Fall too fast

Fallout Boy, more like Fallback Boy. That may sounds stupid, but let me explain.

Fallout Boy put out this amazing song, entitled Thanks for the Memories. It was the kind of song you would see all of the teenage girls of the time jamming out to on their portable cd players, or if they were lucky, a first generation iPod classic. All the girls wanted to see Fallout Boy in concert, hell, even I did.

With such success from Thanks for the Memories, apparently Fallout Boy thought it would be a great idea to make another song with practically the same beat and feel. Seriously, go listen to both of them right now... practically the same song.

What's up with all of these bands repeating ideas over and over again? If you're a band, be in the music industry for the sake of loving what you do...if not, leave room for other artists in the recording studio.

3peat

Linkin Park. Possibly the biggest scam artists in the entire world.

First, they come out with Hybrid Theory in 2000, which was a phenomenal album, selling over 10 million albums in the US alone. Next, someone in the band had a "great" idea. Let's put some electronic beats in the background of all of the songs from Hybrid Theory and turn it into another entire album, and let me tell you, that's exactly what they did. Instead of "Crawling", it was now "Krwlng". Instead of "A Place for My Head", it was now "Plc.4 Mie Hæd". Instead of "Forgotten", it was now "Frgt/10". You get the idea, right? A bunch of bull shit names for the exact same songs. BUT WAIT! Why not do the same songs AGAIN with Jay Z rapping in the background? So they did. In 2004, Linkin Park partnered with Jay Z and put out Collision Course. 

In case y'all don't quite understand, Linkin Park managed to put the SAME songs on THREE different albums, and sold millions of copies of each album. What does that say about us, as humans? We like to pay for the same shit over and over again, slightly different variations.

That's crazy, but hey, that's pop music, right? 

If I can be an example of getting sober...

So, guys, it was incredible. One of the best things about Macklemore is his showmanship. He knows how to tell his stories and make the crowd go wild. 

I think that's what people really like about him, there's always a story to relate to. His music isn't always about the exciting lure of drugs or sex of defiance. It's meaningful, about his life and his struggles. 

I was talking to a friend of mine who was at the show the night after me (at his tour stop in Dallas). She, over the past months has been in rehab getting over substance abuse. She's clean and happy and healthy. Macklemore introduced Starting Over with an incredible story of his journey trough addiction and recovery and realizing the impact he is able to have on people... that story brought my friend to tears.

That's the beautiful, incredible side of music. It's stories and moments and connections with people. I consider misc a success when it truly resonates with people. 

Damn, it was a great show. 

Okay guys. Real question.

I'm blogging about this mostly because I'm behind on my blogs, but also because I wonder and also because I COULD google this...but again, I'm behind in these blogs so I might as well spend my time here. (Think of it as a 40:50:10 ratio)

So anyway, the question. How do shapes of guitars effect their shape? I mean really. Like all those nifty electric guitars...some are shaped like triangles or arrow or normal guitar shapes? Maybe it doesn't even effect the sound. Maybe one of my lovely readers will answer...'cause let's be real, I'm not gonna google this.

Ain't nobody got time for dat.

The importance of annoyance

Sometimes you do things that suck. Picking up dog poop and washing your dirty clothes really suck, but if you didn't do those things you would pretty soon begin to hate your life and the smells you would be forced to love in. Okay, so, music. Shitty music total exists: Cream, early Beatles, you get it. But I think those are important for two reasons.

One: people put effort into that music. Simple as that. Respect is due for work that was done.
Two: shitty things make you appreciate beautiful things. Rainy days make rainbows wonderful and coal turns in to diamonds (kind of...just go with it).

Point is, everything has purpose. People, music, food, animals: we're all here for a reason and everything is interconnected. Your annoyance or hatred with a certain band may lead you to find something else that you thing is totally awesome. So, just be open. Be happy.

I would rather listen to animals dying.

Pet sounds was honestly the most painful album I've ever had to listen to. It's a good thing Brian ended up losing his mind over Sargent Peppers....the world might not have made it through too many more Beach Boys albums like this. Both of the instrumentals featured on the album are dreadfully slow and the songs worth listening to...well, let me know when you find them.

The Beach Boys always were second hand to the Beatles, always on step short and three months too late. I would say it's a shame, but it really isn't. Maybe if they wrote something better and stopped featuring barking dogs experimenting with new-age drugs, they would have made something of themselves.

