Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear (2009)

Veckatimist - Grizzly Bear (2009) In three words: Reflective, Harmonious, Earthy

Grizzly Bear is a Brooklyn based alternative rock band, Veckatimest is their third full-length studio album. Their music has psychedelic and folk tendencies, combined an abundance of vocal harmonies. The record is named after a small island Massachusetts, if you're wondering. After the success of their previous LPs, Horn Of A Plenty (2004) and Yellow House (2006), Veckatimest was released on the 26 of May and also received numerous acclaims and awards. To me, the fact that Grizzly Bear has produced an album almost every two years, demonstrates serious ambition. It is also shows though the band's observable planning and intricate details that was put into this fascinating and beautiful record.

Veckatimest opens with Southern Point, a mixture of bustling acoustic guitars and folk-jazz drums. The song then adds riffs and vocal harmonies that phase in and out, making the listener feel free, exhilarated and boisterous. The song is like a journey, frequently changing in tone and pace. Its both disorientating and intricate, a great opener. With lyrics like "our haven on the southern point is calling us" and "in the end, you'll never find" I think the track is about the Island on which the album was recorded and how it is a haven for the band. Next is the single Two Weeks, which is upbeat and cheerful. It centres around a simple piano melodie and indie rock sensibility. With its soaring harmonies, the singer asks "Would you always? Maybe sometimes? Make it easy?" I would say that this is the album's most real moment, the dealings of an intimate relationship. From here, Veckatimest wanders off into quiet, folk daydreams in All We Ask and Fine For Now. Then Cheerleader begins. This track is alluring and harmonious. It combines a choir, folk beats and calming guitar chords. "I'm shooting them myself, I shouldn't let it matter"; Despite its beauty, the song's lyrics come across as bitter or hateful.

The next masterpiece of Veckatimest is Ready, Able. This track has a verse, verse, chorus, chorus structure. This emphasises the slow build up to a surreal swell of riffs, vocalisations, keyboards and drums. This is my favourite track on the record, it's just drenched with an atmosphere that a lot of good bands can't replicate. Ed sings, "they go, we go, I want you to know what I did I did" like a mantra. Overall, I think Ready, Able is a depiction of another love relationship, where the two involved make to decision to seriously be together. After Ready, Able comes About Face and Hold Still. Then the single While You wait For The Others begins with a harsh and unorthodox guitar riffs to wake listeners up from the previous dreamy songs. Veckatimest concludes with Foreground, a simple but haunting piano based song. The album fades out with "This is the foreground. It is the Foreground." backed by an eerie choir. This song has so many possible meanings to me but ultimately, I think it's about the disjunction between intentions and actions. Stunningly beautiful, Foreground is the perfect closer to an incredible album.

Chapter V - Gaia Theory

This is about the closest thing I have to a religion. The Gaia Theory/Hypothesis is basically the idea that living organisms and their surroundings are part of a dynamic system that shapes the Earth's self regulating biosphere. Not to say I don't believe in climate change and global warming, it's very real. So really, the planet itself is an organism itself. I tend to take this idea a bit further. I think that the collective consciousness of every living thing makes up Earth's consciousness. In my mind, that's all any being is; Awareness confined in a physical body.

These kind of thoughts bring me to an idea of absolute equality between all living things. This is why I usually don't kill spiders or support the death penalty. To me every single living thing is equal, has potential and deserves life. You could call me a hypocrite because I'm not a vegan, but this is still a grey area for me. My actions are contradictory to my beliefs. I like to eat meat. I'm sure it's an essential part of our diet. But I strongly disagree with the mass production and exploitation of animals for human consumption.

If you think about, what we do to other species is a bit like racism or sexism. Humanity's disrespect and discrimination against other species than their own can be called specisism. Although we share the planet with other organisms, which contribute to our existence, we have no empathy or compassion for them. This comes from 'Earthlings', a feature length documentary. It's disturbing at times, but please have a watch: http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=6361872964130308142#. Anyway, these are just my silly thoughts.

