Peer Review

Week 2
In response to Matthew Wheatley's The Velvet Underground and Nico

It really does seem that many of the groups we’re studying were “ahead of their time”, doesn’t it? I translate that into “they were out of their minds”. I suppose that is what it takes at times to break into another phase of music. I can imagine that the Velvet Underground was viewed much like Lady Gaga wearing a meat dress is viewed today. It was that generation’s ‘shock rock’, specifically designed to offend and confuse. I found your blog post thorough and informative. It contained enough information about different aspects of the band and it’s music to give a general understanding of the impact of the Velvet Underground on the music industry. 

Week 3

In response to Bradley Stepp's Electronic Music Innovations:

It really is interesting when the old can become new again. Sometimes I think we get so wrapped around using all these new sample libraries and presets that we forget to develop something of our own. That last line in your post about using guitar effects to process synth sounds really gets me thinking about how unimaginative I can allow myself to get sometimes. These guys in early electronic music weren’t just musically creative (some of them weren’t even musicians at all); they invented and built things that no one had ever even thought about. Dance music owes its very existence to individuals like Gary Numan and his predecessors. Good post!

Week 4
In response to Keith Garceau's Robert "Mutt" Lange - Jedi Producer

This is a truly excellent blog post. It seemed well researched and inspired. I could tell that you’re really interested in studying the life and methods of Robert Lange. I’d seen the name a couple times before but I didn’t realize just how prolific and sought-after he was. I too was an aspiring rock star once upon a time (and still have delusions occasionally) and can relate to your story, especially the part about going over your mixes again and again, always nit-picking and never really being satisfied. Thank you for the informative lesson on one of your heroes. You can be certain that I’ll be digging a little deeper and finding some recordings of his to examine.