New Oddness on the Radio this week 6-18 to 6-24

Welcome some new oddness to the rotation:

Les Spritz - math noise from Sicily (as they call themselves)
Villeri & Alfonso Claps

Pantera - yup, the Dimebag & co doing some prechorus 7s on Drag the Water

Jakob Dybro Johansen - Kairoskitser 13/8 Dutch vocals and acoustic guitar.... took my 13-obsessed advice and wrote this creative piece, much 13 awesomeness in a realm that just doesn't go there. But he did.

Keepin' it ODD for you weekly,
BetZe13
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Celebrate 7-8 with Traci Lords

Happy 7/8!

One of my favorite songs totally in 7/8 is titled "Good N Evil" on Traci Lords "1000 Fires" electronica CD. Here is a sample of the whole album and this oddness is located 1:00 - 1:27.

Cool CD cover eh?

Keepin' it ODD,
BetZe13
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It takes a Village... for me to notice Naggin' Nimbus

So this morning I got an anonymous tip that there was some Hip Hop oddness lurking about that I have yet detected. Well let me tell you, it takes a village to feed an odd time obsession because these nuggets usually don't get a chance to permeate our collective 4/4 trance.

Let me introduce this song to you,,,, are you ready???

Naggin' Nimbus by Busdriver - 5/8

First of all, I wish I thought of that song title, and second of all I wish I thought of that artist name and third of all, I wish I wrote a song has the feel of My Favorite Thing is to Take Five talking about cotton candy clouds. damn... too late...

(Dear Busdriver, please write more in 7 and 13. Thank you)



Thank you Anonymous for shining the light on this gem and thank you Busdriver for bravin' beat boundaries.

Naggin' to find me some more oddness (hint, hint)
-BetZe13
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Happy 9/16

or is it? Still after two years I have not found a song solely in 9/16. Yah, maybe there will be some bars of 9/16 here and there in some tunes but never the whole thing. The only thing I have is this crusty counterpoint MIDI style example I composed way back in the day....

BetZe13 - 9/16 Counterpoint example

but would like something a bit more... exciting.. revealing... interesting...
Can anyone think of any? Maybe I need to look in the Persian and Classical categories.. or I'll just have to write some more.

crustily,
-BetZe13
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Happy 9/8 with King Diamond!

What better way to celebrate this day, than with King Diamond. Who what where why? Well, I'm sorry but I am still in love with King Diamond - I can't help it. Don't care if his falsetto spells cheese whiz or is considered an 80s has been (has been where is my question) or if he barely breaks his formulaic licks & song structures. He is still alive in my top ten even if I can't hear the bass and its all 2s and 4s or triplet 2s and 4s. But, on the rare occasion, when he stretches out of his metric safety - its a day to celebrate! Yup, I'm pretty much alone on this one, but I just can't help it... Gimmemore KD!!

King Diamond - The Eye - 9/8, 8/8, 4/4

The Eye of the Witch throws you off and hypnotizes at the same time, just like the 9/8 + 8/8 pattern does.

I think I am going to be King Diamond again for Halloween.

Whawhooooo,
BetZe13
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Icarus the Owl - The Spotless Mind CD Review

Who is Icarus and why is he an owl? I know not, but one thing I can tell you is this is intelligence that wants to rock. And they sure do to with aggressive creativity and unbiased meter usage. To me they sound like a pop/punk version of the Meshuggah Escape Plan or even closer to Damiera. They are from Portland OR and have recently released their debut "The Spotless Mind". Joey Rubenstein (singer/guitarist) sent me the metric thesis and it goes like this:

Icarus the Owl - The Spotless Mind
Running From Lacuna - Intro:4 measures(6/4), Verse:8(6/4), Chorus:8(13/8), Post- Chorus:4(4/4), Technical Bridge:8(23/16), Verse:8(6/4), Chorus:8(13/8), Ending:32(4/4)

The Extortionist - Intro: 4(4/4), Chorus 16(4/4), Verse: 8(9/8), Chorus: 16(4/4), Verse: 8(9/8), Bridge: 2[ 3(5/4) +1(6/4)], Main Riff: 2(4/4), Chorus: 16(4/4), End: Alternates between 8/4 and 7/4 until the end.

