Spectrum

It's not the words that create a song, but the lyricist thoughts. It's not the lyrics that hold emotion, but the performance.  It's not the song itself that tops the charts, but the musicians behind it. A perfect example, "Radioactive".  

 

With the original artist bring Imagine Dragons, lead singer Dan Reynolds said, "Radioactive is a powerful-sounding song. There's a personal story behind it, but generally speaking, it's a song about an awakening; kind of waking up one day to do something new, and see life in a fresh way."

 

 

 

However, even with Reynold's goal in mind, doesn't mean the message cannot be conveyed by others.  

 

After reaching a top ranking among the Billboard charts, and being the top 3rd single sold in 2013, "Radioactive" has been covered by numerous other artist. Although, the personality changes from performer to performer, the message is broad enough to reach an abundance of people.  

 

The original version balances elements of dubstep, electronic rock and alternative rock. But the covers hit much more than just a few genres. Variety from a piano set to a gutteral scream, I'm sure whatever music that you listen to, you will be able to find a descent cover to fit your taste.  

 

Violins create the texture with Lindsey Stirling & the accapella of Pentatonix:      

 

 

Daughtry takes a step down from his rock and roll to show vulnerability with the backing of the ivory keys:
      

 

Screams evade the melody with post-hardcore Our Last Night:
  

This comes to show music breaks boundaries within itself. The spectrum is as vast, as wide, as deep as the ocean.  

Who knows what will happen when I eventually cover the song. Maybe I'll add my own spin, change the melody a bit. It's at the hands of the performer to embed their creativity and lend their personality to stand out among the rest.  

That is exactly what Imagine Dragons did. That's what Lindsey Stirling did. That's what Daughtry did. That's what Our Last Night did. That's what I plan on doing.  

It's mine to claim a place in the spectrum that is limitless.

The Influence

I honestly don’t have time to pleasure read. Or let me rephrase that. I don’t make time to pleasure read. Many other activities consume my free time. But I couldn’t resist Divergent when it was placed on the dinner table.

Now, truth be told, I’ve owned the book quite a while, actually. But it hasn’t been in my room. My sister had it on her bookshelf. How it got downstairs, I will never know. I can say though, it was much appreciated.

I zoomed through the book, in three days total. Well it helped that one was a snow day. I could never just read one chapter. It was always one more. One more before I begin my homework again. One more before I eat dinner. One more before I go to bed.

Veronica Roth’s writing style is simplistic but engaging. Toss in emotional characters and events that hit you in the heart. The utopian or dystopian society, whatever you want to call the setting—it has characteristics of both cultures (as well as Roth explaining her views between utopia and dystopia but she never comes to a conclusion of what society she has created)—forms itself in your head. I’m not sure how this couldn’t be realistic in your head. Maybe, though, my imagination is vivid enough to establish a convincing character. I don’t know.

But what I am positive of; Roth is influenced by her music choices. Roth has an exclusive edition in the back of Divergent, one portion being on the “Divergent Playlist”.

After listening through her song list, it is evident that Flyleaf had the biggest impact not only on Beatrice, rather known as Tris, but imprinted on the book as a whole.

Each small synopsis shines light on a unique aspect either of Tris or a significant occurring event.

The playlist is as follows:

"Starts with One” by Shiny Toy Guns

“Chasm” by Flyleaf

“Come Alive” by Foo Fighters

“Again” by Flyleaf

“Help I’m Alive” by Metric

“We Die Young” by The Showdown

“Canvas” by Imogen Heap

“Running up that Hill” by Placebo

“Sweet Sacrifice” by Evanescence

“Arise” by Flyleaf

 

As a fan of Flyleaf, it is noticeable that more than just these songs influenced Roth’s writing. There are so many others I could name, but for now, listen to those she has acknowledged. It will give insight and characterization either if you’ve read, or are planning to read Divergent.

Tribute

Mix classical string instruments with the metal genre of music. That’s Apocalyptica.

Composed of four classically trained musicians, the cello quartet borrows elements from a variety of genres. With their roots grounded in Finland, the band find inspiration in Middle Eastern, world, and folk music.

It was the sound that hooked and sunk in me. Unlike anything else I’ve stumbled crossed, literally. Hard driving tempos intensify the sound of strings and the percussive beat of the drums. The contrast is immense. One second you see hardcore rockers in “Bring them to Light”, the next is a stripped piece with the minimum of three cellos and a bass for “Beautiful.” And it is mesmerizing to sit and listen to the transformations of the symphonies. Vocals or not, the aggressive tone is evident as is the passion.

The four pieces do not work alone though. On their current album 7th Symphony, Apocalyptica collaborated with an abundance of other artist for vocals including Brent Smith from Shinedown, Johnny Andrews and Bush’s frontman Gavin Rossdale, Lacey Strum from Flyleaf, and Joe Duplantier of Gojira to name a few.

Ideas of artist who come together are the astounding proof of what collective minds can do, and I love that. It gives a new dynamic to the lyrics and sound. As someone who is open minded, I’m ok with change. Embrace it. Love it. If there’s something new and different, I’m bound to try it.

But the reason for starting Apocalyptica didn’t come from the want to sell four million plus records, the real reason was to pay tribute. Pay tribute to Metallica. In all honesty, that was the main reason for establishment in 1993. Three years later the first album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, was released.

From there it evolved. They didn’t care how many sold but with the increased praised and attention from their first album the second came out within the following year. And, too there were Metallica covers.

Its motivation, you see. Motivation can carry you, even if it’s a small interest at first. It grows. It evolves. It becomes what you want it to be.

The small seed holds the hope. But it needs to find set roots, needs to find water, needs to seek the sun’s warmth. From inspiration you will sprout the greenery. You’ve broken through the surface and by blooming you’re paying tribute to the necessities that provide the nurture for growth.