The Music Court

Today’s Word

Bombast (Noun): Pompous or pretentious speech or writing.

Musical Example:

In the rap music genre there seems to be an abundance  of arrogant lyrics. This is a normal right of passage into the rap scene. Rap artists battle others and attempt to place themselves on top of the word/beat pedestal. Yet, some go over the top. Some artists fall into the ultra-arrogant level. I believe some of you may know who I am talking about.

I knew I would be able to find something on this wonderful internet

Kanye West’s bombast is off the charts and at times it approaches sickening but hilarious. Please understand, this is not a hit on Kanye West at all. Yes, he is an arrogant musician, but in many cases this may just be an intelligent act that has made him a lot of money fast. His actions seem stupid but his music is listened to. Take a peek at these lyrics from his song, “The Glory”

“What i supposed to now man the game all messed up
how am i supposed to stand out when everybody gets dressed up
so yeah at the grammy’s i went ultra Travolta
yeah that tuxedo might have been a little Guido
but with my ego i could stand here in a speedo and be looked at like ******* hero!”

Yeah, case closed.

Today’s Word

Hypnagogic (adj): Of, pertaining to, or occurring in the state of drowsiness preceding sleep.

He mastered the ability to sleep with his eyes open while smiling

Song

There is a strong possibility that the character in Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams” witnesses the “candy-colored clown they call the sandman, tiptoes to my (his) room every night,” in a quasi-hallucinogenic hypnagogic state. Or, I guess it could just be the “stardust” that gets sprinkled into his eyes. “In Dreams” was released as a single on Monument Records in 1963. The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Top 100 charts and has been forever immortalized on the Rolling Stone top 500 song list at #312. The most remarkable part of this song is Roy Orbison’s excellent, operatic voice which crescendos beautifully and hits falsetto perfectly at perfect times.

Check out the song:

Today’s Word

Pecuniary: Relating to money; monetary.

Musical Example

In an ironic commentary on the state of pecuniary obsession in this world, Pink Floyd released “Money” in 1973 as the opening track of the original Side Two of  my favorite album of all time “Dark Side of The Moon.” Written by bassist Roger Waters, “Money” is an odd track with an unusual time signature (7/4-4/4) based off of the looping seven beat bass line that may forever go down as one of the better bass tracks of all time. Pecuniary sounds can be heard as the song opens (coins clinking and a cash register ringing).

Today’s Word:

Gelid: Extremely cold; icy.

That's a lot of ice.

Musical Example

This was a particularly easy SWOD for me and for those who are thinking the same as me, I commend you. In 1977 a British-American rock band released a self-titled album named Foreigner led by the musical skill of Mick Jones, Ian McDonald (formerly in one of my favorite bands King Crimson), Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliot and Ed Gagliardi (so basically it was a super combination) . Track 2 talks about an incredibly gelid person who is willing to sacrifice love. “Cold As Ice” became one of the band’s top hits and the opening beat and staccato piano part is poisonous for people who are susceptible to songs getting stuck in their head.

Today’s Word:

Evince: To show in a clear manner; to manifest; to make evident; to bring to light.

Music Example: Out of all of the informative protest music that came out of the late 60’s early 70’s, “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young certainly evinced the horrible events at Kent St. the best out of any musical piece. The song, written by Neil Young in reaction to the shootings that occurred at a Kent St. war protest at the hands of the Ohio National Guard on May 4, 1970, peaked at #14 on the Billboard Top 100 charts after it was released as a single. The song spread rapidly and its critical lyrics were met with a mood of turmoil and consternation in the wake of the shootings. The song was truly one-of-a-kind because of Neil Young’s ability to deny the caitiff stance and keep Richard Nixon’s name in the songs famous beginning line “Tin Soldiers and Nixon Coming.” This did two things for the band. Firstly, it got the song banned from AM radio stations who wanted no part in the band’s criticism of the president. Second, and most important, it became the anthem of the American counterculture movement and gave all four members of Crosby Stills Nash & Young anti-war spokesmen status that they still enjoy today.