How

[@strangemarkings]

It’s safe to say that if you write a song like this, perform all the instruments and mix the song yourself, then to have it be embraced all over the world, that you have achieved something rare and special in your music career.

[@האלהה]

Sound like prince

[@WarpedRecord]

Also Todd Rundgren.

[@nobackgroundmessage]

Call it genius :)

[@specks3232]

@@WarpedRecordis he on the same level in terms of success, as Prince and Kevin? cause that was part of the comment. “Embraced all over the world” I m seriously asking cause I haven’t heard of him.(don’t mean that as dickishly as it sounded)

[@vrzM8]

​@@specks3232well... people often say he is, and a few of his songs are masterful. But the output/ skillset isn't as impressive as them imo, no.

[@contra009]

I don't know how Jack and Ryan manage to stay on script and avoid making these 3 hour long discussions, but kudos to whoever wrangles that back in. You can just feel the enthusiasm and urge to head off into the weeds at any given moment, like walking a dog who's just seen a squirrel and isn't convinced to leave it alone. It makes this channel phenomenal to watch

[@migueldiazcuervo8669]

I mean, I would also watch a 3 hour long video of them talking about whatever related to music 😂

[@moritzvanhees4729]

@@migueldiazcuervo8669 They should start a podcast!!!

[@sour37]

The power of editing.

[@mr.yellowstrat3352]

Well that's because Jack Ryan is a former marine, CIA analyst, National Security advisor, VP, and President Tom Clancy joke 😁

[@louisaamabel708]

@@migueldiazcuervo8669 LITERALLY and as for smbd w ADHD, i sat through this and only got distracted probably once or twice. I always sit through their videos.… my fav channel

[@davidsklubal]

What amazes me most about the Less I Know The Better is that it wasn’t a single, it was this amazing song you discovered when listening to the album, Disciples is my fav track off currents

[@thebigfletch1885]

It's such a great interlude for the album, a really sudden but nice separation from the heavy and interesting sounds of the songs in the half before it with it finishing and then continuing that sound with Cause I'm a Man and the rest of the album (maybe not New Person, Same Old Mistakes, but that's a great finisher). Honestly a perfectly crafted album and one of the best out there.

[@ageresequituresse]

Thank you for causing me to pay Disciples more attention.

[@Siglenie]

Shows how amazing he is, that album has only gotten more and more popular as the years go on. Modern classic

[@stevenviney7888]

What are you talking about - it was a single. The last and biggest one.

[@kittervision]

Omg YES DISCIPLES IS THE best shortest song ever

[@seeryeven]

Kevin Parker is a musical genius

[@guxx5272]

He really is. Idk if he’ll ever be viewed the way he should by the entirety of people, but man for those of us who know, it’s such an incredible thing to be witnessing.

[@avedic]

Absolutely. Tho as much as I love Tame Impala....I might be a bigger fan of Pond, very much the sister band to Tame Impala. Nick Allbrook is a brilliant vocalist and performer. They have a bunch of albums....the early stuff is very spazzy cosmic psych-rock. But it's their album The Weather, and the 2 after that, where I think they hit on a genuinely genius sound and approach to music. If anyone hasn't heard Pond...check out all the singles to The Weather, Tasmania, and 9. The singles are all excellent and actually very good representations of the band at their best.

[@Lechatnoir3]

‘Come on Superman, say your stupid line’ is one of my favourite lyrics of all time, lines from a song. So poignant and poetic.

[@ericsalem9791]

I just love this consistent narrative and feel that the lyrics have about being a bit of a pushover and loser. Who hasn’t been there at some point in their life.

[@StanleyThompson-ym1gy]

What was superman line? “Up up and away”?

[@avedic]

I love how this song develops over time. It starts off immediately catchy and effective.....instantly iconic from go. But my favorite part is basically the final chorus that goes till the end of the song. The chords are slightly different than the first go around....and there's something about that simple chord progression that feels so good. It's like The Police and Walking on the Moon.....the chorus chords in that are just TOO good. Or the 4 chords that make up the chorus to Purity Ring's Obedear. It makes me re-fall in love with music when an artist can take 3 or 4 chords you've heard a million times before, and make them sound like magic.

