You have just landed a new job as a music reporter for Rolling Stone magazine. You have been asked to write a cover story on the most important band or musical artist of the year or of the times. You pick. The editor has left that up to you. What the editor has not left up to you is this:
You need to post a You Tube clip or a recording to your blog so that we can hear the song you will explicate in your review. You must post your final review to your blog.
You must do research on the artist or band you select. Surf the internet or go to the public library to see what you can find. You may try the NPR website or other musical websites like Rolling Stone, Magnet, or Vibe magazine.
You must consider who influenced your band or artist. Do they sound reminiscent of anyone you have heard before, or do they sound like a collection of folks you have heard before?
You must consider your artist or a band as a potential influence for other artists. Whom have they inspired?
What genre of music might one classify your band under? Does your selected band or artist defy classification or embrace it? Does he or she, do they, crossover into more than one genre? Is there a reason for this. Whate elements of the genre are typical in this particular artist's work?
In general, what are some of the overall messages your band wants to put out there to the public? You will need evidence for this. Some of the evidence will come from the close explication of one of the band's songs which you will thread through this piece. You may also find info in any interviews you can track down during the research portion of this piece. Some song writers are totally fixated on ignoring messages all together. Is your band or artist like this? Bob Dylan claims that he certainly is..or was....
Finally, regardless of what the lyrics say and the message the band says it wants to communicate, what do you think is ultimately communicated to the public via the artist's work? Oftentimes many people get known for one thing when they desperately want to be known for another. Is any of this happening with this particular artist or band?
Postivie or Negative or thoughtful contribution? Many artists believe that messages and morality are the sole purpose of art. Others believe art is made to question standards and assumed morality. Is your artist dangerous? Is your artist the happy bandaid rainbow the world desperately needs as a cure? Explain.
This paper should be written in first person with a voice. Avoid passive voice. Vary your syntax and sentence beginnings in general. Bowlderize your lyrics if necessary with &*%$#! if need be, for I want us to publish these things right here please. E-mail me with any questions, or ask questions in class. I want us to get this right this time.
P.S. This post is going to be edited as I read over it and find things that may be more clearer stated. So if you see problems or have concerns, please let me know. Thanks! Ms. Elmeer
P.S. I'm leaving you with some musical information. Please post your musical essay to your blog no later than November November 24th, 2008.
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