Blog Entry - Song Writing (album influences)

Regarding song writing the album Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder, is based on a greater narrative 'It documents in mythical style the disappeared Los Angeles neighborhood of Chavez Ravine, a Mexican-American district that fought over by real etate developers, urban planning activists and city government'. This is an effective way to engage the listener as it is not audience-specific (anyone could find this interesting and enlightening). It gives the audience a taste of a different world, a different culture - taking real events that effected real people and telling the story through music, the listener does not have to relate to the story - just be informed and engaged in it.

A different approach would be that of Laura Marling's album I Cannot Swim, where the theme surrounds love, heartbreak and emotional attachment. With use of metaphors 'Crawled out of the sea, straight into my arms' - adding poetry and evoking more of an emotional response to the audience.
However - on a business level this will limit the audience, as heavily emotional songs are listener specific.

Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend is an example of a more experimental style
' they trade in Contra's (previous album) bright eclecticism for a less audacious production style and smaller instrumental palette: guitar, organ, help harpsichord' using uncommon/unusual instruments to write music can help open up the target audience - and create interesting memorable songs, that have a strong unique selling point.


Jurek, T. (no date) Chavez Ravine - Ry Cooder | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. Available at: http://www.allmusic.com/album/chavez-ravine-mw0000208854 (Accessed: 29 May 2015)

Phares, H. (no date) Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. Available at: http://www.allmusic.com/album/modern-vampires-of-the-city-mw0002489977 (Accessed: 30 May 2015)