Oops I Did It Again

hey,
sorry for not posting. Had limited Wifi access as I'm visiting family. New post next Saturday. Given how many times I haven't posted recently, I'm beginning to think I have commitment issues. Please forgive me!

Love,
Bella

The British Invansion of the 21st Century- The 1975

Hey,
Sorry for going AWOL. School has been absolutely crazy lately and it will be until about June 4th, unfortunately. Despite all this, I am going to do my best to get a post up every week. In order to make it easier on myself, I am going to most my weekly posts to Saturday nights, instead of Friday nights.

Okay, so all that aside, this week I am going to be talking about a band I discovered several months ago via We Are Hunted, that is beginning to receive some significant radio airplay, considerably on SiriusXM's Hits 1 channel: The 1975. They are a cool band from Manchester (that's in England, in case you didn't know) and their song "Chocolate" is well on its way to becoming a big hit. So, this week, I am picking my top 5 favorite The 1975 songs.

3. Chocolate- The song you've most likely heard before. From what I've read, it's very likely this song is about partaking in illegal activities, and other people who don't see them as illegal and dangerous, but those who are involved see it as normal. For the most part, I think most people are so caught up in the ridiculously catchy chord progression, the singer's barely understandable vocals, and the guitar lines, that no one really realizes the dark subject matter of this song. It's an oxymoronic song, I think: dark lyrics with light instrumentation. It's a genius trick, because only the people who really care about the music and the quality of it are going to research and try to figure out what the song contains. Genius.

2. Undo- I particularly like this song because it's so different from all of their other stuff. It has an ambient, chill, almost Bon Iver feeling to it. I normally discredit bands who use autotune, but here it works, as it is used in an artistic sense. It fits with the slower, almost sloth-like feeling. The light percussion complements the track; if it was any heavier, I don't know if it would flow quite as well. Very cool.

1. Sex- Yeah, this sounds like it's going to be some disgusting song about two people getting down, but it's not. The title comes from the line "all we seem to do is talk about sex," but that is the extent of it. The song is more about a boy and girl and the girl has a boyfriend, but the first boy wants the girl, but she's already is a relationship, and so the boy kind of settles for a verbally promiscuous relationship instead of a physical one because she can't decide who she wants, so she picks both. Deliciously tangled. Lyrics aside, the instrumentation is also awesome. The guitars are a constant presence in the background and the percussion sets a nice, steady feeling for the song, so even when the lead singer is crooning about his unrequited love, the song goes on, never pausing for air. Excellent.

So, if this sounds like your sort of music, you should definitely check out The 1975.

Until next week,
Bella

Fall Out Boy Saved Rock and Roll

Hey,

Sorry for not posting last Friday, but I had plans. J Anyways, I was going to post a review of Fall Out Boy’s new album last week, so I’ll do it this week instead. Without further ado, my top 5 favorite songs off FOB”s new album “Save Rock and Roll…”

5. “Death Valley”- I am so freaking obsessed with this song; I hope I can put it into words. I have literally listened to this song like a million times since the album came on. Patrick’s incredible vocal range, the kicking drum section, and the guitar lines all come together to make a remarkably sick, genius song. I saw some negative comments online about the section around 2:50, which some fans have dubbed “FallStep.” I dunno, I think it’s kind of cool. FOB has the right to experiment with new styles if they want. It’s a cool track and I have a feeling this song is going to be so much fun performed live.

4. “Just One Yesterday” ft. Foxes- I am a big fan of this track as it switches from heavy to light back to heavy. It’s not just playing on one level, but rather many. My favorite aspect is the lyrics “Letting people down is my thing baby/ Find yourself a new gig/ This town ain't big enough for two of us/I don't have the right name/ Or the right looks/But I have twice the heart.” Dang.

3. “Young Volcanoes”- The third single off the album, it has a kind of bouncy, Cali, almost Train-like vibe to it. I appreciate that FOB is experimenting with some acoustic guitars, especially in this track. This song is probably the “happiest” song on the album, considering most of the other songs have a slightly darker tone, but I like it. Very cool.

