My brain can't figure out how you were able to improvise a piano part that went along with Steve's solo and it actually complimented it on your first time listening. Hat's off to you sir.

@Nathdood

Жыл бұрын

for real!

@ejRecording

Жыл бұрын

cause this song, like he said, is extremely simple, and actually quite boring

@mubats

Жыл бұрын

Knowing the chord progression, if I did not get it wrong -> D, C, Bb, A, C# gets you there.

@onethousandtwonortheast8848

Жыл бұрын

Dude, the chord progression is trés basic. You’re being wowed by the pyro but the changes a no big deal. These guess are no Charlie Parker or Martial Soleil or lalo Schifrin. It goes on and on.

@ProjectPhoenix21

Жыл бұрын

@@ejRecording simple yes. Doesn't take anything from the level of technicality. Hardly boring.

The trumpet is from the group Brasstracks. They are the feature on the first song in the upcoming album. Ego Death is the final song so the album begins and ends with the trumpet.

@davidshoyt1979

Жыл бұрын

dope info thanks!

@juarezhenriquelisboa3590

Жыл бұрын

The song with basstracks will be Genesis?

@sembilanindera2231

Жыл бұрын

And rumors said that the trumpet section of both tracks will be seamless !

@brodybazzini6729

Жыл бұрын

I thought it was a cornet

@BrittanyNgo01

Жыл бұрын

@@brodybazzini6729 🤷🏼‍♀️ I used to play trumpet but admittedly, I probably wouldn't know the difference just looking at them

Yeah it was a really *SIMPLE* song especially for Polyphia and Steve. They made sure it was all about feel and melodies and not becoming another GENERIC SHRED FEST. We all know they could go ham especially with Steve but they didn't and they chose to play with their feelings. Maybe why it is called Ego Death 🙂

@chelfyn

Жыл бұрын

Maybe it's because Scotty finally gets some serious limelight :)

@Mister006

Жыл бұрын

@@chelfyn They all sit on that throne. They're all in the limelight. The differences are the genre influences that are their own is Tim = Pop/Hip Hop, Scott= Heavy Metal/Classical, Vai...well, Vai.

@bergamot4832

Жыл бұрын

too bad there's not much feel going on in there either

@IkenFister

Жыл бұрын

@@bergamot4832 you obviously didnt listen to the bass player. Lol

@sembilanindera2231

Жыл бұрын

Maybe it was simple to play (for them), but surely it's not simple to compose and arrange it.

It’s remarkable to me how tastefully they merged modern pop rhythms and feel, yet showcase their near surgical technique and mastery with the instrument. They deserve every success

Polyphia has always done this thing where they take the most popular pop progressions, and they put them in the background as they play incredibly intricate parts over them. And that specific combination makes it so that every song sounds familiar to the brain since people have heard those progressions in thousands of songs, but also the intricate parts makes it seem so new and exciting that it just blows them away. And they're absolute masters of this type of playing.

@chriscasiglio

3 ай бұрын

Yes, I've seen interviews w Tim where he talks about this, he often starts w a very familiar pop beat and layer it with the intricacies to where you're hearing something new but you brain feels like it's hearing something it already knows and loves. I am paraphrasing and also a non-musician currently trying to learn the guitar so please forgive if I stated that incorrectly

@tactrix1h

3 ай бұрын

@@chriscasiglio no it makes sense, whenever you want to make a song, you want to start with something familiar and then build on that. And what's more familiar than a progression that's in the most popular songs.

Now you have to go back and give Stevie's solo an honest listen. :)

Out of every music 'reactor' on youtube, Doug is easily the best. Superb knowledge and amazing ears...Please don't ever stop you are so good...

@rodrigozamo

Жыл бұрын

What I love most is that he has a great touch of explaining complex things that I'll never understand about theory in a way that is very digestible to someone who doesn't know a lot about it.

@sembilanindera2231

Жыл бұрын

A layman like me would never understand how Mr. Helvering here could name all the chords with one listening. Great understanding of musical theory.

@OriginalPuro

Жыл бұрын

To react is something everyone does, it's not a job or a position in society, it's a natural human function of information input.

@dexblue

Жыл бұрын

Doug is good as are Michael Pamisano, Rick, Tim, et al ...

