Songs that keep building until they almost explode
November 21, 2011 10:48 AM Subscribe
Looking for a few examples of popular music that builds and builds and builds, without letting you down. I should be able to give several examples, but the only one I could think of is Fleetwood Mac's Silver Springs from 1997's The Dance. (Wish I could think of better examples, but that's the reason for this question)
Most other songs I know have a short step ladder effect that has minimal payoff. I'm looking for songs that keep building until they almost explode. I would prefer more popular music (pop, adult contemporary, rock, etc) but wouldn't mind some indy stuff too.
Anything by Sigur Ros.
posted by chocolatepeanutbuttercup at 10:56 AM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by chocolatepeanutbuttercup at 10:56 AM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Here you go. I knew I had answered something like this before.
posted by MexicanYenta at 10:57 AM on November 21, 2011
posted by MexicanYenta at 10:57 AM on November 21, 2011
"Without You" by Harry Nilsson
"In the Lap of the Gods (Revisited)" by Queen
posted by Oriole Adams at 11:00 AM on November 21, 2011
"In the Lap of the Gods (Revisited)" by Queen
posted by Oriole Adams at 11:00 AM on November 21, 2011
Under Pressure - Queen & Bowie
Alphabet Aerobics - Blackalicious
posted by mhum at 11:00 AM on November 21, 2011
Alphabet Aerobics - Blackalicious
posted by mhum at 11:00 AM on November 21, 2011
I am Legend - White Zombie
For added effect, start to slowly crank up the volume around 1:30.
posted by EKStickland at 11:02 AM on November 21, 2011
For added effect, start to slowly crank up the volume around 1:30.
posted by EKStickland at 11:02 AM on November 21, 2011
Here's a list of algorithmically discovered possibilities.
posted by stuart_s at 11:17 AM on November 21, 2011
posted by stuart_s at 11:17 AM on November 21, 2011
Response by poster: I should clarify. Its not just a crescendo, its about building layers musically. Not just getting loud. Think about it as building emotion musically.
posted by unceman at 11:45 AM on November 21, 2011
posted by unceman at 11:45 AM on November 21, 2011
Best answer: Once again the definitive answer to this is "Heroes" by David Bowie. Just to mix it up that's the version from the Concert for NYC back in 2001. Full length original is here.
posted by merocet at 11:55 AM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by merocet at 11:55 AM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Just, Radiohead. It builds in steps, but man, it builds.
posted by Decani at 11:56 AM on November 21, 2011
posted by Decani at 11:56 AM on November 21, 2011
Best answer: This Waterboys song A Life of Sundays does a great job of what you're asking too. Subtle buildup of layers? Check. Emotion? Yup, plenty.
posted by merocet at 11:58 AM on November 21, 2011
posted by merocet at 11:58 AM on November 21, 2011
Slightly comedic yet totally based in reality suggestion - the entire works of Mogwai and God! Speed!?! You! Black????? Emperor$!
posted by Decani at 12:06 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by Decani at 12:06 PM on November 21, 2011
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Stagger Lee. (Very NSFW indeed)
posted by Decani at 12:09 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by Decani at 12:09 PM on November 21, 2011
Almost anything by Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
posted by jbickers at 12:10 PM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jbickers at 12:10 PM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, jbickers, I beat you to it. Anyway, I bloody love this Askme. Another!
David Bowie - Sweet Thing - Candidate - Sweet thing (Reprise) Another "stepped" one, but it still fits, kinda. It does for me, anyway.
posted by Decani at 12:19 PM on November 21, 2011
David Bowie - Sweet Thing - Candidate - Sweet thing (Reprise) Another "stepped" one, but it still fits, kinda. It does for me, anyway.
posted by Decani at 12:19 PM on November 21, 2011
Ta Deem, by Asian Dub Foundation (and a lot of NFAKahn etc)
and
Sinnerman by Nina Simon
posted by runincircles at 12:21 PM on November 21, 2011
and
Sinnerman by Nina Simon
posted by runincircles at 12:21 PM on November 21, 2011
Best answer: Calexico - All Systems Red
Tortoise - High Class Slim Came Floatin' In
posted by mannequito at 12:21 PM on November 21, 2011
Tortoise - High Class Slim Came Floatin' In
posted by mannequito at 12:21 PM on November 21, 2011
I think this song perfectly answers your request. A number of Roy Orbison songs are built that way, it seems - builds builds builds to crescendo and then it's over.
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
posted by annekenstein at 12:26 PM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
posted by annekenstein at 12:26 PM on November 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
How about Bishop Allen - Flight 180. Actually I bet a lot of, what do they call it, baroque indie music has this going on. Polyphonic Spree?
I also like Flobots - Handlebars (with the bonus of a great video).
posted by Honorable John at 12:39 PM on November 21, 2011
I also like Flobots - Handlebars (with the bonus of a great video).
posted by Honorable John at 12:39 PM on November 21, 2011
Suppers Ready by Genesis.
