Olson...?

Ai2Bi2C · Post by **Ai2Bi2C** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:56 am

So, I'm pretty sure most of BOC's fanbase is more music theory-inclined than most other fanbases. That being said, has anybody noticed that a version of Olson has been found on every single EP they've released since MHTRTC. AND BEFORE YOU FLAME:

I realize that Olson and Olson (version 3) are obvious ones, with Kid For Today being the slightly less obvious one. But I just realized today that Left Side Drive is pretty much verbatim "Olson (Version 3)" in a different key, but with the exact same rhythm and chord structure.

Those of you unfamiliar with music theory may think I'm grasping at straws, but even though the exact keys of each of the 4 songs may differ, they are played using the same chord structure/progression, as well as rhythm. They are, for all intents and purposes, musical brothers/sisters.

So in conclusion:
Peel Session = Olson (Version 3) [Duh]
IABPITC = Kid For Today
TrCH = Left Side Drive

And I'm hoping that if they decide to release an EP that's somewhat related with Tomorrow's Harvest that there will be some type of Olson on it to prove me right xD

EDIT: I should note that the part of Left Side Drive that resembles Olson most comes in at about 3:58. The chord progression itself is present throughout most of the song, but its resemblance is most obvious there.

Radiobuzz · Post by **Radiobuzz** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:03 am

Olson is the equivalent of men banging two rocks together and creating fire almost by chance. It's such an incredible tune, and so simple at the same time. I always realise halfway through it I forget to breath whenever it's on.

crazygoji · Post by **crazygoji** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:20 am

i was thinking the obvious tch equivalent of olson was under the coke sign. id even realized its similarity to kid for today before so they all connect together in a way then

egbdf · Post by **egbdf** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:25 am

Are you talking about the chord progression that's like

C major, Eb major, F major?

Yes, that's a common BoC progression In Olson, it's more like

Eb major, F major, C major

It's not in Kid For Today, though. That's just

Abmin, Fmin

which isn't a transposition/re-permutation of the chord progression in Olson.

So maybe I'm not sure what you're getting at.

Ai2Bi2C · Post by **Ai2Bi2C** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:33 am

egbdf wrote:Are you talking about the chord progression that's like

C major, Eb major, F major?

Yes, that's a common BoC progression In Olson, it's more like

Eb major, F major, C major

It's not in Kid For Today, though. That's just

Abmin, Fmin

which isn't a transposition/re-permutation of the chord progression in Olson.

So maybe I'm not sure what you're getting at.

Are those the root notes being played in Kid For Today?

If so, maybe it's the higher notes that are similar to Olson. Either way, the chord structures and their rhythm are still similar enough for me to say that it's at least a chord progression they like to include on each EP.

GeogEddie · Post by **GeogEddie** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:08 am

I'm grasping at straws

Yup.

circleofthesun · Post by **circleofthesun** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:25 am

Yeah That's Right · Post by **Yeah That's Right** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:56 pm

GeogEddie wrote:Yup.

Don't need no music theory knowledge to know this is probably pure coincidence.

WeHadNormality · Post by **WeHadNormality** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:05 pm

circleofthesun wrote:

I don't know whether or not there is a direct link between these songs like Ai2Bi2C suggested. I'm not that knowledgeable on music theory, but Skyliner always reminded me of Olson in a way I could never pin point, like Cold Earth reminds me of Skyliner too.

Saying all that, I had kinda forgotten about Olson (Version 3). I rarely listen Peel Sessions, but goddam I love Olson (Version 3)! Thanks for reminding me of it. *puts it on on repeat for the next 3 hours*

Also, you could've included the Midland edit of Olson in you're playlist. I actually quite like it for a 'dancey remix'.

Yeah That's Right wrote:Don't need no music theory knowledge to know this is probably pure coincidence.

Could be just a way they naturally write/play their melodies.

circleofthesun · Post by **circleofthesun** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:50 pm

Yeah this actually got me thinking about the links melodically between Sixtyniner, Hi Scores, Music Math, Chromakey Dreamcoat and Reach for the Dead.
I'm not sure if this is intentional but it's probably a case of "we are going for this certain emotion, this memory of this place and this melody, this set of rhythms and this progression of the song as a whole just makes sense to set the tone. It gives the album an arc, or even a part in a bigger arc of releases, a sense of continuity between each release, if you will. Oh, is that the same or similar melody as the last one? Fuck you, we made this one better!"
I mean the first two were opening tracks and the last three were second tracks after ambient "tone-setting" pieces.

zeoevil · Post by **zeoevil** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:23 am

WeHadNormality wrote:Olson.

My personal favorite version of Olson is the Laconic Flow remix done by Beek.

WeHadNormality · Post by **WeHadNormality** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:38 am

zeoevil wrote:
WeHadNormality wrote:Olson.
My personal favorite version of Olson is the Laconic Flow remix done by Beek.

Not heard that one before. Probably my favorite remix now too. Thanks.

Also, coincidentally, the drum break used in this remix is a sample from the Blowfly track; Sesame Street (1974).

North by North · Post by **North by North** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:03 am

zeoevil wrote:
WeHadNormality wrote:Olson.
My personal favorite version of Olson is the Laconic Flow remix done by Beek.

Oh wow. That is nice. Just when you think you've heard all the good ones... Thanks for enlightening us.

azamarro · Post by **azamarro** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:34 am

I totally know what you're referencing. It's a specific stylistic reoccurrence. Not necessarily the chords themselves because I think that the chord progressions are always a little different-- even if you transpose 'em to the same key. It's something about how the chords are related or the phrasing, i.e. the timing of the chord changes. I think it's just one of the ways they make music.

I agree that both "Left Side Drive" and "Under the Coke Sign" have it. Initially I was surprised that they put two of these on one release. "Skyliner" kind of fits the mold during certain parts too, but I think that it's got much more complex phrasing.

I would like to volunteer "Sick Times" to this list. WHen I first heard TH that's when I thought "I'm really listening to the new BOC!!"

RVeldhuis · Post by **RVeldhuis** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 6:20 am

Radiobuzz wrote:Olson is the equivalent of men banging two rocks together and creating fire almost by chance. It's such an incredible tune, and so simple at the same time. I always realise halfway through it I forget to breath whenever it's on.

I always forget to breathe when I hear Olson, haha!

PlacentaSand · Post by **PlacentaSand** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:59 pm

Hi Scores