Songs that climax
February 8, 2013 3:59 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for songs that build to a climax or erupt into loudness and are also purely spectacular. These songs are epic. My best example is Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem.
Patterns (Remix) fits your description pretty perfectly, but is so completely different from your example that I have no idea if it's what you're looking for.
Of course, give it some time to get there. No cheating and skipping ahead, right?
posted by aubilenon at 4:08 PM on February 8, 2013
Of course, give it some time to get there. No cheating and skipping ahead, right?
posted by aubilenon at 4:08 PM on February 8, 2013
Calexico's All Systems Red (also very different style than your one example).
posted by mannequito at 4:18 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mannequito at 4:18 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's really incredibly vague, so this may not be what you're looking for, but Rhapsody by Siouxsie & the Banshees does exactly that, and is really epic.
posted by smoq at 4:19 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by smoq at 4:19 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sigur Rós - "Untitled #8 / Popplagið / The Pop Song
posted by spanishbombs at 4:24 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by spanishbombs at 4:24 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
This, essentially, is Arcade Fire's entire gimmick, errrm, I mean "creative process".
posted by humboldt32 at 4:27 PM on February 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by humboldt32 at 4:27 PM on February 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Night on Bald Mountain, Ride of the Valkyries, and Bolero if you are including classical music.
posted by obol at 4:27 PM on February 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by obol at 4:27 PM on February 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Doves, "Intro/Words" -- the crash into "Words" sends me every time. You do have to have your speakers turned up tho.
posted by Infinity_8 at 4:28 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by Infinity_8 at 4:28 PM on February 8, 2013
Yeah, that's also the formula for a ton of progressive trance. In fact, that's the "progressive" in progressive trance. See Binary Finary - 1998 for a classic example.
posted by smoq at 4:29 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by smoq at 4:29 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Spectacular loudness?
The best example I can think of probably isn't even on your list.
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Op. 49
It builds for about 14 minutes until the end when the whole symphony is playing, the canon's are blasting and the roof is shaking. Read more here.
posted by Leenie at 4:34 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
The best example I can think of probably isn't even on your list.
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Op. 49
It builds for about 14 minutes until the end when the whole symphony is playing, the canon's are blasting and the roof is shaking. Read more here.
posted by Leenie at 4:34 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - East Hastings
posted by theraflu at 4:36 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by theraflu at 4:36 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Godspeed You Black Emperor's Lift Yr. Skinny Fists to Heaven (first part of a longer "track" called Storm.)
On preview, yeah, GY!BE likes doing this sort of thing. :)
posted by Pandora Kouti at 4:39 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
On preview, yeah, GY!BE likes doing this sort of thing. :)
posted by Pandora Kouti at 4:39 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm going to go with Slowdive's Blue Skied 'n Clear. Love that track.
posted by hwickline at 4:40 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by hwickline at 4:40 PM on February 8, 2013
Dan Deacon - Get Older
Not sure if it really counts, but Elbow - Starlings also comes to mind.
posted by eponym at 4:49 PM on February 8, 2013
Not sure if it really counts, but Elbow - Starlings also comes to mind.
posted by eponym at 4:49 PM on February 8, 2013
The End - The Doors
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 4:51 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 4:51 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Heroin - Velvet Underground
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - Nirvana
Hurt - NIN/Johnny Cash
A Day in the Life - The Beatles
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 4:59 PM on February 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - Nirvana
Hurt - NIN/Johnny Cash
A Day in the Life - The Beatles
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 4:59 PM on February 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
There are quite a few Swans songs that get into this pure Dionysian overwhelmingness.
