Parsons Playlists: Riot Grrrl

Posted on March 23, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! To day we feature a collection of Riot Grrrl music curated by Music Library Associate Melanie.

Riot Grrrl

Riot grrrl began in the early 1990s as a DIY, feminist punk movement. Riot grrrl saw girls as a “revolutionary soul force” with the power to disrupt the status quo; rejecting social constructs of how women were supposed to look and behave; and zeroing in on personal and political discussions of sexism, sexuality, sexual violence, female empowerment, racism, ageism, homophobia, fat shaming, and able-bodiedism.

The riot grrrl movement allowed women their own space to create music and make political statements about the issues they were facing in the punk rock community and in society.

This playlist is inspired by the Music Library’s current exhibit: “Girls to the Front: The Riot Grrrl Revolution” which you should come to the library to take a look at should you have the time or inclination.
It features riot grrrl music from the 1990s(ish), and tracks by fellow travelers, antecedents and descendants.

Riot Grrrl

Bikini Kill – “Rebel Girl”

Sleater-Kinney – “Call The Doctor”

Bratmobile – “Cool Schmool”

Excuse 17 – “Watchmaker”

7 Year Bitch – “Dead Men Don’t Rape”

The Runaways – “Cherry Bomb”

Screaming Females – “Glass House”

Bikini Kill – “Double Dare Ya”

Sleater-Kinney – “Be Yr Mama”

Tribe 8 – “Neanderthal Dyke”

Babes In Toyland – “Sweet ’69”

Le Tigre – “Hot Topic”

Slant 6 – “Poison Arrows Shot At Heroes”

Mary Lou Lord – “Some Jingle Jangle Morning”

Emily’s Sassy Lime – “Mr. Moneybag$”

Autoclave – “Go Far”

Bratmobile – “Bitch Theme”

X-Ray Spex – “Art-I-Ficial”

Babes In Toyland – “He’s My Thing”

Lunachicks – “Bad Ass Bitch”

riot covers

PJ Harvey – “50ft Queenie”

Gossip – “Where The Girls Are”

Heavens To Betsy – “Me & Her”

Team Dresch – “Uncle Phranc”

Bratmobile – “Gimme Brains”

Sleater-Kinney – “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone”

Bikini Kill – “Suck My Left One”

Sleater-Kinney – “Dig Me Out”

Bacchae – “Read”

Wet Leg – “Wet Dream”

Riot Grrrl Sessions – “I Eat Boys Like You For Breakfast”

Maya Jupiter – “Never Said Yes”

Lady Parts – “Bashir With The Good Beard”

The Linda Lindas – “Racist Sexist Boy”

Honeyblood – “You’re Standing On My Neck”

Tacocat – “Men Explain Things To Me”

BABYMETAL – “Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!”

Kate Nash – “Fri-End?”

7 Year Bitch – “Kiss My Ass Goodbye”

The Linda Lindas – “Oh!”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezIt5ZNJHN15UP-GdKW3huz

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Hadestown

Posted on March 22, 2023 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Nicole (class of 2024) and features the musical Hadestown. Thanks, Nicole!

Hadestown
Music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell

Have you heard of the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice?

It is an ancient Greek legend about the story of two lovers that ends up with them being separated by the Underworld for eternity. Singer and songwriter Anaïs Mitchell released her fourth album inspired by this famous tale, with a twist, back in 2006. It has been advertised as a “folk opera” which eventually became a stage production in 2019.

Hadestown tells the story of two lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, trying to get through times of economic hardship. Unlike the original tale which highlights the location of the Greek Underworld, the stage production depicts a hellish industrial version of it. Orpheus reassures Eurydice that by composing songs he will find a solution to all their problems (“Wedding Song”). Other characters in the story are Hades, the ruler of a town where citizens are exploited for their labor, and Persephone, the beautiful and kind wife of the tyrant that rules Hadestown.

When Eurydice, unsure about Orpheus’ ability to provide for them, gets convinced by Hades to seek a better life in Hadestown, Orpheus sets on a journey to find her, which becomes the premise of the musical.

This successful musical, written by Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, was a winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Hadestown was the first musical I ever saw live when it began being performed in 2019. Not only does the story provide an original twist on a great classical tale, but also, the composition of the songs make this a stellar performance. The cast featuring Eva Noblezada and André De Shields have provided high quality performances for the last couple of years which help make this musical even more worth giving it a listen.

You can check out the piano/vocal selections score of songs from Hadestown at the Music Library!

Arachnophonia: Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

Posted on March 20, 2023 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Wonyoung (class of 2024) and features Mozart’s opera Le Nozze di Figaro. Thanks, Wonyoung!

Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The Marriage of Figaro cover to full score

Most people in the 21st century have forgotten the appeal of classical music. One of these includes operas and arias. A majority of people will have a general idea of Mozart but when asked to identify some of his works, they will only be able to associate him with only pieces that are played by just an orchestra. However, one of Mozart’s most well known works is Le nozze di Figaro.

