A friend described it as the "best song to have sex to," but he has never met Dr. House. Indeed, Massive Attack's "Teardrop" is probably the last song I want to hear when making love. The song, which we listened to in class today, is a trip hop anthem turned theme song for Fox's "House," and all I can think of when i hear it is Gregory House's not-so-sexy limp. Perhaps without this association my mind would be more open, but for now I'll focus on the song as song and not as soundtrack: for regardless of its context, this is a captivating piece that intrigues the senses (all) to a distinct pleasure reminiscing ecstasy in any setting.
To listen to the song with its original (very interesting) visuals, see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG8eQBSp9Ao
Otherwise, hear it here:
Notice first the degraded quality of the piece - as if, despite its modern origin, the recording is playing from a scratched record or overplayed tape-deck. Trip-hop or chillout or ambient, I like the feel. Modern but removed, cosmic but down-to-earth.
Next hear the simple beat (bass drum, snare), string(ish) synth, and driving piano as they arrive as introduction to a shallow, but sexily underpowering vocal track. I can see how this could be a mood-setter (in the television version, they remove this women's calming voice).
Retreating, never-panning, advancing, and insisting lust or something else innately human, the song moves forward, towards an end.
I decide I like the choice of instruments. Five tracks. Complements. Spread throughout the tonal landscape, coloring waves of sound across a canvas without clashing, overwhelming, or running of the sheet.
Stop reading, listen.