Disposable Company Makes A Lonely Man - Intro/Verse: 6(10/4 + 12/4), Pre-Chorus: 8(7/4), Chorus: 8(19/8), Post- Chorus: 5(6/4+7/4), Verse: 4(10/4+ 12/4), Chorus: 8(19/8), Bridge: 9(9/4), Transition 4(4/4), Chorus: 8(19/8), Chorus: 8(19/8)

La Charliere -Intro/Verse: 2[2(5/4)+1(9/4)]+6/4, Pre-Chorus: 8(4/4), Chorus: 8(4/4), Verse: 32(4/4), Transition 2(4/4), Chorus: 24(4/4), End: 8(13/8)

Esophagus - Intro/Verse: 8(11/4), Pre-Chorus: 2(13/4), Chorus: 4(13/4), Verse: 3[ 3(5/4) + 1(9/4)] + 5(5/4), Transition: 2(6/4), Chorus: 4(13/4), End: 12(6/4)

The Man Who Cried Wolf - Intro/Verse: 2(15/16) + 2(8/4) + 2(15/16) + 4(8/4), Chorus: 8(5/4), Verse: 12(12/8), Chorus: 8(5/4), Bridge: 12(13/8), Second Bridge: 12(9/8), Chorus: 8(5/4), End: 16(6/4)

Tragedy Of The Commons - Chorus: 8(19/8), Verse: 2[3(13/8) + 1(30/8)], Chorus: 8(19/8), Verse: 2[3(13/8) + 1(30/8)], Bridge: 8(27/16), Chorus: 8(19/8), Transition: 4(9/4), Chorus: 8(19/8)

Game Of Jenga -all in 4/4 besides a bridge which is in 6/4!

Invertebrate - all in 4/4!

Igloo - Intro: 12(9/8), Verse: 12(7/4), Chorus: 3(12/4+16/4), Verse: 8(7/4), Bridge: 8(9/8), Bridge 2: 8(9/8), Transition: 2(6/4), Chorus: 3(12/4+16/4), End: 16(4/4) + 8(7/4)

Yellow Bricks - Intro: 8(9/8), Chorus: 7(15/8) + 1(16/8), Verse: 4(15/4), Pre-Chorus: 4(8/4), Chorus: 7(15/8) + 1(16/8), Bridge: 4(31/32), Pre-Chorus: 4(8/4), Chorus: 7(15/8) + 1(16/8)

It's A Good Thing You're Loyal -Intro/Verse: 12(9/4), Pre-Chorus: 4(9/4), pre-chorus Bridge: 16(5/8), Chorus: 2[4(6/4)+1(5/4)], Transition: 1(6/4), Verse: 8(9/4), Pre-Chorus: 7(9/4) + 1(11/4), Chorus: 2[4(6/4)+1(5/4)], Bridge: 19(3/4), Bridge Polyrhythm: Lead guitar: 12(3/4) Rhythm section: 9(4/4), Chorus: 2[4(6/4)+1(5/4)], End: 4(6/4)

My Grey Shun -Intro: 16(13/16), Verse: 7(13/16) + 1(15/16), Pre-Chorus: 2[2(8/8)+2(9/8)], Chorus: 2(4/4)+1(10/4)+4(4/4), Main Riff: 8(13/16), Verse: 7(13/16)+1(15/16), Pre-Chorus: 2[2(8/8)+2(9/8)], Chorus: 2(4/4)+1(10/4)+4(4/4), Bridge: 8(7/4), Main Riff: 3(13/16)+1(15/16), Chorus: 2[2(4/4)+1(10/4)]

Three Week Break - Intro: 7(7/4)+1(12/4), Verse:8(7/4), Pre-Chorus: 8(9/4), Chorus: 8(6/4), Bridge: 8(5/4), Transition: 1(5/4), Pre-Chorus: 8(9/4), Chorus: 8(6/4), End: 6/4 Until The End!


