This week presented some problematic showdowns. I usually make generalized comments on these posts, but most of these really had compelling arguments for either to move on.
Ghost – Meliora VS. Air - 10,000 Hz Legend
Ghost – Meliora
This one was pretty decisive for me, as I think that 10,000
Hz Legend falls off on its back end.
Ghost’s indulgence satanic imagery was the only real argument against
them, but for me, their alluring musicality and songwriting skills outweigh
this subjective concern.
Viewer’s Choice: Ghost – Meliora
Taylor Swift – Folklore VS. Steve Reich – Runner/Music
for Ensemble and Orchestra
Steve Reich – Runner/Music for Ensemble and Orchestra
I genuinely appreciate the artistry that Swift is mining on Folklore,
but as an album, its reliance on lyric-based songwriting makes the album feel a
bit musically repetitive by its end. Paradoxically,
Steve Reich’s style is largely based on repetition, yet it never fails to keep
me engaged with kaleidoscopic, meditative cross-rhythms and angular melodies. I have gotten no small amount of
entertainment wondering what it would be like if Steve Reich had collaboratively
composed the accompaniment to Folklore.
Anyone feel like starting a petition?
Viewer’s Choice: Taylor Swift – Folklore
The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention VS.
Martha – Please Don’t Take Me Back
The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention
In all of the problematic showdowns from this week, the
tension between accessible songwriting and musical depth was a significant metric. In this case, Martha’s punky power pop is
immediately infectious, whereas The Smile takes more musical chances in lieu of
memorable songwriting. In this
particular case, however, I felt like leaving A Light for Attracting
Attention behind for the immediate gratification of Please Don’t Take Me
Back would be a misstep.
Viewer’s Choice: The Smile – A Light for Attracting
Attention
Ziemba – True Romantic VS. Soup – Vision
Ziemba – True Romantic
This was easily the most difficult one, again dealing with accessible songwriting VS. musical depth. I was surprised as anyone about this outcome, because Soup created what I consider to be a personal classic in this album’s predecessor, Remedies. Although Visions is a beautifully rendered album with influences that I sincerely connect with, it also contains some frustrating production choices and downplays the incredible songwriting of its predecessor. Although True Romantic often dips into cliché, Ziemba’s straightforward songwriting skills are inarguable, and the production serves the songs admirably.
Viewer’s Choice: Soup – Vision