2. “The Phoenix”-This is my second favorite on the album, though it really deserves like 1.75^th place, because it is just as good as The Mighty Fall. I like the darker sound, Patrick’s soaring vocals, the dynamic changes, and the song combines rock, alt, and a little pop into one big, super good track. I love to see artists branch out every now and then.

1. “The Mighty Fall” ft. Big Sean- I love how it starts out with the light percussion and then eventually everything else just comes in. Patrick’s vocals + the distortion give this song a nice, hard edge; it kind of combines their older stuff with his own Soul Punk album. I truly believe that chorus is the best thing on the album. It’s rough, raw, and entirely perfect. It’s almost taunting, which fits with the theme of the song. The only thing I don’t like is Big Sean’s part, as I don’t think he’s up to par with FOB, but I suppose it could have been worse. J Overall, though, it is by far, my favorite song on the album. Love it!

I just wanted to say really quickly that people on the internet have been complaining about how FOB is different, their new music sucks, it’s Patrick’s fault, they’ve changed, and so on and so forth. But, I saw this really good comment on YouTube that completely supports how I feel about FOB and other artists who change their style. “In music, we generally become fans of an artist on the basis of how he or she executes our own favorite style of music. When they deviate, we complain. Rather than trying to reorient our taste to keep up with the artist himself, we stick to the past. It exposes how we are not really lovers of music or artistry, but ourselves. Following an iconoclast, i.e.[Fall Out Boy], is a challenge, but doing so allows us to grow with [them] rather than using [them] to fulfill our stale expectations. Listen regardless.” Thanks to shotinthedark90 for that insightful statement. Think on that next time you or a friend starts to complain about artists changing their style.

Anyways, thanks for reading.

Until next week,

Bella

The Good Mad Review

Hey,

Sorry for not posting last week, but I spent the better half of last weekend digging through moving boxes, trying to put my house back together. Anyways, I’m back with another band review.

This week, I’m highlighting The Good Mad. I found them a few months ago, as their lead singer Allie Gonino plays Laurel on the Lying Game, and in one of the episode, she performs with her band. I was intrigued by their sound features ukuleles, violins, and various instruments.  Overall, the trio’s sound is unique, fusing alternative, pop, and folk music seamlessly.

Some of my favorite tracks are:

Baby’s On the Run which is reminiscent of The Civil Wars, featuring a prominent banjo, gorgeous harmonies, and a straight-up folk vibe. Allie’s violin at 1:42 fits perfectly; it is rich and full-bodied, adding to the song.

Follow Your Heart which leads in straight away with a strong strings section, mellows out, and fires back up again. I like the alternating vocals in this one especially. It has a darker tone which I like as it almost contrasts with the lyrics which are about following your heart. Normally, those types of songs are light, poppy and bouncy. This is heavier and I love their choice.

In the Gray is a slower song that really allows the lyrics to take center stage. “I don’t know why/you chose to evade… you should leave me behind/what if it’s true what they say/it’s better to end a love/then to throw it away.” Absolutely beautiful.

Sail on, which might be my favorite song they’ve put out, starts out like a folk song but evolves stylistically by the first verse or so. I like how comfortable they are with genre bouncing; it’s a very brave move that definitely pays off. Allie’s vocals are particularly stunning on this track and the background vocals provide the perfect complement to her already forceful voice. Additionally, “these days it seems like everyone is bidding on love/but it’s not up for sale” is an absolutely genius line.

In conclusion, The Good Mad have the ability to go far. I really admire their artistry and originality. Their songs are similar without being repetitious and by bringing in different instruments, they ensure that they are not just a folk band or a rock band or anything else.

They are one of my favorite new finds and you should totally check them out!

