One of my all time favorite albums is Songs by the late Rich Mullins.
What genre does it belong to?
That is a loaded question.
It really depends on who you ask...
Fans would probably say "Contemporary Christian Music." The majority of Mullins' fan-base came from within the Christian community during the 80s and 90s.
Critics would also be likely to say "Contemporary Christian Music." The reason they would say this is because of the formal conventions of lyrics. An artist who talks about "pimps in the crib" is likely to belong to the genre of rap. The artist who talks about "that red dirt road" could possibly be from the genre of country music. Likewise, the artist who talks about "God the Father" could possibly be from the genre of contemporary Christian music. Lyrics are a determining factor in genre, although they probably do not hold as much weight as the musical style does.
The producers would have a tougher time determining the genre than these last two groups. The reason is they would have a difficult time is because Mullins employed several musical styles in his music. There are elements of pop, world and classical in his music. To make the album Songs, the producer would need an orchestra, a piano, drums, a keyboard, a hammered dulcimer, a huge drum, guitars, a bass, cups, and a choir. They would probably say that Mullins' music was pop, but this would not completely convey the uniqueness of his music.
Artists would recognize it as a form of pop with some world music thrown in. Any good musician would realize that the album is a true masterpiece. (Yes, I am biased. And yes, you will be too as soon as you hear the album.)
This album achieves a delicate balance between convention and invention. Mullins does follow some of the conventions of pop music. He employs verses and choruses, and there is a strong vocal presence. On the other hand, he also uses a ton of invention. An example of this is the song "Sing Your Praise to The Lord." The opening is a melodic line from Bach played by an orchestra, yet as the song progresses the piano comes in and then the drums start up. All of a sudden, you hear fresh guitar chords and Mullins has taken the listener from ancient classical melodies into a modern pop praise song.
I highly recommend this album. Mullins was both an excellent poet, and an excellent musician. Most people just know him as "the guy who wrote 'Awesome God'," but there is so much more to both his music and his life. If you are interested in his life, as well as his music, I would recommend the book An Arrow Pointing to Heaven.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
I Am A Genrelist
A List of the Genres Within Music
Rock
Alternative Rock
Classic Rock
Nu Metal
Metalcore
Metal
Hardcore
Emo
Screamo
Punk
Power-Pop
Pop
Gangsta Rap
Bluegrass
Polka
Dixieland Jazz
Ska
Folk
Opera
Soundtrack
Techno
Inspo-pop
Country
R&B
Rap
Hip-Hop
Classical
Jazz
World
Marching Band
Gospel
Big Band
Sorting Through The List: Categories
Rock
Rock
Alternative Rock
Classic Rock
Hard Rock
Metalcore
Metal
Hardcore
Emo
Screamo
Punk
Urban
Gangsta Rap
Gospel
Techno
R&B
Rap
Hip-Hop
Horn-based
Dixieland Jazz
Ska
Jazz
Marching Band
Big Band
Rural
Bluegrass
Folk
Country
Other
Polka
World
Classical
Power-Pop
Pop
Opera
The Rationale
Splitting music into categories is problematic, as there may be several ways to approach distinguishing between the different types. Because of this, it is helpful to think through which perspective you will take when dividing the genres.
The category Rock is more or less based on what the Critics would think. Rock follows certain conventions, such as the use if distortion, a driving beat, and the use of guitar soloing.
The category Hard Rock is also based on this perspective. There are several formal patterns which separate Hard Rock from Rock. In Hard Rock, all the elements of Rock are taken to more extremes. The music can be more fast-paced, the singers are more apt to scream, and sometimes the soloing requires even more precision on the part of the guitarist.
The categories Urban and Rural are based on the Fans/Audience. People from Urban areas are more likely to listen to rap, whereas people from Rural areas are more likely to listen to Bluegrass.
Horn-based music is defined as a category of genres based upon the perspective of the Producers. To make Big Band music, for instance, requires that instruments like trumpets and trombones are utilized. These are the "materials needed to make" the music.
And there is the category of Other. The Critics are most likely to come up with a term like this. The reason these styles are included in this category is because they could either be a category unto themselves, or it is impossible to place them in one certain category because they rely on multiple categories and conventions.
