Another Pandora Article

I read another article about Pandora that I found very interesting. While it touched on some similar subjects as the previous one from class, it also added some other very interesting information. For instance, Pandora will be available in the newer model Fords, and even some other car devices. Also, new TVs, Blue-Ray DVD players, and other devices will have access to Pandora. What is most interesting to me is that this past quarter was the first time Pandora recorded profit, which was around $40 million Dollars (Grahm, 2010). This is insane to me just because they have been around for years, not to mention the years they were developing the project, and this was the first time they actually made a profit. Since the iPhone came out, Pandora's clientele has grown exponentially. I don't know anyone who owns an iPhone and doesn't have the Pandora app. This is a great online and mobile service that will only keep showing up in new gadgets. It's impressive to me that the founder had so much trouble to find someone to fund this project, but made it happen and is now turning out profit of millions of dollars. touché sir.

Here's the link to the article.

Music in the 21st Century

One aspect of music in the 21st century that is most impressive to me is the portability of music. While music has always been somewhat portable, the technology that is around these days makes it way too easy to carry around with you. I'm not complaining, but it is just amazing to me that it is possible to carry an entire music library on a device so small. Just think, ten years ago I was having to carry a portable CD player around that skipped all of the time, not to mention the case of CDs that had to go along with it. Now I have my entire music library at my finger tips when ever I want it. Also, in my car, it is so nice to be able to connect my iPod to my head unit. I no longer have to take up my backseat floor space with CD cases, so there is actually room in my car now. It's nice to be able to conveniently carry my music with me so I can have music with me whenever I want it. I can take it running, hiking, walking to class, and everywhere else I need it. The craziest thing about it, is that the mp3 players will only get smaller and more convenient. It's not too unbelievable that we will have our mp3 players as thin as credit cards or something. It just seems as though music will be come more and more portable, although it's hard to think of how it could get any more portable than it currently is.

Music in Movies

The most effective use of music in movies is with horror movies. Every horror movie I have seen uses the music to create the creepy feel. Half of the time, what is going on in the movie isn't that scary, but the music that goes along with it makes it that way. I cannot think of a better use of music in movies. However, with sappy movies, they use inspiring or subtle happy music to emotionally connect the viewer to the scene. I think music triggers emotions more so than watching an event, and that is why music is such a large part of movies. Think of Jaws, the two note melody that goes with the shark's arrival in a scene always creates an eerie feeling. I think since most people listen to music daily, they have more of a connection with it. When it is used in movies, the feeling is stronger because we can relate to music, and the we hear the sounds and immediately relate them to certain feelings.

Musical encounters

One place I encounter music is before a lacrosse game. In the locker room, the team usually has rap playing, or something loud. On the way down, I usually have my iPod in, playing either rap, or Rage Against the Machine, or something with a similar feel to it. The reason we choose this music is because the loud beats create a rush. We get "pumped up" with the loud music, and it helps us get in the mindset of playing a game. I think part of it too is that we've gotten used to hearing the music before a game, so we associate it with getting ready for the game. I don't listen to rap all that much outside of lacrosse, and if I do, it brings the same mindset. The same goes with Hard rock, I don't listen to that nearly as much as I used to outside of lacrosse. Its something about the loud music that gets energy flowing and helps mentally prepare me for playing a game. It gets me out of the relaxed mood, and gets me in the energized mood for lacrosse.

Top 5 Songs

This has got to be the hardest post, and decision ever. There are so many great songs, and there are also many different reasons for liking each one. Even picking the songs are hard enough, there is no way I could put them in a particular order. Here's my best shot at the moment:

1. Afro Blue by John Coltrane: The soothing sounds of Coltrane's Saxaphone, and the melody which it follows is just perfect to me. It has just the right mix of instruments so that it has a very full sound, while also not being over done. The classic jazz feel is great in this song, and there is so much that can be done with this song, that when other musicians cover it, they can add their own feel to it, but it still is a great song.

2. Cissy Strut by The Meters: This is another song that is covered by so many artists, yet it never gets old. From people like The Dirty Dozen Brass Band to John Mayer, this classic funk song is hard to mess up. I can always turn to it to get me feeling right. The Meters version is so simple, just a guitar, bass, drums, and organ, but the rhythms and each individual part flow together so well. I'm no dancer, but this song is one that always makes me want to groove.

3. Thriller by Michael Jackson: Who hasn't heard this one? Even so, it is just a great song. Michael had to make the list, no doubt. My favorite part of this song is the bass line. I don't exactly know why, but it is just so catchy. And the music video/ mini movie that went with it was excellent. The background band was solid all the way through. Definitely a classic.

4. Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan: This song is very catchy in of itself, and is just a classic. But what really makes it for me is Larry Carlton. The studio guitar player who worked with many famous artists just completes the song. Although it was recently ruined by Kanye, it is just a great song, and is one I can never get sick of.

5. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen: To be honest, it is more than just this song, but the entire album of Born to Run. He was so young when he put this album out. A few years back, I saw his documentary on making this album, and I highly recommend it if you get a chance to watch it. He was such a young guy who had this huge band of older guys, and he wanted it to be so perfect. He worked extremely hard on making this entire album. The lyrics are great, the music is catchy, and he's The Boss, hard to argue with that. It doesn't hurt that I grew up listening to his music, and this specific song triggers many memories.

Well, that is my list. And rightfully so, this was the hardest thing to do. There were so many songs that should be on this list, but this is my personal choices. You know, it's really hard to chose 5 songs that are the "best" when there are so many songs and genres to choose from. I know I'll continue to think about this for days to come also. Oh well, what's done is done.

