Music 143 Final Exam

Platinum album

"Platinum" (1 million copies)

Black Sabbath

- English - heavy metal band - active from the late 60's to the 2000's, -pioneers of heavy metal -famous ballads being "Iron Man" - leading man Ozzy Osbourne, -dark themes, use of musical tritone, aggressive sound, tuned-down guitars -combine blues rock, prog rock, psychedelic rock, and hard rock -preaching about social instability, political corruption, the dangers of drug abuse and apocalyptic prophecies of the horrors of war.

Gangsta rap

- Late 80s, early 90s - West coast rap genre - Black and Latino communities (working class and poor; lyrics and images: violence, homophobia, and race; must be contextualized)

Bruce Springsteen

- New Jersey based singer-songwriter - greatest success started with his album The River - image was based on the idea that he was the voice of the average working class guy -lyrics reflected in common emotional and social problems - he wrote socially conscious lyrics, music for grown ups -confusion over "Born in the USA" - wrote "The Promise Land" - Important in the context of singer-songwriters of the late 70s as well as the new traditionalists of the 80s

MTV

- created in the 1980s - played 24 hours of music videos - creators debated whether to show promotional videos from record companies or show more artistic, less commercial videos. -faced challenges such as having enough videos to fill the broadcasting hours

Prince

- he asserted racial difference on MTV and sexuality in pop music before anyone else - he wrote and produced his own music, as well as other artists - doo-wop, funk style -roots in black pop - autobiographical film Purple Rain was a success -sexually charged and somewhat ambiguous figure - sang "1999"

The Police

- new wave band who created sophisticated musical arrangements and poetic lyrics - Sting was the guitar and vocalist -strong reggae influence -became well known for Stewart Copeland's complex drumming, Sting's literary lyrics, and Andy Summers' atmospheric guitar -Did not achieve much success in the singles market until the late 80s - sang "Don't Stand so Close to Me"

Madonna

- started as a professional dancer - music was driven by a dance beat - music and videos explored issues of sexual conduct, racial issues, women's roles, and spirituality -successful business woman - sang "Like a Virgin"

Talking Heads

-A punk group of the 70's that frequently played at CBGB -well liked by music critics who praised the intellectual and artsy character of Byrne's songs

Carrie Underwood

-American Idol produced several country singers, the most important of which was Carrie Underwood; Underwood had consistent crossover success with records such as "Before He Cheats."

Bon Jovi

-American hair metal band from NJ but considered by many to not be metal bc too pop oriented sound -broke barrier to megastar status -style based on the high, soaring vocals of Jon Bon Jovi and virtuosic (but often restrained) guitar work of Ritchie Sambora -focused on themes of working-class youth and Americana -"Livin' on a Prayer"

Boston

-American rock and roll band -active from the mid 70's to the mid 90's -Famous for their classic rock ballad "More Than a Feeling" that is a staple on an any classic rock radio station. -They have an incredibly unique sound that can be characterized multiple lead and blended harmonies guitar work (usually harmonized in thirds), often alternating between and then mixing electric and acoustic guitars. -blended blues rock with aspects of prog rock - The band's harmonic style has been characterized as being "violin-like" without using synthesizers

Blondie

-Among the great punk bands from New York that got their start at CBGB (Country Blue Grass Blues), Blondie featured former model Debbie Harry on lead vocals. -Initially known as the Stilettos -They named the band after her appearance, as she is a 'blonde bombshell.' -Band's rise would occur only after the Sex Pistols brought punk to the attention of mainstream rock audiences in the U.S. -They released their best known album Parallel Lines in 1979, which featured "X-Offender" -provides an aural glimpse of the early girl-group influences, with the spoken introduction, happy driving beat, back-up vocals, 60s combo organ sounds, and Ventures-like guitar solo -The story is a true account of a stalker that followed Harry around. -She sings the song from his perspective.

