Music News: 8.30

• BTS poised for its first Top 40 UK single |  Metro UK
• Thousands in Detroit pay their respects to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin | The Detroit News
• The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill  turns 20 | Paste
• Kanye West is sorry for his slave comments, but still supports Donald Trump | Rolling Stone
• Oh, Mickey!: Seventy-four-year old Toni Basil's dancing charms the Internet | Twitter
• Number one this week in 1978: Frankie Valli's Grease  | YouTube

Reflection 2: Hang the DJ—Is Electronic Music Real Music?

Like any other art form, music must contend with advancements in technology. And like any other artists, musicians must decide what to embrace and what to reject. In the case of electronic music, battle lines were quickly drawn between "legitimate" musicians and those willing to forge into new territories. In the 70s and 80s, the objects of scorn were often Disco (e.g. Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder) and Synth Pop (e.g. Tom Tom Club, Depeche Mode, New Order). Though often acclaimed today, these records were routinely derided for their reliance on computers, drum machines, and synthesizers. In the early 21st century, the debate continues. This time, it is primarily over EDM (Electronic Dance Music). In an era where DJs command as much attention as singers and musicians, many rebuff EDM as electronic noises trying to pass off as music. Whether its Acid House, New Wave, Electronica, Dance Music, Industrial (NSFW), Trance, House Music, or Techno, will electronic music ever achieve full critical acceptance? Must music involve an instrument and a player to be legitimately considered music? Finally, who gets to decide what is and isn't music?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "Is Electronic Music "Real Music'?" (Seeker)
• "Dave Grohl: His Grammys Speech about Electronic Music was Bullshit" (LA Weekly) 
• "Stop Confusing EDM with All Electronic Music, Already" (Vice)
• "Is EDM a Real Genre?" (Noisey)
• "What to Tell Anyone Who Thinks EDM isn't Real Music" (Mic)
• "Are DJs musicians? They certainly need talent ..." (Sound On Sound)

Mechanics:

• 1-1.5 pages in length
• MLA Style
• Include works cited page

Due: Wed 9.5

Week 2: Queen

Queen, "Don't Stop Me Now" (1979, UK #9)

Week 2: Queen

Mon 8.28/Wed 8.29

Class: Introductions; Lecture—“Crafting the Essay: Writing as a Process” and “MLA Style 101”

Due: REFLECTION 1

Upcoming:

Week 3: Madonna

Mon 9.3*/Wed 9.5
*No Class—Labor Day

Class: Presentation partner and topic assignments; Lecture—“Building a Better Multimedia Presentation: An Annotated Look”

Due: REFLECTION 2

Reflection 1: Sound Familiar?—Why So Much Pop Music Sounds Alike

Ask many older music fans what the problem with today's music is and you'll often hear: Music today all sounds alike. While generational musical divides are as old as music itself, it turns out there may be something to this complaint. Not only has science has identified several key traits shared by popular music tracks, the corporatization of music means that most pop hits are written by just a handful of songwriters. In fact, many of your favorite recent hits may have come from the same source. Do you believe today's popular music (hip hop, country, pop, etc.) largely sounds alike. If so, are you bothered by it? Finally, as listeners, what are we missing out on when songs are made via a corporate hit-making machines? Are songs still an art form when produced this way?

Include two of the following texts in your analysis:

• "Scientists Just Discovered Why All Pop Music Sounds Exactly the Same" | Mic
• "Why So Many Modern Pop Songs Sound Alike" | PRI
• "The Millennial Whoop: The Melodic Hook That’s Taken Over Pop Music" | The Guardian
• "Think Country Music Sounds the Same? You're Absolutely Right" | Digg
• "Why Does Today's Pop Music Sound the Same? Because the Same People Make it" | Independent
• "Fourteen Huge Songs that Basically Sound the Same as Another" | Cosmopolitan

Mechanics:

• 1-1.5 pages in length
• MLA Style
• Include works cited page

Due: Wed 8.29

Music News: 8.22

• A BBC host gets to star in her very own Bollywood musical scene | BBC
• Madonna celebrates her 60th birthday with a lavish bash in Morocco | Daily Mail
• How Post Malone is slaying records held by Michael Jackson, The Beatles | Rolling Stone
• Aerosmith to Donald Trump: Stop using our music | CNN
• Madonna criticized her making her VMA Aretha Franklin tribute all about her | Rolling Stone
• MTV's VMAs hit all-tijme ratings low | Esquire

 
 

Week 1: Maria Callas

Maria Callas, "Habanera" (from Georges Bizet's Carmen), 1962

Week 1: Maria Callas

Wed 8.21

Class: Syllabus review; Watch—60 Minutes' "Gospel for Teens" (2011)

Upcoming:

Week 2: Queen

Mon 8.28/Wed 8.29

Class: Introductions; Lecture—“Crafting the Essay: Writing as a Process” and “MLA Style 101”

Due: REFLECTION 1

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