Beethoven – “String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 5″
This is an awesome example of syncopation, which is movements or songs that change times unexpectedly and parts of the progression that are usually unstressed are stressed. Syncopation is not a very popular form of composition because it’s kind of hard to comprehend. Not exclusive to classical music, it is more commonly heard in bands like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow, and the Punk bands NoMeansNo and Fugazi.
Mathematics, in music, are very complex and usually go unnoticed to the untrained ear. Changing times in popular music is usually obvious and presents itself by the common and easy on the ear “half-time” progression. A good example is the Black Eyed Peas song “Just can’t get enough”. It is easy to assimilate, recognized and appreciated. This example points out the creative use of a variety of time changes (or, signatures) in music. Time signatures specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat.
The complexity of time changes in music adds a subtlety and intrigue to it. It is almost a challenge to to the listener, but is a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
This video is a candid recording of a group of musicians (I don’t know who, and it doesn’t matter) rehearsing Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 5, which is based on Mozart’s quartet in the same key.
Super cool!
Here is an example in Punk Rock music…one of my favorite songs from the band “NoMeansNo”. This song is called “Victory” and the lyrics are good enough for me to post with the video, very inspirational.
“When I set out on this journey
I thought it would never end
When I started down that road
I could not see the end
And when I took that first step
I fell in so deep
And all those things that were so hard-won
I thought I would always keep
Now what do you think I see
Standing like a wall in front of me
Defeat, not victory
Defeat, not victory
Defeat, not victory
Chorus:
So what are you going to do? Die?
No
You gonna lay down and die?
No
I will not admit defeat
I will not admit defeat
I will see victory
Pride and deceit
Have choked my life like weeds
And I lost sight of what I really had
What I really need
And all the things I should’ve valued
I gave away for a prayer and a song
And now when I reach out for them
They are gone
Now you know what I see
Standing in front of me
Like a headstone
A fucking monument to human misery
Defeat, not victory
Defeat, not victory
Defeat, not victory
Chorus
Do I have any friends here?
I can’t see
Are any of my friends here?
I can’t see
What about you?
Will you be a friend to me?
What about you?
Will you be a friend to me?
I’ve got a question to ask you
And then you can ask it of me
It’s a simple request
And then you can make it of me
Can you forgive me?
Can you see what will be?
Is it victory?
Now I can’t show you all the things I’ve seen
And I can’t make you feel anything
Certainly not what they meant to me
And someday I know, no matter how hard we try
We are all going to have to lay down and die
So maybe I should just tell you
What I hope and believe
For every defeat there will be a victory
For every defeat there will be a victory
In defeat, victory”
AWOLNation – “Sail”
Slow, rolling, heavy, hip, mellow and relaxing (that’s a lot of stuff, I know).
I,like most other people who just discovered this song, heard this on a video of this basejumper guy’s, youtube video, which was awesome as well…he flies through the air on this crazy flying squirrel suit over some crazy mountain.
I don’t comment as much on current music not because it isn’t good, it’s just that I just don’t trust it yet. I need time to absorb, and I would never tell you something is good unless I was sure. There is a lot to absorb and to consider when listening to new music. Most people I know have a hard time with new music, the stuff they know makes them feel good and is familiar and the new stuff is obnoxious. It’s only natural. This is new music, it’s not a big radio hit, but I think it represents the natural progression and evolution of popular music. This is not revolutionary, but it is cool…but it’s representative of where we are in modern music. The production is good and it’s got this awesome video to go along with it.
Whitney Houston
Drugs.
I am so sorry to have to introduce this piece with a sad note.
Whitney was truly a great talent, a precious gift to all of us. This may sound sarcastic to those of you who know me…but it’s true. Such an awesome voice, a contributer to the great history of music, a talent in the true sense.
Whitney somehow hooked up with Bobby Brown, a mediocre (at best) flash in the pan pop artist…got into crack cocaine and then became…well…a crackhead. That’s the short and sweet of it. The sad part is that she lost her beautiful voice to that addiction and has tried to improve herself of late to no avail.
