chill........

Within popular lexicon as of April 16th, 2013, "chill" seems have a significant presence. I could not quantify for you, audience, just how much of my personal lexicon overlaps with popular lexicon. I like to imagine no overlap existing. Especially since my favorite pastime (blogging is an undoubted second) is mocking pop(ular) culture. However, I am experiencing some Cognitive Dissonance (Psychology major!). I am unquestionably influenced by pop culture, as anyone with an awareness of it is to some degree. This influence carries into our personal lexicon. Most of us (me) couldn't understand what the fuck was going on in Hamlet in high school because of Shakespeare's lexicon. In the same way, had Shakespeare boarded a time machine and chose to be transported to April 16th, 2013 (to get an opportunity to read my blog), he would not understand what we were saying. And I would mock him for being so pretentious. 

A chill discussion:
Today, "chill" does not only mean "to cool food." It rarely means that. In popular lexicon, I think it most often means "relax." 
"Chill bro!" Translation: Relax, male. 

Or in the lexicon of out-of-touch adults: "Take a chill pill, Bill." Translation: Relax, male.

In more recent years(?), "chill" has begun to mean "hang out."  
"Yo, you wanna chill later?" Translation: Would you like to spend some time together later, friend? 

It has also been modified to be used a personal adjective, meaning "cool."
"My friends are pretty chill." Translation: I like my friends. (An inherently weak persuasion; who doesn't like their friends?) 

"Chill" also has a special connotation within the marijuana community. As in, super-laid back. 
"Yo0o0o you're so chill." Translation: Do you have any weed? 
 
I'm not sure of the exact era in which "chill" became the common word being spoken in any given casual small-talk exchange. But I know that, now, as of April 16th, 2013, I hear it almost every time I share a small-talk exchange with a male acquaintance. Even in passing: 

Me: Yo, what's up man? 
Man: Chillin. 

I pass by a man, and we are walking. Yet, he's "chillin." Suddenly, "chill" translates to "am alive?" Or more simply: "nothing." The way popular lexicon is trending, as far as I'm concerned, is that "chill" will soon mean "everything." As in, just substitute "chill" for any word and its meaning will be understood. Furthermore, are we approaching popular lexicon in which everything is just understood and we are simply reading each other's minds? "Chill" is the barometer of society's evolution. 

Side note: I suppose my "what's up" can be critiqued as heavily. The real answer to "what's up?" will either be "the ceiling" or "the sky," no exceptions. But "what's up" is not the title of this blog post. Critiques of my hypothetical personal lexicon will be saved for blog posts from the future. If not blog posts from never.       

"Chill" is being analyzed because it is today's theme. My blog post intention for today was to talk about my top 5 "chill" bands. "Chill" is probably not the most poetic way to describe my sentiments, but for the purposes of this blog post becoming an internet sensation, I am going the popular-lexicon route. 

FULL DISCLOSURE: While blogging, I am infrequently listening to music. You already know that music is my livelihood, my blood, my double-cherry pie. But, as you have also noted, I am very particular and exert a great deal of effort when it comes to my diction. So, focus while blogging is paramount. It feels a bit like betrayal to admit that I don't really listen to music while blogging. But herein lies the purpose of this blog post (the following is cliche and a played-out pop culture reference. I'm turning myself in to the hypocritical blogger police):

I don't always listen to music while blogging. But when I do, it's most likely one of the following bands. 

XX (Dos Equis, en espanol) beer product placement in my blog (my take: "I don't always drink Dos Equis, but when I do, it's Dos Equis Ambar). Weird tangents aside...

I have been really enjoying jazz music lately. It might be a subconscious (Psychology major!) effort to relive my past as a trombonist in high school concert band. I like to believe that I am being totally honest with myself about music that I enjoy, as I've never given myself an opportunity to indulge in jazz in the past. I've always written it off as "old people music" or "archaic and irrelevant" in my mind. But my ears have opened and soul is being cleansed. Jazz artists will not be included on this "chill" list because, despite jazz music epitomizing any variation of "chill," I don't feel like I have enough expertise to eloquently distinguish them yet. One day, I will make a jazz top 5. NOTE TO AUDIENCE: if you have any jazz suggestions to me, please include them in the comment section of this blog.  