Rock
Alternative Rock
Classic Rock
Nu Metal
Metalcore
Metal
Hardcore
Emo
Screamo
Punk
Power-Pop
Pop
Gangsta Rap
Bluegrass
Polka
Dixieland Jazz
Ska
Folk
Opera
Soundtrack
Techno
Inspo-pop
Country
R&B
Rap
Hip-Hop
Classical
Jazz
World
Marching Band
Gospel
Big Band
Sorting Through The List: Categories
Rock
Rock
Alternative Rock
Classic Rock
Hard Rock
Metalcore
Metal
Hardcore
Emo
Screamo
Punk
Urban
Gangsta Rap
Gospel
Techno
R&B
Rap
Hip-Hop
Horn-based
Dixieland Jazz
Ska
Jazz
Marching Band
Big Band
Rural
Bluegrass
Folk
Country
Other
Polka
World
Classical
Power-Pop
Pop
Opera
The Rationale
Splitting music into categories is problematic, as there may be several ways to approach distinguishing between the different types. Because of this, it is helpful to think through which perspective you will take when dividing the genres.
The category Rock is more or less based on what the Critics would think. Rock follows certain conventions, such as the use if distortion, a driving beat, and the use of guitar soloing.
The category Hard Rock is also based on this perspective. There are several formal patterns which separate Hard Rock from Rock. In Hard Rock, all the elements of Rock are taken to more extremes. The music can be more fast-paced, the singers are more apt to scream, and sometimes the soloing requires even more precision on the part of the guitarist.
The categories Urban and Rural are based on the Fans/Audience. People from Urban areas are more likely to listen to rap, whereas people from Rural areas are more likely to listen to Bluegrass.
Horn-based music is defined as a category of genres based upon the perspective of the Producers. To make Big Band music, for instance, requires that instruments like trumpets and trombones are utilized. These are the "materials needed to make" the music.
And there is the category of Other. The Critics are most likely to come up with a term like this. The reason these styles are included in this category is because they could either be a category unto themselves, or it is impossible to place them in one certain category because they rely on multiple categories and conventions.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Heavy Stuff
Recently, I have been reading a book by C.S. Lewis called The Abolition of Man. In it he attempts to defend traditional morality in the face of modernism, which encourages the rejection of morality in pursuit of the conquest of Nature.
Heavy stuff.
One of the topics he addresses is technology, an example of which is eugenics. Lewis contends that eugenics, prenatal conditioning and DNA testing all threaten to destroy human nature in the sense that in the future, man will create the species as he wishes (Floyd Notes). This will mean that any person who does not fit his physical or cognitive standard will be altered or aborted.
Dr. Floyd made the comment that media and science go hand-in-hand. In the future, under Lewis' theory, there would be "the Propagandist," who would convey what would then be desirable in society.
In a specific example, media can help form "socially constructed ideals of beauty" (Floyd Notes).
This connected extremely well with the idea of technological determinism, the idea that technology determines how we view reality.
It's not like the significance of electricity.
It's more like the images that are plastered on our eyeballs which show us what we ought to be like.
It's digitally-touched up women.
It's simplistic caricatures of tough men.
It's the idealized lives of the wealthy, the sexy, and the rebellious that we see over and over again in film and music.
We see these images, we hear these songs, we read these magazines, and we emulate.
We already have a Propaganda system in place for understanding what we ought to be like. We are delving further into biogenetics. I only hope that Lewis' prophecy does not come true. I hope we will never see the day when the mentally retarded, the disabled, and those with learning disorders are valued less than everyone else because the Media and Science have told us so. That day may be approaching, however. Some signs?
The death of Baby Doe.
The death of Terry Schiavo.
Babies that are aborted because they will develop a handicap.
Heavy stuff.
One of the topics he addresses is technology, an example of which is eugenics. Lewis contends that eugenics, prenatal conditioning and DNA testing all threaten to destroy human nature in the sense that in the future, man will create the species as he wishes (Floyd Notes). This will mean that any person who does not fit his physical or cognitive standard will be altered or aborted.
Dr. Floyd made the comment that media and science go hand-in-hand. In the future, under Lewis' theory, there would be "the Propagandist," who would convey what would then be desirable in society.