[@flamyyy8382]

In an interview Kevin said that every single sound in the first two minutes of the song is made with a guitar going through a Roland GR-55 guitar synth pedal, which I think makes it even more insane once you realize that

[@theScienceLabLive]

Are you serious? Wow. I guess I'm gonna need to get a GR-55 now. Because I am NOT a keyboard player. 🤣

[@heiswatching]

the drums too?

[@theScienceLabLive]

@@heiswatching I don't think the drums. Kevin is very particular about the drums from some interview I saw. But I don't know for certain.

[@morgendorffer3504]

@@heiswatching absolutely impossible to create drum sounds that sound THAT much like a real drum set

[@natethagod2426]

@@morgendorffer3504 im quite certain hes actually playing the drums and i say that because he is a drummer at heart

[@silvionolle]

It's so soothing and enjoyable to watch people appreciate music. I love you guys' enthusiasm!

[@Jawalic]

He said the bass line is actually guitar going through an octave or pitch shift pedal and a boss blues driver pedal (that's from an interview, I believe it's like a version where he wins song of the decade). Then I believe there's a dry baseline underneath that. To play live tho you can get pretty close to the tone with a blues driver or bass overdrive pedal and boost the high mids

[@SandrineVoxServices]

Yep, I remember him explaining this as well.

[@benlobo3821]

Sounds about right, I actually always suspected it was two seperate bass lines, each processed differently

[@OHHnoYOUdidntMAN]

It's a Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer for the bassline (using the pitch shift & more built within it).

[@LikeaRolandStone]

Ive been obsessed with Kevin as a legit renaissance man for years now. Less I know the better is disgustingly good on so many levels. Wonderful analysis gents. THANKS

[@lissigagnon7669]

A Dead Wax Spotify playlist of all your song end-of-episode recs would be awesome

[@KartLife]

The melody on the C section is the pure Brian Wilson, one of the best of the decade, wish you’d dissected it even more!

[@sandrocestra4422]

This is what I’ve been waiting for. More Tame Impala please!!

[@michaelokorodudu2315]

The level of detail within the analysis was truly mesmerising. Made me fall in love with the art of composition even more. It’s a song written by a master of his craft but is dissected with such accuracy detail and simplicity which allows viewers to understand the artists approach even more. Incredible job.

[@cliffspicer6555]

I am not a musician and don’t know much about how music is structured but I was amazed at how 2 guys can be this passionate and dissect a song to the degree they did. It was like watching a masters class or a TED talk about things I know little about but watching people who are passionate and good at what they do is intoxicating. I did love the version Scary Pockets did of this song but I am working backwards since that was the first time I heard that song.

[@kevinneal2575]

I have nominal music training but I think I have the ability to recognize great music. It was fun watching actual pros tell me why I liked it so much. But I think what it comes down to is putting all those different hooks together to make something fresh and new.

[@polkmusic]

Another great breakdown. I would love to see you critique the Steely Dan Aja album.

[@riodany1]

Another amazing analysis, would love to see one on Khruangbin 🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@Шизлманизл]

Thousand percent YESss!!!!

[@Jojoairbus]

Everytime I hear Tame Impala, especially this album, I feel instantly so much better. It's indescribable!

[@briceperusse8310]

I love this. I was longing for someone to go as deep into the songwriting process as you guys do.

[@Glutoc]

This is my first time finding you guys and I love everything about the structure and style of these discussions. Having the instruments right next to you and being able to demonstrate everything you are talking about through them or the actual song itself from the laptops/editing this is perfectttt

[@shanecastleberry4176]

Yessss. A deeper video on the composition. I’ve been needing a deeper video on Kevin’s songs

[@Rgdonaire_07]

I love this show so much. Thanks for an amazing review of this classic tune! for a bit I thought you would have Kevin Parker invited lol almost cried

[@Basje100]

Seeing Tame Imapala tonight in Amsterdam! So good to get this as a little teaser!

[@hillarydvorkin2821]

My four-year-old loves Tame Impala and was GLUED to this episode. Thanks guys!

