Words by Reid

  Ori and the Blind Forest - Music and the Fictive Dream      Ori and the Blind Forest  is an enchanting video game crafted by Moon Studios. Released in 2015,  Ori and the Blind Forest  follows the journey of Ori, a guardian spirit, through the mystical and awe-inspiring Blind Forest. From the beginning, the game captivates players with its enchanting atmosphere, mesmerizing narrative, and beautiful music.      Moon Studios is an independent game development company established in 2010. A diverse group of international artists and designers created this masterpiece. Drawing inspiration from classic animated films, the game boasts a beautiful musical score that perfectly complements its captivating visuals.  Ori and the Blind Forest  blends art, storytelling, and gameplay, showcasing Moon Studios' deep commitment to creating an emotionally moving experience. Unsurprisingly, it has become a landmark achievement in indie gaming, ...

 The Blue Man Group - Role of the Performer      The Blue Man Group is fantastic! They are a performance art company that's unique, innovative, and known for their incredible blend of music, comedy, and multimedia elements. What's fascinating is that their musical journey is just as interesting as their live shows.       It all started in the late 1980s in New York City when friends Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton decided to create a performance art project. They aimed to explore the intersection of art, music, and technology in a way that engaged and entertained audiences. Thus, the iconic blue-skinned characters were born, who used to communicate through expressive movements and drumming. Music has always been an integral part of their performances, and they used a variety of unconventional instruments and objects to create a distinctive and rhythmic sound.      As their popularity skyrocketed, their musical exploration...

Lithuania - A Musical Trip      When thinking about topics for this assignment, I wanted to choose a topic I could "relate" to. When considering my genealogy, my Lithuanian roots brought our family to the United States. So, I decided on Lithuanian music...      Lithuanian music differs from mainstream music's timbre, harmony, texture, rhythms, and vocal traditions. These differences are closely linked to the social and cultural context in which the music originated and is still performed. Lithuanian music is a reflection of Lithuanian identity and heritage, highlighting a connection to the country's traditions and history, which distinguishes it from the more commercial and diverse landscape of mainstream music.      Old Lithuanian music is characterized by its unique timbre. This is due to the traditional instruments used in the music, such as the kanklės (a type of zither), duduk, birbynė (a kind of flute), and other folk instruments. These...

  The Evolution of Auto-Tune      Andy Hildebrand, a software developer with a background in signal processing, developed Auto-Tune in 1997. Having worked for ExxonMobil for several years, he saw an opportunity to use his skills to create software that could analyze seismic data to help find underground oil deposits. He made a tool to detect data inconsistencies, indicating oil's presence.      To achieve this, Hildebrand used pitch shifting, which involves altering the pitch of an audio signal without changing the tempo. By applying this technique to seismic data, he was able to identify and correct inconsistencies in the readings, making it easier to identify areas with high potential for oil deposits.      While working on this software, Hildebrand realized that the same technology could be adapted for music applications. He observed that pitch correction was a common problem in the music industry, and many musicians needed help to ac...

 " Coyote " - A Musical Analysis Click Here      Coyote  by Stop Light Observations is a beautiful song blending rock, folk, and indie elements. The song was released in the US in 2007 as one of three songs in Stop Light Observation’s Volume I.  Coyote was written by John Keith Culbreth. Instrumentation: Coyote  features various instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, drums, bass, and percussion. The arrangement starts with a simple, gorgeous piano melody, gradually intensifying. As the song progresses, it builds on its layers of instrumentation, which is when we hear William Blackburn.   Vocals: The vocals in Coyote  are outstanding. The lead singer, William Blackburn, has a distinctive voice that exudes a raspy and raw tone, which adds emotional depth to the song. The vocals are expressive, and the singer's delivery matches the song's narrative and lyrics, conveying a sense of yearning and adventure. Rhythmic Elements: Th...

“The Office Theme Song” — A Musical Analysis         The Office is undoubtedly one of the greatest shows of all time. Love it or hate it, the amount of hours committed to watching this show is outstanding. I may seem pretty biased throughout this analysis, but that is because I am… I absolutely love The Office .  "The show’s theme manages to do the same in music... [Encompass the entirety of one of the greatest TV shows.]” — Soundfly “Capture[s] the fans' attention from the very beginning…” — Screenrant “ The Office's theme song just hits different.” — Buzzfeed The Office Theme Song — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyIVAm9PVrI When you begin to watch The Office , you encounter a dull atmosphere with bored-looking workers trying to make it through the day in Scranton, Pennsylvania. To fall in love with the show, you must get through the boredom of working for Dunder Mifflin, a Paper Company. That’s when it happens: you’re hit in the face with the show'...