Website: http://www.thegoodmad.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGoodMad

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thegoodmad

Until next week,

Bella

Throwback To Those Not So Good Days

Hey,

I’ve mentioned before that I had a questionable taste in music when I was younger. I wasn’t being facetious. I listened to some really crappy music. So, the other day, I was thinking about the old stuff that I used to think was amazing and how it is the exact same stuff I’m rallying against now. Then, I thought, why not highlight exactly how terrible my choice in music was. This blog is for music: the good, the bad, and the over-processed. Therefore, tonight, I present my Junior High Playlist.

 Brace yourselves, y’all.

“Midnight Romeo” by Push Play- This song makes me laugh simply because it was the first song that introduced me to sexual innuendo of any kind, like “You’ll be the lock/I’ll be the key”  or “Tonight your dinner’s free/what’s in it for me.”  I didn’t pick up on that stuff at first but then later, I was like, “Whoa, did he just say that?” I suppose, if nothing else this song motivated me to make sure I’m going Dutch on dinner dates. Lyrics aside, I’ll give myself credit; this song does actually feature real instruments, including an obnoxious triangle. And it’s catchy enough that I see why I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Yet, that doesn’t excuse the shallow lyrics and lack of musicianship. Silly Bella.

“Thinking Of You” by Katy Perry – The worst song on this list. She’s try so hard on this song…oh my goodness. She sounds like she’s trying to be Dido, Ke$ha, and Jack Johnson all at the same time and it fails…massively. The whole song is about some sick love triangle between the dude she’s dating and how she’s thinking about another guy. Original. I mean, if the song was well-written or at least featured some elevated diction, I could respect her feelings and the song, but it just sounds so “Taylor Swift in a coffee house” that it falls flat. Not to mention, Katy is straining her voice which gives the song a weird feeling, though I suppose I’d take that over the massive auto-tuning she requires now because all her songs are written in the upper registers where her voice cannot reach. Oh, music industry…

“Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera - I used to love her stuff back in junior high as it was about the time I started running hardcore and her music was pretty motivating. She has a good voice, I’ll admit that much. Essentially, though, this song is just about how some dude is like the best thing she’s ever had, making her point with poor grammar and clichés (He’s “bad,” guys! Sexy!) Not the worst on the list, but bad enough. J

 “I Can’t Do it Alone” by 3OH!3- 3OH!3 used to be very popular when I was in junior high, with “Don’t Trust Me” (Who could forget that Helen Keller line?) and “Starstrukk.” Now, they’re not really that popular and it’s understandable considering their newest stuff sounds like Skrillex and Adam Levine’s ugly lovechild. (Translation: their new stuff stinks). However, this older song is kind of techno meets pop, but it works. They’re not really trying to be anything other than loud and truthful, I suppose, but the beats are sick and the lyrics are strikingly beautiful , all things considered.

“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” By Panic! At the Disco- Yes! Good job, younger me. I remember the first time I heard this song when I was in early 8^th grade. I was listening to the radio and they were doing a “Blast From the Past” thing and this came on! I had never heard this song but I couldn’t get Brendon’s memorable voice out of my head nor the very unusual violin section’s rhythmic plucking. I was hooked. Still, to do this day, I love this song. It’s not my favorite out of all their music, but it’s in the top 10 for sure. Between the complementary guitar lines, Spencer’s steady drums, and Brendon’s ridiculously glorious vocals, it’s still gives me goosebumps when I listen to it. J  

 That’s it for this week!

Until next Friday,

Bella

Unreleased Lana Del Rey Songs

Hey,

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again. I love Lana del Rey. I admire her voice, her persona, her confidence, and her lyrics. She fits the femme fatale mold that society squeezes her into, but jumps out of it just as quickly as she went in. She is equal parts sweet and tough and her songs show a wide of range of emotion. In my mind, she is one of the best female acts out there, perfectly straddling the line between indie and mainstream, a difficult feat, no doubt.

Bottom line: I love her. J I enjoy her released stuff, but there are definitely some hidden gems in her unreleased material, most of which is available on YouTube. Tonight, I present to you my top 5 favorite unreleased Lana Del Rey songs.

