compression reponse

yup. thats the name of the game now. mastering engineers now are all pros at maxing out levels to the brim. most music these days is compressed to "tape." compressed during mixdown. compressed during mastering. and radiostations and TV will compress again during playback. so that your everyday pop song looks like this. with no digital headroom.



and this is a waveform of a beethoven symphony:



its one "better" than the other? not really. its just different. apples and oranges. and is compression a bad thing? not at all. its a completely necessary and very useful tool for controlling dynamics. is a lot music out there compressed to death? yup.

'More apparent volume but less dynamics'

was reading about dynamic range compression on this interview with alan wilder, depeche mode member.

this video by matt mayfield is a simple illustration. here's the companion article to that, referencing deathcab member chris walla.

utada - this is the one

another english release for her. while not nearly as bad as exodus, it still feels pretty poser-ish and there are a lot of copy cat sounds. probably because it came from the same grammy award winning producer pool as ne-yo, usher, mariah...etc. but utada DOES write her own material, enjoys composing, and has a hand in producing. but i dont think shell ever fit into that all natural dirty south 808 thumpin pop queen mold. because that aint her. shes a japanese international child that went to columbia. but i must say, i do like this one a lot more. beats are phatter, tunes are catchier, and lyrics are better too (if only a little).

On And On - Utada

This One (Crying Like A Child)...

Sigur Rós @ MoMA

current.com

Shot live at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on Icelandic Independence Day, Sigur Rós @ MoMA is a unique concert film highlighting new material from the band's latest album, "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust", as well as classic Sigur Rós songs. Directed by Alex Simmons.

Track Listing:

Glósoli

Sé Lest

Við spilum endalaust

Sæglópur

Icelandic National Anthem

Inní mér syngur vitleysingur

Hoppípolla

Gobbledigook

Enough said. Go watch this.

Arcade Fire: Miroir Noir

Watch arcade fire's experimental documentary. Shot by vincent moon. the main blogotheque reel guy.

available for one week only.

http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/388-arcade-fire-miroir-noir/

edit: i just watched it. and i absolutely loved it. this is one band i need to go see live. if you dont want to watch the whole thing, id recommend part #5 at least.

junior boys - begone dull care

preview the new album. sign in to hear the full songs.

i like what i hear. yumyumyumie. out april 7th.

Junior Boys - Begone Dull Care