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[Cheat Code]

So, the new London Grammar album is out, and Hell to the Liars features an amazing two-and-a-half minute long crescendo to cap off the song. This brought me back to Weezer's Only in Dreams, one of the greatest alternative crescendos of all time. Despite how great crescendos sound, it's relatively uncommon in mainstream music. There's a couple that have received a lot of attention, such as Bloodstream by Ed Sheeran, but none that feature just a straight three minutes of build-up to a pure explosion of drums and guitar.

Tell me GAF, why are there so few crescendos and what crescendos have we been missing out on?

 

[DiipuSurotu]

CHVRCHES' Tether builds up tension until it culminates at the 2:40 mark.

 

[*Splinter]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I will take this opportunity to post my favourite example (at least, I hope this is an example of what you meant).

Wolfmother - White Unicorn

The end of that drumroll is orgasmic.

 

[Lunaray]

The best I've ever heard is from Godspeed you! Black Emperor. Their music is not for the impatient, however.

 

[disappeared]

If you have about forty-five minutes to spare listen to Yndi Halda's "Enjoy Eternal Bliss"

 

[Cheat Code]

The best I've ever heard is from Godspeed you! Black Emperor. Their music is not for the impatient, however.

Goddamn. I've listened to F♯ A♯ ∞ but not much more. When it finally pops off it's aggressive as FUCK.

 

[Lunaray]

Goddamn. I've listened to F♯ A♯ ∞ but not much more. When it finally pops off it's aggressive as FUCK.

Yeah, Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven is always in my work music rotation and when this comes on I am HYPED.

 

[NimbusD]

The last three songs as a trilogy on Weezer everything will be alright in the end is magnificent.

Will def check out this thread later cuz only in dreams is one of the best and I'd love to hear more in the vein.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

Eric Prydz - Opus

Over 3:30 build up done expertly, the drop is actually a little disappointing in context.

There's a couple that have received a lot of attention, such as Bloodstream by Ed Sheeran, but none that feature just a straight three minutes of build-up to a pure explosion of drums and guitar.

I'm sorry, where is the crescendo here?

 

[gaugebozo]

The National does this a lot. Some of my favorites:

https://youtu.be/mPIB3ojwqdg

https://youtu.be/zI9ivyULEW4

 

[ohkay]

Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem

 

[wandering]

Pretty common in post-rock.

Explosions in the Sky

This Will Destroy You

The style is even sometimes called (somewhat derisively) crescendocore.

 

[CalhounBurns]

Slide Away

 

[Master Of Illusion]

The obligatory mention...

 

[norm9]

The opening Deltron 3030 track.

https://youtu.be/Q7_jbluF0qo

 

[Cheat Code]

I'm sorry, where is the crescendo here?

It's not the level of most of the examples given but the last two minutes has a fast but really nicely layered build that I quite enjoy.

 

[vikki]

Eric Prydz - Opus

Over 3:30 build up done expertly, the drop is actually a little disappointing in context.

I'm sorry, where is the crescendo here?

Was listening to this song coming into this thread

Pretty common in post-rock.

Explosions in the Sky

This Will Destroy You

The style is even sometimes called (somewhat derisively) crescendocore.

Immediately thought of Explosions In The Sky.

I would've chosen Magic Hours, just because I think it's my favorite track of theirs.

https://youtu.be/0MHpwDatfso

 

[reelbigtink]

Only in Dreams is a perfect song.

Staying with Weezer, The Angel and the One has a very satisfying build.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gym6Ao0FPW8

 

[Archaix]

I saw Sigur Ros two nights ago so right now any other answer right now seems insufficient.

Jonsi - Grow Till Tall

Sigur Rós - Popplagið

 

[Incandenza]

CHVRCHES' Tether builds up tension until it culminates at the 2:40 mark.

Clearest Blue does this too and it's super fun.

 

[Cheat Code]

Another great example I found looking through my old playlists trying not to go insane before Bethesda's conference.

