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Albums based on a recurring musical phrase
I've always enjoyed collections of songs or musical pieces that weave a leitmotif throughout the progression of the entire album, whether it's up front and center or just discreetly referenced here and there, but I've also historically been crap at keeping track of them, so I figured I'd get recommendations. Do you know what I'm talking about? If so, what are your favorite modern albums that feature or hide a recurring short musical phrase? Videogame and film soundtracks are not only welcome but encouraged. Link if it's available online!
Examples:
- Katamari Damacy (a single 14 note motif)
- Pink Floyd - The Wall (multiple motifs) (warning: nazis)
- Aquaria (9 note motif, the Verse)
- The Dear Hunter (multiple motifs, such as the 10-note Pimp and Priest motif)
Nonagon Infinity by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard takes it one step further by having additional cross references between the songs that constitute the loop.
I've been listening to Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds lately, and that uses a few recurring motifs throughout the whole album, to great effect. Sits in a weird space between disco and progressive rock.
The Snow Goose by camel opens and closes with the same haunting melody.
I know War of the Worlds, great example!
Big plus one to both of these! Was just about to recommend Jeff Wayne's War of Worlds before I saw your comment.
I think I know what you mean, but if I misunderstand then I apologize for the next recommendations.
If Beale Street Could Talk by Nicholas Britell
La La Land by Justin Hurwitz and also Babylon by him to a lesser degree.
Carol by Carter Burwell.
Joker by Hildur Guonadottir.
Challengers by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Tron: Legacy by Daft Punk.
Noise, non-answer
I immediately thought of the Siivagunner video where it's the 5s loop from Hong Kong 97, but each loop is a different style
I love this too, and I have so many to recommend I feel overwhelmed! But get something out there, I'll start with Green Carnation's Light of Day, Day of Darkness. It's an album-length song (60 min) and just a wonderful journey with lots of references back to other parts in the song.
I just listened to this one, this is definitely my jam, thanks for the recommendation. Feel free to share some more of your knowledge with us if you like!
Kind of a gimme, but Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings trilogy soundtrack is one of the shining examples of leitmotif in a modern orchestral score. I won’t go into the details because there are plenty of great analyses out there but I highly recommend that musical rabbit hole to anyone who might be even slightly interested in it.
Ninja edit: this site is quite old, but IMO it’s one of the best and most comprehensive web resources on Shore’s leitmotifs throughout the soundtrack. Pro tip: the musical note next to the headers are buttons you can press to play the given theme on each page!
Totally unrelated, but Richard Henshall’s Mu, Vol. I is a phenomenal instrumental rock/metal example of a “variations and a theme” (not to be confused with a theme and variations!). The entire EP has bits and pieces of a simple melody woven through it which finally culminates in its full statement during the last song on the album, which is also the EP’s namesake. Henshall is one of the guitarists for the progressive metal band Haken and his influence in that group is obvious, though I have to say I think I like this album as much as, if not more than a lot of Haken’s material!
My first thought is Set Course for Andromeda by Sithu Aye. There's a couple of recurring leitmotifs that you'll pick up on pretty easily, and the last few pieces almost have a bit of back and forth to them. There is also the Homebound album that I think is supposed to be a direct "sequel", but I'm less familiar with that one. I also recommend his Senpai I, II, and III albums, although not for this prompt.