Starving Artistry

You Will Take Piano, and You Will LIKE it!!

// April 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

I did a search for “Piano Lessons” on Flickr, and this is what came up. I think it’s funny. You should too.

100 Single Women

// April 21st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

Dance it up in London. Beats the pants off that fat guy doing it… if he had any pants. Thanks Killmon for linking!

Elementary

// April 21st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Other

Welp, wrapped up the mixes and recording I’ve been doing with Steve’s band Elementary. I’m sharing a couple of personal favorites from the batch we recorded. I’m pretty pleased with the way they came out. If I ever work with the band again, I think I’d like to spend more time on guitar work, get some more varying and complementary tones. 

As it is, they have this retro vibe going for them anyway, so like i said, the project came out well. Especially since they’re just using them as demos (I think they could definitely sell them).

Anyway, here are the songs, enjoy!

X-Ray Kids – Elementary
[audio:xraykids.mp3]

Cold Comfort – Elementary
[audio:coldcomfort.mp3]

Good Songs – Not Forced Rhymes

// April 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Other

Here’s a sweet little song written by Andy Davis. Don’t mind the video, it’s the only one i could find with the studio recording. This is a good example of lyrics that are written very conversationally, but still rhyme and whatnot. Take the first line for example:

“We’ll rent a comedy, rewind the best parts and we’ll memorize the lines
I’ll call everyone and they can come over if it keeps things off your mind”

I’m teaching it to my guitar class currently. I really like it, enjoy:

Good Songs – Forced Rhyme

// April 19th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Other

When I write songs, I consider lyrics one of my weakest points. When I listen to music, I always end up listening to the melody and stuff more than the words people sing. I’ve often gone a long time really enjoying a song without even knowing what the meaning is… sometimes I even learn the words without thinking about what I’m saying!

Anyway, I was talking to somebody about how if a song has really catchy / good (subjective) music but crappy lyrics, it can still be a mega-hit. People seem to care less about the actual lyrics of a song so long as the tune scratches that itch we have in our brain to hear catchy melodies.

Here is my example for today. This song is only in circulation in Japan, but it illustrates my point perfectly. I personally think it’s stupid catchy (that’s a good thing kiddies), but the lyrics are decidedly lacking. I hate forced rhymes… meaning, rhyming two lines without any coherent thought being conveyed. Take this line for example: 

“Still I end up in a mess, 

Every time I second guess”

Yeah, you can argue that it’s a complete thought, but the way it’s written isn’t natural. It’s forced. A more natrual to say it would be “I always end up in a mess everytime I second guess myself.” Right? But once again, I am not the strongest lyricist, so what do I know? Enjoy the song, ’cause it’s catchy!

I tried to find an example of a song with excellent lyrics but questionable music, but couldn’t think of any. It’s either because I dont listen to lyrics very much, or that I’m right in saying that great music can save a song with crappy lyrics, but the best lyrics in the world can’t save a song that is lacking musically.