The way Tim hensen explained it making these songs he finds a progression he likes and just finds fun ways to arpeggiate because he enjoys it. It’s just his style and it’s lovely.

So glad you talk about sound engineering/sound scapes. It's a really important thing that a lot of bands overlook. Atmosphere is almost everything.

Your piano accompaniment went so nicely with the track that either Polyphia should next collab with a piano player or would you consider doing a full piano playthrough video... please?

@prasadsatpute1294

Жыл бұрын

Polyphia is releasing a track with Anamolie , and I am so stoked for it

@kuroishiofficial

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. I'd love to see a full version of what he did at around 7:15

@brianmcnamara5890

Жыл бұрын

Their pizzicato playing would suit a harpsichord well.

@taleandclawrock2606

Жыл бұрын

@@brianmcnamara5890 oooo yes!

They have a track on the album called Genesis that features the guy from brasstracks playing the trumpet. Hasn’t been officially released as a single yet but there are live versions of it on KZread from their recent shows. Polyphia sometimes sounds too complicated and you really need to know how to break it down into the basics like you did here. There usually is some over arching melody in their songs but can get buried in the number of notes they play. This song does a better job or putting the melody out front more. Like a lot of their older songs. And when Vai starts playing, he brings a classic and amazing sound to compliment the craziness. He could have easily gone crazy too but his part was perfect and wouldn’t want to see him do more. Tim Henson has his own neural plugin that my son played around with on his guitar and that’s where a lot of their sound is coming from. It’s crazy what you can do to a guitar sound these days. And the plug-in has tons of other musicians that crafted their own sounds from it so you can use those too. Or create your own. It’s heavily “synthesized” but at least the music is coming from real instruments initially. They are my oldest sons favorite band so I hear their music quite often. We unfortunately missed their show here in Boston but I was able to preorder a signed copy of their new album for him which he will love. So happy that bands like this are encouraging real playing again and motivating kids like my son to try and push the boundaries.

auditioning live for polyphia..that's a ballsy move..polyphia with a jazz vibe, i like it

I did not know what to expect, but this is a very pleasant surprise. Love it.

oh you played over Steve Vai's solo. That's evil!

@emaneercsadeeni

Жыл бұрын

But also fabulous to see the instant connection for Doug who’s from a different corner of the music world.

@garrettpatterson9490

Жыл бұрын

Steve via tones fucked that whole song up. Sounds like me when I eat too much dairy and have to poop

@user-jl2kw5jy2z

9 ай бұрын

Skipped best parts

@user-vv9it9ye4g

9 ай бұрын

Love ya Doug, but you should be fined for A. Playing along with this B. ...doing so over Steve's magnificent contribution. ❤

Definitely my favorite reaction to Polyphia so far. Please do more!

I love the personal touch you add to your analyses with the piano! It seems like you're very invested in structure, so I'd like to make a random suggestion: the band Others by No One, specifically their song Dr. Breacher and the Time Travel Anomaly. It's a bit of a long song but it's the most interesting piece of art I've ever heard and extremely avant garde. (Also, the music video is only half the official song) Also, regarding the trumpeter, he will be featured on another one of the songs in Polyphia's new album!

The guitar reminds me so much of Zappa. It doesn't hurt to have Zappa's guitarist(Steve) to play with.

Steve's energetic and fun work with Roth was extremely influential for many guitarist,such as myself.Yankee Rose is epic.David Lee Roth's rock n roll swag is iconic.I miss those days.🤘

I really appreciate this breakdown and the accompaniment on piano really shows how good your ear is and the theory you followed that formula almost flawlessly very impressive.

Polyphia works so well because while they're super innovative, they're not really reinventing the wheel. By using super approachable chord progressions used millions of times in pop music and usually keeping a 4/4 time signature it gives them the opportunity to create really catchy hooks and damn near ear worms. The filigree and "flexing" of their ornamentation makes it really interesting and has a wow factor and their use of different voicings and tones and effects help create a ebb and flow dynamic that keeps the listener's attention. They've really hit a solid formula.

