Yo I made a thread on the best music of 2016 (http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/1418170) and meant to @ you but it slipped my mind and the thread's long dead now, what would you have mentioned?
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have u seen la la land u heckin goof
no but my 13 year old sister owns it on blu-ray so maybe i'll have some sibling bonding time
it's a neato movie for cool happy people
same writer/director as Whiplash, but different because the main guy is a jazz pianist instead of a jazz drummer and as such the whole thing is a lot more pleasant b/c pianos are for civilized people
You probably already know i dislike Whiplash but this seems very different so i'll prob watch it some point. I've witnessed a 13-year-old girl listening to Ella Fitzgerald because of La La Land so there must be something good about it.
there's also a bit where he plays a 'seaboard', those midi keyboards where you can do kinda like vibrato shit on the keys. They're about 2000$ for the full 88 keys but heck I want one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SCug5kUsBs
I recently discovered that by surfing YouTube videos of Cory Henry (who you should definitely follow and if you haven't heard Snarky Puppy yet go listen to them now). I'd love to try one but i'm bad enough at piano as it is, nevermind a crazy slide-y piano.
I've been trying some jazz again recently. what do you think of Bill Evans? I'm liking some of his stuff but I'm so clueless on the genre that I can't tell whether I'm listening to the jazz equivalent of Nickelback or the jazz equivalent of the Beatles. The album Undercurrent is what I've been coming back to most, quite like that one
Bill Evans is my fav piano player next to Thelonious Monk. Undercurrent is LITERALLY my #1 jazz duet album. You're doing everything right so far.
Evans was really unique in his chord voicings and influenced a huge wave of artists, and Jim Hall had an amazing ear for melody, he has a giant catalog of memorable single note solos. He's also a cool teacher, he wrote a rad book about jazz guitar.
Gonna quit barraging you with comments in a second but I just noticed Undercurrent is one of the albums you recommended below, that goes to show my memory span
Where could I go looking for "real" jazz that sounds like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMnrl0tmd3k
like, relaxing without just being totally bland and insufferable after a couple listens? I still want to like the genre but more hectic stuff just gets me agitated until I have to hit stop
I like comments, they male me feel connected even though i mostly lurk in the shadows of Clubs & Crews now. To be the stranger on the twisting roads of jazz that points you vaguely in the right direction: You're looking for "cool jazz", and later "modal jazz" if you want a more interesting palette theory-wise. Cool jazz is more "white" while modal was pioneered by Coltrane and the like.
Found another album I like a lot, Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Village Vanguard. It's recorded in a club, so you can occasionally hear people talking and other background noise, but that just adds to it imo and makes the whole thing feel comfier. I actually went and got a vinyl copy of that, though I still don't have a proper turntable.
I haven't played keys in years and only ever had a rudimentary level of skill but lately I've been wanting to go back to it and spending way too much time eyeing up expensive-ass digital pianos. Ryan Gosling made it look easy on camera so there mustn't be much too it ey
Bill's Vanguard record is a classic. A bunch of other artists have recorded albums there, but Evans' is a pillar in jazz.
Also i think you might be me. I just bought a Korg Krome last week for the purpose of improving my embarrassingly bad piano chops. All I've had to play on is an old upright from the '40s that i got for free in pretty poor condition, so i've never dedicated much time to it at all.
Which is better - New York City Cops or When it Started?
I only started listening to Is This It at the start of this year, I had it on my computer for years but it never really 'clicked' or whatever, I think mostly because the title track isn't that good and doesn't really fit the rest of it. Anyway I can't get enough of it now, recently bought it on vinyl as well.
I was torn b/c I like NYCC a tiny bit more and feel that When it Started kinda awkwardly sticks out from the track list, but I liked the american cover art more so I ended up buying an american copy since ultimately I'll be looking at the record more than playing it. It shows up & lo and behold, it's got NYCC on there. Seems they put it back on later pressings. Best of both worlds, though ideally they'd have just stuck both songs on there. I haven't gone into the rest of their discography yet.
I have always said that i enjoy the NYCC tracklist more, but when you asked me that i did a relisten to both in track context i actually think i prefer When it Started overall. Of course both is ideal because i'll take all the '01 Strokes i can get, but between the two pressings i think i've just now switched teams to When it Started.