Musical themes run throughout even though the song is broken into several sections.
posted by Gungho at 12:46 PM on November 21, 2011
Musical themes run throughout even though the song is broken into several sections.
posted by Gungho at 12:46 PM on November 21, 2011
Not exactly pop, but Bolero is the textbook case of this.
posted by Daily Alice at 12:49 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by Daily Alice at 12:49 PM on November 21, 2011
Hold Steady's First Night has a layered crescendo toward the end. Starts with piano, adds violin, adds background singer, adds front singer, guitar, and volume whereupon it almost explodes.
The mid-song stringed/howling cacophony of Blind Melon's St. Andrews Fall might fit, too.
@stuart_s: that's pretty cool!
posted by jander03 at 1:57 PM on November 21, 2011
The mid-song stringed/howling cacophony of Blind Melon's St. Andrews Fall might fit, too.
@stuart_s: that's pretty cool!
posted by jander03 at 1:57 PM on November 21, 2011
Personally, I think builds nicely. Also "Gentlemen (Go to Sleep)" by Far-Less builds pretty good.
posted by tacodave at 1:58 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by tacodave at 1:58 PM on November 21, 2011
Well. I hit post instead of preview and my links are messed up. But they both work, ftr.
posted by tacodave at 1:58 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by tacodave at 1:58 PM on November 21, 2011
Waylon Jennings - Honky Tonk Heroes
posted by megatherium at 2:13 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by megatherium at 2:13 PM on November 21, 2011
Best answer: Tool. Preferably Ænima, but most of the albums have a few. Builds and drops off, builds more and drops off, builds to an amazing climax and dénouement.
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 2:20 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 2:20 PM on November 21, 2011
Try Diabolus by The Cinematic Orchestra.
Bonus: real horns!
posted by bricksNmortar at 2:32 PM on November 21, 2011
Bonus: real horns!
posted by bricksNmortar at 2:32 PM on November 21, 2011
Mike Oldfield's The Bell (feat. Alan Rickman). Actually, most Mike Oldfield stuff for that matter.
Plastic Fantastic Machine's There Must Be An Angel (covering Eurythmics. Give it the time it requires)
posted by holterbarbour at 4:30 PM on November 21, 2011
Plastic Fantastic Machine's There Must Be An Angel (covering Eurythmics. Give it the time it requires)
posted by holterbarbour at 4:30 PM on November 21, 2011
Now that I'm on a real PC instead of my phone and can do this much more easily:
GIANT
posted by Merzbau at 6:43 PM on November 21, 2011
GIANT
posted by Merzbau at 6:43 PM on November 21, 2011
Nine Inch Nails- Dead Souls -The Crow Soundtrack
posted by plumberonkarst at 10:50 PM on November 21, 2011
posted by plumberonkarst at 10:50 PM on November 21, 2011
The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight
posted by jonnyploy at 1:15 PM on November 22, 2011
posted by jonnyploy at 1:15 PM on November 22, 2011
Its not just a crescendo, its about building layers musically.
Trance music does this.
For example: Bt vs PVD - Flaming June
I could give you thousands of examples if that's your think, or you could look up Paul Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk essential mixes on soundcloud for hours of the stuff.
posted by empath at 1:16 PM on November 22, 2011
Trance music does this.
For example: Bt vs PVD - Flaming June
I could give you thousands of examples if that's your think, or you could look up Paul Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk essential mixes on soundcloud for hours of the stuff.
posted by empath at 1:16 PM on November 22, 2011
Suspicious Minds
Long version of Isaac Hayes, Walk on By. I can't fund the complete 30 minute version buut the shorter cut pretty much keeps building and building and building.
posted by Che boludo! at 1:28 PM on November 22, 2011
Long version of Isaac Hayes, Walk on By. I can't fund the complete 30 minute version buut the shorter cut pretty much keeps building and building and building.
posted by Che boludo! at 1:28 PM on November 22, 2011
Nobody Does it Better - Radiohead, and I suppose the Carly Simon original too.
posted by Che boludo! at 1:30 PM on November 22, 2011
posted by Che boludo! at 1:30 PM on November 22, 2011
Pulp - Common People
Weezer - Undone (The Sweater Song)
Flobots - Handlebars
posted by jonnyploy at 2:05 PM on November 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Weezer - Undone (The Sweater Song)
Flobots - Handlebars
posted by jonnyploy at 2:05 PM on November 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Kanye West - Lost in the World. Here is a review.
posted by acridrabbit at 7:47 PM on November 22, 2011
posted by acridrabbit at 7:47 PM on November 22, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
(This has been asked before, btw, but I don't remember any key words to search)
posted by MexicanYenta at 10:52 AM on November 21, 2011