In this first blog post, I would like to talk about my interest in the magazine entitled "Alternate Press". The focus of this publication is about a version of today's popular music, but in a sense, not the popular music that many individuals would think of at the comment of this term; 'popular'. I speak of it as popular music for the reason that many people I am close to, and many people that I imagine many of us know, do in fact listen to this style of music. To help paint a better picture of the genre, or genres, I am talking about, I would like to list (although this can be very difficult to accurately categorize certain bands) some genres of music that this publication would cover. These might be, Metal (somewhat different today from the 80's version), Screamo, Indie, and Hardcore to name a few.
The reason for picking this particular publication was simple; I am a very big fan of many artists that they cover. I look to this magazine to get news about bands and read interviews, as well as look for upcoming concerts to attend. It seems to me (because I am yet to find another) that this is the best magazine for a lover of these genres such as myself.
I feel that 'my' style of music is very unheard in the realm of today's music where many artists that would be thought of as popular consist much of Hip hop, softer rock, and country western. These genres get much more public attention that the music that my friends and I listen to on a regular basis. It seems to me that more and more people are picking up on the idea that Metal and other 'heavy' genres of music don't actually carry the idea that they are 'preaching for the devil' and other negative ideas. I would love to make more people aware of the powers of these genres, such as empowerment through vocals, and messages of societal change. I have come to live by and trust many of these artists for direction through hard times in life, and I feel that many more people might find these messages to be helpful to them as well.
I hope this publication never dies, because I personally need to know what's happening in my 'world of music' that would otherwise go unsaid and unnoticed.
Perhaps you can humor your middle-aged, not-so-hip-anymore professor: how do you define and distinguish the genres of metal, screamo, indie and hardcore? Perhaps more important, what are some examples of bands or songs that exemplify each? And perhaps most important, what specific attributes of specific songs can you point to that help to achieve the benefits you describe, including “empowerment through vocals” and “messages of societal change?” What kinds of people might be helped by exposure to this music? Am I among them?
ReplyDeleteWell, I think I have an answer to all of your questions, and they are all very good questions, but I must say that some of the things might not be 100% strait forward because it is very difficult to explain.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, you ask how I distiguish certian genres from one another, and this is perhaps the most disputed thing I have encountered in my music. There are countless genres in this 'realm' if you will, and many times they overlap into something that can't be given one genre. For instance; many bands that I label as Metal, may actually have sub-genres such as Metalcore, which has a very melodic taste to it. Two very popular artists in this sub-genre would be As I Lay Dying, and August Burns Red. And death metal which has very fast beats and deep growling vocals such as the band Salt The Wound. I give these bands the label of simply Metal because I found it too difficult to have conversations about syles of music with people. Everyone has thier own interpretation of the genre and it becomes messy. Even bands in this area have stopped labeling themselves with a genre.
When I talk about 'screamo' I mean bands such as Senses Fail, Funeral for a Friend, and From Auntumn to Ashes, among MANY MANY more. When I say Hardcore i am talking about bands such as It Prevails, The Bled, and For The Fallen Dreams. Each of these bands could be given a different genre as well, depending on who is talking about them.
As you can see, this realm of music is much diffrent than Hip hop and country western where the genre lines are much more defined and rigid.
Ok, Now to answer your question about specific songs that carry the messages that I spoke about in my post... I have found two songs; each covering one of the themes. If you would, Please listen to the track and read the lyrics that I have posted with them (you will need to lyrics in writing beacuse I'm sure it will sound like a foreign language to you at first).
For 'Empowerment through vocals' I have found a track entitled "Thirst For A Better End" by Portland's own It Prevails. As a side note, this band, although I call them 'hardcore' labels themselves as 'inspirational'.
http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/itprevails/theinspiration.html#4
^^^^^ These are the lyrics to the track, please find #4, and the song is posted below here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaYb3si9sbk&playnext=1&list=PLABF52300DB6890CC
For the song about societal change, I found the song called "An American Dream" by one of my favorite artists, "August Burns Red". This song is more about creating an understanding for people and getting them to see what is really happening in our world, rathar than preaching about change. I think it has the same ideas as what i was talking about in my blog post.
The lyrics to things song have been added to the video, so it will read you the words as the song plays. Excuse, or maybe ignore the visuals that are provided! They may actually hurt the message of the song rather than help it along.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvzR-hFv-RE
MORE IN THE NEXT COMMENT!!
Now for your last question. I assume that you have listened to the two different songs now, excuse me if I'm wrong, but I bet you would prefer something that is.... less "screamy"?
ReplyDeleteI think this is the problem, but one that I have come to accept. You ask who would be helped by this music, and I think the answer is simply, EVERYONE. I know that it's difficult to get passed the vocals, but within the songs there is so much energy, and emotion. I feel as if I have showed you that.
On the surface, anyone can see why it gets a bad stigma, but once one finally listens closely and understands the music in full, it can have a real impact on a life. For me, sometimes when I listen to a song, it gives me goose bumps, and I know that the music reached me at a deep level.
I can talk about this all day because music is the one thing that I find to be real in life. if you have anymore questions, please ask! I would love to talk more about this.