Part A) Lester Bangs' "On Van Morrison's Astral Weeks" is one of the most famous pieces of music writing in US history (by one of the most revered music writers). How does Bangs intermingle his own mindset as he listens to Astral Weeks with his analysis of Morrison's songs and performance of them? How does Bangs go from being depressed in his bedroom armchair to his close analysis of Morrison's album - "What Astral Weeks deals in are not facts but truths?"
Bangs intertwines his personal experiences and emotional state within his analysis of Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" throughout the entirety of it. Bangs discusses a period of his life during this review that was extremely challenging and how the album had a significant impact on him. Bangs makes it clear that the music almost served as a beacon of light for him when he was in an isolated and depressed state. He integrates this emotional and challenging experience into his critique of Morrison's performance. Bangs describes Morrison's album as a symbol of redemption during a dark time. He does a very well-done job of connecting his feelings of isolation and the need to be expressive through art to the album he's reviewing.
Morrison's work represents a compassionate understanding of suffering. Bangs suggests that Astral Weeks has impressive artistic qualities, but also will resonate with people going through tough times mentally or situationally. The review as a whole describes both Morrison's likely intentions with the album as well as the actual result and impact that Bang believes has on the listener. He does this mostly through connecting it with his own personal experience and mental state. Bang's quote of "what Astral Weeks deals in are not facts but truths" suggests that the album delves into the human experience and condition and attempts to make some sense of it. It is clear that Bangs has a personal connection with this album, which is a beautiful thing to see.
Part B) Compare Ellen Willis' "Velvet Underground" to Jeff Chang's "The Meters." What is each author trying to accomplish in their essays? How does each author use music and specifics from the album to help them achieve their goals for the essay? Be specific.
From what I gathered, Ellen Willis's essay was aiming to explore the impact and significance of the Velvet Underground, and really focused on the lead singer, Lou Reed. She takes a deep dive into the complexities of the combinations of sounds, overall aesthetic, punk spirit and interesting spirituality of the band/lead singer. This discography highlights key songs and themes within the songs. It talks a lot about the tension between sin and salvation, "enlightenment", and nihilism. Nihilism is the rejection of all religious and moral principles and the belief that life is meaningless, according to Google. Willis talks about how Velvet Underground has had influence on music movements like punk, while also in a way critiquing the way that rock music as a genre evolved. Willis essentially reflects on how relevant the Velvet Underground has remained through the years and how they've left a considerable impact on rock and roll. For example, the band was able to talk about taboo subjects in a radical way and did not follow conventional song structure. Willis showcased this by analyzing tracks like "Heroin" or "I'm Waiting for the Man". Willis really lead the discussion in a music-centric way, by using the songs and various lyrics to explore the themes in tangible ways.
Meanwhile, Jeff Chang's essay on The Meters was focused on bringing attention to the significance that the band brought to shaping funk music. There was a tone of celebration of The Meters throughout the essay. There was a lot of historical and cultural contexts that were mentioned in regard to New-Orleans. This is where The Meters were based. Chang praises them as "unsung heroes" of funk, as the roots of this genre started with them in New Orleans. Funk, as Chang discusses, is a fascinating fusion of many different musical sounds. The Meters is argued to have had a lasting impact on the genre, similar to Willis's discussion of the Velvet Underground in the context of punk music. Punk and Funk! How fun! Chang utilizes specific examples from The Meters album "Look Ka Py Py" and specific songs like "Sophisticated Cissy" and "Cissy Strut". With these he connects their work to bigger societal themes and celebrates the musical geniuses that the band is. Chang showcases The Meter's music as a true reflection and embodiment of New Orleans' rich culture. I found it interesting the discussion of sampling culture in hip-hop throughout the years and how instrumental The Meters have been in that evolution. I love when I hear a song where I can tell it's pulling from an "oldie", and finding the original song is super interesting as well. Cool read.
Part C) Discuss how Greg Tate develops his piece in contrast to an additional desert island piece (not the ones from Parts A and B). How do the authors use personal experience to develop their piece?
Tate develops his piece very methodically, by introducing it in a negative way per the opinion of another music reviewer, Dark Magus. He quickly follows this up with a refuting statement that Bitches Brew by Miles Davis is one of his favorite albums. Tate takes us through the album by exploring different historical contexts within the 60s, including influences of Coleman, Sun Ra, hippie, rock and soul, and Black Power movements. Tate argues that the album is jazz's "Frankenstein monster" and how Miles Davis changed the rules for creating Jazz music. The discussion around the acoustic and electric fusion is a unique analysis, and Tate expresses surprise that more bands haven't taken this approach more since. The creative process of Bitches Brew is fascinating, tracks include features of screams, silences, and suspense. Of course it was hard to miss the personal connection and impact that this album had for Tate. He mentions on nearly every page that the album inspired his own band, Burnt Sugar. Tate expresses gratitude for Bitches Brew and that it got them/him through times of isolation and loneliness.
To compare, I took a read of Grace Lichtenstein's work on The Eagles. I loved this review. Lichtenstein loves The Eagles track Desperado so damn much. She tells the reader about an extended road trip she took through the Rocky Mountains and surrounding mountain states. Similar the comfort that Bitches Brew album was for Greg Tate, Desperado the song was Grace Lichtenstein's. She saw visions of Western United States in this track, and was able to live them out to the tune of The Eagles and similar artists. Every time she hears the song she is transported back to that journey. It was a song that made her friends along the way and kept her company when she was alone. As she puts it, "Desperado never loses its hold on me". It was great to read another piece where the author clearly has so much love and connection to a song or album. Between Tate and Lichtenstein, they can both agree that music has a special way of filling your heart and keeping you company.
Part D) Brainstorming: What are two albums in contention for your desert island? Why are they so important to you?
I am between the two albums for my desert island disc, RKS and How to: Friend, Love, Freefall by Rainbow Kitten Surprise. I know both of these albums from front to back. Their first album, Seven & Mary, I know as well but I eliminated that one from the race. The ones that are in contention mean more to me. My best friend from high school introduced me to Rainbow Kitten Surprise and this band got me through some really tough years. I've transitioned my favorite genres to more country-based, but for years I was super into alternative rock. It was my depressed era as I call it. When I listen to these songs I can imagine where I was when I was blasting it in my earbuds walking from class to class in my high school days.
I love this band so much!! When I tell people about them, they are always so skeptical because of the band name. They have surprised almost everyone I have shared them with in the best ways. They have so many bangers, a lot of them are moody and my mom thinks they're sad. "No wonder you're sad, you listen to this music" she used to say. She didn't quite see the vision at the time I suppose, lol. This band is so talented and I was able to see them at Red Rocks in the summer of 2022. One of my favorite memories. RKS kept me company through the hardest years for me, I think they could keep me company on a desert island too. Shoutout AK!!
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