The True Magic of Vinyl

Perhaps no recent trend has been claimed by hipsters more than the resurgence of vinyl records.  I have to say though, I see the appeal.  There is something cool about being able to hold a record in your hands.  Watching the record spin on the player, seeing the detail in the album art, and being able to create a shelf of your own musical memories is something that the modern MP3 format cannot replace.  Its a great thing, and while certainly more expensive, it is a worthwhile purchase.

Always listen to Batman...Always.

The question remains though, is this just a trend that exists because it is a trendy alternative to the MP3 format? Is it just because it is a different option to the mainstream formats of music we know today?  There has to be something more than just that.  Vinyl can't just be for hipsters.

As it turns out there is a definitive reason for why vinyl may be an excellent option, which comes from the audio quality that vinyl provides.  While some people may say that newer is always better, it turns out that in this case older technology may have been the better form when it comes to truly hearing the music.  The difference in sound comes from the difference in compression, and the modern era's pursuit of 'loudness', an area where old technology has got MP3 quality beat hands down.

In order for the entirety of music to be put onto an MP3 that can be shared across computer the file must be compressed in order for it to become the format that we know and love today.  What this means though is that some of the depth and quality of music is lost as the file is compressed.  The vinyl format allows for music to be presented in a less compressed format.  In a short film produced known as the 'Distortion of Sound' several musical giants refer to the MP3 as creating a generation of McDonald's music listeners, those who don't enjoy sound in its truest quality and are content to simply listen to the loudest, simplest, and cheapest form of music.  The modern era focuses on producing music that is loud, the sheer volume of noise is the goal of the MP3.  While this is definitely achieved, it does come at the sacrifice of sound.  Vinyl's longer recording format allow for the peaks and valleys of music to be exposed, the ebb and flow of the instruments to truly immerse a listener.  A good set of speakers and a vinyl is hard to beat when it comes to getting as close to live quality as possible.  Older has the jump on the newer when it comes to sound quality.  You can watch the full twenty two minute movie in the link below.

To put it simply, vinyl allows for sound to be captured and reproduced at a higher quality then anything that the MP3 era can offer.  If your looking for something portable, its clear that vinyl is not the right form of music for you.  You will never be able to take your vinyl records with you on your Sunday morning jog, but if your interested in staying home and being engulfed in a musical quality that is unheard of by many of the newest generation then its tough to beat vinyl.  The combination of sound with the 'cool factor' of having a detailed hard copy in your hands is very appealing.

Vinyl isn't just for hipsters anymore.

Harvey Specter (Suits on USA Network): Lawyer, Suit Connoisseur, Vinyl Record Collector

Top 10 Greatest Movie Soundtracks of All Time

A good movie soundtrack is what can take a movie from being good, to being legendary.  The right songs in the the right moments elevate a movie and instantly make it memorable.  Sometimes the right tunes have the ability to make a terrible movie into a good one.  And the best soundtracks have the power to make you want to go out and buy the release.  Some of the ten listed may not be widely accepted, but I tried to include some that may have not received their just dues when it comes to well picked soundtracks.   I love movie soundtracks, and here are my top ten...

This list does not include movie scores, needing music from artists independent of the film to qualify.  The soundtrack may be a variety of contributors, but also can be from a single artist.  The soundtracks were picked for iconic songs, relevance to the time period it was released in, the staying power of the soundtrack against time, and of course personal preference.

Honourable Mention:

• Garden State (2004)
• The Breakfast Club (1985)
• Boogie Nights (1997)
• Goodfellas (1990)
• Drive (2011)

10. The Departed (2006)

Perhaps one of the most underrated soundtracks of the modern era, this epic movie by Martin Scorsese featured some hidden gems that people missed.  Of course any soundtrack that features 'Gimme Shelter' by the Rolling Stones has to be considered, but this soundtrack also featured songs by Patsy Cline, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, and even the Beach Boys.  Throw in another Rolling Stones song in 'Let It Loose' as well as some homegrown Boston music in the form of Dropkick Murphy's and this soundtrack is full of quality music.

