Repetition is the Key

Today I bring you three disparate songs, related only by their connection to Andy Warhol.

Actually, as far as I know, they have no easily discernible connection to the king of pop art. Warhol's prints of Marilyn Monroe were just the first visual representation of repetition that came to mind, and it is repetition that holds the following pieces of audio together. As Warhol used repeated images of faces and cans to transform otherwise unremarkable objects into more intricate pieces of art, fairly unsubstantial lyrics can create an unforgettable hook when sang over and over.

The song that got the ball rolling for this entire post is "Done Done" by Frankmusik. What I've heard of Frankmusik's catalog reveals a standard electronic artist, and it shows in "Done Done." All the hallmarks are represented, including a pulsing bass, a loose, echoing snare drum and a warm synth pad. But when we reach the chorus at 0:45, Frankmusik's strict adherence to formula can be readily forgiven. There is something entrancing about the computer-aided repetition of consonants when it is combined with the the atmospheric quality of the synth pad. The chorus opens a the door to another dimension and it is unfortunate that the door must be closed.

When "Done Done" came up on shuffle today, it brought "5 More Years" to mind, a gorgeous track that has been rattling in the back of my mind for a few months now. Unlike Frankmusik, Noah and the Whale manages to engage the listener beyond the chorus with their sunny pop, complete with breathy flute, gentle strings, ukulele and whistling. "5 More Years" is a testament to lyrical minimalism, exploring the beauty of each word through a simple melody. It doesn't hurt that the perfect male/female pairing would make anybody swoon.

And just for fun, I would be remiss not to mention one of the more infectious uses of repetition of this new millennium: "Can I Get Get Get" by Junior Senior. I won't bother you with my words - just get to dancing.

Frankmusik: [MySpace] [Last.fm] [Amazon]
Noah and the Whale: [MySpace] [Last.fm] [Amazon]
Junior Senior: [MySpace] [Last.fm] [Amazon]

Miracle Fortress and Big Spider's Back (When the Stars Align)

Music of the highest caliber has the ability to take you out of your present existence and transport you somewhere entirely new and otherworldly. Instrumental music in Explosions in the Sky vein tends toward this feeling, but very rarely do I find a vocalist capable of such a feat.

Enter Miracle Fortress. Centered around Graham van Pelt and his immense multi-instrumental ability, Miracle Fortress revels in the subtle beauty of sound. Van Pelt's vocal delivery goes beyond gorgeous melodies and adds expert intonation and phrasing that make his music soar. Nothing embodies these qualities like "Have You Seen In Your Dreams", the second track off Miracle Fortress' debut Five Roses, where van Pelt's wispy voice is layered on a bed of syncopated guitar, driving bass and atmospheric synth.

Miracle Fortress: Have You Seen In Your Dreams

Perhaps my favorite aspect of Miracle Fortress is when lyrics are dropped for pure melody and the music transforms into a sea of beautiful frequencies, with wave upon wave of sound. The currents and eddies of these songs are the genesis of intangible aural worlds. Both "Poetaster" and "Blasphemy" share this undeniably affecting trait.

Miracle Fortress: Poetaster
Miracle Fortress: Blasphemy

Now to the original reason for this posting: Big Spider's Back. I've been meaning to write about Miracle Fortress forever (then again, I've been meaning to write about many things for a long time) but Big Spider's Back finally gave me the final push to get this finished. This is mainly due to the fact that the two are similar in many respects. Both are singlehandedly ran by multi-instrumentalist wizards and both make gorgeous pop songs that explore the deeper meanings of sound rather than relying solely on lyrical ability. If you liked Miracle Fortress, you will like Big Spider's Back. He's less well known and Seattle-based, so what's not to like?

Big Spider's Back: Stay on the Other Side
Big Spider's Back: Great Divide


More:
Miracle Fortress [MySpace] [Last.fm] [Amazon]
Big Spider's Back [MySpace] [Last.fm] [Amazon] [via]