The Dr. Rhythm Top 10 is music that represents talent, artistry, innovation and unique style. We encourage you to research and discover this music on your own.
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Bee Gees
"Stayin' Alive"
Of course this one would be on our list. I can say the title, chorus and the beat certainly make this song high on our list. I suppose the disco sensation, the Bee Gees, should be proud their music is saving so many lives, finally.
"The Beatles"
"Help!"
Slightly slower than "Stayin' Alive" though I think it definitely comes in a remarkable second. The opening lyrics at least mimic what someone would be saying if you needed CPR. Of course this is a love song, but then so is "Stayin' Alive."
Toni Braxton, "Unbreak My Heart"
It does not fit the tempo criteria of the Bee Gees, and is probably the worst TB song in a long time. Though it seems to get lots of play at karoake bars.
Queen, "Another One Bites the Dust"
If you ever are saving a life, make sure not to sing the lyrics out loud.
Culture Club, "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"
There was a time when I did want to hurt Boy George, although it was mostly due to those silly hats. It did not help when 4 non-blondes revived the stupid hats. Anyway, I certainly would prefer not to have BG giving me mouth to mouth, but if I drop dead and he is the only faded pop icon available, I'll gladly take the chance.
The Cars, "Just What I Needed"
This 80s classic is a bit too fast to effectively save lives, but it certainly would be a blessing to hear upon resuscitation.
The Backstreet Boys, "Quit Playing Games (With MY Heart)"
I know many of you tried your best to forget this song from 1999. When the millenium came we thought we were done with soft-rock, boy-band-frenzied entertainment, but alas I have brought it back for one last round.
Three Dog Night, "Chest Fever"
Classic late 60s version of Band's original song covered here by Three Dog Night. This trippy song may make you think you have already died and entered into some unusual psychedelia portal. Either way, you are going to get chest fever.
The Fray,
"How to Save a Life"
After listening to this song you'll realize it is not about to medically save a life. Rather more about your spirit. Could be some good advice when you are that close to the edge of eternity.
Tom Jones, "Please Release Me"
I know for many of you were to awake to this song you would think you had died and gone to heaven, but alas it is a bit too slow to really help your aching heart. But it would certainly be ironic and sometimes that is just as satisfying.
In the news: Stayin' Alive, banjo brain surgery...
10.17.08
Stayin' Alive? -- if you ever had to learn CPR in gym class then perhaps this information could be interesting to you. "Researchers" and "students" from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, IL apparently used the Bee Gee's song, "Stayin' Alive" to keep tempo when performing chest compressions in training for CPR. The song has a tempo of approximately 103 beats per minute while the ideal tempo for CPR is 100 beats per minute. The association, despite the dramatically overdrawn irony, allegedly help the "students" feel more confident about performing CPR after their training.
Now that has been said, ask yourself would this be news if the butter-drenched, way-too-much-salt-and-pepper irony was not disgustingly thick? There are most likely thousands of songs with approximately 100 beats per minute, why not give them a chance? This is musicalism. Discrimination against music like the third movement of Beethoven's fourth symphony, which is approximately 104 beats per minute. What about the Beatles' "Help!" which is approximately 97 beats per minute. Perhaps the irony is even thicker? Why not let students choose which 100 bpm song they want to internalize to help the greater good? As the Bee Gees said themselves, "And now its all right, its OK; and you may look the other way; we can try to understand; the New York Times' effect on man." Well said.
Banjo Brain Surgery -- Eddie Addock is a bluegrass legend at 70 years old. He suffered from a brain condition loosely called, "essential tremor" which ultimately harmed his ability to play the banjo. During the second stage of the operation, Addock was kept awake and asked to play the banjo while surgeons placed electrodes in certain places on his brain. Addock would alert surgeons to the status of his playing, whether it was better or worse. Apparently the surgery was a success and both Addock and his fans clearly noticed the difference saying he played like the "old Eddie."
This story is not only fascinating but shows the remarkable achievements of brain surgery. I have known many musicians who became musically disabled due to an injury or other condition. If only all of them could recover like Addock. Addock makes a very good point saying, "It was risky but playing means that much to me." Losing your ability to do something you absolutely love is devastating and thank God for the medical techniques to correct a few of these problems.
