Timbaland Entry

Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley was, and probably still is, one of the most sought after music producers in the industry. From his introduction with Missy Elliot and Aaliyah, to his more recent work with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, Timbaland had the pop world going crazy. This is largely due to a unique style that can translate to all genres. In a time where popular music producers either used live instruments or synthesizers, Timbaland took the unorthodox and gave it a mainstream audience. He has looked to find the unordinary for several years and by doing so he has pushed the pop music industry to try new things. For evidence, just go back to the beginning.

The Swing Mob record label picked up Timbaland in 1996, with fellow signees Missy Elliott and Ginuwine. Timbaland immediately made an impact with his stuttering drum patterns and use of weird sounds like night crickets or birds chirping. Aaliyah’s One in a Million album was a breakthrough for not only her but Timbaland and Missy Elliott, too. Once Ginuwine’s debut, Ginuwine…The Bachelor, and Missy Elliott’s Supa Dupa Fly released, Timbaland had made himself into a producing powerhouse. All of the day’s top acts took notice and yearned for hiccupping beats with weird animal noises.

Timbaland continued to change his style after the radios were saturated with knockoffs of his original style. He then began to use more of the beatboxing heard in early works such as “Tell Me Your That Somebody” by Aaliyah. Evidence of this can be found on Justin Timberlake’s huge hit “Cry Me A River” and throughout the Justified album. This period (2003-05) also saw Timbaland using more synth sounds in his production, which was only a precursor to the style that pushed pop music to where it is today.

2006 marked Timbaland’s takeover of a popular music. In June 7, 2006, Nelly Furtado released Loose, which featured the number one single “Promiscuous” featuring none other than Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley. The album was inspired by 1980s pop and incorporated dominating synths with acoustic drum kits. On September 12, 2006, Justin Timberlake released FutureSex/LoveSounds and completely changed the game. This album used techno music influences and fused it with R&B. The first single, “Sexy Back” featuring Timbaland, topped the charts only to be followed by two more number one hits, “My Love” and “What Comes Around…Goes Around”. In 2007, Timbaland released a compilation album called Timbaland Presents: Shock Value which saw more dance music influences mixed with an R&B flair. The game hasn’t been the same since.

Timbaland has had a profound effect on me. He has showed that it is ok to be different, especially when you are really good. He should be studied closely, especially this year, because he is releasing new music every Thursday in preparation for his new album. I can’t wait to see what he is going to come up with next. Only one thing is for certain, wherever he goes the industry will follow.

Podcast Project Two

Peer Comment

This is a nice post that sums up all that Kraftwerk stood for in the late 70s/early 80s. You were right in stating how their mechanic influences were reinforced by the electronic instruments they used in the songs. While Autobahn was a significant release for them, the group did have other albums that deserve mention solely for their influence on popular music. You were, however, the first to point out the drum sensor Kraftwerk used to play their music. I also hope that their innovations will inspire true electronic musicians to push the genre. As a whole, your post was on point. Nice work!

Run D.M.C. Entry

Joseph “Run” Simmons, Daryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam-Master Jay” Mizell are the three members of the undeniably influential Hip Hop group, Run D.M.C. The three pioneered a new look and sound for Hip Hop in the 1980s. While other acts displayed a flashier, disco aesthetic, Run D.M.C. paraded around in gold-link chains and black tracksuits. They were intent on differentiating themselves from the pack of artists that were popular at the time.

Though most of Run D.M.C.’s tracks did incorporate minimalistic, electronic drumbeats they were more known for their fusion of raw Hip Hop and Hard Rock. Hits like “Rock Box”, “King of Rock”, and “Walk This Way” are notable tracks that defined their signature sound. With the legendary Rick Rubin as their producer, Run D.M.C. released Raising Hell, which is credited with starting the golden age of Hip Hop. Not only did they become one of the most successful groups, but it also catapulted the Hip Hop genre to the mainstream. The overwhelming success of Raising Hell paved the way for so many other artists, such as LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys, to use the genre to become household names.

