The magical seed whirl is a phenomenon that occurs in nature, captivating observers with its ethereal beauty. It refers to the swirling motion of seeds as they are carried through the air by wind currents. This enchanting dance of seeds is particularly intriguing as it demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of plant life. When plants reproduce, they produce seeds that contain the genetic material needed to grow into a new plant. These seeds have various methods for dispersal, such as being carried by animals, water, or wind. In the case of the magical seed whirl, it is the wind that takes center stage.
So. As I listen to the exhilarating likes of 'Stairs' or 'Key' or 'Seoul Music' (great song title) I continue to - entirely involuntarily - see a picture in my mind of a rakishly reclining, designer-suit wearing David Bowie louchely working his way through a bottle of Gordon's London Dry in some minimalist NYC apartment with blinds firmly shuttered so as to keep both himself and his impeccably modernist threads cool and sweat-free from the unwanted climactic intrusions of an unseasonably bright and humid late 1981 afternoon. Oh yes. I can quite clearly see him there now as I listen to Technodelic's Eno-esque instrumental 'Light In Darkness': David elegantly marinating in a gin haze, listening to this LP for the very first time and uttering enthusiastic exclamations to himself: "ohh christ this is. YESS. this is really rather exquisite. mmmmm, it's got a sort of. err. hauntingly stark yet eerily beautiful atmosphere about it. THIS - I feel quite certain about it now - THIS is how I want my next album tooo. uhh. to soound: like some austere techno-futurist dreamscape governed by ruthless morality police. in which. ermm. in which an intoxicating but strictly off-limits dance-partner takes a slow-drag on something illicit to ward off a creeping sense of existential dread, whilst, at the same moment, a sudden burst of rhythmic gunfire rings-out from a few blocks over - as if in. as if in solidarity with the very last remaining specimen of an exceedingly rare orchid species which, half a world away, in an act of quiet rebellion, has taken upon itself to slowly wither and die in an as yet untamed tract of tropical rainforest. opting instead for a. for a dignified sort of. a dignified sort of OBLIVION. YES, that's it! ha-HA!". [Excitedly picks up phone receiver and calls Atlantic Records] . "Yes. Hullo? Uh, hi. it's err. it's David Bowie here. It is, I'm afraid. ha-HA! Yes, well, I can imagine that in your line of work you most probably do get fairly regular nuisance calls. Yes it is, yes. Oh, that's quite alright - it's rather an awkward position for me to have put you in, I suppose. No, no - no need to apologise at all, I can appreciate why you might have had some reservations regarding. authenticity. ha-HA! Yes, that's right. Oh, I'm feeling dangerously well, thank you. Listen, Deborah. it was Deborah wasn't it. Sorry, yes. Deborah - I wonder if you could perhaps do me the small favour of passing on my current telephone number to Mr. Nile Rodgers at your earliest convenience. Yes, that would be terrific. Thanks ever so much. Could you let him know also that I have some. ahm. some ideas that I'd very much like to run by him - if and when he has the available time to do so, of course. as well as a.. err. a strange and let's just say rather enchanting recording called Technodelic that I'd very much like him to uhh.. to listen to - if, mind you. IF, the wondrously talented sod hasn't already beaten me to it. HA-HA-HAA. "
I can quite clearly see him there now as I listen to Technodelic s Eno-esque instrumental Light In Darkness David elegantly marinating in a gin haze, listening to this LP for the very first time and uttering enthusiastic exclamations to himself ohh christ this is. I apologise in advance here, as I m now about to go and willingly hurl myself down a tangential rabbit-hole; reason being, I can t seem to shake David Bowie from my mind whenever I listen to this, YMO s sixth studio album.
In the case of the magical seed whirl, it is the wind that takes center stage. As the wind blows, it catches hold of the seeds, causing them to detach from the parent plant and float through the air. The seeds, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are designed to maximize their chances of dispersal.
Yellow Magic Orchestra – Technodelic
And with that, begins Yellow Magic Orchestra’s fifth—and arguably best—album, Technodelic. As opposed to the object of their disgust in that opening line, the album sparkles and is an absolutely gorgeous set of electronic pop music from a group at the very height of its abilities, and whose intent appears to be to throw a bit of a wrench in their creative process.
As such, it’s a bit of a departure for the trio, dialing up and broadening the sonics while at the same time refining their approach in the studio. The comparisons to Kraftwerk had always been there, and were perhaps justified, but Technodelic put those comparisons to bed permanently by reaching beyond the motorik, blippy aesthetic of previous albums and embracing a sound suite wider in scope, but a method more succinct and precise.
