Hello Raffi, I really enjoy your reactions and musical clarifications, so informative. And as someone who listens and watches Ren's works a gazillion times, I appreciate more refined takes on production, lighting, concepts, sound etc. Your performance at the end is a cherry on top, thank you
You caught me at the descending chrds sometimes signifying death. I felt the intensity of those lines about his wings being torn. We know now that when he wrote and performed this that his health was declining again. Ren truly IS MUSIC . I felt desperation in this. He has a large tatoo on his back of the words of Dylan Thomas "Rage against the dying of the light. " He has a whole verse. It has been an ongoing theme in his life. I loved your reaction.
Money Game p2 and Murderer definitely had a reggae vibe to them at times -- he blends styles seemingly effortlessly and they produce something truly unique.
Raffi, your Elizabethan version of the backing track is stunning. Love how you pick out elements of the music to comment on from a formally classically trained perspective.
I have watched more reactions to this song by Ren than any other (including Hi Ren at this point, I think). The lyrics on this one just hit me so hard, especially when he brings his sister into it. It was wonderful to see how you got lost in the lyrics as well, but you were still able to go back and pull out those musical elements that so effectively emphasized certain aspects of one of his less cinematic pieces. Thank you for your unique reaction/analysis.
Enjoyed your reaction, Raffi. I hadn't known about your channel, and you definitely have a new subscriber in me. Like you, I noticed the Reggae influence, but not as a person with a musician's ear, but more lyrically at the very end. Bob Marley was known, in part, for "No Woman, No Cry" ~~ perhaps someday Ren will be remembered for "No People, No Prophet". It's a reach, but....one never knows. I love this track, and I look forward to watching more of your reactions moving forward.
These lyrics hit hard: I see your wings have feather more than ever Mine were torn by my oppressor, sickness scorned me but whatever By your side we fly together, give me flight when I could never A releasing of the pressure and the pressure makes a diamond, I will shine with you forever
Definitely; Ren is very reggae aligned. Yep, we all need to be a bit kind with ourselves and with others. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your musical endeavors.
The music is very beautiful in this, but in this unusual case, not all from Ren. He was working with another producer, and they used a Japanese sample. I do love your comments on these reactions, coming from a musical point of view.
The producer is Nayz and he also had an issue with KujoBeats and got in touch with Ren, so they split this 50/50. The same offer he gave to KujoBeats and was turned down.
Ren has many musical influences but the Reggae influence runs strong. As you dive into his catalog you'll definitely see instances where it's clearer like Murderer. Or his previous band, The Big Push has a great busking mashup of I Shot the Sherriff, Road to Zion, Hip Hop - it was posted 3 yrs ago and he's wearing red suspenders.
BTW - I love your perspective.. I know Ren does levels, but you make me wonder as a mainly self taught musician how much of the details you pick up on are deliberate or just a part of his influences seeping through
The strings reminded me of some David McCallum's arrangements ( “The Edge,” became the basis for the sample anchoring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's 1999 hit song “The Next Episode," but all his work is pretty good if you like smooth 60s orchestral music)
It's called the attention economy; the currency of likes and clicks. I also think we can't help that this is the water we're swimming in. I read somewhere once that it is not possible to buy a smartphone that doesn't have, somewhere along the line, forced labor in its production. It's like, we can't participate in the world if we really want to say no to everything that is discordant with our values. So what's the answer? I don't know. My very wise 22 yo told me that they pick a few things to put their energy into, speak up about, fight for. And they trust that others will do the same with the rest of the stuff. Because one human can't hold all the world's pain.
The beginning is from the Bible, Timothy 6:6-10. But reworded a bit, notably the last sentence. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Hey Raffi, have you listened to Polyphia? You probably have, but if not, I highly recommend them for some guitar reactions 🙂 e.g. the song "Playing God"
The quote is from Timothy 6:6-10.
Yes, 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Amen
Thanks!
Hello Raffi, I really enjoy your reactions and musical clarifications, so informative. And as someone who listens and watches Ren's works a gazillion times, I appreciate more refined takes on production, lighting, concepts, sound etc. Your performance at the end is a cherry on top, thank you
Aww thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
You caught me at the descending chrds sometimes signifying death. I felt the intensity of those lines about his wings being torn.
We know now that when he wrote and performed this that his health was declining again. Ren truly IS MUSIC . I felt desperation in this. He has a large tatoo on his back of the words of Dylan Thomas "Rage against the dying of the light. " He has a whole verse. It has been an ongoing theme in his life.
I loved your reaction.
Excellent pick up...😊
You can totally feel it!
Money Game p2 and Murderer definitely had a reggae vibe to them at times -- he blends styles seemingly effortlessly and they produce something truly unique.
Ren has said that he taught himself guitar by practicing with videos and recordings of Bob Marley
Raffi, your Elizabethan version of the backing track is stunning. Love how you pick out elements of the music to comment on from a formally classically trained perspective.