Le nozze di Figaro is an opera that Mozart composed in 1786. It is rich in storyline with themes such as romance and revenge and as well as humor throughout to keep the audience engaged. With some of the most well known arias for opera singers being from Le nozze di Figaro, it is an opera that is worth looking into.

Opera may seem very dry at first but in reality it is just a play but rather than the dialogue being spoken, it is sung. Le nozze di Figaro is very special to me because it was the first opera I got to see live, but not only that it was performed by my voice teacher in South Korea to whom I credit everything I know how to do today. And so I would like to recommend Le nozze di Figaro from our Music library.

Parsons Playlists: Early on the Other Side of the World

Posted on March 17, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features some Russian songs from the 2000s-2010s.

Early on the Other Side of the World

This playlist includes Russian songs from the early 2000s, and some from 2010s. I myself am not Russian, but these songs were commonly heard on TV growing up in Georgia, very early in my childhood.

moscow-kremlin-sunny-winter-morning-moscow-winter-moscow-kremlin-sunny-winter-morning-moscow-winter-112262112

t.A.T.u. – “Nas Ne Dagoniat (They Won’t Catch Up)”

Yuriy Shatunov – “Белые розы (White Roses)”

Seryoga – “Черный Бумер (Black BMW)”

Aidamir Mugu – “Chorniye Glaza (Black Eyes)”

Grigory Leps & Ani Lorak – “Zerkala (Mirrors)”

Timati feat. Grigory Leps – “Лондон (London)”

Grigory Leps & Irina Allegrova – “Я тебе не верюp (I Don’t Believe You)”

Grigory Leps – “Я ТЕБЯ НЕ ЛЮБЛЮ (I Don’t Love You)”

Grigory Leps – “Самый лучший день (The Best Day)”

Animals – “До скорой встречи (See You Soon)”

Brigade – “Моя игра (My game)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zexp0mUcjLZCaEptvdNZXapC

Parsons Playlists: Indie Bookstore

Posted on March 15, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Christine (class of 2025) and features music you might encounter in an indie bookstore.

Indie Bookstore

This collection of songs makes me want to get lost in a bookstore and read for hours on end, probably with a cup of coffee and (hopefully?) petting the resident cat.

Bookstore shelves

The Paper Kites – “Renegade”

Radiohead – “High and Dry”

Soccer Mommy – “circle the drain”

Clairo – “Amoeba”

Charlie Burg – Bookstore Girl

Coldplay – “Don’t Panic”

Honeywater – “7 Hours Ago”

Phoebe Bridgers – “Kyoto”

Brandi Carlile (feat. Lucius) – “You and Me On the Rock”

Young the Giant – “Cough Syrup”

The Weepies – “World Spins Madly On”

The Paper Kites – “Woke Up From a Dream”

River Whyless – “Motel 6”

Coldplay – “Shiver”

The Weepies – “Gotta Have You”

Goo Goo Dolls – “Black Balloon”

Foo Fighters – “Ain’t It The Life”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zewuy3QJJ8c0jGnuH9IaTyih

Arachnophonia: Music as Biology

Posted on March 13, 2023 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features a book about the connections between music and biology. Thanks, Esther!

Music As Biology: The Tones We Like and Why by Dale Purves

Music As Biology: The Tones We Like and Why by Dale Purves

The innate attraction we have towards music as humans have always fascinated me. Nicknamed the “universal language,” music seems to be so deeply embedded into society. The way it evokes certain emotions within us feels like a concept too abstract to be explained. Why do we enjoy certain combinations of tones over others? How does music remain the same or change over time and cultures? Why do different scales induce different emotions? Music as Biology by Dale Purves was an interesting read that helped me formulate concrete ideas about some of these questions through a biological perspective. 

Dale Purves is a highly accomplished neuroscientist who is currently a professor at Duke University. His lab studies the neurobiological underpinnings of our perception to different stimuli, including sound.  Dr. Purves takes an empirical approach to music, incorporating data and research from biology to support his arguments on how we react to music. He provides additional links to more information on certain questions throughout the book if you were interested in further research as well. Overlapping music theory and biology offered a refreshing insight into how we perceive music. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in music or science!

Parsons Playlists: Spring-Themed Classical Music That Isn’t Vivaldi

Posted on March 3, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features spring-themed classical music.

Spring-Themed Classical Music That Isn’t Vivaldi

When many think of spring, Vivaldi’s Spring movement of his Four Seasons violin concerto is often what comes to mind. However, there is a plethora of spring-themed compositions from other artists across music eras, including Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.”

