Thoughts Sparked by Music

Of late, I have found myself pondering various people I have known. Those with whom I lost touch; whose memory is still etched ever so clearly on my mind. Those who spring to mind as brightly as they first shone, even if only briefly, in my life. I also found myself pondering multiple people who I may not know personally, but wish to desperately.

The common thread I find between nearly all the people flitting across my brain, is music. The musicians I knew, I felt bonded with, even when conversation was a rarity. And the artists I have yet to meet, still hold string to my heart.

I think we write music because we want to reach people even when we may never share a prosaic exchange with them. And I feel it's the true musicians, those who write with their heart and soul just as much as their brain, who truly succeed. Musicians can become best friends and lovers, confidants and co-conspirators, heart-wrenchingly close even when they are far away. All without ever laying eyes on you, or breathing so much as a word your way.

What greater power is there?

I have been told on rare occasions that my music has spoken to people. As unassumingly as I wrote the songs themselves, I thank those who compliment me. But there is always a part of me that hopes more supportive words will come. That out of the woodwork will come more souls I've touched. Because I am a musician at heart, and I want to know I'm holding peoples' heartstrings just as much as they are holding mine.

Men Who Dance = BADASSES

I entered into this post planning to write something extraordinarily eloquent. But there are no words to do these men justice. There is no eloquence I can convey that does half as much as the eloquence of the stories these men are telling through dance.

Keep in mind, in each of these solos, the men are "dancing for their lives." Not to say SYTYCD executes the dancers who are eliminated from the show via firing squad or anything. But the solos in this show are done when people are at risk of being sent home, and must put it all out there with everything they have, to prove they should stay in the competition.

Nothing breeds more incredible, heartfelt, passionate, beautiful dance than the desire to prove oneself because you have everything to lose.

In closing...

Anyone out there who wants to tell me male dancers are not badasses can feel free to do so after they can replicate even ONE of these solos.

Not that I'm obsessed or anything...

But Jarle Bernhoft. JARLE BERNHOFT! Did I mention Jarle Bernhoft? Because I really like Jarle Bernhoft.

He has just put out his latest album, Solidarity Breaks, and I am still lamenting the fact I can't buy it on iTunes and have only been able to find it thus far on Norwegian sites. As much as I love Bernhoft, I am afraid of getting ripped off because I don't read a language well (or at all in this case). And I don't trust Babelfish enough to believe I'll keep from accidentally paying $4,000 for an album.

In any case, this studio album features both "C'mon Talk" and "Choices," the live versions of which I have posted previously in this blog.

In my opinion, C'mon Talk was WAY better live, and Choices was equally good both ways. The fun of the studio version is that it's far more danceable.

But the whole album is great. Every song. Literally, there was not a single song on the album I did not enjoy. And I can almost NEVER say that, both due to the fact albums are rarely that great, and the fact I am opinionated and critical.

I have posted Choices and Prophet (which did some special things to me for several reasons I shall not divulge) below, and recommend going to youtube and checking out EMuzach's account for the whole album.

I may be dubstep fail, but this guy is dubstep win in my book

In a quest to get me to fall in love with dubstep as he has, a good friend of mine sent me a multitude of his favorite tracks. After striking out with me about 5 or 6 times, he finally took a step back and gave up on making me "see the light" on what he liked.

Then he sent me a track that he knew I would like based on everything he knows about ME. The fact I go weak in the knees for strong, solid, unique, and clean male vocals. The fact that I want to feel the soul behind the music I hear. The fact I love music that can cross the boundaries between genres.

And with this one, my friend hit a home run with me. I hope you enjoy it as well. :-)

This Just Makes Me Happy

New Obsession for the Day (and Night)

Well, I suppose one could say I'm horribly behind the curve for making this guy my new obsession, since he died in 1944. Then again, one could say just about anything, really, and blogs like this one are proof of that.

Anyway, my point is, this: Agustin Barrios Mangore is THE MAN. No, not the white man "the man," but rather the shiz, "the man." I am so excited about him that I don't have any time to worry if that last sentence made any sense or could be written more eloquently.

I discovered him, by first doing a search on youtube for a very talented guy I knew in college (who, as I only recently discovered, is also friends with the female friend mentioned in my Deftones post). I had the distinct pleasure of listening to this guy play guitar through a cardboard thin wall that separated our two dorm rooms. His guitar playing made up for all the times his roommate's alarm clock woke me up.

He's the guy on the far right.

Well, after listening to the other two Gershwin... OH MY GOD WHY DOESN'T BLOGGER RECOGNIZE GERSHWIN AS A WORD?!?!?! GET THAT STUPID SQUIGGLY RED LINE OUT FROM UNDER THE NAME OF ONE OF THE GREATEST COMPOSERS TO EVER LIVE EVER IN THE HISTORY OF EVER, RIGHT NOW! I MEAN IT, BLOGGER!

Wow.

Sorry. But really, that outburst was completely warranted.

ANYWAY, after listening to the other two Gershwin Preludes performed by my friend and his friends, I moved on to a guitar solo video from the same youtube account. It was this one:

After hearing this, I decided I had to hear as much of Agustin Barrios Mangore as possible. I decided this at 10:45 PM, so I don't believe I will be listening to his entire repertoire tonight. Nonetheless, I have my playlist of discovery selected for the next several days at least.

And here are two more, for you who may not want to have to venture to youtube and look him up yourself (though you really should).

