Okay, I know this is a week late, and the craziness that has come with the death of Michael Jackson has made some nauseous with MJ excess, but I really want to write this post, so I'm going to. Anyway, "Michael Jackson" and "MJ's" are still trending topics on Twitter, so clearly the mourning hasn't subsided.
I'd be lying, really, if I told you I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. I had liked his music, but casually. I didn't ever listen to him voluntarily, but if one of his songs were to come on the radio, I'd remember my fondness of his music. So clearly, with his passing, there has been loads of MJ music in all media. I couldn't help but totally get addicted to his music over the past two weeks. He's pretty much all I've listened to in that span of time, and the way his artistry has evolved over his roller-coaster career fascinates me and gives his music an even deeper meaning. So here are my ten favorites:
10. Rock With You
Cool beats and synth make the song, really, and you can't help but the think of the very disco video, made at a time when Jackson looked his best. It was all downhill from there.
9. We Are The World
Really bumped up in my rankings after it was played at the memorial on stage. A simple, yet beautiful song that has become synonymous with humanity and philanthropy.
8. Scream
Sung with his little sister, this was really a change of pace for Jackson. Verges on hard rock, and he pulls it off. The lyrics are heartfelt and sum up the reason for his demise: "Stop pressuring me."
7. Black or White
A really cool, innovative video (though the Macaulay Culkin part always makes me laugh nervously) and Slash's guitar riff gives the song an edge. Another great song that truly has something to say.
6. Bad
It's almost unfortunate that every time I hear this song, I think of Weird Al Yankovic's parody, "Fat." But, I mean, talk about a song that sticks in your head endlessly. Honestly, though, I don't mind humming this song all week.
5. You Are Not Alone
I'm starting to love this song more and more every time I listen to it. The lyrics are great and it's a perfect showcase for MJ's incredible falsetto and overall vocals.
4. Smooth Criminal
Not only is the song great and extremely iconic, but the video shows Jackson at his coolest. My heart skips a beat every time I see him do "the lean." He really was smooth.
3. Man In The Mirror
Probably the best vocal work of any of his songs. Add a choir to the background and I start getting choked up. The first MJ song I truly fell in love with.
2. Billie Jean
I mean, it's the essential. It's made its mark in the hall of fame of greatness for a reason. It is the musical peak of Michael Jackson's solo career.
1. I'll Be There
So simple but so important. I'm convinced it may have some of the best lyrics of any song. I know I'm really diving into hyperbole here, but this is most certainly one of my favorite songs, period.
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Thursday, July 9
Tuesday, May 26
Where Has Of Montreal Been All My Life?
You probably know what I mean when you get to that point of listening to music, where you're bored of all the bands you've been obsessing over lately and all your essential bands aren't really exciting you, so you randomly put on a band you're not very familiar with and just listen, to see if you like what you hear. I did that with Of Montreal and the results were extraordinary.
My brother once said this and I feel it's true, and I paraphrase: "When you hear Of Montreal for the first time, you either want all their albums right away or you want the music turned off." He's been to two of their concerts, so he knows what he's talking about.
Anyway, I fall into category one, finding their music so over-the-top, extravagent and addictive. Crazy synths and piano and god knows what are the background to Kevin Barnes' insane falsetto that occupy each song. It's hard to really classify the music as it's so far ranging, but who really cares? The song below, "The Past Is A Grotesque Animal" is an epic, poetic masterpiece that you must take the ten minutes to listen to.
My brother once said this and I feel it's true, and I paraphrase: "When you hear Of Montreal for the first time, you either want all their albums right away or you want the music turned off." He's been to two of their concerts, so he knows what he's talking about.
Anyway, I fall into category one, finding their music so over-the-top, extravagent and addictive. Crazy synths and piano and god knows what are the background to Kevin Barnes' insane falsetto that occupy each song. It's hard to really classify the music as it's so far ranging, but who really cares? The song below, "The Past Is A Grotesque Animal" is an epic, poetic masterpiece that you must take the ten minutes to listen to.
Tuesday, April 28
Bands I'm Hooked on Right Now
Sigur Ros
Strangely, hearing Hoppipolla (one of their best songs) constantly due to all the 'Earth' trailers led me to Sigur Ros. They're pretty great, really. At times, very happy, hopeful music, but at other times sorrowful. Ah, and some of the songs would fit seamlessly into a movie. This one I'm going to embed, Saeglopur, is amazing. And, yes, I had to find a website that gave pronunciations on all the crazy Polish words featured in the song names. Foolishly, I had thought they were pronounced SUGAR ROSS, which is retarded (I'm such an ignorant American), but really it's pronouned more like si-yur rose. So now I use every opportunity I can to correctly say "Sigur Ros"
Ween
They're very weird, and almost surreal. My brother is a huge fan and has been to one of their concerts. I never thought I liked them, but I heard a few of their songs and now I'm kinda hooked. And I just learned from the band's Wiki that the two founders are named Gene and Dean Ween. That's almost the coolest thing ever. But I love their lo-fi, experimental tone. This song, Mutilated Lips, is straaange. It's not a question of "if" LSD was used when recording this song, but "how much" LSD was in effect.
311
Oh my god, they are great. I randomly have their greatest hits stored away on my iPod and I can't get enough. Their songs stick in your head forever. They have a really cool, almost reggae-ish (it has to be cool) sound and the lead singers' voices are great. I feel like a cool kid when I listen to them. This song is Flowing and is all kinds of amazing.
MGMT
Yeah, they're God's gift to Earth, in a way. Very cliche lyrics and that's why I love them. The instrumentals are orgasmic and their videos are crazy. It's all sorta psycodelic and amazing. No explanation is needed for the song below. Mhm.
