Arachnophonia: Drawn to Sound

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Isaac (class of 2025) and features a collection of essays about music in animated films. Thanks, Isaac!

Drawn to Sound: Animation Film Music and Sonicity edited by Rebecca Coyle

Drawn To Sound book cover

Animation as a medium is something that has always intrigued me. Inherently having limits differing from traditional film, animation’s visual spectacle sees itself as a source of disagreement. On one end, you have supporters celebrating the composition of the visuals, but on the other, critics viewing it as a commodification of drawing, reserved for children. Regardless of viewpoint, however, is the music in works of animation. Masters of animation music use the medium in conjunction with what is on the screen for an expressive statement.

This book piques my interest for its breakdown of the works of these very artists, auteurs like Hisaishi have created works so fitting they have become indelible from what is on the screen. Sublimity is unequivocally achieved because of these scores, I often reflect most heavily on the sounds I heard from an animated feature, extending beyond even the most dogmatic of views on what a film “should be”. Editor Rebecca Coyle’s shared admiration for the often-ignored musical elements of these songs is something I was delighted to discover, as the focus of animated films are naturally on the animation itself. But this doesn’t mean music in animation should be marginalized, making this book all the more interesting as it is devoted to animation music. Stylistically, music drive themes in film more subtly than dialogue or visuals–– saturating the viewer in a soundscape is a pivotal role–– and throughout my life, recognizing the importance for these composers made any film an enriching watching (and listening) experience.

Parsons Playlists: Movie Music

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Naron (class of 2023) and features music from assorted movie soundtracks.

Movie Music

Some movie soundtracks have left a deep impression on me with their impressive music. The music in movies is usually carefully crafted by artists to match the main theme. The music often sounds even more powerful, carrying the memory of the story in the movie. Here is a short list of music from popular movies that left an impression on me:

movie music

Nick Laird-Clowes – “About Time Theme” (from About Time – 2013)

Lana Del Ray – “Young And Beautiful” (from The Great Gatsby – 2013)

Alan Silvestri – “Feather Theme” (from Forrest Gump – 1994)

John Williams – “Theme from Jurassic Park” (from Jurassic Park – 1993)

Hans Zimmer – “Why So Serious” (from The Dark Knight – 2008)

Ennio Morricone – “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (Main Title)” (from The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly – 1966)

Klaus Badelt – “He’s A Pirate” (from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – 2003)

Lin-Manuel Miranda – “You’re Welcome” (sung by Dwayne Johnson in Moana – 2016)

Joe Hisaishi – “The Name of Life” (from Spirited Away – 2001)

Maurice Jarre – “Carpe Diem” (from Dead Poets Society – 1989)

Here is a link to a version of this playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewCfuxxV4Gk3YIhi4ez0R4E

And here it is on Spotify:

Arachnophonia: Slumdog Millionaire

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features the soundtrack to the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. Thanks, Amy!

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack album cover

“What can a Slumdog possibly know?”

When I think of a powerful and incredibly well-made movie, Slumdog Millionaire is one that comes to mind. The 2008 drama stars Dev Patel as Jamal Malik, a teen on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

Slumdog Millionaire flashes between Jamal’s life as a teen and his childhood, showing the realities of living on the streets of Mumbai as a young child. The story is compelling, and the acting is phenomenal, but the thing that makes this film is the soundtrack. With artists like M.I.A. involved, it is easy to understand how this film won the Golden Globe for best soundtrack in 2009. A. R. Rahman, the score’s creator, wanted to create a mix of both modern and old India in the soundtrack.

A. R. Rahman’s original song “Jai Ho” for the movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture. The song was an international success with remixes and covers of the song coming from across the globe. The song was also the Indian National Congress’s official campaign song in 2009.

While this movie discusses and portrays hardship and is not indicative of every success story, I think it gives hope to those who feel stuck and like they won’t succeed. You can check out the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire at the Music Library!

Parsons Playlists: Starry Night

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features a playlist for a starry night.

Starry Night

This playlist is inspired by a stargazing night with friends!

Stargazing with telescope

Demi Lovato – “My Love Is Like A Star”

Elton John – “Rocket Man”

Joji – “Slow Dancing In The Dark”

Rainbow Kitten Surprise – “All That And More (Sailboat)”

Twenty One Pilots – “Oh Ms. Believer”

Billie Eilish – “Halley’s Comet”

Sleeping At Last – “Light”

Cigarettes After Sex – “Sunsetz”

Beach House – “Space Song”

Djo – “Chateau (Feel Alright)”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexJKfsPaCowiVR-rh1UfX7S

Arachnophonia: Romantic Arias

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features a CD collection of opera arias sung by tenor Jonas Kaufmann. Thanks, Esther!

Romantic Arias

Romantic Arias Jonas Kaufmann cd cover

If you frequent the music library, you may remember the question we had on our whiteboard last semester: do you listen to music when studying? If you do, this CD is something you should definitely check out.

