Decided to do a (fairly late) follow up to Dio's "Whats on Thier iPods?" article, by taking a look at 5 of the Heaven's Order characters' choices, with them stating THEIR reasons for their choises, as well as a short analysis from me. With that said, lets get crack-a-lack-a-lackin' 8D
Gabriel 'Gabe' Shooter
1) You and the Night and the Music (Jamie Cullum Cover) by Frank Sinatra
Gabe's Comment: "As much I love Acid Jazz and Jazz Funk, I do admit I do prefer old school Jazz, Bebop, and, most importantly, Swing. As much as I adore and respect the version done by Swing-King-Sinatra, Jamie Cullum's cover version has more emphesis on that playfully devious mood, especially in the bassline, that makes this sort of thing fit halloween for me. It's not so much about being scary as it is being ever-so-slightly devilish, and being very cheeky about it."
2) I Want To Be Evil by Eartha Kitt
Gabe's Comment: "If ever there was a Swingin' Ballroom Anthem that'd be a perfect Halloween tune, it'd be this Eartha Kitt track. It starts off all sweet and soft, with Eartha talking to us in a slightly soothing voice, before it starts to break down into a catchy head-nodder, and Eartha changes her tone, sounding like EXACTLY like you'd imagine the singing voice of a raunchy Witch would sound. A classic that always used to put shivers up me when my dad played this on his record player when i was a kid."
3) Mr. Moon by Jamiroquai
Gabe's Comment: "And to finish up, something completely different. It's not exactly a scary tune, and nor does it have macarbe lyrics, but it has a certain mood to it. I can't explain it any better then it makes me think of an imp lying down on a hill somewhere and just chilling out. You probablly think i'm mad, but thats honestly how it makes me feel."
Analysis: I've always wanted Gabe to have a taste for anything Jazzy since the get-go, but I wanted him to identiffy with Acid Jazz and classic Swing above all other subgenre's under the Jazz tag. Acid Jazz due to it's funkier beats, basslines, and use of synths and heavier guitars to create a more hectic, if slightly cheesy feel that sounds like it could underscore an action packed scene, and Swing because it seems to fit with Gabe's few old-fashioned tendancies (the need to wear suits damn near all the time, a taste for old-fashioned english decour, etc). It goes without saying then that the lyrics of the first song tie into Gabe's love of music, even if a love of a specified set of genre's and subgenre's. The second is an interesting case, in that the song is called I Want To Be Evil and, whilst it doesn't list some outright monsterous things in it's lyrics, it does still list some things that could be considered the traits of a douchebag, yet Gabe lists it due to the, as he puts it, 'playful deviousness' of the way it sounds; this makes sense, as Gabe IS the sort of person that would play cheeky tricks on people, especially around the time of Halloween. Not out of spite, mind you; merely all in the name of fun.
Regina Johnson
1) Monster by The Automatics
Regina's Comment: "A fucking rocking tune that can sound kinda creepy at times, as well as kick ass, and has a chorus that consists entirely of 'Whats that comming over the hill; Is it a monster? Is it a monster?' You can't more halloweeny then that, baby. Feel in love with this track when i first heard it and I ALWAYS play it at least once every halloween."
2) Master of Puppets by Metallica
Regina's Comment: "Oldschool Metal that sounds evilicious from the get go, from the distorted guitars to the sadistic lyrics. The riff still sends chills up my spin every time i hear it. If ever the Devil decides he needs a theme tune, this bad boy gets my vote."
3) My Kz, Ur BF by Everything Everything
Regina's Comment: "Not as guitar heavy as the others, but it's still got some grade-A awesome guitar work behind the bass and the synths, and it certainly ain't no less brutal at a lyrical level. It's not really THAT Halloweeny, but c'mon, the lyrics are about a tragic love-triangle between the singer, a girl he likes, and her boyfriend, thats made all the worse by the fact that there's a war going on at the same time, and wanton destruction and death are commonplace occourances. If that shit ain't fucking ghost story material, then I dunno what is."
Anaylisis: Regina is down with anything that has Heavy Rock flavorings in some way, from Oldschool Heavy Metal, to Modern Alternative Rock. As is pointed out in her comments, she generally chose songs that were a lot more brutal, if not in both sound and lyrical content, at least the latter, because due to her own past experiences, she views Halloween as a lot less kitsch or playful then quite a few other people. Her taste in more aggressive rock stems from the fact that she herself plays Electric Guitar quite aggressivly, finding doing so to be stress relieving and pleasing to the ears.
Hikaru Takara
1) Humming by Portishead
Hikaru's Comment: "Much like all good trip hop, Portishead sets the mood effectivly from the get go, long before the beat kicks in, with some beautiful strings and a cheesy-in-the-good-way theramin noise, both of which fit Halloween quite nicely. Listening to this at Night when i'm walking about always makes me feel like something is creeping up on me, watching my every move."
2) The Blue Wrath by I Monster
Hikaru's Comment: "A bit jazzier then some of the stuff i normally listen too, but i loved it when i first listened too it in the film most people will remember the song from. If there is any song in the world Zombies would groove to when they climbed out of their graves besides Michael Jackson's Thriller, it'd be this. It's got a good rhythm, a catchy beat, and a nice, cheesy melody."
3) Have a Break by Akira Yamaoka
Hikaru's Comment: "Akira Yamaoka is a boneafide genius, there's no doubt about that. Especially for his work on Silent Hill 2. But i do admit, i always felt that the original Silent Hill's soundtrack was the underdog of the series. It's not hard to hear why, as a lot of it is harsh, industrial ambient pieces. There are a couple like this one, though, that are more melodic and tuneful, and really, really creepy. This one plays in the diner when Cybill and Harry first meet, if I remember. It really gives off an abandoned town feel that makes you feel both lonely and frightened. Ironic, considering it's the BGM to a scene with two characters talking to one another."
