DarkeSword Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 There are a couple of things that I always like when I hear them in songs. Here are some: When there are sounds of people cheering and partying in the background, even though the song is clearly a studio recording. Examples include 'Love Shack' by the B-52s and 'All Night Long' by Lionel Richie. When there's an acoustic guitar section in the middle of a rock song that uses mostly electric guitars. The key change that goes up one step in the second part of a pop song/ballad. Awesome saxophone solos in 80s and 90s pop rock. Agree/disagree? How about things you like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avaris Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Supersaws...can't get enough of em. Saxophones too, I hope they make a comeback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garpocalypse Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 A track that starts in the center and goes wide or starts wide and goes to the center. But alot of people like that. Ethnic Vocals that are more percussive than lyrical. Scat singing, rambling, Some old blues guy barking into a microphone. Love it. (only example i can think of right now but my hdd is full of stuff, it has a sax too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabeel Ansari Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Melodic riffs in the rhythm guitar section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tables Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Bells, man. Especially church bells. Any kind of groovy bassline, I'm a complete sucker for bass. The key change thing in the OP, yes. Actually most key changes are a-okay with me. Also agree with saxophones. When artists have different or extended chorus lyrics the second or third time around. <- the best thing Long build-y intros, when done right, are incredible and I love them the most. Group or multi-layered vocals are usually pretty neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darangen Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 - When there are choirs. - When a musical phrase is repeated continuously as the other instruments slowly build around it. - When a lead or solo doesn't sound like it's just a scale or exercise. - When lyrics are spoken instead of sung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhsu Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Gangnam style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magellanic Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 When there's an acoustic guitar section in the middle of a rock song that uses mostly electric guitars. Awesome saxophone solos in 80s and 90s pop rock. Yeah, I gotta agree 100% with those. I also love it when a melody is harmonized to emphasize certain phrases or lyrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guifrog Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 - Silliness everywhere, plus expressiveness (just think of Tom & Jerry music). - Optimism; major scales in general. - I can't get enough of saw waves either. - When a song of any genre features an exotic instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bahamut Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 - When lyrics are spoken instead of sung. Sounds like is up your alley then.As for me, here's some stuff I like to see in music Songs based on a fully realized concept (the larger the better) Abstraction that is tangible from the music Creative lyrics Positive messages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elex Synn Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Lately I have found I REALLY like hearing male vocals in songs. A prime example would be the Mega Man 2 remix, "For you". Female vocals make a close second like 7th Port Saga, "Heroes Unsung". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenwarlord Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 - Catchy rhythm piano melodic riffs - Abrupt modal shift in the last 20% of a song. - Verses or a chorus that has a different harmonization than the one previous. - Walking basslines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PriZm Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Fast 16th/32th notes on the hi-hat Subtle odd time signatures Strong female vocals Intensity buildups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BardicKnowledge Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I love it when two separate parts of a song are played simultaneously towards the end of the song and it works perfectly. See Jillian Aversa's arrangement of "I Wonder as I Wander" for an example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modus Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Songs where the chorus is really emotive/energetic but the rest of the song isn't. Strong baya and tabla. Massive soundscapes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad.mixx Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 There are a couple of things that I always like when I hear them in songs. Here are some: When there's an acoustic guitar section in the middle of a rock song that uses mostly electric guitars. The key change that goes up one step in the second part of a pop song/ballad. These two are super nice.I love, love love love it when there's a huge yet fast up and down roll on the scale, especially in cutesy pop and chiptune music. It sounds super cheesy and corny, but is candy to my ears : D. I love it in dramatic sections of songs (like the bridge or something) when there's a crazy cool arp playing. Especially with piano and harps. Also I love a consistent and clever use of the ride bell. Oh and it is the best thing ever when someone plays crazy notes and progressions with the bass and still having it sound good and backing the music very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonAvenger Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 A lot of things people mentioned I'm a fan of as well, but here are some that come to mind for me. Love epic vocal choral tracks (Carl Orff, etc) Melodies that are hum-able or sing-able (relating to stuff already with vocals and stuff that isn't) Canons or rounds that are complex Fun vocal effects used tastefully Clever and unique harmonies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusK Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Vocal harmonies. I'm a sucker for well-done vocal harmonies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devyn Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Songs that don't over-abuse the chorus. Better yet, songs that have clearly defined verse and chorus sections but never repeat the lyrics. I also find myself gravitating to a lot of bands that have a high-pitched male lead vocal a relaxed female vocal: Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Shiny Toy Guns. Also, songs that avoid giving solos/instrumentals their own sections and instead insist on placing blistering 'solos' on the chorus, right up there with the vocals. And loud bass.....guitar, synth or not, make it loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psychowolf Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I will reference rock songs mainly with mine. .break downs where the music goes from intense to a lull perfect example from The Count of Tuscany .Random comedy chords .Dubbing from a different media, like a movie quotes .Meaningful lyrics, examples of bad ones usually use the words "Club" "DJ" "Bass" .Interesting melodies to keep me interested in the song .The musician showing off their skills with intricate melodies. .Sampling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Final Kingdom Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Modulations/key changes, beautiful and colorful harmonies, and chromatic scales. Put them all together, and I'll explode with happiness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutSpoken Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Successfully changing time signatures multiple times in the middle of the track. Funky time signatures with unique, but consistent percussive elements. Percussion breakdowns, especially with lots of variety. Sections that are easy to improv on top of. Reversed sounds: piano, guitar, cymbal rolls, whatever. Hit the low E (works especially well with cello and piano). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustin Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Picardy thirds just everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleJCrb Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 -Super-strong, memorable melodies. -Guitar and synth solos. -High-energy melodic vocals. They can be laced with a bit of goofiness too, and I'll eat that stuff right up (see: the soundtrack for Daytona USA) -Bass in general. Groovy and funky, manic and progressive, or thumping and powerful; I tend to really get into the bass of a song when it's prominent. -High levels of songwriting prowess and musicianship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2manygentlemen Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I love a sweeping, epic feeling to a song. Like, when I'm able to imagine hi-rez desert-scapes or battlefields, or skylines to it, I'm probably going to be loving it. Also, I really enjoy it when all sorts of timbres and layers are thrown around. That always can pique my interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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