Run D.M.C.’s electronic innovations were not saturated with synthesizers like Kraftwerk, or danceable like Afrika Bambaataa, but provided a voice for those who had none in popular music. They were gritty and tough, reflecting the streets they were from. Their tough aesthetic allowed acts like N.W.A., Wu-Tang Clan, and 50 Cent to be accepted by the mainstream.

Run D.M.C are the pioneers of the Hip Hop revolution. They took the genre from a fad to a global culture. When listening to their music I realize that they were aggressive without being complex. They developed a sound that not only captured Hip Hop audiences but Hard Rock audiences as well. Without the success of Run D.M.C., I probably would not be at Full Sail. Their daring image and cultural influence are just two reasons why they are one of the greatest groups of all time. 

Kraftwerk Entry

Kraftwerk was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970.  Their first two albums were mostly exploratory jam music but it was the third studio album where they entered the realm of electronic music. This album relied heavily on synthesizers, drum machines, and the vocoder. Even though this marked the first time they used such instruments, it was their next album that would be an international breakthrough.

Kraftwerk was said to be inspired by automobiles and the open road on their hit album, Autobahn. The title track was a 22-minute representation of the experience of driving down Germany’s high-speed highway. Autobahn was the first of Kraftwerk’s concept albums and the last that would be engineered by popular producer/engineer, Conny Plank.

Ralf and Florian recruited two new members to the group, Wolfgang Flür and Karl Bartos. These four would make up Kraftwerk’s most prominent-lineup. After their tour in 1975, Kraftwerk began investing in new equipment for their Kling Klang studios. The new electronic gear was featured on their next album, Radio Activity. This album was mainly about radioactivity and activity on the radio. It was the first album Ralf and Florian produced but was not as successful as their previous work.

Trans-Europe Express was released in 1977. The two central themes for this album were celebrating Europe and the disparity between reality and image. Trans-Europe Express was noted as more unified and influential than the previous albums. Kraftwerk saw themselves become minimalist, drawing from the mechanized sounds of a moving train to create pop classics. Not only did the trains in Europe influence them, but they drew from their meetings with popular artist such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop as well.

The Man-Machine was a provocative album, as the band members graced the album’s cover with red shirts and black ties accompanied by a graphic style that pays homage to the 1930s modernist movement. Kraftwerk wanted to produce a sound that brought more people to the dance floor, which is probably why their single, The Model, reached the top of the UK charts.

Though Kraftwerk is not very popular, they were incredibly influential. From the 1980s to the 2000s, I hear a bit of Kraftwerk’s influence everywhere. Their musical aesthetic had a minimalist quality that relied on strong themes to get their message across. I can hear this aesthetic when I listen to acts like Daft Punk or Radiohead. They can be credited for the electronic boom in the 1980s and indirectly credited for its resurgence now. Kraftwerk did not capture me on first listen, but I could definitely tell why they were so important. Their aesthetic opened the door to the music I love to listen to today and for that Kraftwerk has left a lasting impression on me. 

What's Going On Entry

Marvin Gaye was the man every woman wanted. With hits like “Sexual Healing” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, Gaye solidified himself as one of the top acts in the country.  His music was more about love and lust than anything else, which is why it was so hard for him to release what could be considered his most famous song.

The 1960s were a tumultuous time for America. Racial conflicts were at a all-time high and young ones were being to die in an unpopular. Trouble internally and abroad even brought famous entertainers to take notice. A member of the legendary Four Tops was so concerned by what he saw that he wrote a song about it. It was so hard for him to sell the song because of its conscious nature but eventually it fell into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate it. Marvin Gaye was hesitant at first but after his wife gave her blessing he knew it was the song for him. Gaye took the lyrics to a new level emotionally and it was called, “What’s Going On.”

Marvin Gaye was so inspired by the song that he decided to create an album based on its central theme. He brought in the best jazz musicians he knew to work on the album. Brass sections, percussionists, all were invited to create the grand feel of Gaye’s new album. Gaye even invited members of the Detroit Lions to sing background vocals. After all the hard work he put in, Gaye would be extremely surprised by the reaction his boss had to the music.