Choruses in 13/8 & 19/8, bridges in 31/32 & 27/16, verses in 11/4 & 7/4 and whole songs in 4/4, well what do I say about this but... how cool is this?

These guys can play and are gifted musicians. They play for the song and do not come across as trying to be technical but just following their true rhythm. I especially admire the singer, Joey Rubenstein's ability to sing in these meters. It fits, it works and is the song, not something that the singer is trying to work in, which can happen all too often. Also he is the guitarist with a two hand tapping melodic approach that fits/is the song too, this I would like to see live. Mark Haines, the drummer could teach most of the drummers I know a thing or two. As my sister says, maybe he came out of the womb suckling time changes. Yeah, I think he fits in this category. The bassist, Mike Black rocks too. His playing is flawless and deep but I feel like its held back a bit. Maybe its my bias but it would be nice to hear some leads from him.

By the looks of their MySpace page they have lots of fans and I think that they are on to something. And maybe they are proving that the whole population may not be so metrically phobic, a novel thought.

I look forward to hearing these musicians future creations whatever incarnation they choose to be in. Check them out, maybe they will inspire you to write a verse or two in 19/16 or 31/32.

www.myspace.com/icarustheowl

Awakening your inner music geek,
BetZe13
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Happy 9/4

This is one of my favorite examples of 9/4:
Aurora's Aura, by Lindsey Boullt off of his 'Composition' Album,
which consists of 7/4, 9/4, 5/16 & 9/16.

Have a listen to a sample of the 9/4 section.

Aurora's Aura 9/4 sample

Pretty cool eh?
-BetZe13
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The Bad Plus in NINE

Well keeping with the nine theme, here are some samples of 9/8. I just love what these guys do with NINE.

Bad Plus off of their 'Prog' Album

Giant 9/8

1980 World Champion 9/8

Lovin NINE,
-BetZe13
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Welcome September the Month of Nine

According to Gregorian this is the ninth month of the year. I don't fully agree with this calendar system, its garaged our minds in a way, but more on this later. Nonetheless, lets us delve deep into this number this month and the many ways it can be expressed in various forms of music - and what not a better way than some Bulgarian Folk.

Pitat Me Mamo - 9/8 2322, 2232

This music has been provided by the generous educational site

Dunav.org.il

Check them out for more Macedonian Folk Music and Dances.

432,234,81,
-BetZe13
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Bulgarian in 13 - Krivo Sadovsko Horo

Macedonian music is metrically hip. They have songs/dances that are defined by their meters. My favorite is 'Krivo Sadovsko Horo', meaning crooked dance, and is always in thirteen (222322,223222). If it is played in another meter, then it can not be rightfully be called by the same name.
Check out these rustically rural big band cats playing in 13 and with such requiste joy.


This is one of the coolest sites my ears have ever laid on, and I love the coordinating outfits and the pride this country takes in its musical roots.

I think I am going to learn the trumpet.
-BetZe13
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Wicked Cool Song of the Week: Cardiacs - Come Back Clammy Lammy

Here's another cool band/song suggestion from Andy (who rocks): The Cardiacs - a bastard son of Gentle Giant hummm, quite soothing to my odd ears.

Check out "Come Back Clammy Lammy" from their site (and many more free downloads) its in 5/4.
Cardiacs - Come Back Clammy Lammy 5/4

Come back clammy you dead saw barnacle
Make it to heaven red rim barmy you dead
Saw barnacle make it to heaven
Come back clammy you red rim barmy you
Come back clammy you dead saw barnacle
Make it to heaven

Nope, still not sure what the song means, reincarnation? hummm
I am diggin' these Cardiacs and arrest me not, they will be in my playa until I get it.

-BetZe13
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Calculating Calcutta's Carousels - BetZe

Here's a little diddy I wrote in 7/8 when I was trying to learn the MIDI function in Protools, especially the drum patches.
Calculating Calcutta's Carousels - 7/8

-BetZe13
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Strange Land - Band Review

Strange Land is metal in progression, literally. This prog metal trio from Milwakee, WI, naturally writes in odd meters without analyzation. They compose and play without counting, a concept that is foreign to me. They have their own style but are in the ambience of a heavy Rush, Dream Theater and Kings X (especially the vocals). The following is their discography with the meteric breakdown from Sean Gill the guitarist.