OutKast

-Atlanta-based hip-hop group that had crossover appeal; the group drew on a wide range of source material. -"Hey Ya'

Kool Herc

-Came to the Bronx in 1967 at age of 13 -One of "founding fathers" of hip hop -Brought Jamaican tradition of sound system parties and MCing over breaks to NY -Known for playing hard funk records (James Brown, etc), and for pioneering the idea of the "break"

Lilith Fair

-Concert tour/traveling music festival founded by Sarah McLachlan Took place during summers of 1997-99; revived in the summer of 2010 Featured female singer-songwriters, both established and emerging (on 3 stages) -Founded to combat sexism in the music industry (specifically practice of never featuring two female artists in a row)

Seattle scene

-DIY Aesthetic -Punk+metal distortion -Ringing of guitars at end -sonically abrasive textures -associated with grunge -city experienced economic downturn in 1970s as a result of Boeing's financial struggles

Afrika Bambaataa

-DJ from the South Bronx, of Jamaican and Barbadian descent I-nvolved in the Black Spades, one of NY's biggest gangs -Following a trip to Africa, changed his name to Afrika -Bambaataa and turned his attention to building positive local community -Founded Zulu Nation in 1976 to provide an alternative to gangs, channeling energy into hip-hop competitions rather than violence

Tori Amos

-Daughter of a Methodist minister (which has influenced her music) Child prodigy on the piano (classically trained) -Started playing piano in gay bars and piano bars at age 13 -Launched career as solo artist in the early 1990s with highly successful album Little Earthquakes; became one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the '90s -Has recorded with Atlantic, Epic, and Universal -Co-founded RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) in 1994 -AMOS'S MUSIC -Known for her impressive technical skill on the piano And for her complex piano accompaniments, and songs are often fairly complex in terms of form, as well as harmonically. Also known for her poetic lyrics, which often deal with serious topics (such as rape, female sexuality, homophobia, patriarchal oppression of women within Christianity, misogyny, etc.) -"Crucify"

Indigo Girls

-Duo band consisting of singerguitarists -Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, from Georgia First album was self-produced (1987); they then signed with a major label (Epic Records) in '88; returned to self-producing in 2007 -Highly successful band: have had 4 platinum albums and 1 double platinum (Indigo Girls) -Known for their activism and for being open as lesbians

Elvis Costello

-English -new wave/punk rock singer -active from 1970's until present. -most famous for his song "No Action" -Steeped in wordplay, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader than that of most popular songs. -music has drawn on many diverse genres; one critic described him as a "pop encyclopedia", able to "reinvent the past in his own image -known for aggressive and clever attacks on the status quo -"Pump it Up"

The Clash

-English punk rock band -Formed in 976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, dub, funk. - made famous for "London Calling" - entered American market -political protestors -did even better after the demise of the Sex Pistols -politicised lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock

AOR (album-oriented rock)

-FM moves from small-scale, indie, alternative stations focused on whole albums and long songs to being big money-makers for large corporations -3 to 4 minute songs ideal as they allowed for commercials -heavily formatted

Velvet Underground

-Formed by singer/guitarist Lou Reed (creative writer, professional song writer) and John Cale (studied avantgarde composition) -NYC-based band active in the 1960s, closely associated with Andy Warhol and avant-garde pop art scene -Focused on provocative (dark) subject matter and musical experimentation -Strong influence on David Bowie and Iggy Pop; also on early punk artists like Patti Smith -"Run, Run, Run" -sound characterized by loud guitars, heavy drumming, and Iggy Pop's screaming vocals

The Patti Smith Group

-Formed in 1973 by Patti Smith (poet) and Lenny Kaye (guitarist and rock critic) -Known for literary, poetry centric performances, incorporating poetic recitation into song -Typical for punk, focus on dark side of urban life -First band from the developing New York punk scene to sign a major-label record deal -"Land"

Superchunk

-Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill indie music scene of the 1990s. -Their energetic, high-velocity style and DIY ethics were influenced by punk rock -created Merge Records

Nirvana

-Formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987 -Became active in underground Seattle grunge scene in late 1980s Early releases with Sub Pop (important indie label based in Seattle) -Signed with major label (DGC Records), and hit it big with Nevermind in 1991 -Credited with bringing alternative rock to mainstream attention -"Smell Like Teen Spirit" -amateurish sound -hard to understand lyrics -bi-polar nature

