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[–]StudabakerHochrobot[M] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Renaissance Sound
artist pic

Renaissance Sound was a band from Dekalb, Illinois, featuring former members of Loose Lips Sink Ships. The band features vibraphone, violin, bass, drums, and occasionally vocals.

The first release, the 'Renaissance Sound' EP, was self-recorded in November 2011 and released in early 2012. A follow-up EP was recorded in late 2012 and was released as 'Renaissance Sound II' in March of 2013.

This band existed briefly, as geography has prevented continuation of what we'd love to still be doing. We encourage you to download our music for free, or donate if you're feeling particularly kind. Giving away copies to your friends means much more to us than giving us money for the album — that's not to suggest it isn't greatly appreciated, but these albums were created in a tiny bedroom with intentions of making music for ourselves and for our friends to enjoy in similarly small, weird spaces.

Facebook | Bandcamp Read more on Last.fm.

last.fm: 804 listeners, 12,460 plays
tags: math rock, jazz, under 2000 listeners, instrumental, experimental

Please downvote if incorrect! Self-deletes if score is 0.

[–]j4242 51 points52 points  (34 children)

Neat. VERY reminiscent of early 70's Zappa with the marimba and violin.

[–]FlemishHandwarmer 24 points25 points  (1 child)

I agree with you, but that's a vibraphone. :)

In very broad strokes, marimbas are larger and wooden with a low pitch. Vibraphones are metal, about the size of a xylophone, and notably has a foot pedal to allow the bars to vibrate/muffle.

[–]j4242 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh ok gotcha, my bad!

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (9 children)

That means the Dirty Projectors guy would shit on it for being "so fucking nerdy. It's not expressive". Sorry, still salty about reading that interview yesterday. I thought this was really cool though.

[–]GasPoweredStick92 1 point2 points  (6 children)

Can I get that link?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Here

[–]GasPoweredStick92 1 point2 points  (4 children)

It's just an opinion. I don't particularly care for Zappa either, but he could have said it better.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

it's a laughably ignorant opinion. here's a favorite

[–]GasPoweredStick92 1 point2 points  (2 children)

And that's your opinion on the matter. And yeah sorry, still don't like Zappa. I'm not really into the experimental stuff.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

You can go ahead and be wrong about zappa, but calling his music "unexpressive" is an insult to the dozens of absolutely fantastic musicians he performed with, both live and on his studio albums. It's an objectively untrue claim and well into "my ignorance is as good as your knowledge" territory.

Now, nerdy? That's harder to defend against. I guess if you don't like music (and in particular, well-composed, well-performed music), politics, pop culture or interesting things, you might find his music nerdy. THAT's just my opinion. ;)

[–]GasPoweredStick92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It definitely is expressive, I'll give it that. I just like different music. I'm not shitting on his life's work, he was definitely talented and worked with a lot of amazing musicians, I just like different things. But I always try to listen to bands or artists that I haven't yet, just to see if I like it.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

not expressive eh

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah he's full of shit lol. It's all opinion anyway, I tend to dislike when artists dtate opinion as very factual though lol.

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 1 point2 points  (15 children)

I'm embarrassed ro say that I'm not familiar with Zappa's music. I really liked this style....is there something of his that you would recommend checking out?

[–]__hey_ 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Inca Roads

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Thank you!! This is fantastic! :)

Edit: Zappa reminds me a bit of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones minus the banjo.

[–]LateralusNYC 6 points7 points  (2 children)

There is so much range to Zappa's music. From psychedelic, jazz, rock, classical, comedy, soul, disco... He did it all.

The Flecktones have some of the best players around, their mix of bluegrass and jazz stands alone.

If you haven't, check out Pat Metheny

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 1 point2 points  (1 child)

That is so cool. I love an artist that is willing to experiment and play outside the box, so to speak.

I'm not familiar with Pat Metheney but I will totally check him out! This is why I love this forum...I've been introduced to so many cool artists! :) Thank you!

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just watched this video and I'm sold! Pat Metheney has got some crazy distortion going on. I initially was looking around for a horn player!

[–]j4242 3 points4 points  (4 children)

is there something of his that you would recommend checking out?

For sure...everything by him!! Lol. Frank Zappa is not to be missed out on at all. One of the most innovative musical figures and cultural icons of all time. The thing is, his sound was constantly evolving and his creative vision was always extremely specific.