Strangely, hearing Hoppipolla (one of their best songs) constantly due to all the 'Earth' trailers led me to Sigur Ros. They're pretty great, really. At times, very happy, hopeful music, but at other times sorrowful. Ah, and some of the songs would fit seamlessly into a movie. This one I'm going to embed, Saeglopur, is amazing. And, yes, I had to find a website that gave pronunciations on all the crazy Polish words featured in the song names. Foolishly, I had thought they were pronounced SUGAR ROSS, which is retarded (I'm such an ignorant American), but really it's pronouned more like si-yur rose. So now I use every opportunity I can to correctly say "Sigur Ros"
Ween
They're very weird, and almost surreal. My brother is a huge fan and has been to one of their concerts. I never thought I liked them, but I heard a few of their songs and now I'm kinda hooked. And I just learned from the band's Wiki that the two founders are named Gene and Dean Ween. That's almost the coolest thing ever. But I love their lo-fi, experimental tone. This song, Mutilated Lips, is straaange. It's not a question of "if" LSD was used when recording this song, but "how much" LSD was in effect.
311
Oh my god, they are great. I randomly have their greatest hits stored away on my iPod and I can't get enough. Their songs stick in your head forever. They have a really cool, almost reggae-ish (it has to be cool) sound and the lead singers' voices are great. I feel like a cool kid when I listen to them. This song is Flowing and is all kinds of amazing.
MGMT
Yeah, they're God's gift to Earth, in a way. Very cliche lyrics and that's why I love them. The instrumentals are orgasmic and their videos are crazy. It's all sorta psycodelic and amazing. No explanation is needed for the song below. Mhm.
Sunday, March 29
A Great Discovery
Been listening to a lot of new music lately. This - It Never Stops by Deerhunter - is among the juicy musical discoveries.
Sunday, March 22
The Hazards of Love
Lately it's seeming as if I get all my news from Entertainment Weekly. I always find out the big news last, but whatever. Today was another day of EW breaking big news for me.
So I was thumbing through EW this morning and was skimming the music reviews section over. Of course, the featured review was for the Hannah Montana Movie Soundtrack. Shoot me, okay? So, I was looking at the other reviews and I zeroed in on two words I always look for: The Decemberists. It doesn't matter where I am, like I could be at the bank or something, and I'll have my Decemberists heat-seeking radar initiated.
The review was venomous. They hated it. They said the vocals sucked, which doesn't seem possible to me, and that there was a lot of "comically-misplaced guitar shredding." Of course, my initial reaction was, "How dare they."
So immediately, I booked onto iTunes and see that the review has four and a half stars over 700 ratings. Um? Is it not so bad, then?
Whatever, in the end, all that matters is if I like it. I really think I will. Maybe an update later in the week on my thoughts.
So I was thumbing through EW this morning and was skimming the music reviews section over. Of course, the featured review was for the Hannah Montana Movie Soundtrack. Shoot me, okay? So, I was looking at the other reviews and I zeroed in on two words I always look for: The Decemberists. It doesn't matter where I am, like I could be at the bank or something, and I'll have my Decemberists heat-seeking radar initiated.
The review was venomous. They hated it. They said the vocals sucked, which doesn't seem possible to me, and that there was a lot of "comically-misplaced guitar shredding." Of course, my initial reaction was, "How dare they."
So immediately, I booked onto iTunes and see that the review has four and a half stars over 700 ratings. Um? Is it not so bad, then?
Whatever, in the end, all that matters is if I like it. I really think I will. Maybe an update later in the week on my thoughts.
Wednesday, March 11
Great Albums Bracket - Region 1 (part 1)
And we're off. So this is Region One and in this part 1 (of 2), we'll be seeing:
Radiohead's In Rainbows (1) vs. Beck's The Information (8)
Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People vs. Amy Winehouse's Back To Black
The two winners of these matchups will face each other in the Sweet Sixteen in a couple weeks. Click here if you need your memory refreshed.
(1) In Rainbows vs. (8) The Information
Overall Musical Quality and Consistency: In Rainbows is an innovative, unique and complex listen. The same can’t necessarily be said for The Information. It’s one of Beck’s lesser albums, yet even a bad Beck album is still a really good album. The Information probably has the edge in terms of lyrics, but the sheer sound of In Rainbows will be quite hard to beat. Victor: In Rainbows
Best Track: This comes down to Jigsaw Falling Into Place vs. Cellphone’s Dead. Jigsaw Falling Into Place is basically a perfect stage for Thom Yorke’s wailing voice. Pure brilliance and one of Radiohead’s best songs, period. Cellphone’s Dead is classic, weird-o Beck, combining interesting beats and almost a hip-hop foreground that’s reminiscent of anything off of Midnite Vultures. A great song, but not as memorable as Jigsaw Falling Into Place. Victor: Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Impact: The Information was perhaps the first album that I truly waited for and had the date of release marked on my calendar. I was just coming off of intense love for Midnite Vultures (came out in 1999, just missed the cut, would have been a number one seed). My Beck love was at its height. In Rainbows simply solidified the fact that Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, if not my favorite. Has nearly everything I dream of from an album. Victor: In Rainbows
Overall Play Count: 182 to 107 Victor: In Rainbows
Cover Art: I must say, two heavyweights in terms of Cover Art. Yet the cool graphics and colors of The Information are pretty amazing. Victor: The Information
And the winner is… In Rainbows, 4-1
(4) You Forgot It in People vs. (5) Back to Black
Overall Musical Quality and Consistency: The thing that Back to Black has going for it is that basically every song on it is good – if not really good. It has its flashes of brilliance and remains stable the whole time. You Forgot It In People has one of the best songs of this decade (Almost Crimes) and Cause=Time is not far from that status either. Yet Back to Black’s powerhouse consistency reigns supreme for me. Victor: Back to Black
Best Track: As stated earlier, Almost Crimes is incredible (please listen – you’ll be hooked right away). Back To Black, the song, is really strong but simply no match. Victor: You Forgot It in People
Impact: Back to Black was almost a flash in the pan for me. I like Amy Winehouse (AS A MUSICIAN) yet I’m not into her whole train-wreck-whore…aura. But beyond personality, the music is more daring and oozing with unique genius (most of the time) on YFINP. It solidified BSS in my pantheon of greatness and was constantly listened to two summers ago when I ate, slept and breathed Broken Social Scene.
