Old vs. New

We are society that is always trying to compare things to one another. We compare the movie to its original book, we compare brand name products to generics, we even compare people (think "looks like his father, but he has his mother's eyes").

What I've been noticing is a lot of resurfacing of musical styles. I can't speak for previous generations, but it seems like we're not coming up with anything new right now. Instead of Lady Gaga, fun., and One Direction, sometimes I think I'm listening to Madonna, Queen, and N*Sync. But then I have to wonder: is that something I'm happy for, or sad for? Or should I just roll with it? Well, since the last one wouldn't made much of a post, let's go through pros and cons:


Recycling Music: PROS
1) Using what we know works
2) Improving on what we know works
3) Introducing old music to a new generation
4)  I can always listen to older music as well as new: variety!
5) Sounding like a hipster when talking about who the latest artist "stole from."


Recycling Music: CONS
1) If it ain't broke, don't fix it
2) Taking concepts from previous songs and making it suck
3) Songs are getting progressively shorter, along with attention spans of the new generation
4) Sure older music is available, but they're not playing on the radio
5) Sounding like an old lady when talking about how "music isn't like how it used to be."


And now, for the video that got me thinking about this topic

Epic Rap Battles of History: Justin Bieber vs. Beethoven (and Beethoven wins)

What I love about this one: I don't know if they actually studied up on Beethoven for the video (I'm sure they did), but they did an awesome job of recreating Beethoven's personality. I can totally hear him saying, "I'm Beethoven Mother f*cker, maybe you've heard of me!"

All-Time Favoritetest Albums Evarrrr

Have you ever fallen in love with an artist or a song and then thought, "Hey, this song is great! I will buy its album now," and then been horribly disappointed? Yeah, me too. All. The. Time. I think that's why iTunes and similar things have become so popular, because people are tired of buying an entire album for one song.

But you know, I don't think it's because the rest of the music is bad. I think it's because it's an art all in itself to put an album together. Most albums I just skip to my favorites... but there's a select few that if I want to listen to one song on an album, I have to listen to the whole thing. It's like watching a film or reading a book for me: sure you can skip to the part you want, but it's so much better to see it in its entirety. 

You'll probably notice that the list consists of only two genres: Alternative and Classic Rock. I don't know if that's because those are my two favorite genres or because people who play music from these genres are more careful with putting their albums together. I'd appreciate recommendations on other well put-together albums from other genres to broaden my horizons.

So here's my very specific, very personal list of favorite albums:

1) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

This is my favorite album of all time.  This album is so beautiful in its entirety. You can't truly appreciate the beauty of the title track without hearing the rest of the songs leading up to it. The rest of the music is overwhelming, with electronic music and sounds, and lyrics about giving into selling out and giving in to whatever temptations surrounding you. And then the acoustic guitar comes in, with its simple, beautiful vocals... and in three, beautiful verses, they get you to realize how much you've given into the Machine.

2) The Moon & Antarctica by Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse is THE band in my mind. It was love at first sound wave. This album is very similar to "Wish You Were Here", I think... (or maybe it reminds of me of it because the album covers are similar)... except longer... and I'm not quite sure what their message is. But by God they have a message... I think. I've listened to this album a million times trying and tried to figure out what their message is. Something about how huge the universe is? How unfair life is? How this girl ruined his life? All of them? Well, you'll just have to give it a listen. "The universe is shaped exactly like the earth: if you go straight along enough, you'll end up where you were."

3) Funeral by Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is one of my all time favorite bands. They have an original sound I've never heard anywhere else. The best way I can describe them is that a rock band decided to invade an orchestra pit. Listening to the whole album holds the same feeling of listening to a symphony: they explore a variety of sounds a feelings, all of which are powerful and inspiring in their own way.

4) Chutes Too Narrow by the Shins

This album takes a simple formula: alternate "empowering" tracks with "break up" tracks and done! You've struck gold. I love every song on this album, and I don't think I would if it weren't for how they put it together. It gently carries you from one emotion to another. And then, the last track slowly brings you back and centers you with its slow, simple finger-picking.

5) Songs from an American Movie, Part I by Everclear

I think this one is tied to nostalgia much more than the others. Very well put together, and I can't ever listen to only one song on this album; I've got to listen to the whole thing. It tells a very linear story of a man going through a divorce and the repercussions of that with his daughter (remember "Wonderful" from forever ago on the radio? That was this album). What makes this one personal for me is that it was my "gateway drug" album in a lot of ways. Sure I had music before, but Everclear was the first band I really ever connected with, and for a long time was my default on what made a band and what made it good.

Honorable Mentions:

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles

The Soft Bulletin by the Flaming Lips

A Night at the Opera by Queen

Manners by Passion Pit