9. 'O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

The recent rebirth of old time and folk music as seen in The Lumineers, Ben Howard, Fleet Foxes, and Mumford and Sons was predated by this movie directed by the Coen brothers.  If you looking for a movie soundtrack that confidently sits within bluegrass, gospel, blues, and country tradition than this soundtrack is the one for you.  While most of the soundtrack features modern recordings of old classics by the in-movie band known as the Soggy Bottom Boys, it also features old classics from Norman Blake, John Hartford, and James Carter and the Prisoners that makes this soundtrack one of the greats.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

The surprise hit movie of 2014 and the soundtrack is one of the largest parts of its success.  Film goers will be hard pressed to forget the sheer entertainment of watching Chris Pratt lipsync Redbone's 'Come and Get Your Love' to open the film.  Highlights include songs from David Bowie, the Jackson 5, Norman Greenbaum, and 10cc just to name a few.  The music from the soundtrack is worked perfectly throughout the film, not simply content to be a good standalone compilation album, but also will be remembered for the way the music links to the movie.  Few will forget Peter Quill surfing outer space to Rupert Holmes 'Pina Colada Song', and of course the trailer to the movie is punctuated by literally the greatest song ever....'Hooked on a Feeling' by Blue Swede.  The best soundtrack of 2014 by far.

7. Easy Rider (1969)

Much like Guardians of the Galaxy attempts to encompass an entire era of music in one movie, the classic film Easy Rider's soundtrack features all of the major rock and roll songs of the late 60's.  The songs are what made this movie a classic, with rock music staples littered throughout the soundtrack.  Music like 'Born to Be Wild' by Steppenwolf, 'If 6 was 9' by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and 'It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)' by Bob Dylan.  The soundtrack was so good that it was certified gold in the 1970's after peaking at number six on the Billboard album charts.  

6. Twilight (2008)

I know...I hate this movie too.  But, credit where credit is due, it had a great soundtrack.  While mostly mopey and emotional, it both used major musical acts of the time, as well as had the ability to make other artists on the soundtrack household names.  Few would be able to recognize bands like Iron and Wine or Blue Foundation before this movie, but they became instantly recognizable tunes directly following the blockbuster flick.  It also features music from nu-metal giants Linkin Park, alternative rockers Paramore, and a band declared as the second coming of Queen in Muse.  Its an impressive soundtrack to go along with a fairly boring movie.

5. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Quentin Tarantino knows how to pick a good soundtrack, and Reservoir Dogs was no exception.  The second soundtrack on this list to feature Blue Swede's 'Hooked on a Feeling' it also featured some musical moments that made this soundtrack great as a stand alone album.  'Stuck in the Middle With You' by Stealers Wheel was one of the iconic songs that came out in the early nineties, and the addition of Joe Tex, Jay Joyce, and 'Fool for Love' by Sandy Rogers really cement this as one of the all time greats.  Another great movie that has a great soundtrack to accompany it.

4. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

This soundtrack doesn't have the same variety of musicians that others do, but the work of the Beegee's here makes it one of the greatest soundtracks of all time.  It is widely considered as one of the all time greats, and not just for John Travolta's dancing skills.  Any movie that has 'Stayin' Alive' has got to make the top ten.  Not much else to say about it, this one is a classic.

3. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Tarantino strikes again as this is his second movie on this list.  Yet another movie that is considered both a classic for the movie itself, and the soundtrack as well.  Tarantino draws from a wide variety of influences, mixing Dusty Springfield, Kool and the Gang, and Al Green with wild success.  This soundtrack also gets bonus points for driving one of its bands to mainstream success, as the cover of Neil Diamond's 'Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon' done by Urge Overkill became an overnight hit following the movie.  The soundtrack has both revitalized some music careers and completely started others, leading to its top three place on this list.

2. Watchmen (2009)

While this movie was met with mixed reaction from fans, the soundtrack packs some real hits into the movies run time.  Highlights pop up in the form of folk music juggernauts Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan, as well as rock hits from Jimi Hendrix and My Chemical Romance that create an impressive soundtrack.  Perhaps the movies two standout hits come in the form of Leonard Cohen's original track 'Hallelujah' and Nat King Cole's 'Unforgettable'.  Another movie that uses music to frame the emotion occurring in each scene perfectly, this one is brilliant.