Play Count: 115 to 107 Victor: You Forgot It in People
Cover Art: The YFINP art is mediocre and Back to Black’s isn’t too much better, but kinda fitting to the whole album. Victor: Back to Black
And the winner is…You Forgot It in People
So Region One will be continued later in the week where bands like Coldplay, TV on the Radio and other favorites will be featured. Stay tuned.
Radiohead's In Rainbows (1) vs. Beck's The Information (8)
Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People vs. Amy Winehouse's Back To Black
The two winners of these matchups will face each other in the Sweet Sixteen in a couple weeks. Click here if you need your memory refreshed.
(1) In Rainbows vs. (8) The Information
Overall Musical Quality and Consistency: In Rainbows is an innovative, unique and complex listen. The same can’t necessarily be said for The Information. It’s one of Beck’s lesser albums, yet even a bad Beck album is still a really good album. The Information probably has the edge in terms of lyrics, but the sheer sound of In Rainbows will be quite hard to beat. Victor: In Rainbows
Best Track: This comes down to Jigsaw Falling Into Place vs. Cellphone’s Dead. Jigsaw Falling Into Place is basically a perfect stage for Thom Yorke’s wailing voice. Pure brilliance and one of Radiohead’s best songs, period. Cellphone’s Dead is classic, weird-o Beck, combining interesting beats and almost a hip-hop foreground that’s reminiscent of anything off of Midnite Vultures. A great song, but not as memorable as Jigsaw Falling Into Place. Victor: Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Impact: The Information was perhaps the first album that I truly waited for and had the date of release marked on my calendar. I was just coming off of intense love for Midnite Vultures (came out in 1999, just missed the cut, would have been a number one seed). My Beck love was at its height. In Rainbows simply solidified the fact that Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, if not my favorite. Has nearly everything I dream of from an album. Victor: In Rainbows
Overall Play Count: 182 to 107 Victor: In Rainbows
Cover Art: I must say, two heavyweights in terms of Cover Art. Yet the cool graphics and colors of The Information are pretty amazing. Victor: The Information
And the winner is… In Rainbows, 4-1
(4) You Forgot It in People vs. (5) Back to Black
Overall Musical Quality and Consistency: The thing that Back to Black has going for it is that basically every song on it is good – if not really good. It has its flashes of brilliance and remains stable the whole time. You Forgot It In People has one of the best songs of this decade (Almost Crimes) and Cause=Time is not far from that status either. Yet Back to Black’s powerhouse consistency reigns supreme for me. Victor: Back to Black
Best Track: As stated earlier, Almost Crimes is incredible (please listen – you’ll be hooked right away). Back To Black, the song, is really strong but simply no match. Victor: You Forgot It in People
Impact: Back to Black was almost a flash in the pan for me. I like Amy Winehouse (AS A MUSICIAN) yet I’m not into her whole train-wreck-whore…aura. But beyond personality, the music is more daring and oozing with unique genius (most of the time) on YFINP. It solidified BSS in my pantheon of greatness and was constantly listened to two summers ago when I ate, slept and breathed Broken Social Scene.
Play Count: 115 to 107 Victor: You Forgot It in People
Cover Art: The YFINP art is mediocre and Back to Black’s isn’t too much better, but kinda fitting to the whole album. Victor: Back to Black
And the winner is…You Forgot It in People
So Region One will be continued later in the week where bands like Coldplay, TV on the Radio and other favorites will be featured. Stay tuned.
Sunday, March 8
The Great Albums Bracket: The Search for My Favorite Album of the Decade
Over the past few weeks I've been mulling over ideas for posts to apply to this here blog. I had little (no) luck until last week when I thought of a rather interesting and certainly appropriate serial posting event (SPE).
General Idea: I make a bracket displaying my 32 favorite albums of this decade. I then seed them from 1-8. Ones are dedicated to the best of the best, while 8 seeds are still great, yet probably won't get too far in the bracket. Then, through weeks of judging and analyzing through match-ups I come up with my favorite album of this decade. If any of you are sports fans, you can correlate this directly to March Madness (something I wil regularly allude to this month).
So I'm really stoked for this series. It should be great fun and give you a good idea of my favorite music. I think it's fitting with March Madness and total bracketology looming. So, below, I'll run through some more details and then, during the rest of the week a few match-ups should pop up, the games beginning.
So here is the rundown on the seeding (the number to the left is the seed):
1 Funeral by Arcade Fire
1 In Rainbows by Radiohead
1 Broken Social Scene by Broken Social Scene
1 Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
2 Hail to the Thief by Radiohead
2 Return to Cookie Mountain by TV on the Radio
2 Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
2 A Mad and Faithful Telling by DeVotchka
3 The Crane Wife by The Decemberists
3 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
3 Dear Catastrophe Waitress by Belle and Sebastian
3 Arcade Fire EP by Arcade Fire
4 Random Spirit Lover by Sunset Rubdown
4 Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon
4 You Forgot it in People by Broken Social Scene
4 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
5 Z by My Morning Jacket
5 Pressure Chief by Cake
5 Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
5 American Idiot by Green Day
6 Set Yourself on Fire by Stars
6 X&Y by Coldplay
6 Sea Change by Beck
6 Let’s Get Out of This Country by Camera Obscura
7 Dear Science by TV on the Radio
7 We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse
7 Come On Feel The Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
7 Modern Guilt by Beck
8 The Information by Beck
8 Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
8 In Our Bedroom After The War by Stars
8 The Reminder by Feist
And here is the actual bracket in all its glory. (Click on it to enlarge)
Surf Wikipedia if you aren't familiar with some of the albums. Most of them should be familiar. I'd be elated if you were to broaden you're musical interests from seeing some of these bands in this tournament. All of the bands and albums are brilliant and there's something for everyone.