Spring anime background art

Ludwig van Beethoven – Violin Sonata No. 1 Spring Movement (Itzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazy)

Igor Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring, Pt. 1: Adoration of the Earth (Teodor Currentzis, musicAeterna)

Edvard Grieg – Lyric Pieces, Op. 43, No. 6 “To Spring” (Lang Lang)

Christian Sinding – Frühlingsrauschen (Rustle of Spring) for Piano, Op. 32, No. 3 (Dubravka Tomšič)

Claude Debussy – Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (Orchestra National de Lyon)

Camille Saint-Saëns – The Swan, Carnival of the Animals (Yo Yo Ma, Kathryn Slott)

Florence Beatrice Price – Juba Dance from Symphony No. 1 (Akiko Fujimoto, Minnesota Orchestra)

Alexander Borodin: Quartet No. 2 in D major for Strings, I. Allegro moderato (Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center)

Bedřich Smetana – The Moldau (Polish National Radio Symphony)

Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring – 1945 Suite – 1. Very slowly (LA Philharmonic)

Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring – 1943 Suite – 7. Doppio movimento (New York Philharmonic)

Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring – 1945 Suite – 2. Allegro (LA Philharmonic)

Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring – 1945 Suite – 8. Moderato: Coda (LA Philharmonic)

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizSgHRRbEo&list=PLSwAwMtTLDwitnvD5pQ8hTur4eSlqiamO

Parsons Playlists: I Must Be Dreaming

Posted on March 1, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Danny (class of 2023) and is called “I Must Be Dreaming.”

I Must Be Dreaming

clouds

The Technicolors – “Neon Roses”

Aidan Bissett – “All That I’m Craving”

CODY JON – “Becky’s Plan”

Joshua Bassett – “Set Me Free”

Harry Styles – “Love Of My Life”

Dan + Shay – “Speechless”

Boy Pablo – “Be Mine”

Wasia Project – “Impossible”

Mt. Desolation – “Valentine”

Broadside – “Friday I’m In Love”

Warren Hue – “Boy of the Year”

The Lemon Twigs – “I Wanna Prove to You”

Justin Anda – “ROSÉ”

Couch – “Poems”

Stephen Sanchez – “Evangeline”

The Japanese House – “Saw You In A Dream”

Vulfpeck – “Love Is A Beautiful Thing”

Clinton Kane – “I Guess I’m In Love”

Bruno Mars – “Calling All My Lovelies”

Office Hours – “Sunday”

Surfaces – “Keep It Gold”

The Killers – “Joy Ride”

khai dreams – “Sunkissed”

Various Cruelties – “If It Wasn’t For You”

Pink Sweat$ – “I Feel Good”

Jacob Sigman – “Think About You”

Laundry Day – “Jane”

Coin – “I Think I Met You In A Dream”

Peach Tree Rascals – “Mariposa”

Noah Kahan – “She Calls Me Back”

The Paper Kites – “Steal My Heart Away”

Joji – “Die For You”

Reality Club – “A Sorrowful Reunion”

Frank Ocean – “Godspeed”

The Strokes – “Last Nite”

Luke Hemmings – “Saigon”

The Struts – “Only Just A Call Away”

Lorde – “Green Light”

Brandon Flowers – “Dreams Come True”

Kanye West – “Ghost Town”

The 1975 – “This Must Be My Dream”

Matt Maltese – “Jupiter”

candid! – “Sarah”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewmHnbgYKnibK0D3W6xW-Ig

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Drawn to Sound

Posted on February 27, 2023 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Isaac (class of 2025) and features a collection of essays about music in animated films. Thanks, Isaac!

Drawn to Sound: Animation Film Music and Sonicity edited by Rebecca Coyle

Drawn To Sound book cover

Animation as a medium is something that has always intrigued me. Inherently having limits differing from traditional film, animation’s visual spectacle sees itself as a source of disagreement. On one end, you have supporters celebrating the composition of the visuals, but on the other, critics viewing it as a commodification of drawing, reserved for children. Regardless of viewpoint, however, is the music in works of animation. Masters of animation music use the medium in conjunction with what is on the screen for an expressive statement.

This book piques my interest for its breakdown of the works of these very artists, auteurs like Hisaishi have created works so fitting they have become indelible from what is on the screen. Sublimity is unequivocally achieved because of these scores, I often reflect most heavily on the sounds I heard from an animated feature, extending beyond even the most dogmatic of views on what a film “should be”. Editor Rebecca Coyle’s shared admiration for the often-ignored musical elements of these songs is something I was delighted to discover, as the focus of animated films are naturally on the animation itself. But this doesn’t mean music in animation should be marginalized, making this book all the more interesting as it is devoted to animation music. Stylistically, music drive themes in film more subtly than dialogue or visuals–– saturating the viewer in a soundscape is a pivotal role–– and throughout my life, recognizing the importance for these composers made any film an enriching watching (and listening) experience.

Parsons Playlists: Movie Music

Posted on February 24, 2023 by marmstr3

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Naron (class of 2023) and features music from assorted movie soundtracks.

Movie Music

Some movie soundtracks have left a deep impression on me with their impressive music. The music in movies is usually carefully crafted by artists to match the main theme. The music often sounds even more powerful, carrying the memory of the story in the movie. Here is a short list of music from popular movies that left an impression on me:

movie music