This video is a rememberence of her greatness. It is amazing, it should be wondered upon. She was a gift to us and now she has lost that contribution that she bestowed upon us to drugs.
Procol Harum – “A Whiter Shade of Pale”
Enjoy this no matter who you are.
This song is a great example of the importance of your auditory process of music. It doesn’t matter what the message in the lyrics is. The sound of this song moves you, and you probably don’t know why.
I have loved this song since I heard it for the first time, but I could not tell you any of the lyrics or meaning of the song to this day…even after reading them…it doesn’t matter. The feeling of the organ sound and the inspirational tone of the song is moving. It applies to all people and hits us as a soulful, seriously moving piece.
The song carries such a cool and even pace it gives you a feeling of inspiration by the progression and sound and feel of the music. The organ has a great tone and carries us through the trip. You have heard this song, you know what I am talking about, you have felt these feelings, you have just not been able to articulate them.
Die Antwoord
WTF?
I have great appreciation for the human condition, and the diversity that life bestows upon us. We are truly, each and every one of us are…a unique, and gift to the greater plan. That being said…
What the hell is going on in the white ghetto’s of South Africa? I mostly keep a comfortable distance from politics to maintain what sanity that I have, so I really can’t comment about the reality of the living conditions of the residents, but this is the kind of stuff that blows me away about music. Die Antwoord is a wacked out David Lynch-like reflection of their environment. I tell you, in all seriousness, I have studied Die Antwoord. They amaze and intrigue me to a level of awe. Not because of their musical talent, believe me…but because I see a mentality that is totally new and foreign to me. Though it seems a bit farcical, I have yet to find any reason not to believe they are totally serious. I want to believe they are.
After you adjust to what you are watching you can tell that Ninja, the front-man, actually has really good flow with some smart and funny rhymes. He raps in (heavily accented) English, Afrikaans, and even some Prawn… which is the language the aliens in the movie “District 9” spoke. This is a sweet intro to the band if you are new to them, and, as Ninja says…”This is, like, the coolest song I ever ‘eard in my ‘ole life.” (we’ll move forward gently):
“Zef Style” is a state of mind that means according to Yolandi means “Poor, but fancy”. Which essentially means wacked out white trash to me. The weird little man is actually a fairly well known artist in South Africa and suffers from Progeria, which causes him to rapidly age. This clip is a brief interview, where we learn many interesting things like, DJ Hi-Tek lives with his granny down the street and makes up their “next level beats” on his ”P.C. computer” and is followed by a little more interesting quick video clip…that opens the doors to a little more of the awesomeness…
Finally. I have saved the best and strangest for last. You have seen anything yet. This, honestly, is a little bit disturbing. The lyrics, the images, the beats, the marriage of tribal African music, American hip-hop and the Afrikaans language create an almost surreal, perverted, and thoroughly entertaining and amazing video. This is definitely NSFW, and if you are easily offended, fuck you.
You’re welcome…or, sorry.
Elvis Presley – “Unchained Melody”
I don’t give a shit what you think about Elvis. I really don’t.
Like few other really talented artists, his time here was so touching. He was an awesome talent and a gift for people who appreciated his music, and gave inspiration to millions of people around the world. He harbored a talent so great, and wonderful…it’s sad that it was lost in pills, fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches and Vegas. His voice was impeccable. Velvety and cool. Here he is sweaty, ugly, and bloated…but delivers the goods.
This song makes me emotional when I hear it, it really does. He is owning his art and this is what music means to me. A lot of people think of Elvis and have mixed feelings, and his reputation is not the best, but when you see this, recognize. He was an awesome talent, lest you forget.
Check out this song, just weeks before he bought the farm.
Lou Rawls & Les McCann – (Stormy Monday)
Recorded in the earlier years of both Lou and Les’ career (1962), this record captures a time in these guys lives were they were both young and full of life and were really embracing this really cool time in music. There was a great marriage of R&B and Jazz which led to some really cool stuff. It was hip and new and these guys really embraced this opportunity and collaborated on this record which is just awesome. Seriously, not a bad song on the album.