@Inferiis

10 ай бұрын

you're probably right. There is this saying that you play 4 chords to thousands of people, or thousands of notes for 4 people. Seems like Polyphia found the middle ground, sounds technical, but still catchy for your average music listener as well. (I mean Tim's playing IS technical af, but the music itself is pretty simple, pretty much the opposite of Tool f.e. where they don't use so many notes, but you won't find 30 consecutive seconds in the same time signature)

The film clip is awesome They start low in the building, with each level it gets heavier/harder Followed by Steve on the thrown - so so cool I remember Steve said Tim was the future of guitar

If there is more content like this on this channel, I'm subscribing. Loved when he decided to play along with them. Truly shows his understanding of music in a way that talking about cannot capture.

@pemjr

Жыл бұрын

Doug is the man this channel is great

I don't watch a lot of your videos, as a lot of the songs aren't what I'm looking for. But when I do see one such as this, it genuinely fills me with a sense of joy and excitement. Thank you for the excellent work you create 😌

Some people said in YT comments that this song "has no feeling" 🙄 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 People are hilarious. At any rate, Mr. Helvering here is the best reactor and analyst for ANY music because he analyze the merit of the music elements, not the genre. Salute, sir.

@ShaneDizzin

Жыл бұрын

That's wild cause I feel it has more feeling than most of their songs I've heard in the past.

@bsievwiwvwjw7053

Жыл бұрын

@@ShaneDizzin it’s just a general excuse insecure hendrix-era musicians will use to hate on modern guitar, despite the fact that “back in their day” there were the same type of people that hated on Hendrix, Van Halen etc.

@sembilanindera2231

Жыл бұрын

@@ShaneDizzin Yeah, also they mixed more genres into their current music compared to the past

@bored78612

Жыл бұрын

Anything not pentatonic with some blue notes thrown in sounds like no feeling to them.

@laremare

Жыл бұрын

@@bored78612 Don't forget slow bends up to the 5th or the root (not in tune, of course) and then picking the minor 3rd of that note while it's still ringing. Truly carries more feeling than anything the Muppet man or Vai could ever come up with.

Holy shit that track is massive. I get chills every time. Great analysis!

Doug! This is my first video I've seen from you and I gotta say I love your review. First - I love how you play the track straight through, but your able to get your point across while the song plays. Secondly, you really understand music and can play along on the piano in a simple but effective way to get your point across. Wonderful review! You've got a new subscriber :)

Appreciate the insight into the basic melody being a lament, i felt that, listening to it, but was unaware that was a labelled form. The beautiful purity of the iconic trumpet at the end always brings tears to my eyes. I must have listened to 5 or more different reaction videos, and learned more about music from each one. Polyphia are not just entertaining us, and facilitating emotional and cognitive processing ( as all good music does), they are helping educate us. A beautifully put together work of art.

Oh my god it's so nice seeing a reactor that actually has a wealth of knowledge and isn't pausing every 2 seconds. Bravo. I wish I had someone like you teaching my band class in high school.

Your observations are deep. Thanks. They are so syncopated and rhythmically adventurous. I am really enjoying everything this band does.

Mad respect for that tasteful piano accompaniment you improvised, was damn cool to be honest!

As in novice guitar player seeing polyphia knocked my socks off but after hearing your breakdown of it, you really bought it back to Earth. really enjoyed the video thank you 👍

I was worried that there was little space left for innovation on guitar. I was wrong, and both Tim Henson and Steve Vai have been pushing the boundaries in the past few years. Steve's Candle Power made me think about bends in a whole new way. Tim Henson made me think about guitar in a whole new way. Also, Doug, please do Window of a Waking Mind by Coheed & Cambria. It's staggeringly good.

@holliswilliams8426

Жыл бұрын

Not really sure either of them have actually pushed any boundary, Henson essentially plays trap flamenco.

@lilkujo

Жыл бұрын

If you care about the boundary pushing of guitar I highly recommend listening to Matteo Mancuso's work and what Julian Lage is doing (especially the work he released with Bill Frisell earlier this year). Both are pushing all sorts of boundaries. Matteo's my favorite new guitarist by far.

Nice! Your piano part made me think keyboards would take them to a new level. Someone like Jordan from Dream Theater on a couple tracks would be killer.

If you get the chance to see them live, DO IT! They put on a fantastic show.

