How to Master the Art of Listening to Metal Machine Music RYM: A Step-by-Step Guide
As a metalhead, you know that there’s nothing quite like the blistering riffs and guttural screams of your favorite band. But what about branching out into the world of avant-garde music? Enter Metal Machine Music by Lou Reed, an experimental album that has been both praised and criticized for its abrasive use of noise.
If you’re not familiar with this genre-bending album, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to master the art of listening to Metal Machine Music on RYM (RateYourMusic), a popular music database.
Step 1: Find the Album
First things first, head over to RateYourMusic.com and search for Metal Machine Music. Once you’ve found it, take note of its average rating – sitting at a measly 2.57 out of 5 stars as of October 2021. This may seem daunting at first, but remember that opinions are subjective and there may be some hidden gems within the chaos.
Step 2: Set the Mood
Metal Machine Music is not background music – it demands your full attention. Get in the right mindset by turning off any distractions and dimming the lights. This album may take some getting used to, so approach it with an open mind and prepare yourself for an intense auditory experience.
Step 3: Embrace The Noise
Let’s get one thing straight – this isn’t your typical guitar-driven metal album. Instead, Metal Machine Music relies heavily on electronic noise created from guitar feedback loops manipulated by effects pedals and distortion boxes. Embrace it! Listen intently to each sound layer as they ebb and flow throughout each track.
Step 4: Pay Attention To Song Structure
It would be easy to dismiss Metal Machine Music as random noise cluttered together haphazardly, but there is thought behind each track’s structure. For example, the opening track “Metal Machine Music Part I” starts with a simple repetitive rhythm before devolving into a chaotic wall of noise. As the album progresses, each subsequent song takes on a different structure and musical theme.
Step 5: Appreciate The Risk
Let’s be honest – Metal Machine Music was a risky album for Lou Reed to release in 1975. It alienated many fans at the time and continues to do so today. However, it also cemented his place as an innovator in the music world. Take some time to appreciate the boldness and audacity it took to create and release such an album.
In conclusion, while Metal Machine Music may not be for everyone, we hope this step-by-step guide has helped you appreciate the complexities and ingenuity behind this genre-bending work of art. So next time you’re looking for something challenging to listen to, give it another shot – who knows? You just might come out with a greater appreciation of innovative music-making!
Top Myths About Metal Machine Music RYM Debunked
Metal Machine Music, famously abbreviated as MMM or M3, is a groundbreaking album by legendary musician Lou Reed. Released in 1975, Metal Machine Music features no lyrics or recognizable melody, and is composed entirely of distorted electric guitar feedback and noise. The album defied categorization and convention, causing controversy among music critics and fans alike.
Through the years, misconceptions about Metal Machine Music have cropped up on popular music forums like Rate Your Music (RYM). Many of these falsehoods have been perpetuated to such an extent that they are taken as fact. In this blog post, we will debunk the top myths about Metal Machine Music on RYM once and for all.
1. “Metal Machine Music is unlistenable noise trash.”
Perhaps the most common myth about Metal Machine Music is that it’s just noise, with no musical value whatsoever. While it’s true that MMM doesn’t adhere to traditional musical conventions such as melody and harmony, saying that it lacks musicality altogether undersells its unique qualities. Lou Reed carefully chose which sounds to include in the album; every hum, screech and buzz was purposefully included for a reason.
Furthermore, although initially designed purely to create challenging listening experiences for audience members given Reed’s staunch iconoclastic tendencies at that period , over time listeners have credited it with inspiring whole new sonic genres such as ambient or shoegaze given its use of texture rather than clearly articulated structure.
2. “Lou Reed only put out Metal Machine Music out of spite.”
There has long been speculation as to why Lou Reed chose to make an album comprised entirely of discordant noise at the height of his creative powers instead of building upon more conventional offerings which had already assured him acclaim . However suggesting he did so merely based on nihilism fails to do justice to one key factor – adventurism. Some artists dabble in experimental work pre-emptively when they sense their popularity is waning, but Lou Reed was at the opposite end of this spectrum in 1975; having reached cultural high-water marks with tracks like ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ and ‘Perfect Day’, he later explained that MMM was part of a broader artistic statement aiming to push rock music‘s envelope as far as possible. He was fascinated by dissonance and feedback sounds, and wanted to challenge preconceived ideas about what constituted music.