Analysis: Hikaru's grim and snarky nature is reflected by his musical tastes, which lean towards Trip Hop and Ambient tunes. Something that gets your head nodding but at the same time has an air of moodiness about it. It's hard to define what different takes on those genres he would prefer, however (would he feel the same love towards the Sneaker Pimps that he does Portishead, for example, as though they are both the same genre, they are two very different takes on it). Really, the general rule of thumb is that the moodier/more haunting it is, it stands to reason that Hikaru probably really likes it.
Taikachi 'Tai' Takara
1) Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson
Tai's Comment: "The words and stuff don't have much to do with Halloween, but i always though this sounded like the theme to a cheesy horror comedy movie, especially with the intro with the weird synthy sounds and stuff. A really catchy song that can be kinda spooky!"
2) Cannibal Coast by Aural Vampire
Tai's Comment: "This one always makes me thinkg of Halloween, regardless of the time of year. I really love the singers voice in this, as well as the bassline and the beat. Its the kind of song thats easy to dance too!"
3) Flip City by Glenn Frey
Tai's Comment: "It always makes me sad when people say they didn't like Ghostbusters 2, 'cus i really liked it. I thought it had a lot of good music in it! Especially this song. It's so, so, so, so, SO cheesy, even down to the organ, the choir-like sound, and the deep vocals on some parts, it sounds just like the sort of thing you might hear at a party for monsters and stuff! Hey, speaking of Ghostbusters..."
4) Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.
Tai's Comment: "Well, it wouldn't be much of a Halloween playlist without this song, huh? Whats not to like about it? It's got a melody that sticks with you FOREVER (trust me, i'd know), to the point that nearly everyone on the whole PLANET knows the song nearly off by heart! I love the movie its from, too, of course, much like it's sequal. It's one of my favorite childhood movies, even if it did used to scare me a bit."
5) Grim Grinning Ghosts
Tai's Comment: "You know, jumpy and easily scared though i am, i was never scared of Disney's Haunted Mansion ride. I always thought it was more curious and funny then anything else, and i'm not above admitting i kind of bugged my parents and my brother to go on it about 3 or 4 times whenever we went. One of the things i loved the most was the song. It just always put a big smile one my face! I still can't help but sing the lyrics every now and again."
Analysis: Although Tai was born after the decade, he has a love for a lot of 80s pop hits, of both the pop rock and synthpop varieties, the cheesier the better. Oftentimes, favorite songs tend to come from his favorite movies (For example, one of his favorite song is Yello's "Oh Yeah", featured in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off). He also has a taste for things that can be quite whimsical and charming in their own way, hence the inclusion of Grim Grinning Ghosts. I always thought it tied in well with how innocent and naive he can be, and it made sense that his picks for his Halloween playlist would feature compositions that sounded a bit more 'traditional' in feel.
James Marcus
1) Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach
James' Comment: "I thought i'd start off with something that everyone knows the start off, but not nearly as much know all the way through. I'm still not sure at what point this song got attatched to Halloween, but i'm not complaining either way; it's still a fantatic and utterly breathtaking piece of music, thats both creepy as all hell and beautiful at the same time."
2) Grace & Glory (BBRights Mix) by Hideki Naganuma
James' Comment: "Hideki Naganuma is a beast when it comes to cutting a catchy track, and though i love the original version, i prefer the BBRights mix ever so slightly, because it ups the creepy factor a bit with some trippy synths, and it peels away the organs, leaving the reversed opera samples as-is, and lemme tell ya, those are some freakin' creepy vocals."
3) Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz
James' Comment: "I think by now, anyone can tell you i've had a near-life-long love for Gorillaz, what with their blend of Alt. Rock, Hip Hop, and Synthpop. I went for a cut from their first (and self-titled) album, 'cus, lets face it, when you create a track that's music video features a rapping a ghost, zombie gorillaz, and opens with a quote from Dawn of the Dead, and the track STILL fits like a glove, you know you've struck unintentional Halloween-track GOLD. Still love this track all these years later, and think it'd be perfect for a Halloween dance party."
4) Playground for a Wedgeless Firm by The Chemical Brothers
James' Comment: "Do i even need to explain this one? It's what happens when you take what sounds like one part 1950s sci fi show soundtrack and one part cowboy drama show from the 70s, mix it with a break, an add some SFX and a squelchy Acid bassline. And the result is some creepy shit."
5) IZ-US by Aphex Twin
James' Comment: "Trust Aphex Twin to, when he's not producing chaotic breakbeats and insane rhythms that break most sane peoples minds, create an odd, unsettling little tune that really makes you feel on edge. I can't help hearing this without feeling like something is continually watching me, sizing me up."
Analysis: James' tastes are far broader then his teammates, which comes from both a love of music as a whole, and a household that was very musically inclined (for the short time he spent in a semi-sane household in his youth). Most of the songs that he chose tended to be ones that, whilst he did enjoy them, genuinly inspired fear or unease within him. Even though all of the songs are of different genre's, a common theme within them does tend to be complex beats that are mean;t to provoke head-noding, rather then a simple backing beat like you might expect to find in a rock song, a theme which pops up in a lot of James' favorite songs.
With any luck, this have given you some insight to the characters, showed you how their minds work based on their taste. If not, then fuck damnit i tried .___.
~Decon (10/22/10)