singemfrc 
Joined: 10 Aug 2007
Posts: 4407
Location: California
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 Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 2:30 am Post subject: 1/20 DLC: JW Francis and Steely Dan! |
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| Harmonix wrote: | Self-described on his YouTube channel as a bedroom recording artist who writes musical diaries about living with his best friend in New York City, JW Francis fashions warm, inviting music that is both instantly relatable and casually beguiling. Going Home To A Party starts off with a full-instrumentation bang (if bangs can be as chill as this tracks cozy ambiance) defined by gently chirping synth notes supported by understated and persistent bass, off-beat guitar comping, and driving drums that gradually intensify to incorporate a 16th-note hi-hat pattern leading up to the chorus and what a chorus! Catchy, yearning, and delivered with impact via Francis mellow, yet deceptively potent vocals. In fact, every musical component leading up to those memorable refrains increase in emotional heft much like the sensation of well, of preparing for and then actually going to an eagerly anticipated party! Of course, in this case the party awaits the songs narrator at home, which adds a note of deeply personal yearning to the whole proceeding. Going Home To A Party is a compact, well-defined composition that compellingly evokes mood and space in a subtle manner that speaks to Francis offhandedly confident skill-set as a writer. At around the three-minute mark everything abruptly fades away, save for a few final parting notes on an organ. At that point, odds are youll find yourself unwittingly scrolling back to the beginning to experience the entire enjoyable sonic journey once again. How can a song somehow be both nostalgic-sounding and forward-thinking? I sure cant tell you, but JW Francis has it figured out. Youll have fun playing (and re-playing) along to this chilled-out, charismatic masterwork!
Reelin In The Years by Steely Dan is a defining song that exemplifies the rogue genius of this highly idiosyncratic rock/jazz/whatever-they-feel-like-tackling (these guys had the chops to do pretty much anything they set their minds to) musical outfit. Originally released as the second single from 1972s Cant Buy a Thrill, the tracks boundless energy and effortless smoothness sent it to number 11 on the Hot 100 chart at the time, but its many strengths have made it an enduring staple that has had a far greater impact on the public consciousness in the decades since. Session ace Elliot Randalls distinctive, slippery guitar lead line starts things off before the entire band kicks in at around the 3-second mark and in many ways that guitar part is the defining element of Reelin In The Years, weaving around, over, and beneath Donald Fagens honky-tonk piano and expertly casual vocals, while Walter Beckers rock-solid bass work and drummer Jim Hodders jaunty beat create an infectiously bouncy shuffle groove. The chorus is everything a good refrain should be: memorable, impactful, insidiously appealing. But, seriously back to the guitar. At around 1:57 begins one of the single most iconic guitar solos in recorded rock and roll history. Rare is it that an instrumental component of such complexity is more notable than a songs chorus, but such is the case here. 15 seconds in, an overdubbed guitar harmonizes with the main line and youll think to yourself, Wow, this is pretty cool! but wait, theres more! At the 2:27 mark, the real solo a soaring, lyrical gem of staggering beauty begins in earnest and words cant do it justice. Theres a reason the guitar solo from Reelin In The Years is regularly included amongst the finest, most brilliant, and notable of all time. Additional six-string pyrotechnics (somehow even more proficient!) are to be found at the end of the song. Good luck playing along with this one, kids! |
Available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5:
(Most tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation systems approximately 3 days after listed date)
** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **
Note: As of this post, above tracks marked with  are available for the Xbox One/Xbox Series X and tracks marked with  are available for PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5; these tracks are not compatible with Playstation 3, Xbox 360, or Nintendo Wii.
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PSN: singemfrc
Twitch: singemfrcps |
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