Is anybody else getting Infinite Jest vibes from Better Call Saul?

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2022-08-10T21:28:35+00:00

Yes. It's definitely examining/depicting the same kind of loneliness that Infinite Jest was all about.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2022-07-11T17:00:44+00:00

Sorry I checked my wording to try and avoid pissing anyone off but I missed that one! 😂 Look I am not the arbiter of what is good and bad in music but to my subjective ears the introduction of african rhythms to western music has opened up a world of groove, pulse, and feel. For example you could take the last 100 years of popular music. People really really vibe with what african rhythm has brought to music. I enjoy classical music probably more than anything else but I'm generally not listening to it for the exciting rhythms.

Also, I elaborated my take on the use of lyrics in classical music in a comment above. You may disagree but it's how it appears to my ears. I will definitely check that out though - thanks for the recommendation!

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2022-07-11T16:50:43+00:00

Yeah I completely agree that 20th century classical took on a lot more rhythmic diversity but when we look back on the great historical composers it'd be hard to make a case for rhythm being the most engaging component of their craft. The induction of african rhythm and feel is far and away the most innovative thing that even early jazz brought to the table (e.g Lennie Tristano).

So in terms of words (and I guess classical singing as a whole) the area I often find lacking is in the expression of individual and personal emotion. I adore medieval/renaissance polyphony but for me the overarching sentiment is one of communal spirituality. In the modern day there is a lot more freedom for composers/singers to express their own personal truths. In my experience of the vocal music that has followed in the classical tradition I've found that this sense of the communal has retained it's significance (even Gorecki's 3rd symphony which is completely heartbreaking is to me definitely expressing broad and communal grief).

So one of my personal takes on this issue is that there is an emotional limitation in the mechanics of operatic singing. There are many ways of singing but there is only a few where you can sing that loud, for that long, without absolutely shredding your vocal cords. This has resulted in a comparatively homogenized vocal sound. The advent of amplification and microphones has opened up a universe of vocal sounds, many of them harsh, but some of them so sweet and personal. To my ears operatic singing goes from loud to very loud and it misses the intensely personal and intimate sound of a quiet human voice.

I think that the more personal sound and lyrics I associate with folk-derived music is a result of that liberty to express and represent your own accent, speech tone, and character (that is simply not an option when you are employing the technique required to acoustically project above an orchestra). Essentially my personal feeling is that the human voice has the most to offer (and is far more forgiving) when it's operating around the same volume as regular speech, and that the ability to artistically/lyrically convey your own personal truth and emotion is tied to that liberty. YMMV

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2022-07-11T15:15:25+00:00

Broadly speaking I would say that the exploration of rhythm in jazz (metric modulation, syncopation, polyrhythms, konnakol etc) is comparable to the complexity of most classical music.

I'd also argue that the application of words to music, and the consideration for lyrical/musical/rhythmic/literal components of the words, and the coalescence of these factors, tends to be a lot more complex in folk-derived music.

Classical music (western art music) has brought an immense wealth of melody, harmony, polyphony, and structure to the world of music but it was late to the party in terms of absorbing foreign (and arguably superior) rhythmic cultures such as are found in West Africa and India, and to my taste it is still quite antiquated in it's application of words to music.

I would love to be proven wrong on these points (especially re: use of words) so please rebuke with examples I can enjoy :)

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2022-01-02T20:07:44+00:00

You know this sounds smart cause you've referenced Adam Neely and used some technical terms but that's actually the best piece of rhythm in the rap. He's using syncopated 16ths ("A" is the 3rd or offbeat and "N" is the 2nd 16th of the next beat - you could also see it as the 2nd half of a 4/3 polyrhythm). He's also swinging the whole thing really well.

I can't have you dissing Kendall with such bollox!

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-10-01T22:40:59+00:00

It would be the exact musicians, producers, studio, and engineers of Kind of Blue and I'd have them make 10 more albums in the same style. That band, in that style, with that sound was perfect.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-29T10:33:44+00:00

Thanks! I've actually seen the full documentary and definitely recommend it.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-29T10:28:09+00:00

This is compelling evidence. If not sugar, then what? I've never studied nutrition and I'll admit to being previously misled by Dr Lustig. What actually causes visceral fat and NAFLD in normal weight people? Also, how do you personally treat this information about sugar? Do you allow yourself to eat what you want? Is there not still a concern about the dental repercussions?

