Space Monkey

I'm a classically-reared musician and I love what you refer to as 'real' (instrumentally played) music, but samples and loops are a part of musical evolution every bit as much as the development of any new instrument. Used properly, they are incredible, enhancing the music just as much as any other part and not lacking in originality because they are used in an original composition. They aren't stolen through the laziness of the composer, they are sampled because they're appropriate to the new piece and would, in and of themselves, make a new sound.

In the defense of Trance - this might be boring if you're looking for something that it isn't, but if you take it how it is intended, it is very effective and cool. Trance was developed with the intention to tap into people's primal rhythm insticts and inherent comfort with beats, repetitive and hypnotic, loud, trippy, stemming from the days of tribal drumming and even the mother's heartbeat when in utero. we are always tuned into repetition, our own heartbeats, our footsteps, it is a naturally comforting phenomena, and the purveyors of trance wanted to use and manipulate this to induce euphoria. Music is, after all, pleasure - and people's use of drugs at raves was obviously just an effort to increase the euphoria they felt - nothing to do with needing them to enjoy the music.

The original black metal bands such as Darkthrone adopted this too, repeating riffs and rhythms over and over with the intention of creating an 'atmosphere' rather than a tune.

a|one

Well put Space Monkey. knivesout I only meant to say that it enhances the experience, I listen to trance all the time when sober.

djdonegal

Right, so this thread was for the greatest song ever, I believe?

Well, my favourite band are "Muse", and I love a tonne of their stuff, but I feel some of it is overplayed (see "Plug in Baby" and "Time is Running Out" for further reference). But my fave all time song is "New Born" by the same band. Six minutes and five seconds of bliss. I listened to it every day on the way to school, and it always finished just as I walked through the gates. Now THAT is a way to start a day...

BUT - I love "The Killers" album "Hot Fuss" immensely. I first heard of these guys in about June 04, and it is an absolutely stunning album, I highly recommend it to anyone. I think anyone who likes "Muse" will like "The Killers".

DJ

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Quokka

May be pushing it to say best song ever, but two classics (for me atleast) would have to be One....... U2's or Metallica's.

Darken Rahl

Let the bashing begin... Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" gets my vote. Mystical lyrics, Robert Plant's vocals, and a signature solo by a guitar god. I know its almost cliche now, but it is the defining song of one of rock's most influental bands.

knivesout

Yep. Heard it wayyyy too many times at pubs with drunken cretins singing along horribly, but if I think back to the first time I heard it - one of those songs that really blow you away. My favourite Led Zep song is The Song Remains The Same, though. Followed by No Quarter.

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Darken Rahl

On a kind of related note (no pun intended), have you heard "City Don't Cry" off Page & Plant's "No Quarter"? Excellent song, with a sort of Eastern feel. Sounds like it arose from their fascination with Morrocan music back in Zep's latter days.

knivesout

Yes indeed! There were a couple of new tracks there - Yallah, and one more, but this one was the best. I really liked what they did with Kashmir and No QUarter on that recording. Have you heard any of John Paul Jones' solo stuff? He has 2 albums out - Zooma and Thunderthief, very different from Led Zep. Sort of like a mellower Les Claypool meets Robert Fripp vibe.

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INCISION : Webcomic. Words: Me. Art: George. Updates every 3 days or so.

Space Monkey

If I had a gun to my head to name the greatest song ever, I'd probably start crying and blurt out "Megadeth, Holy Wars" or "Anathema, Mine is yours to drown in" or "Please don't shoot me, I'm basically a good bloke".

Sibeling

Village People - YMCA