Yes, I know I'm like Obsessive-Compulsive in terms of organization, but here is a rough schedule of how I'll post everything. It should end up taking about two months, if everything goes according to plan. I've already written up a few match-ups and it's really fun to write, so don't expect me to get overwhelmed and discouraged (tends to happen).
Region One (Week 1)
Funeral vs. The Reminder
Hail to the Thief vs. Modern Guilt
Arcade Fire EP vs. Set Yourself on Fire
Random Spirit Lover vs. Z
Region Two (Week 2)
In Rainbows vs. The Information
Return to Cookie Mountain vs. Come on Feel The Illinoise
Dear Catastrophe Waitress vs. X&Y
You Forgot It In People vs. Back To Black
Region Three (Week 3)
Broken Social Scene vs. In Our Bedroom After The War
Vampire Weekend vs. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah vs. Sea Change
Ga Ga Ga Ga vs. Pressure Chief
Region Four (Week 4)
Neon Bible vs. Apologies to the Queen Mary
A Mad and Faithful Telling vs. Dear Science
The Crane Wife vs. Let’s Get Out of This Country
Twin Cinema vs. American Idiot
Week Five: Winners of Regions 1 and 2 Face off (8 of the 16- 4)
Week Six: Winners of Regions 3 and 4 Face off (8 of the 16- 4)
Week 7: Elite Eight (8 of 8 - 4)
Week 8: Final Four and Championship
Finally, the judging will be based on five categories that are as follows:
General Idea: I make a bracket displaying my 32 favorite albums of this decade. I then seed them from 1-8. Ones are dedicated to the best of the best, while 8 seeds are still great, yet probably won't get too far in the bracket. Then, through weeks of judging and analyzing through match-ups I come up with my favorite album of this decade. If any of you are sports fans, you can correlate this directly to March Madness (something I wil regularly allude to this month).
So I'm really stoked for this series. It should be great fun and give you a good idea of my favorite music. I think it's fitting with March Madness and total bracketology looming. So, below, I'll run through some more details and then, during the rest of the week a few match-ups should pop up, the games beginning.
So here is the rundown on the seeding (the number to the left is the seed):
1 Funeral by Arcade Fire
1 In Rainbows by Radiohead
1 Broken Social Scene by Broken Social Scene
1 Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
2 Hail to the Thief by Radiohead
2 Return to Cookie Mountain by TV on the Radio
2 Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
2 A Mad and Faithful Telling by DeVotchka
3 The Crane Wife by The Decemberists
3 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
3 Dear Catastrophe Waitress by Belle and Sebastian
3 Arcade Fire EP by Arcade Fire
4 Random Spirit Lover by Sunset Rubdown
4 Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon
4 You Forgot it in People by Broken Social Scene
4 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
5 Z by My Morning Jacket
5 Pressure Chief by Cake
5 Back to Black by Amy Winehouse
5 American Idiot by Green Day
6 Set Yourself on Fire by Stars
6 X&Y by Coldplay
6 Sea Change by Beck
6 Let’s Get Out of This Country by Camera Obscura
7 Dear Science by TV on the Radio
7 We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse
7 Come On Feel The Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
7 Modern Guilt by Beck
8 The Information by Beck
8 Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
8 In Our Bedroom After The War by Stars
8 The Reminder by Feist
And here is the actual bracket in all its glory. (Click on it to enlarge)
Surf Wikipedia if you aren't familiar with some of the albums. Most of them should be familiar. I'd be elated if you were to broaden you're musical interests from seeing some of these bands in this tournament. All of the bands and albums are brilliant and there's something for everyone.
Yes, I know I'm like Obsessive-Compulsive in terms of organization, but here is a rough schedule of how I'll post everything. It should end up taking about two months, if everything goes according to plan. I've already written up a few match-ups and it's really fun to write, so don't expect me to get overwhelmed and discouraged (tends to happen).
Region One (Week 1)
Funeral vs. The Reminder
Hail to the Thief vs. Modern Guilt
Arcade Fire EP vs. Set Yourself on Fire
Random Spirit Lover vs. Z
Region Two (Week 2)
In Rainbows vs. The Information
Return to Cookie Mountain vs. Come on Feel The Illinoise
Dear Catastrophe Waitress vs. X&Y
You Forgot It In People vs. Back To Black
Region Three (Week 3)
Broken Social Scene vs. In Our Bedroom After The War
Vampire Weekend vs. We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah vs. Sea Change
Ga Ga Ga Ga vs. Pressure Chief
Region Four (Week 4)
Neon Bible vs. Apologies to the Queen Mary
A Mad and Faithful Telling vs. Dear Science
The Crane Wife vs. Let’s Get Out of This Country
Twin Cinema vs. American Idiot
Week Five: Winners of Regions 1 and 2 Face off (8 of the 16- 4)
Week Six: Winners of Regions 3 and 4 Face off (8 of the 16- 4)
Week 7: Elite Eight (8 of 8 - 4)
Week 8: Final Four and Championship
Finally, the judging will be based on five categories that are as follows:
- Overall Musical Quality and Consistency (self-explanatory)
- Best Track - I'll weigh the stregnths of the best track off of each album.
