Composer/Musician Reacts to Godspeed You! Black Emperor - We Drift Like Worried Fire (REACTION!!!)

Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on We Drift Like Worried Fire
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[@Lebowski55]

Thanks for the thoughtful and sincere reaction. This song probably isn’t nearly their most well known song, that’s one of the reasons I requested it. I love this one because for me, it’s one of the few Godspeed pieces that is exuberantly optimistic throughout. This group’s music always evokes strong emotions buried deep within me. Often I’m left weeping at the end of a Godspeed song. I’m left smiling at the end of this one.

[@thewhorocks515]

Thanks for the request! Your comment makes me feel better about requesting MF = R. I think it's my favorite track by GY!BE (although it's almost impossible to decide at any given time) but I kept feeling like I should have requested the more popular Dead Flag Blues or Sleep.

[@chips161]

All your requests were great! For this particular track, I actually liked the live recording that had been floating around (under the name "Gamelan") better than what they recorded for the album. Same for some of their other newer tracks -- something seems to be missing in the studio recordings. Their old albums though are perfect, Dead Flag Blues needs a reaction. Surprised Moya hasn't been recommended yet.

[@mustafadawi5668]

@@thewhorocks515 mf=redeemer is really underrated imo from 10:20 you start to feel every possible human emotion and it even goes way beyond this

[@ilikepingpong]

Great request. One of my favorites. This album hit me hard. I was really anticipating it. At this point, there were tons of other "post-rock" bands out there doing their thing, gaining popularity, mostly more melodic & lively & digestible than GYBE. In a very competitive music environment. So I was curious how Godspeed's new material was going to be coming into that context. They are what they are. They are not contextual at all. And I love that about them. So then they put out this album that maybe shows a more lively and connected side of their music very well, while being unmistakably them. I was not expecting it to be so damn good. I think they will always be that way.

[@davidmfra]

09:35 this man is feeling it!!

[@jeannettesimpson9778]

I'd still love a reaction to "The Dead Flag Blues". The spoken parts are something else. I played it to my writing group way back when. It really grabs me like nothing else. It's so unique. As for this number, I love the slow build up. It reminds me of "Red" from King Crimson. They keep me hooked and on edge, anticipating what's coming down the road. And I can't hear this band without thinking of Boards of Canada and, especially, "The Devil is in the Details". The bands aren't alike, but they're from the same genre. In headphones, "The Devil is in the Details" is just wow!

[@orijut]

You made a very good point when describing how one layer sticks around to build the next section up upon. This is what I love about listening to them. Trying to figure out which layer it is that stuck around and trying to build a genealogy of sections. You're also right about their unique texture. Great analysis!

[@EthanRadell]

its not that you arent engaging with music, its more that youre engaging in a different way. its more like being in the music rather than it being in you. I had the same "issue" when getting into post rock stuff but after a while ive found the state it puts you in can really good for you. It allows you to check out without really checking out, its like a mental vacation from the constant flow of thoughts and such. Theres still stuff to dissect though, but its more of something you do afterwards rather than during.

[@EthanRadell]

F L O W S T A T E

[@CriticalReactions]

Oooh I like that phrase to describe the concept.

[@thewhorocks515]

Next revisitation of GY!BE should be Dead Flag Blues or BBF3 as they showcase the fantastic spoken word samples aspect of the band.

[@thewhorocks515]

If Bryan ever does album reviews, while I'd selfishly want something like Amarok by Mike Oldfield or Hubardo by Kayo Dot, Godspeed's Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven has to be one of the most objectively deserving albums to react to.

[@MudHut67]

I'd highly recommend "Dead Flag Blues" if you ever revisit them

[@spencershaw4419]

I’d love if he did The Dead Flag Blues. Instant watch

[@GirlsEatingStyrofoam]

Thank you sooo much for doing these longer songs. This song is definitely in my top 5 for gy!be (maybe top 3). These guys really know how to texture a song. I'm not sure if there's any in this one, but a few of their songs have them bowing an electric guitar with a screwdriver to create some really insane noises.

[@CriticalReactions]

See, that's what I'm talking about. Just really unique "noises" that no one else is even thinking about. It adds so much character to their compositions.

[@thewhorocks515]

I fucked up in my comment on the first GY!BE song Bryan reacted to (which I requested) and said they used bows totally forgetting that they actually use screwdrivers. And I've seen them live before! Thanks for your comment.

[@floatingdisembodiedhead8975]

@@CriticalReactions the guitar and screwdriver noise was on the Sleep movement of their best album Lift Yr Skinny Fist, just in case if you're still wondering.

