"LET IT HAPPEN" TAME IMPALA (2015)

As an eighties kid, synth pop has been pumping in my blood ever since that first day I turned on my MTV. There’s some debate as to who’s considered a synth pop band and who isn’t. For this September Music Twitter challenge – #SynthPopSeptember – I’m focusing more on what’s considered synth pop, not who. The songs I’m featuring on Mental Jukebox this month aren’t solely composed of synthesizers. There may be drums, bass, and dare I say, electric guitars. But each of these songs were picked because the synthesizer is core to its being.

Currents was the first Tame Impala album that I heard from beginning to end. It arrived at a time when I was listening to music at work in an open bullpen environment where we all took turns playing albums and playlists off our laptops. My coworkers didn’t always agree on what was considered good, but everyone seemed to gravitate toward Currents. It seemed to satiate a variety of thirsts with its psychedelic leanings, disco influences and prog-like song structures and instrumentation. There was something for everyone. As the opener, “Let It Happen” was an intriguing, gripping segue into the rest of the album.

Clocking in at nearly eight minutes, the song is full of infectious hooks, experimental interludes and unexpected production explorations. And it’s not often that a track has all three of those features. “Let It Happen” is a song about going with the flow, and the music seems to adopt that theme as its own. It’s perhaps one of the most ambitious singles ever created and a shining example of the songwriting and production prowess of Kevin Parker.

“If my take-off fails, make up some other story. But if I never come back, tell my mother I'm sorry.”

"THE MOMENT" TAME IMPALA (2015)

Electronic albums play a huge role in my fascination with music. For me, synthesizers and drum machines aren’t better or worse than live drums and guitars. They’re just different. They make music much more imaginative for me. I think Nick Rhodes’ synth parts on those early Duran Duran albums were some of my first loves. Shimmery one moment, jarring the next. Rhodes’ keyboard flourishes changed the complexion of every song. This month, I’m featuring my Top 15 electronic albums along with one featured track.

Album: Currents (2015)

One of the greatest testaments of electronic music is that whole genres continue to evolve and be either refined or redefined. For proof, all you have to look at is the vast evolution of synth pop since the late 70’s. As a music fan, sometimes I doubt if a new band can come along and create a different sound within a genre that’s been around for several decades. But I shouldn’t doubt anymore. Bands keep creating and innovating. Tame Impala did it with their brand of synth pop that doesn’t sound like anything else that preceded it. Currents was the album that turned me onto the band. The textures, beats, riffs and melodies weren’t just unique, they were immediately addictive. One of the tracks that led the way was “The Moment”.

What makes this track so special compared to all the countless great synth pop anthems? Well, the dimensions in this track are incredibly palpable, for starters. The treble chords are so light and lofty, they feel like they’re hovering above us. Meanwhile, the bass line snakes and slithers beneath our feet. The drum machine parts further reinforce this juxtaposition of light, airy treble with thick, heavy bass. “The Moment” also possesses that rare combination of a highly accessible pop melody and frequent experimental tendencies. Stunning.

“In the end, it's stronger than I know how to be.”

"LET IT HAPPEN" TAME IMPALA (2015)

Great album openers get the listeners to keep on listening. They can do this in any number of ways. Some openers set the tone by easing us in. Others jump right in and blow our minds from the very beginning. A great album opener isn’t an easy thing to create. More than a great song, it’s all about the sequence. Track 1 has to be the perfect starter. This month, I’m highlighting my favorites. #AlbumOpeningSongs

Currents was the first Tame Impala album that I heard from beginning to end. It arrived at a time when I was listening to music at work in an open bullpen environment where we all took turns playing albums and playlists off our laptops. My coworkers didn’t always agree on what was considered good, but everyone seemed to gravitate toward Currents. It seemed to satiate a variety of thirsts with its psychedelic leanings, disco influences and prog-like song structures and instrumentation. There was something for everyone. As the opener, “Let It Happen” was an intriguing, gripping segue into the rest of the album.

Clocking in at nearly eight minutes, the song is full of infectious hooks, experimental interludes and unexpected production explorations. And it’s not often that a track has all three of those features. “Let It Happen” is a song about going with the flow, and the music seems to adopt that theme as its own. It’s perhaps one of the most ambitious singles ever created and a shining example of the songwriting and production prowess of Kevin Parker.

“If my take-off fails, make up some other story. But if I never come back, tell my mother I'm sorry.”

"THE LESS I KNOW THE BETTER" TAME IMPALA (2015)

For the month of October, I’m taking the #OctAtoZBandChallenge challenge. The premise is simple. Pick a band starting with the day’s assigned alphabet letter and then choose a song from that band.

Day 20

At one point in 2015, it felt like Tame Impala was the hottest band on the planet. I remember listening to Currents nonstop that year – at home, on the go, in the office. I was working in a creative bullpen atmosphere that year, and Currents was one of the few albums we could all agree on. “The Less I Know The Better” was one of the staples from that album which introduced me to the world of Tame Impala. The video was weird and perverted. The musicality was distinct.

“The Less I Know The Better” is a musical study in contrasts. Rock elements smashed together with disco accents. Ethereal vocals and keys hand in hand with that devilish guitar riff. It seemed like everything it was trying to do musically couldn’t and shouldn’t work. These pairings don’t inherently belong together. But it’s their juxtapositions that make the song so gripping and infectious. It’s the contrasts that form the song’s identity.

“She was holding hands with Trevor. Not the greatest feeling ever. Said, "Pull yourself together. You should try your luck with Heather."

"YES I'M CHANGING" TAME IMPALA (2015)

I generally gravitate to the music first before the lyrics. But as a writer, I still marvel at well-spun verses and choruses. This month, I’m joining the music Twitter community in #31DaySongLyricChallenge

Day 16

The synth-heavy instrumentation on Currents weaves in and out in a dream state. Many of the songs feel like we’ve unwillingly entered Parker’s head. Once inside, he reveals his thoughts on relationships and identity like pages out of a journal. Yet, “Yes I’m Changing” is also written like a defense statement. Assured, clarifying and maybe a touch too defensive. And I have been able to completely relate to this at different points in my life.

“I was raging, it was late. In the world my demons cultivate, I felt the strangest emotion. But it wasn't hate, for once.”

"THE LESS I KNOW THE BETTER" TAME IMPALA (2015)

At one point in 2015, it felt like Tame Impala was the hottest band on the planet. And “The Less I Know the Better” was one of their staples. It’s a musical study in contrasts. Rock elements. Disco accents. Ethereal vocals and keys. Devilish guitar riff. It seems like it shouldn’t work. These things don’t belong together. But it’s the contrasts that grab you. The contrasts Form thIs song’s identity and make it one of the StroNgest tracks on Currents.

“She said, ‘It's not now or never. Wait ten years, we'll be together.’ I said, ‘Better late than never. Just don't make me wait forever.’”