I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Nitsuh Abebe’s latest column for Pitchfork, “How to Be a Vampire.” In it, he turns the nostalgia talking point on its head, and reminisces over his approach to music in adolescence, “listening like a vampire, listening because I desired to suck something out of the music for …
The story begins on the neighborhood corner. A fire is crackling, and it’s night time, midsummer. The whole scene has the feel of an apocalyptic summer camp for young adults. After a strange welcome, female voices sing, “Everybody throw your hands up high, if you don’t give a f***, throw your hands up high.” Then, …
Even though “It’s Real” was only released a few days ago, it’s already worked its way into the deeper layers of my consciousness. Its bright guitar riff and road-trip rhythm provide soundtrack to all parts of my day, perfectly suited as they are to my morning rush, my mid-day momentum, my afternoon lull, and my …
Reflecting upon the current trends of nostalgia in music, which I tried to highlight with a playlist in a previous post, my thoughts turned to sample-based hip-hop. The obvious difference is a natural one. Sample-based music makes use of actual artifacts from past eras, while the current nostalgic trends use original material to reminisce, or …
My friend, Steve, upon viewing Midnight in Paris, got reflective about living in the moment. It’s a good reminder, of course, as it always is. When I think about it on a broader, scale, though, I wonder if temporal escapism has transcended personal struggles and has become a societal disposition. Nathan Jurgenson, in an excellent …
The video (hereafter, “art piece”) for Kanye West’s “Monster” is controversial. That’s for sure. Read pretty much anything that’s been written about it already, or just watch it, and find out why. That part of it’s not interesting to me. As controversial content goes, I’m relatively unmoved. I am offended by something, but it’s not …
I’m earnest in my appreciation and support for women and homosexuals. As I mature and learn and listen, I become more aware of the discrimination, injustice, and violence with which people have to contend simply because of their gender and/or orientation. With that awareness, I’m confronted by my own incongruity, discovering unexplored prejudices that appall …