Neutral Milk Hotel

-Formed in Louisiana in the late 1980s As recording project of Jeff Mangum (singer, guitarist, songwriter) -Have recorded with Merge -Known for unusual instrumentation, abstract lyrics, and experiments with noise -Album In the Aeroplane over the Sea (1998) seen as one of best indie releases of the decade -"In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" -folk-rock-like sound -unusual instruments: singing saws, flugelhorn -poetic, personal lyrics

Sleater-Kinney

-Formed in Olympia in 1994 (also Evergreen students) Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar), Carrie Brownstein (vocals and guitar), Janet Weiss (drums) Unlike Bikini Kill (which disbanded in 1997) -SleaterKinney has continued to be influential

Peter Gabriel

-Former member of the British art-rock ensemble "Genesis" who later recorded a series of self-titled solo albums as well as the commercially successful So. -direct lyrics, simple harmonies, tight, radio-friendly arrangments

NWA

-Gangsta rap group from Compton -their depiction of urban life made them popular with white audiences in the midwest -brought an even angrier approach to rap, creating much controversy in the process

College rock

-Grows from Punk - leads to alternative -Regionalized -Shuns big labels -centered around student-run college radio stations -"Thinking" lyrics -musical simplicity -more of a scene than a genre -Got its start in Athens, Georgia with REM

Run DMC

-Hip-Hop group from NY. -first to have a gold record, first to have a platinum record, first to have videos on MTV, first to appear on American Bandstand and on the cover of Rolling Stone -Aerosmith "Walk this Way" -"Rock Box"

Cable TV

-Initially seen as necessary in areas were antenna transmission was unsatisfactory (people who lived in hilly or mountainous areas - mostly in midwest, work to appeal to midwest demographic) -had to develop new markets by offering something the networks and local stations could not (at first the focus was on recent movie broadcasts without commercials, but people had to pay for services, HBO became successful) -channels dedicated to sports, news, and weather were devised to bolster cable packages -mtv became the cable channel focused on music

Wilco

-Jeff Tweedy's group Wilco was celebrated by the indie community for its successful negotiations with Warner Brothers as well as its innovative music. -"Ashes of American Flags"

Beck

-LA based singer-songwriter who recorded several lo-fi records with several indie labels -Was able to manage the tradition from indie to major label despite indie fans' aversion to major labels -"Loser"

Bikini Kill

-Leaders of riot grrrl movement -Formed in Olympia in 1990 by Kathleen Hanna (singer/ songwriter), Billy Karren (guitar), Kathi Wilcox (bass), Tobi Vail (drums) -Students at Evergreen College known for heavy, hardcore influenced sound and feminist lyrics -"Feels Blind"

Napster

-Listeners began to share music in the form of electronic files, particularly the MP3; Napster and other peer-to-peer file sharing programs made access to music easier and decentralized the power of major labels. -Trading music through Napster was a violation of copyright law, and musicians, songwriters, and record companies lost revenue; Napster was challenged in court and forced to shut down, but it had changed the music industry business model.

Malcom McLaren

-Managed both the New York Dolls and The Sex Pistols -Ran the clothing store Let it Rock -Relaunched in 1973 as Too Fast to Live, Too Fast to Die where he befriended members of the New York Dolls -Dressed and managed the Dolls during the first part of 1973 but returned to London after the group dissolved -Store renamed Sex -He Brought the Punk aesthetic brought from -NYC underground to London

Singer-songwriters

-Musicians who wrote and performed their music, usually solo acts, much more personal than other bands -connected to idea of authenticity

The Cars

-New Wave band. Incorporated things like: -Handclaps (recalls 1960s girl-groups) -Rockabilly guitar lick (recalls Elvis Presley style) -Repeated organ chords (recalls 1960s garage band style) -"Hiccupy" vocal style (recalls Buddy Holly) -"My Best Friend's Girl"

