Introducing the Songs of the Week!
Music is important, that's something we can all agree on. Discovering unfamiliar music is just as important. The writers of The Tanner Times have decided to share what they're listening to so that readers can hear something new that you'll hopefully like. We'll be making a weekly playlist of songs hand-picked by our writers and editors. Check out the first week's playlist here and read about the songs below. If you want to check out the archive of every song thats been on the Songs of the Week, you can find that here, although since this is the first time it'll only have this week's picks.
Connor Murphy:
I chose this song on the basis that it's both soulful and energetic. It has a really nice underlying groove and simple, memorable melody. In addition, the chorus is comically unexpected at times, and it's made even more memorable and fun with the first line being "son of a bitch!" right after the soulful and smooth verses. I feel this song has great energy and great, somewhat dark lyrics about alcoholism presented in a much different tone.
With an easy to remember chorus, and a strong driving rhythm, THISKIDSNOTALRIGHT is a great, angry rock song. It presents a central message about conformity and the way people who don't think or act in a way that's considered "normal" are treated.
Edgar Castro:
I chose this mainly because it's one of the more accessible of my favourite folk songs. There's a lot of things going on here - Conor Oberst, the singer of Bright Eyes, talks about the burden of the cost of higher education; the focus on grades and scores of standardized testing alone as both a major portion of what a student and their teachers are worth in the eyes of the government and other institutions and also as an increasingly potent dictator of what is to be taught in schools; the hubris of politicians and the news networks that may or may not be fudging facts and figures to support their favorites (I'm looking at you, Fox); the intense consumerism that our society propagates and depends on to function. I don't agree with or condone everything Oberst sings about in this song - mainly the situation that the narrator is in when he starts singing the song, which is followed up later - but I agree with a lot of it.
I don't believe I've ever heard a post-rock song both as perfect and as accessible as this one. The song, from Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada, slowly builds up from strings playing over a drone to something very involved, lively, and emotional. Around halfway through the song, the drums, electric guitar, and something sounding like a xylophone-esque instrument kick in, and the energy and volume slowly ramp up to a beautiful climax before lowering again to two string instruments supporting each others' melodies, a section that sounds very much like the one that led into the song at the beginning. The song leads into another song, Blaise Bailey Finnegan III, which I believe should absolutely be listened to if you enjoyed this one at all, because that would provide the full experience of Slow Riot.
Natasha DaSilva:
Car radio is a song that channels everyones anxious side, constantly wondering about all these different part of life. It takes rap and gives it a huge makeover. The piano and drums work together to tone the song down into a more relaxed form of rap but still managing to make it fun and dance-able.
Domesticated man is a story told in the indie pop kind of sounding tune. Its also danceable, with its signature claps in the background and instruments layered over eachother. To be totally honest, i love this song because its music is one that makes me want to dance (and i never dance). It will definitely have you on your feet if you like indie pop.
Demetri Cassidy:
This song comes from the duo's album "Bloom" from 2012. As shown with this song, these two are skilled at making music that is sad and depressing, but very dreamy and pretty to listen to.
Brother Sport: This song comes from the band's 2009 album, "Merriweather Post Pavilion". These guys make pop music that is very weird, psychedelic, and insanely catchy.
Gabe Goldman:
I have no real justification for this choice. It's a good song though.
Kyle Sousa:
All I have to say for it is that it's a great song. The background music is great and the lyrics are pretty meaningful.
Edelina Curkic:
It's an older song that I absolutely love and not many people know i. I love it because of the instruments used and the tone it has to it.
I love this song because it's very energetic and it has great meaning behind it. What Twenty One Pilots does in this song is show us that we never follow our dreams anymore because we are used to being doubtful. Although I love Twenty One Pilots and all of their songs, this is one of my favorites.
Alana Smith:
This song is on the playlist this week because of lyrics Halsey has written. The lyrics are absolutely phenomenal, nothing has been written like this before.
Martin Garrix is an EDM artist that has been getting a lot of attention lately. This song is a song that you can just jam out with friends with. The bass drop is crazy (in a good way).
Bobby Manning:
Miguel and his overwhelmingly powerful voice questions labels, identity, and judgement over soft guitar riffs. Lush production that has become signature to Miguel's unique style is present as well. Chorus highlights a great thought, do you really "belong" if you're changing who you are to do so?