Rubber souls like rubber shoes

A short lived shitty trend. People thought it was cool to walk around with neon rubber molded sandals until something better came out. Then people realized how idiotic those damn sandals were. When the Beatles released their 6th album people flocked to it. As if on que themindless flock of followers that te Beatles always seem to have were five steps behind them. Young people blind to the lack of interesting music around them in the world.

Just because the Beatles finally got over their heartbreak bullshit doesn't mean that they're magically going to get better or any more original. Every song is the same. But what else would you really expect from a band of uneducated English teenagers traveling around the world trying a new drug at every pit stop? Nothing.

Making the Journey

One of the world's greatest rock bands. Journey. With chart toppers such as Don't Stop Believin', Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin', Faithfully, Open Arms… really all of their songs were chart toppers. When a band that formed 1973, still has a strong presence in music, they have done something right. Let's be real, who doesn't start singing when they here "Just a small-town girl, living in a lonely world"? NOBODY. That song is a staple to music. 

Maybe I'm just crazy, but Journey is a must when talking about music to put on your favorite playlist. Sure is better than Dana Falconberry. 

It's a bird! No, it's a plane! Oh… it's a falcon.

Dana Falconberry.

Artist? If you can get past her nasally voice and high pitched whale calls, sure. This isn't Finding Nemo, Dory. Are we playing a game of "How Desperate Can I Sound While Singing"? Come-on, guys. Anyone with a brain would realize the talent Dana has easily compares to a half-ass street performer.

While I respect her urban upbringing, I think her music is four decades out of place. Yeah, she sings on pitch (most of the time), but in all honesty, I wouldn't even pay to see her. Hell, I probably wouldn't go if her concert was free, mostly because the venue would be somebody's backyard, which would be plenty of room to house her magnitude of fans.

Help. really.

That movie. That band. oh God.

Never in my life have I seen a production so void of purpose or story. Wait, I have. Robot chicken. Honestly....the story through out the movie was horribly choppy. Things didn't connect and there was a weird lady running around helping them but happened to be the only woman who didn't want to bang one of them. I don't know, y'all. It was weird.

I feel like my relationship with the Beatles is very similar to a roller coaster. Certain songs I really dig and I really think I'm getting into them and then I see some bullshit band member production and t just brings me down. oh well.

Stupidity

I really love people. Honestly, I really do....but I just can not handle certain people. It's like they live in a bubble. "All he does is smoke pot and smile". Amen.

I think people should like being informed, they should like to be knowledgable and in-the-know. There's just not a pride in that anymore. No longer do people want to achieve great things. It has become okay to do only what you have to do...just to waste time on other things. Less important contributions to society.

Maybe I'm old fashioned. I don't know. Well...that's not true, I know I am. I'm a conservative Texas republican and I hate the mindset of society.

Are titles a requirement too?

I think that people should enjoy working towards something, whether it be a grade, a promotion, a new home, they should enjoy getting there. I don't enjoy blogging anymore. I actually really dislike it. And that's what this class is really about, right: expressing our opinions. I thought blogging was really cool for about six weeks. Seeing how many people would read my posts was really cool and made me want to write more and really put thought into things. If it isn't obvious that I'm putting effort in to this class then I'm probably doing something wrong.

Two posts a week. One about class. One about what I'm listening to. That's it.

I don't enjoy it and I'm not going to dedicate interest to it anymore.

Getting snug under the Covers

Austin is finally getting chilly, which feels  incredible. Last night I actually got to pull out the extra blankets and snuggle up. To me, fall weather just begs for new music on my phone. This season however I've fallen victim to catchy and beautiful YouTube covers. 

For the bubblegum pop lovers, check this out. It seems like everyone and their dog has been covering this song. Cups, originally by Anna Kendrick has exploded from the Movie Pitch Perfect. Finally these four young artists do this song justice.

For those of you who like something a little more solid to rock to, check this out. I stumbled across Gentleman's vibe through a dance video actually, This song is super jammin' and the mix of the old school classic song and the new school rap make it perfect for dancers and jammers alike.

And finally, the soft and lovely song. I've been a fan of Taylor Swift for years, and it seems that she has the most musical fans. these two singers blend perfectly together...it just makes me want to sing a sweet duet after the perfect first date.

I love covers. I love taking a song and making it your own and hearing how other people adapt music, too. I hope you guys enjoy these. Go Explore!

Rock is just so LOUD

According to my iTunes....I have a lot of the "rock" genre. Two hundred and eighteen items worth, apparently.

