moderndaypoets-blog

[moderndaypoets-blog]

This is a great sight to discuss with other music fans the meanings of songs and their lyrics . Check it out, the comment section can be really interesting. 

[moderndaypoets-blog]

The Smith Street Band- No One Gets Lost Anymore

Wil Wagner from the Smith Street Band is a modern day poet. There I said it, he’s our generation’s Paul Kelly. The Aussie singer-songwriter and front man of Melbourne’s The Smith Street Band is such a talented writer, and it’s on full display on debut album ‘no one gets lost anymore’. You may need to take a few moments to get past his Aussie twang and yell/sing combination, but make sure you do,you will be justly rewarded. Wagner is a storyteller and transports the listener straight to the suburbs of Melbourne, inviting you into his world of parties, lost loves, family, friends and the struggles of his mind.  It’s hard not to be swept up in Wagner’s passionate, honest and raw delivery, so just let  yourself be! You get the feeling Wagner would be making music whether he found any success or not Hot tip: go see this band live, you’ll grow to like this record but you will fall in love with them at their show.

Lyric Highlights

“And you look so beautiful with your back to me You turn around a give me a one look vasectomy”- Sigourney Weaver

“And it's taken me this long to think with anything, but your hips. And I always hated the taste of your pushy, drunken, alcoholic, ashtray lips”-Get High, See Mice  

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Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra- Well Soon

The relatively unknown Walter Mitty and His Makeshift Orchestra make lo-fi indie folk tunes, with low production costs, seemingly recorded in a basement or a garage. The music however is wonderfully written and the album Well Soon flows from start to finish like few I’ve heard before. The lyrics are incredibly strong and capture the struggles of twenty somethings everywhere, just trying to work their way through the puzzle of life. The lyrics are relatable but have a subtle complexity to them at the same time. So If  you’re not really sure where your headed in life and you are sort of just floating along this record unfortunately won’t actually provide you with any answers. What it will do however, is at least make you feel as if you’re not on your own and sometimes that is enough.  Lyric Highlights

I wonder if we could memorize our thoughts, put them into songs, would they ever really change much?-Walks on Alberta

“The remnants of my five year plan are shorter than my attention span”-Full Body Yawn”

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Modern Baseball – You’re Gonna Miss It All

Modern Baseball are a band that could squeeze into the pop-punk or emo genre but there’s something ultimately unique about them that is hard to put your finger on. The band consists of two main song writers, Jake Ewald and Brendan Lukens. Their second album is a perfect place to start for those that have never heard their work, to me it is their lyrics that are stand out. Don’t get me wrong though their tunes are catchy as hell. Both Lukens and Ewald are shockingly self-aware and deliver lyrics with sharp wit and observation. Consumed with anxiety the two fret about the future, the past and the present, and skilfully take the listener to a relatable situation in their own lives. This is no mean feat and takes  natural song writing ability. After listening it feels like you know Lukens and Ewald or at least know someone in your life like them.  Check them out.

Lyric Highlights

“I walk home with my eyes low Dreaming up conversations we'll have tomorrow”- Apartment  

“Home alone on friday night No better time for exercise And wishing you were still my girlfriend”- Broken Cash Machine

“After reading that text from your friends I start losing all my confidence So I'll stay tired, I know soon I'll be bailing”- Rock Bottom  

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Arctic Monkeys-  Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not 

Five albums in and one of the biggest and most recognisable rock bands on the planet, Arctic Monkeys are an extremely well-polished outfit. However their debut is what kick-started them over a decade ago when the teenagers burst on to the scenes with the indie smash hit ‘whatever people say I am that’s what I’m not’. It’s packed full of rollicking indie tunes to bang your head and stomp your feet to, but it’s still hard not to identify front man Alex Turners lyrics as the draw point. Tuner is regarded as one of the best writers of our generation and it was already on full display on their debut. A master of observation, Turner captures with such realism, the lives of young men growing up in Northern England, complete with thick accents and slang terms. No glitz and glamour, no sign of the rock star persona he now possesses (don’t get me wrong, he’s earned that), but this has the every-man charm that could only be achieved before superstar status. If you haven’t listened to this record before you are surely missing out. Alex Turner is a modern day poet. Lyric Highlights

“Oh, there ain’t no love, no Montagues or Capulets Are just banging tunes and DJ sets and… Dirty dance floors, and dreams of naughtiness!” -I bet that you look good on the dancefloor  

“Don’t get me wrong though there’s boys in bands And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands And just ‘cause he’s had a couple of cans He thinks it’s alright to act like a dickhead “- A certain romance “There’s a super cool band yeah With their trilbies and their glasses of white wine And all the weekend rock stars in the toilets Practicing their lines”- Fake Tales of San Francisco