Fightstar - "Follow Me Into the Darkness"

 

[Myriadis]

I love it when soundtracks do that.
Dario Marianelli - Evey Reborn (V for Vendetta)
Ed Harrison - Footprints (NeoTokyo)

And Floating Points is godly with that once he chooses to do that: Peroration Six
Best Junip song, Official, has that too, but they like to do that in general.

 

[l2ounD]

Only in dreams will always remind me of this cowboy bebop video It really is an awesome build up, thanks for reminding me op

 

[EdmondD]

Godspeed You Black Emperor, Explosions in the Sky, and Yndi Halda. Crescendos are one of the best things in music. Yndi Halda We Flood Empty Lakes https://youtu.be/2Cav0LMClCQ.

 

[Monocle]

CHVRCHES' Tether builds up tension until it culminates at the 2:40 mark.

Clearest Blue is their best example of this. 2:30, hnnnng. So good.

 

[Minarik]

First thing that came to mind was Incubus - Earth To Bella: Part 2.

 

[Psychoward]

Giles Corey - No One is Ever Going to Want Me

Starts at about 4:45, not a complete crescendo really, more of a build up and then drop but still


Side project of Dan Barret from Have a Nice Life

 

[Takyon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxgvoTbgI2g
I nut at 1:12
Not that much build-up, but the climax makes it.

 

[Yeah You See How You Scum]

I have never heard and will never hear a better crescendo than "Moya" by Godspeed You Black Emperor. It takes eight and a half minutes to build, which it does with such somber beauty and atmosphere, it's like some kind of baroque requiem. Be patient. Take the 10 minutes for this, if you've never heard it.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Clearest Blue does this too and it's super fun.

Clearest Blue is their best example of this. 2:30, hnnnng. So good.

Oh how could I forget this. I saw them live once, it was awesome

 

[Andrew Korenchkin]

Opeth's discography is full of some of the most powerful I've ever heard. So amazing.

 

[terrible]

Yeah Godspeed You! Black Emperor does this very well.

A Silver Mt. Zion (side project of one of their band members) is another band to check out.

Stumble then rise on some awkward morning

Sisters! Brothers! Small Boats of Fire are Falling from the Sky!

This Gentle Hearts Like Shot Bird's Fallen

edit:

bonus: Journey to the Line by Hans Zimmer

 

[ChubbyHuggs]

Remurdered by Mogwai counts right?

 

[masterwayne]

Not really sure if these count, but:

505 - Arctic Monkeys: Love this song. The way the pace of the drums speed up, to the lyrics getting more emotional as the song builds to its perfectly cathartic climax.

and, Spanish Sahara - Foals is another good one.

 

[psyfi]

Cool thread, I love music talk.

This might be a somewhat unconventional answer, but I always liked the low key powerful volcanic build up starting at 2:10 in Mt. St. Helens by Mirah (turn your bass up).

Also if you like Only in Dreams, I recommend checking out Electrelane. They have a similar high energy / epic feel, but more artsy.

Five
To the East

 

[CitizenVectron]

My favourite is Born to Kill by Matthew Good:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2QjKRgtsLU

It's especially good because of the way it ends.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

UNKLE feat. Ian Brown - Reign

Not really sure if these count, but:

505 - Arctic Monkeys: Love this song. The way the pace of the drums speed up, to the lyrics getting more emotional as the song builds to its perfectly cathartic climax.

and, Spanish Sahara - Foals is another good one.

Spanish Sahara, CCHHOOIIICCCEEE!!! Love that tune man.

505 is another good shout, the lyrics on the crescendo:

"I crumble completely when you cry,
It seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye,
I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise,
Take my hands off of your eyes too soon,

I'm going back to 505,
If it's 7 hour flight or a 45 minute drive,
In my imagination you're waiting lying on your side,
With your hands between your thighs,
And a smile,"

That last line, like he's finally got that smile he's been waiting so long to see, gorgeous.

 

[poppos2097]

Swans - Helpless Child

 

[Cozmogramma]

Daft Punk - Contact

One of their best songs and a truly fantastic way to close an album. The drums are amazing.

Sigur Rós - Glósóli

A beautiful post-rock song with a great build-up and even better climax.

Rovo - Melodia

Soothing bass line, electric violin and wonderful percussion.