In a specific example, media can help form "socially constructed ideals of beauty" (Floyd Notes).
This connected extremely well with the idea of technological determinism, the idea that technology determines how we view reality.
It's not like the significance of electricity.
It's more like the images that are plastered on our eyeballs which show us what we ought to be like.
It's digitally-touched up women.
It's simplistic caricatures of tough men.
It's the idealized lives of the wealthy, the sexy, and the rebellious that we see over and over again in film and music.
We see these images, we hear these songs, we read these magazines, and we emulate.
We already have a Propaganda system in place for understanding what we ought to be like. We are delving further into biogenetics. I only hope that Lewis' prophecy does not come true. I hope we will never see the day when the mentally retarded, the disabled, and those with learning disorders are valued less than everyone else because the Media and Science have told us so. That day may be approaching, however. Some signs?
The death of Baby Doe.
The death of Terry Schiavo.
Babies that are aborted because they will develop a handicap.
Talkin' 'Bout My Genre-ration
Everyone loves to laugh, but nobody likes to learn.
(Out of textbooks that is...)
So, it would be a wonderful invention if someone could come up with a TV genre which would meld educational and comedic television elements together...
As a disclaimer - this show would be similar to something Steven Colbert might take part in if her were trying to educate the masses...
The producers would be happy, because this show would be relatively inexpensive. Sets will not be created. The host will narrate on site (i.e. museum, battlefield, etc.), and stock footage will be used, as well.
As to the formal patterns that will be used, the topic will be presented to the audience by a single narrator, who will guide the audience through the topic as it develops chronologically. Interviews will be used as deemed necessary, and stock footage and images will be used to convey ideas or events which cannot be explained in the present time. Dry and sometimes inappropriate humor will be used to liven up topics. The narrator will perform all of this under the guise that he or she really cares that the topic be presented accurately to the audience.
The fans will most likely have an affinity for dry comedy such as The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and The Office. They will be slightly nerdy, however, because they like to learn about new things.
PBS meets Comedy Central, and what do you get?
ComEDy.
(Out of textbooks that is...)
So, it would be a wonderful invention if someone could come up with a TV genre which would meld educational and comedic television elements together...
As a disclaimer - this show would be similar to something Steven Colbert might take part in if her were trying to educate the masses...
The producers would be happy, because this show would be relatively inexpensive. Sets will not be created. The host will narrate on site (i.e. museum, battlefield, etc.), and stock footage will be used, as well.
As to the formal patterns that will be used, the topic will be presented to the audience by a single narrator, who will guide the audience through the topic as it develops chronologically. Interviews will be used as deemed necessary, and stock footage and images will be used to convey ideas or events which cannot be explained in the present time. Dry and sometimes inappropriate humor will be used to liven up topics. The narrator will perform all of this under the guise that he or she really cares that the topic be presented accurately to the audience.
The fans will most likely have an affinity for dry comedy such as The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and The Office. They will be slightly nerdy, however, because they like to learn about new things.
PBS meets Comedy Central, and what do you get?
ComEDy.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Fruitless
There is something Pharisaic about Dogme 95.
It appears as if in the process of trying to preserve the thing they cherish the most - art - they are killing it.
The primal motive the members of Dogme 95 have is noble: they wish to save the art of storytelling from unnecessary, and often harmful, technological tricks.
However, in creating all the "rules" of film making, they severely limit an artist's potential. By applying the naturalism they call for to film, filmmakers will only be able to elicit a limited range of responses and emotions from the audience. It is comparable to telling a painter to make a picture, but only allowing her to use the colors black, white, and red. It will be impossible to create certain colors from these three colors, and thus it will be impossible to create certain connotations.
In addition to creating stifling rules, these filmmakers are also choosing to ignore and discard a large part of the history of film. Much of the film that has been created has been created with the intent of taking audiences away from reality (even if reality is only tweaked slightly), not to show them an exact reflection of their own reality. I am speaking on limited knowledge, as I have never seen any of these films, so perhaps I would be better informed on the issue of reality in these films if I were able to watch one of them.