5. "You Can Be The Boss"- This song is different from her released stuff, which is why I felt it should be included. The instrumental section is nothing compared to her vocals, which travels from high and girlish to low and smoky. The lyrics detail some girl telling some guy he can "be the boss," whatever that means. I think, at its core, it's about a good girl dating a bad boy. Overdone theme, but at least it's well-written. :)

4. "Every Man Gets His Wish"- Opening with a whistle section, giving way to her immortalized love lyrics, and sultry vocals. Lana's music truly does feel like a throwback to music from decades ago.  From some bold open references "We're gonna party like it's 1949"  to just her bouncing vocals that switch as often as she wants, it sounds like something that could have been released in the 1950's instead of the 2000's.

3. "Kinda Outta Luck" This time, we have a bad girl who turns a good boy bad, she tries to be good, but it doesn't work and she leaves him or kills him; I'm not quite sure which one. Point being, she decides to run away and relies on the "kindness of strangers," an ambiguous phrase that she deliberately tosses in there. Lana is an expert at storytelling lyrics without feeling like she's telling a story. Her lyrics are creative while spinning a tale. Excellent song.

2. "Hollywood's Dead"-  After a failed romance, Lana feels that everything she once held dear, old Hollywood icons, has died as well. She is alone and without direction. I love how the lyrics are depressing as heck but the instrumentation, though slow, is still swelling and grand, as opposed to reclusive and demure. The contrast is really powerful. As well, that sort of muffled thing she does about two minutes in proves that she could have been a famous singer back in the 1950's.

1. "Serial Killer" - I like how the song it begins with just her voice and some twinkling instrumentation but the percussion does not really begin until about 20-30 seconds in. The lyrics compare her to a serial killer of love, warning a guy not to fall for her. Love it.

I do want to make a quick note here. You may have noticed all of her songs I highlighted on here are about love and I've complained in the past about Taylor Swift writing all her songs about love. I am not a hypocrite, I swear. The reason I like Lana is because, first and foremost, she has a wide vocal range; Taylor just sounds pretty much the same unless they add dubstep in the background. Lana acknowledges that she cannot fit into one genre. She is baroque pop, soft pop, rock pop, and ballad pop. Taylor tries to be country but still be pop at the same time. Seriously, girl, adding a banjo does not make a song country. Evidence here. Anyways, Lana writes her songs with the help of one other dude; Taylor used to write her own stuff, but now has an entire team of people helping her who mostly just choose which words she should repeat.

Honestly, I don't totally care that Taylor writes all her songs about love;I mean, I get that. I'm young too, you know? I understand how exciting love is. But, Taylor's songs just show a lack of emotional maturity. When she was 16, it was kind of cute, like, "Awww, he broke her heart." Now, she's just mean about breakups. What the heck happened at the Grammy's? Seriously, T-Swift, that was a super lame British accent. Believe me, I'm not a Directioner, but I do admire Harry Styles, her ex, for not saying a single bad thing about her. She, on the other hand, is parodying him in music videos and openly mocking him. Maturity...she does not have it.
I saw this really good thing on Pinterest that showed that Taylor and Adele are the exact same age, but one still acts like she's in high school. It's really true. A high schooler could get away with what she says in her songs, but a twenty year old should not be writing musical taunts, i.e., "We are never, ever, ever, getting back together." Not very mature, especially compared to the majority of Adele's song which are lyrical masterpieces (and Lana's, as well).

So, that, readers, is why I like Lana even though some might argue she is somewhat similar to Taylor.

Thanks for reading!

Until next week,
Bella

What Is Bella Listening To...Minus the Bear Edition

Hey,

Sorry this post is late but I had an event this morning that required me to get up super early, so I went to bed quite a bit sooner than I normally do. Consequently, this post is late. But, it’s here! J

Like I promised, it’s another installment of “What is Bella Listening To,” where I show you what I have been listening to for the past week or so.