“It is the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life!” That was the emphatic exclamation Motown CEO, Berry Gordy, had after listening to the finished product. Gordy was concerned about the message of “What’s Going On” and wondered why Gaye would want to hurt his image with such a conscious song. Gaye tried to explain that the song was more about hope and love than it was negative but Gordy did not by it. Gaye was so hurt by Gordy’s reaction that he refused to record another song unless “What’s Going On” was released. Marvin Gaye did everything conceivable other than sing or write. He even tried out for the Detroit Lions! After a long while, Berry Gordy came around and released the album. It sold 100,000 copies in its first week.

“What’s Going On” was definitely a departure to the music Motown usually released. It was more of a jazz record than the up-tempo pop vibes the mainstream was used to. The biggest concern from the record label was the subject matter. Music was supposed to be the escape from a harsh reality but the times were so tough that it could not be ignored. Gaye took a leap with the lyrical themes of the album but scored a timeless anthem for his efforts.

“What’s Going On” is such a classic song I cannot possibly say something bad about it. The instrumentation was beautiful and the lyrics touched the soul. I am glad Gaye was bold enough to stand up for this album when everyone told him no one. It is this fact that impressed me the most about the conception of the album. If only ore people cared about what was going on. 

Velvet Underground Entry

The Velvet Underground was a direct product of the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. Their goal was to marry the avant-garde and pop culture to create something revolutionary. They could not have done this without the support of the most popular artist at the time, Andy Warhol. If one could listen to Andy Warhol’s artwork it would sound like The Velvet Underground. This is probably why they were classified as “Art Rock”.

Velvet Underground consisted of Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker and Nico. Lou Reed and John Cale were the primary songwriters of the band. John Cale came to America to accept The Bernstein Scholarship and studied the viola under the tutelage of avant-garde composer La Monte Young. Lou Reed attended Syracuse University and had a radio show. There would be days when Lou would be loudly practicing his guitar, which caught the attention of fellow Syracuse student Sterling Morrison. They both played guitar but each had their own styles. Maureen Tucker joined the band in 1965 with no prior drum training. She kept the band steady as the other members would go on musical tangents. In 1966, Nico, an icy German vocalist, joined the band. Nico moved to New York to be a model but she found herself delving into acting. She somehow caught the eye of the legendary Bob Dylan, who introduced her to Andy Warhol.

Nico & The Velvet Underground would congregate at Andy Warhol’s studio, The Factory, to create their unique style of music. I would say the main characteristic that set them apart was their affiliation with art world. Andy Warhol had to have been the first popular artist to take a rock band under his wing and introduce them to the world like they were one of his art pieces. Even though Warhol was hugely successful, The Velvet Underground was not. They only released four albums that did not do particularly well. But the band was still massively influential. Today, the avant-garde musical style is much more accepted than it was when The Velvet Underground was around.

I have great respect for what The Velvet Underground tried to do with their music. I love the idea of giving the iconic works of Andy Warhol a soundtrack but their music does not intrigue me. They have some good songs, like “Pale Blue Eyes”, but nothing about their image or sound got me hooked. Even with that they are still a great band that etched its place in rock n’ roll history. 

Peer Comment

Justin I respect the view points you expressed in the article. You could have gone into more detail about the band prior to "Revolver", but the rest of the post accurately answered the prompt. I am a fan of the Beatles and I do like "Revolver" but I understand that not everybody would accept the risks they took. You were correct in stating how their status would never be matched. Overall it was good post.

Revolver Entry

The Beatles broke out on to the scene and started what was largely known as the British Invasion. They mesmerized fans with their fitted matching suits and mop-top haircuts. The Beatles dominated the charts with hits like “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, and “Help”. By 1965, they were enjoying the success of their sixth studio album, Rubber Soul, when they decided to take a break. Instead of having the constant pressure of creating music, the Beatles took time to read, rest, and explore. This time proved to be fruitful, as they would create music only as it came to them. They developed a lot of interests that would later inspire the work of Revolver.

Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys were greatly inspired by The Beatles’ Rubber Soul album and were hard at work trying to create an album that could top that. The Beatles, on the other hand, were inspired by whatever they read or saw to create the album that would eventually outdo their last. For example, the track “Tomorrow Never Knows” was inspired by Timothy Leary’s book, The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on The Tibetan Book of the Dead. This would explain the otherworldly, intoxicated feel of the production. It was noted that the track “She Said She Said” was actually a conversation between John Lennon and actor Peter Fonda. In the conversation, Fonda exclaimed, “I know what it is like to be dead”, thus inspiring the lyric. “Taxman” was a song about high marginal rates of income tax that big earners, like the Beatles, had to pay. All of these are examples of the new subject matter the band would take on.

What Revolver was truly remembered for was the innovative use of the studio to create new effects. For one, “Tomorrow Never Knows” introduced the automatic double tracking technique. John Lennon was not too fond of having to sing his lyrics over to layer his voice. It then sparked the thought of having the tape recorder duplicate his voice automatically. Once they found this was possible, The Beatles used it extensively on the Revolver album. Other innovations came on songs like “I’m Only Sleeping”, which had guitars playing backwards using reversed tape, and “Yellow Submarine”, which saw the members utilizing unconventional materials like a pan of water to create special sound effects.

These examples were only a few reasons why Revolver is a classic. I can see why this is this is fans’ favorite Beatle album. The subject matter and the complexity of the production astonished me. This album has left a great and lasting impression on me. These songs are simply relatable and captivating, which are two of the best qualities to have in an album. 

Pet Sounds Entry

Let us rewind the clock to 1965. This was a time where musicals such as The Sound of Music captivated audiences, The Ed Sullivan Show was the standard for music television, and The Beach Boys dominated airwaves. The Beach Boys were easily America’s favorite band with their casual clean cut look and their love of fun in the sun. Their music reflected the All-American teenage lifestyle, usually ranging from subjects like surfing, partying, and girls. Brian Wilson, the group’s founder, producer, and lead singer wrote most of these songs. This was the standard of music at the time, that is, until the Beatles came along.

After a nervous breakdown, Brian Wilson decided to quit touring with the band. This way, he had more time to think about the band’s next project. Wilson then came across Rubber Soul, the Beatles sixth studio album. He was floored by how great the complete album was. It was collection of all-original songs without any fillers. Brian Wilson then challenged himself to create an even better album than what he heard from the Beatles. From this, Pet Sounds was born!

During, the creation of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson was heavily influenced by the production and engineering work of Phil Spector. Wilson used the technique of the “Wall of Sound” and took it a step further by layering instruments never before used on a rock album. He incorporated unorthodox instruments for these songs, like the 12-string mandolin on “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” or the glockenspiel on “Sloop John B”.  These instruments along with weird sounds like a bicycle bell and barking dogs revolutionized what was considered “rock” music. The album was not only revolutionary musically but also lyrically as The Beach Boys broke ground with the song, “God Only Knows”.  This was the first song by a pop act to use the word “God” in its title. Wilson debated over using the word, and finally decided for it because he knew it would be ground breaking.

The album did not receive instant success partly due to the record label neglecting to efficiently promote it. Pet Sounds had to wait until the year 2000 before it reached platinum status. Now, it is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. I have not gotten the pleasure to listen to a lot of exceptional rock music but I was impressed by what Brian Wilson and his crew was able to do with all the sounds and instruments in the songs.  I enjoyed the grandiose aesthetic to Wilson’s production. Its quite fun to pick out the different noises he used when listening to the songs. Brian Wilson was inspired to this great work and now he has inspired me to challenge myself. All I need now is a glockenspiel and I will be ready. 

Welcome!

Hello world, my name is Jeremy Comrie and this is my blog for Music History II. I am currently a student at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. I am getting my degree in Recording Arts because I have a passion for music. I like to be creative so I write poetry and draw as well but my primary focus is to become a music producer. I like all types of music, some of which I will be discussing in future posts. As of right now, I am strongly influenced by the work of the Beatles, N*E*R*D, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Timbaland. My musical interests are always subject to change because I am constantly discovering new genres and artists. I will make sure to keep this blog updated on what is blaring through my iPod.