The one thing I am puzzled about is in relation to the identification of the director. Rule 10 says that the director must not be credited. How do we know, then, who the directors are who are creating these films? Perhaps I am just confused about terminology, but if I am not it seems as if these Dogme 95 directors are being hypocritical as we can associate them with their work.
As I read about this group I am reminded about something C.S. Lewis said in The Abolition of Man: "They castrate and bid the geldings to be fruitful." It seems as if the members of Dogme 95 are demanding genuine art, and then removing the tools needed to create it.
It appears as if in the process of trying to preserve the thing they cherish the most - art - they are killing it.
The primal motive the members of Dogme 95 have is noble: they wish to save the art of storytelling from unnecessary, and often harmful, technological tricks.
However, in creating all the "rules" of film making, they severely limit an artist's potential. By applying the naturalism they call for to film, filmmakers will only be able to elicit a limited range of responses and emotions from the audience. It is comparable to telling a painter to make a picture, but only allowing her to use the colors black, white, and red. It will be impossible to create certain colors from these three colors, and thus it will be impossible to create certain connotations.
In addition to creating stifling rules, these filmmakers are also choosing to ignore and discard a large part of the history of film. Much of the film that has been created has been created with the intent of taking audiences away from reality (even if reality is only tweaked slightly), not to show them an exact reflection of their own reality. I am speaking on limited knowledge, as I have never seen any of these films, so perhaps I would be better informed on the issue of reality in these films if I were able to watch one of them.
The one thing I am puzzled about is in relation to the identification of the director. Rule 10 says that the director must not be credited. How do we know, then, who the directors are who are creating these films? Perhaps I am just confused about terminology, but if I am not it seems as if these Dogme 95 directors are being hypocritical as we can associate them with their work.
As I read about this group I am reminded about something C.S. Lewis said in The Abolition of Man: "They castrate and bid the geldings to be fruitful." It seems as if the members of Dogme 95 are demanding genuine art, and then removing the tools needed to create it.
The Cross
Definitions: Denotations and Connotations
The Cross is a universal symbol. Its denotative meaning may be described in the following manner: the cross is an instrument of death, traditionally connected with the death of Jesus Christ.
However, there are many connotative meanings that come along with this denotative meaning. We automatically make associations when we see the cross. The following ideals and images may come to mind:
Sacrifice
Suffering
Redemption
Martyrdom
Blood
Agony
Salvation
Slippage
Meaning has shifted in this sign. When the disciples watched Jesus die in agony upon the cross, they certainly felt that they were experiencing defeat. Thousands of years later, in the aftermath of the bloody death, yet in the light of the glorious resurrection, many Christians use this symbol with pride. To many modern-day Christians the cross represents not defeat, but victory.
Moving outside of the Christian semiotic domain, we see that the cross has taken on other meanings, sometimes in a negative way. For instance, in the 20th century, the Klu Klux Klan put burning crosses on the properties of African-Americans in an attempt to intimidate them and warn of future violence. For white supremacists, the cross meant something very different than it did for a Christian. Some of these white supremacists were convinced that they were Christians, but that is another story...
In the semiotic domain of rappers, the cross represents a movement from economic suffering to astronomical wealth. It retains its connotation of suffering, yet it is usually diamond studded and swinging from the necks of vulgar poets.
How about satanists? They simply turn the cross upside down, and we automatically understand that the set of ideals to which they hold are completely opposite those of the Christian.
The cross is an example of a time-bound symbol (as it represents an ancient form of execution), yet it has also gained new meaning throughout the course of thousands of years.
The Cross is a universal symbol. Its denotative meaning may be described in the following manner: the cross is an instrument of death, traditionally connected with the death of Jesus Christ.
However, there are many connotative meanings that come along with this denotative meaning. We automatically make associations when we see the cross. The following ideals and images may come to mind:
Sacrifice
Suffering
Redemption
Martyrdom
Blood
Agony
Salvation
Slippage
Meaning has shifted in this sign. When the disciples watched Jesus die in agony upon the cross, they certainly felt that they were experiencing defeat. Thousands of years later, in the aftermath of the bloody death, yet in the light of the glorious resurrection, many Christians use this symbol with pride. To many modern-day Christians the cross represents not defeat, but victory.