The above is a screenshot of three songs under the same genre.  Conversion, by The Fight of Our Lives is...loud. It's screamo at some points, and just, guys, it's just loud and chaotic. That's usually my definition of "rock".  You Found Me, by the Fray is nothing like the first song, in my opinion. It's mellow, kind, and emotional. Nobody's screaming and I can't picture any of the band members smashing their guitars after preforming. And then there's by Such Great Heights, by The Postal Service...which is different from both of the others. What. The third song is light and slightly techno, bubbly, weird, just a cool jam, but certainly not rock in my eyes.

I don't really know where I'm going with this. So uh...rock on y'all.

Great Expectations

ACL weekend one has come and gone. I wasn't there this year but I was last year. We've been talking about the lineup and the experience of ACL a lot in class recently...leading up to the festival. Last year a friend of mine and I walked in knowing three or four people we really wanted to see. Ya know, big names: Florence and the Machine, The Black Keys, Bassnectar. 

Walking in Friday mrning, it was by complete chance that Erika and I ended up front row for the Wombats...who are now easily one of my favorite bands. We recognized some people from school and trusted them to be fans of a kick ass band...and they were. It was a great show and a great start to ACL. 

I've heard great reviews and stories from this year. Here's to another great weekend. Find somethign new to love! 

PS: yeah...the Black Keys were something I expected to love. And did. Bam that photo.

Cover Albums

I think cover albums are really interesting. I think one artist being so influenced by another is an extremely humbling, but on the other hand, being someone who is so interested in two separate sounds and wants to fuse them into something new...that's awesome. In class we talked about all the mixes that came out of Jay-Z's Black album. THERE ARE SO MANY. Off of one album...

I think music is a community. People all do their own thing, but their sound was definitely influenced by someone else, or a combination of thing's they've heard. Everything is unique in a beautiful way, but the history and lineage of music is so easily traceable...and that's timeless and precious.

Just dance.

Music that makes you dance might be my favorite. Well, it certainly has been my favorite this week. As a listener, it's always really hard for me to sit still when I'm listening to anything, especially something with a fun dance beat and even more so on a good day. Today has been a good day...listen to this sexy Jason Derulo song. Just dance a little bit. Get up. Be happy and dance.

Money? What?

So ACl is this weekend, and for a few reasons I'm not going...but it seems like everyone esle and their gods are going. Which is so good! Last year I was an average ACL attendee who wanted to see the big names and didn't care about what was happening between Florence and the Machine and The Black Keys...mostly because I was parked at that stage for most of the day.

Some people question why someone would pay so much for tickets and not know what's going on all day...but it's so simple to me. My answer comes in two parts: 1. You could spend the $250 ticket price on tickets for ONE show...ACL is a magical bargain for concert lovers. 2. Even if I had no clue who was playing, ACL is just cool, and I think society values coolness. People love light shows and iphones, because they're cool. Because they're fun and convenient and cool. Anyway, people love music, it's an experience and I think it's one worth paying for. It's a chance worth taking.


 Just in case you're going and don't have a plan yet:  http://www.aclfestival.com/2013-lineup/

Music with a Message

Months ago, Macklemore released his tour route. As soon as I saw Cedar Park Center I put in my credit card number. Oh god...so good. But it wasn't until I was driving around Hawaii that I heard any of his earlier work. (like the above) The song I linked to this blog is absurd. Proud. American. Weird. But I think there's something to be said for that. Artists become popular when the pride they have in their work is just overwhelming. Normal people like to look up to someone...I don't know, maybe. Obviously this song isn't a real summary of all American views...but I can't help but love how Texas redneck this is.


I started writing this with a real intention of talking about a few different artists I stumbled upon recently...but I'm stuck in a swamp of Macklemore. So obviously the first song I talked about was absurd. I'm sure most of you guys know Thrift Shop.....I'm not going to link that. But my favorite Macklemore song is Victory Lap. 

 "you've got a whole world to change, but understand who you've go to change first"
                                                                                 -Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Victory lap -

God, that is so good. Music is so individual, people write songs about their lives, about things they've been, but I think a good musician becomes great when their music not only connects to people, bug gives them a positive and powerful message to stand behind.

12 shades of gray

I'm such a huge fan of Jay-Z it's not even explainable...and recently my hatred of the Beatles has evolved into a dull acceptance.

