Wednesday, December 15, 2010

X Rated


Sometimes I feel like musical artists/bands (specifically those that make it onto mainstream radio) sit with a checklist when creating songs for their albums. It’s like:

One song on love? Check.
One song on heartbreak or betrayal? Check.
One song on a family issue? Check

Not to say that these artists haven’t personally dealt with these issues, I’m sure some have. It just seems like a large chunk of them create songs that touch on these universal life themes so they can attract a wider fan base. It’s as if they write them to ensure that any music fanatic can listen to their album and feel a personal connection to at least one of their songs…. which is nice, I guess.

And looking at these songs that they write…they all pretty much have a PG rating attached to them, only really skimming the surface of feelings and significant topics… which again, is fine.

But, it’s the bands/musical artists that do the exact opposite of this and rather create music about scandalous topics and private moments that keeps the world of music alive and as a result, have a lasting impact on us. The band that does this best is The XX.

Reining from London, England this young punk rock looking group has been praised by blogs around the world for their laid-back sound and seductive lyrics on the “hush-hush” topic of sex.
Now, I know they are not the first musical group to approach this particular subject. I mean, we hear and see rappers’ raunchy sexual fantasies everyday on BET. But, The xx is one of the few groups to approach this subject with honesty, designating every song on the album to the various issues, pleasures and concerns around personal relationships and sex. The song on the album that conveys this best is “Crystalised.”

Five seconds in, we are introduced to the minimalist type sound that continues throughout the entire song. In other words, this song is simple. It’s basic. The beat never changes and the chords stay the same. Together, they produce an unreal, stable harmony. So, sorry ladies and gentlemen… no orgasm in this one.
*My dad will be thrilled about this as I think he gets uncomfortable when reading the orgasm section of each blog. Actually, I know he does considering he asked me last week, “Sar, why do you always have to use the word orgasm in your blog.”

Anyways, back to the song…

It is the slow and clear strumming on Romy Madley Croft’s guitar along with the spooky whistle wandering in the background that creates this sort of ‘intimate’ setting. And then, at 0:20, Oliver Slim’s bass joins in, and it is here that we feel our bodies begin to heat up as we get used to this seductive beat that’s filling our ears.

Oliver’s voice slides perfectly into the beat; he drones out the first verse of the song in a smokey, laid back style, giving off the impression that he doesn’t care to impress us vocally. Romy then introduces herself as she cuts Oliver off at 0:50 making it seem like she’s unaware of his presence. Softly, she mutters the verse:
                           “Do I have to keep up the pace
                             to keep you satisfied..”
At this point, it’s clear they are addressing a real issue within relationships, where one sexual partner is less experienced than the other.

Oliver then cuts back in and continues to express his feelings on the matter until their stories unite as they both proclaim:
                          “You’re the one that I’ve kept closest”

And then BOOM, at 1:23 we hear the addition of the drumbeat. The sound is now beginning to pick up and we start to feel the sexual tension that is conveyed through Oliver and Romy’s “ahh ahh ahh’s.”

This belief that Oliver and Romy both sing this song as if unaware that the other is there is only emphasized as they croon their individual verses in unison at 2:41:

    Oliver: “Things have gotten closer to the sun
                 And I've done things in small doses
                 So don't think that I'm pushing you away
                 When you're the one that I've kept closest”

    Romy: “Glaciers have melted to the sea
                I wish the tide would take me over
                I've been down on my knees
               And you just keep on getting closer.”

And then together they close the song with a repetition of the most sexually charged lyric:
                        “go slow, go slow, go slow."

So, how has this song changed my life? 
Well I should start by saying that some music lovers (you know who you are) have a love/hate relationship with The xx because not enough goes on in their songs. There are no electronically produced beats, and their vocal ranges (both together and separately) do not change.
This for me is the exact reason why I love them and this song in particular. There’s no wow factor, no orgasm that makes your heart melt. No. It’s the simplicity of it all that makes this song beautifully amazing.

These days, we are so high on the fast paced, computer-enhanced music that we forgot how to enjoy a basic sound. The xx should be applauded for ignoring this recent custom of putting computerized sounds and voices into songs, and instead rely on the concept that they record only what they can do live. (see video below)
So, not only has this song made me appreciate the fact that they push the boundaries and write about true human emotions and feelings. But, it also has reminded us that slow, minimal beats are refreshing to the ear every now and then.

Bottom Line:
1.    My friend Emily would fit perfectly in this band as she not only has the shaved head hairstyle but has the “black only” wardrobe too.
2.    Boys--- put this song on your ‘playlist’…you all know which one I’m talking about.
Oh and 3, listen to the song. It’ll change your life.

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