Humans name things. Surely this is called something other than The Vroom Noise.

October 26, 2010 7:59 PM

What do you call the noise from 1:03 to 1:04 of this song? And where can I hear more?

You know the noise. It sounds like VROOM, and it's the transition from the light verse part of the song to the rockin' chorus. Does that noise have a name?

Also, I'd love to hear more songs with that noise. Know any?

posted by JDHarper to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Best answer: That noise is just a power chord (root-five) on a guitar, being slid down (glissando) to a lower note.

Cherub Rock by The Smashing Pumpkins has a particularly nice one.
posted by Jimbob at 8:07 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]

Oh hang on, it's not Cherub Rock. It's Quiet by the Smashing Pumpkins.
posted by Jimbob at 8:08 PM on October 26, 2010

I can't listen to the song at the moment, but since you're calling it the vroom noise and looking for more, I wonder if the noise in Bob Dylan's Everybody Must Get Stoned would qualify.
posted by Sarah Jane at 9:27 PM on October 26, 2010

Yup, seconding Jimbob, that's just a guitar power chord (very, very, very common chord type in rock, metal, jazz, etc) being slid down the neck of the guitar a few frets. Sorry I can't think of too many good examples off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are thousands out there.
posted by Diplodocus at 9:31 PM on October 26, 2010

Response by poster: Sounds right. I knew it was a fairly common thing, but didn't know the word for it. Thanks!
posted by JDHarper at 9:43 PM on October 26, 2010

That style of sliding power chords is a staple of 70s blues-based rock, for example Led Zeppelin - Four Sticks, Rush - Working Man, Black Sabbath - Sweet Leaf.
posted by Rhomboid at 12:04 AM on October 27, 2010

On a slightly different note, Ratatat have built a career out of that sound. Especially their first couple of albums.

Mmm, slidey power chordy goodness.
posted by Conductor71 at 9:28 AM on October 27, 2010 [1 favorite]