Chapter IV - Alcohol

In my Psychology course there is a Behavioural Neuroscience subject that is compulsory. This semester we looked at how different drugs work on the brain at a Nero-chemical level. So basically, I'm going to talk about what is happening in your brain when you get drunk. This will also work as revision for my upcoming exam. I have to admit, I am a binge drinker. I have alcohol more for the effect than the taste (except maybe whiskey, its yummy). Being intoxicated is like being someone else who has no worries, thinks everything is funny and is free from the rules that restrict our behaviour. So you can see why alcohol and other recreational drug are so popular. This is my simplified explanation of alcohol's effect on the brain:

The brain works through a system many different brain cells called neurons. Action potentials or neural messages move along the neurons to produce all the different functions or the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help move the action potential from one neuron to the next. Inhibitory (blocking) neurotransmitters called GABA, are active through the brain. These neurotransmitters act to control neural activity along many brain pathways. When GABA binds to its receptor, the neuron is less likely to transmit a neural message. Meanwhile, somewhere else in the brain, another neurotransmitter called glutamate acts as the brain's general purpose excitatroy (makes the neuron more likely to pass on a signal to the next neuron) neurotransmitter. When alcohol enters the brains, it delivers a double sedative action. First it interacts with GABA receptors to make them even more inhibitory. Second, it binds to glutamate receptors, preventing glutamate from exciting the neuron. This leads to a decrease in neural activity in the frontal lobe, which affects motor movement, emotion, decision making and judgement. I'm not supporting binge drinking and alcohol, nor am I condemning it. The choice is yours and so are the consequences.

In Rainbows - Radiohead (2007)

In Rainbows - Radiohead (2007) In three words: Exhilarating, Atmospheric, Complex.
For the first album review, I thought that my favourite band's latest album would be suitable. Sorry if I don't use the right terms, this the first time I've tried this. Radiohead released their seventh studio album, through digital download on their website. They also allowed listeners to pay whatever price they wanted for the album, which created controversy and publicity for the band. Pervious albums like Ok Computer and Kid A were conceptual and took the listener on a journey. So I expected In Rainbows to be the same. However, after listening to the record once, it seemed as if there was no logical flow; just an album of different songs. But after further listening, this was quite true.
The first track, 15 Step, is a mix of skitter electronics, slinky drum beats and hand claps. The song even takes unexpected turns into classical arrangements and children's vocals. The lyrics in chorus are "How come I end up where I started, how come I end up where I went wrong?" All together, it comes across as a chase song; someone pursuing another person through seduction. Then Bodysnachters begins with sonic guitar riffs and progresses into one of Radiohead's best rock songs, in my opinion. Quick drum snares and strangled riffs really grab your attention. Thom Yorke yelps, "I've not idea what you're talking about, I'm trapped in this body and can't get out." I believe this song is about escaping the boredom and sterility of a marriage or being trapped in a role that doesn't fit you. The fourth track, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, is very progressive and slowly builds up to a climax through repetitive drum beats and guitar arpeggios. Somehow, Radiohead actually creates an aquarium atmosphere. Yet the climax of rushing instruments conjures a feeling of urgency. I'd say it's the album's most ambiguous song, with lyrics like "I'd be crazy not to follow. Follow where you lead. Your eyes. They turn me." But my interpretation is that its another escapist song and also hints towards suicide.

Just like Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, House Of Cards creates a surreal atmosphere. Thom's vocals are the best, they've ever been in this track and this is possibly my favourite song on In Rainbows. Tender guitar tunes lull us into and almost unconscious state, while Thom croons "I don't wanna be your friend, I just wanna be your lover." The second last song is Jigsaw Falling Into Place. The song begins with hypnotic acoustic guitars and Thom's alluring hums, which really draw the listener in. It then moves to a climax of swelling riffs and falsetto vocals. There are references to stalking and obsession through lyrics like "Before you run away from me, before you're lost between my notes." and "Jigsaw falling into place. Nothing to explain." I also think the song might be about a date or one night stand situation, gone wrong. In Rainbows concludes with a sombre and almost mourning song, Videotape. The track centres around a piano line and Thom's desolate vocals. I understand the song as a reflection on what has happened and having saying goodbye to it. - "When I'm at the pearly gates, this will be on my videotape." I believe there is also references to the end of a relationship and leaving a record of it behind; "You are my centre when I spin away." and "This is my way of saying goodbye because I can't do it face to face." Then broken drum beats enter to signify a video reel and Thom's voice fades away. This ultimately leaves listeners with a sense of acceptance for what is finished.
Returning to the Idea of a conceptual album, I believe In Rainbows to be an depiction of a complex love relationship. It begins with chase and seduction, and then moves to uncertainty. It slowly progresses through and tackles all the different stages in a relationship; lust, ecstasy, disbelief, rejection, compromise, dependence, obsession and death of a relationship. I love and truly admire how Radiohead can create different worlds within their albums, through musical genius and experimentation and creative lyrics. This is an excellent album.

