What are you listening to? (4 Viewers)

FlushBlack · Sep 26, 2019

bsdunbar1 said:
@Perthmike isn't this all you guys listen to??

Every morning 1st thing

abby99 · Sep 26, 2019

detroitdad said:
Listening to Amon Amarth, "Ravens Flight" while I update my Active Attacker Presentation. Great music! Probably not on @abby99 radar

I liked the intro, but I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I started laughing when the vocals came in. Is that representative of their music?

detroitdad said:
@abby99 Disturbed is "light rock" btw

We didn't cover the various genres of rock in my musicology program, and as you can probably tell, I'm not familiar with anything with the word metal in it. I think of light rock as Led Zep, Queen, the Beatles, the Stones, Black Sabbath, etc. You know, the stuff we hear on classic rock stations. Much of the information on the various types of metal that I've found on the internet is contradictory. Or were you pulling my leg?

I've compared four recent covers of Sound of Silence and still prefer Disturb's version because of Draiman's musicality, the warmth of his voice, and his technical skills; and Disturb's interpretation and superb orchestration, and other factors. It's difficult to compare these covers with S&G's folk original from 50+ years earlier. Although they all share the same lyrics and melodies, they are oh so different. It seems that the original cover arrangement was the work of Disturb, and that their version served as the basis for the others (Touch of Class, Todd Hoffman, and Pentatonix).

So why do I relate so strongly to Disturb's version? I was 17 when S&G's recording was released in 1964, about 3 months after Kennedy's assassination, in the midst of the cold war, and shortly before serious civil unrest in the US and before things heated up in Vietnam. I understand that Simon was writing about social isolation and the lack of communication. Heavy stuff, as we would have said at the time. However, I didn't see a strong relationship between the pretty folk music and sweet harmonies, and the underlying message of the lyrics. Disturb's version, and especially Draiman's performance, were the most compelling factors that prompted me to study this piece. The lyrics are so relevant today. I get the angst. It's a powerful piece.

Perthmike said:
Omg I hate the disturbed cover of sound of silence so much.

The original is infinitely better.

Hey, if we all liked the same things, there would be just one flavor of ice cream. Probably vanilla.

Edited to add: I feel as if I've just written a prospectus for an analysis paper!