Sweetpea
Group: Members
Posts: 1476
Joined: April 2007 |
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Posted: April 23 2009, 15:24 |
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| Quote (nightspore @ Dec. 25 2008, 01:51) | | In the case of Incantations it has always seemed to me a case of "much sound and fury, signifying nothing". I agree, Sweetpea, that Music of the Spheres lacks something, but I don't think it's danceability; I think it's that "post-exegesis" feel, where Mike is in tune with emotions and isn't afraid to express them. |
I think Incantations is a substantial work - a landmark in the artist's journey as well as a major musical entity in itself - so I can't be so dismissive of it. On the other hand, I do tend to listen to my favorite parts rather than the entirety. But I disagree with your 'fear of expressing emotions' theory. I think MOTS' distinctiveness has much to do with maturity and tastefulness. Restraint, opposed to inability.
| Quote (Dirk Star @ Dec. 26 2008, 07:23) | I think what is surprising perhaps is how easily he has moved from some of the "writing to rhythms" stuff featured on Light & Shade.To some of the more melodic and pre-structured material on MOTS.Taking something like Our Father into consideration for instance from L&S..You know I`d say it`s a fairly safe bet to say listening to that piece that Mike laid down the chord pattern and drum rhythm first there.Then just basicaly layered stuff on top of it.I can`t for one moment believe he was walking around with that (lack of) melody in his head for a while,and then felt the urge to get it down on the fruity loops.All the main guitar figure really does on that track is signify the chord changes to a certain extent.
That said rhythms of a sort,tubularesque and otherwise are still very prevelant on MOTS.And would therefore imo still have greatly influenced and inspired some of Mike`s counter melodies that he came up with for the piece.Obviously they`re rhythms of a different style and structure,and in general there`s a lot more variation and depth within each track I suppose.You know at the same time he was still sitting down at his computer piecing it all together wasn`t he!?Yes it`s less groovy due to the nature of the work,I`d wholly agree with that.But perhaps the initial compostional style and in essence structuring of MOTS,is maybe not as radicaly different to L&S as some would think?...I think what I`m saying is whilst a lot of the melodies on MOTS,are very nice and generaly stronger than a good deal of his more recent material.They still imo fall a long way short of a lot of his very earliest material pre-Incantations. |
While I enjoy Light + Shade quite a lot, I see what you mean about its simplicity when compared to MOTS. When held side by side, they hint at the broadness of MO's abilities. At the same time, there's a bit of similarity, isn't there?
| Quote (ex member 419 @ Mar. 04 2009, 03:55) | | Mike has written some really energetic music in the 80s, very dance worthy, but it is also nice to hear more classical pieces such as mots, that music has such an emotional tug that cannot be articulated, and drew my attention to his music, deb |
I was very surprised when I first heard MO's Pop music, since I was only really familiar with Ommadawn. I don't think he was completely successful with songs, but there are some wonderful things to come from that time: "Five Miles Out", "Moonlight Shadow", and "Heaven's Open", for example. And I think "Heaven's Open" comes close to matching the euphoric highs on some of the instrumentals.
| Quote (The Caveman @ Mar. 04 2009, 07:19) | | I have been listening to MOTS a lot recently.Specifically the live version which to me is the better version and again i am struck by just how good it is. |
I'd really like to hear the live MOTS. From others' comments, it sounds like it's worth having.
| Quote (larstangmark @ Mar. 04 2009, 07:29) | | As I see it Mike's "inner boogie" made its debut on Ommadawn and appeared for the last time on Discovery (and a little bit on "Wind Chimes"). Prior to that (TB and HR) the music was a bit stuttering and lacks a rhythmic backbone so to speak. From Earth Moving and on the rhythms became less organic and the drum patterns are less intergrated in the overall arrangements. To me it seems like Mike's inner boogie requires a professional drummer in order to come out. |
Now you're making me rethink these rhythms, Lars. I hadn't been too concerned with organicity, and perhaps my idea of 'grooves' was a bit vague.
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"I'm no physicist, but technically couldn't Mike both be with the horse and be flying through space at the same time? (On account of the earth's orbit around the Sun and all that). So it seems he never had to make the choice after all. I bet he's kicking himself now." - clotty
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catch mike rocking and working that guitar in tb2 at edinburgh, and grooving smoothly at tb3 at horse guards parade, and the man still has the moves and mojo! 