Quote:
Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad
One of my recent obsessions have been the bands that stemmed from this independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand. There are many bands from this record label I've been ranting on about, as Lateralus so charmingly put it. Amongst them are The Verlaines.
A general description of their sound would be mellow, watery, if that makes any sense, and rather strikingly emotional; melancholy, at times.
Graeme Downes, the songwriter and vocalist/guitarist has described The Verlaines' songs as attempts to insert classical structures into pop songs, I believe. I have next to zero knowledge on musical theory but I feel this is rather accurate, as you can definitely hear it in the peculiar song structures and orchestral arrangements.
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UB, since I know nothing about the New Zealand music scene, the documentary about Flying Nun Records was very informative. I also liked reading your impressions of The Verlaines.
I don't think I would have thought of their music as having a classical structure or orchestral arrangement, if you hadn't mentioned it, but I did hear their songs sometimes switch quickly from major to minor keys (I think!). That made their music sound unique to me plus gave it a bit of the melancholy feel you mention.