Music Appreciation

I wanted to start this entry with the question: why is it so expensive to go and see a fantastic band? Honestly, I know and appreciate the answer. CD and record sales suffer so much these days from pirated music that revenue has to come from somewhere else. Thus, merchandise and live performance become the main bread-winner for bands. Beyond me being annoyed at my reservations on spending nearly fifty dollars to see one of my favorite bands, I can respect the high price. Live music is such a fantastic experience and although in a Utopia, people would share it for free, we're living elsewhere and thus, we have to pay for the artist's lunches and new guitar strings. I can come to terms with this (although, not so much right now when I'm lacking full-time employment!) and I know that I will fully take advantage of the ability to enjoy wonderful music entertainment and put money toward a band that I love and appreciate.

Additionally, many bands are making their live performances more entertaining of a show than simply playing music. Not to say that we wouldn't be pleased by paying the fee and listening to our favorite bands play, but we can't possibly be disappointed if they also put on funny hats and dance around the stage! The last show I attended (and sadly, there are a rare few shows I've actually gone to-a problem I hope to remedy in the near future!) had a partial orchestra on the stage, costumes, many impressive guest performers, and a large screen overhead that played accompanying videos to the music. Although this did make me briefly think of the many churches who have now adopted jesus screens up front to direct their flocks a-signing (an epidemic that even I as a non-religious individual can't help but feel draws from the organic intentions of religion), I soon saw the merit of it. The theater was rather large (and I at the back of it!) and the screen acted as additional entertainment for those who weren't granted the joys of seeing the band's sweat stains.

On that note, I'd just like to brag a bit about the Fleet Foxes. I'm often an artist hoarder; we all know that classic problem where fantastically talented little-known bands grow in popularity and all of a sudden, their music fails to incite the same brilliant sounds that we used to hear. The difficulty with choosing a profession that thrives off the masses is that you have to keep appealing to them. Thus, many artists choose to change their unique style to gain more interest from a wider demographic and then, they lose their unique sound and my ear.

That stated, the other side holds an equally disappointing prospect for bands. If you discover an underground group and hoard them to you, they may never gain enough popularity to continue donating their time to creating the music you love! Then, they fall off the music scene and you collect their few songs to you, wondering what they may have become if they'd just had more time!!! Thus, I'm going to try to stop keeping my lips zipped about my favorite bands!

Luckily, I don't think that the Fleet Foxes really need much of my promoting. They already have good standing in many music communities and I think that their talent speaks for themselves. To me, they embody this wonderful feeling of frozen time. I don't know why, but recently I've been drawn to images and sounds that seem to be faux 70s stuck in present time. I understand that this makes no sense. I'm working on describing this phenomena but it's awfully difficult! Anyhow, the Fleet Foxes bring this feeling to life for me. Their harmonies are elegant, filling, classic, and brutally honest. I listen to them (and Radiohead) every day while I'm writing. This is a new habit, as up until now I've often felt like music distracted from my work. But recently, I've been using my enjoyment of these bands and others to induce creativity into my prose! I think it's working out well.

Back to the Fleet Foxes: I'd fallen in love with their music a while ago but when they released their newest cd, I felt a bit disappointed at first. I wasn't sure if I really liked it and I didn't spend a lot of time giving it a chance. This is an odd problem with me and music; I often judge a band a bit too quickly and then, years later, I'm crazy about them. For instance, I've had the Fleet Foxes on my computer and iPod for at least three years (and listened to them occasionally). It's only been within the last year that I've discovered that their music is so very, very wonderful. Perhaps this is just my taste changing and maturing. Still, I decided that I didn't like their new cd and now, I can't imagine why. It is very much up to par with their other music and most impressive.

Beyond their musical talents, I think they are fantastic lyricists. One song I can't stop listening to ("The Shrine/An Argument"-Helplessness Blues) has a line in it that says, "In the ocean, washing off my name from your throat." This is the kind of writing that I really appreciate because it makes you stop and truly consider it. This type of line doesn't pass you by, barely noticed. For me, you can't just sing to the Fleet Foxes, you have to think about it too. I can't help but be terribly curious about their music and what it means. This is a great frustration in my life! Whenever I'm attracted to music like this, I always have this desire to understand what exactly the song was written about, for whom or what, and what it means! Of course, the mystery of music is that with the greatest bands, they'll never tell you and that's what hooks you and keeps you interested.

Alright, I've probably spoken enough about the Fleet Foxes (is that a real sentence???). Just know that if I've talked you into listening to one of their songs by the end of this blog, I would suggest you start with "White Winter Hymnal." Not to say that you cannot handle "The Shrine/An Argument" because I'm sure you can, but it does have a rather odd ending (the only thing I actually dislike about the song-it's nearly two minutes of confused composition and it's rather uncommon for this band...). If you do want to give it a listen, watch out for this line: "Sunlight over me no matter what I do." It literally rocks you off your chair! It's just that good...

Also, so much for the "five minute rant" that I guaranteed myself...