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| Carnaby Street, London (1960s) |
I like to pretend I live in the 60s and 70s. I am so in love with 60s fashion, 70s fashion, music, LPs, and how people really expressed themselves with music and fashion. It was like an awakening because everyone was themselves, and going beyond boundaries. In the 1950s fashion was very elegant and adult-like, but in the 1960s, clothing became more... youthful. Fashion designer Mary Quant, the inventor of hot pants, and mini skirts, made a line of clothing that was youthful (often seen as vulgar!), and a fresh look for the decade. Fashion was cheap, fun, and had exiting clothes for ordinary young people. Besides fashion, the 60s and 70s changed music history as well! They didn't own a computer, or technology we use today, so everything had to be done manually. Everyone was creative and talented and musicians would sound just as good live. It seems like we've lost that in the 21st century, because of computers and television. I'm not saying I think all modern music is bad, my opinion is that the artists on the radio aren't as talented, motivated, and creative as artists from back then. Many of them are trying to "fit in" by looking like everybody else, and having the same style of music as them. It's a shame, really, but luckily there are modern bands (sadly they do not recieve as much credit as they deserve) who are very, very talented. Bands such as
The Horrors, who have been influenced by 90s shoegaze, feedback, psychedelic rock, and garage rock. Each of their three albums have a completely different atmosphere. Their first album, "Strange House"was dark, used feedback, the rhythm was at a fast tempo, and it was garage rock. Their second album "Primary Colours" released in 2009, took a different turn. Primary Colours is dark, slower tempo, and is shoegaze. "Skying" released in 2011, gives me a feeling of the sun coming up. Very dreamlike, feels like you're walking on the beach, Faris Badwan's soft, echoing vocals guide you on your path, glittering sythesizers and echoing/distorted guitars, what's not to love? Wow, such a beautiful album! I can't wait for the release of their fourth album later this year! Another band that I absolutely LOVE is
Tame Impala. You might have not heard of them, but they are an Australian psychedelic rock band, from Perth, Australia. Their music is psych-groove and reminiscent of the 70s. Kevin Parker (lead singer and guitarist), has a voice similar to John Lennon! Their self titled EP were songs written and recorded by Kevin Parker in the early 2000s, and were never intended to be released to the public! He says that he would burn the song on a CD, and give them to friends, or listen to them in the car. Tame Impala's second album "Innerspeaker" consists of dreamy, echoing vocals, fuzz guitars, and steady drum beats. It's a psychedelic paradise. Their third album "Lonerism"has more groove, synthesizers and is an album I recommend. I can't put into words how much I love "Lonerism". The last band I'm going to mention is
Arctic Monkeys. Arctic Monkeys have been around since 2005, and haven't failed to impress me. Every album is a step up from the next. How do you put Arctic Monkeys in a genre? I would say Alternative or Rock? But I'm not sure. Lead Vocalist Alex Turner, uses poetry and tells a story in his songs! He's one of my favorite songwriters. "Over there there's broken bones, there's only music so that there's new ringtones"- A Certain Romance,
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006) "I'm always just about to go an spoil a surprise, take my hands off of your eyes too soon" - 505,
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007). These are just two examples of Alex Turner telling stories through his songs. That's all for now! Here are examples of 60s fashion and pictures of The Horrors, Tame Impala, and Arctic Monkeys:
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| Twiggy 1960s |
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| Mod fashion |
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| The Horrors |
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Tame Impala
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| Arctic Monkeys |
