Composer Reacts to Car Seat Headrest - Beach Life-In-Death (REACTION & ANALYSIS)

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  • Опубликовано: 26 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 146

  • @autumnstays
    @autumnstays 3 года назад +516

    This song SERIOUSLY starts to grow on you. You’ll hear it the first time, but once you *listen* to it, hear the feeling in the instruments, feel the passion in Will’s voice. I cried about the third time I got to listen to this song because it was such an emotional overload once I understood it all.

    • @Legority
      @Legority 3 года назад +3

      oh hi

    • @autumnstays
      @autumnstays 3 года назад +6

      @@Legority corbin???

    • @Legority
      @Legority 3 года назад +3

      @@autumnstays yea thats me

    • @autumnstays
      @autumnstays 3 года назад +3

      @@Legority omg hi bestie

    • @Legority
      @Legority 3 года назад +1

      @@autumnstays hiii

  • @aydn1659
    @aydn1659 3 года назад +158

    "Rock that's not rock" is the best way to describe indie rock

  • @ggnegrao
    @ggnegrao 3 года назад +254

    Glad you gave CSH a listen! This is a difficult first listen and maybe not a great introduction to their sound, but the highlight is the lyrics on this one. The instrumental segues and mixing choices only makes sense when you tie it together with the themes of the song (sexual identity, an abusive relationship, some hints of depression and identity crisis, etc. There's deep suff in these lyrics.) About the "dissonant" vocals, it's done on purpose: the indie rock genre - which, as you rightfully pointed out, has this staple - frequently uses this dissonant sounding vocals to 1) "keep it real" in the sense of portraying raw emotions and 2) embracing the DIY aesthetic - inherited by punk music primarily - that a good amount of indie rock artists are going for. And again, the voice cracks and dissonance in the vocals also ties together with the themes of a broken/misguided relationship, particularly in the lines "I don't want to go insane/I don't want to have schizophrenia" and "Last night I dreamed he was trying to kill you/I woke up and I was trying to kill you". But anyways, thanks for giving it a try, definitely gets better with future listens. If you're still intrigued by the band, I'd recommend the song "Sober to Death" off the same album, "Twin Fantasy".

  • @Josh-tv8ew
    @Josh-tv8ew 3 года назад +198

    The “get more groceries… get eaten” line seems to be a symbol for the repetitiveness of life. We go to the grocery store, buy food, eat it, and then go back to the grocery store to get more food and repeat the same process endlessly until we die. The line is repeated so many times in a row, and at multiple parts of the song; this explanation makes the most sense to me.

  • @calvinwazoo
    @calvinwazoo 3 года назад +148

    As I've said in my own videos, Will Toledo is IMO one of the most incredible singer/songwriters we've seen in a long time, and I rank him among the most significant and influential composers as well as pop artists in the last 100 years. This is the most interesting music I've listened to in a long time. Anxiety can be harnessed and turned into beautiful art. Think of this song as a suite.

    • @bodylan11
      @bodylan11 2 года назад +1

      100 years??? I think u accidentally added a 0...

    • @calvinwazoo
      @calvinwazoo 2 года назад +12

      @@bodylan11 Nope, I intended to state 100 years. As a composer/song writer I rank Will Toledo with the likes of John Cage, Little Richard, Brian Wilson, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, and Lennon/McCartney. I was quite serious.

    • @bodylan11
      @bodylan11 2 года назад +1

      @@calvinwazoo I figured thats what you meant... Toledo hasnt been around long enough to encapsulate an entire centurys worth of american history, in music and social evolution and innovation. I wouldnt doubt if he later becomes a global indie pop icon but even then, it doesnt seem likely.
      10 years seemed more accurate to me, and its no insult to his talent.

    • @Platified
      @Platified 2 года назад

      i love him but 100 years is wild

    • @davidavila8805
      @davidavila8805 2 месяца назад

      Hell no 😂

  • @Ryanreupload
    @Ryanreupload 3 года назад +75

    Car Seat Headrest is ultimately my favorite band of all time, Will's discography is massive and expansive, their sound is so specific to them, but you can also cross-compare it to bands like The Strokes and The Beach Boys! Will, especially in Twin Fantasy and 1-4, loves playing around with song structure, the earlier back you go, the crazier the structure gets, I think this guy is a genius and a massive inspiration to tons of indie musicians, his clever lyrics tie in perfectly with his heavy themes and confusing song structure

  • @steezydan8543
    @steezydan8543 3 года назад +75

    This is really interesting, I like the style, the noisy texture of it all. At first I didn't really know what to think about the song, but as it went on it really started to make sense. It's really not trying to be any one thing, it feels flawlessly original.