Also interesting that you're not a fan of the title track. I agree that it's pretty underwhelming compared to the other tracks, but its placement within the tracklist makes it a great opener and introduction to the "whatever dude" attitude that the rest of the album follows. If it were placed in the middle of the record i would be quick to call it a dip in quality, but I love it as an opener.
rate this collection so far u stank ho
http://www.newgrounds.com/dump/item/3f7b8cd11854238aeac7753cc4acd15b
I INITIALLY REPLIED TO ONLY THE SIX RECORDS ON THE LEFT BECAUSE MY PHONE DIDN'T SCROLL TO SHOW ME THE WHOLE IMAGE. DISREGARD THAT IF YOU ALREADY READ IT.
With 0 being neutral balance scale: +4 for Vanguard, Aeroplane, Diamond Day, and Is This It. -1 for Grips cause i thought that one was pretty lazy compared to earlier stuff, though admittedly i didn't hear the whole thing. Revolver isn't bad but i've never been into the Beatles' melody writing. 100% neutral on Bright Eyes/Run the Jewels, and i've heard that "Worry" record. Comes out to +3 overall for my OFFICIAL COMPATIBILITY VALUE.
Dam them Korg's cost a decent chunk, u better be able to craft some absolutely sick rap beats on that thing
Yeah I can go either way on This Is It, both songs both songs are great and When It Started might be better as a standalone track. My preference is probably just because I listened to the NYCC tracklist first, so it sounds 'wrong' when WIS comes on instead. The title track has grown on me at this point but it took a while, at my peak Is This It addiction I just skipped it more often that not. and "whatever dude" sums it up perfectly lol
Exmil and Money Store are by far my favourite Death Grips albums but I still got a lot of mileage out of Bottomless Pit too. Spikes and Three Bedrooms are two of the greatest songs they've ever released imo, and Houdini, BB Poison, Ring a Bell and the title track are great too. I like that they were willing to go back to simple, short and catchy songs with a focus on hooks after putting out much more experimental and ambitious stuff, while at the same time trying to incorporate the sounds of every previous project. It doesn't feel like a regressive step even though it's purposely more accessible (& I think it was a deliberate choice esp considering they have "VERY SHALLOW LISTENING" on the back of the LP sleeve, lol).
All that said, the first two tracks (Giving Bad People Good Ideas and Hot Head) are up there as two of my least favourite tracks they've ever released, and a couple other tracks never really clicked with me. Mixed opinions overall then but the good vastly outweighed the bad for me.
Did you mean you *haven't* heard that Worry record? It's Jeff Rosenstock, been addicted to it for the last few weeks. Would highly recommend.
On a Strokes related note, if you haven't listened to Julian Casablancas & the Voidz you should. They only have one record so far but are working on another. It's a fantastic side-project.
I honestly have a tough time with Death Grips. There's a lot of stuff on Exmilitary/TMS that I really like, but I have trouble taking them seriously past those records. It gets into "extra ironic post-modernism" territory and I find it sorta fun but ultimately off-putting after one listen. I think 'Niggas on the Moon' is the only release of theirs I've listened to more than twice since TMS.
Yeah, I HAVEN'T heard that Worry record. Typing is hard. I've seen the album cover float by a couple of times in various places, but I've never given it a try. Guess it'll go on my eternally growing backlog.
I actually somehow didn't know Julian's surname was Casablancas. Wtf that's the coolest name I've ever heard.
How would you rank the rest of Strokes' discography? I've listened to most of them once at this point but not enough for them to sink in
the Grip Dips are a bit of a mixed back for me overall as well but they've had such a diverse sound that I look forward to every new release, even if I don't love each one. It's interesting you singled out NoTM since that's the peak of their experimental bullshit imo, Jenny Death is a lot more conventional and Bottomless Pit to me felt like a purposeful return to TMS-style catchiness.
The way I'd rate them, ExMil was great, TMS took a few listens to get used to but now it's my favourite of the lot.
No Love Deep Web never clicked for me at all but there's a few tracks I like. Gov. Plates to me just took NLDW's style and made it boring, even though I listen to it more than NotM for example I think it's definitely their least interesting or exciting record.
NotM I've only listened to a couple times through and don't know how I'd rate it, it's interesting but not really enjoyable though I appreciate just how out-there DG is willing to get. Jenny Death I felt brought them back on track with more of an obvious rock influence, Why a Bitch Gotta Lie is a monster of a track and On GP is a fan favourite. Bottomless Pit feels a bit of a regressive step after all this experimentation but when it's been 4 full releases and several side projects since TMS I think it was the right move. The first couple tracks can fuck off again though. I don't know what to make of the new EP/single whatever thing they released, Crouching Tiger. I only listened through once but it sounded like a continuation of BP's first tracks for the most part.
