Sophomore

Sometimes I buy into the theory regarding the "Sophomore Album Curse". While people get passionate about it, I don't especially as I think that it's possible for an act to simply become horrific regardless or are just not to my taste [anymore]. 

But I love that even as my taste changes, I don't forget. There's the nostalgia and the sneaky mustiness of memories and god, feelings. When I hear about a Good Charlotte tour (lord!) or they play Forever Young or Mr Brightside somewhere, I feel and still am 17 or 18 or 14, even 21, at a club that is the only one we could get into that late on a Saturday, subjected to the musical-predictability that both lures and removes punters.

 

And I think I loathe and love its quirky universability. And I think that might be what I love most about music -- universability.

I've been going through my old Frankies (oh yes) and a girl comments that music will make you homesick every time. Even Men At Work.

I love that it has bound me with so many extraordinary people, qualified a night from good to great, raised and solidified spirits. I love that I can honestly say it makes me feel.

I love that I have playlists for shittiness, for dancing, for workkkkking out, for funeral road trips, for my sweet love and our first months together. I love that it provokes theories, makes conversations, loosens parties, makes me teary, prolongs drunkenness and delays hangover, defines a dinner party, that it can ink itself on someone's skin.

I love that I am writing this instead of an essay that is nearly three days late because I'm so excited about a festival line up that is of yet completely unconfirmed.

So with all the sophomore albums I've been rejoicing over -- Battles, Lykke Li, Fleet Foxes -- musically, it's been a good year and it's barely mid-June.

All of the artists I've listed are stellar*, but I actually wrote this post for Bon Iver. His sound has evolved and the way he's explored that is really so beautiful. Different to 'For Emma', but brilliant in the very best way. The layering of sound has many of the characteristics I've noticed in many recent albums from Arcade Fire to the Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs,with a sort of '80s renaissance feel.

In no way do I know much about music at all, but I'm happy with the time it took for me to grow into this album. I could loosely describe it as lush in comparison to the bare sound of 'For Emma', and I will warn not to expect 45 minutes of Skinny Love stylings.

This is a good thing for two reasons.
One,

in the way that sometimes it's reinvigorating not to notice the artist you loved straight away. Not in a Twilight soundtrack kind of way, but the secret surprise sort. 

Two,
I think it's a gift to hear a development in sound. I'm not nearly as good with this, but Jeremy Larson puts in very nicely here**.


In truth, Bon Iver released the 'Blood Bank EP' in 2009, and when I first heard Woods way back on Skins Series 3, the evolution was apparent:

..and an enthralling gift. There is a correct term for vocal distortion (I will adjust this when the maestro gets home), as I haven't gotten that far in my musical education yet and I won't rely on Wikipedia. But if you haven't the EP or anything off 'Bon Iver', please listen to this first, and experience the journey.

I mentioned it at the start of this post, but I've been thinking about the Art Vs. Audience debate for awhile and it's something I'm going to address soon.. I do want to say that enjoying artistic maturity is something to be celebrated.  

 

So with that in mind:

Music is the weapon of the future

(seen on a t-shirt, 2007)

...

* I am still trying out Fleet Foxes - but it's definitely up there, 

I'm just giving it some more time before I provide 
an adequate, thoughtful review. 
** I couldn't find the post by Jeremy Larson that explained 
my point..though Sufjan's album is related. I will elaborate. 

 I also apologise for the muntiness of YouTube - is that fixable?!

And may I also happy dance for forthcoming M83 album?

... 

'Bon Iver' cover art here. More info about the album too!