Try this live version of I Am the Sun.
posted by Kafkaesque at 5:04 PM on February 8, 2013
Try this live version of I Am the Sun.
posted by Kafkaesque at 5:04 PM on February 8, 2013
not really loud, per se, but You! Me! Dancing! by Los Campesinos has a pretty awesome buildup!
posted by carlypennylane at 5:38 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by carlypennylane at 5:38 PM on February 8, 2013
Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing!
edit: Damn. Should have refreshed the window first.
posted by gregoryg at 5:43 PM on February 8, 2013
edit: Damn. Should have refreshed the window first.
posted by gregoryg at 5:43 PM on February 8, 2013
Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:52 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:52 PM on February 8, 2013
I'll Believe in Anything, by Wolf Parade
posted by zjacreman at 5:58 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by zjacreman at 5:58 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Dan Deacon does this a lot, for example, Build Voice.
posted by telegraph at 5:58 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by telegraph at 5:58 PM on February 8, 2013
"Our life is not a movie, but maybe" by Okkervil River. Sorry, can't link from my computer, but give it a listen--it's great!
posted by dysh at 6:11 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dysh at 6:11 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wilco - "Misunderstood"
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:24 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:24 PM on February 8, 2013
Nobody's mentioned Phil Collins yet? I thought In the Air Tonight was considered a classic of this style.
posted by vytae at 7:31 PM on February 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by vytae at 7:31 PM on February 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Let Down - Radiohead
Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 7:57 PM on February 8, 2013
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Let Down - Radiohead
Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 7:57 PM on February 8, 2013
My Morning Jacket - One Big Holiday (the entire song does what you're asking)
My Morning Jacket - Gideon
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 8:05 PM on February 8, 2013
My Morning Jacket - Gideon
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 8:05 PM on February 8, 2013
I Am the Resurrection - Stone Roses
Blue Line Swinger - Yo La Tengo
This Corrosion - Sisters of Mercy
posted by elendil71 at 8:12 PM on February 8, 2013
Blue Line Swinger - Yo La Tengo
This Corrosion - Sisters of Mercy
posted by elendil71 at 8:12 PM on February 8, 2013
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 8:45 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 8:45 PM on February 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I love the build & crash on this: Flaming Lips & Stardeath & White Dwarfs cover Madonna's Borderline
posted by Lexica at 9:07 PM on February 8, 2013
posted by Lexica at 9:07 PM on February 8, 2013
"Go or Go Ahead" by Rufus Wainwright
"All I Want is You" by U2
posted by chowflap at 10:15 PM on February 8, 2013
"All I Want is You" by U2
posted by chowflap at 10:15 PM on February 8, 2013
You want the Asian Dub Foundation remix of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's
Ta Deem
In fact a lot of qawwali /sufi etc music does this I think
posted by runincircles at 10:36 PM on February 8, 2013
Ta Deem
In fact a lot of qawwali /sufi etc music does this I think
posted by runincircles at 10:36 PM on February 8, 2013
Miles Davis/Gil Evans Prayer
Patti Smith Birdland
Cornelius Wataridori
Television Marquee Moon
posted by lowest east side at 1:52 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Patti Smith Birdland
Cornelius Wataridori
Television Marquee Moon
posted by lowest east side at 1:52 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not sure if these fit your criteria exactly, but they're pretty awesome songs in general!
Temper Trap: Trembling Hands and Rabbit Hole
Brother by Matt Corby
Death by White Lies
Eat That Up, It's Good For You by Two Door Cinema Club
Only One by Yellowcard is a classic.
And some purely guitar ones that are fantastic (slow build but the payoff is worth it): Past Is Not Passed by James Blackshaw, and Ocean by John Butler (it's different every time he plays it!).
Whew, I'm done :o)
posted by cucumber patch at 1:54 AM on February 9, 2013
Temper Trap: Trembling Hands and Rabbit Hole
Brother by Matt Corby
Death by White Lies
Eat That Up, It's Good For You by Two Door Cinema Club
Only One by Yellowcard is a classic.
And some purely guitar ones that are fantastic (slow build but the payoff is worth it): Past Is Not Passed by James Blackshaw, and Ocean by John Butler (it's different every time he plays it!).
Whew, I'm done :o)
posted by cucumber patch at 1:54 AM on February 9, 2013
I Grieve. Peter Gabriel.
posted by ryecatcher at 2:27 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ryecatcher at 2:27 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Boston, "[Foreplay]- Long Time"
One of the best rock intros ever, which builds and builds until it explodes into a skyfall of bombastic guitar that MUST be played at max volume in the car. Or anywhere. It just effing rules.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:49 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
One of the best rock intros ever, which builds and builds until it explodes into a skyfall of bombastic guitar that MUST be played at max volume in the car. Or anywhere. It just effing rules.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 5:49 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Of course, White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplaine is amazing.