  • @gracismart
    @gracismart 3 года назад +93

    If you are interested in listening to a, perhaps more straight forward song by this band, I'd recommend Bodys or Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales. Both of these are fantastic, but definitely a bit more understandable on first listen. Also a lot shorter.

    • @stitchgor3
      @stitchgor3 4 месяца назад

      OH HELL YEAH DRUNK DRIVERS

  • @themagnanimous1246
    @themagnanimous1246 2 года назад +27

    THE OCEAN WASHED OVER YOUR GRAAAAAAVE

  • @ogLogLogLogL
    @ogLogLogLogL 2 года назад +33

    Will Toledo is, unquestionably, a genius.

  • @gracismart
    @gracismart 3 года назад +68

    Clicked on this immediately. I absolutely adore this song.

  • @lost6516
    @lost6516 3 года назад +51

    11:30-11:41 the song and the album are about a messy long distance relationship and how the relationship ends up becoming its own beast beyond the two people involved. I feel like these few words by you summarise that feeling and the overall vibe of the album altogether. Even if not intentionally

  • @coolioschoolio4359
    @coolioschoolio4359 3 года назад +85

    Not the best song to start off with for a couple of reasons. One being the length. It’s a beast of a song in terms of runtime, so starting off with something like “Fill in the blank”, “Drunk Driver/Killer Whales”, or even “Bodys” would be a bit better. Another reason is the context of the original song and this one are extremely important. You gotta go into it knowing it’s an album/song about a failing relationship.

    • @beesury9413
      @beesury9413 Год назад +2

      I started with Bodys and jumped to Costa Concordia hahaha

    • @caffe1n8ed
      @caffe1n8ed 10 месяцев назад +3

      I started with this one LMAO i loved it from my first listen

  • @bulletfastspeed
    @bulletfastspeed 3 года назад +39

    It's the lyrics for me. I prefer the original album over this newer one, has more passion. But the lyrics and singing of the words are really the shining star of Car Seat Headrest. I don't find this song overly long, but I might if it was just background music/if I didn't know the lyrics.

  • @AlexBeaty222
    @AlexBeaty222 3 года назад +91

    this actually reminds me of The Strokes, like in a really good way. Gonna check out more of them for sure

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 года назад +14

      I've only heard Reptillia but even in that song I can hear some of the similarities.

  • @keeprealquiet
    @keeprealquiet Год назад +11

    something i think you'd really enjoy knowing about this album and song is the context.
    Will has been doing CSH since 2010, over time honing his skills as a producer and songwriter. I don't really want to go too deep into the context behind the track's lyrics (there are dozens of fans who will fall over themselves to do that), but something that's important to know here is that Will produced Twin Fantasy (2018) entirely on his own. There are (obscure) videos of him doing all of the mixing for it by himself on a laptop, and following the recording and mixing, he sent the mixes to THREE different people to get three different masters. After the masters were all created, he then took what he got back and cut and stitched each different one to get an "ideal" Will-approved version. There are certain songs that I FEEL like this is more obvious for, but my background isn't in audio so I don't have the experience to confidently say "this is what's happening here" or "this is what's happening there," but it might be something you could have some interest in looking into.
    If you're curious to just watch him mix for about a minute and 50 seconds, search up "watching work in progress goombapatrol054"

  • @kyaudas1549
    @kyaudas1549 3 года назад +28

    This song wasn't my first but the second song I ever heard from them, the first was drunk drivers/killer whales, which is a lot more digestible. When I heard this it blew my mind, I had never heard anything like it before or since. And now I'm a die hard car seat fan. I think the lyrics are a little hard to grasp at some points because he references some shit you're not even gonna know about unless you've been listening to the other stuff, the result of a series of concept albums all tying into eachother atleast a little bit. Another note is that he writes with his influences very present on his sleeve, and once you're familiar with what those are you can pick up on it in a lot of his stuff. Which isn't unique to him alone, but i do think he's very good at incorporating the exact elements that stood out to him. He's a very unique and talented songwriter/producer and any of his stuff is an interesting listen at the least. hope you enjoyed reading my sales pitch for car seat lol

  • @TurquoiseIcy
    @TurquoiseIcy Год назад +8

    I would have suggested reading the lyrics to this one while listening to it for the first time, I feel the song shines when you can understand the story that is being told. Also the lyrics sometimes paint very graphic pictures and descriptions of Will's state of mind.

    • @ciara7172
      @ciara7172 Год назад +1

      This is something I would suggest with so much of Will's discography. The lyrics and the emotions conveyed through their delivery is so integral.

  • @Jeffslawyer11
    @Jeffslawyer11 3 года назад +29

    best band in existence

  • @KarK1ttyy
    @KarK1ttyy 3 года назад +30

    Car seat headrest is my favourite band of all time and i love seeing new people find them, the way will toledo (the lead singer and originally only member of car seat headrest) talks about mental illness, relationships, sexuality and being gay is insane and i would watch every review you do of them if you do more!! Great review i really suggest reacting to there old stuff like the original twin fantasy that was all will toledo or more songs from there new stuff. Live versions are amazing and you get to see how will acts on stage.

    • @johnnyegberto
      @johnnyegberto Год назад

      homestuck spotted

    • @KarK1ttyy
      @KarK1ttyy Год назад +1

      no way we have to be bffs now@@johnnyegberto

    • @johnnyegberto
      @johnnyegberto Год назад

      @@KarK1ttyy omg yes insane

    • @KarK1ttyy
      @KarK1ttyy Год назад

      @@johnnyegberto am i about to ask for someones discord /twt in the comments of a car seat headrest reaction video because i think so

    • @johnnyegberto
      @johnnyegberto Год назад +1

      @@KarK1ttyy yes 100%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

  • @Evanmnm
    @Evanmnm 3 года назад +22

    This is my favorite song ever, ty for making this vid! :)

  • @skttrbrain2513
    @skttrbrain2513 3 года назад +29

    My personal song of the decade. I’d sell my soul to have written it lol

  • @boblawton9303
    @boblawton9303 3 года назад +9

    I think the distortion/reverb you’re describing in the vocal is because Will Toledo sings through a guitar amp. I might be wrong on that tho

  • @clulessnyx7385
    @clulessnyx7385 4 месяца назад +4

    i didn't like this song at first, i thought it was ridiculously long and it'll properly bore me. I was just getting to listen to CSH and my curiousity soon peaked. At first listen, it wasn't as bad as i thought, but i did not finish the whole song. I was confused throughout but i kept coming back to this song, it just has a hold on me. After a couple more plays, i start to read the lyrics, i seem to feel it, i understand it. Even relate to some
    i developed whatever i was feeling when i started to listen to this song daily. It's funny, i rewind at spesific parts over and over, until i feel shitty. I do this almost everyday, the loud, fast and messy instruments just makes me feel devasted. Will's vocals isn't harmonize at all and i love it. Anyone can sing along. I love how his voice is almost unnoticable meanwhile the whole background is just a whole mess
    Until one night, i let the song play until the end. I felt empty, i stared at nothing as i just indulge the silence. I wanted to cry but no tears came. It just amazes me how it impacts me and i have no clue what's going on. This song means a lot to me, this band means a lot to me. I love how it exhausts my emotions, i am now going to listen to it again

  • @emilioft1
    @emilioft1 3 года назад +4

    It was a pleasure listening to you talking about this song. Love from Brazil!

  • @zina2435
    @zina2435 3 года назад +12

    it was really fun to see your reactions to this lmao. you seemed to enjoy it so much at the beginning and then it just. kept. disappointing you.
    i’m trying not to make this comment too long but this song is very much about a sometimes-unhealthy, draining, and rocky first relationship. the lyrics don’t directly describe this (which is what i prefer from lyrics), but i think they portray it in a very artistic way where raw emotion is the driving force
    “get more groceries get eaten” repeated over and over could mean a wide variety of things, but whatever it is it sounds stressful and draining the way will sings it
    in the context of a relationship, this line to me could illustrate:
    going back and forth between not talking and fighting
    being used
    putting energy into a relationship that doesn’t benefit you (like when someone else keeps eating the snacks you buy)
    going through the motions of love w/o rlly experiencing it
    fighting and making up w/o actually fixing any problems
    ANYWAY, i know what you mean bc this song isn’t meant to tell a cohesive story. it is a person who is stuck somewhere and doesn’t quite understand everything they’re experiencing yet. it’s definitely rambly and unorganized but i find it very comforting and realistic

  • @rachels9776
    @rachels9776 2 года назад +2

    Love this video, this was my first csh song bc i just jumped into it and i just love this song so much. I used to not understand it fully but over time it just grows on you.

