Thanks for the thoughtful and sincere reaction. This song probably isn’t nearly their most well known song, that’s one of the reasons I requested it. I love this one because for me, it’s one of the few Godspeed pieces that is exuberantly optimistic throughout. This group’s music always evokes strong emotions buried deep within me. Often I’m left weeping at the end of a Godspeed song. I’m left smiling at the end of this one.
Thanks for the request! Your comment makes me feel better about requesting MF = R. I think it's my favorite track by GY!BE (although it's almost impossible to decide at any given time) but I kept feeling like I should have requested the more popular Dead Flag Blues or Sleep.
Great request. One of my favorites. This album hit me hard. I was really anticipating it. At this point, there were tons of other "post-rock" bands out there doing their thing, gaining popularity, mostly more melodic & lively & digestible than GYBE. In a very competitive music environment. So I was curious how Godspeed's new material was going to be coming into that context. They are what they are. They are not contextual at all. And I love that about them. So then they put out this album that maybe shows a more lively and connected side of their music very well, while being unmistakably them. I was not expecting it to be so damn good. I think they will always be that way.
I'd still love a reaction to "The Dead Flag Blues". The spoken parts are something else. I played it to my writing group way back when. It really grabs me like nothing else. It's so unique. As for this number, I love the slow build up. It reminds me of "Red" from King Crimson. They keep me hooked and on edge, anticipating what's coming down the road. And I can't hear this band without thinking of Boards of Canada and, especially, "The Devil is in the Details". The bands aren't alike, but they're from the same genre. In headphones, "The Devil is in the Details" is just wow!
You made a very good point when describing how one layer sticks around to build the next section up upon. This is what I love about listening to them. Trying to figure out which layer it is that stuck around and trying to build a genealogy of sections. You're also right about their unique texture. Great analysis!
If Bryan ever does album reviews, while I'd selfishly want something like Amarok by Mike Oldfield or Hubardo by Kayo Dot, Godspeed's Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven has to be one of the most objectively deserving albums to react to.
its not that you arent engaging with music, its more that youre engaging in a different way. its more like being in the music rather than it being in you. I had the same "issue" when getting into post rock stuff but after a while ive found the state it puts you in can really good for you. It allows you to check out without really checking out, its like a mental vacation from the constant flow of thoughts and such. Theres still stuff to dissect though, but its more of something you do afterwards rather than during.
Love this song, love this album, understanding why you don't feel like you'd go back to it. But you haven't reacted to either of their best albums (F#A# and Life Yr Skinny Fists), just sayin! :)
This song is one of my favorites from them. Love the way the same simple melody continues throughout the first half, and how its sound changes from more mysterious and ambiguous when alone to more joyful when the other instruments come in.
You should check out some Phillip Glass if you haven't. The way he plays with repetitive/hypnotic melodies layered against one another in different times, rhythms and flows is fascinating and seems like it would give you a lot of fodder for things to talk about. Got into godspeed and his work around the same time and they always seemed similar to me, I suppose.
My personal interpretation of the title is that it describes napalm, war, and conquest as a whole. Godspeed is a pretty blatantly political band, like in the title of the previous album to this one - Yanqui U.X.O. In a literal sense I think the title describes napalm and chemicals being dropped into SEA war zones by the US, and assimilating into the environment around it. The song’s original title was Gamelan, maybe a nod to wars like Vietnam. The almost upbeat melodies in the second half contrast heavily with the suspenseful marching band motif earlier. It’s as if you drifted into a state of inappropriate bliss while stationed in hell. The title can also hint towards the state of war and conquest itself in a poetic style, paranoia fuels war fuels paranoia, causing destruction all along its path.
I know bryan, I understand that this music does not happen to you, because it is not for everyone, la. Part of min 8:39 is amazing how godspeed cheats the main riff of the song and me. Get into the climax by totally changing the. Emotion, the music came from being epic to becoming melancholy and beauty, only godspeed can do this, excellent video and thanks for sharing your opinion
React to Gloryhammer - The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny. Swedish power metal just like Sabaton. Although Sabaton is more history based Gloryhammer has a story crossing 3 different albums with a possible 4th on the way!
The song was played live for years before the album was released under the title “Gamelan”. Debuted in 2003, album was released 2012. It’s still called “Gamelan” in live shows and set lists.
I gotta disagree with you in the 2 minute waltz section when the drums come in. It's not an oddly constructed 4/4, it's 2 measures of 3/4 and 1 measure of 2/4. 3/4 time signature is kind of the GS!BE calling card as much as 20 minutes of guitar noise is.
Yup. Switched to a standing desk setup and I'm enjoying it for the most part. I also have a nice "anti-fatigue" mat (basically just a wedge of foam with an outer layer of plastic) and it keeps my feet off of the harsh tile.
Thanks for the thoughtful and sincere reaction. This song probably isn’t nearly their most well known song, that’s one of the reasons I requested it.
I love this one because for me, it’s one of the few Godspeed pieces that is exuberantly optimistic throughout. This group’s music always evokes strong emotions buried deep within me. Often I’m left weeping at the end of a Godspeed song. I’m left smiling at the end of this one.
Thanks for the request! Your comment makes me feel better about requesting MF = R. I think it's my favorite track by GY!BE (although it's almost impossible to decide at any given time) but I kept feeling like I should have requested the more popular Dead Flag Blues or Sleep.
@@thewhorocks515 mf=redeemer is really underrated imo from 10:20 you start to feel every possible human emotion and it even goes way beyond this
Great request.
One of my favorites.