[@vzmol]

What makes the bass so great? I think can answer that. It's in the front - the whole song is built on it. It's a nice melody, but nothing too exotic - everyone can catch up. It's steady, juicy and just so enjoyable sounding on its own, but as other instruments join, that's where the magic happens. They compliment the bass. Drums synchronise at one point and make this "clapping" feel, but there is no clapping - just joined silence between beats - and that is soo satisfying! The glassy sounds also compliment the bass. The guitar is mostly fill, again to provide balance to the song. All calms down when vocals came in, so... yeah, you talked about that, it's a totally awesome song! Loved the breakdown - as always :)

[@SWizz871]

I'm amazed and so glad you guys picked up on the Electric Feel similarity. MGMT seem like the sonic precursor for Parker. Even down to the reverbed vocal mix!

[@Merlincat007]

I wouldn't say precursor, but they definitely share some vibes!

[@epic420master2]

Yes !! I’ve been thinking the same thing about Kids and New Person. They have their own distinct voices but stylistically they are similar in the best ways. I think Tame Impala opened for them once too.

[@badwerds]

​@@epic420master2 definitely an influence, I remember some of his band dropping mgmt references in really old tame interviews

[@mugin11223344]

I love this channel. It makes me listen to that song differently, and I get more out of it.

[@damianclarkson]

MGMT have this same magic in their sound and mix from their first album, electric feel track also maybe Daft Punk strangely enough! Discovery album and face to face track. They all have incredible catchy melodies adding to the secret sauce!

[@damianclarkson]

Like 5 mins after this comment you mentioned electric feel! lol :)

[@tiagobarboza4551]

@@damianclarkson hahah i love your comment!

[@jesusmtz29]

I finished this video knowing more and it's better 🙃 great break down guys awesome job

[@helmanfrow]

I remember my first time hearing Lonerism. It was the first time in probably 15 years that a record completely melted my brain. That was my intro to Tame Impala and I've been a superfan ever since. Your analysis mirrors the way I think about Kevin's songwriting and production. Great video.

[@LooseArrow9109]

I love when you guys have guest speakers, but just hearing you guys "geek out" on this song is awesome! Definitely need more of just you two digging deep into songs! Also, where can I get a DeadWax sticker? I need one, I'll give you my drumset for one! jk please don't take my drumset but please take my money for a sticker!

[@jasongravely7217]

😂❤

[@GKuran]

I can’t believe it’s an Impala episode! You guys crushed it. So on point. Wish i could subscribe again.

[@deaudio]

Loved Tame Impala’s show in Amsterdam, magical. ❤

[@simonetolomelli]

One the best channel on KZbin. Hands down. You guys have such a proper way to talk about music and music production.

[@mattpynnpedalsteel]

this is truly an excellent breakdown! Well done!

[@PolaBurrr]

u can also split the bass signal so u can record a clean DI and an amped signal with distortion at the same time on 2 different tracks and then mix it so u keep the clean lows from the Di but the crunch from the amped one

[@buhlir]

Incredible! I can't believe I just found your guys channel. Love it!

[@Gardinerrrrrrrr]

you're hittin all my favorite artists, the drum sounds of tame impala. the amazingness of bon iver. dead wax forever!

[@nemanjastabic8667]

This was cool, but you guys really need to do 'August is Falling' next! I'd love to see you unpack that genius.

[@beachcomber4141]

Your one of my favorite music break down channels on youtube. I love your enthusiasm in all of your videos! And Tame Impala is so damn cool.

[@pshant94]

i’ve been waiting for this one for ages. the song is somehow even better live. blows my mind every single time

[@MickeyValenz]

Tame Impala is so good. I love the sound. Psychedelic Pop.

[@tommyebben2937]

This is my new favorite channel. LOVE IT ALL!

[@SamTipton]

I love this song. The composition and mix always stood out to me but I never took a second to analyze it. Thank you!

[@majorwilkesjr.5827]

The way you guys break down the song and explain it is phenomenal for me. You put into words everything I notice but don't terminologically understand . 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 🤘🏿🇨🇱🤘🏿

[@vexivoia8063]

First time DW viewer and I'll say this: this video is a perfect example of making theory fun // beneficial for us self-taught "feelers" that can't be bothered with VI's and the like! Subbed!

[@frankvens-v3v]

I needed this

[@josephvitale93]

This video was so exciting to watch, there is not a second of waste in this conversation, so many important concepts tackled in a way that is neither too technical nor too superficial, great source of education right here, sent it to all my musican friends, I´m amazed.

