One vague background consideration that seems significant here is, like, this song doesn’t exist in isolation, theres a whole Boston Solstice with a) a particular set of constraints in terms of Latent Singing Ability, and b) JeffTK’s coming at it with a particular overall music aesthetic, and as (AFAICT) the Boston Guy with the best combination of musical skill and logistical execution. This all adds up to Boston Solstice having a particular musical aesthetic. I think it kinda makes sense to evaluate the song (at least this exact recording/variation of it) in that context.
Many of the initial Solstice songs/variations are by me, and selected to fit some Raymond Arnold Folk/Rock combo aesthetic, which some people are into and some are not. I know some people who really want a High. Church Choir Solstice, and people who want an Electronica solstice, and some a Mall Punk Solstice, and some a Heavy Metal Solstice, and those all seem legitimate.
I do think in most of the Solstices I’ve ran, there’s a higher level of latent musical ability in the crowd, such that just doing the original Level Up song is more reasonable (without even making it a Choir Only piece). But if I were in a context where I thought it made sense to do a simplified version, I might keep the approximate simplified-lyrics Jeff has here, but shift something slightly about the rhythm to fit into the vague Raemon Folk Rock style. (I’m not quite sure what the difference is here, but think there’s something there).
One vague background consideration that seems significant here is, like, this song doesn’t exist in isolation, theres a whole Boston Solstice with a) a particular set of constraints in terms of Latent Singing Ability, and b) JeffTK’s coming at it with a particular overall music aesthetic, and as (AFAICT) the Boston Guy with the best combination of musical skill and logistical execution. This all adds up to Boston Solstice having a particular musical aesthetic. I think it kinda makes sense to evaluate the song (at least this exact recording/variation of it) in that context.
Many of the initial Solstice songs/variations are by me, and selected to fit some Raymond Arnold Folk/Rock combo aesthetic, which some people are into and some are not. I know some people who really want a High. Church Choir Solstice, and people who want an Electronica solstice, and some a Mall Punk Solstice, and some a Heavy Metal Solstice, and those all seem legitimate.
I do think in most of the Solstices I’ve ran, there’s a higher level of latent musical ability in the crowd, such that just doing the original Level Up song is more reasonable (without even making it a Choir Only piece). But if I were in a context where I thought it made sense to do a simplified version, I might keep the approximate simplified-lyrics Jeff has here, but shift something slightly about the rhythm to fit into the vague Raemon Folk Rock style. (I’m not quite sure what the difference is here, but think there’s something there).