"Long Songs" Album Review

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida-Honey
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you"

Long songs. From the first moment that title is appealing to me. I'm thinking echoes, by Pink Floyd, In-A-Gadda-Da_Vida by Iron Butterfly, Machine Gun clocking in at 12:00 by Jimi Hendrix. Music you can put on and drift away. Your listening in the back of your mind somewhere under-studied by science. That place that exists but is unproven in the same way that we have yet found a way to quantify consciousness. As such it remains in the realm of philosophy.

Studies have shown that listening to classical music has positive effects on scholastic endeavors and higher thinking abilities. I have to believe that long "Rock" songs have to be approaching that same effect. At least on me. Long songs are the only music I can listen to and work on intellectual pursuits at the same time. Like I am doing right now. I'm willing to bet my brain activity lights up like a pinball machine in the same way test subjects neural electrical activity responds to Mozart.

Of course it's all aesthetics.



That out of the way let's try the "Review" portion of the review post.

First song up is "Life is colder than beer" by Reading. I have tried to find this band on the internet to hyperlink. I have not been successful. As such I can give you no extra info on this band and the song other than my experience listening to the aforementioned track.

I loved it. The monologue at the beginning is interesting. A woman is describing her previous apathy towards making anything significant out of her life and her concurrent predilection for drinking heavily. But all that's "changed". She has a "purpose" now. Some "meaning". She gives the vibe that she's hooked onto some sort of new philosophy kick, or maybe discovered Jesus. The feel to me is very tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic. As such I love it in the way I enjoy all things satirical. Without any background info about the bands m.o. however, I cannot say for sure that it is not completely face value.

The music is mostly instrumental, with intermittent punctuated verses as most "long songs" tend to be. Fine by me. Especially since I do not consider myself the best at interpreting lyrics.

"Life is colder than beer" is the perfect title for this song. The lead singer talks about not caring for fame and success, or at least now that he has it he does not want it, or it is not pleasant to continue down the path towards achieving it. Beer is cold, but is at least intoxicating. Life is cold, but hard. Wake up calls and realizations are generally not intoxicating. In fact, they are sobering.

Good song. Good sound. Good depth to the material. Grade is A+.

Track 2 is "Vinyl Fever" by Japancakes.



I did not think it could get better after "Life is colder than beer" but it at least stayed as good.

Wonderfully integrated elements of drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, and what I guess are other "synthesized" elements. I do not understand the technical side of music. 808 drum machines are as high up as I get. Thanks Beastie Boys.

Great beat. Repetitive but not redundant. Transitions occur. Keeps your subconscious attentive while your active mind can take a break.

Great music to put on and daydream. Very relaxing. Not yoga-ish though.

This is the kind of music you absorb.

Grade: A-

Well the first two tracks have been a very pleasant surprise.

Track 3 is "Respect is Due" by The Dismemberment Plan.



Very good. Not quite for me. Looking into this band I see that they were and Indie Rock band formed in 1993. As such I pick up the vibe that they were truly and Indie band and not part of that pseudo-indie wave that picked up in the early 2000's and runs through now. Fans of The Dismemberment Plan are probably true fans of the "Indie" style.

Like Indie music, the vocals are not the typical mainstream polished sounding ones. Much like a speaking voice. Good consistent guitar riff plays through the entire song.

If I would ever let down the walls that protect me from you
I would say respect is due
but not in this lifetime

Very nice. Thoughtful lyrics that define the Indie style. At least from my inexperienced perspective.

Grade: A, like the eggs the USDA lets us eat.

Track 4. "Danelecto 2" by href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo_la_tengo">Yo La Tengo
href="http://wersmusic.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/2007_10_yolatengo.jpg">

My brain has entered a state of confusion. The name comes off like a cheap electronic mix, which are a dime-a-dozen. Then I read that Yo La Tengo is an alternative music band dating back to 1984. I guess in that period of time you would want to experiment with different styles and sounds. Like when Neal Young did whatever it was he did in the early 80s that caused David Geffen to get pissed and demand a rock album.

I was expecting something in between "Groove is in the Heart" and "The Macharena". This song was neither. That's a good thing.

Artists like to explore, so if this track is a departure for them then power to them.

Not my cup of tea. I like it, but I don't see myself ever specifically seeking out this song. Kind of reminds me of Mario or Legend of Zelda video game music.

Maybe the video game sound is due to the fact that the version I am hearing is the Nobukazu Takemura Mix. Yeah, I think that explains it.

Grade: B-. I would like to hear the original version.

Track 5 is "The Diamond Sea" by the Sonic Youth


Thurston Moore guides us through the beginning of the song with his vocals. The song builds for a few minutes, the vocals cease, and then some sort of faint air raid siren goes off in the background, then things revert back to their original form.

A 19 minute marathon of a song, if your a Sonic Youth fan, or a fan of well, music, you'll sit through it. If your subconscious attention span also suffers from attention deficit disorder, or you need you music to grab your attention and keep it stimulated, then you will not be making it through this entire track.

Summary:Tracks 1,2,3,and 5 are the kinds of songs you listen to while staring at your lava lamp during a thunderstorm. Awesome.

On a critical level I feel that these are the kinds of songs which require knowledge of the band and an affinity for the genre to truly offer a relevant critical analysis.