Catharsis promo 2009
The Men Who Spent Tomorrow: 6/8, 4/4, 3/4
Asinine: 4/4, 5/4, 11/8 (6+5), 6/8
Evolve: 4/4, 7/4

Blaming Season 2005
Obliquity: mostly 4/4, but very syncopated
Cause and Defect: 5/8, 6/8, 4/4, 5/4, 3/4, 6/4, 3/8, 9/8
Marionette: 6/8, 4/4, 5/8, 7/4, highly syncopated
In a Mind: 6/4, 4/4, 7/8, 3/4
Dear Helena: 6/8, 22/8 (5+6+6+5), 4/4
Below the After: 4/4, 3/4, 15/4, 7/4, 7/8, 6/8

Anomaly:2001
All Things Considered: 7/4 (3+3+8), 4/4, 6/8, 3/4 (5-tuplets),
Foundation: 4/4, 13/8, 15/8 (3+3+4+5), 16/8 (3+3+5+5)
I Don't Know You Anymore: 11/8 (in a 4/4+3/8 feel), 12/8, 6/4, 5/4, 3/4, 9/8, 7/

As you can see the meter spectrum is well represented here. They are a progressively evolving band who has grown technically and creatively throughout their releases. I am digging their writing style which seems completely genuine, natural and flowing to me. They follow their instincts and come up with interesting and original parts. I look forward to their future releases.

For samples and more info, check out their most comprehensive site:

Strange-Land.net

-BetZe13
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Jarmila Xymena Gorna – Hashgachah CD Review

Jarmila is a composer, musician, and vocalist based in London who has much to say without words. ‘Hashgachah’ is an exciting one to me because it comes straight from the core of her soul. It’s not everyday that such visionary creativity comes across my ears.

Jarmila is originally from Poland and has been playing music pretty much for all of her life. She has been schooled, and then took it upon herself to become unschooled and to find her real voice. And as a result of this journey, she has found it and comes across with boundless mastery. Here are the tracks:

A Seal Upon My Heart - mostly ad lib

Until We Find It - 7/8

Which Way? - 12/8
Swansong - 4/4
Always? - 4/4
From There to Here - 4/4
My Hope - 4/4 + mixed
Approaching Your Insanity - 12/8
Dark Spell - 4/4

The Swallow's Flight Dream – 5/4, 4/4, 7/8, 3/4, 7/4, 5/4, 6/8

She sure does let it fly and even the 4s sound ‘odd’, a true natural expression. This free flow can bring many interesting directions about. I look forward to her future works and would love to hear her more in the soundtrack arena.

Check her out:

JarmilaGorna.com

-BetZe13
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Cool Song of the Week: Don Ellis - Arcturas

I just can't stop listening to this song -

Arcturas - a genuine 10/4

Isn't this the funkiest 70s big band song in 10 that you've heard in a while? Would you agree with me that this composition would appeal to the Arcturians' creative sensibilities? I do think that they would be (are) honored to know that this brilliantly grooving dynamically orchestrated song with a base of 10 (leadership in numerology) was written for/about them.

Far Out,
-BetZe13
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The Free Design - Bubbles

Here's the cutest song you'll ever hear and it has some odd time in it and what else could you ask for -

Bubbles - 4/4, 7/8

4/4
Blowin’ bubbles outta the window
Chewin’ bubblegum and blowin’ big bubbles
Gettin’ gettin’ ridda ridda all my troubles,
Watchin’ the tadpoles glubba, glubba in the puddles
Soap bubbles carry my dreams up high
Bubble gum kinda keeps my heart from gettin’ heavy and cryin’

7/8
Ma ‘n’ Pa are arguin’ again,
today I lost my best friend
The kitty has a little cold,
‘n ‘ grammama is getting older
My tummy has a little pain,
‘n’ when does Jesus come again?