3. “Metal Machine Music is just random noise thrown together.”
Another misconception RYM listeners have spread over time is the notion that Metal Machine Music lacks structure or organization. However, Reed did put some thought into the album’s arrangement — it consists of two individual copies, each played simultaneously on different stereo channels . The sequencing of tracks provides aural narrative, breaking down into several movements with widely varying intensity levels which reveal much greater complexity than initial listens might suggest . That requires careful editing, planning out how one frequency builds into another frequency to create something truly cohesive even if it seems chaotic upon first playthrough .
4. “Only pretentious people claim to like Metal Machine Music.”
It’s easy for cynics to deride Metal Machine Music fans as trying too hard to seem unique or intellectual . But lovers of avant-garde art do not deserve such flippant categorizations making it all seem self serving and subjective ; MMM has established its place in history as an innovative landmark work that paved new sonic terrains . One may not consider MMM composition their favorite music – in fact given its minimalistic nature most won’t – doesn’t invalidate others’ appreciation when every era’s broader cultural moments value experimentation across multiple forms.
Conclusion:
Hopefully debunking these myths has provided clarification for anyone interested in understanding Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music better within all its strengths and warts accounts; the noise wasn’t made for those who crave mainstream pop hooks nor any kind musical recipe free from polarizing opinion. Instead it’s representative of one man’s restless confrontation of what rock music should be and a challenge to listeners’ perceptions about convention. Listening to Metal Machine Music requires patience, open-mindedness, and an appreciation for artistic experimentation in its purest form. The album has played a pivotal role in influencing future pioneers of sounds that altogether redefined attitudes towards creating music even as different genres emerge – an achievement which deserves more respect than participating in negative and baseless myths.
Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Machine Music RYM
As an artificial intelligence language model, I don’t have personal opinions or judgments. But I can provide you with some key information about the controversial and polarizing album “Metal Machine Music” by Lou Reed, and answer questions that often arise in discussions about it on the popular music site Rate Your Music (RYM).
First things first: What is Metal Machine Music?
Released in 1975, “Metal Machine Music” (MMM) is a double album of purely instrumental noise music created by the legendary rock musician and former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed. It consists of four identical sides of heavily processed guitar feedback, white noise, distortion, phase-shifting, and other electronic effects layered without any discernible melody or rhythm.
Why did Lou Reed make such a bizarre album?
There are several theories that attempt to explain why Reed made MMM. Some claim he was inspired by avant-garde composers like John Cage and La Monte Young or by experimental rock acts like The Who and The Stooges. Others speculate that he wanted to alienate his commercial fanbase after experiencing backlash for previous mainstream releases like “Sally Can’t Dance” and “Coney Island Baby.” Reed himself said that MMM’s creation was partly a technical experiment to explore the limits of electric guitars as sound generators rather than musical instruments.
Is MMM listenable or just dreadful noise?
This is highly subjective and depends on your taste in music. Many critics initially dismissed MMM as unlistenable self-indulgence or as a joke at the expense of his record label RCA. Others consider it a groundbreaking precursor to industrial, ambient and noise music that challenged conventions of songwriting and performance. In recent times, MMM has gained cult status among fans of experimental music who appreciate its textural richness, sheer volume, hypnotic dronescapes and abrasive violence.
Why do people love/hate/rate highly/lowly MMM?
As with any controversial work of art, MMM has both fervent admirers and detractors. The reasons for their reactions are manifold and complex, and have shifted over time as music tastes evolve. Some people love MMM because it offers a cathartic release of pent-up aggression, an avant-garde challenge to the status quo, or simply because it sounds intriguingly different from anything else in Reed’s discography. Others hate MMM because it damages their eardrums, insults their musical sensibilities, or feels like a pretentious stunt by an artist who had lost his creative compass.