- Impact - Though it sounds cheesy, it's like the impact of the album on my life. Did it help me discover (Insert Band Here)? Is it an album that is still extremely vital in my life after many years? Did I wait in line to buy it? Did the music "speak" to me in an important way? And, overall, which album has had a bigger impact on my life?
- Play Count - Which album has the greater overall play count according to my iPod?
- Cover Art - Which album has the superior cover artwork? In some instances this is somewhat of a tie-breaker.
Okay, so that's about it. Stay tuned and wait for updates. I'll try to make it kinda hands-on with polls and samples of the songs, etc. For now...
Friday, March 6
What A Showman...
By chance, I came across a video of Tom Waits on Letterman the other day. Tom Waits had been a name I'd heard quite a bit, and everything said about him was pretty ecstatic. So I was discovering Waits that day, and I'm slowly catching onto his greatness.
His voice is awesome and unlike any other. Raspy and deep and all weird. Or as critic Dan Durcholz says, his voice sounds "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."
This performance of 'Chocolate Jesus' below, from Letterman, put me over the top. The man is a frickin' showman. Just simply watching him is crazy compelling. Who else can work a room that well?
His voice is awesome and unlike any other. Raspy and deep and all weird. Or as critic Dan Durcholz says, his voice sounds "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."
This performance of 'Chocolate Jesus' below, from Letterman, put me over the top. The man is a frickin' showman. Just simply watching him is crazy compelling. Who else can work a room that well?
Monday, March 2
I've Got Nothing (For Now)
The past few days I've been thinking about what to do, now that the Oscars are over and everything playing at the movies is mediocre. Yet, I can't think of anything. Sorry, I just don't know. I'm hoping to think of an "event" type thing. A serial-type post marathon that I update once in awhile. You follow? But I just don't know what..? Any ideas, haha?
Did any of that make sense?
Anyway, this is a nice filler post, eh? Whatever. For now, just listen to this 'Heroes' cover by TV on the Radio. Combining my favorite Bowie song with one of my favorite bands? Beauty.
Did any of that make sense?
Anyway, this is a nice filler post, eh? Whatever. For now, just listen to this 'Heroes' cover by TV on the Radio. Combining my favorite Bowie song with one of my favorite bands? Beauty.
Friday, February 27
Too Good to Be True
So I was thumbing through the paper yesterday, when I came across an intriguing article in the Music/Arts section. It was about this compilation of artists singing together and the proceeds went to AIDS charities. So I was skimming over it, thought it sounded pretty cool. Then they named the bands participating.
Arcade Fire. Okay, one of my top three bands of all time. Spoon. Love them. Holy shit this is amazing. Sufjan Stevens. This must be a joke. The Decemberists. Oh my frickin' god. Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene? Wow. Again, one of my favorite bands ever. My Morning Jacket. This is just too good.
So yeah, it has, like, all my favorite bands, with new music, all on one album. This is like the library of Mark's favorite music. I was beaming with joy, like a maniac. So of course I bought it (or most of it) and am listening to it right now. I urge you to buy this CD, Dark Was The Night. Feist (Decent), Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, The National (BRILLIANT), The New Pornographers (GREAT), Cat Power and a bunch of others are featured. And above all else, it goes to a great, important cause. I may write more later about the actual songs, themselves. Yet judging by the bands, I can tell you now, most of the songs are great.
Arcade Fire. Okay, one of my top three bands of all time. Spoon. Love them. Holy shit this is amazing. Sufjan Stevens. This must be a joke. The Decemberists. Oh my frickin' god. Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene? Wow. Again, one of my favorite bands ever. My Morning Jacket. This is just too good.
So yeah, it has, like, all my favorite bands, with new music, all on one album. This is like the library of Mark's favorite music. I was beaming with joy, like a maniac. So of course I bought it (or most of it) and am listening to it right now. I urge you to buy this CD, Dark Was The Night. Feist (Decent), Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, The National (BRILLIANT), The New Pornographers (GREAT), Cat Power and a bunch of others are featured. And above all else, it goes to a great, important cause. I may write more later about the actual songs, themselves. Yet judging by the bands, I can tell you now, most of the songs are great.
Saturday, February 14
Lost in the Shuffle - Episode 2
Really, the best way to see one's taste in music is to take a gander at their iPod via Shuffle. Of the 3000 songs and growing, if I shuffle it up ten times, something good must come up, right?
1. Anytime by My Morning Jacket
I love My Morning Jacket more and more with each listen. This is one of the better songs off of their best album, Z. It almost has a country twang to it, but it doesn't suck. Rating: 4 (out of 5)
