Apparently it’s about a cult leader sort of idea. Black MIDI is really a group that challenges ideas of music and telling stories within it. Avant garde rock and they’re only in their early 20s. They just released a new song Welcome to hell. they have a new album coming out in July. It’ll be cool to hear your reaction to the new song
I got the cult leader feel listening to it too. Some parts of the lyrics, such as the one about being "your country" is reminiscent of cult leader sermons that I've seen online, and others are clearly narrating about a prophet-like figure, which is how many cults see their leaders, especially Christian cults.
You HAVE to check out the new single, “Welcome To Hell.” It’s got this math, but they managed to clean up the production a bit and make it catchy as hell. Absolutely banging track.
@@GreenToast01 yeah man. The production on John L is not nearly as polished as Hellfire🙄🤷🏻♂️. I love the John L DIY sound. But they’re vastly different.
I really appreciate the lack of editing, I find it way more appealing than the (admittedly much more common) videos where the natural space between thoughts is removed. A music reviewer named Professor Skye does this as well and his videos made me first realize how much I prefer this style.
I think both styles have their place. This style feels more natural, like a conversation, and there's certainly a charm to that. But the choppier "youtube" style has extra punch to it and better pacing. They both have their place though. For instance, I actually prefer the 'youtube' style for scripted long form content.
@@CriticalReactions dude. I was right there with you. I hadnt heard this one yet either, thats why I was loving it. It was almost like a mirror, I was also a little... befuddled. Hope you enjoyed it
Really fun track. Honestly, my first thought wasn't mathcore meets post-punk, but mathcore meets Primus! The dark humor with abrasive, metallic funk is very much a Primus thing, but this track does evolve into more mathy elements, especially rhythmically. I think the "post-punk" element came from the near-spoken-word vocal style? That element is a bit Talking Heads, but otherwise I don't hear much post-punk in the actual music. Anyway, it's definitely a cool track. Very off-the-wall and avant-garde, weird but extremely intriguing. Definitely a band I could see myself digging into in the future.
That's spot on actually. The odd ways that the instruments are used definitely feels like what little I've heard of Primus, but if they had access to a larger group of instruments.
People only say post-punk because their first album was experimental post-punk. Where is the punk in this?? This is prog rock, jazzy and cutting edge progressive rock.
WOW! You're such a fantastic analyser Bryan. Can't really get my head around how you manage to take in so much of a song at first listen to be able to dissect it the way you do! Love this song and the album it's from (Cavalcade) since it was presented at Critical Reactions Album Club last year.
It was certainly a lot to process and I can totally understand people not really knowing what to make of it. Very few songs will leave me speechless for almost a minute before my thoughts are in any sort of order to even being talking about what I heard. With that said, I'm more intrigued with Black Midi today than I was beforehand. Originally I just liked the sound of the jazzy punky combo but this has me interested in their capacity for palatable experimentation. I've added Cavalcade to my personal listen list because of this reaction.
I agree with you, I think this track is their more palatable track so far. Took me a while to get around with their other songs but now I’m completely in. Kinda reminds me of getting into death grips. Very excited for their upcoming album
Without the video, I would have struggled even more than I did to listen to this all the way through, I feel it was intended to have both the imagery and music experienced together! there was a hint of Negativeland about it (i like and get negativeland though).
Give it more listens. It's an odd sound and catchss everyone off guard. But it's admirable and genuinely impressive; the composition is insane. Catch something different every listen. Saludos.
@@justsomejusstsome8994 I just listened to a early live version of this song, and did enjoy its energy more live on stage. Other songs they played for me had a hint of punk to it.
It certainly is an aquired skill, but equally a matter of taste. Which is why you cant say "the best band of the land decade no question" imo. Personally its not my taste. Thats as far as i'll go for now, though it feels a bit pretentious to me. but what do i know lol
To answer your query, I definitely grooved with this, but I’m a big avant-garde music fan, so I may not be a good point of reference for how most listeners will take this sound in
50:50 With regards to this section of your analysis: I understand why you could find some confusion and dissonance between the lyrics and lack of musical resolution here. However, I don’t see the final verse as a “resolution” of any kind. The lyrics are alluding to the idea that yes, John L was removed from power (presumably because of his fascistic/nationalistic ideas), but that doesn’t really solve the greater issue: the cycle of violence that will always continue as long as a ruling class of any kind exists. John L left behind a power vacuum that seems to be snatched up by more power-hungry maniacs (“men who yearn for their own bloody glory”). The chaos of the music continues because this is just another step in the unending power struggle.
This was fantastic! I totally agree, it was hard for me to get into black midi the first time I listened to them, but after giving them more time, they're absolutely my favorite band right now. I'd really love to see you hear their new album Hellfire, I think they really refined their sound quite a bit.
i just recently got to see them live it was amazing it was the best show i've ever been too and have seen like 70 shows in my life . ps god dam your analysis is crazy was that your first time hearing it
Wow, cool music! I’d suggest to go further this direction and try to listen to ZU, it’s an Italian band composed of bass, drum, and sax; they collaborated with Mike Patton and one of their albums has been presented by Denny De Vito. The firsts albums where less rhythmic than the latest ones. Would be great if you review them!
I always felt John Fifty is specifically an allusion to an American president type figure and this is a dystopian story set in the near future - like the Fiftieth president we’re gonna eventually get to, if we get that far, and the fear of followers with their cult-like mentalities, and the violence that always follows. The musical breakdowns feel so much like a crowd fighting, people running around like chickens with their heads cut off, the movement of it always hits me so hard. Love it.
Yeah, the video really makes this song interesting if I digest it as a whole art piece. Just as a song to listen to on my headphones? Nah... I need some prettiness sometimes lol
Don't get this band at all and I love Crack Cloud and the first BCNR album. Grew up on Zappa. Big Beefheart fan. Love weird mathy stuff and atonality. Incredibly overhyped.
