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Overview of Album Review Assignment

  • Due Date: This Friday.

  • Purpose: Select an album and discuss its musical terminology and how each track represents the genre discussed in class.

  • Citation Style: Use Chicago citations for the album review assignment.

Document Submission

  • Importance of formatting documents correctly:

    • California Word Document: Recommended format for ease of annotation and grading.

    • Benefits: Enhances readability for grading, thus saving time due to the large number of students (75 per instructor).

Metal Music Discussion

  • Previous Discussion: Reference to Doctor Kraemer mentioning "Reinforg" in relation to death metal.

    • Clarification: The term "death metal" can be complex, and its understanding is subject to discussion.

Concepts of Death Metal

  • Death Metal Definition: A genre characterized by heavy instrumentation and often growled or screamed vocals.

    • Origin: Two examples shared for sound comparison:

    • First Example: A track from a death metal band that represents the genre's original form.

    • Second Example: A track from the band "Scum," noted for its straightforward lyrical content (approximately eight words).

    • Importance of Lyrics: Lyrical content in metal can be significant but complex, and further discussion on this aspect is only briefly mentioned.

Influence of Place on Music

  • Discussion Prompt: How can place influence sound and music production?

    • Responses from Class:

    • Instruments available based on locality.

    • Accents affecting vocal pitch and sound production.

    • Notable Reference: Tony Heath's use of vocal twang in music, suggesting cultural influences on musical practices.

Human Geography of Music

  • Concept Introduced: Anthropomorphic Geography - the study of how human societies and behaviors are impacted by and understood through spatial relationships.

  • Types of Spatial Analysis: Individual bodies, cities, nations, and global contexts.

  • Connection to Music: Examining cultures, economies, and lifestyles through the lens of space allows insights into musical production.

Case Studies in Music: Birmingham and Leeds

  • Birmingham: Historical background surrounding the development of heavy metal, leading to the creation of iconic bands.

    • Key Historical Context: Industrial origins, particularly the role of the city during WWII, with significant destruction due to bombings affecting infrastructure and living conditions.

    • Example Statistics:

      • 1/3 of housing damaged by 1948 due to war impacts.

      • 81,000 homes lacked baths; 35,000 homes lacked indoor toilets.

      • 51,000 homes deemed unfit for habitation post-war.

    • Foundational Band: Black Sabbath formed in the 1960s, foundational in establishing the heavy metal genre.

    • Key Members: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward.

    • First Album: "Black Sabbath" released in 1970, followed quickly by subsequent works solidifying their influence.

    • Connection to Local Environment: Members express how their harsh upbringing and local issues influenced their sound.

      • Ozzy's statements about anger and disillusionment reflected in lyrics and sound.

      • Tony Iommi's guitar playing techniques influenced by a factory accident that altered his technique.

      • Bill Ward's early experiences tapping along to factory sounds influenced rhythmic elements in Heavy Metal.

    • Lyrics and Themes: Fantasy, escapism, and societal reflection, such as in songs like "Iron Man" (a commentary on dehumanization).

  • Leeds: Examines shifts in the metal music scene from the 1980s to present, influenced by gentrification and economic changes.

    • Government Modernization: Efforts to commercialize and revitalize city centers impacted music venues.

    • Phenomenon: Many venues catered to heavy metal were forced to the peripheries due to urban redevelopment.

    • Closure Statistics: Specific venues that disappeared from the city center by 2012 as a measure of the changing landscape.

    • Observations on the Scene: The metal scene is fluid, changing with social and economic conditions, affecting community access and participation in music.

Conclusion

  • The interconnectedness of space, culture, and music highlights the significant impact that geographical and social contexts have on musical evolution and genre formation.