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Category Archives: music
five-five-FIVE
Today’s post is about music and science. In this video, a lecture from the World Science Festival, singer Bobby McFerrin demonstrates how humans seem to be hardwired to generate a pentatonic scale. The great thing about the presentation is that … Continue reading
Hello, Baby
Before mix tapes became fraught with emotional baggage (as chronicled in High Fidelity), they were the best way for friends to share musical discoveries and favorites. At one point I was juggling six active tape exchanges, each with its own … Continue reading
With the Beatles
That’s how I’ve spent the last three days, with the Beatles. (I didn’t Meet the Beatles, that was a Capitol records construct.) I mentioned back in July that I had pre-ordered The Beatles Rock Band; it finally arrived on Wednesday. … Continue reading
Kind of Bloop
Lots of musicians pay with 8-bit music composition programs, reworking pop favorites to sound like they were generated by old video game systems. But few have tried their hand at chiptune jazz, a deficiency that Andy Baio of Waxy.org sought … Continue reading
Kind of Blue
Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the release of what is widely considered the greatest jazz album ever recorded: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Although the record didn’t spring Athena-like out of Miles’ head, there was precious little warning … Continue reading
Smells Like Rickrolling
A perfect mashup and Rickrolling in one clip? How could I not re-post this: Only one of the musicians shown in this video still has a career. Who would have figured it to be the drummer?
Bollywood Swinging
Let’s close out the week of mourning with an unwitting tribute to he whose music infected the entire world: It’s “Don’t Stop Till You Get to Bollywood” by Bollywood Freaks, from their 2003 “Bombay Gangstarr” single. Remarkably, this track is … Continue reading
Once you’re gone, you can’t come back
When I heard last week that bassist Hugh Hopper had died, I did what I always do when I musician I admired passes away: I spent the day listening to his music. Eventually I wound up listening to tracks from … Continue reading
Most faithful mirror
You may remember the Cocteau Twins, the second best band1 on the 4AD label. What I loved about them — apart from their moody, evocative music — was the voice of their singer, Elizabeth Fraser. She made what were essentially … Continue reading
It’s better to burn out than it is to rust
Swept up in the spirit of worldwide musical tribute to a dead, crazy, noseless, white-girl wannabe, I offer this, my favorite Michael Jackson track: It’s “Dab,” by composer John Oswald (anagramatically credited to “Alien Chasm Jock”), from his legendary album … Continue reading