Music: layers

So one might ask, "Alex, what is your favourite song?"
Naturally, I would say, "Well, it is Toccata in b minor from dix pièces pour orgue by Eugène Gigout."
"Oh, well I meant a modern song or something..."
"Ah, then we have a problem. I am so disconnected with contemporary music it isn't even funny anymore. Even if I happened to hear something I liked on the radio, I can guarantee I don't know who wrote it, who performed it, or what it is even called. So if you really want some contrast after listening to everyone else's favourite songs, I found you THIS."

www.wired.com/listening_post/2008/04/a-scientific-at

Here you will be able to stream or download the MP3 of a scientific attempt to create the worst song in the world. If you would like a challenge, try to listen to the entire piece. It is nearly impossible. It is imperative that you listen to some of it. If you ar unsure why, I encourage you to read on.

This song was written by Dave Soldier, of New York after Komar & Melamid wanted to create a similar project to their "Most and Least wanted art," but in the field of music. Dave Soldier composes and performs many different styles of music including classical and contemporary string quartets. He also directs the world's largest orchestra (by mass): The Thai Elephant Orchestra (comprising of up to 14 elephants playing percussion instruments).

The song was based on surveys conducted specifically designed to scientifically create the most-wanted, and least-wanted songs. They released both on the same album.

Layers:
Instruments - Several layers are quite easy to pick out in this song as different combinations of ensembles are used at various different times. For example, the harmonica is used with the wood blocks, piccolo and accordion. The operatic rapper is accompanied by drums and bagpipes and so on.

Thinking and Knowing - It is interesting that knowing it was supposed to be the worst song, you might actually ending up liking it more than other songs because you know they succeeded in making an intentionally terrible song. Unfortunately, I am unable to explain the psychology behind this phenomenon. Catchy though it may be, I still have difficulty making it to the end. When thinking of the various different sections of this song, and the different combinations of tracks used, you can imagine what people answered on their surveys; not just for unfavoured instruments, but stylistic elements such as polychords in the accordion introduction, the lazy country feel in the harmonica section and the constantly repeating childrens' chorus. Repetition is a feature that pops up all through this song. Repetition can be used ingeniously in "good" songs so that by the end it feels familiar and the audience recognizes what they have been hearing and are pleased. In this instance, repetition is used for pure annoyance. By over-repeating a section we were so happy to just finish, it makes the listener feel frantic, uncomfortable and thoroughly annoyed.

ME - I may have my own opinions on this song that add different layers to me. As I briefly mentioned above, as I knew this was supposed to be the worst song in the world, I actually got some satisfaction out of it. I found this song to be absolutely hilarious (as was likely the intent). Because of this I ended up actually liking it to some degree. I suppose this proves that if we feel the music was successful in completing its goal, WE like this fact and therefore all successes are "good" in a way, hence why this song can grow on you. What I think is even more interesting is what this song says about our tastes as a society. If this is what is least liked, how come similar styles that were featured actually exist? I think it therefore reflects how our very own society is layered together by many different groups whether they be country-loving, classical connoisseurs, opera goers, or prefer rap. This song brings out the minorities of the different styles of music and throws them together to create something disgustingly awesome!

Music has more than itself in the listener - The listener must know that this was supposed to be the worst song in the world either by common sense or prior background information. I think that most people are bound to somewhat like at least ONE of the styles that are picked on in this piece. This song may therefore humble the person who like childrens' choirs, or organ or harp music and so on. It is like a comedy television show, bound to offend in a harmless, humorous way. Unfortunately, I fear this song has an extremely small emotional side to it. This was meant to be a scientific attempt, not an emotional attempt. The musicians clearly don't believe in what they are playing, though they do a darn good job regardless. This listener can hear that the musicians are not pouring their souls into this music. Whether the listener realizes this or not, you can tell there is something...wrong. I find it helpful to listen to this piece before a heartfelt, soulful song as the contrast is absolutely astounding! By doing this, the listener should have an even more involved experience with a true work of art.


Instruments -  This song features:
A rapping operatic soprano
A soprano
A childrens' chorus
A flute and piccolo
A harmonica
Bagpipes
An accordion
A harp
An organ
A banjo
Percussion
and a bass drum

Some of the percussion patterns were meant to be obviously electronic, but most of the auxiliary percussion sounds genuine.

The Phantom of the opera

An original 1925 silent starring Lon Chaney, I really think you should go. It features Ian Sadler, a world-class concert organist who happens to live in Stratford, Ontario. Coincidentally, this event is being held at my church, and I got to make the posters! The information can be found on the poster.