Trophy Scars

Trophy Scars is a complicated band. While initially starting off with a straight-forward post-hardcore sound, Trophy Scars later began to branch off into multiple genres not commonly witness in their scene. With an eclectic range of influences that allow them to implement various styles into their own brand, Trophy Scars is a band that never seems to stop growing and is always impressive.

Initial Sound:

Darts to the Sea, Hospital Music for the Aesthetics of Language, Goodnight Alchemy 

 

As previously stated, Trophy Scars began as more of a post-hardcore act. Even then however, Trophy Scars was prepared to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. This can be seen in the groundwork that establishes the band in their later work and how it evolves in later albums. Trophy Scars lyricism is a clear distinction from other hardcore bands. Most of their lyrics are in the style of narratives, sometimes switching between first- and third-person point of views in between songs. (Even when telling personal stories about the band members themselves.) Trophy Scars songs often feel like stories about romance, tragedy and personal connections set to music. The music itself helps to amplify the effect that these stories have on the listener. Unlike other hardcore bands that focus on fast-paced riffs and drumming, Trophy Scars is willing to go to calmer paces to emphasize the more tragic elements of their songs. While they are not afraid to use breakdowns and other techniques commonly associated with hardcore bands, Trophy Scars uses them sparingly to increase the effect rather than move from riff to riff in a pointless spontaneous fashion. This both contrast and compliments vocalist Jerry Jones. Jones uses a particularly harsh scream that in enhances the anguish of their lyrics more than conventional vocals. He's often thought of as a detractor to the band by non-fans, but I consider him a vital part of the band's flow. Jones does a great way of combining the band's influences in his vocals alone. Though it may not be as apparent on their earlier material, later releases will see Jones as a key figure in their signature sound. Still, through out their career, Jones provides an effect that would be completely lost if Trophy Scars had any other vocalist.

Alphabet. Alphabets.

 In some ways, the release of their second-full length, Alphabet. Alphabets., saw a strange mix of what Trophy Scars was and what they would later develop into. Still keeping true to their post-hardcore roots, Trophy Scars consistently kept to their initial sound. However, it was the little nuances in each song that later established Trophy Scars as the post-hardcore band it is currently. Nearly every single song tries to deviate from post-hardcore norms by featuring unconventional styles. Artist. Artists. has a few progressive moments added, especially in the guitars. Assistants. Assistants. incorporates an well-timed group chant that is not only very catchy but helps convey the overall message of the song. Assassin. Assassin. even includes a hip-hop section that is so strange but works so well. Combined with hardcore songs like Yes. and No. with instrument and sample heavy songs like Alligator. Alligators., Trophy Scars saw a dramatic difference from their previous material with this release. While their later sound may be a bit odd, it is understandable given the development in this album.

Later Sound:

Bad Luck; Darkness, Oh Hell; Never Born, Never Dead 

A question I commonly ask myself when listening to newer Trophy Scars is just how to define them. Over the period between Alphabet. Alphabets. and Bad Luck, Trophy Scars expanded their horizons greatly to become a completely new band. Newer Trophy Scars contains heavy blues, jazz, and swing influence that still manage to include their hardcore past. This is just such a unique mix that I'm still kind of baffled by it to this day. In terms of experimentation, Trophy Scars has surpassed the standard set on Alphabet. Alphabets. The instruments are much diverse. The usual line-up is still there though, they've just drastically changed how they want they play. Guitars/drums are much more exciting with swing and jazz moments that completely set the mood for much more variation and 

surprise. Trophy Scars calm instrumentation is replaced with more bluesy riffs and drumming that I think helps transitions into different sections of their songs perfectly  Along with common instruments, trumpets and pianos are new norms in Trophy Scars repertoire. While this not only goes along with their new found jazz and swing sound, it goes great with their softer instrumental moments and especially the more bluesy moments. Jerry Jones also sees a change in his vocal styles. He keeps this traditional harshness but adds a bit of Tom Waits that is initially very polarizing, but grows into a great effect. Jones' soft vocals are also used more often and they are well done when used. The little nuances from Alphabet. Alphabets have no disappeared either. Many songs now

contain samples or unique instruments to further the songs. This creates my initial questions, just what are Trophy Scars right now? Are they a jazz band with hardcore influences? A hardcore band with jazz influences? Is it fair to just call them experimental? Experimental is such a vague term though, I don't think it fits them. No matter what genre they really fall under, they're a great band that means a lot to me. I think they as a band have grown significantly and deserve more recognition for their accomplishments and originality. They've gone a long way and they've accomplished most of their feats solely on their own. Trophy Scars is a very DIY band so they handle most of their booking and management on their own. Overall, they're a great band with even greater potential in the future. I cannot wait to hear what else they produce.

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane over the Sea

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane over the Sea

This album has perplexed me since I had first listened to it. Along with Sigur Rós, Neutral Milk Hotel was a band that I just did not get when I was younger. When I first listened to them in fact, I found their music boring and their singer obnoxious. To me, this was just some hipster band people listened to for the sake of sounding superior. I revisited this album recently, and I was surprised when I was actually enjoying what I was listening to. I was shocked because I still do not get what makes this album "work".