It’s not that some of those previously similar elements didn’t find their way into the album. It is an electronic album, at any rate, in an era whose music in many ways emerged from the shadows cast by Kraftwerk. But there’s just so much more going on here than the minimalist electronic pop so closely associated with Kraftwerk’s back catalog. YMO sounds untethered by their previous touchstones.
The feeling one gets from the album with respect to their output to that point is deliberate, sharp, expansive, and eye-opening. It’s hard to imagine Kraftwerk, for all its brilliance and innovation, constructing something like “Seoul Music,” with its percussive vocal samples, looped melody, and chugging bassline—or the rolling piano and faux trumpets of “Stairs.”
The album notes YMO’s first use of the LMD-649 sampler. Unlike their previous albums, samples really take the forefront here. It gives the album a quality rooted in both realism and sequenced synths. Together with the live drums and Haruomi Hosono’s bass playing, the album feels on one hand more tangible, more present—and on the other, transcendental and difficult to pinpoint.
Synths are still clearly a part of YMO’s bag of tricks, however, but the live instrumentation (or sampling thereof) grounds the album in reality. Many of the songs here contain constant reminders of the real world, whether it’s through bits of sampled chants, stomps, or factory sounds. The lyrics tend to be focused around earthly topics and making sense of what’s in front of us; whether it be an ugly slice of bread (“Pure Jam”), a moth or key in a forest (“Key”), or a foreign culture (“Seoul Music”), time and again the theme that YMO returns to is our perception of the world around us and how realities vary from person to person.
Then there’s the Brian Eno-like “Gradated Grey,” its swooping bits of compressed and phased air and effects interweaving throughout, with what sounds like a processed train whistle acting to guide the song along. It’s the calm before the storm of “Key” kicks in, inundating the listener with a manic beat and sequenced synths underlined by Takahashi’s lilted vocals.
We see the culmination of these themes in the lyrics here: “What do you see? / I see a moth / What kind? / It looks like my lover / Whatcha gonna do? / I wanna chase it.” The speaker here has difficulty identifying what precisely he’s seeing and experiencing (“Somebody please, what’s wrong with me?”). He quickly becomes frightened, unable to both disseminate his reality and escape it using the key he’s found. “I’ve got a feeling something’s happening / It gives me a thrill but it’s also very frightening.”
In a way, what YMO seems to be saying here, is that sometimes it’s best to accept something for what it is. Allowing yourself to assign a value or definition to something based on the perception of the world around you can lead to confusion and frustration. Sometimes it’s best to experience something by letting it ride over you and be what it is. This is music steeped in both the history of traditional music and at play with unconventional and innovative forms. Perhaps the statement here that YMO wants us to leave with is “let it be what it is.” It’s music, and it’s damn good.
Some seeds, like dandelion seeds, have a feathery structure that allows them to float gracefully through the air, reminiscent of a delicate ballet. Others, like maple seeds, have a wing-like structure that enables them to spin and spiral as they descend to the ground. The magical seed whirl serves a crucial purpose for plants. By dispersing their seeds over a wide area, plants increase the likelihood of successful reproduction. This mechanism is essential for the survival and proliferation of plant species, as it allows them to colonize new habitats and adapt to changing environmental conditions. From a human perspective, the magical seed whirl can be a mesmerizing sight. As we observe these seeds twirling and dancing through the air, we are reminded of the wonders of nature and the intricate mechanisms that contribute to its vast biodiversity. Moreover, the seed whirl serves as a powerful symbol of hope and renewal, as it represents the potential for new life and growth. So, the next time you find yourself witnessing a magical seed whirl, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and marvel at the intricacies of nature. It is a reminder of how even the smallest of things can have a significant impact on the world around us..
Reviews for "The Healing Powers of the Magical Seed Whirl"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Magical seed whirl" to be quite underwhelming. The story was predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. The magical elements were introduced haphazardly and lacked proper explanation. Overall, I was expecting much more from this book and ended up disappointed.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I really did not enjoy "Magical seed whirl" at all. The writing style was boring and monotonous, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The plot seemed pointless and dragged on for too long. I struggled to finish the book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Alex - 2 stars - "Magical seed whirl" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The story felt rushed and the world-building was weak. The dialogue was unrealistic and at times cringe-worthy. I was hoping for a captivating and imaginative magical adventure, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
4. Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical seed whirl", but it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was uneven, with slow and uneventful moments followed by rushed and confusing scenes. The characters lacked depth, leaving me uninvested in their journey. Overall, I found this book to be uninspiring and forgettable.
5. Mike - 1 star - "Magical seed whirl" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was unoriginal and lacked originality. The writing was dull and lacked creativity. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and regretted picking it up.