And if you're a fan of Mangore, and/or Gipsy Kings, or amazing edgy flamenco guitar in general... I also highly recommend checking out Paco de Lucia's music as well. But you'll have to go to youtube for that one because I've already rambled quite a bit, and if I start posting my favorite Paco stuff on here it'll take everyone 3 days to get through this post.

Something Resembling a Review of Deftones

I love reviews that come with stories. I will presume my readers feel the same way.

One of my dearest friends of all time informed me she will, in the near future, attend a Deftones concert with a gentleman who is a very big fan of theirs. I do not recall ever having heard a Deftones song, as they don't fall among my fave genres of music. I have never known my friend to be a fan of Deftones either. Thus I inquired about her motivation. She said "because my date has a ridiculous body that I want to eat things off of."

Since I have no visuals by which I may judge my take on her date's body, I am listening to several Deftones songs (spanning several years to gauge artistic growth), in order to determine how hot he must be. The logic being: the hotter his body, the more terrible music my friend would be willing to endure. Therefore, if a=b and b=a, the worse the music, the hotter his body.

Alright... here goes nothing.

Having listened to a song from 2005, two from 2006, and a few from 2010 (I think?).

I prefer the slower songs, on the whole. They are somewhat simplistic, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing in my opinion. Especially when so many songs of this genre tend to be really cogged up with so much shredding and drumming that I can't focus on any of the lyrics of the musicality of the singer's voice.

Speaking of the singer's voice, I can't say it's the most impressive voice I've ever heard, but it's still got several qualities I respect. Songs like Hole in the Earth, and Diamond Eyes, for example, show the quiet strength of Chino Moreno's voice. While I can give a nod to his ability to scream "cleanly," I most definitely prefer when he actually sings. There is a great deal of passion and intensity behind his voice, even when he isn't being loud. I can feel that he feels his music very deeply, and isn't faking it like some band fronters do.

I liked the song Be Quiet and Drive, for no good reason other than I found it kind of fun to listen to.

Okay, enough. I've made my determination.

Judging strictly by the music of Deftones, I'd say on a 1 - 10 scale of hottness (1 being sad-tastically uggo, and 10 being unfairly, obscenely, almost blindingly good looking)... my friend is attending the Deftones concert with a guy who's around an 8.95. Though I'm sure SHE'D put him at a solid 9.99. :-)

The Physical Hearts--River Song

This song is sleepier than the songs I make a habit of regularly listening to. I choose to classify it as "psychedelic folk." But don't let that mislead you into assuming it's simply "hippie music" requiring one to be in a purple haze to appreciate it.

This song, and the singer behind it, bring equal parts of calming force and raw passion. It's beautiful to experience. There is a nearly hollow airy quality to Nathaniel Talbot's voice, as if his throat is a flute. I really appreciate the clarity of his tones, and the sincerity behind his delivery. I have it on decent authority that Nathaniel Talbot is part of multiple groups from different genres, including Sleepy Bell, which is also worth a checkout. The purity of his voice transcends a lot of genre lines.

I would say this is the perfect song to listen to driving westbound toward the Oregon Coast, or eastbound along The Gorge. For those unaware: those are two completely opposite directions! That just shows the versatility of this song. :-)

Chris Velan: Best of Me

From the get-go, the strains of this song possess something slightly reminiscent of Jack Johnson; in its ability to just get a grin on your face and make you say right off the bat "this song is going to make me feel good."

Chris Velan's voice has a puppy-like quality to it that says "I already love you, and I hope you'll just let my voice cuddle up beside you on your pillow." Whomever he may be offering a bedside serenade at night, or early dawn break, or mid afternoon is lucky indeed.

As far as the song goes, maybe it's the timing of having discovered this particular tune, but it struck me. In a way I needed to be touched. After so much self-doubt and conflicted emotion, I needed to hear someone else say boldly (but without desperation): "No I'm not fine, but I'm not broken. So go ahead, forget the rest of me. I love it when you get the best of me.""

The song expresses with lightheartedness, the sensation of taking love at it's scariest when you are at your most vulnerable... and surrendering to it all with a smile and a shrug.

Thank you, Chris, for creating this song.

DJ Shortee!

I was introduced to this chick's scratching about 3 years ago, and I don't really know why I have failed to post any of her videos on this blog. She is how I first learned just how complex scratching really is, and is one of several DJ's who first got me respecting what DJ's can do.

I know there are a lot of DJ's out there with solid scratching and beat juggling skills. But DJ Shortee has some extra showmanship to go along with those skills. For one, if you pay attention closely, she's completely ambidextrous with her juggling and scratching. I can't even eat or write with both hands. I give her "mad props" for it. In videos of her doing competitions and live shows, she very often will spin behind her back, do little turns and tricks with her body as she scratches, etc.

I know for some people it may not really seem like much more than making noise on a couple records. I used to be one of them. But just paying attention to the movement of her hands; the speed and intricacy (along with the delicacy) with which she executes the creation of every sound, makes the video worth watching.

It's beautiful music... for the eyes

This doesn't have anything to do with auditory music. BUT, looking at this guy's pictures is like music for my eyes. Some strains are so soft and lilting they border on ethereal, like a visual Claire de Lune. Others are bold and exciting, but mellowed slightly, like the a twilight bossa nova. And there are even those images that conjure sounds of offbeat jazz in my mind's ear.