  • @jonathanhenderson9422
    @jonathanhenderson9422 3 года назад +9

    Though not super familiar with it, I think this basically falls into the umbrella genre of lo-fi indie pop/rock. The general idea being that the music has a very "home-made" quality to it in contrast with super-polished stuff you hear from professional studios and producers. The noisy surfer rock thing reminds me strongly of Pixies, but going back further even The Beach Boys had some of that on Smiley Smile. There's probably some Neutral Milk Hotel and Guided By Voices influence there too.
    If I step back from thinking about the influences and genres, I think I'm rather ambivalent about the song. I'm not innately drawn to lo-fi sound, but I tolerate it for music I really like (some 80s/early90s black metal, eg), and I can even appreciate it when it adds to the intimacy and immediacy of the music--a good example is Bob Dylan's The Basement Tapes, which were literally recorded in a basement. However, in this case I actually think the lo-fi production clashes against the more ambitious structure of the song. I actually really dig all the changes here and how it makes the song feel really sprawling and epic, which also clashes (but in an interesting way) with the low-vitality, often spoken, sometimes mumbled vocal delivery. It's such a weird combination of elements that you usually don't together in music, and at the very least that makes it interesting. Ultimately, even if there's a lot here that doesn't work well with each other there's also a lot to enjoy and appreciate.

  • @Garfilt77
    @Garfilt77 11 дней назад +1

    I feel like Beach Life-In-Death is one of those songs that can be argued to be the best, not in a certain genre or a certain period of time, just the best ever

  • @soljuh
    @soljuh 3 года назад +8

    this is dope one of my fav songs of all time

  • @progperljungman8218
    @progperljungman8218 3 года назад +4

    Very exciting indeed! (Glad to be in the casual listening position 😁)

  • @ethanowens4818
    @ethanowens4818 3 года назад +15

    glass beach has an awesome cover of this song out on their Spotify! If you're looking for other lgbtq+ stuff to vibe with throughout the month, I'd recommend checking them out! Particularly yoshi's island, if you're looking to check them out in general, classic j dies and goes to hell, Pt 1, bedroom community, and neon glow are fantastic choices as well!

  • @zemineriver8043
    @zemineriver8043 3 года назад +9

    This band is amazing

  • @AlectriXSharpness
    @AlectriXSharpness 3 года назад +16

    I wasn't expecting this reaction lmao. Car Seat Headrest is my favourite band of all time and it's mainly due to its method of songwriting, using personal experiences, insecurities and thoughts in its favor not only managing to make catchy noisy tunes but emotional and heartbreaking letters. Personally, I'd suggest you to listen to two specific tracks which you might not end up actually LIKING considering your reception with this track (great analysis btw), but I feel like there could be something you can pull from them and seeing the point of view of another person more experienced than you can be both exciting and informative.
    The first one is called The Ending of Dramamine, which follows a more raw sound with low fidelity and leaning more towards an electronic side of things, following a post-rock structure with psychedelic foundation making up for one of the most damn unique songs I've ever heard. And the second one is called Famous Prophets (Stars) which haves a similar sound to Beach Life-In-Death but explores that slow, more sad sound and exploits it to make a submersive and emotional track.
    Sadly both songs are pretty long so that might quit points but I'd still be really happy to hear your opinion. Excited to see what you come with next in your channel!

    • @feaarrr
      @feaarrr 3 года назад +4

      for me, dramamine is their second best. and yes, the best is beach.

    • @AlectriXSharpness
      @AlectriXSharpness 3 года назад +3

      @@feaarrr A man of culture I see

    • @Calz20Videos
      @Calz20Videos 3 года назад +1

      I would love TEoD but the intro is too damn long I can’t listen to it and love it outside of the context of the whole album

    • @flyingpig5622
      @flyingpig5622 2 года назад

      Boxing Day is rlly good too

    • @AlectriXSharpness
      @AlectriXSharpness 2 года назад

      @@Calz20Videos The intro is essential to the song and if you skip it you are a sinner

  • @HDJoltTV
    @HDJoltTV 3 года назад +3

    I would say this version doesnt compare to the older version. It's almost like this version is more like him preforming it now after all this time, without the same emotional notes kinda in my opinion. But if people really love this version i'd understand if its just cause i heard the old one first.

    • @everygrillindude5317
      @everygrillindude5317 3 года назад +15

      Have to disagree. The only thing better about the 2011 version is the “thank god for the little things and fuck god that they’re little things.” I really miss that.