The music is still relatively simple. I can appreciate their singer, Jeff Mangum, now more than I did previously, but I still think there are better singers out there and that he can be very polarizing. Their lyrics are still cryptic and difficult to relate to. Despite all of this though, I'm still attracted to their music, more so every time I listen to this record.

Whenever I hear the opening track, "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1", part of me just wants to start singing along, though I don't know all of the lyrics yet. Listening to the entire album just gives off such a feeling of completeness. I don't know what adventure I went on, or what happened on it, but something great happened because I feel fantastic. 

Maybe I'll just realize it later. Maybe the album's greatness lies in its simplicity and I just don't see it yet. Maybe there is a more complex issue that I'm not getting, but this is a great album, even it does take some time to get used to it.

Oldies

One of my biggest gripes with some music listeners are music purists who only listen to one genre or one generation of music. Whether they're complaining that today's music is trash or yesterday's music is boring, all they're doing is denying themselves a chance to listen to something great. There is great music (and trash music) in every generation. 

I felt like I've been focusing too much on the music of my lifetime and thought it would be a breather to dedicate a small blog on some of the music my grandparents would enjoy.

Frank Sinatra

Sinatra easily ranks on my list of favorite singers. During his life, Sinatra was capable of great ranges and tones, making him an effective force in all of his songs. The songs themselves had a fantastic diversity. Though he stuck to the genres of swing and jazz, Sinatra's music can be smoothing, relaxing and relaxing depending on the song. Overall though, his music is very "feel-good" and always puts me in a brighter mood. It's easy to see why years after his death, Sinatra is still one of the largest figures of the swing generation and a symbol of American music.

Johnny Cash

"The Man in Black" is to this day a country superstar. Very few dedicated country listeners do not know of Cash. Johnny Cash had a very low, but powerful voice. The beginning of his career was highlighted by themes of romance, patriotism and outlaws with Cash's sense of style that would help define the genre. Towards the end of his life though, Cash's music became much more harrowing and mournful. However, this did not deteriorate Cash's optimism, even though he was clearly going through hard times, coping with multiple diseases and the death of his wife. Cash's later songs dealt with death, sorrow and loss but also the potential of rebirth.

90s Music

Being born in '93, I was not able to really appreciate the music of the decade of my birth. By the time I was seven, it was already the new millennium and an entire decade of music had passed me by. Granted, I still had heard those cheesy pop songs and some great hits by rock bands, but I did not get to truly experience and appreciate some of the albums that had been released in the previous decade until much later. When I finally revisited the 90s, it was odd how strangely nostalgic each album felt despite having never heard its entirety before. Perhaps it is not just the songs that make me feel nostalgic, it's the feel behind them that sends me back to my days as a child.

Weezer: It's probably the nerd in me that's so attached to this band, but Weezer really is great even though they produce really simple music. I think that Weezer's real strength was just their plain honesty about everything. Their debut self-titled and Pinkerton are so blunt that I can't help but love their music. Weezer wasn't out there to try to impress anyone, they just made music they loved about the actual (if not sometimes petty) issues in their lives.
Significant Albums: Weezer (Blue Album), Pinkerton

Third Eye Blind: One-hit wonders are common, but one-album wonders doesn't seem to be much of term commonly thrown around. It's a shame that Third Eye Blind kind of ended up being known for their self-titled. There was a brief moment in the 90s where I remember Third Eye Blind being huge, spawning multiple hit singles on their debut record and then simply fading into relative obscurity. For that time though, Third Eye Blind was good at what they did: making ridiculously catchy songs that get stuck in your head just thinking about them.
Significant Albums: Third Eye Blind

Nirvana: Likely one of the most defining bands of the decade, Nirvana is hard to ignore in any discussion of 90s music. Filled to the tip with teenage angst, it's easy to see why they had such an appeal to Generation X. Kurt Cobain's lyricism is a little strange in retrospect, often combining phrases that seem to have no apparent connection, but the music is very solid. Personally, I have loyalties to other grunge band though.
Significant Albums: Nevermind, In Utero

Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam took an unorthodox look at the grunge scene. Though still riddled with flannel and emotion, Pearl Jam took a more mature route than some of their contemporaries. While Nirvana was very simplistic about its lyrical subjects and music, Pearl Jam attempted to be more intricate. Their songs were often very introspective about personal conflicts with the self and with society. (Though, they did often just rock out for the sake of rocking out.) Eddie Vader's vocals are a powerful contributor to Pearl Jam's mature sound.
Significant Albums: Ten

Alice in Chains: My favorite grunge band. Alice in Chains were a heavy band while still maintaining their alternative rock sound. Alice in Chains were focused on inner conflict more than anything. Singer Layne Staley dealt with a lot of personal issues through his life and expressed his turmoil clearly through Alice in Chain's songs. Like Vader, Staley improved the band greatly by adding the perfect vocals to compliment the instruments. Overall, I've been impressed by every Alice in Chains release I've heard.
Significant Albums: Facelift, Dirt