So what did you think, cute eh? Sunshine Pop can be pretty cool eh, especially with the 7/8. The Free Design was around from 1967 - 1972. Surprising? No. Genuine sunshine is hard to come by nowadays... Well that might not be true, it just doesn't come across my ears often...

Sunshiney (just for today),
-BetZe13
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Fu Manchu - Pick Up Summer

Hey Whattdaya mean
yeah whattdaya mean
rolling dice see how they fall
slide and glide it into high gear haul
(I have no idea what else he is saying)

Pick Up Summer - 8/4, 7/4

Love this song and band, they make me think of summer, my two Mustangs that I don't have anymore (wipe the tears), the beach and its time to get drunk... They don't really make me think of odd time, but this one happens to have that dropped beat feel that can be created by alternating 8/4 and 7/4 phrases. Cool effect..

Into High Gear Haul,
-BetZe13
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Disturbed - Ten Thousand Fists

Okay so I am still in a Disturbed mood - this time its "Ten Thousand Fists" (in the air, not in the face) which proved to be not that exciting meterically. Here are the tracks -

Ten Thousand Fists - 4/4
Just Stop - 4/4
Guarded - 4/4 sounds like it might be partial odd but its not
Deify - 4/4, 6/4
Stricked - 4/4
I'm Alive - 6/8 intro 6/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 6/8, 5/8 and repeats in at the cool part (interlude in the 3rd quarter of the song)
Sons of Plunder - 4/4
Overburdened - 4/4
Decadence - 4/4
Forgiven - 4/4
Land of Confusion - 4/4
Sacred Lie - 4/4
Pain Redefined - 4/4
Avarice - 4/4

Well at least this time their titles consist of more than one word and the song structures vary just slighly and the requisite ballad is absent. It would be interesting to find out what if any oddness is on their latest "Indestructible " released in 2008. Hopefully a little more meterically exciting, and surely I will be certain to blab about it.

Almost unDisturbed,
-BetZe13
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Disturbed - Believe

For some reason, Disturbed has been on my headset and mind off and on for the past couple of weeks. Is it because I am disturbed? Well recently I believe that might be true. Nonetheless, "Believe", their second release, is the subject of my current musical meter meddling. Even though it was released in 2002, its semi-new to me. I know I am behind the times, or maybe I am before the times, but one thing for sure, I am of my own time. Anyways, this album has crossed my ears a few times in the past and with always a comment of ohhhhhh, thats odd what is it? Now, today I decided to find out and this is what I discovered:

Prayer - 4/4 maybe some skipped beats (snare on 3, got a snare fetish ya know)
Liberate - 4/4
Awaken - 4/4 a couple of bars of 9/8 in intro for the hesitation effect
Believe - 12/8
Remember - very daring verse 8/8, 5/8, 8/8, 6/8 - 4/4 rest of song
Intoxication - 4/4
Rise - 4/4
Mistress - 4/4
Breathe - another daring verse 11/4 (6/4 + 5/4) 4/4 rest of song
Bound - 4/4
Devour - 4/4
Darkness - 4/4 slow (sort of sappy sounding)

Okay so not a lot of oddness but I do admire thier flawless playing and production, wicked low bass and creative writing in their vchvchbrchcoolpartchchandout structure confines. And even with the easy to remember titles its still is an appealing album. Although its a little too commercial for me to get totally obsessed with it and doesn't alter my etheric vibration, it has some odd time in it, and that always turns me on.

Liberate Your Mind,
-BetZe

OddTimeObsessed.com

Brian Setzer 13

Well well well Mr. Setzer... a little fascination with the number 13? Well maybe you are hipper than than I assume...

So I just discovered this album last night and I was hoping.... hoping.... that maybe, just possibly he just might... with a sliver of a chance have a song in 13. Yup, it was just a pipe dream in my case,,, but he had 13 songs on the CD and one nugget for me......

Everybody's Up to Somethin' - 4/4, 7/4

Yeah,,, even he's up to some oddness...

It will be on the playlist so tune in..

Geekfully yours,
BetZe

OddTimeObsessed.com