When I say my top 5 "chill" bands, I do not mean my top 5 reggae bands. That would be a blank list. I mean the bands that I would rely on when I had to study and needed background noise that was extremely enjoyable yet would not disrupt my concentration. These bands help me focus and make me feel relaxed simultaneously. These bands are not necessarily "quiet," but I go to them most often at minimal volume late at night. When I pop in one of these bands' albums, I usually end up wanting to listen to their entire discography. These bands are the soundtrack to my most genuinely self-reflective moments. These are bands I prefer when my head is most clear and my mind is most open. These bands I prefer while blogging. 

These are not my favorite bands. They are my top 5 CHILL bands (bands currently on my itunes), in ascending order of chill-effectiveness. 

5. Brand New 
The undisputed champions of the early 00's (2000's) "emo" movement/lifestyle. Brand New were two cuts above their peers when it came to songwriting. They have definitely have made an appearance on my "top 5 favorite bands, period" list in the past (not available at press time). Sonically balancing quiet moments with some seriously aggressive angst, Brand New's calling card has always been Jesse Lacey's extremely personal, bleeding-heart lyrics. Their latest album (2009's Daisy) didn't chill for me, but I hold out hope for a return to form based on the strength of their high-water marks. 

Most chill album: Deja Entendu is a very close second, but I will go with one of my all-time favorites, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, 2006. 

 
4. The Mars Volta
The most musically experimental band I consider myself a fan of, they are both lauded and resented by "music critics." In their heyday (they lost their luster with their two most recent albums), they could make a 70-minute album feel 20 minutes and leave you thirsty for even more. Their spacey atmospheres, muscular guitar solos and English/Spanish vocals flowed together seamlessly. They are equally enjoyable at high or low volumes. 

Most chill album: Frances the Mute, 2005. 

  

3. Circa Survive
Circa's (ca.'s) mouthpiece Anthony Green is the closest thing to a rock star/god in today's "alternative" music landscape. Unflinchingly sexual during performances, his beautiful androgynous croon coupled with his rugged masculine features and dreamy blue eyes add up to "rock god." Google image search him if taking nothing else from this blog. The real reason Ca. is on this list, however, is everything else about the band's sound. They posses the most "atmospheric" and "post-rock" sound of anything found on my itunes. Rarely up-tempo, the songs seem to glide by as your soundtrack to a magic carpet ride. There is also a sad undertone in their sound that aids any introspective efforts on the part of the listener. Green's lyrics are personal yet vague and littered with double-meanings, adding to the introspective cause. A beautiful band in every sense.  

Most chill album: On Letting Go, 2007. 

2. Fugazi
If I constructed a line graph for each band I have ever liked, with each point on the graph being my enjoyment level of a band at a given time, Fugazi's graph might have the least variance out of any band over time. Most of the bands I listen to have a peak period of enjoyment, followed by a gradual decline as I discover new music. This is probably because Fugazi is consistenly a band whose music grows on you. It will never blow your mind on first listen. I own just three of their albums and I've bought each with a significant grace period in between. They are truly innovative songwriters who consistently push the envelope. Fugazi take me to a very contented state.  

Most chill album: Red Medicine, 1995.

1. Radiohead
I spent an entire summer listening to exclusively Radiohead late at night. Much like Fugazi, they exclusively take musical left turns. Thom Yorke's vocals are often indecipherable and always dreamy. They are anti-pop in sound, rock band in popularity. Their chill factor is undeniable. I get the feeling, which in my opinion is the apex of any form of art, that Radiohead purposely go in a totally different direction musically with each release. Yet they consistently top themselves. In sum, they are quintessentially chill. 

Most chill album: Kid A, 2000.

 
Thanks for reading these words. Hope these bands can make your life a little more enjoyable. 

Now go chill.