I'm still spinning Worry, excellent album man. The second half goes all abbey road with short songs that flow together. Jeff by all accounts seems like a rly swell dude but I haven't looked much into the rest of his stuff yet He used to be front man of Bomb the Music Industry and Arrogant Sons of Bitches if you know those.
Is This It > Comedown Machine > Room on Fire > Future Present Past > First Impressions of Earth > Angles
I think a big part of why people have such an attachment to Death Grips is because it's the first "experimental" music that they really latched on to. That's in no way a bad thing, in fact I think it's great, but I didn't initially find their music challenging like a lot of people did because I had already been accustomed to the popular "out there" music like Zappa, harsh noise artists, and abrasive free jazz. Despite it being virtually unheard of in the hip-hop and rap scenes, the less accessible aspects of their music never pushed me away. I think a lot of the sonic qualities they employ in their music are interesting, but in terms of their composition I never have any drive to go back and relisten, because I feel like I've absorbed most of what I can from the first listen or two. It's fun stuff, but mostly a one-and-done for me.
EDIT: wow that death grips novel sounded really pretentious. I just wrote an overly articulated version of "they're fun but it gets boring once you're used to the weird sounds"
also did you see Baby Driver
No, I'm not good at movies.
You're probably right in that DG fans haven't been exposed to other weird music but I otherwise don't agree at all tbh. Not that I'm well versed in experimental music at all either but DG has an incredible balance of sounding unique and abrasive while still being extremely catchy and memorable, and don't get me started on those esoteric lyrics. Not only does each release sound completely different but there's always at least one turbo earworm that gets stuck in my head for ages. I practically had Spikes and Three Bedrooms on repeat for weeks each and at that point they no longer had a weirdness curve for me to get used to. TMS and Exmil still haven't gotten old and I've played both to death.
I wouldn't say I found it particularly challenging either though, I didn't like TMS and gave up after one listen, later on I tried Exmilitary and liked it immediately and then by the time I tried TMS again it was pretty much what I was looking for. People post about how they didn't get TMS but forced themselves to listen to it until they liked it & I just think they must be mental. There's some records like Danny Brown's Atrocity Exhibition where it took a few listens to get used to but it was interesting and compelling enough for me to come back to it in the first place, it's not like I forced myself because pitchfork told me to but that's literally how some people approach it.
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Baby Driver was the heckin best shit I've ever seen tbh, it's by Edgar Wright who did Spaced, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim etc. and about a getaway driver with tinnitus who uses music to drown it out, so for the whole film music is playing and it syncs up to varying degrees with what's happening. it's masterfully made
Also the main character Baby uses an ipod so it's got people all nostalgic for them again, I wanted to get an ipod classic on ebay but shit's expensive and I actually have the most recent ipod nano that i still use constantly anyway. WHAT TYPE OF IPOD DID YOU HAVE DUDE
Maybe DG is just another artist whose writing style I'm apathetic toward, I'll listen to it but it doesn't REACH INTO MY SOUL or anything. Oh well.
I'll'll try to watch it at some point, though I say that about every movie and it virtually never happens. Don't think I've watched a single film since before summer started
I was an original iPod Nano boy at first and then moved on to the SansaClip+ because I'm A HIPSTER GOOF THAT'S BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE AROUND ME. Now I just have a 64GB phone filled with tunes and not much room for anything else and a pair of earphones in my pocket all day.