Thanks Rebecca! It's fun for me to do
I have watched more reactions to this song by Ren than any other (including Hi Ren at this point, I think). The lyrics on this one just hit me so hard, especially when he brings his sister into it. It was wonderful to see how you got lost in the lyrics as well, but you were still able to go back and pull out those musical elements that so effectively emphasized certain aspects of one of his less cinematic pieces. Thank you for your unique reaction/analysis.
Enjoyed your reaction, Raffi. I hadn't known about your channel, and you definitely have a new subscriber in me. Like you, I noticed the Reggae influence, but not as a person with a musician's ear, but more lyrically at the very end. Bob Marley was known, in part, for "No Woman, No Cry" ~~ perhaps someday Ren will be remembered for "No People, No Prophet". It's a reach, but....one never knows. I love this track, and I look forward to watching more of your reactions moving forward.
You are not the only one to see that connection. maybe not such a reach after all.
I, too, thought of the Marley quote.
@@hollyryalsgrubb1273 Great minds 😉
@@prodigal7956 we're all Renfected.....
@@hollyryalsgrubb1273 Or simply "Renvigorated" and "Renenergized" 😄
These lyrics hit hard:
I see your wings have feather more than ever
Mine were torn by my oppressor, sickness scorned me but whatever
By your side we fly together, give me flight when I could never
A releasing of the pressure and the pressure makes a diamond, I will shine with you forever
oh wow raffi, another great reaction, and i think you are right with a more limited musical element it does make you listen more to the lyrics
Thanks!
Good stuff - song and reaction. I like what you do with the music at the end of your reactions.
Thanks!
Definitely; Ren is very reggae aligned.
Yep, we all need to be a bit kind with ourselves and with others.
I'm looking forward to hearing more of your musical endeavors.
Always appreciated Holly! 😊
Love your insight on the music at the beginning. I can totally see that.
Thanks Nora!
The music is very beautiful in this, but in this unusual case, not all from Ren. He was working with another producer, and they used a Japanese sample. I do love your comments on these reactions, coming from a musical point of view.
The producer is Nayz and he also had an issue with KujoBeats and got in touch with Ren, so they split this 50/50. The same offer he gave to KujoBeats and was turned down.
Its not only where Ren is at, it's a commentary on society. It's where we all are, using a personal link to make it more personal.
Thanks Raffi. Great reaction (and guitar) ❤
Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Yay! So glad to see this! I plan on hanging out on your next stream!
His streams are nice snippets of music, life stories/stress, and are ever changing. Good group of people.
Thanks! I look forward to it!
Oh yay! You’re back! Love your channel :)
Yup! I'll be uploading weekly for a while since I'm still in school but after I want to increase the number of videos
Ren has many musical influences but the Reggae influence runs strong. As you dive into his catalog you'll definitely see instances where it's clearer like Murderer. Or his previous band, The Big Push has a great busking mashup of I Shot the Sherriff, Road to Zion, Hip Hop - it was posted 3 yrs ago and he's wearing red suspenders.
Yeah it was super clear in Murderer
If you go back through and listen to the piano, it’s really captivating
I'm definitely gonna do that
Think you would appreciate ‘troubles’ the acoustic version.
BTW - I love your perspective.. I know Ren does levels, but you make me wonder as a mainly self taught musician how much of the details you pick up on are deliberate or just a part of his influences seeping through
Yeah you almost never know unless you talk to the artist themselves. I'd love to talk to him one day!
Thanks, love your insights.
Thanks! I'm glad!
Great reaction as always
Thanks!
Intro/Quote is from the Bible, Timothy 6-10.
Thanks!
The strings reminded me of some David McCallum's arrangements ( “The Edge,” became the basis for the sample anchoring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's 1999 hit song “The Next Episode," but all his work is pretty good if you like smooth 60s orchestral music)
It's called the attention economy; the currency of likes and clicks. I also think we can't help that this is the water we're swimming in. I read somewhere once that it is not possible to buy a smartphone that doesn't have, somewhere along the line, forced labor in its production. It's like, we can't participate in the world if we really want to say no to everything that is discordant with our values. So what's the answer? I don't know. My very wise 22 yo told me that they pick a few things to put their energy into, speak up about, fight for. And they trust that others will do the same with the rest of the stuff. Because one human can't hold all the world's pain.
Oh, I particularly liked this ‘outro’ of yours. Not a word? Opposite of intro, lol.
❤❤❤
🙏
❤
The quote from the beginning is from the Bible: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 but slightly altert
Thanks!
The beginning is from the Bible, Timothy 6:6-10. But reworded a bit, notably the last sentence.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Thanks! Yeah I knew it sounded familiar but I couldn't quite remember
Another good reaction from yourself
Thanks!
The first part is apparently a bible verse.. Timothy something or other
Hey Raffi, have you listened to Polyphia?
You probably have, but if not, I highly recommend them for some guitar reactions 🙂 e.g. the song "Playing God"