Nickelback

-Nickelback focused on heavier forms of rock; later in the decade, the band began to explore country influences. -In 2004, a fan noticed strong similarities between two Nickelback songs, causing the band to face accusations that they recycle music; members of the band argued that they have a "distinct style" that caused the similarities. -"Photograph"

Grandwizzard Theodore

-One of the two early DJ's to use a turntable credited with inventing scratching and also known for his skill at needle dropping

Grandmaster Flash

-One of the two early DJ's to use a turntable known for developing backspin/quickmixing technique and punch phrasing and for perfecting scratching; also for his smooth style, emphasizing cohesion rather than fragmentation

REM

-Peter Buck on Guitar (folk-rock-like) -known for political activism -classic rock instrumentation -energetic beat, short duration, simple structure, straightforward vocal style -Michael stipe voice -Formed in Athens GA 1980 -Garage Aesthetics -Punk minus rebellion -new wave minus commercial -"The One I Love"

Foreigner

-R&B style in vocals and guitar -Prog-Rock elements such as prominent use of keyboards -unpretentious feel -demonstrative of new age of rock of corporatization and consolidation of styles -"Feels Like First Time"

Ani DiFranco

-Singer-songwriter, and instrumentalist (Known for her skill on the acoustic guitar Often uses fast fingerpicking, alternate tuning, and staccato style playing) -Also successful businesswoman. One of first musicians to create her own independent label, Righteous Babe (in 1989)—specifically to allow herself unlimited artistic freedom -Embodies anti-corporate ethos typically associated with indie rock Known for her activism; and considered a feminist icon -known for skill on acoustic guitar but also has experimented with other instruments -"Little Plastic Castle"

Foo Fighters

-Started off as a more ironic and non-serious band with their music videos -became more serious in the later 2000's -heavy style oriented at the modern rock market "Rope"

The Ramones

-The first group to record and widely disseminate the punk style -Produced a stripped-down, high-energy style of rock that focused on short, simple songs played very fast -Never had any significant success in the U.S.

Sampling

-The process of using a portion of prerecorded music in a new context. -Led to various lawsuits

CBGB

-This low-class bar in New York's Bowery became the home to punk -(Country, Bluegrass, and Blues)

Punk

-This style of music was first made famous in 1975 with the emergence of British punk rock band "The Sex Pistols" to the early 80's. -The style was characterized by aggressive lyrics that often preached political frustrations and anti-establishment. Another predominant punk rock band was American group "The Ramones" -More an aesthetic than a musical style -DIY approach (radical clothes and hair) -starts in NYC underground in mid-60s -big in the UK during mid-70s (linked to Britain's suffering economy and high unemployment rate) -reaches mainstream in new guise of new wave c. 1980

The Replacements

-Twin Cities hardcore/punk band -had chaotic and fast parts like western and DC hardcore but also contained impressively melodic passages -more ambitious with melody with more pop-like hooks than other hardcore bands -More complex harmony also vocals more sung than screamed -"Color Me Impressed"

Riot Grrrl

-Underground feminist hardcore punk movement, that arose in the early 1990s -Female response to very masculine and male-dominated punk scene Focused on personal empowerment (of women) and on activism -Based in the Pacific Northwest (especially Olympia, WA) Often seen at the starting point of third-wave feminism

Sex Pistols

-United Kingdoms -1st well recognized punk band. -Known for their obscene lyrics and crazy, aggressive antics pointed at the establishment and social conformity -Filled in for Queen on a TV show, provoked by the host, they uttered a few forbidden words, causing a scandal and becoming notorious overnight and being dropped by EMI -Signed to A&M who got cold feet -Signed to Virgin Records -Made punk a dirty word, leading to labels not wanting to sign punk bands Musical style—loud, "amateurish" sound

MP3

-compressed digital audio files, had already been developed by the mid-1990s, making it possible to easily copy music from CDs onto a computer hard drive

Boyz II Men

-considered the return of Motown and Teen Idols -contained highly harmonized and polished vocal harmonies -were a model for later boy-bands like Backstreet Boys and NSYNC -"End of the Road"

Mötley Crüe

-early pop-metal band from LA -aggressive vocal style -"Shout at the Devil"