[@ZacharyWThomas]

I think my brain is still splattered on the wall from the first time I heard this song. I was geeking out along with you guys the whole video. I am loving this format!!

[@hobbiesaremyhobby]

I just read an article that said the string sound you referenced was a Mellotron. Great video!

[@ashcraig]

Now I don't feel so bad about geeking out on your wonderful cover of it!! OMG. It's been on loop for days... :-)

[@dclarkmusic]

I love what you guys are doing! Idk theory but I’m a lover of all kinds of music. It’s very cool to hear exactly why great music works.

[@foxdropp]

You guys are too cool; love the way you talk about music! It’s the type of in depth that’s not only tangible, but coherent and structured - very motifc haha

[@maxi4616]

Yaaaaaaaaaassssss been waiting for u guys to do Tame Impalalalalaaaaala!!!!

[@joshuagies4900]

The first time I heard this song was with the video for it. Both the song and the video blew me away and remain favorites to this day.

[@kingblinn]

I read somewhere a few years ago that Kevin said he used a guitar with a pitch shift effect for the bass tone

[@chumdm3]

Same.

[@bendayze]

He actually used a Roland guitar synth for ALL THE SOUNDS ON THIS SONG!!!! Nobody seems to know that but literally NO SYNTHS here!!!!! ALL GUITAR AND DRUMS

[@brian_mccomedy]

@@bendayze Yep it was a bass sound on the Roland Synth, played on a guitar using a midi pickup

[@benlobo3821]

Sounds about right, I actually always suspected it was two seperate bass lines, each processed differently

[@ICEvaliantsminion]

Such a wonderful video watching you guys delve into every aspect of KP’s genius 🥰 if you guys do another Tame Impala video, please do an analysis of Breathe Deeper!!! I feel like there are so many layers you both could spend hours on, from the main drum patterns to the motifs on the piano to the tuning of his Congas to the TB-303 groove in the outro, I’d LOVE to see you guys go wild on that song!!!!!

[@mrfrankdamsax]

Thank you so much for doing this guys! Long live to DEAD WAX!!

[@coltonschultz9037]

Really enjoyed this one. I've probably listened to this song thousands of times and learned all sorts of new things!

[@averagelibertyenjoyer3217]

Great discussion lads. Fascinating breakdown

[@Jesse615]

Around 15:17, when Jack notes how Kevin's bass line is almost playing a different song, it reminded me of someone else who does that same thing: Sir Paul.

[@pseudonoises]

fun fact: most of the synths on this song are guitar effects and the bass is a pitched down guitar on the record meaning the track is recorded with a guitar, epiano, drums, vocals, and I believe he used a string sound on the roland super jv-1080.

[@PulpyBeats]

Thanks for this guys!!! 💜

[@jahbrae]

I freaking love you guys… I’ve geeked out over music my whole life and now I don’t feel alone in my appreciation

[@jasongravely7217]

Same. I just found these dudes but I need to go to sleep!

[@SweepsBeats]

love this breakdown

[@michaelrowave]

One of the best rocks songs since 2000.

[@cvm6854]

I love how you guys use the technical terms that I have no knowledge about but you also play exactly what you’re talking about and I instantly know what you’re referencing in the song

[@cameronmichaelscott260]

Lovin this

[@johnnymac5880]

This is one of my favorite tame impala tunes....so good

[@marysanchez4789]

Gotta love Jack and Ryan enthusiasm. Such a great episode!🎸🔥😎

[@toddbigeasy]

I have been noticing and loving Tame Impala on rotation on Sirius Xm Alternative, thanks for deep diving into Tame Impala, I now have a new favorite to add to my list, Will have to download some entire "albums"... Thanks again, Todd

[@RSousa-ru7xi]

Your interpretation of the song is brilliant because YOU GUYS are brilliant

[@joshkillian2232]

Watching you both sigh and sit back in your chairs in silence after that first listen-through really makes the video 😂

[@_pulyx]

This is the best format!

[@kmb1]

Great pick. This song just has that "IT" factor. So much yes.