That's the best way I can describe it. I find this guy's pictures so breathtaking, I just had to share them with my lovely readers. I hope you enjoy them. :-) Next time I'm stressed out, I know whose photos I'm escaping into...

http://pyro303.deviantart.com/gallery/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brendanandersonstudios/

Hatsune Miku

I asked myself if this was a gimmick cartoon screen performance, like those done by Gorillaz.

NOPE. See this link ----> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsune_Miku

She's a synthesizer?! No wonder I didn't like her voice very much. It isn't REAL! This basically is another way in which the Japanese obsession with technology and unrealistically proportioned girls/women, and their superiority at creating both. She is a technological triumph, but she is not, a musical triumph.

I feel as though I should be impressed by their ability to create a synthesized voice program that has pulled in no doubt millions of fans. But... her voice isn't anything special. If they had been able to completely synthesize a voice as strong as Christina Aguilera's or Aretha Franklin's... THEN I would be raving a bit more. But Hatsune Miku's voice, unfortunately, sounds synthesized. Thus, she doesn't sound any better than any of the over-produced, voice-corrected, hyper-synthesized music that's being put out there by "real" artists.

I say this, acknowledging that her voice is technically sampled from Fujita Saki's. Which makes me curious as to whether Saki-chan's voice is capable of singing these songs sans-synthesizer, or if she is tone deaf and Miku-chan is her improved counterpart. No doubt, I will have to waste countless hours researching this.

At the very least, I found a video of a talk show she helps host. And I found her voice incredibly grating. This does not bode well for any theories I might have about her being a great singer without her voice undergoing great technological modification. :-/

This is barely a review of Mint Royale's "Singin' in the Rain"

So, my buddy Wes recommended this band. And I type them into youtube, and lo and behold, the title "Singin' in the Rain" pops up. Since that is my favorite movie of all time, I was prepared to either be very happy... or VERY angry that some band had the gall to tinker with that song. Here's the video put out by Mint Royale.

In the first 15 seconds, I shouted (internally... since there's no sense in waking up sleeping children), "I know this song!"

Indeed I do... because a young George Sampson WON Britain's Got Talent by dancing to it.

I have included that clip below.

George later did a more full length music video choreographed by someone else with tons of background dancers... which you can find on youtube as well. I chose the clip of him competing, however, because he's BRINGING it. He's fighting for the title of his dreams... and the passion in his limbs has forced his heart out of his chest right onto his sleeve... and in the final moments as he splashes to the floor, if you look carefully, you can see his blood, sweat, and tears mixing slowly into the rain. He isn't the most incredible dancer I've ever seen, but this is the best performance I ever saw him put out. And I've watched MANY of his videos subsequent to his winning B.G.T. But there is something breathtaking about anyone putting it all out there with every fiber of their being because they have everything to win and nothing left to lose.

Scissor Sisters: Invisible Light

Scissor Sisters has been recommended to me twice in the last week, but I refuse to review their most well known songs. Invisible Light was sent to me by a good friend of mine who is really into a variety of techno.

This song without the video would definitely get me dancing, but it doesn't get me high and leave me spent after pumping through my veins. It's a mild upper at best. Like Jolt Cola.

However, the video for this song was very well done, insofar as it thoroughly taps into the psychotropic potential of the song. The scene changes match the beat of the song, making it seem more frenzied than it manages to be all on its own.

Epic Metal Review, Part 4

The Devin Townsend Band - Hyperdrive (off the Addicted album, with Anneke Van Giesbergen on vocals)

I like her voice a lot. It's extremely clean in tone. I get the feeling she could be successful singing in a variety of genres.

The lyrics are so so. But the song itself is entertaining to listen to and the synthesized, techno-ish elements to it make it fun to get into. I don't feel tired of listening to it, like I do most metal (and techno for that matter), in which I feel like it's just an incessant driving explosive sound that isn't really going anywhere. This song has more dynamics, and I appreciate that.

Kalmah - Holy Symphony of War

I like the lead/solo guitarist on this. There's some decently tricky picking and syncopated rhythm work going on there.

The lead singer is terrible. His growling doesn't really scare me so much as make me want to give him Theraflu...and if it's possible to be "off pitch" while death growling, I think that's how I'd describe him. His voice is very inconsistent, without seeming versatile. Worst of both worlds. :( And the chorus line behind him isn't that great either.

"I sing, you sing, we all sing Holy Symphony War!" Really? I didn't hear any singing. A lot of loud talking, though.

Killswitch Engage: My Curse

I really enjoy the lead voice, but something about it makes him sound like Rick Astley doing metal. But not in a corny way. It's just the rounded, spoon-like quality of his voice and the way in which he projects it. It's hard to explain what I mean by spoon-like, but it's like his mouth and throat are a ladle, slowly and steadily pouring out the sound, rather than a trumpet, or a dynamite blast, etc. So there's something calming about the music, even if it's metal, and emotional, and frustrated.

I love the slow, wistful refrain at the beginning. There's something poetic in the music, simple as it is. And the sudden pick up in beat isn't awkward or explosively jolting like some metal I've heard. The transition between the two tempos is somewhat abrupt, but clean at the same time. Definitely not like every song out there. It seems to pull from classical and even jazz music that switches meter over and over throughout the song, making it more of a ride than just a listening experience.

This was a ride I'd go on again, for sure.

