I kind of agree with you, there is a lot of great soundtracks. However, for me a soundtrack is part of a larger medium, which it underscores or sublements. Most of them make medicore songs at best when listend to in isolation.
Can't you say that of everything though ? Take rap for example, doesn't it fit in a larger medium that is the rapper's life ? You cant have a piece of art existing in a vacuum. If I listen to Gwyn's theme, am I liking it because I played the game or because it's intrinsically beautiful ? Does it make it less beautiful to me ? Does it matter ?
Take rap for example, doesn’t it fit in a larger medium that is the rapper’s life ?
Maybe. I don't really care about artists and usually know nothing about them, so that aspect is usually irrelevant to me.
I didn't mean that the life of the artist is relevant, but lyrics are the reflection of an artist's existence, so even if you don't care about the artist themselves you're still listening to their lyrics.
That's why I say pieces don't just exist in a vacuum.
I mean you're right, they don't exist in a vaccum. But for me they might as well.
All I care is the song. Like if a specific pattern of sound waves makes my brain go "I enjoy that" then I like it. I really don't think any additional consideration are necessary or relevant.
Agreed. Which is also why I enjoy both instrumental and songs :P
Of course, that's valid.
But I think your initial point was that songs, like soundtracks, are part of a bigger medium. And I don't really agree with that. A good song is a good song on it's own but a good soundtrack in context may make a lousy song on it's own.
That wasn't my point at all (maybe quote me the part that sounded like it was) I think it was actually your point :P . I'm an avid and holistic enjoyer of good sound.
Can’t you say that of everything though ? Take rap for example, doesn’t it fit in a larger medium that is the rapper’s life ?
It was that part.
Adding an epic soundtrack to a movie scene transforms both pieces into a new expirence. I just don't see how adding the context of an artists life to a song is comparable to that.
Well in both cases it is the context. One is the movie, the other is the socio economical context of the rapper's life that people might relate to.
That's all
the other is the socio economical context of the rapper’s life that people might relate to.
Interessting, you talking more about relating to the artist directly. I guess in rap it's very common for many songs to tell very personal stories, so people related to the broader story that spans the entire artists work. I haven't really consider that. Good point.
Yeah, at the end of the day, music like any form of art (and some other form of craft that might be considered art) is there to provoke some kind of emotion in the recipient.
For example there's one piece of classical music that especially touched me last year called "Prince Igor". I have no clue who made it, who interpreted it, what it's about or when or where it was written. All I know is that this particular melody resonates with me and I ended up listening to it on a loop for hours on end because it evoked a feeling of peace and joyful curiosity.
Just quoting one of my comments I made elsewhere in this thread:
There is definitely exceptions. Though guitar instrumentals don’t do it for me, even though I generally listen to the rock/metal genre.
But for example I really like violin covers by this one artist/youtuber of movie and game soundtracks (especially the Zelda games). But that’s some of the only instrumental music I listen to and only when I’m in a specific mood.
And even there I think nostalgia is doing most of the heavy lifting for me enjoying the songs.
I kind of agree with you, there is a lot of great soundtracks. However, for me a soundtrack is part of a larger medium, which it underscores or sublements. Most of them make medicore songs at best when listend to in isolation.
Can't you say that of everything though ? Take rap for example, doesn't it fit in a larger medium that is the rapper's life ? You cant have a piece of art existing in a vacuum. If I listen to Gwyn's theme, am I liking it because I played the game or because it's intrinsically beautiful ? Does it make it less beautiful to me ? Does it matter ?
Maybe. I don't really care about artists and usually know nothing about them, so that aspect is usually irrelevant to me.
I didn't mean that the life of the artist is relevant, but lyrics are the reflection of an artist's existence, so even if you don't care about the artist themselves you're still listening to their lyrics.
That's why I say pieces don't just exist in a vacuum.
I mean you're right, they don't exist in a vaccum. But for me they might as well.
All I care is the song. Like if a specific pattern of sound waves makes my brain go "I enjoy that" then I like it. I really don't think any additional consideration are necessary or relevant.
Agreed. Which is also why I enjoy both instrumental and songs :P
Of course, that's valid.
But I think your initial point was that songs, like soundtracks, are part of a bigger medium. And I don't really agree with that. A good song is a good song on it's own but a good soundtrack in context may make a lousy song on it's own.
That wasn't my point at all (maybe quote me the part that sounded like it was) I think it was actually your point :P . I'm an avid and holistic enjoyer of good sound.
It was that part.
Adding an epic soundtrack to a movie scene transforms both pieces into a new expirence. I just don't see how adding the context of an artists life to a song is comparable to that.
Well in both cases it is the context. One is the movie, the other is the socio economical context of the rapper's life that people might relate to. That's all
Interessting, you talking more about relating to the artist directly. I guess in rap it's very common for many songs to tell very personal stories, so people related to the broader story that spans the entire artists work. I haven't really consider that. Good point.
Yeah, at the end of the day, music like any form of art (and some other form of craft that might be considered art) is there to provoke some kind of emotion in the recipient.
For example there's one piece of classical music that especially touched me last year called "Prince Igor". I have no clue who made it, who interpreted it, what it's about or when or where it was written. All I know is that this particular melody resonates with me and I ended up listening to it on a loop for hours on end because it evoked a feeling of peace and joyful curiosity.
Just quoting one of my comments I made elsewhere in this thread:
That's your opinion and I respect it