[u]Genre Defintions Take III[/u] [i]A little something heavenly... [/i]
Ethereal: This may, in fact, be the most overused term in music. Often used to describe an arrangement or a vocal style, the key to ethereal music is that it creates a sublime, heavenly or somewhat other worldly atmosphere in which the listener can get lost. The defining characteristics of ethereal music are as follows:
Ethereal arrangements are often electronic in nature, but rely on classical instrumentation. It is not unusual to hear orchestration that includes a number of stringed instruments, as well as the piano, flute, or oboe.
Although not always the case, ethereal music RARELY if ever contains the key elements of “rock” music. There will be no baseline or definite percussion. Any guitar used will be soft and swirly in nature.
The focal point of ethereal music is usually the use of an angelic female voice as the primary instrument. Although there are instances wherein male vocals are used, this is the exception rather than the rule.
Like many gothic genres, ethereal music practically drips with emotion and is often seeped in sorrow. However, it is the ethereal nature in which this music creates a heavenly, surreal, and above all, beautiful home for such dark feelings that sets it apart from other types of music. The work of such musicians as Love Spirals Downwards, Bel Canto, Rosewater Elizabeth, The Cocteau Twins and Siddal is often considered ethereal.
Ethereal-Folk: A subset of the above genre, ethereal-folk music takes what is true about ethereal music and adds, or some may say reduces it to, an acoustic level. Ethereal-folk music seeks to create the same heavenly atmosphere that defines ethereal music in general, minus the orchestral elements and swirly guitars. Unlike traditional folk music, which is often associate with social activism, ethereal-folk, in my opinion, sparks an emotional rather than political reaction. EARLY Lovespirals Downwards and some Rosewater Elizabeth fall into the minor catagory.
posted by: Jonathan (reply)
post date: 02.26.04 (11:13 am)
Looks good. I would have to classify Love Spirals Downward as Ethereal and they do use quite a bit of guitar which is not always soft, however, it usually is heavily processed, at least their earlier stuff. You are so cool Jennifer.
I just added a bunch of ethereal songs to my big list o' genres at http://shadowmusic.tblog.com. Please, everybody, check 'em out and add other suggestions!! Thanks!
Reply to: shadowmusic
Note: Apparently, if you add that google calendar you get listed on their search engine... i cannot add it to mine because it does not show up on the black baground... but maybe you should consider it?
Reply to: Jonathan
It seems like there is an acoustic quality to some of their way early stuff... i'm thinking around the Idylis Era... but maybe i am remember it wrong... i would need to pull out that CD to know for sure. Anyway, as always, thanks... although i don't even begin to scratch the surface of your coolness. :)
