Track of the Week: "Mason Jars" by Smallpools

Hey,

I wasn't totally sold on iTunes Radio at first, thinking it was just going to be a stupid Pandora Radio knockoff. Surprisingly, it's grown on me. The first few tracks it gave me on my Alternative Radio station were mainstream tunes disguised as alternative ones, but after I told it stop playing those, I received some beautiful surprises.

That is where this week's Track of the Week comes from. It is "Mason Jars" by Smallpools, a relatively new four-piece American band. Chances are, you've heard their song "Dreaming" on AltNation, but even if, like me, you weren't a fan of that one. You've got to try this one.

It has a Foster the People meets Lorde meets Youngblood Hawke vibe to it, if you can imagine that. The bass line is the underlying force propelling the song and the guitars flesh out the overall sound. The soft country twanging in the background make it a bit of a genre bouncing, while the slightly distorted vocals keep it in the alternative realm. I love how, right before the chorus, the lead singer pushes his vocals ever-so slightly above his range while managing to stay in complete control of them.
I promise you'll have this song on repeat for the next week, at least. Enjoy, my friends. :)

Until then,
Bella

Track of the Week: "This is Gospel" by Panic! At the Disco

Hey,
So, like I said last week, Panic! has been releasing some new music, leading up to their new album dropping in October. The second single they released was "This is Gospel." I am totally loving this song because it is a big leap from their old material, but yet, at the same time, the lyrics are very Vices and Virtues, so they are not completely rewriting themselves. It's a smart move, evolving while recognizing the past.
The song starts out slow and minimal with Brendon's vocals filtered through a vocoder and a heartbeat like beat in the background. Then, all the other instruments come in. The guitar lines give it a nice body while the drumming keeps the song moving and flowing. As the song ends, it returns to the minimal set-up , which gives the song a nice rounded feeling. The lyrics are up for debate as I have heard rumors that they are about Brendon’s misgivings with the Mormon church and that they might be able Jon and Ryan leaving the band. They’re ambiguous enough that we’ll never know and perhaps that is the way Brendon intended it to be. Secrecy is a powerful tool and his lyrics masterfully wield it.

If this song is a sign of  what we might be hearing on the new album, I’m excited! It’s nice to see them trying new things without leaving all their previous material completely behind. This should be a good album and I cannot wait to review it.

Until next week,

Bella

Another Edition of "What is Bella Listening To"

Hey,
I'm actually posting on my promised day. Can you believe it? Me either.
So, this week, I have compiled five songs that I have discovered and are so good, I simply have to share them with you. :) It's been a while since I've done something like this, so this should be fun. :)


5. "Wake Up" by AWOLNATION- Yes, this is the man behind "Sail." This track gives "Sail" a run for its money. It's certainly less emotional, but holy crap, not by much. From what I can deduce, the song is about him encouraging people to wake up from a zombie-like sleep and live life, leaving behind the negativity and "haters." Coupled with the steady percussion, simple yet effective chord progression in the chorus, and the background vocals, this song is at the top of my running playlist. Worth checking out.

4. "Colour Fade" by Funeral Suits- This track is technically 2 years old, but I am so obsessed with it, I simply had to include it. This is one of my favorite finds on this list. I love the twinkling guitars, the layered vocals (especially with the falsetto around the 2:00 mark), and the line "I'm a machine/That sends the colour to your head." If you're into complex melodies and slight distortion, this may be the track for you. :)

3. "Carry Me Home" by The Dig- This track leads in with minimalistic piano, gradually adding in the percussion, the guitars, and finally the vocals. The vocalist sounds like a mix of Nate Reuss and the lead singer of the Neighbourhood, resulting in a finely-tuned croon with a rock edge. The lyrics from what I can tell, are not meant to be taken literally; people are not really going to carry him home. Instead, I think he is talking to his girlfriend/significant other who has died and he is trying to get killed one way or another so they can be together once more. Or, they could just be emotionally separated, but based on the line about a river carrying him home, I think he means he wants to die to be reunited with his special person.

2. "Head is Not My Home" by MS MR- Fresh off  of MS MR's debut album, this song is a true standout. The shocking changes in tempo and the move from piano to fortissimo adds to the emotional complexity of this track. The song is about how they feel that their head is not really their own, overrun with thoughts and other people. The chorus, boasting lusty lyrics such as  "my mouth/your lips/your hands/my hips," suggests that their frustrations can be solved by carnal measures. The bold statement is memorable and full of pitiable complexity. Fantastic.

