The podcast on the song “Inside Out” by Spoon was enlightening and enjoyable. I have heard the song many times and liked it before every really taking the details of it into account. I found it interesting that the band drew influence from genres all across the board, like the catchy riffs from Dr. Dre’s album, 2001. This seemed to say that music is music, and the aspects of songs that are pleasing to the ear are constant across genres, no matter what kind of music you are creating. I liked the idea of contrasting sounds, like the dry bongos that the drummer suggested. Artists are constantly altering their work and looking at it from different angles, which is what the producer did when he messed with the beat and placement of sound until he felt an emotional connection with it. Among the comments of the producer and drummer of the band, the mention of balance stuck out to me, as it did in Amy Tan’s TED talk about creation. The band sat in the studio and altered the balance of the song’s parts, removing layers of the track and adding them back in until it sounded just right. I learned that everyone who creates begins with a plan for communicating their idea that changes during the process, and that I shouldn’t be afraid to veer off and try out different ideas that may fail or lead me to a better idea.

The song itself was very relaxing and seemed to glow with swelling sound and constant notes. There was scarce harmony, a constant ringing of similar notes, and a steady drumbeat that kept it fairly simple throughout. The first keyboard solo consisting of falling notes created a sort of behind the beat feeling, one that is not constricted by the drum beat, adding a laid back feeling to the song. The repetition of words and melody created a mood and a point of view for the vocalist to take on. I noticed how the second keyboard solo was made up of rising scales that were sweet but slightly dissonant. This element of the song created a sense of hope and anticipation, questioning and infatuation that leaves the listener hanging. The intro and fade out are both reminiscent of the glowing affect the song has on the listener, and the rising and falling of sound throughout the vocal and instrumental piece.