Then I was introduced to the Gray album, produced by DJ Danger Mouse. Bad. Ass. It's the instrumental of the Beatles and lyrics of Jay-Z (sung by Jay-Z) all mixed together into an album. When I first heard about this, I thought it was absudr. In my mind these two artisits were complete opposies...but it works so well.

I think mash-ups and new mixes are the coolest thing. Taking two things, whether they're completely different or very similar, and mixing them together and having an incredible new track...that's magic.

What tha fox say?!

Guys I can't stop watching this. It's like a learning song for children...on acid. (the song's on acid, not the children) I think it's crazy that someone paid money to produce this; crazy in an incredible way. I think that with this music video is a good time to talk about the value of art.

Sure, to some people this song and espicially the music video will be absurd and worthless. Even to me, I don't love the inspirational lyrics: "dog goes woof" "cow goes moo" "what does the fox say?", but I love the faith people have in music. I mean really, it's not a poorly produced video, someone put a lot of time and money into this. Now, I don't know much about this band and I rarely opt to be ignorant, but really, I just don't care. BUT SOMEBODY DOES!

Somebody cares about every thing on this planet; from bad music to bad people to broken lamps and misshapen cocktail rings. You know the saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure" but people don't appreciate that anymore. It's ironic, really, how much people care about meaningless things. While you're reading this, someone's probably judging you. Judging your clothes or your hair or the fact that you're reading a blog. who knows. But they probably don't know you. They don't yknow you're story or why you're doing what you're doing. They don't know why it's important to you, they just know it's different from them.

I think that freaks people out, realizing how different they are from some people, usually, a lot of people. I also think that people get mean when they freak out, I know I do. If I'm stressed about a test or something...I get SO cranky. Oh lord. but that doesn't give me a right to bash something thta somebody else loves.

So really, just be nice, and realize that everything is loved by someone, or it wouldn't be here for you to hate.

Maybe "hate" is a strong word.

Some people pride themselves on being Beatles lovers. enthusiasts. obsessesers. whatever.

I'm not one of those people.

I feel like a lot of their music sounds the same, which yeah, is why they're a bad and did an album, I get it. But it just gets old. Two of my favorite albums are Night Visions (which is really a completion of the EP Continued Silence), by Imagine Dragons, and A Thousand Suns by Linkin Park. WAY DIFFERENT, RIGHT? I know. weird.

The Imagine Dragons album hits on everything I like to hear through out the day. Round and Round is slow, chill, almost swingy; good for studying or drifting into a nap. (or both at the same time) On Top of the World makes me want to get up and dance and flash smiles everywhere. Really it's lovely, if you're sad right now, go listen to it and come back. Songs like Bleeding Out and Nothing Left to Say, really powerful songs laced with emotion and strong back beats. I think those are my favorite, just those kinds of songs. I think you get it, I love everything on this album.

But Linkin Park? A Thousand Suns open with this really eery instrumental that slowly builds into the coolest robot woman voice. Like, that's the only way to describe it. The end of this song immediately bleeds into the beginning of the next one: a snippet of a speech, on top of the same beat. The whole album, when listened to in song order is journey. Yeah, I know that sounds so dumb, like what? But really. It is. It's worth listening to. The songs are individually great, like, you probably heard Burning in the Skies, the third song on the album. I think that's the only song of this album that made it to the radio, which is SUCH a shame. This album was made with the intention of the listener listening to it straight through. The songs connect. It's really rad guys. Check it out. All forty seven minutes and fifty six seconds of it. (cool side note, the last song on the album is actually the album all the way through, entitled A Thousand Suns: The Full Experience) How true is that though? It IS an experience.

Music is an experience. Some people love certain things. Some people love swimming...some people get their calfs chewed by sharks. That doesn't make the possible joy in swimming any less valuable or important. I just hate the Beatles.

Five minute blog post.

I really love Priscilla Ann. Well, I love her music in the same way that some people love soda; they only drink Dr. Pepper. I only love her song Dream. Maybe I just love pretty people with lovely voices. Maybe I love thinking about feeding teddy bears tree bark under my treehouse. Childhood flashback, ready: go.

Pandora bliss at last.

So, I categorize all my music in iTunes into genre playlists. For example: Rap Jams, Pop, Jesus Music, and my personal favorite; Chill Weird Vibes. Bands like Walk The Moon, Foster the People, The Head and The Heart, Dan Black, Capital Cities, ect. You get it, lots of alternative songs geared to spark teenage interest. I'm a rerocd labels dream target, and I'm pretty okay with that. But my library gets old.