1. The Big Chill (1983)

Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, The Steve Miller Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Beach Boys.  Tough to top this soundtrack, the movie was big in its own right, but the soundtrack combines some of the all time classical sounds of modern music.  Everyone and your grandmother has rocked out to at least one of these songs in their day and while the movie may not be everyone's taste, the soundtrack is about as close to all encompassing as it gets.  The movie gets bonus points for some hilarity, and getting to watch Jeff Goldblum do whatever it is that Jeff Goldblum does. Top marks here.

Musical Taste: Subjective or Objective

A true guitar hero in the making

I should open my first blog post by saying that I have no musical talent whatsoever.  I can marginally play several instruments enough to strum a couple ditties, but the bulk of my musical ability can be summarized by the only song I know on the guitar.  Of course that song is "Time of Your Life" by Green Day.  Perhaps the easiest song ever to learn.

That being said I have a keen interest in music, not so much as a practitioner of the glorious craft but rather as bystander, someone who enjoys but often fails to understand certain complexities within the tune.  The problem I have often encountered though is that those who are skilled at music, and understand the technical aspect of it, often insult those bands that I hold most dear.  I have been told that the music I enjoy is a sonic mess, not capably produced, or has even been declared to be "not even real music" and it has left me wondering, "who cares? I enjoy it."

My argument of course it that music is subjective, and as such cannot be considered bad.  Of course there is bad music, the band that I was a part of in university was a bad band, not because our music was bad to the taste, but mostly because we had no talent creatively or musically....we just plain sucked.  However, most music that we listen to today is well crafted music.  It sounds pleasing to a group of people and therefore at some point is considered subjectively good.

Will I ever understand why people enjoy country music? Probably not, but that does not mean it is bad music, rather it means that it is not my taste.  I know plenty of people who love country music, and while it confuse me to the core of my very being, it still remains good music because somebody likes it.  The importance of this cannot be understated, music needs this subjective element in order to maintain its creativity.  The subjective moves music forward from Elvis to the Beatles to the Rolling Stones to Nirvana all the way to Coldplay.  The subjectivity allows for creativity, it forces bands to innovate and become creative, changing the sound.  An objectively good standard of music limits creativity.  If everyone is striving to achieve brilliant musical technically then each genre begins to sound to similar.  Granted there would still be different genres, but within each there would become less and less true creativity.

A perfect example of this is the 'Screamo' genre.  I was an unabashed fan in high school of this genre, I loved the nu-metal wizards known as Linkin Park, the driving rock of Alexisonfire, the thundering bass of Silverstein.  But the genre became stagnant.  An objective quality began to creep in where the genre was expected to have a dueling singer and screamer, emotional lyrics, complicated guitar pieces, and heavy, driving bass.  Every band in the genre began to sound like carbon copies of one another, each band taking on the same general musical persona.  When the subjectivity began to return to the genre, incredible new music began to return.  Alexisonfire released a record called Old Crows, Young Cardinals, infusing blues music with heavy rock to produce a totally different record to most that existed within the industry.  It rubbed some people the wrong way, but it created diversity in the genre, and changed the game.

My taste in music mixes from the heavy metal technicality of Protest the Hero to the pop music mastery of Jesse McCartney, all the way to the iconic sounds of bands like Blue Swede, the Rolling Stones, Queen, and of course...Great Big Sea.  I love them all and I understand none of it from a technical musical point of view.  It frankly just sounds good to me, and thus I listen to it.  Before we judge each other on our musical tastes, we need to remember that we need people with different tastes in order for the music to continue to grow and progress.  The fact that musical tastes evolve and change has led to what is perhaps one of the most interesting era's of music so far.  Innovations in electronic music are the latest innovation of music with bands like Tegan and Sara, Chvrches, Lights, and many others leading the charge towards a different style of music all together.  House, Dubstep, and Techno music has brought a completely different aspect to the music scene.  There is so much music out there and each particular band is reaching out to somebody and that is wonderful.  The creativity and change happening in music today is fantastic.

Of course if you'd like to find out what truly and objectively bad music sounds like, feel free to click the link below.  Its the live video of my bands only show ever...somehow we got voted into Battle of the Bands.  I can assure you that we knew we were a joke.

Happy listening, enjoy whatever music your into...its all good