Best 2010 Albums
- Thread starter Bitencourt29
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Cythraul
Active Member
- Dec 10, 2003
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There seems to be this assumption that there is this ideal of a good riff, or a good song, that is just out there in the ether, totally independent of any extra-musical considerations. But I honestly don't even know what that ideal is supposed to be, and I really don't know how people can go on talking about a well-written song without considering what possible meaning or emotional significance that song can have for them. Why is the song good independently of any considerations beyond its sound, texture, etc.? I can't even begin to conceive of an answer to that question because my experience of music has always been wrapped up in meaning and emotional significance. Ask yourself why you were first attracted to metal music. How would you explain that attraction? Maybe you thought something simple, like the stuff sounded heavy, or dark, or whatever, and you liked that. But those are not purely sonic notions. Those are concepts imported from ordinary language, and discussion of music is rife with these sorts of metaphors. My hypothesis for why such talk seems apt is that music isn't just something that sounds cool to us and that we all pretty much have an idea of music as an art form no matter how hard it is for some to articulate or how much some people want to deny it and reduce it all to "sounds cool, bro." So I already need extra-musical concepts, and interpretation, in order to place the music I listen to in a context, and to be able to say "This music does that sort of expression well."
Part of the value of lyrics to me is to add articulation to a musician's vision. Lyrics can act as touchstones that guide the listener toward understanding what the musician is doing. I want some idea of what's trying to be achieved with the album, what sort of thing the artist is trying to evoke. Album covers and song titles serve the same purpose for me. Of course, there doesn't need to be lyrics, and a lot of my favorite music is instrumental, but that doesn't entail that lyrics, imagery, etc. never matter. At any rate, as I've already implied, I don't think there is such a thing as truly absolute music. At least, there's no such thing in my experience.
From my own personal experience, the albums that I only appreciate for the "cool sounding riffs" or whatever are the albums that fall by the wayside and have no shelf life with me. The "it's just music, bro" attitude leads naturally to boring, ephemeral crap like Necrophagist. Think about it.
Part of the value of lyrics to me is to add articulation to a musician's vision. Lyrics can act as touchstones that guide the listener toward understanding what the musician is doing. I want some idea of what's trying to be achieved with the album, what sort of thing the artist is trying to evoke. Album covers and song titles serve the same purpose for me. Of course, there doesn't need to be lyrics, and a lot of my favorite music is instrumental, but that doesn't entail that lyrics, imagery, etc. never matter. At any rate, as I've already implied, I don't think there is such a thing as truly absolute music. At least, there's no such thing in my experience.
From my own personal experience, the albums that I only appreciate for the "cool sounding riffs" or whatever are the albums that fall by the wayside and have no shelf life with me. The "it's just music, bro" attitude leads naturally to boring, ephemeral crap like Necrophagist. Think about it.
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
To be fair there is a fundamental flaw in your understanding of the opinions being put forth; a lot of people (me including) seem to be discussing the visual aspects of the art, not the "emotional" significance of whatever riffs, songwriting, etc. there are in a song (or album, more likely). No one disagrees (who isn't an idiot anyway) that just listening to a riff and going "hm sounds riffy" without trying to understand the emotional or intellectual aspect behind the creation of said riff is stupid.
Rather, it seems that most people putting forth the opinion that music is not necessarily to be judged by the satellite aspects (the visual art and lyrical content, mainly) are saying that the "music" is all that matters in the end, when judging the work. They do not (again, necessarily) discount the possibility of a riff or section of a song having emotional significance. However, it is entirely likely (though assumptive) that these same people are the people who don't consider the emotional and intellectual power of a song and see them as just collections of riffs interpolated by other little musical flourishes. I'm not saying this is right (lol quite the opposite, being an art major) but I'm maybe trying to provide some perspective, because your post may or may not be attacking a straw man.
Rather, it seems that most people putting forth the opinion that music is not necessarily to be judged by the satellite aspects (the visual art and lyrical content, mainly) are saying that the "music" is all that matters in the end, when judging the work. They do not (again, necessarily) discount the possibility of a riff or section of a song having emotional significance. However, it is entirely likely (though assumptive) that these same people are the people who don't consider the emotional and intellectual power of a song and see them as just collections of riffs interpolated by other little musical flourishes. I'm not saying this is right (lol quite the opposite, being an art major) but I'm maybe trying to provide some perspective, because your post may or may not be attacking a straw man.
VelociBrad
Spawn of Possession
Pyro Stick
Member
Der Weg Einer Freiheit was also one of my favourite releases this year, although its not a new album, but the drums were rerecorded and it finally got a proper unlimited release.
rms
Active Member
Krow
Garbage Connoisseur
Einherjar86
Active Member
Goffdahl
Lappedykker
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
Songd are executed well enough but the album is severly lacking in memorable melodies.
VelociBrad
Spawn of Possession
amusing coming from you. both of you should get off your high horses about downloading since I buy more than both of you regardless.
rms
Active Member
VelociBrad
Spawn of Possession
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
Cut it out you two (and Guy, you goddamn faggot), and fuck off with the anti-downloading shit. This forum operates on a "don't ask, don't tell" policy (which will never be repealed because it isn't a fucking civil right to know how other people acquire and listen to the music they listen to) when it comes to downloading/purchasing.
Seriously, stop it. And happy birthday again Brad.
Seriously, stop it. And happy birthday again Brad.
mutantllama
Active Member
Master_Yoda77
Juggalo
mutantllama
Active Member
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