It's All About the Bass

Basslines in music are usually completely underrated.  They're more like backup singers than lead vocalists, and they step to the side while other tones take center stage.  Smooth and mellow bass lines add to a song that may already be "good".  And the contrasting sounds of high and low pitches are what make music so enjoyable.  So shouldn't bass sounds and tracks be recognized for their contribution?  Instead of being left as background noise, they should be highlighted and proudly shown off to the world.

The core of the Dubstep genre of music is the heavy bass track and "drops" that occur at key points in the song.  The beginning of any great Dubstep track is a quiet and calm start with light drum sounds and maybe some vocals.  After the basic sound of the song is established, a heavy bass beat is "dropped" into the track and more sounds are built around it.  Bass lines can be wobbled to make an industrial sound or just looped to provide a structure for other elements to be built on. 

This up and coming genre takes bass lines and gives them a total makeover.  Starting in garages and underground clubs in the UK, Dubstep was the eventual evolution of Drum and Bass music.  DJ's and mixers stripped the D&B to it's roots and added extremely heavy bass lines to give it a harder sound.  Originating in the early 2000's, this style has continued to grow and it's reach has spread into Germany, Canada, the US, and Russia.

"Chrispy - Predator EP"

This is probably the best example of what Dubstep music really is.

"UFK Dubstep Mix"
Samples of different Dubstep songs.



Soothing Sounds

Everyone needs to relax once in a while, and in my opinion there's no better way to do that than by turning on some calm music and just chilling out. Songs that are especially soothing or calming can turn even the worst days into perfect ones. Finding that one song that can immediately turn your around can be difficult, especially since everyone's music tastes differ. But these songs always seem to work for me. The amazing vocals and warm sounding melodies make these songs some of my absolute favorites for rainy days.

Damien Rice - "The Animals Were Gone"

Ingrid Michealson - "Sort Of"

Elliot Smith - "Because"

Paolo Nutini - "Candy"

Sia Furler - "Soon We'll Be Found"

What's your take on these songs? Did they help you to mellow out?



Jonjo Feather

Often some of the best music is the kind that you would never think of listening to.

Some of my favorite bands and artists are the ones that I stumbled upon without even trying.  Whether it was by a typo, or a misdirected link, I found myself watching and listening to something completely unexpected.  Thesebands were usually unheard of or just getting their start through a website or social networking site.

Jonjo Feather, one of my favorite "finds", has continually been on my playlists for a few years.  I found a video of his song "I Suppose" while browsing YouTube and I've been hooked ever since.  He lives in London, England but plays shows all over Europe.  He has a very distinctive and almost distorted sound, but his catchy song are short, sweet, and to the point. Although he's not quite famous yet, he has definitely caught the attention of people all around London and Europe. Who knows? Maybe America is next.

Jonjo Feather - "Little Spark"

"I Suppose" Music Video

Based on what you just heard, what do you think?  Does Jonjo Feather have to potential to make it big?

And, should it be turned up? Or turned down?

Jazz + Metal?

I love finding new music and new artists to listen to. Every now and then I find a band that's great at what they do and has a unique sound. Hearing a group of people create music that is entirely their own is something that I never get tired of.

I've known about the band "The Dead Weather" since their start in 2009, and I've loved every song that they've put out since. Defined as a "supergroup", the band is made up of Jack White (The White Stripes), Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs), Alison Mosshart (The Kills), and Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age). I'm an avid fan of anything to do with Jack White and I snatched up their first album the day it hit stores. I was far from dissapointed with their raw sound and the ferocity of Alison's vocals. There is a sense of impulsiveness in the way their music is produced. All of the members are seasoned musicians and more room for experimentation is left open. Many notes and chords that are produced sound a bit out of place at first, but fall together with the intense emotion that can only be compared to soulful jazz. I know it sounds weird, but as you listen to the long instrumental pieces and rough vocals, these jazz elements start to reveal themselves.

The best way to describe the totally distinctive sound of "The Dead Weather" is to show it to you.

The link below contains a video of their first single, "Die by the Drop", from their latest album.

After giving it a quick listen, tell me what you think!

Would you turn this up? Or turn it down?

An Explanation.

From my experience, people will reply with one of two options when exposed to new music.
They will either find the music enjoyable and exclaim "Turn it up!"
Or they will find that their ears are bleeding profusely and scream "Turn it down!"

I find that most music belongs in the first catagory, but sometimes I find a real winner that just deserves to be enjoyed by the public. This blog will highlight a different song, band, or genre that I find interesting, annoying, or just entertaining. After sampling some of the sounds of the week, I'll either rate it with a positive "Turn it up!" or a negative "Turn it down!". Feel free to comment and either agree with the rating or disagree. You can suggest songs to praise or humiliate, and I'll gladly give them a listen.