It Is Not Yet Dead

The blog is back and I’m here to claim Tuesdays before anyone else does. I will be posting about music seeing as that’s my specialty (or obsession, whichever you prefer). As a warning, I will probably have a post or two on random topics that I find particularly important that day and a few may be college-related simply because I’m gathering a good many hilarious stories and quotes from classes.

On to the real post!

This and next week I will be sharing my new and improved rave playlist for your entertainment. It’s served me well so far in keeping me awake while doing homework and, of course, solo dorm raves when I’m bored. Disclaimer: This playlist does not grant you the ability to dance. Trust me, I’ve tried.

Dreaming by Fun Factory
Despite the fact that I always put this on shuffle, this is a good song to begin a playlist with given the overly-serious introduction. The actual song, like many in the genre, is repetitive and not remarkably outstanding, but enjoyable.

The Vulture by Pendulum
This is a new one I’ve gotten into. The beginning is a bit annoying and has very little musical merit, but the main melodic line is addicting.

They’re Taking the Hobbits to Isengard by Erwin Beekveld
I must include this as a tribute to an epic car ride where this was blasted and sung by all those involved. Doing that with just about any song greatly improves the musical experience and it is further improved if the song is nerdy and gets you strange looks from people on the street. This has been tested recently with John Williams is the Man, Dream Land (Kirby) and various other video game songs. Also, this song is quite good/hilarious on its own.

Move Your Dead Bones by Dr. Reanimator
This song is a bit weird and extremely good for dancing.

Sandstorm by DaRude
Sandstorm is the classic rave song and the first one I ever heard. This is the original version rather than the shortened one. It is the most melodically and rhythmically diverse techno song I’ve come across thus far that I would want to listen to again.

Welcome to the Club by Manian
This song is absolutely amazing. A friend of mine introduced me to it a month or so ago and I was able to use it in my English paper on techno (side note: choosing your own topics in a class with a geeky teacher is epic). It has the most complex lyrical line I’ve seen in this genre and, more importantly, the melody is simply great. If any of you are interested in writing techno music, use 16th + 8th note patterns. I can name at least three songs from my favorites that all feature similar rhythms.

Techno Syndrome (Mortal Kombat) by The Immortals
It’s a video game theme and techno. I can think of few better combinations. Oh, and there’s that pattern again.

You Know by Pimp! Code
I’m beginning to love the synth sound in techno songs. This one does it well and uses it more for color on a strong melody than as the melody itself. The overall sound is very upbeat and fun.

Levas Polka by Basshunter
Most people either love this song or hate it. Personally, I think it’s great and it grows on you. It’s a very effective tongue exercise if you try to sing it. I am guilty of singing it repeatedly for that very reason. I’ll take all the practice I can get for La Forza del Destino (my flute part, aka the violin part on the recording, is insane for articulations).

We Are the Best by Pimp! Code
This is likely my favorite techno song and definitely in the top few if not. It’s organized much in the way of a traditional orchestra in regard to how the melodic and harmonic lines come in and out of the music. The effect is a perpetually building song with a ton of energy and a cool collection of synths.

Raver’s Fantasy by Tune Up!
Another rave classic, this song doesn’t have quite as much energy as We Are the Best, but it’s close. The music itself is a bit more complex, but there is a single melodic line, two rhythmic backbeats and no counter-melody to speak of apart from when the lyrical line is introduced (when the melodic line takes counter-melody).

Dota by Basshunter
I can’t, in good conscience, leave out Dota. It may not be particularly deep musically or lyrically, but you can’t deny it’s fun.

Hold Me Tonight (Alex K Mix) by Manian
To be honest, this song annoyed me in the beginning due to the female voice lead, but it found its way onto the list nonetheless. Once again, I’m caught up in the synth and the syncopated backbeat. Maybe it appeals to me since I’m a band kid: it’s very well subdivided (ok, that’s not it, but it does make it easier to dance to).

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk
This is on my list more for the others on the blog than myself. I don’t have any particular attraction to this song because it borders on minimalist (all techno does, but it is more apparent in some than others). Still, it’s fun to listen to and/or mime once in a while. At an actual rave it would work very well. At my desk doing calculus, I need something a little less robotic to keep me going.

In the Hall of the Mountain King (Techno Remix) originally by Mozart
Mozart is good in all forms, as shown by this remix. It isn’t in my favorites, but I like it. I’m not sure what else can be said.

This concludes my contribution this week. I hope you find something in this list that you haven’t heard before and go listen to it. If any of you have contributions to make, they are welcome in the comments. I’m always looking for more music. On a related note, if any of you have ideas on a paper topic I can use as my final for English, I would love to hear them. I’m having an awful time coming up with something that I haven’t already used (aka techno and Fire Emblem).

In other news, I’m changing my tag on here to Entropy for various reasons including that I won’t forget it. In the event that you don’t see a post from me next Tuesday, it’s probably because I’m dead from attempting sodium fusion at my job.

~ Entropy (former Minister of Silly Posts)