ph00t’s Favorites 3/4 - 17
Our staff member ph00tbag (AKA Sonic Rainboom) wanted to give a shout out to a lot of very special tracks this week.
Shurrikane - Cantus Fletus
This tune has an amazing build. "Progressive" music is really not a concept unique to EDM. The art of gradually bringing in elements to a relatively static repeating theme actually started with orchestral music. Shurrikane is keeping the tradition alive in Cantus Fletus, and the melody he uses is really quite moving, making the build-up really satisfying when it hits its stride.
4EverfreeBrony - Honesty
I admit, I'm perplexed this cover of Archers of Agincourt's Honesty never really got a lot of exposure. I mean, sure it's 4Everfree, so everyone heard it anyway, but not many people talked about it. I think it's something to mention. The element 4Everfree brings in here is the detuned piano, which puts me in the mind of someone (somepony?) sitting down at an old keyboard in an old home and playing the tune as a pick-up. It doesn't really change the tune itself, but it changes the context, which is worth a listen.
DJRedSkY & New Reverian - City of Pink
There's a classic quality to this tune that I really like. The design on the bass and the simple rhythm make me think of the nineties and simple pleasures of a good old prog house tune. Oddly, I disagree with RedSky and Reverian on whom this tune is about, though. I think it feels more like a Rarity tune. To each their own.
Pencil Eraser & Sonikkureinbumu - Wake Up Call
I like the sylistic blend here. Pencil Eraser's Emo style combines here with a bit of a more experimental electronic sound. The sound selection and melodic line are definitely meant to reflect the sound of an alarm clock. True to form, Pencil Eraser's lyrics use the world of fanon to draw parallels with the artist's own perceived flaws. I like when songwriters do that.
Kaminadash - Come Back Today
I've been really digging Kaminadash lately. Every one of his tunes is full of such simple cuteness. Come Back Today is one such tune. Musically, it's simple, which is fine because it leaves room for the listener to think about the message of the lyrics. In this case, it's about a topic that's been on my mind lately as well--the nature of Rainbow Dash's devotion, and how it simultaneously contrasts with her nature and also defines her.
Hay Tea - Cantiga Por Luna
Maybe it's just because it's a tune about Luna. I do really like the many ways Hay Tea gives a lo-fi vibe to this tune. Obviously the dirty vinyl effect, but also the detune on the piano. For some reason, these intentional artifacts of imperfect recreation make the tune feel more authentic.
Callenby - Here
This is a wonderfully soothing tune to listen to. I get the sense it's about that simpler time in Celestia and Luna's life, which they sadly cannot go back to. I think my favorite part of this tune is the plucked instrument that fades in here and there playing straight eighths. That sets the whole tunes atmosphere for me.
Indie Notes - Tales of a Babs Seed
Boy, there's been a lot of unplugged rock here, hasn't there? But hey, Indie Note's ode to Babs Seed here definitely needs to be mentioned. This is such an emotive examination of Babs's state heading into her premier episode. I don't usually like when vocalists choke off the ends of notes, but it's a perfect choice for this tune, belying Babs's outward appearance of confidence.
SoCal Ponytones - Goodbye Celestia, My Baby
I can't tell you happy I am to be hearing Barbershop inspired by MLP. I used to be in a quartet back in high school. We never actually sang Goodbye my Coney Island Baby, but I would have liked to. It's definitely a fun tune. The parody lyrics of this tune are a little more serious, but the upbeat nature of the tune makes for a comical juxtaposition.
