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About This Author
I am SoCalScribe. This is my InkSpot.
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Blogocentric Formulations
Logocentric (adj). Regarding words and language as a fundamental expression of an external reality (especially applied as a negative term to traditional Western thought by postmodernist critics).
Sometimes I just write whatever I feel like. Other times I respond to prompts, many taken from the following places:
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February 18, 2014 at 1:54pm February 18, 2014 at 1:54pm
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DAY 18
Song: "All the Small Things"
Artist: Blink-182
Album: Enema of the State (1999)
If you were a child of the 90s and remember the era of the pop girl groups and boy bands, you probably remember this song and especially this music video. Blink-182's music video parodied a number of music videos from other artists, including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, The Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, and 98 Degrees. Although Enema of the State was their third studio album together, it was the one that really launched their careers, first with the hit "What's My Age Again?" followed by this one.
I remember being really disillusioned with MTV at the time. TRL (Total Request Live... remember that show???) was dominated by boy bands, girl groups, and manufactured pop songs that young teenagers voted incessantly into the Top 10. With music videos starting to give way to reality television, there was little opportunity for rock music fans to see or hear videos for their bands. So when Blink-182 released their videos, it was a breath of fresh air, and "All the Small Things" became incredibly popular thanks to the mocking video.
Enema of the State was one of my favorite albums to come out that year, and even today is one of the rare albums where I like almost every song. In most cases, I buy an album for a song or two, end up liking another couple that I discover during the listening, and end up liking probably half the total songs on any given album. This was one of the few where I just listened to the whole album from start to finish, over and over again.
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February 18, 2014 at 5:02am February 18, 2014 at 5:02am
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DAY 17
Song: "Lux Aeterna"
Artist: Clint Mansell
Album: Requiem for a Dream Soundtrack (2000)
Chances are, you're familiar with this composition even if you don't recognize it by name because, well, it's been in just about every suspenseful movie trailer, TV spot, and advertisement ever over the past several years. Originally composed by Clint Mansell for the soundtrack to Requiem for a Dream (2000), this song has been featured in trailers and/or TV spots for many, many other films including but not limited to: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Sunshine, The Da Vinci Code, Zathura, King Arthur, Troy, and several others.
I love this composition. It's creepy and tense and elegant all at the same time. It's easy to see why it would appeal to someone trying to set a dynamic scene of conflict to it, although the best use of the song by far is video editor Harry Hanrahan's homage to a great actor, titled simply, "Nicolas Cage Losing His Shit." Presented for your enjoyment below:
If you have the time, in addition to checking out Clint Mansell's body of other works (he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his score on The Fountain, and for a Grammy for his score on Black Swan), it's worth your time to check out Harry Hanrahan's body of work as well. He's known for creating amusing compilations like the Nicolas Cage video. Some of his more popular creations are a megamix of various actors saying, "It's showtime!" in movies, as well as one for another popular phrase "Get out of there!" and even another actor-specific compilation in the form of "Julianne Moore Loves to Cry." I know it's a little biased to take select scenes from an entire body of work... but it's kind of fascinating too.
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February 18, 2014 at 4:26am February 18, 2014 at 4:26am
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DAY 16
Song: "Vide Cor Meum"
Artist: Patrick Cassidy (composer), Danielle de Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti (singers)
Album: Hannibal Soundtrack (2001)
I don't normally go for opera, but this composition is just so stunning; it really made me realize the elegance and emotion that an operatic performance can capture. Like so many songs I'm passionate about, I first heard this in a motion picture, in this case 2001's Hannibal. Without this track I never would have discovered other classical vocalists that I've grown to love, especially Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. I used to just pass by the opera section of a music store but after hearing this composition I started listening a little more closely and discovering some truly remarkable singing and composing talent.
One interesting fact about this piece... in 2006, Warner Classics released a list of the Top 40 Most Beautiful Arias, and this one was the only piece by a living composer to make the list. Patrick Cassidy has gone on to compose pieces for many other films including Terence Malick's Tree of Life, and Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven.
Even if you're not a fan of opera, give this one a listen. It's hauntingly beautiful.
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