Bleeding Through: Anti-Hero & Love Lost in a Hale of Gunfire

I'm sorry, but literally nothing stuck out to me about this band, except for perhaps their showmanship in their videos. Which makes me think they'd be great showmen live. They are obviously passionate and high energy. Other redeeming qualities of this band include a good looking lead singer, and a chick on keyboard. But I didn't find them very musically unique.

Sorry, Bleeding Through, but to quote your song: "I've heard enough of you."

Volbeat: Sad Man's Tongue

I wasn't sure I was listening to the right song at first. But I was. This song makes me happy. It's extremely high energy without being deafening or exhausting. If you enjoy Johnny Cash's music, but like me, sometimes find it drags, this is the perfect cure for that. The lead singer's higher notes are alright, but his bass notes are gorgeous. And the accent makes it extra fun. I think this song's definitely worth a listen, even for those who aren't really into metal.

More Danish metal tributes to Johnny Cash are in order, I think. :-)

Phor the PHAT man ;)

Dark Tranquillity - Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)

I am not the least bit intimidated by this. I suppose that's a good thing?

I'd be more impressed if the band members could instantly switch their faces between "skull" and yellow in real life.

I am slightly confused about why the singer is growling into a sink pipe.

Also, how are the guitars making sound without strings?

And how did the owner of these talented Legos ever get any sleep with them practicing this stuff in the toy box?

"Everybody Loves Duck Sauce"

Well, all you "Gleeks" out there, I'm sorry to say that the mall dance to Barbra Streisand doesn't begin to compare to the official music video for the song. The actual song doesn't begin to compare to the music video for the song.

For those who don't know, Duck Sauce is a collaboration between A-Trak and Armand Van Helden. Armand has put several tracks at #1 in the UK, and A-Trak has won a ridiculous number of DJ/turntablist competitions and titles.

Anyway, their big hit right now is Barbra Streisand. Personally, the first time I heard the song, it was just the track sans video, and I found it moderately to extremely annoying.

BUT, I have gained a new love for it. Why?

Because I watched the official music video, and saw the people who were involved in it. It made all the difference to see Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Pharrell, Kanye, DJ Premier, Chromeo (which makes sense since one of the members is A-Trak's older brother), Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend, Santigold, Biz Markie (well, sort of)...and even just the people on the street. This collaborative video takes a song that is borderline unbearable on its own, and makes it fun and dynamic and entertaining. Sometimes the difference between mediocrity and brilliance is WHO you allow to dip their toes in your song.

The other thing I love about this is that the members of Duck Sauce also play around with the song a second time. Not only is the scratching at 1:54-2:08 by Preem (DJ Premier) impressive, but the beat juggling by A-Trak himself at 2:42-2:56 makes it nearly impossible to keep your heart rate steady. Both moments of variation were WAY MORE AWESOME than the song just playing all by itself.

So watch this video. If for no other reason, then just because it's good fun.

Oh, and just for kicks, here's a Duck Sauce song recommended by my friend, that I actually like a lot more. Mostly because, as my friend mentioned, it'd be really fun to Hustle to. And no I don't mean scamming, I mean dancing.

Epic Metal Review, Part 3

To begin, I have an addendum to my review of Opeth in Epic Music Review, Part 1. Apparently the growler and the soft singer are the same person? To that, all I can say is HOLY GUMDROPS! (No, I didn't want to say gumdrops there but my mother might be reading this). ;) It also answers my quandry about what growlers would sound like if they used their "normal" (again, yes, I know how subjective that term is) singing voice. I am so thoroughly impressed.

Alright, on to more music.

Avenged Sevenfold: Blinded in Chains

Who does this singer remind me of? I can't decide.

Hang on.

Never mind. I'm sick of trying to think of it. He definitely isn't a bad singer, but something about his voice makes me think he's a really sweet teddy bear of a guy when he's not on stage or in studio. There is a certain tenderness to his voice that can't be veiled. It's almost like he's putting on the act of being angry and homicidal and generally having a bug up is butt. I imagine he pets multiple puppies after every recording session and then just lays in the grass and enjoys the shapes in the clouds.

I really enjoy some of the harmonies in this song, especially in the second half.

I like the fact the drumming sounds almost like legitimate gunfire in this case. Not just the rhythm, but something about either the drums being used or the technique the drummer is employing. I was struck by it from the beginning. No pun intended.

Amon Amarth: Twilight of the Thunder God

How could I pass up a title like this?

Well I really dig the lyrics and the story that's being told. I'm obviously getting better at discerning words in the midst of all the growling.

Though, I'm sorry, I have a bit of a hard time taking the singer seriously. There's a cartoonish quality to his voice, like it's been messed with and synthesized to sound like that. On one hand, that means I should be MORE impressed with him because he manages to sound unnatural, naturally. But I still have trouble taking him seriously.

Savatage: Hall of the Mountain King

There is a cranky dwarf or elf or hobbit wandering confusedly through a forest that is distracting me from whatever is happening in my ears currently. Wait! That is not your treasure, little dwarf! Didn't you ever watch Aladdin? Either the Mountain King, or the cave itself, is about to smite you.

All dwarf antics aside, this song is generally delightful to listen to. The singer's voice and stylization is more than just melodic. It's engaging. Which makes me buy into the concept that his story is an epic one, and should be listened to. Both the general repeating rhythm guitar section and the lead guitar shredding are really impressive without overpowering the singer as the star. And in this case, because he is a storyteller and not just a feelings-teller, I feel it's alright for the spotlight to be on him.