Side note: the whiteboard questions are open for anyone to answer!

This CD is a collection of arias, or long accompanied songs for soloists, from a variety of romantic composers. The romantic era in music can usually be characterized by the introduction of chromatic harmonies and new chord progressions that “break” the rules of classical composition. They do not necessarily rely on resolving a melody or having a constant tempo throughout the piece. Romantic composers saw music as a medium to express human emotion and experience; it was seen as a way of communication.

Sung by my favorite tenor, this CD contains arias sung in Italian, French, and German. Jonas Kaufmann is a German operatic tenor noted for his versatility. You may remember seeing him as Don José in Carmen, but I personally became a fan after watching him in Massenet’s Werther. Check out this CD along with the CD players we have available for use in the library for your next study session!

Tenor Jonas Kaufmann

Parsons Playlists: Pantone “Viva Magenta”

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features songs inspired by Pantone’s 2023 color of the year.

Viva Magenta

It’s a new year which means that Pantone, a revolutionary color-matching system, has released their color of the year. 2023’s color is Viva Magenta, which is described as a symbol of new strength, bravery, and joy. Pantone Color Institute’s executive director describes Viva Magenta as a color to reconnect us to our spirit and nature. You can find the Viva Magenta phones from Motorola, Spoonflower and Pantone created six different Viva Magenta-themed fabrics. Cariuma, a skate shoe brand, created six different shoe styles that are all Viva Magenta. Here are 12 songs that remind me of Viva Magenta:

Viva Magenta - Pantone Color of the Year 2023

SZA – “Kill Bill”

Taylor Swift – “Vigilante Shit”

Dominic Fike – “She Wants My Money”

Declan McKenna – “Beautiful Faces”

Declan McKenna – “British Bombs”

Cage the Elephant & Beck – “Night Running”

Pearl Jam – “Dance of the Clairvoyants”

Frank Ocean – “Swim Good”

Cold War Kids – “Hang Me Up To Dry”

Hippo Campus – “boys”

Maggie Rogers – “Want Want”

SZA – “Shirt”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSwAwMtTLDwjXclKN2XlaDxiB0kNq1Hl3

Arachnophonia: Elton John – “Rocket Man”/”Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features a biography of and albums by Elton John. Thanks, Kiran!

Elton John
Rocket Man: The Life of Elton John by Mark Bego
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John

Rocket Man: The Life of Elton John by Mark Bego

Farwell Yellow Brick Road – The Closing Chapter on Elton John’s Magical Journey

For people in my generation, Elton John was the singer we grew up listening to when our parents were tired of listening to 2010s pop and Disney Channel stars. He (and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin) were the masterminds behind the
music & lyrics we somehow all knew even if we didn’t recognize the name. Needless to say, Elton John has been an influential artist on multiple generations and continues to be one of the biggest names in the music industry.

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

This year, he took to the stage one last time and began his very last world tour. John, now 75, has played over 3,500 concerts since his career took off in 1969. The “Farwell Yellow Brick Road” tour began in 2018 and was halted due to COVID-19. In early November of 2022, John completed the North America leg at Dodgers Stadium, as a nod to one of his earliest shows in which he performed in a bedazzled Dodgers uniform. He will continue touring in Europe this summer with about 60 shows left before he takes his final bow.

John has taken on numerous projects during his career, from creating the hit “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to an entire soundtrack for Gnomeo and Juliet. You can read more about him at Parsons Music Library or listen to one of his many famous albums in our CD section!

Promotional poster for Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour

Promotional poster for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour

Parsons Playlists: If Home Was A Person

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Esther (class of 2025) and features songs that make her think of her best friend.

If home was a person

One of the many things I am grateful for and continue to grow in appreciation for is having the most wonderful friends. These are a few songs that remind me of my best friend!

Best Friends

Danny and Alex – “4/4”

Mellow Fellow feat. Clairo – “How Was Your Day?”

HOAX – “Grow”

Early Eyes – “Marigolds”

Sam Ock feat. Michelle – “Can I Have The Day With You”

Planttvibes – “Heart on a Shelf”

Delorians – “Daisy”

Ben Chandler – “Red Line”

The Millennial Club – “Summer Nights”

Stephen Day – “For Life”

gerentperez – “Cherry Wine”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexqMUgojMDU0_p61kHyp1D2

New CDs added: January 2023

New CDs for January 2023

Orchestral, Concertos and Chamber Music

Body / Psathas / Ritchie – Music from New Zealand for Two Guitars

Music from New Zealand for Two Guitars

Opera, Opera Excerpts, Choral Music and Art Songs

Ernest Chausson – – The Songs of Ernest Chausson
Charlotte Sohy – Compositrice de la Belle Epoque

Charlotte Sohy Compositrice de la Belle Epoque

Popular Music

Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords – Live in London
The Fourmyula – Inside the Hutt: New Zealand’s Pop-Psych Kingpins 1968-1969

The Formyula Inside the Hutt: New Zealand's Pop-Psych Kingpins 1968-1969