The first thing that i would like to do, is apologize for my lack of "podcast." This is a result of two main events, the loss of my camera charger (which was a great disappointment because I had wanted to make a video this week), and the failure of my microphone (also extremely frustrating because I found out that it was broken after trying to record with it). Both of these inconveniences are being dealt with (I'm ordering a new mic shortly, and my cousin has an extra charger for an identical camera and will be sending that to me). I promise that in the future my podcasts will be quite entertaining; I have some plans floating around in my head. That being said, here is my Script.
This song is "Single Fins and Safety Pins" (catchy tittle, huh?) by the Japanese Motors, off of their 2008, self titled record, "The Japanese Motors." Well if you've listened to the song, and you are a major follower of "traditional" Surf-Rock, you are most likely cursing me for categorizing this as surf. To respond; I'll admit that this was probably a bad choice for a first(ish) post as to, it might turn off a traditionalist, but to a general lover of music, this is a ruby in a mountain of rocks (no that wasn't a Meatloaf reference--well, maybe it was).
What says summer time better than seagulls and the sounds of waves crashing? Maybe some delay on a high D chord? Musically, and structurally this song is very simple following the progression of D (barred on the tenth fret) and slid down to a G (on the third). This is broken only during a bridge which drops the final G of the chorus to an E, to an A, back to an E, which then raises to a G for two beats and then to an A, creating a generic build leading us back into a final chorus.
We can differentiate the chorus from the verses because the verses make use of a simple staccato ed half note version of the progression, which sounds like a delayed effect which really gets one to nod their head along with it. Also, in the chorus we hear a very (very) quiet tremolo D note played throughout. To someone without knowledge of music, this might go by unnoticed, but someone who listens for these nuances will tell you that it is what makes the song. It's incredible how one near silent ringing note can drive a song forward and give it a summer feel.
So, okay, it takes more than just one note to make a song feel like summer--enter the "ahhs." As any backup singer will tell you, the correct combination of "oohs" and "ahhs" will add a beautiful fullness, and catchiness to any song. These really bring the chorus home; these and the utilization of references to "the beach where the summer shines." "Single Fins..." is chock full of summertime imagery. "Kick your shoes off and drink some wine... in the summer, the summer time,"sounds nice, doesn't it? One lyrical aspect that adds a constant drive to the song, is the second half of the chorus, which contains a new set of lyrics every time. One very memorable section of the verse is the "answering" of the call "hey dudes." It just is really cool, and wakes you up every time. If there is one song that could exist to blow away any winter blues and leave you begging for summer, it's "Single Fins and Safety Pins," (damn that's a catchy title!).
The solo to this song is very fun and it's hard not to dance to. It's very simple, but after the first listen, i found it to get old, but nonetheless , still a joy. It sounds slightly out of key, but that is the nature of the Surf-Rock guitar solo (not always, but it is a classic trait of vocal surf groups). The off-ish sound is coming from a hammer on and pull off of the 6th and minor 3rd to the D chord, followed by the hammer on, pull off, and bend of a G chord on top of the D. Maybe I'll write a post about how to play this style of soloing. That was too much talking wasn't it?
Okay, so i still have not given my justification for classifying this as a surf tune; mainly, summer time. A sub genre of traditional surf is the newer "Garage-Surf," which is (obviously) a combination of surf and garage elements. Surf-Rock is (or was traditionally) all about having fun in the summer time, which is a message this song gets across. This song encompasses main traits of the surf genre aside from subject matter, these being some of the effects used, the simplicity of the chord structure, the overall vibe, and most importantly, the solo!
Well, go out and listen to this song while driving around and wishing for summer to come and never end. Oh! The joy of Garage-Surf. The Japanese Motors have only one record released, which has some good tracks, this and "Better Trend" being my two favorites (go figure, the two singles off it. Now how can I be hipster?).
I will be returning in video form as Spartacus of the Gladiators of 2037, just as soon as I get my equipment working again.
No comments:
Post a Comment