Apocalyptica: Hall of the Mountain King

Um...this is absolutely incredible! Metal cellists? REALLY? How did no one recommend them to me, knowing what a giant nerd I am and how much I love when genres cross-contaminate each other?

I grant that not every song done by them is as impressive. But literally the only bad thing I can say about this particular video is that several of the band members look terrifyingly thin and that makes me want to force feed them cake.

http://youtu.be/zf2aIVKp1OY

Warlock: All We Are

The song was not as epic as the hair. I respect the fact these bands probably paved the way for much of the metal that exists today. But the song itself didn't do as much for me. But that's because a lot of 80's music is lost on me, no matter what the genre. Still, glad to be able to claim I have listened to Warlock, because it makes me feel slightly more well-rounded.

Flotsam and Jetsam: Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting

This would be really fun to play on guitar hero. In general, the song has a high entertainment value, and definitely gives a badass edge to Elton's music. Not that I'm claiming Elton's not badass in his own right.

I feel a lot of passion and energy in this song, beyond the loud volume or explosive drumming or hammering guitar progressions. I just feel amped up when I listen to it, because I feel the musicians were amped up playing it.

The Chainheart Machine: Soilwork

Well I REALLY like the first 9 seconds... and 1:01-1:07... and 2:25-2:40 was also really awesome.

The catch beats and syncopation are really great in this song. And I actually really dig the general "melody" of it. So basically, I loved everything but the singing, which I absolutely detested.

After parts 1 and 2 of my Epic Metal Review, if anyone says they're surprised by that, I reserve the right to call them a "liar liar pants on fire."

Alright, that's all I can do for now, I have to review something else. So there will be a Part 4, which, among other things, will feature some last minute recommendations from my good buddy D-Bake, because there's almost nothing I wouldn't do for that guy.

Tony DeSare!

I just discovered this guy today while listening to the "Singers & Swing" channel on my expanded cable. It's my favorite of the music stations, because yes, classic jazz just does it for me in a way nothing else can.

Anyway, I digress. This was the song I heard that first turned me on to him.

Listening to this song is like getting a bunch of sweet, flutterby kisses on your neck while having your arms and shoulders gently rubbed and sweet promises whispered in your ear.

And dare I say it, I like his voice better than Michael Buble's (which says a lot because I LOVES me some Buble).

Also, the video below proves Mr. DeSare isn't made up of just a sultry voice and some gentle jazz piano chords. He can do some pretty decent damage on the ivory.

Epic Metal Review, Part 2

Okay, for round two of my metal review, I am settling in with a bowl of raspberries and what's left of my box of chocolates. Mmmm... dessert and death metal. This should be delightful.

Emperor: A Fine Day To Die

This started out with a very haunting Sleepy Hollowish sound, which I was not necessarily expecting from metal. But as my friend Ryan pointed out, metal is varied, and this apparently falls under the category of "black metal." I'd be lying if I said I knew what that meant, exactly, but at the very least I now know there is such a thing. And knowing's half the battle. G-I-JOOOOE!

Once my heartbeat reset from the initial shock of the explosive sound coming in (hospitals should replace their paddles with this kind of stuff)...

[Hang on...creamy truffle break. Not in the song. In my mouth.]

...I found myself headbanging unwittingly. As I am sitting down currently, it was more of an aggressive head nod, but the point is the music made me move around. I find the general driving melody behind this song to be very enjoyable. And the drummer very obviously knows exactly which rhythm complements my desire to head bang to the guitar refrain. It didn't feel like "every other metal song" (not that I'm saying I'm an authority on what that means).

I know I know I know. "WHAAAAT? Multiple musicians on different instruments playing cohesively together? It's like they're in a band or something!" Shut up. Not all bands work as well together as this one on this song.

Also, surprisingly, the singer didn't bug me. I don't know whether I'm just becoming increasingly immune to growling and screeching, or if his was just not as offensive, but either way, I was able to stop trying to listen to the words and just try to feel the passion behind the general sound he was making. And when the guitar shredding came in around 6:45 of the song, I ended up really appreciating how similar the sound was to the singer's voice. It matched him not only in pitch, but in intensity. And that contributed to my overall "enjoyment" of this song.

Vader: Out of the Deep

Random thought: I am starting to wonder what metal would sound like if it were driven more by major chords than minor. Okay, back to this song.

I'm about to show the full extent of my dorkiness:

This song makes me think of tap dancing (consider that a dare, Devon). The fact is, if I could watch a dancer create the same exact rhythms I'm hearing on the drums in this song, I'd be in awe. So I guess that means I'm kind of in awe of the drummer, doesn't it?

At least I can understand this singer. He may be growling, but he's enunciating. That's all I'm asking for, people! I don't know if I can so much relate to the lyrics, on most days anyway. But I am thrilled to pieces that I can understand them.

The Faceless: An Autopsy

Is that a synthesizer? I feel like I'm listening to a metal song, remastered with the MIDI version of itself. This song makes me simultaneously want to rip something open with my bare hands, and play Super Mario. Especially around 2:25 of the song, I just have mental images of the band members punching blocks and garnering coins while shredding and growling in between.

And that makes me laugh, which makes me happy, which means this song is okay in my book.

Though to give a more honest "music" review, I was genuinely impressed with the speed and versatility of the guitar riffing in this song (I suppose the general theme I'm picking up is that metal guitar soloists are really talented and probably have wicked calluses).

