Last week we listened to Pop music; in other words, very popular music. The week before last we listened to Alternative Rock music. Today we will listen to even more “alternative” music – especially in how it sounds. I call this music Postmodern Fusion, also known as Postmodern music, because very different styles are fused into a new “sound.” Postmodern music is therefore eclectic in style and genre.
One example would be Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which we listened to at the beginning of this semester (Week 3: Harmony). “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a fusion of two unique genres, namely classical rhapsody and rock music. A rhapsody is a single piece of music, but with different parts representing different moods. Listen, for example, to Johannes Brahm’s “Rhapsody in G minor” Op. 79, No. 2. The song “Bohemian Rhapsody” is similar, in that it has different parts with different moods. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a postmodern composition because it mixes two different genres with each other.
Listen to Alanis Morissette’s “Baba” in the YouTube-video below. The song is from one of my favourite albums “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie.”
This song also has a mixture of genres. The first genre is Rock. What is the other genre(s)? Maybe the lyrics can give you some clues.
Now listen to Fiona Apple perform “Shadow Boxer.” What music genres can you identify in this song?
How about Fiona Apple’s song “Extraordinary Machine”?
Another artist known for interesting fusions is the Dave Matthews Band. Listen to their song “Spoon.”
Watch the video of a live performance of Björk performing her song “Enjoy.” What instruments are being used? What sampled sounds are used together?
Beck is another artist that makes use of many synthesized sounds, including sampled audio clips from popular culture. “High 5” is an example:
Nightwish, a band from Finland, is described as a “symphonic power gothic metal band” with opera-style vocals.
Also mixing metal music with symphonic sounds is Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Listen to their “Good King Joy.” Notice the fusion of Christmas carols with metal music.
Showing posts with label Postmodernism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Postmodernism. Show all posts
The (Later) Beatles
It is difficult to establish exactly why The Beatles were so successful. One opinion mentioned by Tom Zarecki is that The Beatles had three lead singers. Zarecki explains:
Another reason may be their continual evolution. The Beatles’ sound continually changed. One of their most influential albums was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). This album was nominated #1 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It is a typical example of postmodern music, which incorporate a wide variety of sounds, including Rock ‘n Roll, jazz, classical, and traditional Indian music, and extensive use of synthetic instruments and electronic “studio effects.” It can be argued that the popularity of this album with its effective use “electronic music” created the foundation for much of the modern day use of synthetic sounds in pop music.
We have already listened to one song from this album – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Listen to it again and notice the use of synthesized sounds, and “studio effects.”
Here is the title song from the album. The YouTube-video features a clip from the Yellow Submarine-movie. While listening to the song, describe the orchestration and density, and other features you find interesting.
Let’s listen now to another song from the same album, “Within You, Without You.” This mixture of Western music with Eastern music is another example of Postmodernism, which tend to blur the boundaries between opposites; for instance the boundary between East and West.
Compare the songs on this album with the songs by The Beatles that we listened to, for instance “A Hard Day’s Night.” There is clearly a big change in their style. How would you describe the difference between “A Hard Day’s Night” and, for instance, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”?
Besides their visual and music appeal, the Beatles also had another magic trick that no bands before or since had (gasp): THREE LEAD SINGERS! Up until that point, bands always had ONE lead singer! Those three lead singers each had a trick up their sleeves: they were each powerful and accomplished SONGWRITERS, too! These three lead singers and songwriters were John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Each of them wrote their own original material, and swapped and shared lead vocals from song to song. Plus, (get this) the two that were NOT singing lead on a song would provide backup harmonies. Further, in quite a number of early Beatles songs, John and Paul would alternate lead vocal duties within the same song.
Another reason may be their continual evolution. The Beatles’ sound continually changed. One of their most influential albums was Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). This album was nominated #1 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It is a typical example of postmodern music, which incorporate a wide variety of sounds, including Rock ‘n Roll, jazz, classical, and traditional Indian music, and extensive use of synthetic instruments and electronic “studio effects.” It can be argued that the popularity of this album with its effective use “electronic music” created the foundation for much of the modern day use of synthetic sounds in pop music.
We have already listened to one song from this album – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Listen to it again and notice the use of synthesized sounds, and “studio effects.”
Here is the title song from the album. The YouTube-video features a clip from the Yellow Submarine-movie. While listening to the song, describe the orchestration and density, and other features you find interesting.
Let’s listen now to another song from the same album, “Within You, Without You.” This mixture of Western music with Eastern music is another example of Postmodernism, which tend to blur the boundaries between opposites; for instance the boundary between East and West.
Compare the songs on this album with the songs by The Beatles that we listened to, for instance “A Hard Day’s Night.” There is clearly a big change in their style. How would you describe the difference between “A Hard Day’s Night” and, for instance, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”?
A Big Change: Postmodernism & The Beatles
In the 50s Elvis Presley was the most important figure. In the 60s it was The Beatles.
