Sound/Color (playlist #91)
The more I listen to music that captures my imagination the more I find myself connecting to works that paint a sonic landscape. Music as painting, sound(s) as color—more than simply a musical composition. Not so much a fixed place or a figurative work imbued with a strong sense of realism. It is about levels of abstraction—sometimes dissonant, yet universal. It’s hard to describe, actually. I will have to work on this idea more and expand on it perhaps another time. At any rate, many of this week’s tracks resonate in this way. It is not about burying or subjugating the melody with musical chaos. Not at all. Sometimes the simplest of melodies (hummable or whistleable tunes) can be so full of color, of other worldliness, and openness, that it transcends its surface simplicity altogether. Of course, where it goes, ultimately, is for all of us as listeners to explore and experience.