Austrian Death Machine: Get to the Choppa

I thought this was kind of meh. I thought with the premise of mimicking Ah-nold that it'd be wittier, but it wasn't nearly as amusing as I thought it'd be. Though I'm not sure wit and Ah-nold go hand in hand anyway. Point is, this song didn't really impress me.

Lacuna Coil: Heaven's a Lie

First female vocalist I've reviewed in my metal spree thus far. And a pretty one at that. Her voice sounds a lot like Madonna's, actually. But I like her voice better than Madonna's, by a hair, I think. And even the slightly growlier male backing vocal is still melodic, which is refreshing. It wasn't my favorite song ever, but it wasn't bad.

Halestorm: Love/Hate Heartbreak

Okay, I know I said I didn't want to review them, but I couldn't help myself when it came to this song. Because I really like this song. The words got to me the very first time I heard it, even with their repetitiveness. And not only is lead singer Lzzy Hale hot, but I absolutely LOVE her voice. I want her voice. I want to give her voice roses so it knows how special it is. The way she can throw so much power behind it, and then make it so pillow soft a split second later... it's magic. If I were more of a rock singer, hers is the voice I'd aspire to match. Her and Emma Pew from Black Carl.

Astral Doors: In Rock We Trust

I feel like this is the singer people mimic when people create fake metal bands and spoof bands. The whole Ronnie James Dio thing (may he rest in peace). He's got a great tonality overall, though. And I would definitely listen to this song again, especially given how easy and fun the chorus is to sing along to.

Nocturnal Rites: Still Alive

Oh my gosh I love this guy's voice. Right off the bat. Probably a sign I've been trained by 6 years of being told to appreciate 80's hair metal, because he kind of has that quality to his voice.

Good call, Tony. I really really really like this song. I'm enjoying listening to it so much that I've kind of lost focus on reviewing it. So rather than offering some sagacity on the musicality or whatever, I will just say I simply enjoyed this song, start to finish. It's going on my list of things to buy on iTunes next time I bother to go shopping on it.

Alright, that's 8 more songs, with 8 more to go, so expect one more installment of my Epic Metal Review (probably tomorrow or the next day or the next day).

Mastodon: Cut You Up With A Linoleum Knife

This is in my list of top 20 most awesome and/or hilarious things I've ever watched. WHY is this not played at every movie theater in the U.S.? I doubt anyone will be able to answer that question to my satisfaction.

I heart Mr. Brady for telling me I had to expose myself to this. It was a good call.

Oh, and the singing is actually really good in spots, too. The upper notes are really lucid. There, I said something about the musicality. Bippity boppity music review.

Now on to the awesomeness.

Just For Kenny

Barry Manilow: Mandy

Did not know this song was released in the UK as "Brandy" three years before Barry released it in the U.S. as Mandy. Why did he change the name? Was he afraid of being misconstrued as a Senor Drunkopants? Maybe it's because the song "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" was was popular two years prior. These are the useless things I contemplate and/or research while blogging.

This song doesn't really do anything for me, mostly because my name is not Mandy. It's got that cliche 70's easy listening sound that I don't hate but don't really like either.

All I can think of is the Family Guy episode in which Barry Manilow sang this song to Quagmire.

"I would never take from you, Barry."

No, but really, I wouldn't. You're only one step above Rod Stewart on my "wrinkly, not sexy, but still respectable old men" list.

Epic Metal Review Part 1

I just stepped out of the shower, so I could be clean and fresh for my metal music review. As I was getting dressed, I legitimately found myself wondering, "What does one wear to properly listen to metal?" I ultimately decided on an adorable if not slightly skimpy sun dress, because I figured it was the best juxtaposition my closet had to offer to what I was about to hear. That and I got tired of looking through my wardrobe. And it was clean.

I'm doing these reviews in parts because I want to give each song recommended, it's due time.

In Flames: December Flower

I want to say there was something brilliant about the lyrics of this song, but the only words I heard were "December" "We are In Flames" and "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR." And I listened to it twice. Right off the bat this brings up my quandry with the metal genre. So many bands employ the stereotypical belchy-roar singing style, making it impossible for me to understand what they're saying. On purpose. Why? Why don't you want your words to be heard? It makes me worry they're not very good. Not that I would know. Because I didn't understand any of them. So is that it? You're avoiding lyrical critique by avoiding lyrical comprehension? Well played, metal music... well played. ;)

My general issue with the screamy, growly, belchy style of singing is that I am a singer, with vocal training and such. And that style is SO BAD for your vocal cords. To me, hearing that is the equivalent of a blues musician watching someone take a limited edition Les Paul and smash it to pieces just for funsies. Sure, there's a certain entertainment value and showmanship to it. But all I can keep thinking is "WHY?! WHY would you DO THAT to your instrument?!"

Having that out of the way, let me go on to say that in this particular song, the lead singer's voice is either impressive or vexing in its ability to be extremely high pitched and extremely low and growly at the same time. Maybe it's unintentional and his voice just exudes overtones better than some.

The bridge shredding on the lead guitar was pretty good. But I've heard better.

The drumming was good if not, again, stereotypical "metal" drumming.

Metallica: The Unforgiven

I don't know if I would classify Metallica as metal so much as rock, but I have generally liked a lot of their songs.