There's a really long awful story about why I don't use spotify so I'm a Pandora girl for life. [Side note, I really love that Pandora keeps all your stations in chronological order from creation in that nifty side bar, just in case you want to relive your transition from being a capella obsessed to bi-curious with Taylor Swift and Skrilex to finally mellowing out with a few Coldplay inspired stations spiked with Lil' Wane and Big Sean...oh the days]

I've always been on the lookout for a super chill, lovely, listen-to-able station to have running while I'm working or just find myself in a really chill kind of mood. I tried plugging in singers like Eliza Doolittle, Regina Spektor, even went out on a limb with the Florence and the Machine...nothing ever really met my expectations. Until Miley Cryus.

Yeah. What the fuck?

Her newest (okay that's not true at all, it's not now but the scandalous music video is. Which, another side note, did exactly what she wanted it to. People like me, who had never heard this song or anything from her album, are talking about her. Props Miley, haters gonna hate) anyway, that "new" song Wrecking Ball....I dig it. I dig it a lot. Maybe I'm just wallowing in my pong of stress form college apps or maybe deep inside I have the urge to swing around like Miley and not give a damn what anyone thinks. wither way, I love the song...and so does Pandora! Finally, I plugged in her single and out came a wonderful station I've been listening to for a few hours now. I haven't heard one song I already know...and that's the best feeling.

My favorite lovely Lady: Kate Martin. Just...youtube her song Apples.
honorable mention: Charlotte Sometimes (I really hope that's her real name....not the product of a rebellious teenage name change)

Lord Have Mercy, life's crazy.

I'm a strong believer in fate and knowing that things happen for a reason; that people go through events in their life to build an increible and beautiful person. Well, life built Brady Toops.

His most recent and album, Brady Toops, has become overwhelmingly popular, making it to number eight the day of it's release. Brady played baseball through high school and attended camp and Kanakuk, a christian youth retreat. Through the years his experiences built him into an amazing man. His abilities, both musical and athletic have touched so many others.

His christian songs talk about the Love of God, but in a new and wonderful way. His music is calming and beautiful. His voice is soothing with almost every song being backed with a chorus.  I don't think you have to be Christian to appreciate his music; you have to be human. Whether or not you believe in a God, anybody can realize and feel the true passion and love in Brady's voice. That's what music is about; sharing passion. Sharing what you love most with people you might not know. Being so overcome with joy that you have to sing about it. Thank you Brady, for this album, may you always know how your music has touched those around you.

Discovering Shovels and Rope, Portugal. The Man, and realizing I hate Vampire weekend

When I first heard "We're Going Down" by Vampire weekend, I really enjoyed it. It was simple and catchy and had a nice soft funky beat. that was months ago...and I can not express how over it I am.

Moving on to my new-found loves. Birmingham, When I, Hells Bells. My top three favorite Shovels and Rope songs. This couple is so different. They really sound like The head and the heart mixed with...just a raw awesome twang. "It ain't what you got, it's what you make" - Birmingham. I love their geniune lyrics and just the simple churchy almost uncomfortable tones their voices make together. This music makes me want to dance and sing and, I just love it.

Purple Yellow Red & Blue. Their most popular song with one of the strangest music videos I have ever seen. Three seconds into the song you find this super catchy soft fuck beat. Thirty seconds in it bangs into a very anthem-like sound. The whole vibe of this song in particular song is so badass, in the best of modern alternative music ways. Portugal. The Man will for sure have one more member in their audience at ACL.

The importance of music in my life.

Since a small age, lusic has been a connection between my dad and I. Music has grown with me, choir becoming equally important as finding new bands to go out and enjoy. I think that people who associate songs with moments and memories in their lives have a stronger connection to the music. When you hear a song, it has such a great ability to take you back to the first moment you heard that song. The song of your first kiss or the first time you drove down 183 with the windows down, radio on full blast. Music gives people a real connection through time.

Music has always been important to me. Seeing it be equally important to other people can be such a moving experience, too. When I'm listening to a song I like knowing the story behind it. Maybe it's snobbish, but I like knowing that I'm listening to something genuine. Whether it be an overplayed pop song on the radio or a sweet independent artist writing about a recent breakup, I love knowing the story.

Music holds small snippets of life, both from the listeners and artists life. Music has the power to connect people, and I think that's a beautiful thing.