Teach me things! (MUSIC THEORY)
 

For anyone thats heard Loose Furs excellent Hey Chicken, and has a grip on music and the theory behind it, I ask you this - What is going on in this song? It struck me just the other day that iv heard this track a thousand times yet still can't get my head around the mental patterns and bizarre structure of it, which is why I love it so.

There's nearly nothing going on in this song. I think you're confusing a chorus pedal and a 7th with interesting patterns.

That's not necessarily to say it's a bad song, by the way (although it doesn't flick my switches) I'd just be surprised if there was anything beyond a butchered pentatonic in it.

Yeah, i'm not hearing anything complex or tricky in there. Some doubled harmonizing in certain parts but..i thought it was pretty straightforward. Now if someone could tell me how the early Furs, as in Psychedelic Furs, were doing their thing, that would be cool. But you can't bc its a unique guitar synth and some weird modulation effects John Ashton used.

It's the way the different parts, to my ear atleast, seem to over-lap and break time. Is there an extra step or something...I dont know what Im talking about to be honest. How do you determine time sigs and all that jazz?

I'm not hearing an extra step or anything. Sounds like 4/4. I think it's as you said, they come in and out with some guitars at unexpected parts and play with the mix to bring them out, which gives that illusion of time being played with but they're mainly "pick ups", maybe not starting on the one et..

Love this song. Don't hear anything too "off" about it and not sure an understanding of music theory would help you appreciate it more. Your appreciation of it might be enhanced by understanding certain production/mixing techniques.

Its not something hugely off kilter, I just think certain sections sound like they should start earlier...or later! I think its the stop-start off the seperate riffs that does it for me. I have, to a certain degree, an understanding of recording/mixing techniques. I just think they've taken what coul have been soething pretty flat sounding and arranged it in an interesting way. Schools Out!

Well, it is Jim O'Rourke we're talking about. I'm now convinced, after hearing a good 50 or so albums he's done or been involved with in some degree, that he's a genius, and he constantly surprises me.

Can't say i'm into O'Rourke's actual music. BUT he impresses me greatly with his sounds and engineering prowess. And he obv had a great hand in the last few SY records, particularly Nurse and Murray, which are my favorite from Youth since Goo.

Dont forget he's a man who knows how to dress. His Murray Street sleeve photo trousers are evidence of yet another talent.