Before all the hippie shit and Rock & Roll started to rule the radio charts with an iron fist…Before Les wrote “Compared to What…” and became a hip Jazz icon of the time after performing at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival…and before Lou Rawls had oversaturated himself to the point where he became cliché…there was the “Stormy Monday” collaboration.
At no time does either musician outshine the other; they both are doing what they do best and sounding great while working within each others unique styles. It’s a great job and I think really catches a special time in music history. It’s real easy on the ears, even to people that might have a hard time with Jazz because Lou is really bringin’ it that way…easy, laid back, and cooler than shit. Les’ piano has always impressed me by always maintaining a real root in the rhythm of his piano work which helps me enjoy Jazz a lot more (it can be a bit convoluted at times). The album is mainly covers, but the presentation is great and like I always say…“It’s not what you play, but how you play it…”
I’m still looking for a video from this album, but having a real hard time… If you search it out and buy it and don’t like it I will pay you back in NICKSREALMUSIC.com stock. In the meantime, check out Les performing one of his most well known pieces and you’ll get the feel of it.
Alanis Morrisette – (Jagged Little Pill)
Women in the ‘90’s were pissed…I think it’s because the economy was good and there was nothing better to do.
I started listening to this because I thought it was comical but soon realized it was a really well written piece of work. It’s full of hits and the record as a whole is well done with good production. I know from hearing Alanis interviewed that she does have a sense of humor about herself. I think the coolest thing about her is that in the movie “Dogma”, which is a great comedy about the catholic religion, Alanis appears near the end as God…it’s very tongue in cheek, but speaks volumes for her status at the time.
“I’m high, but I’m grounded…I’m sane, but I’m overwhelmed…I’m lost, but I’m hopeful…”
Her emotions, although a bit brash, fueled a fire within her to create this awesome piece of work. The guitar work is real lazy, in a good way, and the rhythm takes advantage of the increasingly popular hip-hop style. At the time that was daring…now it’s commonplace. This album was a stepping stone for acts like Alicia Keys, and I think even Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Gwen Stefani benefitted from Alanis’ unabashed attitude. She made it cool for women to be emotional, but fun. That’s no easy task. It’s like if Tori Amos was listenable and had a sense of humor.
“All I Really Want”:
Posted in Alternative Rock, Female Vocal, Pop, Rock | 
Tags: Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Tori Amos | 
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“Immigraniada” – Gogol Bordello
I really don’t like Gypsies…they scare me.
I think it’s because of their disregard for establishment, and the living on the fringe thing… Also, because I was probably as close to being one as it comes when I was a young man.
I don’t know if people are ready for Gypsy Rock, but here it is. This is totally entertaining, I love the feel of the video and they seem wicked passionate and it’s a cool mix of styles. Reggae, Rock, Country, Weird Violin Guy. And, I can’t help but think of “Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog” when I hear the guys voice.
Plus, the chick is hot, and she plays “the shoes” and “the knee slap” while singing.
Listen…I promise you will think this is cool…
ZZ Top (Tres Hombres)
Power Trio. Rock n’ Roll Power Trio. Mean, down and dirty, rock n’ fuckin’ roll.
Before “Legs”, and “Sharp Dressed Man”…these guys had a real raw blues-rock thing goin’. This record is start to finish a fun, stripped down rock masterpiece. You want to sit on your porch and drink a couple beers in the middle of the afternoon? Put this on. Right from the start you’ll know what you’re getting into. This stuff is not demanding, it’s pretty thin, but the guitar work and gruff vocals fill it out enough to carry its true toughness. You got harmonica, gospel/blues vocals, wicked raw saturated guitar sound and a levity that lets you forget about the world’s problems and gives you a serious ‘Check your head’ escape.
Life is simple in Tres Hombres. If it was a place I could visit, I would be there often. With some friends and a bunch of beer.
“Waiting for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago”:
I have always loved “song/song” songs. I don’t know why, but I think it’s kinda reminiscent of opera or musical theater pieces where you feel the movement, instead of just a bunch of random songs. Also, the artist used to get radio royalties for two songs because you really can’t separate them…ha, ha.
This…pretty much sums it up…
“Beer Drinkers, and Hell Raisers”: