[WALRUS] Walrus the Second

[Turnip Head]

Just pick one for us. Thursdays work great for me, personally

[Turnip Head]

Won't be around on NYE

[Epignosis]

Thursdays are good for me too (very little basketball action).

[speedchuck]

Is it Thursday then?

Do we have a firm date? I don't want to end up waiting around in the discord.

[Epignosis]

I can do Thursday at 9pm EST. That suits me finely.

[Epignosis]

Reminder:

Rounds 7 and 8 tonight at 9pm EST.

Hope to see you there.

[DharmaHelper]

MFW I find out where my songs are ranked each round

[Turnip Head]

Has anyone been keeping score? I've had some good finishes but I assume my total got dragged down by Miley again.

[DharmaHelper]

I've not been keeping score but if I'm not in last place I'd be as shocked as anyone.

[speedchuck]

Next round when?

[JaggedJimmyJay]

I may add up all the points tonight if I get a moment.

[Epignosis]

Next round when?

Tomorrow, same time?

[Epignosis]

I may add up all the points tonight if I get a moment.

If you wish.

[speedchuck]

Next round when?

Tomorrow, same time?

Awesome

[JaggedJimmyJay]

Today is good for me.

[JaggedJimmyJay]

I recommend double-checking before taking these tallies as gospel. I didn't see a score for TH's category 7 song, so his is incomplete.

[DharmaHelper]

lmao

[Epignosis]

TH's score was 8 that round.

[JaggedJimmyJay]

Through #8:

JJJ - 61
speedchuck - 61
G-Man - 59
Luna - 59
nutella - 59
DharmaHelper - 56
iaafr - 52
Pawn - 51
Turnip - 51
MacDougall - 47
Sloon - 45
sprityo - 43

[JaggedJimmyJay]

speedchuck - 70
JJJ - 69
nutella - 68
Luna - 67
G-Man - 66
DharmaHelper - 64
Pawn - 61
Turnip - 58
iaafr - 57
MacDougall - 53
Sloon - 53
sprityo - 49

Throught #9

[DharmaHelper]

Bout to end the game with 74 points.

[G-Man]

[mention]Epignosis[/mention]- when will the final chapter be unveiled?

[Epignosis]

Tuesday evening.

Same time if that's all right for everyone.

[Sloonei]

Tunesday works for me.

[JaggedJimmyJay]

sure

[speedchuck]

okay

[JaggedJimmyJay]

tonight we crown a new walrus monarch

[Sloonei]

[Epignosis]

7. Snow Falling on Cedars

The path of moral responsibility is often cold and lonely. Provide something that depicts that frigidity and isolation.

12. sprityo



Imogen Heap – “Hide and Seek” (2005)

I happened to catch someone in the comments section mention “me singing into a fan when I was a kid.” I had the same thought. There’s plenty of talent and good ideas here, but they’re drowned in an abundance of jarring studio effects.

4

11. Pawn Lelouch



Ashes Remain – “On My Own” (2011)

A less interesting version of “My Own Prison” by Creed, I suppose. The musicianship is tight and does everything “right,” but the cliché factor is a little too high for my liking.

5

10. DharmaHelper



Set it Off – “Bad Guy” (2014)

Lyrically, I suppose it fits. Pop-punk songs have to have certain qualities for me to fall in love with them.

5

9. Sloonei



Electric President – “Grand Machine No. 12” (2006)

The opening felt very bleak and cold to me. The song itself took the shape of a quirky Napoleon Dynamite ditty. It’s okay. For what it’s worth, Eloh said she really liked it.

5

8. iaafr



Miike Snow – “In Search Of” (2009)

Though the more open passages with the airy reverberating vocals do give a slightly haunting feeling, the musical vibe overall reminds of dance clubs and friendly company. At times it reminds of 1980s video games. I do like the synthesizer solos squawking in and out here and there.

5

7. MacDougall



Redgum – “I Was Only Nineteen”

A Vietnam War song from the 1980s, this lays out the experiences of a young man who figuratively speaking lost his life before he could experience a mundane adulthood.

6

6. speedchuck



Persona 5 OST- “Beneath the Mask” (2017)

It’s intriguing how different people experience different things of course. To my ear, this sounds warm and inviting. It generates feelings of a quiet nightclub of which I am privileged to hold a secret membership. Thematically, this may work by isolating the lyrics (for me). I enjoyed it still.

7


5. Lunalee



Enya – “May it Be” (2001)

Enya is capable of painting an array of emotional sonic landscapes. This speaks words of encouragement in dark and mournful circumstances.

7

4. nutella



of Montreal – “Obsidian Currents”

There’s something vaguely Beatles-like here. Here, “cold and lonely” refers to doctrinal standoffishness- the inability (or unwillingness) to join humanity due to rigid, principled self-restraints. Quite an interesting choice, I think. Good song.

8

3. Turnip Head



The Barr Brothers – “You Would Have to Lose Your Mind” (2017)

An excellent submission- the allusions to grand gestures gone wrong, specifically Icarus (buried in a cold ground because he flew to close to the heat) lend weight to the feeling of hopeless isolation here.

8


2. G-Man



Ben Folds – “Still Fighting It” (2001)

This past Tuesday, my parents treated all of our kids to a movie. As much as my wife and I love each other, the house was quiet and felt cold and empty. That’s all I’ll say in relation to this one.

10

1. JaggedJimmyJay



Camel – “Ice” (1979)

Were I to choose a Camel piece to fit this category, it would be a selection from The Snow Goose, but one can’t go wrong with this beautiful piece, which I have not heard in many years. Mesmerizing and chilling instrumentation abound. Latimer is a highly underrated guitarist.

10

[Epignosis]

8. The Waste Land

A monumental work dizzying in its depth, this multi-faceted poem displays the breadth of the author’s literary and historical awareness. Supply something musically complex. Interpret this however you like (unusual orchestration or instrumentation, key or time signature changes, odd rhythmic structures, studio effect trickery or anything else).


12. MacDougall



Dillinger Escape Plan – “Lurch” (2007)

I won’t mince words. I like very little extreme metal, especially that with shouted vocals.

2

11. Turnip Head



Bloc Party – “Mercury” (2008)

I’m not sure how this is musically complex. It sounds like one of those obnoxious Apple commercials they play during football games.

2

10. Sloonei

https://vimeo.com/171634946

Radiohead – “Deck’s Dark” (2016)

While pleasant, I have a hard time characterizing this as musically complex (very little Radiohead is). A decent song, nonetheless.

4

9 iaafr



Out Hud – “Dad, There’s a Little Phrase Called Too Much Information” (2002)

Overall, this is an interesting exploration in electronic experimentation. The overly distorted builds and interruptions that kill the flow and lead nowhere could have been safely disregarded.

4

8. Pawn Lelouch



The White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army” (2003)

I’m not a huge fan, but I have always liked the main riff and the how the vocals bounce off of it. It’s a solid rock song with a memorable riff.

5


7. G-Man



Frank Zappa – “The Black Page Drum Solo/Black Page #1” (1977)
As drum solos go, I didn’t find this particularly engaging. I guess I’ve just heard too many from the likes of Phil Ehart and Neal Peart. Once the other musicians enter, we’re on the right track.
6


6. Lunalee



Celtic Woman – “Butterfly” (2005)

I enjoy Celtic music a great deal. And if anything, I can tell you firsthand that this stuff is not easy to play.

7

5. sprityo



Porter Robinson – “Goodbye to a World” (2014)

The synthetic opening is appealing and brings to mind a faux 1980s (think Stranger Things) vibe. The sudden, lullaby-like vocal transition was pleasantly jolting. The diversity in electronic tones provides balance.

7


4. JaggedJimmyJay



Bach – “Fantasia & Fugue in G Minor” (c. 1720)
The organ is one of my favorite instruments. This is a domineering, discordant piece of music.
8

3. speedchuck



Thomas Dolby – “Dissidents” (1984)

For those who don’t know, Thomas Dolby is the professor who gave us “She Blinded Me with Science.” While the 80s kitsch of his music is undeniable (Dolby really wore it on his sleeve), there’s an underlying complexity in his work I find impressive.

8


2. nutella



Bobby McFerrin – “Circlesong Three” (1997)

If you don’t know Bobby McFerrin, you’ve probably heard “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” While this is still acapella, this is a great deal more complex. The piece is in 15/4 from what I can tell. Such talent, and I love powerful unaccompanied pieces.

8


1. DharmaHelper



Sweeney Todd – “Epiphany”

Not my favorite song from my favorite musical, but my second favorite song from my favorite musical. Incredible.

10

[Epignosis]

9. A Prayer for Owen Meany

“O God—please bring him back! I shall keep asking You.” YOU ARE TO SUBMIT A SONG FROM A BAND NO LONGER WITH US THAT YOU WISH STILL WAS AROUND.


12. iaafr



1200 Micrograms – “Mescaline” (2002)

A blend of trance and heavy guitar work, I didn’t mind this once it got going. Trance music isn’t the first thing I reach for, of course.

5

11. MacDougall



Husker Du – “Don't Want to Know If you are Lonely” (1986)

This is a fine punk rock song from the mid-1980s. It doesn’t move me, but I like it still.

6


10. sprityo



“Michael Jackson” – “Leave Me Alone”

Damn I wish the original was submitted. “Leave Me Alone” is one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs. The double-time jazz feel and video game sounds don’t compare to the original.

6



9. Turnip Head



Linkin Park – “Waiting for the End” (2010)

The first of two Linkin Park songs. I often appreciate softer sections juxtaposed with heavier instrumentation, as that lends valuable dynamics to the sound. The lead vocalist sounds especially inspired here.

7

8. G-Man



George Harrison – “What is Life” (1970)

My favorite Beatles member. He has such a breadth of work with so many other musicians (rivals?). I always enjoyed this one. Great opening riff.

7


7. DharmaHelper



Prince – “Purple Rain” (1984)

Prince is an underrated guitarist. His fashion and flair might detract from it, but Mr. Nelson had chops. While not my favorite song of his, this is a classic with a searing solo.