[@LEROBOToo3]

Its repetetive motions, you get use to the world you're put in, then a small change brings out how tranced you've been. Composing and mixing like it was electronic music, with instruments.... tomorrow's music. Trance moments are always graceful when a change rises you. Love your talk guys! (DJ Stormbass / LeRobot)

[@tonydarko67]

This breakdown gives you more to love. Insane.

[@loskeekees6]

I had to warm up to this show but god dam i cant deny the good you guy both and your producers do for sharing knowledge of music to the world

[@tyler_]

For the gear nerds, I think all the sounds they referred to as "FM" or "real strings" came from the Roland JV-1080. I own it. It's a rackmount synth/sampler and it does those digital pianos quite well and even had some pretty convincing orchestral samples for that era (90s). Whole lot of Juno 106 as well. Love these videos.

[@flynnlizzy5469]

Everything seems to be INSANE, AMAZING(LY) !! SOooo isane !! :-)

[@joelieastell244]

I’d imagine this would be the perfect video to watch high. So much joy and celebration for a great song. Moving. Probably.

[@albinkarlsson9943]

The bass and snare drives this song and the other instruments is the scenery going on that drive.

[@paultucci2628]

You guys never fail to make something entertaining and informative every Wednesday... Thanks again!

[@samatkins5989]

LOVE THIS ONE GUYS. Keep doing what you're doing. Listening to ya'll talk about music is so entertaining. If you'll take them I got two requests/feedback points: 1) More talk about the melody/harmony in a little more explicit detail please! Took me a second watch through to know we were even talking about the key of E (i'm not the sharpest music theorist). And for the C section I was confused was the did the bVII chord have the add9 or was that the I chord?; 2) More Tame Impala please!!!

[@jxrx4577]

Man. Bros. Killing it. Love this stuff. 🙏

[@desert_sky_guy]

If i keep watching these Deepwax videos, next thing i know I'm going to finally own that keyboard, learn to play it properly, put the time in to become proficient and study music theory seriously and completely. Stumbling onto Scary Pockets, Pomplamoose and Deepwax in the last couple of months has reminded me that i really, really love music on a deeper level than I've been honest with myself about. I made a mistake not following through on at least a serious music hobby if not diving all the way in. You are so inspiring and so full of joy for what you do, thank you so much for all the amazing things you have shared with all of us fans!

[@KhalDrogo76]

Kevin Parker's level of musical genius is as high as anyone in recent memory

[@QuickPeep]

First time watching you guys and I loved it!

[@vuvoisacodo2603]

Its like every episodes i learned something (triad w extension)..keep it up guys

[@shimonradovsky6540]

Love you guys! I love.tame impala. Kevin is a freaking genius. Was.great meeting you guys in Paris!

[@elylester1178]

Fantastic! I heard in an interview somewhere KP played the bass on this with an electric guitar altered to be lower.

[@BarHRanch]

First time I ever heard this was you all’s cover with Dave Koz at the end. I immediately had to look up this group.

[@raffaelelombardo5817]

Beautiful Song, but the thing i love the most is seeing you two discussing every detail of what you're listening to, even with no hosts. Keep doing what you do guys!!

[@cheiney]

Just discovered this channel and it's a gem! Thank you both for your breakdowns and insights.

[@twkotb]

bom-buh-bom durr-durr bom durr durr-durr-durr The thing I love most about the song is (let’s see if I can explain this in text!) how the *bom-buh-bom* and the *bom* are different after the filter is taken off the drums. So, in the first four bars, the whole bass-line (actually a guitar with octave-down effect) is the same sound. Then Kevin changes the sound of *some* of the notes, either by punching in a real bass or by using EQ or effects just in those specific notes.

[@jbrown7403]

I know literally nothing about the mechanics and nuance of writing / playing music and I think that’s why I enjoyed this breakdown so much. It helped me better understand on of my favorite all time songs! Merci! 👍🍻

[@igrobens]

I'm not even that big of an Impala fan and this was still an awesome episode

[@spacemen4]

so many amazing and incredibly fun times were soundtracked by that bass line

[@davedavem]

I discovered your channel a week ago (the Charles Berthoud one I think) and I've been binging it since! Great videos.

[@merkules2001]

This song is s jam. The video is even better, maybe the best art in 20 years. My 2 cents, the bassline has elements of Rush YYZ.