How do I appreciate/not appreciate MMM?
Again, this is subjective and depends on what you seek from music. If you’re open-minded and curious about experimental genres and sonic textures that push the boundaries of conventional song structures, then give MMM a chance with headphones on or after midnight when your neighbors are asleep. Listen to it from start to finish without skipping tracks or expecting melody or lyrics – let the noise wash over you like white noise therapy or industrial meditation. You may discover hidden nuances, sonic patterns, or emotional resonances that reveal themselves after repeated listens.
On the other hand, if you’re allergic to harsh electronic sounds that trigger migraines or panic attacks, if you prefer melodic hooks and singalong choruses to raw soundscapes and feedback loops, then skip MMM altogether (or stick with Reed’s more accessible hits like “Walk on the Wild Side” or “Perfect Day”). Don’t force yourself into liking something just because critics or fans hold it in high esteem – taste is personal and diverse.
In conclusion…
Love it or hate it, “Metal Machine Music” remains a unique artifact of rock history that defies easy categorization. Whether you consider it a masterpiece of avante-garde experimentation or a self-indulgent exercise in noise pollution, its impact cannot be ignored. As Lou Reed himself once said: “I don’t like nostalgia unless it’s mine.” So, listen to MMM with your own ears and judge for yourself. It may surprise you or disappoint you, but it will certainly elicit a strong reaction. And that’s what good art should do – provoke, challenge, transform.
The Top 5 Surprising Facts About Metal Machine Music RYM Everybody Needs to Know
If you are a fan of rock and roll music, then you have probably heard of Metal Machine Music by Lou Reed. This album was a groundbreaking release back in 1975, and it continues to be lauded for its creative experimentation even today. However, there are many surprising facts about this record that most people don’t know. Here are the top 5 surprising facts about Metal Machine Music RYM everyone needs to know:
1. It Was Originally Intended as a Joke
Believe it or not, Lou Reed initially created Metal Machine Music as a joke. He had grown tired of his record label’s expectations and decided to create an album of nothing but harsh noise just to see how they would react. However, after he listened to the finished product himself, he realized it was actually quite good and decided to release it.
2. It Was Recorded in Just Two Days
Despite the complexity of the sounds on Metal Machine Music, the entire album was recorded in just two days. Reed used only guitars and amplifiers – no synthesizers or electronic devices were involved in creating these sounds. Instead, he relied on manipulating feedback loops and distortion pedals to create the intense noise that characterizes this record.
3. It Was Widely Criticized Upon Its Release
When Metal Machine Music hit stores in 1975, critics were not impressed. Many dismissed it as nothing more than “unlistenable noise,” and some even accused Reed of intentionally trying to alienate his audience with this experimental work.
4. The Album Has Influenced Many Artists Since Its Release
While critics may have had mixed feelings about Metal Machine Music when it first came out, many musicians have since been inspired by its innovative approach to sound production. Artists like Sonic Youth and Godspeed You! Black Emperor have cited Reed’s work as an influence on their own music.
5. The Album Was Originally Intended as Four Separate LPs
Finally, it is worth noting that Metal Machine Music was not originally intended to be a single LP. In fact, Reed had planned to release it as four separate records that could be played simultaneously on different turntables. Unfortunately, this idea never came to fruition due to technical and logistical challenges.
In conclusion, while Metal Machine Music may remain a controversial work of music history, there is no denying the impact it has had on artists and listeners over the years. Whether you love it or hate it, this album continues to inspire awe and fascination among those who are willing to give it a chance. So next time you find yourself seeking out some new sounds, why not explore the wild frontier of Metal Machine Music? You never know what kind of adventure you might uncover!
Why Metal Machine Music RYM Is Important for Fans of Heavy Metal and Industrial Music
Metal Machine Music RYM, released in 1975 by legendary musician Lou Reed, is often cited as one of the seminal works in both heavy metal and industrial music. This album pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable within these genres, blending elements of noise and experimental music to create a sound that was entirely unique.