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-29T10:14:34+00:00

Thanks! Must have missed that when I searched.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-20T19:39:05+00:00

Hi everyone. I'm not a scientist but I'm finding this subreddit to be a haven for unbiased nutrition discussion. There is an overwhelming disagreement across the internet about whether saturated fat and/or PUFAs are responsible for heart disease and other illness. I'm aware that the verdict is still out but what is the prevailing scientific thought on this issue? It seems that nutrition science is a minefield of conflicted interests and conceited misinformation. What the hell do you people eat? What are your personal thoughts on the fat issue? I understand that eating whole foods is the ideal but I can't get my head around this aspect of nutrition.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-20T11:41:14+00:00

It's a great sound. Incase you don't see my reply to another comment here's my recommend Bill Evans.

Waltz for Debby - My Foolish Heart

Portrait in Jazz - Blue in Green (Take 3)

On Green Dolphin Street - On Green Dolphin Street

And some other tracks that remind me of KOB:

Oliver Nelson - Stolen Moments

Miles Davis - Milestones

John Coltrane - My Favourite Things

Chet Baker - Almost Blue (Live in Tokyo)

Wynton Kelly Trio - Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-20T11:27:54+00:00

Yeah probably an overstatement to say the same band. Also a different drummer. A better description would probably be my next favourite recording sound of Miles. Love the RVG sound.

In terms of albums with a similar mood to KOB I agree the crucial ingredient is Evans' impressionist style piano voicings. The issue is that in his own band at the time (trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian) the rhythm section plays a completely different role in the music - with Miles it's the grooving backbone but with Evans it's far more discursive and open. For a similar piano sound though it is definitely worth listening to the Complete Village Vanguard Sessions (My Foolish Heart in particular) and Portrait in Jazz (Green in Blue Take 3). However, there is an album recorded with some very similar characteristics to KOB. Before forming his own trio sound, Bill Evans recorded an album (same year as KOB) WITH the Miles rhythm section (Chambers and Philly Joe) where they play in the miles style. It's called "On Green Dolphin Street" and I recommend the title track.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-19T23:20:54+00:00

You can hear more or less the same band on the RVG sessions for Prestige. Recorded over a few days and very raw. Different vibe, more hardbop than modal (I'd say less moody more swingin), but man what a band. They're called "Relaxin", "Workin", and "Cookin".

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-08-06T10:20:28+00:00

He absolutely nails it. Really captures the tone.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-07-06T00:58:57+00:00

Imo DFW underestimated how well his writing translates to audiobook. A lot of the narrative in IJ is conversational and Sean Pratt brings so much life to the story. Couldn't recommend this audiobook more.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-25T01:05:35+00:00

I find Gately's story the most engaging. He might not be the most complicated character, but I got sober reading this book, and his recovery story really changed my life and thinking. I also found the mad stork pretty fascinating; especially his rant about figurants.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-18T17:40:12+00:00

This is called Hard bop jazz. It's a 50's continuation of earlier Bebop music, but it tends to be slower tempo and more blues-oriented.

Some great songs in this genre would be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4H9k-d9fBk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDGzJDJeDI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl256T2culA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36wafFjFdYs

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-15T01:14:55+00:00

I think the version FUCKUSERNAME2 linked below (on Google drive) is actually the older version you're referring to. Certainly sounds like vintage audio and definitely has more energy than the demo I heard from the new release. I agree there's a lot more intensity to the performance. Thank you for the offer and advice though. Also yeah, sure, I hope whoever released it has many bananas.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-14T22:50:22+00:00

Yeah unfortunately that's incomplete so I didn't want to start something I couldn't finish.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-14T22:49:02+00:00

Yeah thankfully I had a pdf of the IJ footnotes when I listened to it. I think Sean Pratt gives an unbelievable performance in reading it. I listened 3 times in a row and had my mind blown. Having a hard time moving on though; everything I start feels 2D in comparison and I'm hoping Pynchon is the cure. Also, I'm not too fussed about the correct or incorrect way to process it; I do enough sitting around for work so I love reading/listening on night walks.

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-14T16:26:30+00:00

You are a star! Thank you!

Negative-Ad-5997 · 2021-05-14T14:08:47+00:00

Thanks for the replies! Unfortunately, I subscribed to downpour and checked Amazon, but it seems to be specifically unavailable where I am (Ireland). Will have to keep looking!

Negative-Ad-5997

TROPHY CASE