just doesn't cut it for me. Some editing needs to be done on this.
Jamboree: I have a lot of the same issues with this one as I do on the previous - mix and drums. I wish the chords in the back were louder, balancing them out with the bass synth, which is coming off as too heavy. And again with the drums, they just seem sloppy. He's trying to pull out too many grooves, when this song would sound better if they were just pullin some straight pocket the whole time a la Questlove. I do like that there are only three instruments presented - gives it a cool minimal aspect. The breakdown at the end is pretty good, but it also sounds a little sloppy. Jazz pick up is pretty sweet, but the drums are bugging me. Why are they louder than the bass solo? That shit's sick! Needs more attention.
Boat Cruise: The meter play on this one is pretty cool. Definitely cool. The groove is pretty decent, but I think the legato synth sound that comes in and out might be a little too harsh sounding. I really like the idea of it, but I think a different sound would have blended with the groove better. The wind-down is a pretty cool effect. Okay.
Seasons: Well, this just isn't the best day of songs. You win some, you lose some. The drums on this one don't do anything for me... again. I think there's a little too much going on in this one. It could be a cool groove, but it needs a little punch of something.
It Really Doesn't Matter to You: This song kind of confuses me. I like the groove that's going on for the most part, but something about the mix really throws me off. The mix and the drums. The balance just sounds off. The drums shouldn't be in so much in the forefront, because they sound a little sloppy. They're not as in pocket as I would like to be. And the tone of them just sounds like it was recorded in someones basement, which is completely plausible and in fact sounds cool at times, but it doesn't sound right on this tune. I'm distracted. And the solo at the end just doesn't cut it for me. Some editing needs to be done on this.
Jamboree: I have a lot of the same issues with this one as I do on the previous - mix and drums. I wish the chords in the back were louder, balancing them out with the bass synth, which is coming off as too heavy. And again with the drums, they just seem sloppy. He's trying to pull out too many grooves, when this song would sound better if they were just pullin some straight pocket the whole time a la Questlove. I do like that there are only three instruments presented - gives it a cool minimal aspect. The breakdown at the end is pretty good, but it also sounds a little sloppy. Jazz pick up is pretty sweet, but the drums are bugging me. Why are they louder than the bass solo? That shit's sick! Needs more attention.
Boat Cruise: The meter play on this one is pretty cool. Definitely cool. The groove is pretty decent, but I think the legato synth sound that comes in and out might be a little too harsh sounding. I really like the idea of it, but I think a different sound would have blended with the groove better. The wind-down is a pretty cool effect. Okay.
Seasons: Well, this just isn't the best day of songs. You win some, you lose some. The drums on this one don't do anything for me... again. I think there's a little too much going on in this one. It could be a cool groove, but it needs a little punch of something.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Songs of The Day
HooooooO: This is a very smart way to start the album. He amped up the theme song to the 80s cartoon Thundercats and made a nice lil intro out of it. Very cool, I dig it.
Daylight: I really dig the feel of this groove. It's got a cool staccato thing going on the synth, contrasted by much more smooth, mellow elements. The keys and vocals really help with that contrast, I love everything they're doing. Great harmonies. Great build throughout. The ending synth arpeggios are pretty cool. There are so many little elements going on within this groove, and I love how they all tie together. Dig the smooth ending. Really chillin tune.
Fleer Ultra: This tune has some really cool meter play going on in it. Great jazz fusion going on. I love the different bass lines going on throughout the tune; they're layered perfectly. I think the synth solo is awesome, but the tone annoys me a little bit - I wish it weren't so harsh. Funky.
Is It Love?: I really like this tune, but I just wish there wasn't as much singing going on. The hook is super, super catchy, but I think he should have kept it with that. It would have been a great element to chop up and play with. That being said, there are some great harmonies going on vocally that really compliment the groove. Man, talk about a killin bass solo! Thundercat really shows what he's all about on this with a super awesome solo. The string groove at the end is very, very sweet - I love the arrangement. That continues with the vocals - great harmonies. The ending groove changes really work with the tune.
Daylight: I really dig the feel of this groove. It's got a cool staccato thing going on the synth, contrasted by much more smooth, mellow elements. The keys and vocals really help with that contrast, I love everything they're doing. Great harmonies. Great build throughout. The ending synth arpeggios are pretty cool. There are so many little elements going on within this groove, and I love how they all tie together. Dig the smooth ending. Really chillin tune.
Fleer Ultra: This tune has some really cool meter play going on in it. Great jazz fusion going on. I love the different bass lines going on throughout the tune; they're layered perfectly. I think the synth solo is awesome, but the tone annoys me a little bit - I wish it weren't so harsh. Funky.
Is It Love?: I really like this tune, but I just wish there wasn't as much singing going on. The hook is super, super catchy, but I think he should have kept it with that. It would have been a great element to chop up and play with. That being said, there are some great harmonies going on vocally that really compliment the groove. Man, talk about a killin bass solo! Thundercat really shows what he's all about on this with a super awesome solo. The string groove at the end is very, very sweet - I love the arrangement. That continues with the vocals - great harmonies. The ending groove changes really work with the tune.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Album Factoids
The Golden Age of the Apocalypse
Released: August 30, 2011 (oh hey, today!)
Genre: Electronic
Label: Brainfeeder
Producer: Flying Lotus
Released: August 30, 2011 (oh hey, today!)
Genre: Electronic
Label: Brainfeeder
Producer: Flying Lotus
Week 48: Thundercat
Oh my goodness, I'm 2 weeks away from being half way through my goal! Ridiculous. Anyway, this week, I've chosen Thundercat's new album (came out today) The Golden Age of Apolcalypse. I don't really know anything about Thundercat other than he's a bassist and he's on the same label as my brother, Taylor, Brainfeeder (started by Flying Lotus). I don't think I've ever heard any of his music, but my brother has been talking about him for months, so I figure now is the perfect time to check him out. As someone who's also trying to dabble in bass, I'm looking forward to hearing what this cat's got to offer to the bass and electronic scene.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Final Grade: B+/A-
Man, I definitely was in need of some funk this week, and I sure got a good helping of it. Sly & The Family Stone are some of the originators, and it was great to listen them in their prime. My mom told me she saw them in concert when she was 19 and that it was one of the best concerts she's ever been to - no surprise there. I would have loved to have seen them in their prime. There are some really great tunes on here, I think "Just Like A Baby," "(You Caught Me) Smilin," and "Time" are my favorite tunes, but they're all pretty solid. "Spaced Cowboy," and "Runnin Away" didn't do much for me, but the rest of the album makes up for them. These cats really knew how to get down. Too bad Sly isn't well enough to make appearances anymore. Great album, will definitely keep listening.
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