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Acoustic Guitars Totally Rock

March 18, 2008 12:21 AM

don't know why, but I almost always like unplugged versions of songs more than the original, plugged versions. I mean, that might be a bit of a stretch, but I almost always really like unplugged versions, even if I like them in a completely different way. For example, "Cherub Rock" is one of my favorite songs generally, but I especially like it if I need to get excited or pumped up--it's a great song to listen to at the beginning of a night out, I think. On the other hand, the acoustic version is awesome in a whole different way; it's mellower and almost soothing, but still sort of angry. I think it's a great song to listen to before bed. There's a similar sort of dichotomy between the original and unplugged versions of "Rocket." (The unplugged version I'm linking to here is one that Billy's apparently doing on the current tour, but there's an older version out there that's way better.) But I don't just love acoustic versions by The Smashing Pumpkins. I mean, I prefer the unplugged version of "Layla" to the original, although I admittedly don't like the original very much at all. But the acoustic version of "Everlong" is amazing (again, I can't find a video of the best version, which is the one that includes another guitar).

Part of the reason I love unplugged versions is that I've always sort of thought that one of the ways you can tell you're dealing with a great song is that it works in an acoustic, two-guitar arrangement. That format forces you to eliminate any extraneous elements and deal with the essence of the song. So if it works, it's awesome, and if it doesn't, then there probably wasn't enough substance to the original to make it more than catchy. Another advantage to the two-acoustic-guitar thing is that, because there isn't all this extra stuff going on, the harmony and interplay between the two guitars really shines. It's like the string quartet of rock music.

And, of course, there's the fact that some songs' emotional impact is heightened by being presented in stripped-down form. There's something about the relatively mellow, soothing sound of two acoustic guitars that really lends itself to contemplative, sad, or lonely music. And since that's the kind of music I generally tend to like--when I don't feel like listening to stuff that rocks so hard it breaks your bones, that is--the acoustic thing is something I can really get into.

I'm thinking about all of this because of a video JLee posted over at her blog. Snow Patrol isn't a band I generally like at all. But the acoustic version of "Spitting Games" really got under my skin. Check it out:

Anyway, there's nothing else going on, so I thought maybe you'd enjoy some of these videos.



6 Comments


estefanita said:

I just got an acoustic guitar! i restrung it and everything (it is very old and beaten up) and to my huge dissapointment it has a fret problem. as soon as I hold down the 6th 5th and 4th string they buzz.....any suggestions besides paying a professional?

March 19, 2008 2:53 PM



estefanita said:

i need help from you and your law type freinds. i 'accidentaly' signed up to some website. i thought it would give an intrest rate quote right away but instead i got an email telling me they would contact me in 24 hours. i don't want that, so i looked for an unsubscribe link and couldn't find one. i am, as i type, engaged in a "live chat session" with their customer service. they won't concretely reply. well they won't reply at all. can i threaten them with legal action (false advertising, privacy and such)?

sorry to use your bolg to solicit help but you are the only smart guy i know who has actually put his intelligence to use..... forgive me?

March 23, 2008 11:13 AM



Ismael Tapia II said:

Ok, here's some advice for both issues.

As far as the acoustic guitar, what sort of buzzing is it? Is it the strings hitting the frets? Or is the guitar made out of plywood or something that could be causing the buzzing? If it's the former, then I think there are two things you could try. First, if you're not going to be playing along with other people, try tuning the guitar a little higher--that way, the strings are tighter and hopefully won't hit the frets so much. Another thing you could try is raising the action on those strings, which would hopefully have the same effect. One thing I did on one of my old guitars was to put a few layers of toilet paper under the strings at the nut and bridge. It was a cheap way of raising the strings a little bit. Try that and see if it works.

As for your other thing, without knowing exactly what you're talking about, I can't be much help. Another complication is that you live in France so, even if this company is based in the U.S., there might be some strange international-law implications. In general, though, I'd say that misleading you like that is totally not cool and I'm sure that there's some action you can take, although I don't know any of the specifics. I will also say that you should remember that the average person you're dealing with probably doesn't know much more about the law than you do--and is probably stupid. So I say threaten legal action even if it's unlikely that you'd pursue anything and would lose if you did--the person you're dealing with probably won't know that you're bluffing or just wrong.

If you want something more specific, e-mail me and I'll see if I can come up with anything more direct and helpful.

March 23, 2008 2:19 PM



RPM said:

Let's get back to acoustic guitar interpretations. One of the best examples of an acoustic arrangement validating a song I've come across recently is Seu Jorge's version of "Space Oddity." Sure, every one of his Bowie interpretations made for "Life Aquatic" was great. But here we see a song that seems to be very dependent on trippy sounds and effects to tell a tale of tragic space travel. Additionally, the very premise of the song seems dated.

Notwithstanding all of this, a Brazilian guy in a red knit hat can sit down with his guitar and just floor me with an amazing performance, reminding me that the song is way more than a veneer of goofy space travel. It's a bonus track on the "Life Aquatic Sessions" worth finding.

*****

Regarding shady businesses, speaking as a fellow consumer I say find out where the business is located. Then find and contact the Better Business Bureau for that area. It's probably online, allowing for to file a complaint on the BBB's website. This has worked very well for me in the past.

March 26, 2008 12:22 PM



Kerryn said:

What an awesome way to explain this—now I know everyihtng!

July 9, 2011 11:27 PM






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