Deerhunter's "Halcyon Digest" Review
Alternative indie rock band, Deerhunter, released their new album, “Halcyon Digest” on Sept. 27. “Halcyon Digest” can be described simply as an immense step forward for Deerhunter, and an unyielding indicator as to what direction the band wants to shift toward in the future.
Deerhunter’s previous three albums, including “Cryptograms” (2007), and “Microcastle” (2008), could be categorized better as sound art than actual music. “Halcyon Digest,” however, brandishes a greater sense of maturity and growth that was not present in any of their previous LP’s.
The new album has not redefined Deerhunter’s style, but has simply shown major progression within the indie-alternative genre that the band plays. Instead of making music that can only be enjoyed from an intellectual standpoint, the band has created music that is purely fun to listen to.
Deerhunter still plays relatively emotional and expressive music, similar to their previous albums. However, “Halcyon Digest” does the same thing in a discernable, sensible way. It does not carry experimentation to the extreme, and remains levelheaded while still making an attempt to make relatively innovative music.
“Helicopter,” one of the album’s most enjoyable songs, features vibrant vocals and gorgeous guitar riffs. It is a slow, neoteric composition that resonates both nostalgic and pioneering vibes simultaneously. This song is without a doubt, the most down-to-earth and least experimental song out of the entire collection, and is coincidentally, the most popular one.
Deerhunter does not have a lot to lose, so, at long last, has released an album that connects with a broad audience. The band has finally made a movement toward disconnecting itself with the typical hipster stereotype.
“Halcyon Digest” is not an album that, like Deerhunter’s previous LP’s, excludes itself from all other genres. It does not give itself the reputation of, “If you don’t understand it, you don’t have good taste in music.” It simply connects to all open minded listeners.
Deerhunter’s previous three albums, including “Cryptograms” (2007), and “Microcastle” (2008), could be categorized better as sound art than actual music. “Halcyon Digest,” however, brandishes a greater sense of maturity and growth that was not present in any of their previous LP’s.
The new album has not redefined Deerhunter’s style, but has simply shown major progression within the indie-alternative genre that the band plays. Instead of making music that can only be enjoyed from an intellectual standpoint, the band has created music that is purely fun to listen to.
Deerhunter still plays relatively emotional and expressive music, similar to their previous albums. However, “Halcyon Digest” does the same thing in a discernable, sensible way. It does not carry experimentation to the extreme, and remains levelheaded while still making an attempt to make relatively innovative music.
“Helicopter,” one of the album’s most enjoyable songs, features vibrant vocals and gorgeous guitar riffs. It is a slow, neoteric composition that resonates both nostalgic and pioneering vibes simultaneously. This song is without a doubt, the most down-to-earth and least experimental song out of the entire collection, and is coincidentally, the most popular one.
Deerhunter does not have a lot to lose, so, at long last, has released an album that connects with a broad audience. The band has finally made a movement toward disconnecting itself with the typical hipster stereotype.
“Halcyon Digest” is not an album that, like Deerhunter’s previous LP’s, excludes itself from all other genres. It does not give itself the reputation of, “If you don’t understand it, you don’t have good taste in music.” It simply connects to all open minded listeners.
Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" Review
Kanye West has had a busy career. Eversince his debut, “The College Dropout,” in2004, it has been difficult to ignore him. The hip-hop artist allowed himself to be judged by the public through a couple of memorable faux pas, including making the claim in 2005 that George Bush is racist, and interrupting Taylor Swift at the VMA awards in 2009 to let the world know, in a convoluted way, that he didn’t think she should have won.
For a second, he did receive a little bit of sympathy after it was announced that his mother died in 2007 as a result of surgical complications, which might have explained his unwarranted interruption of Taylor Swift. However, since his mother was still alive in 2005 when West declared Bush’s racism, and considering the fact that he was a fully grown, 28-year-old man at the time, it has become easier for us to just assume that he has a big ego.
In spite of his egotistical nature, West has used his new album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” released on Nov. 22, to let his audience know that he is capable of making a change. Inherently, it is his most intense, pensive, no-nonsense album yet. Almost every song in the collection is a self contemplative, deep explanation as to why certain aspects of West’s life are the way they are.
For instance, Mr. West could not be any more blatant in his single, “Runaway,” by saying, “You’ve been putting up with my [poop] just way too long,” and, “I’m so gifted at finding what I don’t like the most.” He might as well say, “I’m sorry I interrupted you at the VMA’s, Taylor, and I’m sorry I called you racist, Mr. President. I was being dumb.”
Similar to “Runaway,” blatancy is used in the single, “Power,” when West admits to letting fame go to his head by saying, “No one man should have all that power,” and, “You got the power to let power go?” In addition to these refreshing sentiments, the instrumentals featured in this song, as well as the bulk of the others, are creative and original in comparison to the majority of modern hip-hop.
West has also identified a certain character trait of his own that might help him on his venture across the road to having more savoir faire: he cares about popularity. He has owned the fact that he likes attention, but now all he wants to do is satisfy this indulgence without having to do something absurd. As a result, he made the guest list on his new album as long and impressive as possible.
A few notable artists of the 33 featured on West’s new LP include, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, T.I., Drake, Jay-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne, John Legend, Fergie, Rihanna, Elton John, M.I.A., Beyonce, Kid Cudi, Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, and most surprisingly, the indie-woodsy band, Bon Iver. Moreover, West recorded his new album in Hawaii, and all of these featured artists made the trip. It is clear that West’s desire for attention is a large obstacle that could easily stop him from obtaining a higher level of composure.
This album is Mr. West’s masterpiece, but more than anything, it is a self-discovery. West has taken ownership of his wrongdoings, and has written the best apology letter the world has ever seen: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
Now, only one question remains. How will he follow it?