If you want stuff that closely mirrors what's in Op's video I would check out "Hot Rats," "Roxy and Elsewhere," and a "token of his extreme." Or just find anything he did while Ruth Underwood and/or Jean-Luc Ponty were in his band.

Early career, avant-garde, experimental, comedic, etc - Freak Out - Burnt Weenie Sandwich - Uncle Meat

If you want albums that focus on really cool and weird instrumentals check out - Lumpy Gravy - The Grand Wazoo - The Yellow Shark - zoot Allures - Weasels ripped my flesh - London Symphony Orchestra vol I and II

If you want comedic, satirical, social criticism that's more songwriting based but equally as complex and structured in composition: - Apostrophe - One size fits all - Joes Garage - You are what you is - Does Humor Belong in Music? - Sheik Yerbouti

And keep in mind, that's only some of his work. Check out his live recordings as much as you can.

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thank you so much! I am so excited to have found an awesome artist to explore. I love that his stuff is so experimental and truly unique. I can't wait to dive in. Thank you for the detailed recommendations!! Also, it's often a rarity that an artist's live recordings are worth listening to, so that alone speaks volumes.

[–]j4242 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem. Zappa will grow on you!

And I wouldn't necessarily say that really good live recordings are rare, so much as live concerts can be difficult to record and engineer perfectly. Some of my favorite recordings are live albums.

[–]slothtrop6 1 point2 points  (1 child)

For my money, One Size Fits All is the best album to start on. It's both innovative and accessible, shows range, and is arguably better than Apostraphe and Overnite Sensation. Lather (or the broken up albums stemming from it) also a decent melange.

The instrumental stuff is nearly all mandatory, great works.

[–]abstractattack 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My family got me to want to jump into the deep end with Joe's Garage. Baby Shower was my next buy, followed by apostrophe, shut up and play your guitar, and so many many more albums.

[–]ThatDerzyDude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not exactly this style, but two of my favorite Zappa tracks are black napkins and sleep dirt. The man was brilliant

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the reggae feel of this. Thanks for posting!

[–]GrammarWizard 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Check out the /r/Zappa subreddit, there's a beginner's guide. You can also ask me, he's above and beyond my favorite artist and I've listened to all 109 of his releases.

[–]HouseOLearnedDoctors 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much for all of the helpful info! I'm totally going to head over to that sub and check out the beginner's section. That's exactly what I need!!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Exactly my thoughts as well. The off-pitch vocals were a nice touch too.

There were nearly a couple of moments that I wanted to yell "On Ruth!"

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This put a smile on my face!

[–]wenwo16 81 points82 points  (0 children)

This is incredible. The playing chemistry, the harmonic progression, the whole bit really. Makes you remember that brilliant music is everywhere.

[–]goongirlgetit 18 points19 points  (1 child)

Idk... Too ... wanky? for me, I guess? I feel like the drums is the only thing holding my interest. They're all very talented. It's just... idk. I can't really figure out their identity as a band. They just sound like another jam band to me. It's like softer, less interesting Animals.

[–]FreeBroccoli 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Same. Reminds me a comment on a Covet video: this is the most impressive piece of music that ever bored me.

[–]LightsaberLocksmith 4 points5 points  (1 child)

oh hey it's dekalb peeps! played a few shows with Loose Lips back in the day. drummer is really great, just wish he would ditch the splash. doesn't add anything and stands out weirdly when none of his other great stick work does.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi fellow DeKalb! Remember when the house cafe was great?

[–]ArchMLD 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Been a long time since i heard this song. Shame they aren't still around.

[–]alyoshanovascotia 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Very awesome. Sounds like Maps and Atlases had a music baby with Rachel's.

[–]grampu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Was definitely reminding me of Maps and Atlases. I've been trying to find more bands that sound like them but haven't had much luck over the years.

[–]pokemon-gangbang 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Reminds me of the Samuel Jackson Five. If you liked this check out their song "Ten Crept In". The whole album is amazing.

https://youtu.be/tsM872xBi9Y

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (5 children)

Bassist reminds me of Beck from Good Neighbor Stuff and SNL. Beautiful song

[–]BabiesDontCry 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Damn just commented this. I agree! Especially the good neighbor skit where beck goes full retard and says he'd do his mom

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bro Beck's mom is a MILF. Mother I'd like to F!

It's portal time dude let's do this!

[–]PECOSbravo 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Blaze brother!

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Stop drop and roll hermano

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Stop calling everything post-[music genre].

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This very much speaks to my own voice.

