In a rotten mood on Sunday, melancholy and stuck, I listened to an album filled with reminders and debilitating feelings. It was my own fault, but as I putzed around listening to those bittersweet sounds it was a choice rather than a requirement. I wanted to dip into my feelings even if they left me wandering, searching for something, anything to do. Some of those songs have made their way onto previous playlists and in lieu of adding more of the same wood to the fire I searched for a different theme.
This (last) week's playlist rises and falls much like the way my mood did on that Sunday. I have an incredible soft spot, something I'm not embarrassed to admit, and a side that enjoys dark, angry music that allows me a space to get my frustration out. Interwoven here are tracks that I thoroughly enjoy that also make me feel.
Knock Three Times - In another addition of the naivety of Patrick, I was first introduced to this song just under a week ago. In the few days since my first listen I've turned "Knock Three Times" into my top played track and have even learned 90% of the lyrics. It's a catchy track that hooked me immediately.
I stood in amazement as a group of my friends danced around singing and laughing amidst strobe lights that made me feel like I was dreaming. I could feel the energy and I joined in, but I had to lean in with intrigue and ask the ever embarrassing question - "who is this?" Appropriately, I was met with multiple confused looks as they would have assumed I had already heard such a legendary track.
I love the sentiments in this song, the way the story evolves, the incredible hooks it holds. The incorporation of the lyrics into the beat of the song stands out like a chef's kiss. Whenever I hear songs like this I stop to think and decipher what's happening. There's song writing and then there's clever song writing. "Knock Three Times" flies into my point of reference and makes me think about things I've never considered. I want so badly to write an effective, passionate love song, but one's like this seem so out of reach. Am I not clever enough, perhaps, but maybe it's just because I haven't had experiences such as this? I'm too vanilla.
"Mandatory Suicide" has quickly become my go to track when I sit behind the drum set. I set out to learn some of the songs on Slayer's South of Heaven because of my fascination for its drum parts. This record has cemented itself as my favorite thrash metal album and my top Slayer offering. That very unpopular opinion comes from a love for slower, harder hitting (in a different way,) metal/hardcore songs. The precision, simplicity, and power behind these tracks hits you from all directions. The drumming of Dave Lombardo has to be some of the most impactful on my style even though I'm nowhere near the level he is not to mention the fact that I don't play metal music or use the double pedal in even a mediocre way.
After learning, in my own abbreviated way, "South of Heaven" and "Spill the Blood" I let the album play through while I sat with my sticks. I listened for parts I'd be able to play and songs that felt fun to play. "Mandatory Suicide" holds that simplicity flag up as it terrorizes your ears in an Un-Slayer way while simultaneously using all their characteristics to create a memorable, slower Slayer track.
The only part where I decide to put down the sticks is the very end. As the godfather of the double pedal sets off on a run it reminds me of how I need to get back to practicing, as slow as possible.
That's the Way - Whenever I get a chance to have a solo round of golf, I pop on music in the style of Led Zeppelin's discography on shuffle. For whatever reason I seem to golf better when I'm listening to these boys play. In another anomaly, the tracks that hit me harder, get me more in the zone, are the ones I rarely hear. I love Zeppelin's hits, the classic radio spins, and songs of legend, but the deep tracks put a smile on my face and give me a better picture of how incredibly talented this band was.
Even though I wasn't alone I still put Zeppelin on, like I always do, in my pocket, moderate volume. My father and I went golfing for his birthday and without any protests he sat next to me as the tunes flowed through the air. "That's the Way" served as one of the deep cuts that helped ground me during our round. The ethereal vibrations, the lightness of the track helped me to get in the zone or out of the anxious zone at least. The air was crisp, the sun was warm on my face, and the sounds of nature (abbreviated silence) coupled with Zeppelin provided a pleasant scene for a lovely afternoon with dad.
Family Portrait - Another drum track that drew my attention and pulls me into the inner workings of a song - "Family Portrait" falls into the category of hardcore/metal songs I love and want to learn. Much like the rest, I do my best to recreate the tracks parts, but with interpretation and lack of skill I throw out an offering that would get me a passing score on Rock Band.
Manners serves as a certain mood music for me at times when I need to get pumped up and at times when I'm feeling down. It seems a bit odd when I think about it, but it makes sense to me in the realm of feeling when I say that heavy music is a consoler when I'm in a down mood. The chaos and noise are almost a distraction from everything that's happening around me. I think it works in that way in both senses because it allows me to dissociate from my problems. There's too much going on and the audio noise masks my brains view of what's in front of me or what's floating around haunting my mind.
"No Reply" is, in "simple" terms, a track that I can't stop thinking about when I'm thinking about it, but one that isn't there when I'm not. The hook in the first nine seconds of the song is all that I need to keep my brain going. It is all that I need to sing on repeat over and over again. It makes me wish the song was shorter or longer, but only if it contained that same melody and lyrical cadence. Maybe if it was just that first line over and over again.
While I love the Beatles and think they are every bit of genius they are made out to be, I find this track as one of theirs that I don't enjoy so much. They have their incredible offerings and then they have some songs that fall flat. Seemingly, a filler track to round out the album quota, "No Reply" is a good song really, but it's not great. The problem with it, in my eyes, is that it starts too damn good. "This happened once before when I came to your door no reply" is the entire song. The rest of the lyrics can't keep up and it ends up falling from the top of the mountain to where it crashes at the bottom. It's just my expectations getting in the way.
Lawman - I stumbled across this song on a bit of a Spotify dig. Moving from artist to artist getting a little taste of how they are connected. Gilla Band intrigued me. The unusuality of their music piqued my interest and in a search to fill out the last heavy spot on this playlist I decided to place this track in there.
I can't decide if I really enjoy it or if it's simply different. Often I'll listen to a track for the first time and add it to my liked songs. Upon my return I find that I'm not that into it as I thought I was. Some grow on me and pass the secondary test, but most get the plug pulled never to be heard again. "Lawman" is walking on a thin line. I haven't decided what I want to do with this one.
"Sitting Still" felt like a track that I had already added to one of these playlists. That's why when the idea of "Sitting Still" came to mind I had to search through my Spotify to find it and determine why It had eluded me thus far. What seems to have happened is the fact that I discovered Michael Rault and this track before I started making these playlists. Definitely a track I'd want to showcase here, I'm happy to finally include this one.
Despite the extended intro without band accompaniment, "Sitting Still" has become a wonderful song to play along to, with its free reign to improvise and add to the groove of the track. The playing grabs your attention because even though it is in 4/4 it feels a bit off at times. The drums play a vital part in giving this track a unique feeling that may not immediately stand out, but one that adds to the allure.
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