Moving outside of the Christian semiotic domain, we see that the cross has taken on other meanings, sometimes in a negative way. For instance, in the 20th century, the Klu Klux Klan put burning crosses on the properties of African-Americans in an attempt to intimidate them and warn of future violence. For white supremacists, the cross meant something very different than it did for a Christian. Some of these white supremacists were convinced that they were Christians, but that is another story...
In the semiotic domain of rappers, the cross represents a movement from economic suffering to astronomical wealth. It retains its connotation of suffering, yet it is usually diamond studded and swinging from the necks of vulgar poets.
How about satanists? They simply turn the cross upside down, and we automatically understand that the set of ideals to which they hold are completely opposite those of the Christian.
The cross is an example of a time-bound symbol (as it represents an ancient form of execution), yet it has also gained new meaning throughout the course of thousands of years.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
With Honors
Once upon a time, I was in a very poorly taught high school sociology class.
In this sociology class, I did not enjoy myself very much. I would prefer to forget my time there.
However, there is one good thing that I gleaned from the class - a great example of "The Wisdom of the Rustic"!
My teacher showed us movies, and one of the movies we watched was With Honors.
The Text
With Honors is about a Harvard government student named Monty, played by Brendan Fraser, who loses his only copy of his thesis when he drops it down a grate by the library. A homeless man named Simon Wilder, who lives in the basement of the library, comes into possession of the paper and agrees to give Monty back one page for every day he receives food. As much as Monty resents this at first, he comes to learn a lot from the relationship that he forms with Simon. It is only after his time spent learning the deeper truths of life from Simon that he is able to graduate with honors.
One of the most significant signs (ha!) in the movie is the thesis paper that Monty loses.
The paper represents Monty's academic ambitions.
Syntagmatic Meaning
The sign gains its meaning from other things around it. For instance, when the paper falls down the grate, it is understood that it is not in its proper place. This creates an uneasiness on the part of both Monty and the audience, as it is obvious that his college career is on the line. Also, the fact that this was a paper on the Harvard campus sends the message that it is not the average term paper. We come to believe that it is something highly academic and important.
Paradigmatic Meaning
The writers could have chosen to use Monty's computer, his writing utensils, or his brain to convey the sense of academic ambition he possessed. However, none of these examples would have been sufficient because they are too impersonal.
The paper represented something extremely personal - something into which Monty had poured his soul. The loss of this paper meant something much deeper than if Monty had lost his computer, in which he had not invested himself so passionately.
Codes
This particular sign draws upon several codes.
Two of the most significant are explained below:
In the code of Academia, it is understood that a thesis paper represents the culmination of a considerable amount of research.
In the code of College Students, it is understood that writing papers takes a great effort on the part of the writer. This adds to the idea that the paper represented Monty's personal ambition and drive.
Second Order and Third Order Meanings
A Harvard thesis paper could also have the following connotations:
1. Diligence
2. Intelligence
3. Piety
4. Lifelessness
5. Legalism
6. Honor
7. Burden
8. Impracticality
Some, in desperation, might say "Everything is meaningless." (Take Jon Foreman, for example).
However, semiotics proves that everything is full of meaning...even a cheesy movie from the 80s that I was made to watch in a less-than-stellar high school sociology class.
In this sociology class, I did not enjoy myself very much. I would prefer to forget my time there.
However, there is one good thing that I gleaned from the class - a great example of "The Wisdom of the Rustic"!
My teacher showed us movies, and one of the movies we watched was With Honors.
The Text
With Honors is about a Harvard government student named Monty, played by Brendan Fraser, who loses his only copy of his thesis when he drops it down a grate by the library. A homeless man named Simon Wilder, who lives in the basement of the library, comes into possession of the paper and agrees to give Monty back one page for every day he receives food. As much as Monty resents this at first, he comes to learn a lot from the relationship that he forms with Simon. It is only after his time spent learning the deeper truths of life from Simon that he is able to graduate with honors.
One of the most significant signs (ha!) in the movie is the thesis paper that Monty loses.
The paper represents Monty's academic ambitions.
Syntagmatic Meaning
The sign gains its meaning from other things around it. For instance, when the paper falls down the grate, it is understood that it is not in its proper place. This creates an uneasiness on the part of both Monty and the audience, as it is obvious that his college career is on the line. Also, the fact that this was a paper on the Harvard campus sends the message that it is not the average term paper. We come to believe that it is something highly academic and important.
