Tag Archives: post-modern

Build a Workout Mix: Successful Mix 8

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If you’re not sure what this is about, start by heading HERE and reading the introduction to this section of my blog.

To keep things fresh, I decided to create a completely new mix today.

1. The Ecstasy of Gold – Ennio Morricone

2. Angel of Salvation – Galneryus

3. Interchange with Ohmu – Joe Hisaishi

4. Arco Arena – Cake

5. Naruto Main Theme – Toshiro Masuda

6. Requiem, Dies Irae – Verdi

7. Yakusoku no Chi – Nobuo Uematsu

With this mix comes a new structure that is mostly based around a new mix component: The Monster. The Monster is any song that is over 6 minutes though the time value is not set in stone. Basically this type of song serves to take over a large section of your workout and may include warm ups, strides, burnouts and cool downs within it’s massive length. Todays example is “Angel of Salvation” toping in at a whopping 14 minutes and 42 seconds.

Listening to “The Ecstasy of Gold” while trying to accomplish anything comes with insane results. Just walking down the street while listening to this song will provide you with an uncanny ability to shoulder other people out of your way as you slow motion bad ass walk to your next destination, oblivious to all those around you. The song works very well as a warm up when you really need to get your mind in the proper place for an extended workout. It didnt make me run too fast but it did set my mind in the perfect place for the rest of my run.

When I say that I had to create a new mix category just to add this song, I hope you get excited. This may be the single best song to run to I have discovered yet! This Monster of a song tops in at 14:42 and contains some of the best fast paced melodic electric guitar I’ve ever heard that. Liquid Tension Experiment quality guitar combined with Dragonforce levels of epicness and the sexiness of X-Japan makes up this absolutely fantastic mega burnout. I would say I was running at top speed for almost 10 minutes of its 14 minutes length, resting for a couple minutes during the middle extended guitar solo and during the final two minute finale. A Monster is a song you should only add to a mix with special preparation as it is designed specifically to push your body to its limits over an extended period of time. Each Monster must be used with very specific purpose since each one may allow for a different amount of warm up, stride, burnout and cool down. In the case of “Angel of Salvation” it is probably 80-90 percent burnout! This song will destroy your body in the best of ways. I cannot recommend it enough.

I followed up this Monster of a track with Joe Hisaishi’s “Interchange with Ohmu” as a cool down. Unfortunately I cant find a version on youtube so I wont be able to share this under two minute break I took.

After my short rest I went right into this brief warm up psyche myself back up. Cake’s “Arco Arena” is a short mesmerizing fury of dancing guitars and chilling beats and builds at just the right pace to get my body pumped up again.

The original Naruto anime has a ton of great music in it. Case in point with this main theme which works great as a stride. The song combines old school japanese drums, flutes and shamisen with modern drums and electric guitars to create a perfect blend of motivational strengthening music. Tell me this song doesnt make you want to rise above adversity and save the world with your friends.

I wanted one final burst of energy for the end of my run so I selected this piece from Verdi’s “Requiem” which for me brings up memories of Battle Royale. There is this sheer intensity to the strings and choir that brings out whatever you have left for one final lap. Great when you only have a minute or two left of burnout in you.

This beautiful choral piece off of the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children soundtrack is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard. What a great way to cool down for the final three minutes of your run.

So there you have it. I highly recommend this mix for those with a soft spot in their hearts for epic music and who really want to push their body to the limit.

 

 

72. Cake – Comfort Eagle

Posted by Doctor Iz Music Remedies on

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: When you want Cake, there really is no other band you can listen to. I’ve looked a long time and even bands I’ve been told were similar, never were. I think that’s where Cake’s power comes from. The first time you hear Cake, you probably think, “What… is…. Going on?” I sometimes wondered whether it could even be considered music thanks to the completely talky nature of lead singer John McCrea. What you don’t realize is just how addicting Cake actually is. What they lack in vocal variety, they more than make up for in sound. There are SO MANY amazing little parts in every Cake song and you WILL want to hear them over and over. As I type this, I’m listening to the opening track on the album and I’m completely distracted because there is constantly something I love happening in the background. If you’re someone who looks for the little parts in music, Cake will be crack to you. I’ve mentioned in the past how I can latch onto something an artist will only do once in their entire song. How I hunger for that little part to happen. Maybe it’s a three note guitar piece or a blast of trumpet. Cake will have literally ten of these moments in a single song. Even John McCrea’s vocals will start to get to you. You’ll love the way he pronounces a specific word and laugh every time. The best part about Cake is they have some CRAZY outlandish lyrics that make remembering them very easy and literally ANYONE can sing along because all you have to do is talk. What makes Comfort Eagle my favorite album is how much I love every song. On almost every Cake album there are hits and misses. Some amazing songs and some throwaways. Comfort Eagle was the first that I felt had no weaknesses. It also stands a perfect 37 minutes of music so you get your fill of Cake without getting too stuffed. I highly recommend Cake as roadtrip music. It is full of amazing funky beats for rolling down the highway and everyone can have fun laughing and singing along. Lets be honest, Im into some dark music. Cake will make you dance. It will make you feel healthy and happy to be alive. You will make friends. You will enjoy your life. This may be daring to say considering where I am on my list of reviews but I feel that if there’s one album I hope you take away from this list, let it be this one. Everything else on here fits into a better-defined genre and you may find another path to those bands. If someone doesn’t introduce you to Cake, you will never discover them through another band. Don’t let this amazing unique band slip by.

 

What does it make me feel like?

 

I’m on the ultimate summer road trip with all my friends.

 

What to Listen for Track by Track

 

– Let me at least dissect one. Opera Singer’s best moments for me:

– Opening drum beat

– Funky guitar at 0:05

– Clapping at 0:09

– “Hey!” at 0:14

– Trumpets at 0:20!

– Chugging guitars at 1:03

– Bass Line at 1:08

– New guitar part at 1:29

– Trumpets at 1:58

– Breakdown at 2:22 and the “Yay!”

– The guitars and trumpets coming in for the final chorus

– Bass line outro

– in fact really just how all the elements are combined for the outro

– The guitar beats of Meanwhile, Rick James…

– The bass beat of Short Skirt/ Long Jacket

– The 1:36 area of Commissioning a Symphony in C where the guitar solo is

– Everything about Arco Arena! One of the best instrumentals of all time!

– Precisely 2:34 of Comfort Eagle. The second that bass takes it down and spreads out the beat, with McCrea’s voice echoing and the slop clapping and the eerie horns! That is CAKE MAGIC!

– I really really want to dissect the magic of Long Line of Cars but I will leave it to you! There is so much to discover in this song. Just the guitar and bass beat alone.

– Some of my favorite Cake Lyrics appear in Love You Madly. Reminds me of dc Talk and I always want to sing along. Once again so many little parts too!

Example Track

Song of the Day 01/03/12: Cake – Commissioning a Symphony in C

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There will always be a seat reserved for Cake in this world. There really is just no band who sounds like them out there. When you’re fixing for Cake, you need Cake. From the talky vocal style to the vast array of strange instruments to the always danceable bass lines, Cake is a uniquely delightful experience!

Song of the Day 10/28/12: Cake – Long Line of Cars

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Cake. Oh Cake. Where has your brilliance gone? This came on in my car the other day and I just thought, “Who else makes beats like Cake??” They have this singular sound with funky guitars and bass beats that make you want to hop and bob along. Not to mention all the weird sound effects and the gentleman’s choruses. And horns! Can someone please point me in the direction of another band like Cake!? Until then, we’ll all have to settle for the genuine article.