Beastie Boys

-first white group to focus on rap, start to hit it big in c. 1985/86 -originally active in the New York hardcore punk scene but transitioned into the emerging hip-hop scene in the early 1980's

Pearl Jam

-followed in the wake of Nirvana -also from Seattle -more closely related to Heavy Metal which granted it access to more mainstream markets -battled with high prices of Ticketmaster (lost) and made them heros within the alternative movement

Hip-hop

-forged by African American and Caribbean American youth in New York City, included distinctive styles of visual art (graffiti), dance (an acrobatic solo style called breakdancing and an energetic couple dance called the freak), music, dress, and speech. -Hip-hop was at first a local phenomenon, centered in certain neighborhoods in the Bronx, the most economically devastated area of New York City.

Def Jam

-formed by college students Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin -record company that released music from the leading rappers from the time like LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy -Using a basic texture comprised of beats generated by an electronic drum machine, highlighted scratching, and the occasional sample or punch phrase, Def Jam artists defined a new style of mainstream hip-hop during the mid-1980s

Hardcore

-grew out of 70's punk -took the raw elements of punk's sound and culture -loud, fast aggressive music featuring distortion; DIY aesthetic. Songs tend to be fairly short/simple -often involved profanity -bands typically linked to a local underground -main ones located in LA, DC, and the Twin Cities -Minor Threat

Heavy metal

-harder and aggressive version of rock -use of distortion and overdriven guitars -driving riffs dark themes -wah-wah pedal solos and driving power-chord riffs -artistic virtuosity is very big w/ guitar solos especially -return to heavy rock and roll -ragged image used to oppose status quo -many metal bands came from working class sections of England, north of London, but the most prominent metal scene in the U.S. emerged in LA

Lo-fi aesthetic

-idea of low-fidelity -intentionally making music sound bad to achieve the DIY aesthetic

Alabama Shakes

-indie band to cross into the mainstream in the 2010s; tracks such as "Hold On" draw on the Muscle Shoals style, the vocals of singers such as Janis Joplin, southern gospel, blues-oriented guitar, and electronic noise.

Michael Jackson

-king of pop -music driven by a strong beat, showing roots in black pop and disco -slick and sometimes athletic choreography -continued Berry Gordy's practice of straddling the line between rhythm and blues and pop -crossover -"Billy Jean"

VH1

-launched January 1, 1985 -spinoff of MTV which aimed at an older audience (25-35 years old) -focused on adult-oriented "soft rock," rhythm and blues, jazz -frequently featured concert footage, newsreels, pop up videos

Minor Threat

-major band in the DC hardcore scene -swore off drugs, alcohol, and other stereotypical aspects of punk culture -notable for advocating for a drug-free lifestyle "Straight Edge"

Hair bands

-metal bands noted for their longer hair -Often considered more high-pitch in its nature -Glam rock style costumes and theatrics (inspired by alice cooper and KISS) -Def Leppard -Bon Jovi -Steel Panther

Metallica

-most influential prog rock metal band -complicated meters -Began in LA and moved to SF -Fast Tempo/Complex Form, speed metal -89 and justice for all -"One" -dark and complex lyrics about physical and mental struggles of an injured soldier -taped war sounds at beginning -long, virtuosic instrumental interludes -long duration

Alternative rock

-music that lies outside of mainstream rock Includes wide variety of sub-genres and musical styles i.e Grunge, gothic rock, indie rock, industrial rock, rap rock, noise pop, riot grrrl (punk), and more -has its origins in the hardcore and indie rock scenes of the 80s -1990s alternative rockers were reacting against the visually oriented MTV artists and the flashy (often virtuosic) heavy metal bands -dressed causally, rock's new bohemians

Dr. Dre

-past member of N.W.A -signed solo career w/ Death Row Records (also co-owned) -helped to produce and assist Snoop Dog -"Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" -also discovered and produced Eminem

Sugar Hill Records

-released first ever rap record -most important rap label early 80s -"Rappers Delight" 1979

U2

-similar style to the Police -wrote simple songs but arranged them in creative ways -poetic lyrics -lead guitarist the Edge layers sound behind Bono's voice to create a rich backing texture "Pride (In the Name of Love)"