2. Electrolite by R.E.M.
I'm not a huge R.E.M. fan, to be honest. Some of their essentials are good, but songs like this are just too plain for my liking. Rating: 2
3. Isis by Bob Dylan
My goal is to like Bob Dylan someday. I just don't have the time to give him a chance. I have hundreds of his songs, yet I never, ever listen to him. This song is just okay. Rating: 3
4. Talking to Mary by Elliot Smith
More Elliot Smith. I actually haven't heard this one before. Lemme see...*listening*...okay. Yep, it's subtle, understated and simply nice. Rating: 4
5. Lazy Flies by Beck
I actually forgot that I have Mutations. Remind me to listen to it more. This song is pretty good, with interesting "flavor." Cheesy, I know. But the song has great sound. Do we expect anything less from Beck? Rating: 5
6. Puffy Cloud by Ween
My brother always encourages me to get into Ween, but I always find myself rather intimidated. Little more than grunting, lazy lyrics and guitar strumming this song pretty much shit. Yet, for some reason, I'm rather compelled. Just a little. Rating: 3
7. Piggies by The Beatles
Good fun. But not that fun. A bit more complex than it first lets on. Rating: 4
8. Yawny At the Apocolypse by Andrew Bird
I'm yet to discover the awesomeness of Andrew Bird. This song is so ridiculously peaceful and so ridiculously boring. It's forced into the background of whatever you're doing while listening. Rating: 2
9. Caroline Says I by Lou Reed
Well first of all, I don't like that it's live. Yet it is lively. Though not really my kind of song. I respect it, but I wouldn't listen to it voluntarily. Rating: 3
10. On the Road to Find Out by Cat Stevens
Talk about a distinctive musician. From the first note, you can tell whether or not you're listening to a Cat Stevens song. Why does it remind me of Phil Collins? Anyway, yeah, the song never really goes to a place that it should. Whatever the hell that means. Rating: 3
Average Rating: 3.3
1. Anytime by My Morning Jacket
I love My Morning Jacket more and more with each listen. This is one of the better songs off of their best album, Z. It almost has a country twang to it, but it doesn't suck. Rating: 4 (out of 5)
2. Electrolite by R.E.M.
I'm not a huge R.E.M. fan, to be honest. Some of their essentials are good, but songs like this are just too plain for my liking. Rating: 2
3. Isis by Bob Dylan
My goal is to like Bob Dylan someday. I just don't have the time to give him a chance. I have hundreds of his songs, yet I never, ever listen to him. This song is just okay. Rating: 3
4. Talking to Mary by Elliot Smith
More Elliot Smith. I actually haven't heard this one before. Lemme see...*listening*...okay. Yep, it's subtle, understated and simply nice. Rating: 4
5. Lazy Flies by Beck
I actually forgot that I have Mutations. Remind me to listen to it more. This song is pretty good, with interesting "flavor." Cheesy, I know. But the song has great sound. Do we expect anything less from Beck? Rating: 5
6. Puffy Cloud by Ween
My brother always encourages me to get into Ween, but I always find myself rather intimidated. Little more than grunting, lazy lyrics and guitar strumming this song pretty much shit. Yet, for some reason, I'm rather compelled. Just a little. Rating: 3
7. Piggies by The Beatles
Good fun. But not that fun. A bit more complex than it first lets on. Rating: 4
8. Yawny At the Apocolypse by Andrew Bird
I'm yet to discover the awesomeness of Andrew Bird. This song is so ridiculously peaceful and so ridiculously boring. It's forced into the background of whatever you're doing while listening. Rating: 2
9. Caroline Says I by Lou Reed
Well first of all, I don't like that it's live. Yet it is lively. Though not really my kind of song. I respect it, but I wouldn't listen to it voluntarily. Rating: 3
10. On the Road to Find Out by Cat Stevens
Talk about a distinctive musician. From the first note, you can tell whether or not you're listening to a Cat Stevens song. Why does it remind me of Phil Collins? Anyway, yeah, the song never really goes to a place that it should. Whatever the hell that means. Rating: 3
Average Rating: 3.3
Monday, February 9
Sunday, February 8
Clueless Grammy Predictions and Preferances
Okay, so I have to jam this thing out in like an hour. Wish me luck. I'm not nearly as knowledgable about the in's and out's of the Grammys, compared to the Oscars. I don't know all the politics of it and I really don't know the difference between Record or Song of the Year (song = songwriting, eh?). Well, whatever, here we go with the big categories:
Record of the Year
Will win: Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Should win: Viva La Vida, Coldpay
Viva La Vida was the musical event of 2008. Everywhere, in politics, TV, the radio - no duh, Guitar Hero, where ever you looked, Viva La Vida was at the center of it all. A phenomenon and one hell of a tune.
Album of the Year
Will win: Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
Should Win: In Rainbows by Radiohead
A bunch of hits came off of Viva La Vida (the album) so it's certainly worthy of taking the prize. Yet, the pure artistry of In Rainbows, such a critically acclaimed album, makes it hard for me to root for any other album.
Song of the Year
Will win: Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Should win: I'm Yours, Jason Mraz
Continuing the Coldplay sweep, Viva La Vida is probably the definitive song of this year. Yet, the sincere lyrics of I'm Yours can never really get out of my head. One catchy-ass song.
Best New Artist
Will win: Adele
Should win: Adele
Really weak field, in my opinion. To think, last year Winehouse, Feist and Paramore were all involved, is pretty mind-blowing. I don't know much about Adele, only that she's a big deal. So yeah, I pick her, I guess.
So the Grammys are always really entertaining, with top-notch performances (though the "Look! It's a modern mainstream star performing with a legend!"-type performance get a bit old). Simply one word will descirbe the night: Coldplay
Record of the Year
Will win: Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Should win: Viva La Vida, Coldpay
Viva La Vida was the musical event of 2008. Everywhere, in politics, TV, the radio - no duh, Guitar Hero, where ever you looked, Viva La Vida was at the center of it all. A phenomenon and one hell of a tune.
Album of the Year
Will win: Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
Should Win: In Rainbows by Radiohead
A bunch of hits came off of Viva La Vida (the album) so it's certainly worthy of taking the prize. Yet, the pure artistry of In Rainbows, such a critically acclaimed album, makes it hard for me to root for any other album.
Song of the Year
Will win: Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Should win: I'm Yours, Jason Mraz
Continuing the Coldplay sweep, Viva La Vida is probably the definitive song of this year. Yet, the sincere lyrics of I'm Yours can never really get out of my head. One catchy-ass song.