Motorcycle Drive By, by Third Eye Blind, one of the most perfect songs out there
Paradise, by Coldplay
Beethoven also wrote some amazing climaxes. The 2nd movement of the 7th Symphony is probably my favorite piece of music of all time - it somehow fits any mood I'm in, as if it reads my mind. Also, the last movement of the 9th (Choral) Symphony - Ode to Joy - is amazing.
posted by Cygnet at 6:39 AM on February 9, 2013
Motorcycle Drive By, by Third Eye Blind, one of the most perfect songs out there
Paradise, by Coldplay
Beethoven also wrote some amazing climaxes. The 2nd movement of the 7th Symphony is probably my favorite piece of music of all time - it somehow fits any mood I'm in, as if it reads my mind. Also, the last movement of the 9th (Choral) Symphony - Ode to Joy - is amazing.
posted by Cygnet at 6:39 AM on February 9, 2013
The Smashing Pumpkins, Soma (MP3 link)
Upwards of 40 guitar tracks over the course of the song.
posted by lukez at 6:51 AM on February 9, 2013
Upwards of 40 guitar tracks over the course of the song.
posted by lukez at 6:51 AM on February 9, 2013
Oh, and by the way, with the Beethoven you have to be patient. For example, the first 12:50 minutes of Ode to Joy is the build-up !
posted by Cygnet at 6:52 AM on February 9, 2013
posted by Cygnet at 6:52 AM on February 9, 2013
Tool - Triad
Nine Inch Nails - The Way Out Is Through
posted by neushoorn at 9:00 AM on February 9, 2013
Nine Inch Nails - The Way Out Is Through
posted by neushoorn at 9:00 AM on February 9, 2013
Philip Glass Satyagraha Act I - Tolstoy - Scene 1 The Kuru Field of Justice it starts off with just a voice and cello until at about the 11:00 minute mark where there is full orchestra and chorus going full tilt
posted by alfanut at 9:25 AM on February 9, 2013
posted by alfanut at 9:25 AM on February 9, 2013
Gui Boratto - No Turning Back starts out with an awesome build-up.
posted by Mr. Pokeylope at 11:52 AM on February 9, 2013
posted by Mr. Pokeylope at 11:52 AM on February 9, 2013
Pinebender - "There's A Bag Of Weights In The Back Of My Car"
makes sense their t-shirts featured a diagram of how to put in earplugs
posted by ifjuly at 12:15 PM on February 9, 2013
makes sense their t-shirts featured a diagram of how to put in earplugs
posted by ifjuly at 12:15 PM on February 9, 2013
also, The Velvet Underground - "I Heard Her Call My Name" sort of
and Explosions in the Sky - "The Only Moment We Were Alone" (8:31 is one of my favorite moments in music ever)
posted by ifjuly at 12:24 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
and Explosions in the Sky - "The Only Moment We Were Alone" (8:31 is one of my favorite moments in music ever)
posted by ifjuly at 12:24 PM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
A Place to Bury Strangers - I Live My Life to Stand in the Shadow of Your Heart
posted by anagrama at 12:43 PM on February 9, 2013
posted by anagrama at 12:43 PM on February 9, 2013
If someone could put all these in to a Spotify playlist, that'd be awesome. :)
posted by dep at 4:24 PM on February 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by dep at 4:24 PM on February 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
With an LCD Soundsystem example, I doubt there's much overlap in our musical tastes, but here's the content of my longstanding "Here It Comes" playlist:
Practical Magic (Theme), Alan Silvestri
Prelude/Angry Young Man, Billy Joel
Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen
The Three Fine Daughters Of Farmer Brown, Eddie From Ohio
Independence, Indiana, Eddie From Ohio
Still ... You Turn Me On, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day, Jethro Tull
Hurt, Johnny Cash
Bedlam Boys, Michael Penn
White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane
Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon, Urge Overkill (fits this better than the Neil Diamond original)
Family Snapshot, Peter Gabriel
In the Air Tonight, Phil Collins
Come Sail Away, Styx
Baba O’Riley, The Who
Devil's Dance Floor, Flogging Molly
posted by kostia at 6:07 PM on February 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Practical Magic (Theme), Alan Silvestri
Prelude/Angry Young Man, Billy Joel
Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen
The Three Fine Daughters Of Farmer Brown, Eddie From Ohio
Independence, Indiana, Eddie From Ohio
Still ... You Turn Me On, Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day, Jethro Tull
Hurt, Johnny Cash
Bedlam Boys, Michael Penn
White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane
Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon, Urge Overkill (fits this better than the Neil Diamond original)
Family Snapshot, Peter Gabriel
In the Air Tonight, Phil Collins
Come Sail Away, Styx
Baba O’Riley, The Who
Devil's Dance Floor, Flogging Molly
posted by kostia at 6:07 PM on February 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Muse - Knights of Cydonia (how am I the first to mention this one?)