The 1960s was a tumultuous time in Western History. It is also the time that Postmodernism started. Postmodernism is the zeitgeist (spirit of the times / era) that started in the 60s and we are still living in it today. Before Postmodernism was Modernism (not to be confused with the Modern Era). Modernism, which started around the time of the Industrial Revolution, is characterized by the belief that science has all the answers, everything can be explained, everything can be labeled (named), and demarcated; in short, that man has all the answers.
Two world wars later and the new generation realized that man do not have all the answers. This new generation protested against all Grand Narratives of the time. The term “Grand Narratives” refer to any system of authority (for instance Science, Religion, Political Ideologies, etc.) that pretends to have all the answers. Instead Postmodernism rebels against such systems of authority, questioning their claim to truth, and breaking down their label systems and demarcations (this is called “Deconstruction”).
It was during this time (1964) that The Beatles enters the stage of the world’s history.
Watch the short documentary film below about The Beatles-phenomena.
How is the sound of The Beatles different from the Rock 'n Roll that preceded it? In the video above, when the reporter asks them what is their sound, how does it differ from other Rock ‘n Roll, they answer: “It doesn’t really.” Crossroads in Music (p. 219) confirms that “The Beatles’ styles was acclaimed as new even though their music was simply a combination of pop and rockabilly styles…” Maybe the difference was not in how they sounded, but what they represents. "The Beatles themselves seem to have no illusions. They symbolize the 20th century non-heroes, as they make non-music, wear non-haircuts, give non-mercy…” These "non-" prefixes is representative of Postmodernism that refuses to be demarkated, or labeled. In a sense, The Beatles became a symbol for this new zeitgeist.
Let's listen to some examples of songs by The Beatles.
To show that they are a continuation of what preceded them, here are The Beatles performing the old spiritual "When the Saints Go Marchin' In," which was also recorded by Elvis (see here).
Of course it is their other songs that are more popular, like "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You," "Hey Jude," and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds":
Look at the lyrics of "I Want to Hold Your Hand." What part is the chorus? Is the hook part of the chorus?
This last song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," sounds different from the previous songs. Try to identify the difference and describe it.
Assignment:
Write a short essay in which you explain what "Postmodernism" is. Cite sources.
The 1960s was a tumultuous time in Western History. It is also the time that Postmodernism started. Postmodernism is the zeitgeist (spirit of the times / era) that started in the 60s and we are still living in it today. Before Postmodernism was Modernism (not to be confused with the Modern Era). Modernism, which started around the time of the Industrial Revolution, is characterized by the belief that science has all the answers, everything can be explained, everything can be labeled (named), and demarcated; in short, that man has all the answers.
Two world wars later and the new generation realized that man do not have all the answers. This new generation protested against all Grand Narratives of the time. The term “Grand Narratives” refer to any system of authority (for instance Science, Religion, Political Ideologies, etc.) that pretends to have all the answers. Instead Postmodernism rebels against such systems of authority, questioning their claim to truth, and breaking down their label systems and demarcations (this is called “Deconstruction”).
It was during this time (1964) that The Beatles enters the stage of the world’s history.
When someone says "music of the 1950's", they mean the "sound of the 50's" which occurred primarily in songs between 1955 and 1963. And, when someone says "music of the 1960's", they mean the "sound of the 60's", meaning primarily music between 1964 and1970, the actual Beatles era.
In fact, today, when radio stations like FM, AM or SiriusXM Satellite channels that play "oldies" music actually categorize their music, they often use these divisions.
For example, The 50's Channel on SiriusXM really only plays hit songs from 1955 to 1963 (and NOT 1950 to 1959 as the casual listener might think), and their 60's Channel plays songs from 1964-1970 (NOT 1960 to 1969), because of that generational line in 1964, the year the Beatles began their international fame. [Tom Zarecki]
Watch the short documentary film below about The Beatles-phenomena.
How is the sound of The Beatles different from the Rock 'n Roll that preceded it? In the video above, when the reporter asks them what is their sound, how does it differ from other Rock ‘n Roll, they answer: “It doesn’t really.” Crossroads in Music (p. 219) confirms that “The Beatles’ styles was acclaimed as new even though their music was simply a combination of pop and rockabilly styles…” Maybe the difference was not in how they sounded, but what they represents. "The Beatles themselves seem to have no illusions. They symbolize the 20th century non-heroes, as they make non-music, wear non-haircuts, give non-mercy…” These "non-" prefixes is representative of Postmodernism that refuses to be demarkated, or labeled. In a sense, The Beatles became a symbol for this new zeitgeist.
Let's listen to some examples of songs by The Beatles.
To show that they are a continuation of what preceded them, here are The Beatles performing the old spiritual "When the Saints Go Marchin' In," which was also recorded by Elvis (see here).
Of course it is their other songs that are more popular, like "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You," "Hey Jude," and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds":
Look at the lyrics of "I Want to Hold Your Hand." What part is the chorus? Is the hook part of the chorus?
This last song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," sounds different from the previous songs. Try to identify the difference and describe it.
Assignment:
Write a short essay in which you explain what "Postmodernism" is. Cite sources.
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