Rovo - Land

Listen to those drums.

Boris - Flood

Slow waves and a calming guitar solo taking their time before the tsunami hits you.

Boredoms - Spiral

Some crazy Boredoms rock with a mind expanding finish.

Boredoms - 7→(Boriginal)

If Spiral was mind expanding, Boriginal is mind blowing. One of the greatest achievements is music.

Boredoms - 77 Boadrum/SEVEN

Another one to add to the list of achievements is music. Greatest live performance ever consisting of 77 drummers.

 

[Ragelink26]

Anberlin - Fin*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvxD_toISIc

The finale to arguably their best album

 

[collige]

The Field is a crescendo master

Arpeggiated Love
Every Day

 

[horkrux]

Limp Bizkit - Boiler has a really nice build-up at the beginning

The Irrepressibles - I'll Maybe Let You (can't find this on youtube) basically has the music fade in and out throughout the entire song which really sets the mood

 

[dtcm83]

The Mars Volta: Cicatriz ESP

Here's a great one from death cab: Transatlanticism

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Ednaswap - Torn

 

[Deleted member 1235]

im a sucker for this.

let down - radiohead

has a pretty great one.

 

[March of the Crabs]

Note to Self - Propagandhi

The 2nd half of the song is a REALLY cool crescendo that builds into a BAD ASS closing riff that makes me want to punch my wall. Propagandhi mix prog, punk and thrash into a beautiful mixture that is evidenced by this song.

On the other side of things, The "F" Word - Bad Astronaut has the most beautiful & haunting ending crescendo I've heard in alternative music. It doesn't help that the drummer killed himself while recording this album

 

[theepicoftyler]

My Love My Way by Modern Life Is War has a couple of tracks with great crescendos. Lots of hardcore bands live and die on huge builds to breakdowns.

By The Sea; 2:30 onward
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gy_RbCaeP0

First and Ellen; 0:45 or so onwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SdMGwijncQ

Last Light by Converge perhaps stretches the meaning, but the build of energy to that breaking point from about 1:17 on is one of my favorite pieces of music in hardcore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNnzJJiDHok

Musical mastermind Casey Crecenzo has produced quite a few beautiful crescendos in his time as well.

The Dear Hunter - The Moon / Awake; ~2:55 through and including the huge orchestral spot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAkLNdM2T2M

 

[Fluffhead14]

broken social scene - shampoo suicide (great build up)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWlWRpt1f3g&list=PLHd3AYzUQn_lxoJTsZEfmRn-mGvSRBPyF&index=10



but really, i've never seen a band be able to play with tension/release live quite like phish. the peaks in their jams blow the roof off the place.

http://phish.in/2017-01-13

i'd implore you to listen to the entirety of the Wolfman's Brother at the above link, or skip to 10:35 to listen to an absolutely ridiculous peak.

or the end of this song:

https://youtu.be/cvnp2JRgoj8?t=726

shit is just jaw dropping at times. such joy when these moments hit.

 

[masterwayne]

Man, this is a thread with lots of good music!

UNKLE feat. Ian Brown - Reign

Spanish Sahara, CCHHOOIIICCCEEE!!! Love that tune man.

505 is another good shout, the lyrics on the crescendo:

That last line, like he's finally got that smile he's been waiting so long to see, gorgeous.

Yep. 505 is bloody brilliant. Good taste!

im a sucker for this.

let down - radiohead

has a pretty great one.

Love this too. I really liked Identikit's guitar solo at the end from AMSP too. The way Thom sings the chorus just before the solo, oh man.

Some more great ones:

Something from Nothing - Foo Fighters: The song lives up to its name.

Come Alive - Foo Fighters: Come alive, come alive, come alive... goosebumps.

and the most recent one I've heard:

Three Rings - Grizzly Bear: A chaotic song, seemingly building towards nothing, when somewhere after the 3 minute mark, things suddenly fall into place. The weird disjoint guitar, the anxious drums, the glorious bass combine to absolutely nail the landing of the song after a turbulent flight. Breathtaking. I love how the lyrics go "Don't you feel it all come together" when that happens.