1. "Global Concepts" by Robert Delong- I found this song a few months ago, wrote the name down, lost the paper, and then heard the song on AltNation the other day. Thank goodness. :) This song takes the number one spot, as Robert expertly combines alt-rock with electronica beats, resulting in this strangely addictive song. Instrumentally, Robert is a genius, from what I've read online. He uses computer programs, drum kits, and even video game controllers to make his sounds and he does it all by himself. He truly is a one man band and his music is fantastic, seriously. Instrumental elements aside, his lyrics are simply killer. This song is about how when he dies, he'll be able to assess his life and while he knows that he's made mistakes, he hopes that above all he made people dance with his music, which is the one thing that unites us all, his "global concept." Gorgeous.

Alright, that's it for this week. Be sure to check out those track and come back next week for another review.

Until then,
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

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

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

 

2012 Has Been Amazing!

Hey,

I cannot believe just how incredible this last year has been. One year ago today, I wrote my first blog post, a brief introduction to myself and posted a Saturday Night Live sketch that made me laugh. My intentions were to simply review music, hopefully find some fellow music lovers, and create an outlet for my music-related thoughts. And it has been all I wished for and more! I never expected to have over 1900 views in one year; 1,000 was my two year goal. The highest amount of views I've had on a blog post is 112! 112, guys! It may not seem like much, but to me, that's crazy. And I am so thankful for every single one of those views. Some of my favorite moments from this year came from reviewing amazing bands, such as Beecher's Fault and Get Cubs.

Thank you so much for reading my posts each week, tweeting about them, posting them on facebook, e-mailing me with new ideas, and making my blog a part of your lives. It means so much to me and I can't wait to see what this next year will bring!

So, at this one year point, I thought I would take a minute and introduce myself a little further.

I've signed all of my blogposts as Bella, though I went anonymous for a while, and my full name is indeed Isabella. :) I am, as you might have guessed, a Twilight fan--more Twilight soundtrack reviews coming in the following weeks--though I'm not nearly as whiny as my namesake, nor am I in a love triangle with a vampire and a werewolf. :) I'm 16 and I live in central Iowa, which is a pretty nice place and boasts some incredible concert venues that I like to take advantage of when a good band comes.


So, on Friday, expect a typical blog post from me. I just wanted to take some time and thank every single one of my readers. You guys are the best!

Please e-mail me, tweet at me, and/or comment with your favorite blog post from this year and any suggestions you have for the next year, whether it's a band you want me to review, suggestions for the website itself, or anything along those lines!

Until Friday,
Bella

Beecher's Fault Continues to Amaze Me

Hey,

A few months ago, I highlighted a band by the name of Beecher’s Fault. These amazing guys, from Astoria, New York, just released a new EP and it’s so amazing I just had to review it.



1. Misbehavior- A great song to start the album. I love how instruments all trickle in, climaxing with the addition of the lead singer’s distinctive vocals. The keyboard line really stands out, as well as the tambourine; tambourines are by far the most underappreciated instrument out there. J The percussion has an incredible effect, allowing the song to nicely flow.

2. In Waves- Love the drum-only introduction and how the instruments come in “in waves.” Very creative. The song has a very 1980’s flavor, which automatically gets my approval. Still, the track remains totally modern. The two styles could have clashed, but they don’t, which goes to show that Beecher’s Fault is here to stay.


3. Say Something- My personal favorite track. I love the opening line of “quit scaring my friends.” It instantly piques my interest. The instrumentation is simple—yet complex—permitting the vocals to be the main focus. The harmonies are stunning and the melody will be stuck in your head for the next week, at least. J


4. Wall Street- Maybe this one is my favorite track. I can’t decide; they’re all great. This song is, indeed, a “hell of a time.” I particularly like the minor tone, truthful lyrics, steady percussion in the background, and the guitar solo around 2:12.

5. Photos- A solid final track. The song boasts a bittersweet melody, a tambourine (you know my thoughts on tambourines) and once again, showcases their amazing drummer. I love the various instrumentation and the  lead singer’s falsetto.


Overall, Beecher’s Fault is a band where all the members are remarkable musicians, excellent songwriters, and beautiful performers. This EP sets that in stone. I wish these guys the best of luck. