Music
Beats on the Street: 11.23.2013
Name: Josh Rojas Year: Junior Listening to: “Fire Woman”—Crush 40
Shock Absorber: Ambient Paradise
Today we’re talking about work music. And I’m not talking about the Bruce Springsteen classics you and your dad blast out of yellow DeWalt speakers painting a doghouse in the yard (I don’t know if these moments really exist, but I saw it on a Lowes commercial once). No, by “work”, I mean the luxurious act of studying, for which the ear’s delicate palate prefers muted tones and hushed soundscape. If you’ve entered the cranially-demanding world of *~the humanities~* then you’re well aware that Jersey Highway ballads are not conducive to the creative process. I’ve never gotten the appeal of classical music as a work soundtrack, and am suspicious it’s just a go-to for people that don’t know better.
Five Music Fan Stereotypes
We all know those diehard music fans—they love one genre only. You might recognize some of them.
Pop That: Songs You Lost Your Virginity To
In an anonymous survey, we asked an important question: what'd you listen to your first time? Responders (hey, "writing bitch") self–identified.
Guilty Pleasure: Pottruck's Playlist
Forget the haters, because somebody loves ya, Pottruck.
Remix Wednesday: “Girls”—The 1975 (The Knocks Remix)
Leave it to electronic music duo The Knocks to surprise you with an unexpected twist. "Girls", by British band the 1975, is an 80's punk influenced song with youthful pop lyrics.
Synesthesia: “The Royal Tenenbaums”
Wes Anderson chooses his music carefully. One of the most beautiful, complex and frustrating elements of his films is the ambiguity of the time period.
Hidden Gems of Rock's Finest
The Beatles wrote more than "Here Comes the Sun"
Review: "Artpop" — Lady Gaga
It’s feeding time, and Mother Monster isn’t holding any reservations with her servings on “Artpop.” The album is a roller coaster of its own making.
Famous Beards in Music
In honor of No Shave November, we’ve singled out the most impressive beards in the music business.
Review: "Mug Museum" — Cat Le Bon
With consistent light rhythm and bizarre instrumental shifts, Cate Le Bon recreates sonic energy from the seventies, largely drawing upon The Velvet Underground & Nico and Television for inspiration.
Gaga Goes for More Art Than Pop Than You Realize
She commands you to just dance, she’s caught in a bad romance, she was born this way—most recently, she lives for the applause.
You Have to Listen to This: Ryan Hemsworth
Ryan Hemsworth is like a lot of other up and coming producers unexpectedly birthed by the internet (think Baauer). He has an active SoundCloud page and numerous mentions on all the biggest music blogs as well as a few well received EPs and singles.
Music Video Sunday: CHVRCHES—"Lies"
Once you get past the inexplicable “V” in “CHVRCHES” and the ensuring pronunciation issues (it’s definitely “churches” if you were wondering), you can’t get past the band’s infectious, synthy sound.
Synesthesia: "The O.C."
If you ask me about “The O.C.,” I will, with unabashed enthusiasm, explain to you that it’s one of the most important television shows ever to air. There’s a number of reasons I hold this opinion, but a relatively important one is that the soapy and dramatic lives of Orange County residents Ryan Atwood, Seth Cohen, Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts are soundtracked with astonishing precision.
Shock Absorber: Celebrity Culture
On why I don’t want to be a professional rapper anymore. On November 1, @DonaldGlover tweeted: “found some speakers.