Best New Artist
Will win: Adele
Should win: Adele
Really weak field, in my opinion. To think, last year Winehouse, Feist and Paramore were all involved, is pretty mind-blowing. I don't know much about Adele, only that she's a big deal. So yeah, I pick her, I guess.
So the Grammys are always really entertaining, with top-notch performances (though the "Look! It's a modern mainstream star performing with a legend!"-type performance get a bit old). Simply one word will descirbe the night: Coldplay
Tuesday, February 3
On Shuffle: A Look into My iPod (Part 1)
Really, the best way to see one's taste in music is to take a gander at their iPod via Shuffle. Of the 3000 songs and growing, if I shuffle it up ten times, something good must come up, right?
1. My Favourite Book by Stars
A vastly underrated band, and this song is a really good pop track. Not my favorite, but it's considered one of Stars' most popular.
Rating: 4 (out of five)
2. The Rock by The Who
I'm just not a fan of The Who. Maybe I haven't given them enough of a chance, but, just, no. Great guitar in this one, though.
Rating: 3
3. Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones
Lots of classic rock, eh? A very good song, but not something I'd listen to, too much.
Rating: 4
4. 7 Stars by The Apples In Stereo
This song is okay, but did you see that Pepsi Max commercial with 'Energy' in it? I swear, a few months I said that song would be perfect for a caffeine drink commercial. They heard my thoughts!
Rating: 3
5. Is This Love? by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Possibly my favorite CYHSY song. Beautiful, yes, beautiful...melody? Is that what you call it?
Rating: 5
6. Rocky Racoon by The Beatles
A good Beatles song, and nothing more than that. I like how the vocals sound a little staticky.
Rating: 4
7. Computer Rock by Beck
Okay, this isn't really a song. Forty-two seconds of one repetitive techno beat? Yeah, um...
Rating: 3i5uyv284yvih
8. Faithfully by Journey
Open Arms is really Journey's only good song (in my eyes). Yet, for some reason I was inclined to buy their whole greatest hits so I got all this crap.
Rating: 2
9. Seen How Things Are by Elliot Smith
Never heard this one before. Smith has such an amazing, gentle voice. This is pretty by-the-numbers Elliot Smith. Which, of course, is awesome.
Rating: 4
10. Daria by Cake
(Off of Cake's mediocre 'Fashion Nugget') This one is full of excessive rhyming, semi-monotone vocals and a variety of instruments. And thats why I love Cake, so, yeah, it's pretty great.
Rating: 5
Average: 3.5
Well, that was fun. Same place, next week?
1. My Favourite Book by Stars
A vastly underrated band, and this song is a really good pop track. Not my favorite, but it's considered one of Stars' most popular.
Rating: 4 (out of five)
2. The Rock by The Who
I'm just not a fan of The Who. Maybe I haven't given them enough of a chance, but, just, no. Great guitar in this one, though.
Rating: 3
3. Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones
Lots of classic rock, eh? A very good song, but not something I'd listen to, too much.
Rating: 4
4. 7 Stars by The Apples In Stereo
This song is okay, but did you see that Pepsi Max commercial with 'Energy' in it? I swear, a few months I said that song would be perfect for a caffeine drink commercial. They heard my thoughts!
Rating: 3
5. Is This Love? by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Possibly my favorite CYHSY song. Beautiful, yes, beautiful...melody? Is that what you call it?
Rating: 5
6. Rocky Racoon by The Beatles
A good Beatles song, and nothing more than that. I like how the vocals sound a little staticky.
Rating: 4
7. Computer Rock by Beck
Okay, this isn't really a song. Forty-two seconds of one repetitive techno beat? Yeah, um...
Rating: 3i5uyv284yvih
8. Faithfully by Journey
Open Arms is really Journey's only good song (in my eyes). Yet, for some reason I was inclined to buy their whole greatest hits so I got all this crap.
Rating: 2
9. Seen How Things Are by Elliot Smith
Never heard this one before. Smith has such an amazing, gentle voice. This is pretty by-the-numbers Elliot Smith. Which, of course, is awesome.
Rating: 4
10. Daria by Cake
(Off of Cake's mediocre 'Fashion Nugget') This one is full of excessive rhyming, semi-monotone vocals and a variety of instruments. And thats why I love Cake, so, yeah, it's pretty great.
Rating: 5
Average: 3.5
Well, that was fun. Same place, next week?
Friday, January 16
Thinking Well is Dry
Sorry, I've been a bit absent over the past few days. Haven't had a bunch to write about. Haven't seen a bunch of films lately. Whatever. I'll have NFL Picks tomorrow, which I sense no one gives a shit about.
To cheer you about, here's some Sufjan. Does the body good.
To cheer you about, here's some Sufjan. Does the body good.
Wednesday, January 14
Underrated Band of the Day - Sunset Rubdown
Criminally underrated, in fact.
A band that I always come back to, randomly. Unique, wackey, lyrics and incredible instrumentals. Their latest album, Random Spirit Lover, which came out last year is crazier than ever.
Here are a few of my favorites:
^Swimming; incredible piano-playing. Honestly, never seen anything like it.
^Us Ones In Between
^Winged/WIcked Things
Very good, different band. Certainly worth a listen.
A band that I always come back to, randomly. Unique, wackey, lyrics and incredible instrumentals. Their latest album, Random Spirit Lover, which came out last year is crazier than ever.
Here are a few of my favorites:
^Swimming; incredible piano-playing. Honestly, never seen anything like it.
^Us Ones In Between
^Winged/WIcked Things
Very good, different band. Certainly worth a listen.
Thursday, January 8
Awesome Montage/Better Song
It just happens to be a montage of Jim and Pam on The Office, yet it's also plays one of my favorite songs at the moment:
The Bleeding Heart Show by The New Pornographers
You know what this reminds me of? The time when The Office was consistently great...