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Kate Tempest is certainly one to keep your eyes and ears out for, finding success in almost everything she has put her name to, she recently entered the world of music. Before doing so she has excelled on the spoken word circuit, worked as a playwright, published multiple works of poetry, and is currently working on a novel making her one of the most diverse and important writers of our generation. The link above is an interview she did with kaltblut magazine, check it out, it gives great insight into the world of a such a prolific wordsmith. Kate tempest is the very definition of a modern day poet. It’s the Bored Of It All generation The product of product placement and manipulation, Shoot em up, brutal, duty of care, Come on, new shoes. Beautiful hair. - Europe is Lost

Here is a link to protest song shre recently penned:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDTOXXdYtZSbQ&v=TOXXdYtZSbQ

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If you think that all new music is dumb and they don’t make it like they use to, trust me they’re are some shockers from back in the day. NME has compiled a list of the 50 worst pop lyrics of all time. Thanks Guys. Some of my favourites:

"All fall down, can't complain, mustn't grumble – help yourself to another piece of apple crumble.  (ABC, 'That Was Then, This Is Now') "I don't want to see a ghost, it's the sight that I fear most. I'd rather eat a piece of toast, and watch the evening news." (Des'Ree, 'Life'). "War, was is stupid. And people are stupid." (Culture Club, 'The War Song').

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There are great lyrics, good lyrics even average lyrics but we shouldn’t forget  those that produce such awful lyrics that make us appreciate the skilled writers of the world. Just because a song is a hit doesn’t mean there has been alot of thought go into the lyrics. Consequence of sound has rifled through the songs of of last year to compile a worst of list, so that the rest of us didn’t have to put ourselves through the pain. Check out the link above. I’ve put a couple of my favourites below:

“How deep is your love? Is it like the ocean?” Calvin Harris, how deep is your love

“I don’t want her if that ass don’t sit like a horse.” T-Wayne, Nasty Freestlye

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Bob Dylan- All The Songs Book. Bod Dylan needs no introduction and more than enough analysis of his work has been done, so I won’t bore you with that. But check out this book review from the clothes line and if you’re interested go out and buy it, looks to be a fascinating read. 

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Artist Profile- Weird Al Yankovic

There is a lot of fun to be had in music and no one has more than funny man Weird Al Yankovic. Yankovic has carved out a career in music that many artists could only dream of. Since 1976 he has sold more than 12 million records, recorded over 150 parody and original songs, played over 1000 live shows and has four Grammys to his name.

There’s a chance that some may find his success a little frustrating because he uses other people’s original work to leverage his career, but for the most part he is extremely well respected within the industry. Yankovic is an extremely clever lyricist and a master of parody. One of the defining and most endearing things about  Yankovic is that his parodies don’t target the artist or the song, rather he uses the music and adds an unrelated set of lyrics, most of which are humorous.

Yankovic has tackled some of the biggest artists in music history, including Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Eminem and queen. Generally these songs are well received by the artists and some even consider it a badge of honour to have Yankovic use their songs, a success barometer of sorts. Yankovic is brilliant, clever and skilful in his delivery and humour should not away from his credibility.

Lyric Highlights

“When he’s doing a Bar Mitzvah, now that you shouldn’t miss/He’ll always shlep on down for a wedding or a briss/They say he’s got a lot of chutzpah, he’s really quite hhhhhip/The parents pay the moyl and he gets to keep the tip!” -Pretty Fly for a Rabbi

“And I forgot the next verse/Oh well, I guess it pays to rehearse/The lyric sheet’s so hard to find/What are the words? Oh, nevermind…” Smells like Nirvana

“I hate these word crimes Like I could care less That means you do care At least a little Don’t be a moron You’d better slow down And use the right pronoun “-word crimes 

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Discover- Matt Pless

Matt Pless is an artist I discovered by chance whilst browsing music on Spotify. I came across a beautifully written tune called ‘the crayon song’. Immediately after I looked into the artist and to my surprise there was very little information about Pless. Perhaps this made it easier for me to enjoy the songs for what they were, wonderfully written folk tunes. I guess sometimes personality can cloud our judgement when it comes to music. Pless is a strong lyricist that will hopefully garner more attention in the future. Check out his bandcamp page and fork out a couple of dollars for his albums and support a man that deserves to make a career out of music.

