“Dopesmoker” by the band Sleep is a piece of drone, lumber, and little change. The repetitive riffs, constant clangs of cymbals, and monotonous vocals offer little excitement or stimulation throughout the hour-long piece, and within the first few minutes it became difficult to stay tuned to the music. It is too difficult to take over the track by actively listening, so instead I let the track take over my listening. It lulled me and I became lost in it, which is what I believe Ratliff means by embodiment. Rather than welcoming the music inside, chatting with it in my living room, and working to get to know and understand it, I just opened the door. On page 33 of Every Song Ever, Ratliff writes “You have to disable the capturing part of your mind.” The same way that sleep takes over one’s consciousness, Sleep’s “Dopesmoker” took over my consciousness.  

Gathering enough content from the piece to write about it was a test of my endurance as a listener. This led me to the question: if a performance requires intense dedication and patience from the audience, will the audience only find the performance valuable if later there is a reward? Or will they be able to appreciate the artist’s endurance in performing the piece and creating the concept? I found that question to be a great revelation while listening to “Dopesmoker.” Honestly, I was not able to understand or appreciate the music at all without looking for rewards. Listening to the piece for the second time, I found bits of excitement when the cymbals ceased in the drum part, or when the solo began at 38:54 and a new pitch rang out with fresh rhythms, adding a spark of interest to a previously dry conversation. I struggle to find the concept that Sleep was trying to reach with the track; why it had to be an hour long, why they would not cut a radio edit. But I appreciate their dedication in its creation and production. I do not believe someone has to enjoy or agree with a work of music or art in order to appreciate it, or at least, as Ratliff suggests, to do one’s best.