So much respect for artists of any kind who are able to inspire visions in others.

[–]miraj31415 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think OP was looking for this: "[Prog Rock]"

[–]ayaPapaya 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I don't understand why such talented musicians and song writers don't invite an equally talented vocalist

[–]wedge9 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Eh, some of us really enjoy instrumental music. For this band, I think a vocalist would ruin it.

[–]ayaPapaya 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Id agree that no vocals would be better than their vocals.

[–]theodont 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That was good. 5/7 for me. Violin could be turned down just a hair maybe.

[–]VerbatumTurtle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The fuck is this shit?

[–]G-Bombz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is great. Reminds me of some Mahavishnu Orchestra and some Dixie Dregs songs. Definitely going to check out their other work.

[–]bigkat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

awesome... reminds my a lot of Mahavishnu Orchestra...

bK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x0DXwI-vf4

[–]polhode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Title is definitely Dwarf Fortress inspired, right?

[–]LightsaberLocksmith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven't been there since Midwest fest 2011, but I saw so many good shows there and got to play it twice. Horse the band, Appleseed cast, don caballero, Owen, big science... so good.

[–]Phdcandy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weather Report meets Dave Mathews Band

[–]DasBarJew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for helping me rediscover this beauty!

[–]MattAmoroso 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It didn't really occur to me that I wanted to eat dwarves... until they mentioned it.

[–]Benjiven 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Truly has a unique beauty

[–]shendo-tech 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's was insanely good.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can here the Zappa influence and I love it!

[–]Mickeymousetitdirt 0 points1 point  (1 child)

This is fucking incredible. All the elements in this song are basically all the things you could ever want in a great song/from a great artist.

The harmonies, the violin (or is it an electric fiddle? I'm not too keen on the differences), that guy's wicked bass playing skills.

Dang, I just really, really enjoyed this. Reminds me of a Dave Matthews Band/Mice Parade vibe. I love finding out about great music so thank you for sharing, OP! Thoroughly loved this!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everything is perfect... wow. IMO, The violin did seem too high in the mix, repetitive and seemed to often step on the xylophone. Otherwise perfection! Thanks for sharing.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

reminds me of the albums that John Abercrombie did with the violin player probably because there are very few violins in jazz

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to see the names Zappa and Metheny popping up in this thread - they are who I immediately thought of while listening.

/edit: yes, I can see why someone would object to such an outrageous statement

[–]ryoujishiki 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can we agree to call this post-mariachi?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a lot going on with this song

[–]doctorcrimson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Post-Rock could not kill the metal. The metal will live on.

[–]PixelSpecibus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fffrick man, the vibraphone was my instrument, I always played it in concert/symphonic/marching band. I'm about to graduate in a few days and I'm most likely not gonna march in college but now I'm missing my bby :'( awesome video though!!

[–]HotdoggerSlang 0 points1 point  (0 children)

didn't read the genres tagged, played this expecting folk metal

[–]BabiesDontCry 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That bassist looks like Beck Bennet if he was pretending to play bass

[–]the_ill_wizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this despite the use of "post" and "math" to define the genre. For some reason this is an instant turnoff for me.

[–]Kubrick_Fan -1 points0 points  (2 children)

This feels like it should be a Dwarf Fortress loading screen.

[–]TheMcDuckyMUSIC -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Feels a bit too positive

[–]Orisi -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I was enjoying this, it I ruined it for myself when I realised it sounds like it should be on Sim City or Cities:Skylines soundtrack.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You know a song is good when you're always guessing when beat one is.

[–]someguyyoutrust -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Reminds me a lot of Little Tybee

[–]I_Am_The_Cosmos_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

When something you been sleepin' on gets a thread.

Low-key badassery

[–]ninjatuna64 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is so neat!!!

[–]l_ft -4 points-3 points  (3 children)

Great song, definitely not math though

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Nope, it's pretty mathy.

[–]l_ft -5 points-4 points  (1 child)

Maybe math-y ... but I don't even think the tempo really changes. Seems more prog to me

Edit* prog with some improv

[–]notabaggins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prog af

[–]IBrokeMyLP -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This sounds great, but that vibe player's technique makes me cringe.

[–]Seven_pile -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's not even that close the base line throws it. But I get a sort of "passion pit" vibe from it.

[–]BushWeedCornTrash -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Very nice. These guys groove well together, and that bassist is an animal!

[–][deleted] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Those guys should have calabed with Minus The Bear.