OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Many moons ago when I was at UNB, I was studying for a joint CS/Arts degree and so instead of just maths and sciences, I took courses like Ancient Greek Mythology, Sociology, Psych....etc. I also took Anthropology, which is a topic I grew up around, since my father teaches it.
Now, I went into these courses having sat in on many a University course growing up. The topic of music was often present, because it serves as a key part of a group's identity and sociological structure.
So it was of course of no surprise that in the first few weeks of anthro, that we discussed the role of music in tribes and its purpose.
This of course carries forth into modern day society, as music is just as much, if not more a part of modern society as it had historically been for the native groups it came from. And perhaps unique to this piece of history is the fact that it is still current. That is, we can observe where it came from and various parts of its evolution by observing the activities of various native bands that are still present in North America. I live rather close to an Ojibwe reserve for example, and they still actively perform their historic smudge ceremonies and dances.
Now a good friend of my father specializes in Australian Aborigines. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the didgeridoo. We (myself and my sisters) were all trained on this instrument as we were explained its significance in their culture.
Now, as society has evolved, so has music. And we often identify a specific genre of music with a culture. Classical music for example, is very European. Country is very American, and so are things like Rap, R&B...etc. Jazz is an interesting one because it is a blend of American and European roots with a strong Afro-American origin.
Now of course, we also have various sub-cultures that specific styles are associated with. Rap, while American, has a "ghetto" sub-culture associated with it. And while like Jazz, its history is primarily Afro-American, that is about where the similarities end.
Because music, historically has an emotional purpose. Every song ever written is intended to get the listener to FEEL something. It has a message, and what that message is, affects us.
A war dance for example was meant to get the the blood up in the warriors and prepare them for battle. It has a basic beat that often increased in tempo near the end to send them off on a crescendo.
Taking a look at the evolution of classical music in Europe it is quite obviously that complex symphonic pieces are designed to tell a musical tale, and not just bring forth one or two emotions, but take you on what is essentially an emotional journey.
The same characteristic applies to Italian Opera.
Rock music and Country play on our heart-strings as well, but on a more basic and relative level. Certain songs will make us happy, others make us sad. Often with Country it is the latter. But we can oft relate to the lyrics in some personal way, and this is part of why these types of music are popular.
And then there is "rage" music. Music made to incite anger and potentially hatred. This comes in a variety of forms I believe the most common form currently is Rap, though metal, industrial and other genres have been used to convey this ideal as well.
I'm guilty of enjoying "angry" music. Five Finger Death Punch, Rammstein, Metallica. I like the lyrics and the thought put into them, particularly with old Metallica pieces like Sanitarium.
I am not a fan of "basic" music however. Anything with lyrics like "oooh baby baby" (Justin Beiber), or music that speaks of objectification; music that is wholly materialistic speaking of cars and money or that which glorifies the killing of others and generally is uncivilized. And while this is often the theme to Rap music, that is not always the case. This type of music (basic) works to play on our very primitive emotions, not making our brains work on anything profound in the lyrics, simply executing a message to a bass-heavy beat that moves us and is the modern equivalent of a tribal war dance in many respects.
And there are always twists! There is a song that comes to recent memory that while having a typical "pop" beat has lyrics that are simply horrifying! The song "pumped up kicks" by "Foster the People" is deeply disturbing as it puts a rather upbeat rhythm to a song about what essentially amounts to a Columbine situation!
Quote:
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
The tone and tempo of the song are up-beat and happy, whilst the lyrics are deeply sinister
So, my fellow BITOG'ers, what music "moves you" and why? Is it a moody symphonic piece like something by Beethoven, taking you on an emotional ride? Or is it something a little more down-to-earth like a Country piece by Garth Brooks? I'm interested. I like Jazz, Blues, metal, (new) Country, Rock, Classical...etc. It depends on what I'm feeling or wanting to feel that determines what I put on.
Now, I went into these courses having sat in on many a University course growing up. The topic of music was often present, because it serves as a key part of a group's identity and sociological structure.
So it was of course of no surprise that in the first few weeks of anthro, that we discussed the role of music in tribes and its purpose.
This of course carries forth into modern day society, as music is just as much, if not more a part of modern society as it had historically been for the native groups it came from. And perhaps unique to this piece of history is the fact that it is still current. That is, we can observe where it came from and various parts of its evolution by observing the activities of various native bands that are still present in North America. I live rather close to an Ojibwe reserve for example, and they still actively perform their historic smudge ceremonies and dances.
Now a good friend of my father specializes in Australian Aborigines. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the didgeridoo. We (myself and my sisters) were all trained on this instrument as we were explained its significance in their culture.
Now, as society has evolved, so has music. And we often identify a specific genre of music with a culture. Classical music for example, is very European. Country is very American, and so are things like Rap, R&B...etc. Jazz is an interesting one because it is a blend of American and European roots with a strong Afro-American origin.
Now of course, we also have various sub-cultures that specific styles are associated with. Rap, while American, has a "ghetto" sub-culture associated with it. And while like Jazz, its history is primarily Afro-American, that is about where the similarities end.
Because music, historically has an emotional purpose. Every song ever written is intended to get the listener to FEEL something. It has a message, and what that message is, affects us.
A war dance for example was meant to get the the blood up in the warriors and prepare them for battle. It has a basic beat that often increased in tempo near the end to send them off on a crescendo.
Taking a look at the evolution of classical music in Europe it is quite obviously that complex symphonic pieces are designed to tell a musical tale, and not just bring forth one or two emotions, but take you on what is essentially an emotional journey.
The same characteristic applies to Italian Opera.
Rock music and Country play on our heart-strings as well, but on a more basic and relative level. Certain songs will make us happy, others make us sad. Often with Country it is the latter. But we can oft relate to the lyrics in some personal way, and this is part of why these types of music are popular.
And then there is "rage" music. Music made to incite anger and potentially hatred. This comes in a variety of forms I believe the most common form currently is Rap, though metal, industrial and other genres have been used to convey this ideal as well.
I'm guilty of enjoying "angry" music. Five Finger Death Punch, Rammstein, Metallica. I like the lyrics and the thought put into them, particularly with old Metallica pieces like Sanitarium.
I am not a fan of "basic" music however. Anything with lyrics like "oooh baby baby" (Justin Beiber), or music that speaks of objectification; music that is wholly materialistic speaking of cars and money or that which glorifies the killing of others and generally is uncivilized. And while this is often the theme to Rap music, that is not always the case. This type of music (basic) works to play on our very primitive emotions, not making our brains work on anything profound in the lyrics, simply executing a message to a bass-heavy beat that moves us and is the modern equivalent of a tribal war dance in many respects.
And there are always twists! There is a song that comes to recent memory that while having a typical "pop" beat has lyrics that are simply horrifying! The song "pumped up kicks" by "Foster the People" is deeply disturbing as it puts a rather upbeat rhythm to a song about what essentially amounts to a Columbine situation!
Quote:
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
The tone and tempo of the song are up-beat and happy, whilst the lyrics are deeply sinister
So, my fellow BITOG'ers, what music "moves you" and why? Is it a moody symphonic piece like something by Beethoven, taking you on an emotional ride? Or is it something a little more down-to-earth like a Country piece by Garth Brooks? I'm interested. I like Jazz, Blues, metal, (new) Country, Rock, Classical...etc. It depends on what I'm feeling or wanting to feel that determines what I put on.