[@lukecevans]

@@thewhorocks515 For 09-15-00 David Bryant would use a bow in the first section, so technically you’re still sort of right

[@taterhamster]

Love this song, love this album, understanding why you don't feel like you'd go back to it. But you haven't reacted to either of their best albums (F#A# and Life Yr Skinny Fists), just sayin! :)

[@i.hold.vertigo2329]

As far as unique techniques go, one of the guitarists plays using a screwdriver to get a kind of oddball wailing effect.

[@ginodc5944]

I challenge anyone to listen to the guitar work in "Piss Crowns Are Trebled" and "Mladic" and not feel compelled for a second listen.

[@necromantic6729]

Beatiful music , great vídeo bro !!

[@bootypopper420]

This song is one of my favorites from them. Love the way the same simple melody continues throughout the first half, and how its sound changes from more mysterious and ambiguous when alone to more joyful when the other instruments come in.

[@RB3Vids]

React to Mirrors and Obfuscation by BTBAM, flow perfectly and are dope! Anything from Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens is great too.

[@thecloudofunknowing]

My personal interpretation of the title is that it describes napalm, war, and conquest as a whole. Godspeed is a pretty blatantly political band, like in the title of the previous album to this one - Yanqui U.X.O. In a literal sense I think the title describes napalm and chemicals being dropped into SEA war zones by the US, and assimilating into the environment around it. The song’s original title was Gamelan, maybe a nod to wars like Vietnam. The almost upbeat melodies in the second half contrast heavily with the suspenseful marching band motif earlier. It’s as if you drifted into a state of inappropriate bliss while stationed in hell. The title can also hint towards the state of war and conquest itself in a poetic style, paranoia fuels war fuels paranoia, causing destruction all along its path.

[@chips161]

For another Godspeed track with strong melody (at least at the beginning and end -- the middle does get really droning), I would recommend Anthem for No State (formerly, "Railroads")... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHSopH9vrL1gq7M. If looking for "interviews," there was a documentary a while back called "Blood Sweat and Vinyl" with a section on GY!BE and Constellation Records in general, as well as Hydra Head and Neurot. Going to link a KZbin upload here, but it's worth buying kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYDFYWN-grWrsKc -- Godspeed/CST section starts ~ 55:00.

[@aramchek]

You should check out "A Silver MT Zion".

[@necromantic6729]

Por favor podrías activar los subtítulos para poder lo que opinas de la canción saludos

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

This reminds me of early King Crimson.

[@necromantic2955]

I know bryan, I understand that this music does not happen to you, because it is not for everyone, la. Part of min 8:39 is amazing how godspeed cheats the main riff of the song and me. Get into the climax by totally changing the. Emotion, the music came from being epic to becoming melancholy and beauty, only godspeed can do this, excellent video and thanks for sharing your opinion

[@zachshuler1143]

Hope

[@morgue_file]

You should check out some Phillip Glass if you haven't. The way he plays with repetitive/hypnotic melodies layered against one another in different times, rhythms and flows is fascinating and seems like it would give you a lot of fodder for things to talk about. Got into godspeed and his work around the same time and they always seemed similar to me, I suppose.

[@levi_svm2398]

React to Gloryhammer - The Fires of Ancient Cosmic Destiny. Swedish power metal just like Sabaton. Although Sabaton is more history based Gloryhammer has a story crossing 3 different albums with a possible 4th on the way!

[@danieldbor]

Wonder what that name has got to do with their music.... It almost seems kind of.. random? Anyway awesome track

[@localwizard8704]

React to Velnias - Pariah of the Infinite.

[@katharineblowers5574]

Slugdge- salt thrower Be'lakor- neither shape nor shadow Vektor- tetrastructural minds

[@onlyusernameleft2]

I gotta disagree with you in the 2 minute waltz section when the drums come in. It's not an oddly constructed 4/4, it's 2 measures of 3/4 and 1 measure of 2/4. 3/4 time signature is kind of the GS!BE calling card as much as 20 minutes of guitar noise is.

[@ryanschindler923]

Hm, definitely have to be in a certain mood for something like this. It's okay I guess.

[@CharlesEMurphy]

Man, are you standing for the entire length of these videos?

[@CriticalReactions]

Yup. Switched to a standing desk setup and I'm enjoying it for the most part. I also have a nice "anti-fatigue" mat (basically just a wedge of foam with an outer layer of plastic) and it keeps my feet off of the harsh tile.

[@spencershaw4419]

Please react to Sleep by GY!BE. You won’t be disappointed

[@ArvoR]

sry for thumbs down but this is a wrong Emperor

[@floatingdisembodiedhead8975]

This is obviously the superior Emperor though.