Music Critique

For this project we had to create two 120-second songs with identical and different elements. I looked at the following students projects for this critique:

Alexa Krivoniak
Emily Levy
Kelly Matousek

The only music project that was posted was Kelly's. Here is my audio critique of hers:

"Brainwashed"

“Brainwashed” is another article that can be found on ChangeThis.com. The article takes a look at how our generation has been brainwashed into being average. The author, Seth Godin, strongly believes that our society has been built to produce average and compliant individuals. He argues that creativity and uniqueness can make an individual stand out thus making that person more vulnerable to being ostracized. Godin also discusses how we fear letting ourselves shine at times because we are afraid of being laughed at or perceived as being dumber than the rest.

Gobin discusses a handful of layers that people can use to try and reinvent themselves. By reinventing yourself you can possibly break yourself free from this average hegemony we have been forced into.

The first layer that I truly believe exits inside of everybody is what Godin calls “Acknowledging the Lizard.” Basically this a concept that talks about how our brains, that stem from the prehistoric lizard, are all naturally afraid of being laughed at. This fear of being laughed at is often the reason great ideas or creativity is repressed and cut off at the roots. He refers to this shut down as “the resistance”. Godin points out that we need to stand up and understand that “the resistance” will continue to hold us back until we can fight against this fear of being laughed at.

I for one can relate to this concept. I always just thought it was mainly me over thinking things, and some of it is, but I guess I never considered that other people felt the same way. Reading this has given me a small sense of relief to know that the way I feel sometimes is actually pretty common.

The next layer Godin mentions that stands out for me is the Fail layer. This layer refers to the act of failing and using it as a tool to grow and learn. However, like most would be agree, failing can be terrifying and crippling. But Godin says it is mandatory. Again, I love this concept. I like the optimism of looking at failing in a good way and a way to prosper. I suppose that if one never tries because of the fear of failing, then they will never really know if they had something good or not. This goes back to my howl blog about my favorite quote, “The biggest mistake one can make is living in fear of making one.” This layer entirely relates to this quote and how I believe I should run my life. I think I need to make a more conscious effort to live this way and try to suppress my own lizard mind more often.

Overall, I found this article useful because I have a weight off me now. I relieved to read that feeling afraid or apprehensive is completely common across everybody. This article was a breath of fresh air for me.

Music Project - Fixed

Here is my song for the music project...cheerful, relaxing, overall pretty calm

Soundscape Response

This week I took a look at a few soundscapes from some classmates. Overall I enjoyed them and thought they were done pretty well. The people I looked at were:

Jason Flood
Chris Faust
Jay Deal

My Audio Response:

The Postal Service Covered

The song I have chosen for this blog was originally sung by The Postal Service. The song is called "Such Great Heights" and it has always been a favorite of mine. The band that covered this song has recently became more popular and goes by the name Iron & Wine. Honestly, I am not that big of an Iron & Wine, but I do love their version of this tune.

ORIGINAL - THE POSTAL SERVICE

 

 

COVER - IRON & WINE

Let me start by saying that I honestly love both versions of "Such Great Heights". But I love them in different ways. There is a vast contrast between the two, but the difference isn't bad. Some may disagree, I understand that my opinion on this is subjective. Aside from the lyrics and pieces of the rhythm, there really isn't much that is too similar about these two songs.

First off, the timbre of both songs are completely different. The tempo of the original is quick and the lyrics are bold and clear. The original version is very energetic and electronic. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the entire song was composed solely on a computer. It really doesn't sound like any real instruments are even in the original. It almost sounds completely synthetic. The original version has a high-pitched beat pulsing in the background the entire time. For me, this gives the song life. It seems like it is alive and active.

The cover of this song is different in many ways. The timbre is more slow and relaxed. The feeling of this song gives you sense of calm, which contrasts with the energy of the original. You could argue that the melodies of the two songs are similar, but I think they are different. The melody of the cover is much more drawn out and drowsy. This is partly because the pitch is so much lower. Also, the entire song is played through slow guitar picking. An affinity between the two versions is their organization. Both songs are organized well. Neither of them sound chaotic or confusing. Both songs have repeating patterns that give the song organizational strength.

The harmony does vary greatly between the two songs. The harmony of the original is full of life and pops at you. As where the second one almost rocks you to sleep. I suppose that might be why I like both versions so much. The Iron & Wine version is a completely different spin on the whole thing. I'm not sure I can pick a favorite because at different times both of them seem to fit perfectly. So I think my favorite is subjective to my life's events at any given time. I listen to the original all the time when I am driving somewhere. Usually on longer drives. Also, it pops up here and there when I am working out or running. And on the flip side, the Iron & Wine version seems to pop up when I am lounging or just doing miscellaneous tasks. Kind of just like a mellow background tune to enjoy. I think each song has it's own time and place.

Soundscape

Ways to Get Ideas

I just finished up reading an excellent article called "14 Ways to get Breakthrough Ideas" by Mitch Ditkoff. The article can be found as a pdf on ChangeThis.com.

The article is pretty much self-explanatory by the title. Ditkoff dives into 14 different ways to get great ideas. However the suggestions Ditkoff gives are not as black and white as "do this" and you will "get this". His suggestions are more abstract. For instance most of the ways to get breakthrough ideas deal with experiencing things out side of your comfort zone, which in turn will spark your creative thinking tank. I agree with this article completely and plan to adapt multiple suggestions into my day to day life. It makes sense, if you live your life in the same format and structure day after day, how are you going to generate new ideas? Most of our thinking is based off life experiences, so if our experiences are the same then odds are our thoughts will be the same as well.

