Category: Analysis
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Unlock the Magic of Pop Hits: The I-V-vi-IV Chord Progression Explained
The I-V-vi-V progression, known as the Axis of Awesome, is sometimes critiqued for contributing to homogenization in music, as highlighted in comedic sketches like Axis of Awesome’s “Four Chord Song,” which mashes up dozens of hits using this exact progression. Yet, defenders argue its universality allows for creative variation—through rhythm, tempo, instrumentation, or extensions like…
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The Genius Behind Taylor Swift’s Songwriting: Secrets Revealed
Swift’s chord progressions, melodies, structures, harmony, rhythm, and production are rooted in pop conventions. The songstress’ songwriting success largely stems from her use of familiar chord progressions like I-V-vi-IV, which provide emotional resonance while allowing room for lyrical storytelling. Swift’s melodies are simple yet effective, often featuring stepwise motion or conjunct motion, which is when…
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Soaked In Bleach, Montage Of Heck Paint Varying Portraits Of Kurt Cobain
“The name Kurt Cobain has gone through my mind 3–400 times a day for 20 years…It gets a little old after awhile thinking Kurt Cobain, Kurt Cobain, Kurt Cobain.” — Tom Grant, private eye hired by Courtney Love to find Kurt Cobain before his death Two very different Kurt Cobain documentaries have come out in…
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Encinitas Blows
Rob Crow (Pinback/Thingy/Heavy Vegetable/Optiganally Yours) is one of the most admired and influential creative forces to have spent considerable time in Encinitas. A songwriter, guitar player, and leader of many San Diego based bands, he has long excelled as one of San Diego’s great creative forces. His national notoriety is testament to this. Whether it…
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Blur Conquers America…On Their Own Terms
Blur has a love-hate relationship with America. Throughout the nineties, no matter how hard they tried, they could not “break” America. With Blur reuniting this year to release a new album, they find themselves in a different pop culture environment than they once did. Today, perhaps breaking America is not what it used to mean.…
