Afro Celt Sound System: Release

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

The song employs 28 loops of 8-bars that are inserted and removed throughout the course of the song. The overall structure shape follows that of a common pop song:

introduction
verse 1
break section
verse 2
solos
verse 3
drum break
outro

Question 2

Melody and rhythm

Answer 2

• the descending vocal melody phrases - the female line descends each time, however, sometimes the male melody rises as heard in bar 6
• the instrumental solos feature semiquaver movement
• the bodhrán part features a syncopated ostinato
• Rhythmic layers have contrasting patterns, creating cross-rhythms

Question 3

Metre and tempo

Answer 3

• the opening is free time
• the time signature is 4/4
• the tempo is 100 bpm

Question 4

Instrumentation

Answer 4

Release houses both traditional instruments and music technology to produce what is heard on the record. Bear in mind:

• that the loops fade in and out from a mixing desk
• the Celtic instruments include the hurdy gurdy, accordion, low whistle, bodhrán, uilleann pipes and fiddle
• the West African instruments heard are the djembe and the talking drum
• the popular music influences include the bass guitar and the synthesiser

Question 5

Texture

Answer 5

• the texture comprises of melody and accompaniment
• the gradual build in texture by layering loops and samples
• there are moments where the texture breaks
• the song has moments of heterophony

Question 6

Tonality and harmony

Answer 6

The song depends on modes rather than common major and minor key signatures often heard in popular music. Remember that:

• the song is based on an aeolian mode in C
• dorian mode is implied at times through the use of A naturals
• the song is harmonically static due to the C drone

Question 7

Dynamics

Answer 7

There is a very limited range of dynamics because the bringing in and out of textured loops gives the illusion that the song is getting louder. In fact, Release maintains a steady dynamic level of mezzo forte (mf).