Bad Music

I hate the new Green Day song, the one about an enemy or something. It is so repetitive, and seems to surround me at every given opportunity. What is really disappointing about it, is that I used to be a huge Green Day fan. I mean, c'mon, "Dookie" was one of the best albums of the 90s in my mind. The Green Day of the 90s were way better than what we hear now. I think they are a great example of major-label artists that were ruined by the increase in size. This is one of the main reasons that it is so hard for me to listen to this song. Even their persona changed. They once sported mismatched clothes, and went for the "punk rock" look, and are all now wearing all black, eye make-up, and ties? That's not the Green Day I once knew and loved. Although their demise was several years ago, the two most recent albums have really turned me against them. Yes, this all relates back to the song, the enemy song, what ever it may truly be called. For me, it is the song that never ends, you know, the one that goes on and on. So not only is it repetitive, annoying, and terrible, it represents more than that, it represents the demise of what once was.

The Buying and Selling of Music

Personally, I feel that the influence money has on the music industry has caused bands with original sounds to have trouble making money with their unique music. The mainstream music, in the respective genres, all sound so similar, and that is what the corporate producers are doing to the artists these days. If there is a particular sound that is selling, then the large producers are going to try and produce music that will sell, so artists will have to change their sounds, or they won't make any money. One example that is fresh in my mind, is the Avett Brothers. I would classify them as an Alt. Rock trio with a kind of strong bluegrass influence. They have guitar, banjo, and upright bass, and they use vocal harmonies similar to that of bluegrass. They used to be on a smaller label, but their last album was with Columbia records, and even produced by Rick Ruben, a large name in music production. And to me, their new album doesn't have that "raw" sound that they used to, and are overproduced. While there are some elements from their past, it just seems like this change to the large label has caused them to change to what would be more popular. As I said in my last post, a lot of music has lost its purity because of the drive for higher record sales. Also, everyone turns to those "unheard" bands who have a unique sound, or small following, but the sad thing is that as more people get into those bands, the higher chance there is for them to turn to a major label, and possibly change the sound that everyone originally loves.

Music in my Daily Life

For me, I use music in every aspect of my day as possible; while I do homework, walk to and from class, while running, and so on. I have always incorporated music into my day for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I always listened to music with my brothers, and took piano lessons. Later, I learned guitar and listened to music on my own. My one brother makes a living as a musician, and his influence on my musical taste has made my library grow, and given me even more music to surround myself with. I experience music through playing it, or listening to it on my computer or MP3 player. The portability of music is remarkable, and I believe it has created a culture where people are constantly surrounded by music by their own choice.

I see music culture as something that you are born into. Especially in the more traditional places, or developing places, music is a way of communicating and is very traditional. It is easier for me to think of musical culture, and picture more traditional music of traditional groups, such as Indians, or native tribes of Africa. However, in America today, you don't see many tribal rituals with drums, singing and dancing. So, in my eyes, musical culture is the music that you are surrounded by your entire life. To me, when I hear blues, I instantly think of my childhood, and growing up surrounded by blues. Also, when I hear Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, or Billy Joel, that also reminds me of the countless hours spent on road trips with those CDs playing. I would consider all of this part of my music culture.

To consider music as art, I tend to listen to the music composition, instraments used, and the talent of the musicians. Also, I always think of "art" as something pure. The same applies to music. In order for me to consider music "art", it would have to have a pure sound, one that is hard to replicate, for pieces of art are generally one of a kind. Certain genres are easier to classify as art, such as Classical, jazz, and classical guitar. I feel like these are very pure and are generally one of a kind. I would hardly consider most of todays music, especially the mainstream music, art. A lot of it is just music that is made in order to sell records. In many cases, this is the reason that most of today's music has lost its purity.

My Music Culture

I kind of find it hard to define my music culture. Music today is not really linked to anything other than relationships and things of that nature. As far as I can remember, I have been surrounded by blues music. Such musicians as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Albert King have been in my life for quite a while. It first started with my dad, who has always been a fan of the blues, and we always listened to it when I was growing up. Then, my brother started playing guitar when he was in 5th grade, and all he would play was blues. Even now, as a musicians himself, my brother is in a blues trio band. Being around my brother and dad as much as I was, I couldn't help but becoming interested in blues music. My mom, on the other hand, has always been into jazz and classical. Even Jazz could be included in my music culture. Now, it is not always straight jazz, but that is definitely a large part of it. Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane were always being played at my house and in my moms car. These styles have really shapped my music taste today as well. Even though I listen to many other genres, like rock, fusion, and bluegrass, I still have many of these blues and jazz artists on my ipod and playlists. Also, other musicians from today that have blues or jazz influences I tend to be attracted to. John Mayer is one of those people. Everytime I listen to him, I hear the heavy influence of Stevie Ray Vaughn, and some Buddy Guy influence as well. I don't always like his lyrics or every one of his songs, but I like to listen to his guitar playing because it reminds me of the music I grew up listening to. Other Artists, such as Derek Trucks, have blues influences as well as funk and jazz. His music is a unique blend of artists ranging from Duane Allman and Elmore James, to Jimmy Herring and B.B. King. All in All, I feel like the heavy influence of Blues on my life has led me to enjoy other artists with similar styles. Even though Derek Trucks is much more of an original sound than John Mayer, the influences behind the music are like those that I believe make up my musical culture.