This album hit me hard. I was really anticipating it. At this point, there were tons of other "post-rock" bands out there doing their thing, gaining popularity, mostly more melodic & lively & digestible than GYBE. In a very competitive music environment. So I was curious how Godspeed's new material was going to be coming into that context.
They are what they are. They are not contextual at all. And I love that about them.
So then they put out this album that maybe shows a more lively and connected side of their music very well, while being unmistakably them. I was not expecting it to be so damn good. I think they will always be that way.
09:35 this man is feeling it!!
I'd still love a reaction to "The Dead Flag Blues". The spoken parts are something else. I played it to my writing group way back when. It really grabs me like nothing else. It's so unique. As for this number, I love the slow build up. It reminds me of "Red" from King Crimson. They keep me hooked and on edge, anticipating what's coming down the road. And I can't hear this band without thinking of Boards of Canada and, especially, "The Devil is in the Details". The bands aren't alike, but they're from the same genre. In headphones, "The Devil is in the Details" is just wow!
You made a very good point when describing how one layer sticks around to build the next section up upon.
This is what I love about listening to them. Trying to figure out which layer it is that stuck around and trying to build a genealogy of sections. You're also right about their unique texture. Great analysis!
Next revisitation of GY!BE should be Dead Flag Blues or BBF3 as they showcase the fantastic spoken word samples aspect of the band.
If Bryan ever does album reviews, while I'd selfishly want something like Amarok by Mike Oldfield or Hubardo by Kayo Dot, Godspeed's Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven has to be one of the most objectively deserving albums to react to.
its not that you arent engaging with music, its more that youre engaging in a different way. its more like being in the music rather than it being in you. I had the same "issue" when getting into post rock stuff but after a while ive found the state it puts you in can really good for you. It allows you to check out without really checking out, its like a mental vacation from the constant flow of thoughts and such. Theres still stuff to dissect though, but its more of something you do afterwards rather than during.
F L O W S T A T E
Oooh I like that phrase to describe the concept.
I'd highly recommend "Dead Flag Blues" if you ever revisit them
I’d love if he did The Dead Flag Blues. Instant watch
Love this song, love this album, understanding why you don't feel like you'd go back to it. But you haven't reacted to either of their best albums (F#A# and Life Yr Skinny Fists), just sayin! :)
This song is one of my favorites from them. Love the way the same simple melody continues throughout the first half, and how its sound changes from more mysterious and ambiguous when alone to more joyful when the other instruments come in.
I challenge anyone to listen to the guitar work in "Piss Crowns Are Trebled" and "Mladic" and not feel compelled for a second listen.
As far as unique techniques go, one of the guitarists plays using a screwdriver to get a kind of oddball wailing effect.
React to Mirrors and Obfuscation by BTBAM, flow perfectly and are dope! Anything from Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens is great too.
You should check out some Phillip Glass if you haven't. The way he plays with repetitive/hypnotic melodies layered against one another in different times, rhythms and flows is fascinating and seems like it would give you a lot of fodder for things to talk about. Got into godspeed and his work around the same time and they always seemed similar to me, I suppose.
My personal interpretation of the title is that it describes napalm, war, and conquest as a whole. Godspeed is a pretty blatantly political band, like in the title of the previous album to this one - Yanqui U.X.O.
In a literal sense I think the title describes napalm and chemicals being dropped into SEA war zones by the US, and assimilating into the environment around it. The song’s original title was Gamelan, maybe a nod to wars like Vietnam. The almost upbeat melodies in the second half contrast heavily with the suspenseful marching band motif earlier. It’s as if you drifted into a state of inappropriate bliss while stationed in hell. The title can also hint towards the state of war and conquest itself in a poetic style, paranoia fuels war fuels paranoia, causing destruction all along its path.
Beatiful music , great vídeo bro !!
I know bryan, I understand that this music does not happen to you, because it is not for everyone, la. Part of min 8:39 is amazing how godspeed cheats the main riff of the song and me. Get into the climax by totally changing the. Emotion, the music came from being epic to becoming melancholy and beauty, only godspeed can do this, excellent video and thanks for sharing your opinion
This reminds me of early King Crimson.
You should check out "A Silver MT Zion".
React to Gloryhammer - The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny. Swedish power metal just like Sabaton. Although Sabaton is more history based Gloryhammer has a story crossing 3 different albums with a possible 4th on the way!
Slugdge- salt thrower
Be'lakor- neither shape nor shadow
Vektor- tetrastructural minds
Por favor podrías activar los subtítulos para poder lo que opinas de la canción saludos
Wonder what that name has got to do with their music.... It almost seems kind of.. random? Anyway awesome track
The song was played live for years before the album was released under the title “Gamelan”. Debuted in 2003, album was released 2012. It’s still called “Gamelan” in live shows and set lists.
Hope
Please react to Sleep by GY!BE. You won’t be disappointed
Hm, definitely have to be in a certain mood for something like this. It's okay I guess.
React to Velnias - Pariah of the Infinite.
I gotta disagree with you in the 2 minute waltz section when the drums come in. It's not an oddly constructed 4/4, it's 2 measures of 3/4 and 1 measure of 2/4. 3/4 time signature is kind of the GS!BE calling card as much as 20 minutes of guitar noise is.
Man, are you standing for the entire length of these videos?
Yup. Switched to a standing desk setup and I'm enjoying it for the most part. I also have a nice "anti-fatigue" mat (basically just a wedge of foam with an outer layer of plastic) and it keeps my feet off of the harsh tile.
sry for thumbs down but this is a wrong Emperor
This is obviously the superior Emperor though.