For fans of heavy metal, Metal Machine Music RYM is particularly important because it challenged traditional notions of what a “heavy” sound should be. Prior to this album, heavy metal was primarily defined by distorted guitars and pounding drums. However, Reed’s inclusion of electronic noises and feedback created an entirely new sonic landscape for listeners to explore.
Metal Machine Music RYM also paved the way for industrial music, which emerged as a distinct genre in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This subgenre took inspiration from Reed’s experimentation with electronic sounds and incorporated them into their own music.
Beyond its influence on these specific genres, Metal Machine Music RYM is also significant because it showcased the potential for musicians to break out of established conventions and push musical boundaries. This willingness to innovate has since become a hallmark of many successful heavy metal and industrial artists alike.
Despite initially polarizing reactions from critics and audiences alike – some even accusing Reed of intentionally making an unlistenable album – time has shown that Metal Machine Music RYM was well ahead of its time. It served not only as a groundbreaking artistic statement but also as an inspiration for future generations who would bravely venture into less-traveled musical territories.
In short, if you’re a fan of heavy metal or industrial music looking to expand your appreciation for unconventional sounds and boundary-pushing artists – then a deep dive into Metal Machine Music RYM is absolutely essential. Not only will you discover something truly unique and captivating musically but you’ll also gain newfound insights into just how impactful art can be when we let ourselves explore unknown realms without fear or hesitation.
The Evolution of Metal Machine Music RYM and Its Impact on Contemporary Soundscapes
Metal Machine Music RYM is an album that has created a massive impact on contemporary soundscapes. For those unfamiliar, Metal Machine Music RYM is a groundbreaking album from the iconic American musician Lou Reed. The album, which was first released in 1975, showcased an unprecedented blend of noise music and rock ‘n’ roll.
Since then, this unique sound has evolved and influenced several musicians over the years. In this blog post, we will explore the evolution of Metal Machine Music RYM and its impact on contemporary soundscapes.
First, let’s take a look at what exactly makes Metal Machine Music RYM so unique. Typically speaking, rock music incorporates guitars as its primary instrument – but on this record, Reed threw convention out the window by using nothing but his guitar to produce sounds akin to machine noise.
Reed approached his guitar playing more like that of a classical composer creating experimentations in tone and texture rather than someone just chugging along some chords. These strange textures were achieved through various guitar effects pedals such as distortion and reverb. This groundbreaking approach paved the way for modern experimental and noise artists to use unconventional instruments or even create their own.
The next major evolution of Metal Machine Music RYM came in the form of sampling technology’s rise in pop culture during the 80s & 90s. Sampling allowed producers to reuse parts of songs from other albums without asking permission by crafting entirely new pieces with it. Thus followed countless remixes & mashups featuring portions from metal machine music causing its influence to perpetuate into dance & electronic genres too far beyond rock or guitar-oriented music.
Additionally, Industrial bands began picking up inspiration based on Lou Reed’s original idea; transforming loud dissonant noise into something even more aggressive while mixing it with heavy distorted rhythm sections eventually became labeled industrial-noise (ala Nine Inch Nails or Ministry).
More recently though we have seen yet another iteration of techniques pioneered by the sounds of Metal Machine Music. With advanced software manipulation tools so readily available today, artists like Tim Hecker or FKA Twigs have recontextualized noise into a sound that is emotional, affecting and often beautiful.
In conclusion, it’s fair to say that the impact of Metal Machine Music RYM on contemporary soundscapes has been massive in scope, influencing genres far more than Lou Reed could have ever anticipated. Its initial backlash being disregarded as ‘unlistenable garbage’ obviously faded quickly after release, Lou Reed laid the foundation for the evolution of his niche genre creating a sound unique unto itself which influenced generations of other superstars of avant-garde & experimental music. It continues to inspire musicians today, pushing them beyond convention and forging new paths for creativity within soundscapes; this is an album that will always be at the forefront of audio innovation.