posted by Deodand at 9:21 PM on February 9, 2013
posted by Deodand at 9:21 PM on February 9, 2013
The track you provided was really upbeat! Unfortunately all I can offer is some classical/symphonic music, haha...
Mars, Bringer of War (Gustav Holst)
War (Hans Zimmer, Pearl Harbor OST)
Hard to Starboard (James
Horner, Titanic OST) -- Epicness begins at 00:50. The first climax is not the most epic :D Oh the snares and anvils and basses!
Theme: Broken Arrow (Hans Zimmer, Broken Arrow OST) -- a very quiet section leading to a climax begins at 1:40 that but the whole thing is epic really
The Shadow of Golgotha (Wouter Lenaerts) -- You can start at 2:22
Saga Maligna (Bert Appermont) -- this one is long with multiple climaxes but the best climax (in my opinion) starts at 14:18. This piece is one of my favourites.
Romeo and Juliet: The Montagues and Capulets (Sergei Prokofiev)
Seconding
1812 Overture (Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky)
Bolero (Maurice Ravel)
I just listened to all those songs to vet them and am now excited as hell.
posted by rozaine at 6:23 AM on February 10, 2013
Mars, Bringer of War (Gustav Holst)
War (Hans Zimmer, Pearl Harbor OST)
Hard to Starboard (James
Horner, Titanic OST) -- Epicness begins at 00:50. The first climax is not the most epic :D Oh the snares and anvils and basses!
Theme: Broken Arrow (Hans Zimmer, Broken Arrow OST) -- a very quiet section leading to a climax begins at 1:40 that but the whole thing is epic really
The Shadow of Golgotha (Wouter Lenaerts) -- You can start at 2:22
Saga Maligna (Bert Appermont) -- this one is long with multiple climaxes but the best climax (in my opinion) starts at 14:18. This piece is one of my favourites.
Romeo and Juliet: The Montagues and Capulets (Sergei Prokofiev)
Seconding
1812 Overture (Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky)
Bolero (Maurice Ravel)
I just listened to all those songs to vet them and am now excited as hell.
posted by rozaine at 6:23 AM on February 10, 2013
Sigur Ros' Festival does this for me. I usually skip the first four minutes, but that part definitely sets the stage for the climax.
posted by benbenson at 6:28 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by benbenson at 6:28 AM on February 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E - Pulp (yes the stupid caps and periods are part of the title, I did not add those in)
seconding 'Storm' by GYBE
posted by par court at 1:39 PM on February 10, 2013
seconding 'Storm' by GYBE
posted by par court at 1:39 PM on February 10, 2013
Outro by M83 (also used to great effect in the Cloud Atlas extended trailer).
posted by jonnyploy at 9:36 AM on February 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jonnyploy at 9:36 AM on February 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sorry for coming in late, but if you're okay with non-electronic selections I strongly recommend the Hold Steady's beautiful and cathartic "First Night" (and second "Thunder Road" while I'm at it).
posted by honey wheat at 6:22 PM on February 23, 2013
posted by honey wheat at 6:22 PM on February 23, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by chronic sublime at 4:03 PM on February 8, 2013 [4 favorites]