Kids! Stop playing the walls! -- A team of Swiss scientists have develop a music technology called MUTE (Multi-Touch Everywhere) that can transform any acoustic surface, like a wall or desk, into a proto-musical instrument. The technology uses acoustic sensors to track the location of a person's musical "tap." From there the software can interpolate a map of the surface allowing you to create regions and define their musical attributes. The left region could be a series of percussion instruments, the right a sci-fi synth sound. The MUTE technology also interfaces with a camera and lasers that can visually track your motions. This is similar to Microsoft's "TouchWall" technology which can alter any surface into a computer interface.
Overall, I like this idea and I definitely think that there is potential here. Especially for children and special needs communities. However, as a play tool for adults, I do not see many adults turning their desks at work into Keith Emerson's Moog synthesizer any time soon. Though the potential for acoustic sensing is very ripe for development. Engineers at UCSD (University of California, San Diego) have implemented technology similar to this to test the structural integrity of the steel in bridges to prevent attrition and potential collapse. On the musical side, I can see the experimental/avant-garde world embracing this technology to create extended pianos, drums and perhaps even using the floor as their "axe." If Björk or Sigur Ròs use this technique then perhaps it will catch on.
In good musical health,
Dr. Rhythm
Ask the Doctor - 9.27.08 (want to ask the doctor? click here)
"To Drop a Class, or Not Drop a Class "
Dear Dr. Rhythm,
I am taking a music history class about jazz. I find that I really don't like or understand jazz and am seriously thinking about dropping the class. Do you any words to convince me not to?
AJ
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Dear AJ,
First, I'll assume that your either are seeking or engaging in a university education. At most universities, undergraduates have to take what is commonly known as general interest/education/studies courses. These courses usually encompass a wide variety of liberal arts, science and humanities topics.
Second, I'll assume that you are taking this class as a general course for your degree. Many students ask, "Why do I need to take these boring general classes?" It is a legitimate question which many professors and administrators do not answer.
The most common answer is that in a university education it is important to cultivate a diverse and interdisciplinary education. This means even students planning to go into engineering should take courses in the arts and languages. However, despite this being a very good asset to a broad and complete education, there is another good reason to both take and be successful in these general study courses.
When you leave college you are entering a job market where you have little to no experience in the field you are pursuing. This can be your greatest asset and liability. However, these general studies courses display an important part of your ability to learn and be successful. You could be a brilliant engineer, but if you show a consistent pattern of low grades in what are suppose to be simple classes, then it is possible that an employer may find you more of a risk than an asset. Why?
The reason for this is these classes show you can learn new subjects successfully and quickly. Even once you find employment there will always be new things to learn and if you can show that you have a track record of this behavior it could give you an extra advantage over another employee. Plus, you will have the experience of learning new things fast in which you may not have been entirely interested. A valuable skill for saving time.
So do not give up and make the time invested thus far a complete waste. Plus, you may learn you actually like jazz in the end...
In good musical health,
Dr. Rhythm
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"Brit's 'Womanizer' "
Dear Dr. Rhythm,
What do you think of B. Spears' new single, "Womanizer?"
ZL
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Dear ZL,
For those that have not yet heard the new single released September 26th, 2008 you can listen using the portal on the right. I usually do not judge music in such a way as to say, "I like it," or "I don't like it." But this song could be the first step to a new Spears Empire, if she makes the right decisions in her song choices.
"Womanizer" begins much like a typical Prodigy tune circa 2002, but evolves into a swingy, electro-pop blues thing with a semi-rememberable chorus repeating the phrase, "Womanizer, Womanizer, You're a Womanizer, baby." Overall, it should get a B+ for production value. The reason it is not in the A range is because it borrows a whole bunch of pop clichés and seems to be trying too hard.
What Spears could be really good at is evolving away from the "pop sound" and more into the solo arena, much like Sara Bareilles, or the recent indie-pop singer Yael Naim. Emphasis on the word, "could." Spears does have a good voice when it is not ultra-EQed and post-processed, and when she is not using that "whiny" nose-filtered, head-voice thing she does like in "Oops, I did it again." If she could harness her real talent and move away from the Garageband synthesizer, perhaps she could find a whole new voice in the world of music.
For now she seems to gravitate towards the scantily-dressed, over-electrified, glit-pop that seems to make more insta-money. Though perhaps when she turns a ripe 27 years old on the "Circus" album debut December 2nd, she will realize that the glit is not good for the gander. I do not really know what that last sentence means, by the way, but it sounds good. Very similar to what I think Britney is doing in this song.
Be bold Brit. Take a stand. Put on some clothes, and stop kissing guys in the airplane bathroom!