13. Use Creative Thinking Techniques
Number thirteen really hits home for me. The analogy Ditkoff uses for getting this suggestion across is his comparison to people as old cars. Older cars when it's cold out sometimes have trouble starting, but once they get jumper cables they run fine. Same with people and using our creative minds. Sometimes we need a jump start from a foreign sources to spark our creative thinking. I'll admit even though I have trouble admitting it to myself, I do live a very structured life. Which makes sense to why I feel like I am in a creative drought lately. I need to step outside my outside myself and look for that spark. Or atleast hope I run into it somewhere.

5. Fantasize
This suggestion is self-explanatory. Ditkoff advocates to fantasize. To dream of impossible yet fantastic ideas. I think that everyone fantasizes but is often grounded by the reality of them. I think it happens to me too often. Again I'll admit that when I think of something that is remarkable to me I will often push it through my realistic filter and more or less extinguish the flame. However Ditkoff says to do just the opposite. He says it is a good thing to fantasize about seemingly impossible ideas. I think I will try to discontinue that feeling to be realistic about my fantasies. I whole heartedly believe that being too realistic can lead you directly into a dead end.

4. Make New Connections
Making new connections is again a concept I am well aware of, but rarely put into practice. Ditkoff strongly urges that great ideas can often take multiple people and perspectives to come about. Breakthrough ideas or feelings are often not pulled out of thin air, instead they often come from a collaboration of different origins and elements. This suggestion isn't rocket science. Of course great ideas and inspiration come from collaboration. I need to try and utilize this idea more often. Despite being rather extroverted when I am comfortable, I also tend to be extremely introverted when I am not. I need to learn to be myself more often and not get caught up in my own circular thinking.

Think of a current challenge of yours. What would a fantasy solution to this challenge look like?
What clues does this fantasy solution give you?

A current challenge of mine right now is trying to find "my thing". Everyone around me seems to exhibit that they know exactly what they want to do with their career. Realistically, I know not everyone has it set in stone, but I can't help but feel like they do. It's troubling for me at times to try and narrow down what area of mine is calling my name. Part of this feeling is because I am so indecisive sometimes when it comes to myself. I can't help but always ask myself if maybe I am wrong. A fantasy solution to this problem, even though to me this sounds impossible, is to quit searching for it so hard and hope that it finds me. I think a good way to go do is to be open to looking dumb, looking inexperience, and accepting that I'm not going to be an ace at everything I do. It is these feelings that often hold me back. This fantasy solution clues me in that for whatever reason I get myself caught up in the fear of ambiguity. I don't like being indefinite with my actions because I have an increased chances of failing. This is clearly holding me back. The obvious and only way to fix this problem is get out there and basically venture into a void I am unfamiliar with. No matter how hard that may be. 




 

Finding Your Howl

This is my audio: response to an article titled "Finding Your Howl" by Jonathon Flaum. This article can be found at ChangeThis.com

Creative Influences

I think it is hard for someone to label the type of creative person they are mainly because in my opinion creativity isn't learned, it's just sort of who we are. I don't exactly know where I would fall in terms of type. I will say that I feel that a lot of my ideas and ways of looking at things seem abstract to others. I have noticed that often times I am the weird one for the ways I look at things. But to me, it seems like the best option or way to go about doing something.

One of the most inspiring people in my life is honestly probably my mother. She is an art teacher and has always been doing art around us going up. My mothers artwork varies in style, but is often focused around things that she loves. She has made numerous paintings of my sister, herself, and even me. I can see where she draws her inspiration at times. Unfortunately I don't have any of her artwork to present, so I will save the space for someone else.

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An artist I can present is a man I learned about last year in my IART class. His name is Andy Goldsworthy. Andy Goldsworthy makes his artwork completely from natural pieces. For instance he will bind icicles together or stack rocks on top of each other in crazy ways.

In my opinion, each of Andy's pieces are completely subjective. In his documentary, "Rivers and Tides", Andy describes what his motives were for his creations. But I still think that interpretation of the subtext can be up for debate depending on the viewer.

I love Andy's artwork because it contrasts with a lot of cliche standards that people associate with artwork. He doesn't use paints, brushes, canvases, etc. He just uses the earth. And unlike most other masterpieces, all of his work eventually gets destroyed by mother nature. I admire how he takes a different approach to creating. I think the fact that the work will get destroyed is enough to deter most artists from the get go.

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Another artist I admire is Spike Jonze. I love pretty much anything he gets his hands in on. Spike is consistent for delivering fun and unique material. And all of his stuff has such a different spin on things. He is widely known for his one of kind commercials, such as this one...

 

 And has more recently made a name for himself by directing Where The Wild Things Are. 

Spike's work is always full of active and sub-textual information. For instance Where The Wild Things Are was said to be a movie about a child, not a movie for a child. You would think at first sight that this was going to be a children's movie. I really enjoyed how Spike took the original book and adapted it to the big screen in his own way. 

Spike's creations tend to inspire me because, much like Goldsworthy, he emphasizes that it is okay to think out side the box and see things differently then what others might see. When I view the work of these artists, I don't feel as boxed in when it comes to ideas. I get the feeling that anything you can come up with can more or less be made a reality with enough effort.

8am

I signed up for the 8am class for multiple reasons. I am a morning person as is and have minimal trouble getting up. However my main purpose was so I could get this class out of the way as early as possible. Also, taking this class this early allows me to squeeze in some hours at work and still get off at a reasonable time. The earlier I can move into the weekend, the better. It's difficult trying to balance out school, work, and play. I have found that the earlier I can get done with school, the easier the rest becomes.