Now I peep the “Hand. Cannot. Erase.” LP in the background. Wonderful taste, as always!

@Arrow2theACL

Жыл бұрын

Doug did a full album reaction on Hand. Cannot. Erase. on his Patreon. Amazing breakdown.

one does not simply play over steve vais solo and not listen to his epic solo with full attention!

@Arrow2theACL

Жыл бұрын

I'm sure it's not easy. Doug sure does make it seem simple though.

@fosho404

Жыл бұрын

100% Agree!!! Steve solo part is so dope Doug instantly wanted to join the band!!! Can't blame him!!! This song is amazing, I'm studying their music, and sound it's a deep rabbit hole!!!!

Imagine being the G.O.A.T guitarist, and being featured with a band with two younger arguably even better guitarists. I bet Vai is overjoyed that he has inspired this generation to reach even higher than he could. A decade ago I wouldn't have thought it possible, yet here we are.

@sandenson

Жыл бұрын

I see what you did there

@shadybrain3424

Жыл бұрын

lol what? they wish they can even have the talent vai has. tim henson cant even play most of his own songs live.

@VirtualDvid

Жыл бұрын

'Better guitarrist' mmm I don't think so.

@dezmodium

Жыл бұрын

I don't know if they are better but I also don't think it's healthy to compare them like that. These guitarists all specialize in certain techniques. I think what makes this video awesome is seeing the Polyphia guys doing what they are good at and seeing Vai do what he is good at and vibing at how they compliment each other. It's like saying one BBQ pitmaster is better than the other when one makes the best pork shoulder and the other makes the best brisket. If it means enjoying the best, I'll have both.

@cribbycribs

Жыл бұрын

@@shadybrain3424 Chill out dude, vai is undeniably great but being as stubborn to say that these dudes don’t have any of that talent is just plain short-sighted. Think more, speak less.

THANK YOU for simplifying Polyphia. I'm learning music but you simplified it so well that I was able to understand it. They are just technical.

I'm guessing the trumpet is a teaser to the following track on the record/video, which I'm betting will have that trumpet as a feature.

@alessandrosavino1499

Жыл бұрын

it's the last track on the album, the first one features the trumpeter, I think it's more a recall to the instrument itself and to a recurrent melody

Nice piano jamming Doug.

Haven't stopped playing that song at least 5x a day since it came out.

The Album that comes out at the end of October starts out the first track with the Trumpeter you see at the end of this video, Ivan from BrassTracks

Blown away by that. They brought the G.O.A.T. of shred. Also that’s nice of them to at least ask you to take down the Playing God vid rather than copyright it like other bands or musicians would.

What most people fail to realize (and I only did bc I had the song on repeat) Is that the trumpet I think starts being heard after steve's intro on the roof @ 6:26. Its in the background but its there and it adds to that sound stage and the growing theme within the song.

The name of the song is perfect. I didn't get it till I watched the video. I think saving the trumpet for the end was part of it. They all just basically stopped and let that trumpet have the last word. Ego Death.

@aybgim3850

Жыл бұрын

Each of the three sits on the throne at some point, while showing off their skills. But in the end they look at the trumpeter sitting on the edge of the roof and playing simple chords. This is the ego death - from sophistication to simplicity.

Possibly my favorite song they’ve released this year

Really appreciate the walkthrough on theory. Very helpful.

Man, when you started playing the piano that was magic happening before my eyes

Okay but now I want a Steve Vai song ft. Polyphia that is more in his domain.

From what I understand the trumpet player is on another song and this (Ego Death) is the last song on the new album (don't quote me on that, though). Great breakdown, most clear information/explanation I've seen on any of the music nerdery reaction videos.

was waiting for this!!

Best part of the song was Steve's solo and the trumpet at the end. No doubt 😀

These kinds of tracks are technically amazing, most impressive......the issue is that at the end, I can't always remember much about them

@phillipnoble7868

Жыл бұрын

Agree. Technical brilliance is not the same as great music. 30 minutes after hearing this, I don't think I'd recall a note of it.

@michaelrstover

Жыл бұрын

I don't get it at all, tbh. There's nothing in their songs I can enjoy or get into.