But what about the bit where Stefan is like FLAT LINE OF CHALK DRAWN ROUND THE BLOCK TOO MANY MARKS DROPPED TO COUNT THE STIFFS, did u not find that relatable
what the hecc is a sansaclip nerd I bet you're one of those who carry around a headphone amp and complain about beats by dre for a living
I got an ipod nano 3rd gen, the one that just looks like a mini version of the classic for my twelfth birthday and used to to death until the battery got unreliable. I dug it out after baby driver, the alluminium back of it is destoryed with scratches and dents & I couldnt find a cable for it but any music on there is liable to make me cringe anyway
I now use the final version of the nano w/ a touch screen but it's only 16gb so I feel I should get something bigger. the current ipod touch has 128 gigs but it's pretty expensive for what it is. I use my phone as well but I still vastly prefer having a separate dedicated music thingy because I'm a tool
they're probably gonna kill off the entire ipod brand within a year or two, sad day abound. I genuinely think they should re-release the classic with huge storage and some upgrades like bluetooth, surely there's a decent amount of people who prefer downloading over streaming and hecl even if they're isnt we'll be the ones laughing when the apocalypse happens and all their music is gone right
On that note what music steaming thing to you use? I'm a spotify boy but I've always found it a pain in the ass to use and the song limit is so frustrating, might switch to crapple musik
ever come across acclaimedmusic.net? I'm considering going through all 6000 songs year by year. nearly 500 hours on the spotify playlist of the whole thing. what think
i don't really stream much at all. I use youtube to sample stuff and then if i like it i'll find a copy through ALTERNATIVE MEANS ON THE INTERNET to stockpile my hard drive. Bandcamp is good but if i want to listen to it more than one once i'll just buy it or slap a zero in the "name your own price" because digital music should cost like a quarter an album not flippinfrickinfrackin $10.
Have you ever heard the masterpiece Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven by Kid Cudi? Try his first or second album first tho if you aint heard them
Ain't even a bar of Cudi has gone through these ears. Will stick in on my hip-hop list which is near empty at this point so it'll prob float to the top quick.
I'm not a cop but what % of your music collection do you reckon was bought legally I'm not a cop tho don't worry I'm not a cop
maybe 5% but it's ok my uncle knows a cop don't worry
wow you could probably out-debt a small country with l all the $ you owe the music infustry at this point god dam ur a menace
Yeah I don't know about digital music prices, esp when some albums approach €20. I wish they were way cheaper and I'd end up spending way more that way, but at the same time they're extremely reasonable next to digital movie pricing which is just flat out retarded tbqh, it can cost up to 30 funbucks to have a film for 48 hours like two months after the theatrical release, and that's on the slim chance they bother making the film accessible outside the US.
Streaming (for both) is a much better solution but I just find it too restrictive for music, and I don't want to be relying on a service I have no control over where things can be taken down over night. And then digital pricing for games are redonkleus too. Like 5€ for an album would do it I think. Tracks should be cheaper too, $1.30+ for one track is pretty damn rough, but at least the album gets discounted when you already own a track.
I have mega respect for artists who offer their stuff to download for free as well as being in the usual itunes etc., Run the Jewels and Jeff Rosenstock have all their albums for free from their respective sites. Although I wish I'd known that before buying RTJ2 on itunes ffffff, that bonus track was NOT worth it
The cost/profit ratio on digital media is just stupid. Also i don't really find streaming any better on a "morality" standpoint. If you're listening to a song for free, it has the same results whether it be through youtube, pandora, or a local file on your hard drive. You're just hearing some tunez without payin' for 'em.
Well that's not really true, they're getting paid when you stream them and the payout per listen on spotify/apple music is drastically higher than on youtube (& that's assuming it's not just a fan upload), and it's significantly higher still on Tidal. If you're playing a free download they get flat nothing.
Granted if I listen to someone 500 times I'm only getting them like $2 but still, they'll be a lot less annoyed knowing that than knowing I got an unofficial download and I'm just listening offline.
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What's frustrating about digital stuff, particularly films is how horribly inconvenient they make it for the paying customer. Digital films are always locked to wahtever program you got it through, you often don't have access to the file and you can't screenshot or anything.
Meanwhile everyone who just torrented it get a nice flexible file that they can do whatever they want with, they can edit it, screenshot it for memes, put it onto virtually any device under the sun and never get told 'no' by some bullshit copyright restriction.
I buy more movies than the vast majority of people I know and there's absolutely no reward for doing so whatsoever. They're purposely making a bad product jsut for the people who go out of their way to support the industry
I assumed fan upload when mentioning Youtube because honestly i forgot there were official Youtube channels that give you an advertisement 1/6th the length of the song.
As for movies, yeah it's honestly awful. The worst part about most of the online digital services is once those websites go away, so do all the films you paid for. You're paying for ACCESS to the films, not the films themselves. I usually only buy physical copies of tv/film, but sometimes that's even harder or occasionally impossible as some series don't even have DVD releases and are only available online.
Jackho
well that's fair enough I guess. I've just plain old lost control of my life, more or less.
Oolaph
pfft who even needs a life