Say It Isn't So/Bon Jovi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYcYCNICcPU

My favorite song from the album, even though "It's My Life" got a lot more airtime. Some serious schooltime nostalgia. :)

Thought: Major Sevenths - The Chords That Defined The Sound Of The 70s?

Every decade is known for a unique sound, characterized by the stylistic choices made by many popular artists in that era. The 60s had psychedelia, the 80s synthesizers, the 90s grunge, and so on. That is, every decade except the 70s.  What's different about the 70s? Well, they did spawn several distinct movements in rock music - metal, progressive rock, and punk to name a few. The musical diversity of the 70s probably makes it hard to pin a specific sound to them. Yet,for the longest time I couldn't stop thinking about what defines 70s music. After all, most of my favorite songs are from that decade.

My theory? The 70s sound so good because they're responsible for bringing to life one of the beautiful chords in all of music - the Major 7th chord. Here's an example of the chord in use by French composer Eric Satie:

Gymnopedie No. 1/Eric Satie

I soon realized that many of my favorite songs from the 70s have this chord somewhere, whether in the verse, chorus, or a bridge or outro. In some of these songs, no instrument may even actually be playing a maj7. However, when combined with the other instruments and the vocals, the overall effect is that of a maj7 chord. I've tried to list my top ones below (there are many more that I can't recall just now).

It's Too Late/Carole King
Make It With You/Bread
I Know What I Like/Genesis
Rain Song/Led Zeppelin
How Deep Is Your Love/Bee Gees
Year Of The Cat/Al Stewart
Color My World/Chicago
We've Only Just Begun/Carpenters
Beast Of Burden/Rolling Stones
Dreams/Fleetwood Mac
Bennie And The Jets/Elton John

So that's my take on what makes the 70s sound so unique. The maj7 is just one of those sweet sounding chords that lends a melodious, laid-back feel to so many songs of that decade. No wonder that so many of the top '70s artists used it, whatever the genre.

Penny Hitch/Soft Machine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qJazRI9wqA

The slow groove through most of this 3-part suite. Jenkins' songwriting never ceases to amaze.
  

King Of Pain/The Police

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3l0kpl5tA4

The melody in the verse, the mood change in the chorus, the tight rhythm and keyboard track, the guitar playing the verse melody in the bridge, and the resolved outro. A lesson in perfect songwriting.

Great Albums (Lovers EP Part II/Timecop1983)

Year: 2017

If you're in the mood for some serious synthwave, this EP will hook you from start to end. Each of the seven songs strikes with deadly consistency, simultaneously lifting you up and pulling you down, like breaking up with someone while eating your favorite ice cream. I don't know what the deal is with this genre, except that I can't get enough of it. Whatever you're doing Timecop1983, it's working.

Personal Picks: "Girl" and "Falling Apart"

I Dreamt We Spoke Again/Death Cab for Cutie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aZUgUii4Sk

Gloriously produced track. If the opening song is this good, I can't wait for the rest of the album.

Ripples.../Genesis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJa9gEUa0To

Rutherford's 12-string guitar and Banks' piano effortlessly coalesce in this glorious track off their '76 album, A Trick of the Tail.

People Get Ready/Jeff Beck feat. Rod Stewart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC8IbPObd1o

Say what you want about him. Few can belt it like Stewart did back in the day.

Libra/Intervals feat. Plini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx8c3CuUxw0

Do you djent? :)

Blue Eyes Blue/Eric Clapton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZw_ja30m4k

Love the chord change in the chorus.

It Will Be/Jakatta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNn4NmbVm7Y

Dug up this old favorite today! That half-time shuffle groove.

Out Of Season/Soft Machine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f50eyoFQ2eM

That piano refrain.

Star Of Sirius/Steve Hackett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wraejmyAK5w

Collins's vocals here are truly mesmerizing. Also, the oboe halfway into the song!

Above Your Head/Anoraak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btbLXq7TTis

I've been hooked on synthwave music ever since Stranger Things S1E1 (the opening scene with the bicycles). I believe it's called "anemoia" - nostalgia for a time you've never known.

Pretzel Logic/Steely Dan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaw0oDqDFlY

A rare bluesy tune from the jazz rockers. The sweet guitar solo from rhythm guitarist Walter Becker makes the track even more special.

Light Of Day/Little River Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6g-I9QS83I

Slippery smooth track off their 1978 album, Sleeper Catcher.

The Carpet Crawlers/Genesis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yUN6CsuVPw

Been listening to a lot of the band's Gabriel-era songs these past few weeks. This one's off their brilliant '74 concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.