In class number 1, we will take a look at Some Suggestions for Writing about Music by Dr. James Sobaskie (University of Wisconsin) and read a blog post by Scobie's brother-in-law Alek Felstiner; we'll discuss if Alek shows evidence of applying some of Dr. Sobaskie's suggestions.
Homework:
Pick an album and write about the most underrated and overrated song on the album. Post your work to this blog by Tuesday (Jan. 15) at 9am.
Links:
Suggestions for Writing about Music: http://tinyurl.com/2arqyy
New Plastic Weblog (Alek Felstiner): http://tinyurl.com/2cregs
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Pop Nihilism
Band: Nine Inch Nails
Album: With Teeth (2005)
Genre: Industrial Rock
The Most Overrated Song: Track #4 The Hand that Feeds
Trent Reznor has always had pop sensibilities. Way back in 1989 when he was making Pretty Hate Machine he had them and used them. They were recognized by the radio environment of the time, but they show thru (on) “The Hand that Feeds”. Easily the “poppiest” song on the album, it starts with a building beat, then guitars come in, then the vocals and the song really starts moving. The beat is rhythmic, the guitar is a fish hook and the lyrics are politically driven, all good ingredients for a single. It’s overrated; because it’s a single, and not even the best single at that, “Only” is a much better song and it was the second single. It just feels like it was very obviously designed to be the single and to get the crowd at an arena pumped, which it does very well I might add. What really should have happened was this; “Not So Pretty Now” should have been left on the album and used as the single instead. Oh well.
The Most Underrated Song: Track #10 Sunspots
So underrated, the band doesn’t even perform it live. “Sunspots” is a good name because it feels like being microwaved on a gradually rising setting, in a good way. The instrumentation is wonderful. The drums, like in most NIN songs provide a steady beat helped along by a constant, simple bass line. The guitars churn slowly, and the synthesizers evoke a feeling of death by desert heat. The Vocals are the best part though. While “The Hand that Feeds” shows off Trent’s ability to scream, Sunspots shows his ability to croon, and whisper, and scream some more. The lyrics themselves are usual NIN themes of Sex, Nihilism and Loss of Identity. Because, when it comes to the NIN lyrics, you don’t fix what’s not broken, you break it some more. It works better that way.
-Andrew Marques 2008
Shiny Toy Guns
We Are Pilots
Overrated-
“Le Disko”
This Dance Electronica sound creates a false image for this decent band. “Le Disko” has a different vocalist than the rest of the album and doesn’t benefit the song. With industrial techno (popular in the 90’s) /Madonna felt song doesn’t mean Shiny Toy Guns should reproduce this commercial sounding beat or vocals.
Underrated
”When They Came For Us”
This Feel good song provides a better front for the band than Le Disko does (their single). “When They Came For Us” This poppy song has a much to say. Its genuine, sweet, rough and punk all at once and still manages to sound amazing.
The Gossip: Standing in the Way of Control
Most Overrated: "Standing in the Way of Control"
Many-a-morning in early 2006 were spent listening to this absurdly catchy song on KEXP, leaving me to have it run through my head without pause all day long. While the Gossip's sound before this album was (and still is) often described as blues-punk or soul-punk, this one strays somewhat from that path into the dark realm of disco. Beth Ditto's strong and soulful, yet raw voice remains the same, but Hannah Blilie's drums, with their superfast disco hi-hat thing going, and the catchy bass line constantly jumping octaves give the song a jittery feeling of crack and sparkly platform shoes. One can hardly resist the urge to jump up and boogie down punk rock style. And, the song has a strong political point (Beth Ditto wrote the song in response to the Bush administration's denial of marriage to gays). With all that going for it, it's no wonder people were playing it NONSTOP!
So, it's not entirely a bad song, but it's the kind that'll get in your head and on your nerves real fast.
Most Underrated: "Eyes Open"
This little number returns, to an extent, to the more bluesy sound the Gossip had on their two previous albums, that I personally prefer. From the very beginning dissonant chords, its simple, driving guitar and disco-beat free drums get my foot stomping and head bopping in no time, and the powerful vocals are executed in typical Beth Ditto fashion. While still being aggressive, the melody is nicely hum-able, so that it's quite easy to chime in with Beth, and perhaps fool yourself for a second that you have a voice like hers. The song barely passes the two minute mark, and ends suddenly with a quick descending vocal line. It's short, it's energetic, its creators are actually talented, it's not a piece of crap. It's pretty much one of the best kinds of down and dirty rock n' roll songs there is.
Alicia Keys
Diary Of Alicia Keys
Genre: R&B
Most Overrated song: Karma
This song you will always hear on the radio, gyms, stores etc. I think the beat is good but its just too much of the same thing over and over and gets old pretty fast. Its definetly not the best song by Alicia. "Karma" has the classical sounds in the backround. violins especially. I think its too much of the violins. I wish this wasnt the most overrated song beacause i dont really like it and it doesnt really show how good Alicia really is. I wish it wasnt the song most people remember her by.
Most underrated: So Simple
The beat of the song is so soothing you just wanna cup of coffee and just listen to her amazing voice. The lyrics are so real and the computerlized voice gives it a really original touch. The beat is more to the hip hop side but its not a "jamming" kind of hip hop beat. Its that comforting beat. I had never heard this song until i had listened to the CD itself. This song is never played in public. This song has to be one of my favorite by Alicia Keys
Gabriela Valencia-Mazuela
This is Luc's Underrated/Overrated, reposted by Liana:
Album: The Very Best Of KISS
Underrated song: God Gave Rock N Roll To You
This song is probably one of Kiss’s best songs, next to strutter.
A great song as it is, you never hear anymore.
Unless you are in California where they play a lot of classic music on the radio.
Overrated song: Rock and Roll all night
I think we can all agree that this is an overrated song
It used to be maybe their best song
And then they over played it on the radio
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