Most students at Flower Mound High share a common musical preference, but here’s a look into what the “other” population listens to.
Gorillaz is an English music/visual project founded in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. The virtual band consists of 4 animated members, depicting an in-depth fictional universe to go alongside their varying electronic instrumentals. The music takes inspiration from many different types of music; though all programmed and seemingly “electronic,” each song of the Gorillaz flashes elements of pop, rock, dub, and alternative.
“It’s (Gorillaz) groovy and original,” senior Marisol Hernandez said, “making it fun to listen and sing along to. Their music is easy to follow, yet each song differs from the next in ways you wouldn’t think one group could achieve. ”
Back in the U.S is the relentless chugging and grinding of Waking the Cadaver. Founded by vocalist Don Campan, the band set out to improvise live performances, dismay parents, and bash all that is socially acceptable. Anger and aggression plague the tracks with guttural noises, all of which fall into the predictable dynamics of slow and simple bass beats, followed by aggressive gravity blasts and off time double bass.
“I love how poetic the lyrics can be,” senior Cole Lemaster stated. “The brutality of it all is almost like a release or escape from my own current problems. Not to mention it gets me pumped before games, dinner with the family, or even church. It really boosts my mood.”
Then there’s the collaboration project of Storm Corrosion. Founded by vocalists Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), the two set time aside from their full-time bands to explore the more experimental aspects of their musical personalities. The self-titled release consists of a progressive rendition of psychedelic music, with a very dark instrumental theme, topped with the incredible vocal harmony that is Mikael Akerfeldt and Steven Wilson.
“The music is really odd to listen to,” senior Garret Webb said. “But the atmosphere created really keeps you thinking. They use a lot of samples and instruments not usually found in modern music, and the tone fluctuates throughout the album, which keeps it from getting old.”
Other bands found “off the beaten path.”
Metal: Opeth, Fallujah, The HAARP Machine, The Faceless
Progressive: Dream Theatre, TesseracT, Skyharbor, Periphery, Devin Townsend Project
Alternative: Zelliack, System of a Down, Scars on Broadway, Circa Survive
European (Metal): Amon Amarth, Meshuggah, Vildhjarta, Gojira, Behemoth
Electronic: Aphex Twin, Gorillaz, Nerve, Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack
Rock: Deerhunter, Serj Tankian, Art By Numbers, The Mars Volta
Instrumental: Animals As Leaders, Scale the Summit, Intervals
Hip Hop: MF Doom, Atmosphere, Kool Keith, Blackalicious
Dubstep: Skream, Benga, Coki, Kode 9, Kromestar
Reggae: Eek a mouse, Israel Vibration, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Horace Andy
Punk: Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s, Bad Brains,
