Now that spring is here, the countdown for summer begins! As we conjure thoughts of tanning on the beach, riding down Jolly Roger’s waterslides and drinking orange crushes in Seacret’s bay, the anticipation for summer grows each day. This anticipation is long and drawn out, but the reward is well worth it; much like the result of listening to some of the best buildups in music. Please note my explanations of these buildups do not do the songs justice. Listen to them. I promise it’s worth it.

 

Led Zeppelin - “How Many More Times”
From the album - Led Zeppelin (1969)
Buildup - 2:04 - 7:05
    This is one hell of a way to end your first album. After the group establishes a loud and upbeat blues riff, they soon tone things down and do their usual “we’re just going to do crazy stuff because we’re Led Freaking Zeppelin” breakdown. After a few false buildups that lead to more jamming, we hear singer Robert Plant’s wailing get higher and higher, until the band comes back in with the powerful riff from the beginning of the song.

 

We Were Promised Jetpacks - “It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning”
From the album - These Four Walls (2009)
Buildup - Intro to 2:40

    While this song already starts out strong and fast, believe me when I say this is an emotional ride. As singer/guitarist Adam Thompson sings quietly, the band slowly builds up the sound. Peaceful bells begin to chime, and rolling drums tell us a sick buildup is coming. Thompson gets louder each verse, showing true emotion as the band all comes together with a ridiculous amount of energy.

 

Dan Deacon - “Of the Mountains”
From the album - Bromst (2009)
Buildup - Intro to 5:35
    The tribal beats combined with electronic sounds in this song make this a natural fit for the film “Avatar.” We begin with a peaceful assortment of bells and drums that naturally progresses into a tribal chant that is accompanied by keyboards. The inspirational chanting continues to get higher, when a collage of loud and upbeat electronic sounds gives the song new life.

 

Battles - “Atlas”
From the album - Mirrored (2007)
Buildup - 2:52 to 5:35
    Read that band name again. This isn’t The Beatles, rather a crazy yet intriguing band called Battles. If you can get past the singer’s use of the “Chipmunk” overdub of his voice, this is a pretty bad-ass song. After we’ve heard the main theme of the song, we’re brought to a very slow breakdown that gradually adds one new element as the song goes on. A call and response section then brings us to a familiar theme, before bursting back into high energy chorus.

 

Muse - “Showbiz”
From the album - Showbiz (1999)
Buildup - Intro to 2:21
    Dark drums start off this powerful song about freedom. The song is pretty quiet until about the minute and a half mark, when both singer/guitarist Matt Bellamy’s voice and guitar become more intense. Tension builds slowly until the halfway point of the song, when the band metaphorically screams out all the suffering that has been inflicting them.

 

The Rolling Stones - “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
From the album - Let It Bleed (1969)
Buildup - 6:21 to 7:08
    A beautiful choir introduces us to this wonderful ballad. Based on the title and somber intro, you would think the song to be very somber; but it’s actually very uplifting, especially noting that the real theme to the song is that, “If you try sometimes, you get what you need.” Near the end of the song, we are re-introduced to the choir, whose sound becomes more powerful by the second. Their pitch gets higher and more powerful until the whole band comes in at the conclusion.

 

Neutral Milk Hotel - “Ghost”
From the album - In the Aeroplane over the Sea (1998)
Buildup - Intro to 3:11
    We begin one of the most wild rides you’ll ever hear with a simple acoustic and electric guitar intro that is soon met with upbeat drums. A bright horn section is eventually added into the mix, as you realize the song is getting louder and faster by the minute and isn’t losing steam. Around the halfway point, the drums are fully in and support singer/guitarist/songwriter Jeff Mangum’s voice as he reaches for higher tones. We finally reach the epic ending that is led by a duet of keyboards and thank Mangum for being so awesome.

 

Arcade Fire - “Crown of Love”
From the album - Funeral (2004)
Buildup - 2:30 to 3:44
    Yes, this is the band that you complained about last year for winning the Grammy over Justin Bieber. Who would’ve known that they’re actually pretty talented! After floating through their waltz-inspired theme, the band starts to speed things up around the midway point. After each verse, the song gets louder and faster, with more elements being added. Once the song reaches its apex, it transforms into an uplifting, haunting, yet beautiful ending.