@DabsDad

Жыл бұрын

there is a feeling that the music is sterile and being made by robots(with the exception of Vai)

@okplld

Жыл бұрын

Maybe it's not your taste. Their songs are refreshing. Complex strong structure is not for everyone. For some of us it offers more than the generic songs people usually enjoy with so called 'feel'. The whole 'feel' thing is subjective. I'm not even a guitarist or a musician.

@GordonHeaney

Жыл бұрын

@@okplld Yeah, I understand that, I've been playing guitar for 38 years and I can appreciate the skill. I also love some progressive metal, so I can appreciate complex arrangements too. It is indeed all down to taste.

I feel like when you were improvising there after identifying their chord progression, you really got down to the essence of what Polyphia is and does. They take something incredibly simple and see how far they can play around within that. Get a good, dope beat, a thematic chord progression, and then keep breaking up and styling on that chord progression.

Vai's work is what makes the piece - his little counterpoint intro; multiple, asynchronous polyphonic bends at the same time! A single pitch bend is kinda mechanically intuitive, up to a point - you just keep increasing till you hit the desired pitch.. but try doing two or three at the same time, with vibrato and legato etc, and keeping them in tune.. guy's just a wizard..

Man I am so envious of people that can break down musical nuances like this. A lot of bands I love are often considered music for musicians I just nod my head and I’m like yea that sounds cool. Maybe one day I’ll pick up an instrument and explore my need for funky sounds

I would love to see Doug review TheOcean Jurassic-Cretaceous. Sooo much to download in their musical soundscape pallet. 😮

Haha yeah I wish the trumpet was introduced earlier. Love the song. Also love how youre playing while listening lol. Thats really cool.

One of my best feelings was when I randomly searched Polyphia and got a Daily Doug. I’m subscribed but I didn’t know this existed. It’s 2 and a half months to Christmas and I don’t care. Merry Christmas to me.

F’ing brilliant mate

This guy needs to add that piano and play it along.....that was dope af

As a former trumpet player, I loved the trumpet outro. I think any further addition of the trumpet throughout the song would have lessened its impact at the end.

Awesome reaction, love the riffing over it. Please do next 'Sailing the Seas of Ganymede' by Joe Satriani - Vai's teacher. Super unique track, weird but brilliant.

Ηuge admiration for someone who has a combo of perfect and relative pitch and can catch things on the fly...i think thats the most coveted music skill.....countless hours of solfege maybe?Anyway...always fun to watch your videos.... now those are some reactions that actually have meaning attached to it...keep doing your thing....

thank you for the great break down

Really great review!!!!

The terminology you used around 5:30 you said it was "lament" as it was a descending progression. BEAUTIFUL terminology, I will be using this from now on.

This was an excellent reaction and analysis. I've been putting off getting into Polyphia for a while now, but Steve Vai is my absolute favorite guitarist, probably my favorite artist after Led Zeppelin, so when I saw that they featured Steve in this song, I knew I had to give it a listen, and I'm totally blown away. They kind of sound like if Animals as Leaders did alt-pop instead of prog metal. I'm always a fan of highly technical and experimental artists like this. Doug, I highly recommened you check out a guitarist by the name of Jon Gomm. He's been bouncing around tge underground scene for two decades now, and he's absolutely incredible. I recommend checking out the songs Passionflower, Afterglow, The Weather Machine, and Topeka, but you HAVE to watch the accompanying videos. Check out Passionflower first, and make sure you watch the older version. It's absolutely life changing. My first time seeing it, I was 12 or 13, and just starting to get into playing guitar, and I've always equated it to having my third eye opened.

I tell people about Polyphia all the time and most have never heard of them...imo, I think music like this can only be truly appreciated my other musicians. I have been asked "what kind of music do they play?" my answer has been ( Classical-Progressive Jazz Fusion!!!)

Polyphia have been doing lots of collaborations since I became aware of them. As far as that goes, I've found other musicians I now follow through those collaboration.

Mixing so many hand technics, songwriting technics, it's a masterclass : not a song, a gimmick !!!!

The trumpet player is from bass tracks, and he’ll be featured on Genesis, All Falls Apart, and here on Ego Death

To me, the trumpet at the end ties their music back to its blues/jazz roots.