Lyric Highlights

“she’s got powders and pills, chasing thrills through dollar bills, tracing lines of her reflection, with her senses so distilled”- The Crayon Song

And all those drugs I did in vain, they eased the pain and numbed my brain. But life is just a high you can't sustain. -Ashtray

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Check out the tongue in cheek song lyric awards for 2015 triple j conducted. Sure to put a smile on your face.  My favorites:

The party machine prize for partying: "Hey motherf***er I'm a party machine!" - The Bennies, 'Party Machine'

Most obvious use of percussion: "clap clap clap clap clap" - Peking Duk, 'Say My Name'

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Nas -illmatic

Nas’ illmatic was released in 1994, initially finding only moderate success. Today however the record is regarded as a classic and a direct influence on today’s hip-hop artists. Hip-Hop provides an incredible platform for lyricists to use words and phrases that just wouldn’t be possible in other genres. Nas’ incredible debut takes that opportunity and runs with it.  Illmatic picks you up and places you right into his world, New York’s Queensbridge housing projects. Filled with vivid imagery, clever wordplay and turn of phrase Nas provides amazing insight into his environment, a world of violence and crime, a world that was his reality. This is a staple in any music collection. Nas’ is truly a modern day poet. “I rap from a perspective of a human being, and in rap, that wasn’t really the thing…[mines was] one of the first albums that talked about life in that manner, hands on.” …. “I want you to know who I am: what the streets taste like, feel like, smell like…I told the story that way because I thought that it wouldn’t be told if I didn’t tell it. ” Nas

Lyric Highlights

“It drops deep as it does in my breath I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined I think of crime when I’m in a New York state of mind” - N.Y State of Mind

My intellect prevails from a hanging cross with nails I reinforce the frail, with lyrics that’s real Word to Christ, a disciple of streets, trifle on beats I decipher prophecies through a mic and say peace. - Memory lane

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Courtney Barnett is a singer songwriter form the suburbs of Melbourne. Recently her debut album has exploded, receiving praise from critics, countless awards and a considerable spike in her fan base, managing not only to find success in her home country but also internationally. Rolling Stone try to decipher just why everyone is going crazy for Barnett’s stream-of-consciousness thoughts that come about in her lyrics, most of which are about the more mundane aspects of life. Barnett is set for a long career and her lyrics will continue to be her draw-point. 

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Bright Eyes - I’m Wide Awake it’s Morning

A classic folk record, written by Connor Oberst in 2005. Oberst is a man that has received his fair share of criticism, some of which can be attributed to the somewhat unfair comparisons to legendary writer Bob Dylan that were made early on in his career. Oberst is no Dylan but in saying that Dylan is no Oberst, both a product of their generation, both prolific songwriters. Oberst’s lyrics are powerful, honest, sad and uplifting all wrapped up in a neat little package. Put on your headphones, catch a long train and allow yourself to be swept up by a man mature beyond his years. If this sounds all a bit heavy for you,  I can assure you there is something uplifting about the way he uses sadness and negative feelings to produce inspiration and drive. I urge everyone to give it a chance. This record is timeless. He captures life and its essence beautifully.

Lyric Highlights

“So if you want to be with me With these things there's no telling We just have to wait and see But I'd rather be working for a paycheck Than waiting to win the lottery”- First Day of My LIfe

“Now I'm drunk as hell on a piano bench And when I press the keys It all gets reversed The sound of loneliness makes me happier”- Poison Oak  

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Beyoncé – Lemonade

Beyoncé is an artist that has never actually intrigued me that much. Her roots lie in the pop world that can churn out superstars at a rapid pace and spit them back out just as quick, however to her credit Beyoncé has managed to stay relevant. Even though I did respect her place in the industry it is not until this week’s Lemonade release that I have ever been compelled to actually listen to her music. I intend to listen to Lemonade out of genuine curiosity and not just because of the cheating references in regards to husband Jay-Z! (Everyone secretly loves a bit of Hollywood gossip). No, the curiosity comes from the reviews that suggest Beyoncé has moved on from the safe pop artist tag, with lyrics addressing the issues facing the African American community and more specifically women of colour. This is a brave step for someone of Beyoncé’s ilk.  She is deserved of much praise for using her superstar status to bring pressing social and political issues to light. Beyoncé and her team of writers are no poets but it is refreshing to see, 'lemonade' is a great conversation starter evidenced by the whopping 1.8 million tweets regarding the album in the 6 hours following the special TV release.

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 Motion City Soundtrack- Commit this to Memory

The pop-punk stalwarts recently announced that they were calling it quits. Making now as good a time as any to look back on the album that confirmed the band would go down in pop punk history. Front man Justin Pierre also announced himself as a top end lyricist. Commit this to Memory, was released in 2005, moves at a frantic pace, has big hooks and a slightly off- beat structure which works nicely as a backdrop to Pierre’s lyrics. It is sometimes hard to comprehend the struggles Pierre presents in his lyrics as they belted out with the help of an infectious pop tune. Dealing with substance abuse, lost love and personal demons, Pierre is both eloquent and raw in his delivery.

Lyric Highlights

“As we cover our heads and drink heavily into the nights That still shock and surprise. I believe that I can, overcome this and beat everything in the end But I choose to abuse for the time being, maybe I’ll win, but for now I’ve decided to die.”- LG FUAD

“You’re the leaky sink of sentiment, You’re the failed attempts I never could forget. You’re the metaphors I can’t create to comprehend this curse that I call love..”- Hold me down