I've been listening to a lot of The Wombats recently, after listening to their song "Tokyo -- Vampires & Wolves" on repeat last year, I finally dove into more of their work. Personally, I would classify them as indie-rock because of the hard sound from the electric guitar and drums, added to the slight indie vibe from the lyrics and heavy accent of the lead vocals. I think you should give them a try, because I really like them as a form of simple but fun entertainment. This is a band I would definitely see if they came to Austin:
My favorite song by them is called "Let's Dance To Joy Division"
Another band I've been listening to a lot recently is Nirvana. I really like the hardcore "rock" sound (even though we said you can't really define rock, that's one of my top bands that encompass the stereotypical rock type) and the guitar in most of their songs. I like the classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" but I also like "Heart-Shaped Box," "Come As You Are," "In Bloom," and "Lithium." I don't know the entire life story of the band but I do want to listen to more of their songs and see if they change over time.
Rock to me can be highlighted by its rebellious idea, but overall cannot be simply characterized. I agree with you for the most part, because you can't define rock by the usage of an electric guitar. Some rock is rock with only piano, drums, and a revolutionary idea. Rock can't really be defined by specific instruments, or anything really-- music works because of its ambiguity, its ability to adapt to any person and mold to their personality. Rock is just an element of that, a form of entertainment that you can tailor to your own needs. I see not only rock but music as a form of therapy, of enjoyment, a form that cannot be universally defined because we cannot be universally defined. People are not confined to a single adjective or category, so why should music be? Music can be happy, sad, breathtaking, exhilarating, calming, just like a person can be. If people are able to live as diverse, intricate, complex beings, I believe that music can do the same.
This is my last ACL post, I promise. I just want to show you all of the cool videos I took over the weekend (at least I think they're cool...). Some of these bands I've already talked about, but I'll show them anyway.
I was front row for Vampire Weekend which was so worth the 6 hour wait (I had to sit through Asleep at the Wheel so naturally I had the right to be compensated with entertaining music). Here's a video of "Diane Young" which was really cool because he had the device that distorted his voice as he sang the chorus. Plus I was front row (did I say that already?) which made everything better.
Next came Walk The Moon, which is SUCH a good band. You should really check them out, they had an amazing show. They had a rock-alternative-electro sound going on that is really interesting, plus their songs are catchy, especially the ones with good keyboard sections. This song is called "Anna Sun"
So today in class we had a brief and extremely rare deviation from topic where we discussed Chicago. There are a lot of things I love about Chicago-- particularly the food. I can't really name anything specific (sorry), but I do remember eating everything in sight when I was there, so something must have been decent. Anyway, my mom decided we should take a look at Northwestern University while we had the chance. This was the first college visit where I actually became excited about my academic future. Northwestern is super hard to get into, so I was hoping that I wouldn't like it as much. Needless to say, that didn't happen (I'm applying-- cross your fingers). I loved everything about it, from the mascot to the location to the academic enthusiasm to the random quirks that make it so unique and weird and special. I would love to go there; the access to downtown Chicago is extremely tempting and could yield so many opportunities for me, its insane. Also, I get really into talking about colleges when I actually enjoy them, so I'll try to spare you and show you pictures that I took along the way:
I had to take a cliche "bean" picture. I had to.
We went to the Aquarium which was actually really interesting. We took a ferry across and this was taken as we pulled away. Artsy right.
I cannot WAIT for Wilco on Saturday. (This is a combination of my in-class post/whatever I want post, because Wilco rocks). Again, this is one of the bands I grew up listening to, so I'm familiar with the older stuff. I absolutely love the soft rock, calming sound they have. I listen to Wilco when doing homework, sleeping, and driving-- practically anything that can be done while listening to music. I really like how their songs can be cheerful and randomly about Heavy Metal Drummers, then about Jesus. I assume you already know more about them than I do, but regardless, I'll show you some of my all time favorites:
After last class, I am very upset that I can't see Thao & the Get Down Stay Down. I loved them in class and am listening to them right now! The indie/Asian/banjo sound is really unique but I can't abandon my spot in front of the AMD stage. Yes, I'm waiting for Vampire Weekend all day. Yes, I've seen them twice before. It's fine. However, staying at the AMD stage means I get to see the Court Yard Hounds, which will be pretty great. They're super chill and even though you may have some reservations, I'm excited. I really like them because I grew up with the Dixie Chicks (yes, I do like their cover of "Landslide" don't kill me). After that comes Fun. I really have no desire to see Fun. but since I'll be there anyway, I may as well make the most of it, right? Next comes Vampire Weekend, and no matter how many times I hear them I will never get tired of it. I first heard "A-Punk" when my dad showed me early on, and I've been an avid fan ever since. The new album has some really great tracks that add a fresh twist to their old sound. After Vampire Weekend I will sprint to the Arctic Monkeys, who I really like and I'm so sad that I'm missing them, but I can still catch the last 30 minutes. All will be well. They have a cool British rock sound that I think you'll like, here are some of my favorites:
"Do I Wanna Know?"
"Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" (this one rocks; it's my favorite so far)
"I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor"
here's a live version, since I know you like those---
After the Arctic Monkeys I'll stop by Purity Ring. They have a really cool song called Fineshrine
here it is live-- he has this table thing that looks awesome...
So I don't know the entire history of Franz Ferdinand, but I always think of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austria-Hungarian Empire and how people claim that his assassination was the cause of World War I, which is false. (we just did our WWI unit in history so I decided to throw this in here...) I'm sure you know but it was cause by a tangle of alliances and militarism and all that. Anyway, the song "Take Me Out" is special to me in a way. When I was a kid my dad would always drive my sister and I out to eat, playing Spoon or Jack Johnson or Beck. Basically I grew up with some really great bands under my belt. "Take Me Out" was one that my dad and I both love and would play in the car continuously. I always remember our head-banging self-proclaimed jam sessions on the way to soccer practice. For the past two years my dad has been commuting to College Station where he works for Texas A&M, so needless to say our 'jam sessions' are cut short. I like to turn this song on and remember my childhood, in both a cheesy and legitimately sentimental sort of way. It's a great song regardless of any personal affiliation-- my favorite part is at 0:54 when the beat slows to a steady base drum rhythm. It's such a dynamic song with the change of tempo and iconic guitar that makes me want to learn how to play. I can't wait to see them at ACL; I'll have to embarrass my dad in front of his friends and make him watch them with me.
Also I was just listening to this song in the background while writing this and didn't really watch the music video. But from what I did see...it looks kinda weird. You be the judge.