Paradigmatic Meaning
The writers could have chosen to use Monty's computer, his writing utensils, or his brain to convey the sense of academic ambition he possessed. However, none of these examples would have been sufficient because they are too impersonal.
The paper represented something extremely personal - something into which Monty had poured his soul. The loss of this paper meant something much deeper than if Monty had lost his computer, in which he had not invested himself so passionately.
Codes
This particular sign draws upon several codes.
Two of the most significant are explained below:
In the code of Academia, it is understood that a thesis paper represents the culmination of a considerable amount of research.
In the code of College Students, it is understood that writing papers takes a great effort on the part of the writer. This adds to the idea that the paper represented Monty's personal ambition and drive.
Second Order and Third Order Meanings
A Harvard thesis paper could also have the following connotations:
1. Diligence
2. Intelligence
3. Piety
4. Lifelessness
5. Legalism
6. Honor
7. Burden
8. Impracticality
Some, in desperation, might say "Everything is meaningless." (Take Jon Foreman, for example).
However, semiotics proves that everything is full of meaning...even a cheesy movie from the 80s that I was made to watch in a less-than-stellar high school sociology class.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
The Diegetic World of "Survivor"
"Survivor" is a TV show that thrives on the idea of "other-worldliness."
Average people are taken out of their average worlds and made to compete with others on an island.
There is also a pretty hefty chunk of change involved...
The reason we are drawn to the show is because it is fascinating to see how humans interact in a "different world." Nobody (or very few people) would want to watch "Survivor" if it were staged in a placid, suburban town in Ohio.
So what is different about this world?
There are many elements that make "Survivor" its own distinct diegetic world:
1. The setting is a remote island.
2. Social grouping is based on tribe. This differs from the "real" world, where people are separated based upon many other things, such as gender, occupation, and ethnicity.
3. There are "tribal councils" to determine who stays on the island and who leaves the island.
4. Lighting is provided by tiki torches.
5. Food is cooked over fires, rather than being cooked in kitchens.
6. There are competitions for "tribal immunity" (this "tribal immunity" saves the tribe from having to kick any of its members off the island) that always contain primitive and rustic tribal elements.
7. Jeff Probst is the host who facilitates the activities on the island.
8. Tribe members show their loyalty by wearing colorful, tribe-specific "buffs."
9. The food that is eaten comes from the island and the ocean by the island.
The world of "Survivor" is, in many ways, differentiated from the one in which we live. It is not different in an extreme way, like in the diegetic worlds of sci-fi shows, but it is different enough from our common experience that we are compelled to watch the show to escape our everyday lives.
The producers love this, of course, because we are watching commercials along with the show...
Average people are taken out of their average worlds and made to compete with others on an island.
There is also a pretty hefty chunk of change involved...
The reason we are drawn to the show is because it is fascinating to see how humans interact in a "different world." Nobody (or very few people) would want to watch "Survivor" if it were staged in a placid, suburban town in Ohio.
So what is different about this world?
There are many elements that make "Survivor" its own distinct diegetic world:
1. The setting is a remote island.
2. Social grouping is based on tribe. This differs from the "real" world, where people are separated based upon many other things, such as gender, occupation, and ethnicity.
3. There are "tribal councils" to determine who stays on the island and who leaves the island.
4. Lighting is provided by tiki torches.
5. Food is cooked over fires, rather than being cooked in kitchens.
6. There are competitions for "tribal immunity" (this "tribal immunity" saves the tribe from having to kick any of its members off the island) that always contain primitive and rustic tribal elements.
7. Jeff Probst is the host who facilitates the activities on the island.
8. Tribe members show their loyalty by wearing colorful, tribe-specific "buffs."
9. The food that is eaten comes from the island and the ocean by the island.
The world of "Survivor" is, in many ways, differentiated from the one in which we live. It is not different in an extreme way, like in the diegetic worlds of sci-fi shows, but it is different enough from our common experience that we are compelled to watch the show to escape our everyday lives.
The producers love this, of course, because we are watching commercials along with the show...
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