The Bleeding Heart Show by The New Pornographers
You know what this reminds me of? The time when The Office was consistently great...
Tuesday, December 30
2008 In Music
So, I don't follow music as ferverently as film, but I have enough taste to be able to barely assemble a list of my favorite songs of 2008. This will probably be a patchwork of Indie-ish to more mainstream songs. So, here are the best songs of '08...
10. Chairlift - "Bruises"
With the cute choruses cutting in at times and the interesting WTF lyrics, Chairlift's hit is a unique masterwork. Ever since I saw the hip Apple commercial, I haven't been able to get this song quite out of my head.
9. Beck - "Chemtrails"
The best song on a pretty good Beck album. Beck's faraway voice throughout what is much a ballad, give the song a great sound.
8. Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
One of the biggest hits of the year on the airwaves was also among my favorites. It's so Coldplay-ish but the volume is turned up a bit. The beating drum in the background is the star of the song.
7. Estelle feat. Kayne West - "American Boy"
Probably my "Summer Song", and it was commonly tuned up on iTunes for me. Though a pretty stupid theme, Kayne's high tempo rap contrasted well to Estelle's beautiful, soulful voice.
6. Coldplay - "Lost"
Cheesy in the best kind of way. Pretty clever, deep lyrics set the tone for a meaningful and addictive listen. The acoustic version is a must listen.
5. TV On The Radio - "Dancing Choose"
Um, yeah, I love TV On The Radio, and despite the disappointing album (what could compare to Cookie Mountain?!), this song is easily the best. It's a dance song (as evidenced by the title) and is also full of smart guitar riffs throughout.
4. Weezer - "Pork and Beans"
No, it's not just the stupid video that had me sold. It was the funny lyrics and just, flat-out rocking that made this one of my favorite songs this year.
3. M.I.A. - "Paper Planes"
Favorite "Paper Planes" Memory #32 was the awesome montage in Slumdog Millionaire that actually played a pretty significant role in the film. The rap/hip-hop style and uniqueness made this a constant listen for me this summer.
2. Radiohead - "Bodysnatchers"
The 2008 Radiohead single off of In Rainbows is so complex and smart. Though there are several great songs on In Rainbows, Bodysnatchers may be the one I've listened to the most.
1. Vampire Weekend - "Oxford Comma"
There was a crazy, one to two week period where this was all I listened to. The only thing. I'm a late bloomer with Vampire Weekend love. Supposedly, I should hate them in a few months or so.
10. Chairlift - "Bruises"
With the cute choruses cutting in at times and the interesting WTF lyrics, Chairlift's hit is a unique masterwork. Ever since I saw the hip Apple commercial, I haven't been able to get this song quite out of my head.
9. Beck - "Chemtrails"
The best song on a pretty good Beck album. Beck's faraway voice throughout what is much a ballad, give the song a great sound.
8. Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
One of the biggest hits of the year on the airwaves was also among my favorites. It's so Coldplay-ish but the volume is turned up a bit. The beating drum in the background is the star of the song.
7. Estelle feat. Kayne West - "American Boy"
Probably my "Summer Song", and it was commonly tuned up on iTunes for me. Though a pretty stupid theme, Kayne's high tempo rap contrasted well to Estelle's beautiful, soulful voice.
6. Coldplay - "Lost"
Cheesy in the best kind of way. Pretty clever, deep lyrics set the tone for a meaningful and addictive listen. The acoustic version is a must listen.
5. TV On The Radio - "Dancing Choose"
Um, yeah, I love TV On The Radio, and despite the disappointing album (what could compare to Cookie Mountain?!), this song is easily the best. It's a dance song (as evidenced by the title) and is also full of smart guitar riffs throughout.
4. Weezer - "Pork and Beans"
No, it's not just the stupid video that had me sold. It was the funny lyrics and just, flat-out rocking that made this one of my favorite songs this year.
3. M.I.A. - "Paper Planes"
Favorite "Paper Planes" Memory #32 was the awesome montage in Slumdog Millionaire that actually played a pretty significant role in the film. The rap/hip-hop style and uniqueness made this a constant listen for me this summer.
2. Radiohead - "Bodysnatchers"
The 2008 Radiohead single off of In Rainbows is so complex and smart. Though there are several great songs on In Rainbows, Bodysnatchers may be the one I've listened to the most.
1. Vampire Weekend - "Oxford Comma"
There was a crazy, one to two week period where this was all I listened to. The only thing. I'm a late bloomer with Vampire Weekend love. Supposedly, I should hate them in a few months or so.
Tuesday, December 23
Wednesday, December 17
Vampire Weekend and A Bonus Grammar Lesson!
I have been listening to this incessantly. Just had to share:
Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
I was so amused by the title because, just recently, I randomly learned what the Oxford Comma is. I will proceed in giving you a grammar lesson:
Which sentence is correct?:
I am festive, extravagant, and a grammar-freak.
or...
I am festive, extravagant and a grammar freak.
The second sentence. As you hopefully noticed, sentence no. 2 lacked a comma for the third listed article. So the Oxford Comma is indicated correctly when you leave out the comma linking 'and' in a list of items.
Just had to get that off my chest. I like feeling smart.
Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
I was so amused by the title because, just recently, I randomly learned what the Oxford Comma is. I will proceed in giving you a grammar lesson:
Which sentence is correct?:
I am festive, extravagant, and a grammar-freak.
or...
I am festive, extravagant and a grammar freak.
The second sentence. As you hopefully noticed, sentence no. 2 lacked a comma for the third listed article. So the Oxford Comma is indicated correctly when you leave out the comma linking 'and' in a list of items.
Just had to get that off my chest. I like feeling smart.
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