Blog Assignment 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9pf3omyGzw

Listening Framework:
Phase 1:
Tempo - Andante (Slow)
Source - Drums
Groove - Flow, smooth

Phase 2:
Instrumentation - Drums drive the song, but guitar guides it
Structure - Intro, verse, chorus, verse, bridge, guitar solo, outro
Emotional Architecture - Mostly sad during the song, but builds up during bridge and solo to be happy

Phase 3: (Balance)
Height - Relatively low
Width - Wide, with a lot of panning
Depth - Somewhat standard with a - Singer, Two guitars, and Two drum kits


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyjV9hDNRvQ

Listening Framework:
Phase 1:
Tempo - Allegro (Fast)
Source - Drums and guitar
Groove - Alt. rock, poppy

Phase 2:
Instrumentation - Drums drives the song, but guitar guides it
Structure - Intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus
Emotional Architecture - Somewhat sad until the build up at the end

Phase 3:
Height - High with the guitars
Width - Wide, panning
Depth - Standard, Two guitars, Two singers, Bass, Drums


These two brilliantly created songs by Bloc Party are quite different from each other, but also share some similarities.  The first song (Sunday)'s lyrics are clearly talking about two lovers that happen to be sharing an unfortunate hangover from the night before. However, unlike most songs, this song has two drum kits being played instead of one, driving a slow yet intricate tempo; this fits the song perfectly.  The guitar in the song is (what I personally think) sets the mood of the song, because until the end of the song the guitar is slow and somewhat sad, then right after the bridge it becomes happy and sounds somewhat triumphant even.  The second song (Two More Years)'s lyrics really just reiterate the saying "Keep on truckin'".  The song tells you that the worst will be over (after only two more years) and that you need to just "hold on". The drums in this drive it with a relatively fast beat, and I always find myself tapping my foot to the beat of quick kick drum. The guitar uses the beat of the kick drum to guide the song with it's clever use of and low toned chords.
These two songs are quite similar in the way that the drums drive the song, and in the way that the guitar helps guide the songs through their somewhat sad majority and triumphant endings. Another way that these songs are similar is that the lyrics fit each song incredibly well; it's as if I could determine the underlying meaning of each song even without the lyrics. The way that all the instruments in each song come together fit the lyrics perfectly.
 However, these two songs are also quite different. One difference is that that the tempo of Two More Years is much quicker than that of Sunday's. Another difference is that the groove of Sunday is much more flowing and slow, while Two More Years' is much more choppy and quick, making it sound pop-ish and alternative rock-ish.
Personally, I prefer Sunday because I love the guitar parts in the chorus and find the solo to be quite enjoyable. Also I love how innovative it was to compose to drum parts, thus leading to the playing of two drum kits at the same time. I find it very nice to listen to.