So…here we go!

5. “Sleeping Ute” By Grizzly Bear- The song leads in with a single guitar and gradually adds in all the other instruments, including a prized tambourine. Just like the cowbell, songs just need more tambourine. All the instruments kind of clash in a beautiful way; if any other band did this, I’d call it cacophony, but with Grizzly Bear it’s sheer genius.

4. “It’s Real” by Real Estate-This track has a lovely flowing feeling to it, swaying rather than jumping.  Ridiculously catchy, the oh’s  surrounding the chorus will be stuck in your head for the next four days, at least. Though it is repetitive, it never gets boring, a sign of a truly well-composed song.

3. “The Fix” by The Minus The Bear- I included this song not only because it’s an amazing song, where the momentum really climaxes just before the first chorus and then keeps fighting right until the end, but also for the memories associated with it. I went to the MTB concert last week and some hipster fist-pumped through the entirety of this track and to be honest, it’s a fantastic song for that, especially those quick hits in the chorus. 10 Bears out of 10.

2. “Excuses” by Minus the Bear- I did promise a lot of MTB last week, didn’t I? J I love this song because it shows a slightly softer side of the band who are known for loud, powerful guitar riffs and crazy synthesizer parts. It glides, soaring through the stunning melody, but is powered by Erin’s drumming ability and Jake’s convincing vocals, highlighted by the raw, emotional lyrics, a rare sight for the band. I think this might be my favorite MTB track.

1. “The Listing” by Minus the Bear (Live at Daryl’s House, episode 62)- Yes, I realize this is another MTB song but I feel little shame in including it here as it’s live, it’s with Daryl Hall (yep, from Hall and Oates), and the setup is beyond incredible. I love the arrangement, all the vocals float together, creating a gorgeous harmony, and the guitars work really well with each other. Jake, the bearded guy, is one of my favorite lead singers, and together with Daryl, it’s like a power duo, really. Both guys really go for those big notes, and they never fall short.

If you haven’t seen Daryl’s web series before, you should check it out. He’s collaborated with other groups/artists like Patrick Stump and Jason Mraz.

That’s it for this week. I hope you enjoyed my MTB influenced music choices this week. Next week, I have something special planned so check back next Friday. Be sure to comment, tweet me, or e-mail me with your thoughts.

Until then,

Bella

Minus the Bear concert Review

Hey!

Sorry for not posting last night, but I absolutely knew I could not pass up the Minus the Bear concert. Even though I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather recently, I went and I am so glad I did. I found them a few years ago when I was listening to our public radio station which mostly plays classical music during the day and alternative/indie music at night that sounds closer to wailing than music. Somehow, a gem like Minus the Bear’s “My Time” made it on there and then I ended up finding the song for free on a Dangerbird Records (their old record label) sampler a few days later. Ever since, I’ve been hooked on their music.

Minus the Bear’s sound is kind of like Mutemath and Fall Out Boy and Arcade Fire all mixed up together, yet with an unexpected twist. It’s polished, dissonant, intricate, harmonious, pure and raw all at the same time. And bottom line: it’s fantastic.

They came on right at 10:00 (I arrived at 9:58…perfect timing on my part) and opened right up with Steel and Blood, an explosion of guitar riffs and hard percussion. Seamlessly, they transitioned into an oldie “The Fix,” which got the dedicated fans in the crowd going crazy. Jake’s voice soared over the instrumentation nicely and the chorus was completely perfect: hard and rough yet not too over-the-top. Genius. They went into “Diamond Lightning,” mellowing it out a bit, but cranking it back up with “Toska” and “Secret Country.” Then, they went into the crowd favorite: “My Time,” where every single person was moving, most cradling their drinks,  (except for underage me…I think I was the only one under 18 in that whole place, even though it was an all-ages show), rocking back and forth and some guy was even fist-bumping (who fist-bumps in Iowa? Well, props to him, I guess).  The band seemed to feed off the energy, going hard and furious on this song. They cooled it down a bit with “Absinthe Party At the Fly Honey Warehouse” and “Knights,” though neither song dragged. By this time, I was beginning to feel pretty tired so I hung around for “Let’s Play Guitar in a Five Guitar Band,” “Throwin’ Shapes,” and “I’m Not Totally Down with Rob’s Alien,” and heard the full-bodied glory of “Double Vision Quest” as I walked to my car.