I love how with every section they are moving up the floor, playing and summoning the final boss the god himself and in the end playing all together. real ego death right there) and simple trumpet finishes off the song underlining that technival skill is not the most important thing

Hey Doug, Tremendous Reaction!

@emayfrit

Жыл бұрын

One of these Metal Mondays, you ought to do a reaction for Metallica's The Call of Ktulu, it is really a monumental composition, and I know your little brother would also be so proud of you if you did!💥😎💥!

@emayfrit

Жыл бұрын

...and or Blue Powder by Steve Vai, its a great ballad!

@Arrow2theACL

Жыл бұрын

@@emayfrit Daily Doug 237

love how good these folk are so talented. i love how tim henson uses long phrasing and simple proressions, then vai appears and immediately starts dive bombing pitch bends not going nuts like he is more than capable of, but adds liife/ another flowing texture to what is essentially is a generic pop progression Dm Cmaj Bflat A/c# back to Dmin.

All Ibanez, all the time.

holy crap your piano sounded so good with it!

I would absolutely LOVE to see Doug react to Todd Rundgren’s Utopia - “The Ikon”. A 30 minute prog epic, he would LOVE it. It’s a mind-blowing musical work!

I had to listen to Live at the Regal right after this track to refill my soul.

No ones talking about the music video enough and how it correlates to the song name Ego Death. Tim was on the throne in the beginning. Then Scott was on it. Finally, the 'ego death' is when Vai is the final person on the throne. They put an absolute legend on the song, and it's basically saying it humbled them. I don't think they have an actual inflated ego, but they know they're going down in the books as some of the greatest to ever play a guitar.

@delicrux

Жыл бұрын

Well said I was also surprised no one picked that up as well as having all of them give up the spotlight to the trumpet player who is sitting higher than them. Even more humbling

@scottis

Жыл бұрын

@@delicrux damn didn't even think of that!

@OriginalPuro

Жыл бұрын

Because music videos don't matter. Music is something you listen to, not watch.

@scottis

Жыл бұрын

@@OriginalPuro they have meaning dude lol

@Mr1Tanker

Жыл бұрын

My take? They added Steve as an Olive branch to the Boomers that Tim dissed.

Great reaction and indeed....Polyphia are genius and cool as heck...

I totally agree about the trumpet! I hope to see more instruments in future Tim Henson music

Pretty nuts how you broke down the entire song like that. Amazing

Finding a root note is easy. But doing it on the spot and then composing a piece that can pull its weight on this piece? Pretty incredible.

The lament turned triumphant is DEFINITELY intended for this particular song.

Would love if you did an album reaction to either Hand Cannot Erase or The Raven that Refused to Sing by Steven Wilson!

@Arrow2theACL

Жыл бұрын

www.patreon.com/posts/steven-wilson-21-67390032 Ask and you shall receive.

The trumpet was a nice add-on and my favorite part.

YES - MAGNIFICATION is THE Album!!!

the best part of the vid was you playing along! you need to do improv over all the YT hits! you'll blow up!

I love that music so totally consumes you that you needed to play along with the song. BTW, the guy at the end with the horn recorded the rest of the trumpet parts in the song. They're in there, mostly in Steve's section, and where the three leads are playing together at the climax.

Fantastic... I'd call their genre "Easy listening Prog"...

Would really love you to review Steve's entire album "Passion and Warfare". Considered by many to be his masterpiece. For a future extended play episode. The concept and creation alone is extremely interesting and the music stands the test of time.

What was called variations in classical music is called Flex now by Polyphia :)

Ok that piano made it 100 times better for me.

Hi Doug, I recently discovered your channel and am pleasantly surprised by the warmth and analysis you bring to every music you review. I saw your review of the Pat Metheny Group's Minuano and that started it all for me. Likewise, I love good music. I'd like to share this info, wonder if you heard Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Blu"? -- Great channel and more success to you!

doug throwing it down on the improv!

Why does Robert Fripp come to mind?

The chord progressions and theory behind the song may be simple but I invite anyone to get a seven string and cover that intro lick Tim is playing and post it to show us how easy it is.

Polyphia sounds really incredible, specially with steve vai, you should try listening to Marcin too