On this song in particular, I feel like James Hetfield did a fantastic job on the sections where his voice went soft and gentle. Not just because it sounded pretty, but because he applies the emotion, vulnerability, and clarity of his message to his voice itself. But in the sections where he's singing more "angrily," I feel like he got lazy. I didn't feel it. At all. And that made me sad.

The guitar solo about 2/3 of the way through the song was good. I mean, it's not the MOST dextrous guitar playing I've witnessed, but it was decently high up on the list. And more than that, I honestly felt like the guitar was screaming forth with the same pain as the words of the song. I appreciate when musicians make instruments speak emotions for themselves.

Opeth: Bleak

Oh my face! What an emotional rollercoaster ride this song was for me.

Throughout the first 40 seconds of the song, my jaw was on my chest and I was thinking "I LOVE THIS!" Then a singer started belching into the mic and I got super depressed. So in the last 20 minutes of working on this metal review, it's clear I still don't like growly singing that forces me to look up the lyrics in print on a separate website.

But I'm glad I did because this line is awesome:

Break of morning, coldness lingers on

Shroud me into nightmares of the sun

Then I hit 3:30 of the song and there's actual singing. Beautiful singing. I mean it. BEAUTIFUL. It's haunting and it's sad and it's wistful and it's tender and without being loud it's so powerful.

Musically, this song is beyond a home run. All the instrumental components were just seamless and about as close to perfection as music gets. I am starting to understand why so many people I respect, love Opeth.

Children of Bodom: Are You Dead Yet

Um...how do people drum that fast?! The rest I kind of tuned out. Sorry.

Alesana: What Goes Around

OH GOD! This song is an unfortunate triple whammy of bad for me. This is probably my least favorite Justin Timberlake song. Then this song's vocals combine the annoying screaming style, with the even more annoying whiny emo singing style. Ugh. I am getting physically ill trying to stick this one out. I want to punch the emo singer in the balls to toughen him up, and I want to punch the shrieking harpy in the background in the throat to shut him up.

I decided to listen to 3 more Alesana songs just to see if I could give them a chance. I also watched a video of a live stage performance of theirs just to see if that would redeem them in my eyes. All they managed to do was come across as immense toolbags.

Sad. I wanted to like them because I really sincerely like the person who recommended them. But I can't. :(

GodSmack: Awake

They are good. Just metal enough not to be Metallica. But I can actually understand them, and appreciate their lyrics. That makes me genuinely happy. This song was a nice note to end this edition of my metal review on. It didn't hit me in the chest in a big way or anything, but I liked it enough to not turn it off if it came on the radio.

Korpiklaani: Vodka

Aaaahahahahahahaha! How much fun is this song?! Let me tell you. Ridiculously fun. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with just calling it like you see it. "Drinking's good for you." Sure! Why the hell not?! And as a final comment to the bad-ass-itude of this song, they fully integrate the accordion (and the accordionist is really good, too) into metal. I literally could not have asked anything more of this song. :-)

7 down, 16 to go. All I can say is I better be AMAZING at Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock after all this.

"It blew my heart away!"

I'm going to start by saying I feel REALLY behind the curve, because this kid was on America's Got Talent in 2009, and the video below is from approximately 5 years ago. But I chose it because the interview is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

They won't let me embed this video, so you'll have to use the link. It's worth it. He's adorable, and prodigally talented. His tiny fingers are able to do things on guitar most adults can't do.

http://youtu.be/UGTfDf4b5oE

Tallan Latz, you blow MY heart away.

Shredding?

I am posting the two following videos because I seem to have been functioning under the false assumption that "shredding" required the musician doing so to be super passionate and amped up and thrashy. Lots of hair tossing and guitar waving and "o-faces" mixed with angry faces.

The first video, by "Jacqueline" shows a decent amount of dexterity (certainly better than I could ever hope to do), but she looks so bored while she's playing her music. I had trouble getting into it simply because I had trouble believing SHE was into it.

Now, the second video is by Meghan the Metal Queen, and she is playing a classic by Dethklok, and doing a damn fine job of it as far as I can tell. But she's sitting down. And in this case, I dig it. I figure it takes a lot of badassery to be that calm while shredding so epically.

Anyway, I guess I learned something new today. I will do my best to apply this lesson to my life somehow in the future.

Joanna Newsom

So today I found myself wasting some of my daughter's naptime on randomly perusing the internet for completely useless relationship status reports on the stars. And by that, I mean I was trying to figure out if Zachary Quinto is gay.

After the inconclusiveness of the speculative reports bored me (that took all of about 3 minutes), I decided to look up who Andy Samberg was dating because he's a star I've thus far failed to google. All signs pointed to Joanna Newsom, though again I didn't spend much time looking before I got bored.

In any case, in one chat forum, someone posted something to the effect that Joanna Newsom is brilliant and the best musician to ever live, forever and ever amen.

So I looked her up. She's pretty. She is a truly wonderful harpist. I respect some of her lyrics.

Her voice makes me want to shoot myself in the head with a nailgun.

I concede that beauty may be in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. But as far as this beholder is concerned, Joanna Newsom should start making bank off selling her lyrics to someone with the voice to make them tolerable to more than just a few select "brilliant minds."

That is all.

The Temper Trap

Lead singer Dougy Mandagi's voice is clean and clear enough in the baritone/tenor register to have me sufficiently impressed. Definitely unique, his voice manages to be completely crisp and completely edgy at the same time. I dig it.

But on their song "Sweet Disposition," he takes it to a whole new level of hauntingly beautiful. He gets my major respect points for the day.

