Figure 8
I loathe Adam Levine of Maroon 5. There is something about his existence that causes me to seethe with rage. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s a smug, tattooed hipster goober who pretends he’s captain badass even though he’s essentially in a boy band. Nickelback doesn’t bring forth the same rage, but their songs have not enriched my life in any way. Same goes for Drake, most modern rap, Gotye, and all the other singers and bands I cannot name. I must also include defunct whiners Oasis and Counting Crows in the of-no-merit-and-I-do-not-want-to-hear-ever-again category.
But when the vocalist is a girl, I change my tune. The sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, and contraltos are my sirens and the source of a guilty pleasure–pop music.
Say it loud — I jam Ellie Goulding and I’m proud!
If you are unfamiliar or have only been exposed to her hip-shaking SNL performance, listen to the song below. If there were a futures market for Billboard success, this would be a track in which to buy shares.
Perhaps my background colors my opinion. Having spent time in studios, not for money but for college credit, I am very cognizant of the fact that production and mastering of the quality displayed in “Figure 8″ do not just happen. The layers upon layers of piano, synths, pads, harp, drums, and vocals seek to compete in a sonic space. Just as energy moves toward entropy, sound moves toward cacophony.
Instead of cacophony, though, we are treated to a dense and loin-jostling soundscape, a place of raspy soprano goodness and almost imperceptible musical flourishes. In the final chorus, the bass adds a step up before heading back down. Goulding becomes a one-woman chorus of swirling vocals. Tension builds and releases as waves against the shore.
Perhaps the Skrillex-do is too much for your tastes. Perhaps the intimations of dubstep grate on you like a Skrillex track. These things matter not; “Figure 8″ is an example of mastery and too few people are interested in mastery these days.
Life should be a varied and rhythmic landscape filled with passion and pleasing tensions. Learn to master it.
Adam Levine of Maroon 5 has the attitude of a fat, angry black woman.
I despise and loathe Adam Levine also. He looks like Peter Pan’s smug older brother, hell even his voice grates on my nerves.
I do liked the layered way the track you posted is put together, but as you correctly predict, the fashion-victim Skrillex haircut is enough to make me not take the singer seriously
It gets worse. She actually dated Skrillex. That means they were a couple and had matching Skrillex hairstyles. I don’t have words for that.
Sweet God. This must be some sort of master troll joke, surely.
Here’s visual proof, but I suppose we can’t rule out extended performance art.
It’s too bad because otherwise she’s easy on the eyes.
I’m at a pay phone tryin’ to call home,
all of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone, baby it’s all wrong,
where are the plans we made for two
…
Wake you up
In the middle of the night to say
I will never walk away again
I’m never gonna leave this bed, oh
My wife loves Maroon 5…..
Ellie Goulding’s “Lights” is pretty sexy and a fantastic strip club song. I really dig her voice. It’s airy and light but not weak.
I like that song and her first album too. The SNL performance is where I first heard of her. I was struck by the fact that she’s actually a talented singer. You could tell it was her and not a bunch of “background” vocals.
Ellie Goulding, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis… there might be something tot he Brits producing pop singers who can really sing well instead of pop products for American consumption. I prob wouldnt bang any of the 4 listed above, but I’d listen to all sing over American, female pop products.
That’s a good point. The Brits seem to start with vocal competence and Americans with the “package.”
I’ll probably regret this, but here goes: Adam Levine is a good singer and not that much of a douche. And most of Maroon 5′s music is pretty good (as is Kara’s Flowers). I won’t defend most of their new album, on account of not being that familiar with it, and I understand the dislike of “Payphone” because Wiz Kalifa fucking sucks. But their first two albums, their EP, and the bulk of their third album is flat-out good pop. Their songwriting doesn’t suck, and is occasionally pretty good (e.g. “Story,” “Just a Feeling,” “Goodnight Goodnight” and “Sunday Morning”).
Yes, their songs can get kind of samey, and most of their compositions are pretty simple (lots of 4-and 5- chord songs, with pretty similar song structures and progressions). But, for the most part, their fairly distinct, in part because of Adam’s voice, and in part because they have a decent bassist who they aren’t afraid to use every once in a while. Basically, they have a unique but accessible sound, and that’s something to at least respect, even if you don’t particularly enjoy it.
FWIW, I enjoy Ellie Goulding and I think she has a great voice.
I disagree, but am willing to accept that perhaps Maroon 5 is the cilantro of pop music.
That seems about right.