Overall, the concert was amazing. All of the guys are incredible musicians who give it their all, no matter if they’re playing the newer stuff from “Infinity Overhead” and "OMNI" or their earlier songs off of “Highly Refined Pirates," "Planet Ice" or "Menos El Oso." They put on an incredible show and based on the crowd, I’d say all who came had a great time. Including the couple who danced to nearly every song, an impressing feat considering Minus the Bear’s music isn’t exactly perfect“ dancing” music.  haha it was fun to see the crowd so involved.

If Minus the Bear is coming to your town, I would highly suggest you go! If not, at least check out their music which is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

Next week, I’ll do another “What is Bella Listening To” installment, which may or may not feature a ton of Minus the Bear songs.

Until then,

Bella

No Blog Post Tonight

Hey,

So, tonight I'm going to see Minus the Bear in concert. Therefore, my blog post/review will be up tomorrow, Saturday, March 1st.

Here's to hoping we don't have another Panic! At the Disco experience, I guess. :)

Until then,
Bella

Fall Out Boy is Back And Other Songs I'm In Love With

Hey,

So, last week, I wrapped up the series on lyrics. And this week, we’re back to actual music reviews! I know that other series deviated from my typical format, but it’s an issue I’m, obviously, very passionate about.

Without further ado, another installment of “What is Bella Listening To…”

 

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy- Who else is super excited about these guys getting back together????!!! I guess you can tell I am. J I seriously fell in love with Patrick Stump when I saw him open for Panic! At the Disco last year and I appreciate Fall Out Boy’s stuff a little differently now; I’ve always kind of liked their stuff, but not I really love it. J Anyways, this song starts out with dark distortion, choir-esque vocalizations, and then the down-and-dirty guitar riffs breakthrough and then, it’s Patrick time to shine. (Pardon the cliché) And that chorus!!! Holy crap. It’s just all like KABOOOMMM! That’s the best way I can explain it. It’s wild, yet controlled and just a beautiful explosion of the awesomeness that is Fall Out Boy.

About to Die by Dirty Projectors- I love the strange, African sounding drumbeats at the beginning, delicate plucking noises, and the way everything just trickles in. Some songs start off strong and others just kind of gradually grow. This song hits its peak around 1:18 or so, right before the chorus. Before and after, this song is fantastic.

All These Girls by Atlas Genius- Atlas Genius is one of my favorite discoveries of 2012. They’re Australian, which is totally awesome (I am such a sucker for accents, especially Australian ones J ). This song, like their other tracks, is a mixture of pop meets rock meets alt; and it is totally brilliant. The changing time signatures, varying rhythms, and undulating vocals make for a sweet find. Check them out. J

Running For Cover by Ivan & Aloysha- I like the kind of swaying beat, stripped instrumentation, and the intricately layered vocals. It has kind of a soundtrack feeling, like something that could play in an episode of White Collar or something. That’s cool, in my book. This song is absolutely gorgeous.

I Wanna Be Free by Panic At the Disco- a big throwback, considering this song came out several years ago as a bonus track off their album Vices and Virtues. Nonetheless, the song is easily one of Panic’s best efforts. I love Brendon’s glorious, soaring vocals, Spencer’s steady drumming that, at times, reminds me of Darren King from MuteMath. Love the swift change that occurs around 2:14-ish. I love how they are unafraid to throw something in there like that and it always works. An oldie, but a goodie. J

 

Well, that’s it for this week. Please comment and go to my Contact tab and send me a message or tweet at me. I love to hear from you all!

Until then,

Bella