Hot Chelle Rae

This stuff is relatively mindless, and sadly indistinct. But it's a heck of a lot of fun to listen to, so I'm rolling with it for today. And all four band members are definitely not unattractive, so that kinda helps. Shallow isn't always bad.

Best use of the phrase, "shat on the fan." Ever.

PLATINUM HIT

Hey all!

Check out Johnny Marnell in Bravo's new reality show Platinum Hit. He's awesome, and if he's the standard of competition they've brought onto the show, the other artists are going to be pretty damn talented too. I plan to be "hooked."

(yup, just a little music humor there)

http://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/networks/bravo/platinumhit/biographies?bio=contents/biographies/Talent%20Bios/Bravo/PlatinumHit/1Marnell_Johnny.xml

The Ke$ha Syndrome

Rebecca Black.

People are treating her like her "success" is such an unfounded anomaly. But the fact of the matter is, she isn't anything new or unique.

Her superflop/superhit "Friday" is only proof that people with semi-decent voices will often opt to use a nasal, bratty sounding, talk-speak style of singing instead of actually engaging their diaphragm, paying attention to their own lung capacity and the correct ways to use it, etc.

IT'S SUCH A SHAME!

At about 2:52 of that song, she starts singing some background vocals. Typical "oooooh yeaaah," "whooooaaa" type stuff. In what I'd call a mezzo-soprano range. And she sounds GOOD (I'd not go so far as to say "great" but good)! So where the heck was that voice for the first 2 minutes and 51 seconds of that awful song?!?!

It's not an awful song because she sucks at singing. It's an awful song because she chooses NOT to sing. That, and the lyrics border on being unforgivably bad, though that is probably a selling point for a lot of pop music these days. It's obvious the girl's a bit tone deaf (most people are to some degree or another), as is evidenced by her performance of The Star Spangled Banner on a TV news interview. But if she gets some training and learns how to use proper singing techniques to make up for what she lacks in raw talent, she could actually manage to be tolerable as far as pop culture standards go.

But she need to use her mezzo singing voice, instead of talking "melodically" through her nostrils. She needs to overcome her Ke$ha Syndrome.

Though I think it's obvious why, I will explain that I choose this name because Ke$ha is one of those big pop artists doing exactly the same thing and making people believe it's music. Ke$ha is not talented. Her producers are. The mixes, the beats, the catchy refrains in her songs (i.e., all the musicality within her songs) has nothing to do with her "singing." And again, most of her lyrics border on being unforgivably bad.

Rebecca, stop trying to be Ke$ha. She is nothing to aspire to.

Check-out Artists Lineup 1

I have a list of artists from my semi-recent past (meaning the last 7 years) that I want to recommend, because they really deserve more attention than they get for the amazing music they make. I realize it'd be counterproductive to write individual posts about each of them right now, as I'd tap out too soon. Plus people would likely only read the first one or two posts instead of all 10. So, consolidation wins. I'll probably be doing posts like this pretty frequently.

CHECK THESE PEOPLE OUT!

Two Spot Gobi

A phenomenal group out of Britain, first put on my radar by Jason Mraz, and permanently entrenched there by the fact they are really fun to listen to, comprised of a very talented group of musicians, and above all, super nice.

Ari Hest

Out of Brooklyn, his lyrics are modest and moving, and his smoky sincere voice is simply beautiful. He is also super nice.

Black Carl

The female lead just knocks my socks off every time she sings. Flat out. I cannot attest to how much practicing she does or how much vocal training she has, but her voice gives the impression of being raw talent at its finest. The way she sings makes you believe she came out of the womb sounding like that. So good.

Djavan

The sounds he creates on the guitar always transport me. His sound is very Brazilian bossa jazz folk so it's probably a niche audience, but I love him to absolute pieces.

Paul Dateh

I discovered him by watching The LXD on hulu. He composed the music for episode 10 (I Seen a Man). I heard it, and researched furiously to find out more about him. He managed to distract me from my usual practice of staring, jaw agape, at Chris Scott's dancing. That is saying something. He and Chris Scott made an amazing pairing, but Paul also manages to be a great pairing with just about anyone (for example, I suggest you check out his work with Ken Belcher, and a lesser known duet of him doing I Wish You Love with Esna Yoon). He's multi-faceted and multi-talented, and produces every part of a lot of his own stuff.

Gabe Bondoc

The chord patterns he uses. The guitar arrangements he creates (like his cover of Justin Nozuka's "After Tonight"). Oh, and his voice. You will want him to sing you to sleep every night for the rest of your life.

Jason Yang

Violin + genius = Jason Yang

Todd Carey

So nice. So talented. His music is just fun to listen to. It makes you feel good. You can't help smiling. What more could you want on a lazy Saturday afternoon?

Brendan Green

This singer songwriter has some effortless depth (not bass, so much as brilliance) to the way he sings. I just feel like I have to listen to him, like he's saying something more meaningful than just words set to music. The aura around his voice is just magnetic.

Jason Reeves

Friend of Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves stands on his own with lyrics and humble honesty in his music. He says things in a way that is poetic enough to make it "art," but simple enough that he can speak to anyone's heart. He says what he means, and in a way that makes you glad you listened in. And I wish the songs "Pretty Eyes" and "You in a Song," were written about me.

The last three I saw on tour together, thus the fact they were listed in such close proximity of one another.

Now go forth and enjoy your musical journeys!