Premier Rock Forum

tocharian wrote:I very much want to like Animal Collective but I can’t help but disapprove of how often they use folk instruments percussively because they don’t have the slightest idea how to play them. If you’re gonna put a lute or accordion or gamelan bells on your record, please drop by your local banjo/hammer dulcimer emporium and pick up a song book that will teach you the rudiments of playing these things.

naah. Sometimes the best sounds/inspiration just come from hitting the thing and wrestling with it for a bit. There's validity in knowing how to play an instrument, but you can also get something exciting by doing things wrong.

I like some of Sung Tongs, kinda...cool vocal parts here and there...

I just feel like these are art school kids saying, "look at me, im so weird and happy, dude"...i dont live in their world and i dont want to...

crap that has already allowed for other crap...

piut_ wrote:http://www.grrrndzero.org/joomla1.0.12/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=30

I like these guys, but that clip was terrible.
If they're gonna try to sound like some sort of shitty reggaetronica, then I will not be buying the new record.

kerble wrote:naah. Sometimes the best sounds/inspiration just come from hitting the thing and wrestling with it for a bit. There's validity in knowing how to play an instrument, but you can also get something exciting by doing things wrong.

I hear yah, and that approach is fine and dandy when it works—and often it does! Sometimes, though, it sounds aimless and like early childhood music appreciation. Give the kiddos a mess of instruments and let them explore.

givemenoughrope wrote:I like some of Sung Tongs, kinda...cool vocal parts here and there...

I just feel like these are art school kids saying, "look at me, im so weird and happy, dude"...i dont live in their world and i dont want to...

crap that has already allowed for other crap...

That pretty much sums it up.

i really like sung tongs and campfire songs. the others are ok.

over all, not crap.

There are some really cool moments off of Here Comes the Indian. Its the only Animal Collective album I own, and the only one I've spent much time with.

kerble wrote:

tocharian wrote:I very much want to like Animal Collective but I can’t help but disapprove of how often they use folk instruments percussively because they don’t have the slightest idea how to play them. If you’re gonna put a lute or accordion or gamelan bells on your record, please drop by your local banjo/hammer dulcimer emporium and pick up a song book that will teach you the rudiments of playing these things.

naah. Sometimes the best sounds/inspiration just come from hitting the thing and wrestling with it for a bit. There's validity in knowing how to play an instrument, but you can also get something exciting by doing things wrong.

I couldnt agree more. I learned a ton about my guitar by just going for it. Saying fuck all and just attacking the thing.

six acre lake wrote:

kerble wrote:

tocharian wrote:I very much want to like Animal Collective but I can’t help but disapprove of how often they use folk instruments percussively because they don’t have the slightest idea how to play them. If you’re gonna put a lute or accordion or gamelan bells on your record, please drop by your local banjo/hammer dulcimer emporium and pick up a song book that will teach you the rudiments of playing these things.

naah. Sometimes the best sounds/inspiration just come from hitting the thing and wrestling with it for a bit. There's validity in knowing how to play an instrument, but you can also get something exciting by doing things wrong.

I couldnt agree more. I learned a ton about my guitar by just going for it. Saying fuck all and just attacking the thing.

Just cuz I’m interested, are we talking about using folk instruments percussively or about finding new ways to produce melodic sounds with a guitar?

I’m ok with the later but the former can be darn lazy and boring. Dunderly even (emphasis Kerble: can be). I think it’s kind of decadent and a waste if you’ve got these wonderful instruments and you don’t do much in the way of exploring what can be done with them. I’m not convinced that Animal Collective even did much “wrestling” with them in the manner that Kerble is talking about. Respect the damn things. Study up on them a little.

Thoughts?

tocharian wrote:Thoughts?

yeah, it's music and music is art, and the greatest thing about art is there's no right or wrong approach. just what you feel like doing. learning won't hurt. not learning, also probably won't hurt. you'll learn how to play like you when you don't learn how to play at all. not really a bad thing.

learning the dumb shit just makes it easier to communicate to others the idea ya got, though if they don't know the dumb shit, good luck, and here's to your patience.