Composer Reacts to American Football - Never Meant (REACTION & ANALYSIS)
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on American Football - Never Meant [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
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0:00 Intro
0:49 Reaction
5:21 Analysis - Math-y Emo?
8:24 Analysis - Polymetric Ideas
11:39 Analysis - Great Embellishment
17:48 Analysis - Vocal Production
21:48 Analysis - A Dissonant Middle
25:00 Analysis - Lyrical Dive
30:54 Analysis - Tying the Themes Together
35:20 Outro
Math Rock as a genre was originally developed in the early 1990s to my knowledge. Some bands that are cited as influences or just straight the first bands of the genre include Slint and Don Caballero, Slint being active in the very early 90s, and Don Cab being active from the early 90s to the late 00s.
Midwest Emo kind of came as an offshoot of Math Rock, incorporating heavier emo influences than other genres, though the line between math rock and midwest emo can be blurry at times. Probably one of the biggest influences for the genre was Don Caballero, which is where the light, twinkly, and complex guitars come from. Other bands in this early midwest emo movement include caP'n Jazz and Sunny Day Real Estate, though both drew more from the classic emo style than the drawing more from math rock like American Football.
While it's certainly cheesy, I'm very glad that this track made it for this week. To those who can't relate, it may not feel like a song to cry to, but this theme is highly suggestive and well, I have to admit, I've cried my eyes out to this track many a time. I think the music complements the lyrics well because while being optimistic, there's still sadness there. It's the tainted happiness of what once was. The sad reminiscence of what could have been. It's looking back at fond memories that were once the foundation of a potential life-long relationship that has already crumbled under the weight of time. I often like to think that the author is stuck, thinking of what could've been and further realizing that it can no longer be. Because of this, he rationalizes to himself that it would be better for him to move on, accept that it wasn't meant to last forever, and forget what could have been. It can often be more painful to hold on to those memories than let them go after all.
I love this song so much, even though it hits me so hard so often. It's an all-time great in my book.
Dont feel like you have to explain being emotional to this absolute classic song. Back then ,when this tune was fresh all of us who heard it cried our god danged eyes out over whoever left us while listening to this jam . Anyone who doesnt know it and hears it for the first time in todays day and age is what the Bible calls .... a dirty rotten Philistine .
MWE doesn't really come from math rock. Both are offshoots of more traditional styled hardcore spawned emo/emotive hardcore.
Mike Kinsella, the singer/guitarist of American Football was the drummer of Cap'n Jazz
on the mantra section: "there were some things that were said that weren't meant" certainly sounds like an argument out of context, but when you consider the rest of the song and the idea you had about whispering something under your breath to convince yourself of it or to psych yourself up, i think the things that "weren't meant" were closer to the "i love you"s and sweet nothings they told each other than any insult said in the heat of an argument.
that said, this is a great, nuanced interpretation of the song.
I’ve loved this track for a long time though not the biggest American football fan. I will say that American football is what “nostalgia” sounds like
I give it a 6/4 tbh
yes I stole this from the super mario bros cover comment section
I love the vocal mix of this song. They are forlorn, light and dreamy, reminiscent of a loved loss and fading away. If they were on the nose, and/or too loud, or overly performance vocals, it would have really lessened the power of the song in my opinion. The vocals become just another instrument, which is how it should be in Midwest Emo. I'm glad you agree that this vocal type WORKS in this song/style.
The middle dissonant section is BEAUTIFUL and to me it brings about a pretty dreamy meditate state, just as love can bring a person into that state. It's. so. perfect.
Nice track. From what I know of AF they were one of the major innovators of math rock. I'm not super familiar with their music but I do know some songs and this is fairly typical of them, and I can also hear the emo/indie-rock elements as well. This is probably one of those albums that were somewhat of a transition between older genres/styles and what math rock would become as it separated from emo/indie rock. FWIW, I'd say "proto math rock" goes all the way back to King Crimson's Discipline in 1980!
This song is my favorite song of all time, thanks for reacting to it :)
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Just for you. Enjoy
Marietta 😭
If you still need sad songs to rind the week out, I’ll recommend one of Ed Tullett’s projects, Lowswimmer. Just released a 2-part album a month or two ago, each with its own melancholic vibe. But the song I’ll recommend is “Like a Giant.” The lyrics are vague and don’t make a lot of sense, but they work in context and the song itself is a driving force of slowly growing emotional affect.
I think the intro of the band getting ready to play, might have just been a common thing bands did at that time. I remember a few late 90s/00s bands had some studio banter before and after songs from time to time.
Amazing band
the song picks up from that consistent melody from the beginning that makes you feel comfortable... then it switches to an upbeat melody with the maracas adding more energy.. and it felt like it broke that same repetitive sound and in to new territory.. but then goes back to that original sound further going along with the theme of "never meant" the song and video are perfect together.
Amazing video Bryan! should we expect more reactions to American Football?
There are plenty of midwest emo fans in the community trying to make it happen :)
the og mathrock. second after king crimson discipline
Fun Fact: This album was recoreded in 4 Days in 1999
I'm glad u checked out never meant 23yrs later lol
If this weeks theme is songs to cry to you shoud definitely check mount errie - soria moria
I always thought of Midwest emo and math rock as very similar.
They marry together VERY WELL.
ITs bEaUtiFuL
For one song to make "everyone" cry is a bit much to ask. But did you at least get a feel for it as a song that "makes people cry"? I didn't... I do trust suggestor and voters wept a great deal from it. That aside, I agree there were some neat ideas well crafted.
Probably "The summer ends" would be a better pick but I could be wrong, i used to cry to it but it's subjective and it depends a lot on personal experiences.
Yeah, to me you need nostalgia generally to make something get you emotional . Some songs can get you just with a video and you never heard it before.