8

6. JaggedJimmyJay



David Bowie – “Starman” (1972)

I will admit that I’m not the biggest Bowie fan, but this is one of my favorite songs of his. Yes, it temporarily borrows from “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” but I like that.

8

5. Lunalee



The Cranberries – “Dreams”

For me, The Cranberries will always be a band I heavily associate with my youth, and I didn’t even listen to them much. But Dolores O'Riordan’s voice was so enchanting.
8


4. Sloonei



Leonard Cohen – “Happens to the Heart” (2019)

I’ve always considered Cohen a poet first and a singer second, but his gravelly bass gives this work gravity and a sense of aged and decided resignation. This is a haunting, remarkable piece.

8

3. speedchuck



Weather Report – “Teen Town” (1977)

Jaco Pastorius was a crazy son of a bitch, no doubt. He was also a crazy bassist. Listen to this one if you don’t believe me.

9

2. nutella



Frightened Rabbit – “Still Want to Be Here”

Warm layers of sound envelop this well-constructed song with poignant lyrics. I love this.

9

1. Pawn Lelouch



Linkin Park – “One More Light” (2017)

Very touching song. The delayed guitar solo is tasteful and suits the rhythm. Excellent submission given the category.

10

[Epignosis]

9pm EST tonight.

Final round and the winner revealed.

[DharmaHelper]

Truly an honor thank you.

[speedchuck]

That was a very enjoyable Walrus. And I'm not just saying that because I won.

[Epignosis]

10. Cathedral

Provide a piece that gave you an epiphany- a moment in which you attained a sudden understanding of something that had once eluded you. “It’s really something.”

12. Pawn LeLouch



Nickelback – “If Everyone Cared” (2005)

I’m not a Nickelback disparager nor am I a fan. They’re an okay rock band with a formulaic sound. There’s been plenty of those. I don’t mind this.

6

11. Sloonei



Flotation Toy Warning – “Even Fantastica” (2002)

Thin guitar, low accordion, a ubiquitous glissando, sputtering keys, a repeated voiceover provide a unique sonic experience. It’s a mostly pleasant, occasionally grating affair. The coda reminds greatly of Radiohead.

6

10. JaggedJimmyJay

Sigur Rós – “Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása” (1999)

Would you believe I’ve covered about sixteen Sigur Rós pieces as a commissioned project, vocals and all? It’s true. This one wasn’t one of them. I’m always glad I did that project, because before, I didn’t like Sigur Rós. I have a deeper appreciation and fondness for the music now. Elegant string arrangements there at the end.

7


9. MacDougall



Streetlight Manifesto – “We Will Fall Together” (2007)

Punk and ska were meant for each other. I love the energy. The bass work is especially excellent.

7

8. G-Man



Explosions in the Sky – “So Long, Lonesome” (2007)

This is a stunning, brief instrumental that builds a thundering crescendo over light guitars and airy piano. It’s quite a beautiful piece of music.

7

7. Lunalee



Kansas – “Going Through the Motions” (1983)

Unlike many critics, I liked Drastic Measures from the start, and it’s perhaps my favorite Kansas album from the 1980s (Audio-Visions doesn’t count because it came out in 1980). I had no idea Jon Elefante (the lead singer here) was a well-known Christian singer until I met Eloh and I tried to get her to understand the brilliance of Kansas (I’m still working on that).

7

6. nutella



Arcade Fire – “Modern Man” (2010)

First, I dig the odd time signature carrying this folky-rock song. I have not explored Arcade Fire much, but this piques my interest.

8

5. sprityo



Regina Spektor – “All the Rowboats” (2012)

Lyrics that appear to describe the cost of artistic brilliance paired with a frenetically paced piece of music with clear but rapid-fire vocals sum up the offering here. It’s a deep, meaningful piece. The denouement indeed sounds like lights out.

8

4. speedchuck



Kansas – “Desperate Times” (1995)

I bought Freaks of Nature from a discount bargain bin at a gas station on a road trip with my folks maybe when I was seventeen. I knew the song “Hope Once Again” from a compilation album and was mesmerized by the return to the violin and lead guitar interplay. With the passing of Neil Peart, Phil Ehart is now my favorite living drummer. He shines here brightly.

8

3. Turnip Head



CENTVRIES – “Time” (2016)

This is a good quality, thoughtful house music, my appreciation of which has grown gradually since my high school graduation. I really dig this.

8

2. iaafr



Tycho – “See” (2014)

Beautiful keyboard textures abound over a tasteful urban beat. On the one hand, there’s an intensity that demands attention. On the other, there’s a dreaminess begging you to erase your mind.

9

1. DharmaHelper



Cat Stevens – “Father and Son” (1970)

The first song I ever heard by Cat Stevens. The first song by Cat Stevens I ever learned to play. The same song I return to often now that I have stood on both sides of these poignant lyrics. The deeper voiced “verses” are the father giving advice to the higher pitched “choruses” of the son who insists on paving his own road. Listen to the counterpoint the second time around. The first time is the son. The second time is the father.

Joy, fear, sorrow, desperation, aspirations. All in this one simple, beautiful song.

10