Long time no see mixtapers (we are going to need a better name for anyone who reads this regularly, I think we should have a poll). This week’s theme really got me excited, then I realized I know jack about production. I am still excited, it just means I have had to go another route to come up with some nominees for best supporting actor.
As I have mentioned before, my taste in music has been scattered over the years. So once again today’s songs are going visit three different time periods in my music development.
Song 1: Many people do not know the genre Trip-Hop, but they more than likely know a song or two that falls under it. That is because Guy Ritchie likes it in his movies and a certain theme song for a show called House might fall under the trip-hop umbrella. Massive Attack (“Teardrop” for House and “Angel” for Snatch) are one of the biggest successes in the genre of all time, though the genre only dates back to the 80s or early 90s. They were my bridge between heavier music and where I am today with hip-hop. Their music would most likely be too dark to become a mainstream success, had it not been for some key influences at the right time(s) in their recording careers. Shara Nelson, who later left the band for not having a large enough role, provided some light at the end of the tunnel in their successful debut album blue lines. Most of their music could be described as emotionally heavy, but songs such as “Unfinished Sympathy” lightened the mood of the album, thanks to Shara.
Song 2: This was the first hip-hop CD I ever bought, back when people did things like buy CDs. The best song of the album? I don’t even know if it can be categorized as hip-hop, rock, funk, or anything else, but it does an excellent job of blending them all together. This is one of my favourite tracks of all time! It never gets old, is really catchy, and is a great example of people from different genres being able to collaborate because they are talented musicians rather than rappers or rockers (I sound like a grandpa). Funny story, my mom loved this song when I listened to it in the living room, but never listened to the lyrics. For those of you who haven’t heard the song before, as catchy as it is, it has very dirty lyrics. The whole thing is about making babies with someone else because your partner doesn’t want them. As for best supporting actor, the award goes to Cody ChesnuTT. The drums (?uestlove) and bass (Hub) are pretty much as they are in many of the Roots’ other songs, but Cody’s guitar riff and chorus really bring this track together and puts it head and shoulders above the rest. Enjoy.
Song 3: This was the first song of my first real concert. Muse was my hands down favourite band when I was in grade 9, mostly because of that concert and this song. I had one of their newer CDs and a few random songs like their cover of “House of the Rising Sun,” but this was new to me. Not knowing their older songs I had no idea what I was hearing when this started. The entire place (Kool Haus in Toronto) was black, then the dry ice dyed blue from stage lighting started to creep out, then the piano started. On that last note of the piano when he is drawing out the last word everyone was completely still, then the first guitar chord hits and everyone just jumped at the same time. It was amazing. The nominee for best actor, for their influential role on the band Muse, is Radiohead. Muse have been called Radiohead Lite, mostly for their experimental approach when writing music. Matthew Bellamy is one of the most talented musicians recording today, but I wouldn’t call him the most creative, because it always comes back to Radiohead. Though as I can attest, he puts on one hell of a concert. I have never seen someone do so much running from instrument to instrument in one song, all while singing. Oh yeah, the song is called New Born.
You stay classy, Planet Earth.
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