Song Deconstruction

Nirvana-In Bloom
Listening Framework
Listening Phase 1


Tempo
Slow

Source
Rhythm is driven by the Drums.

Groove
The Rhythm is Grungy with a bit of funk to it.

Listening Phase 2


Instrumentation
The main instruments driving the song is the drums and vocals.

Structure/Organization
The song is formed by a Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus and then Outro. This is the typical song layout for many songs.

Emotional Architecture 
In the beginning the song starts out pretty powerful with the drums and guitar. When the verse comes in, the song gets dreary because the vocals are quite and the guitar completely stops. The chorus builds back up the powerful and energized feeling with more yelling in the vocals and the guitar comes back in. This repeats then the outro comes which is the same feeling as the chorus.

Listening Phase 3


Balance
   -Height
    The song stays pretty low to medium frequency throughout the song.

   -Width
    It stays consistent with being mono speaker, in which the sounds do not differ throughout both   speakers.

   -Depth
    There are 4 total instruments, ranging from guitar, bass, drums and vocals. They all stay consistently loud in reference of each other.


Four Year Strong-In Bloom
Listening Framework
Listening Phase 1


Tempo
Fast

Source
The rhythm is driven by the drums.

Groove
The rhythm is mainly punk-like and grungy.


Listening Phase 2


Instrumentation
The main instruments driving the song is the vocals and drums.

Structure/Organization

The song is formed by a Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus and then Outro, just like the original.

Emotional Architecture 

The song stays pretty consistent wit the emotions. It mainly drives a high energized fast emotion throughout the whole song.

Listening Phase 3

Balance

   -Height

    The song stays pretty high frequency throughout the song.

   -Width

    It pans the two different singer's voices through opposite speakers.

   -Depth

    There are 6 total instruments, ranging from two guitars, bass, drums and two different vocals. They all stay consistently loud in reference of each other.

Both of these songs show talent and understanding of music. The original by Nirvana is a slower, more emotional contrasting song. The cover by Four Year Strong is more energized and faster, making the sounds differ greatly.

The pitch of the vocals greatly changes throughout the whole song in the original. The cover performed by Four Year Strong has a consistent pitch between all instruments. The instrumentation of the songs are pretty much the same except for the fact that Four Year Strong brought in their harmonizing dual vocals.

The melody stays the same with both songs, the only difference being Four Year Strong’s version is faster. The melody is formed from the guitar mixed with the vocals, creating a catchy melody when combined.

Nirvana’s approach was a grungy darker feeling. This is why Cobain had a monotone vocal during the verse and the bass and drum duet during the verse. Four Year Strong brought their own twist to the song by adding their iconic Pop-punk aspect. Making the song fast and upbeat.

Four Year Strong brought their touch to this cover in a few different ways. There are two different singers, making the different parts contrast greatly. They have two guitarists, which gave them the ability to be more complex through guitars. The ability to add complexity helps with making this cover their own.

I like Four Year Strong’s version better. It brings upbeat harmonizing vocals to what we thought was a grungier darker song. Unlike Nirvana’s original, Four Year Strong decided to make this song a more pop feel, making it a generally enjoyable song. Nirvana is a three-piece band, which limited them from making this song’s depth greater. Four Year Strong has two guitarists, who are both singers, along with a drummer, bass player and a synth player. This gives them the freedom to increase the depth, making the song one of a kind. Although both songs are very good versions, many will argue that the original is much better. But I believe that Four Year Strong’s is much better version because they utilized depth and panning of vocals.