    • @mdaily318
      @mdaily318 3 года назад +5

      I see FtF as a more in hindsight of the feeling Will was having when he was 19. Will in MtM is still greatly distraught and trying to hang onto his fantasy while on FtF it’s him looking at it while being an adult with calmer emotions.

  • @johnedward8352
    @johnedward8352 3 года назад +11

    Great song from a good band. Didn't much care for their newest album though.

    • @utterkid2
      @utterkid2 3 года назад +2

      Same, but I like most of their albums

    • @johnedward8352
      @johnedward8352 3 года назад +1

      @@utterkid2 I do too. What happened on their latest album? Top poppy?

    • @utterkid2
      @utterkid2 3 года назад +5

      @@johnedward8352 eh I just think it wasn’t as well thought out and crafted as their other albums. Also the song “Hollywood” was absolutely garbage in my opinion

    • @johnedward8352
      @johnedward8352 3 года назад +2

      @@utterkid2 Hollywood is garbage. I think my dislike of that song caused me to not give the album very much of a chance

    • @aydn1659
      @aydn1659 3 года назад +4

      I hated madlo at first too after I listened to it the day it came out but then a year later I listened to all their albums in order it i actually liked it a lot more. The album dosent fit into normal music but I think it fits well into csh discography.

  • @nitr9396
    @nitr9396 3 года назад +7

    please do more

  • @ProgPro96
    @ProgPro96 3 года назад +3

    Do you already have picks lined up for Pride month or are you going by requests? If you're taking requests I'd like to suggest Liturgy - HAJJ and Torche - Minions.

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 года назад

      I'm randomly picking from the community post comments. Litrugy is coming up this Sunday, though I don't recall the song name.

  • @KoolKitty100
    @KoolKitty100 Год назад +2

    its interesting that a lot of your confusion about the song came down to the conflicting ideas and production, as the album is a concept one about a relationship between two people who are trying to be together, one moreso than the other, and they just cant seem to land on the same page about anything. to me the conflicting aspects of the song and the constant up and down seemed like an auditory version of that feeling

  • @lalitthapa101
    @lalitthapa101 2 года назад +4

    You should react to bodys by the same band.

  • @stitchgor3
    @stitchgor3 4 месяца назад +2

    I fuckijg love car seat headrest

  • @nifty8327
    @nifty8327 3 года назад

    I would LOVEE a reaction to some of the other songs off this album the stuff they play with on this album is really amazing.

  • @zanyzebra9975
    @zanyzebra9975 3 года назад +1

    This is a fantastic Ulcerate cover 👌
    But☝️ Honestly....
    This kinda has an "Afghan Wigs" slight quality to it👌
    Where the "F" have I been this is flipping awesome 🙏
    Great 90(s) Indie rock I so very miss🤘

  • @jawbreakersoftwo8389
    @jawbreakersoftwo8389 Год назад +1

    This is like saying that Pink Floyd's echoes is messy and lacking in energy because you are expecting a full 23 minutes of intense rock all the way through.

  • @devilpizza123
    @devilpizza123 3 года назад +6

    I personally prefer the lo-fi version as Will's voice feels so much more emotional and the whole song is catharsis in its purest form.

  • @dravvmit
    @dravvmit 2 года назад

    favorite song of all time ever

  • @kellyp9438
    @kellyp9438 3 года назад +1

    Reminded me a lot of the Flaming Lips

  • @lalinternahumana4257
    @lalinternahumana4257 Год назад

    One of the best songs ever

  • @Michael-ky5yn
    @Michael-ky5yn 2 года назад +2

    Peak music

  • @Normalgirl69420
    @Normalgirl69420 2 месяца назад

    somebody show this guy the gun song

  • @ianhandy5090
    @ianhandy5090 5 месяцев назад

    Such a shame he listened to the face to face version and not the mirror to mirdor version

  • @disasteriz3766
    @disasteriz3766 Год назад +1

    I think the old version is a lot more solid although you might've had more difficulty analyzing it behind the low fidelity. I like this one too but it just feels like a weird grander and celebratory live performance of the actual song (like a jazz performance where the artist tries different ways to play the song) so I can see how someone can feel lost if they listen to this version for the first time.

  • @thethirdsun5521
    @thethirdsun5521 3 года назад +3

    a composer/musician who isn’t open to “opposing” ideas? Lol

  • @Saephaan
    @Saephaan 3 года назад

    Your “analysis” was disappointing. It seemed that you didn’t knew anything of the band beforehand. It may be a reaction of some sort, but trying to speak about something without doing research before is irresponsible as a critic.