Understanding Moonchild

Perhaps the issue here is really the presumption of understanding as if we know what the artist's intentions are in any piece of work. Maybe interpreting their intentions would be closer to the mark but would this make their art more enjoyable and/or accessible? I guess in the visual and written realm that is probably true (I've grown to love certain paintings and novels once they've been explained to me) but with music it's different. Yes, I think it may be clever that an instrumentalist disguises a quote from another tune, or plays nested tuplets and hemiolas, exploits the emotional leverage of tonalities and scales, implies a polyrhythm in 13/8 or deploys any number of skillful and playful punning techniques to mimic the themes in the lyrics etc but would knowing all that make the music sound better to me? Nah, music is perhaps the most abstract and textural of all the arts due to its inherent non-representational limitations (that possibly give rise to the sorts of fanciful speculation that surrounds something like Moonchild), I want to like the instrumental improvisation on this track but it always fails to move me or connect with me on any musical level whatsoever.  No matter how brilliantly, eloquently and movingly you describe the flavour, a person who doesn't like the taste of oranges will not start eating them.

Metalmarsh89 wrote: bhikkhu wrote: I have heard all the arguments, read the dissertations and put in earnest effort many times, still sounds like pointless noodling to me. At best I hear experimentation solely for experimentation's sake. I doubt I will ever keep it going after the vocal. Is that such a bad thing? We complain when prog bands experiment just for the sake of experimenting (TFTO comes to mind) yet we also grow irritated, even betrayed when prog bands go the other direction and write "pop music" and "sell out" for more money, so to speak. Anyway, I consider myself content with listening to what the artists have to offer. I just don't understand this other prspective.

Terra Australis wrote: I'm sure I read somewhere that someone from KC said it was an improv (can't remember where). KC have always improvised of course and were inspired to create some of their best music doing this. Not sure if Moonchild is their best improv though... While I like to listen carefully to music, sometimes it's best to go with the flow and Moonchild is one I just enjoy. Feel free to analyse it if you want to! :)

I am most certain it is an improvisation. but it is in my opinion an improvisation with a presetting: to try to capture the song lyrics

I always loved Moonchild, but I guess that's because I also love ambient/drone music.
I always thought that the second part of Moonchild has a lot to offer when it comes to atmosphere - I listened to the shortened version on one of the latest ITCOTCK remasters and without the second part it's just a pretty pop song with nice lyrics..

The second part really elevates the whole thing to a new level and also sets the mood beautifully for the last track..
I wouldn't want to live without the whole of Moonchild, but that's just my opinion

Also:

The Mystical wrote: I personally like the track. I don't see the need to over-analyse the music.

^ What is your idea of experimentation not for the sake of itself ?

Edited by Dayvenkirq - March 08 2014 at 23:51

^ ... 'Cause it's the same track as on the album? ... 

Edited by Dayvenkirq - March 08 2014 at 20:25

I have heard all the arguments, read the dissertations and put in earnest effort many times, still sounds like pointless noodling to me. At best I hear experimentation solely for experimentation's sake. I doubt I will ever keep it going after the vocal.

I don't really hate it but I don't really understand it either. Aside from the first two to three minutes it's very unempenetrable to me.

I don't hear what the OP said was in there either. Apparently the old show tune "Surrey with a fringe on top" from Oklahoma is suppose to be inbedded in there somewhere also(or at least in certain versions) but again I didn't hear it.


Edited by Prog_Traveller - March 08 2014 at 16:41

On a serious note, Moonchild's actually my favourite song on that album and I've always perceived a clear narrative structure to the improv section as BaldJean describes in the OP. Even though I'm not much into jazz and don't know much about music theory either.

ta-dah!