Velvet Underground

right-track · 11-26-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackPat

Why would it be intentional?

Due to the subject matter.

Try singing along to 'The Black Angel's Death Song' to the tune of 'Walking on Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves, for example.
I don't know if you've noticed but the guitars in that VU song are down tuned a whole step too.

right-track · 11-26-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackPat

Why would it be intentional? I understand VU created art...

Really?

TockTockTock · 11-26-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

Really?

Is that sarcasm?

right-track · 11-26-2010, 03:18 PM

Well, that all depends if your comment about the Velvet Underground inventing art was serious...

TockTockTock · 11-26-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

Well, that all depends if your comment about the Velvet Underground inventing art was serious...

Dead serious...

right-track · 11-26-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackPat

Dead serious...

Then your assumption was correct.

TockTockTock · 11-26-2010, 03:28 PM

No need to be sarcastic. I am just here to understand more about the band. It's better than me being like a guy who wrote an article completely bashing the VU.
By the way, what does the last stanza in "The Black Angel's Death Song" mean?

"Start the game I che che che che I
Che che ka tak koh
Choose to choose
Choose to choose, choose to go."

right-track · 11-26-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackPat

No need to be sarcastic.

It comes naturally. I can't help it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackPat

I am just here to understand more about the band

I pointed out that Cale plays the viola and not the violin. That he was a trained musician and he played it in that manner intentionally within the context of the subject matter.
And that the band used down tuning, intentionally.
That's more than you knew before I posted.
Hope that helped?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackPat

By the way, what does the last stanza in "The Black Angel's Death Song" mean?

"Start the game I che che che che I
Che che ka tak koh
Choose to choose
Choose to choose, choose to go."

Not got a fuckin' clue mate. :/

zachsd · 11-26-2010, 03:46 PM

I think if you were to look at the merits of a song like The Black Angel's Death Song, you would have to look at the album as a whole, even VU's work as a whole. When I first listened to & Nico, what struck me was the contrast going from I'll Be Your Mirror to The Black Angel's Death Song. I'll Be Your Mirror is a starkly beautiful song, with Nico being the champion of stark beauty in the entire album. When the album moves into the next song, Black Angel, that stark beauty is replaced by the stark dissonance of Cale's viola playing. A move like that forces the listener to really come to terms with what he defines as a good or bad sound. I mean, Black Angel is such a beautifully gruesome song that it forces the listener to actually think about what he's listening to.

Stuff like this is what made VU not just a good band, but a revolutionary band in my opinion.

Also, does Black Angel seem Dylan-esque to anyone else or is it just me?

TockTockTock · 11-26-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachsd

Also, does Black Angel seem Dylan-esque to anyone else or is it just me?

Define what you mean by Dylan-esque, please.

11-26-2010, 03:46 PM	#189 (permalink)
zachsd Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 347	I think if you were to look at the merits of a song like The Black Angel's Death Song, you would have to look at the album as a whole, even VU's work as a whole. When I first listened to & Nico, what struck me was the contrast going from I'll Be Your Mirror to The Black Angel's Death Song. I'll Be Your Mirror is a starkly beautiful song, with Nico being the champion of stark beauty in the entire album. When the album moves into the next song, Black Angel, that stark beauty is replaced by the stark dissonance of Cale's viola playing. A move like that forces the listener to really come to terms with what he defines as a good or bad sound. I mean, Black Angel is such a beautifully gruesome song that it forces the listener to actually think about what he's listening to. Stuff like this is what made VU not just a good band, but a revolutionary band in my opinion. Also, does Black Angel seem Dylan-esque to anyone else or is it just me? __________________ lastfm rym Last edited by zachsd; 11-26-2010 at 03:53 PM.

11-26-2010, 03:18 PM	#184 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,723	Well, that all depends if your comment about the Velvet Underground inventing art was serious...

11-26-2010, 03:28 PM	#187 (permalink)
TockTockTock They/Them Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,914	No need to be sarcastic. I am just here to understand more about the band. It's better than me being like a guy who wrote an article completely bashing the VU. By the way, what does the last stanza in "The Black Angel's Death Song" mean? "Start the game I che che che che I Che che ka tak koh Choose to choose Choose to choose, choose to go."