Sheryl Crow

-singer-songwriter and actress. -Her music incorporates elements of pop, rock, folk, country and blues part of the light "feel-good rock" movement -"All I Wanna Do"

New Wave

-style of music has origins in the late 70's and early 80's. -It is an ambiguous category of rock music that directly followed the punk rock wave. - The style of music is identified to have a variety of diverse styles that all share characteristics of pop music. - Elvis Costello, The Police and Devo are very notable New Wave artists -tamed punk, making it more an artsy aesthetic statement -anti-hippie aesthetic: shorter songs, simple form, unpretentious performance style, shorter songs, straightforward topics (teen romance) -ironic references to pre-psychedelic rock -incorporated into mainstream rock playlist of FM radio by earl 80's "If punks were angry, new wavers were ironic. Punk's answer to frustration was to lash out, perhaps break a window and form a band. New wave's was to reflect on urban alienation, have a cup of coffee, and write a clever lyric"

Public Enemy

-took on rhythmic style of Run-DMC and political activism of BDP -Much like the social disarray depicted in their lyrics, their music is often chaotic, featuring heavy layers of samples, drum beats, the "hype man" calls of Flavor Flav, and the deep, sanctified tone and paraphrasing of Chuck D's vocals -"Don't Believe the Hype"

Electronic Dance Music

-underground dance scene from US -> UK -> US -predicted to be the new big thing (replacing rock) -started the rave scene in UK and US- can be seen as second summer of love bc wide use of drugs at raves

New traditionalists

-use of earlier rock sounds and style in an earnest and honest fashion -return to rock as core aesthetic values -traditional dress and music -found Bruce Springsteen

Feminism (1st, 2nd, and most especially 3rd wave)

1) First Wave: 19th c and early 20th c (up to 1920), focused on women's suffrage 2) Second Wave: 1960s and 70s, focus on equal pay and equal opportunity in the work place; liberating women from role as mothers and nurturers 3) Third Wave: 1980s/90s to present, focus on sexuality as means of empowerment; and on diversity and individual choice

Yo MTV Raps

1988: MTV's first all rap segment

Pop art

Art by Andy Warhol, heavily used by NYC punk band Velvet Underground. Adapted elements of everyday American culture.

Fleetwood Mac

British-American rock band formed in 1967, in London. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. new age of rock of corporatization and consolidation of styles

Rap

Emerged during the 1970s as one part of the cultural complex of hiphop. It consisted of rhymed speech accompanied by funk-derived rhythmic grooves.

Cultural diamond

How the following interact...as demonstrated by a diamond -social world -creator -cultural object -receiver

Blue-eyed soul

Name for soul music performed by white musicians.

Scratching

Quickly rotating an album back and forth on a turntable to produce a uniquie sound, created by Grand Wizard Theodore

Virtuosity

Technical mastery of one's instrument, typically the guitar. Commonly seen in metal subgenres which employed long guitar solos

Van Halen

Their success made LA the hot spot Used to be called Mammoth til 74 in Pasadena CA David Lee Roth is the Singer (Bigger emphasis on guitarist)

Speed metal

Thrash metal music with a very high BPM - Bands like Slayer, Anthrax, and sometimes Metallica are common examples

DJing/Turntablism

Using the turntable as an instrument/artform

Matador

an independent record label, with a roster of mainly indie rock, but also punk rock, experimental rock, alternative rock, electronic and other artists label of Sleater-Kinney

Cueing

having two records on the turntable one is playing while the other is timed perfectly to be introduced whenever the DJ wants

Peer-to-peer file-sharing

i.e Napster programs made access to music easier and decentralized the power of major labels.

Backspinning

quickly spinning the record backwards against its regular rotation in order to go back to a certain passage to play it again

Merge

record company founded in Chapel Hill by leading members of Superchunk

Cutting

skipping between songs on a turntable

Queen Latifah

solidified women in rap music challenged images and stereotypes of black women

Break

the catchiest instrumental breaks in sampled songs used to entice dancers