Chapter III - David Firth

David Firth is a video artist and animator from the UK. His videos are usually cartoons of a dark or humorous nature. Sometimes both. Many of his videos tend to explore disturbing or surreal topics like mental illness or dreams. He's really talented and all of his videos are great, I recommend them. The Jerry Jackson cartoons are especially hilarious.
This is his website: http://www.fat-pie.com/index.html
And this is my favourite video on the site. Enjoy.

A Detailed Analysis/Interpretation of "Pulch - The Good Times"

The term 'Pulch' means 'pretty' when used in categorising plant species. For example, Blanket Flower, Gaillardia Pulchella, is an annual wild flower with pretty blossoms. In terms of the plot, the video's title make sense, in that the pulch bring happiness that you would experience when walking through a lush garden in spring. It is my belief that the 'pulch' is in fact a plant. So through further analysis, one could come to think that this video is promoting the many properties of the earth that provide us with happiness, wellbeing and life. This exemplified when one character celebrates the air itself - "Three cheers for fresh air!" The character of 'Luxembourg' plays a crucial part in the narrative of the story. He is named after the country Luxembourg, which is a land-locked country that borders Belgium, France and Germany. It is a parlamentary democracy, yet it is ruled by a Grand Duke. The country is also divided into three districts. I think the 'Luxembourg ' character is so wise because of these divisions and the different cultures inhabiting him. 'Reassuring Arm' helps 'Luxembourg' cope with the stress of being a divided nation. The coincidental meeting of 'Terry' and 'Derek' shows how all people are able connect and be friends despite obvious differences in culture or background. However, the major problem the viewer will face is why the pulch dies. One important point is that when everyone begins to leave, one character tries to relace the happiness with material objects (Mandolin) but it just doesn't work. On a superficial level, the pulch dies because Luxembourg dies. If you analyse on a deeper level, the death of Luxembourg signifies the death of knowledge. In consequence, the death of the earth and it's inhabitants. The ultimate message is that we must strive for knowledge and truth and respect our planet because it provides us with so much.

Yeah, I've been thinking about this video for a while.

Chapter II - Salvador Dali

I don't have many 'heroes' or inspirations in life, but Salvador Dali is someone I really admire and look up to. If you dont know him, he was a Spanish artist who specialised in surrealism. He lived from 1904 - 1998 and was renowned for his eccentric and enigmatic personality. For some reason, i began to respect him and the things he said over his lifetime. He was so intelligent, different and so far ahead of his time. For this he was criticised by many people. This is his wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Dal%C3%AD

These are some of my favourite quotes:

"Surrealism is destructive, but it only destroys what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision."
"The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents."
"Those who do not want to imitate anything produce nothing."

Chapter I - Introduction

This site is going to have a few purposes. I've always wanted to write reviews for music and albums, as music is one of my passions. So i figured this was a good way to do it. I will probably add things about my life, but i dont want it to be centred around me. When I find pictures, videos or articles that interest me, I'll also put them in. I want to become more aware of everything that happening around me; in my community and on a global scale. Sometimes it's like I'm detached from everything and just let it pass by. Well not anymore. In the long-run, I just want to make an imapct, change something for the better. I guess this will be a place where I can take everything out of my head, keep a record of it and maybe it will be useful for me or someone else.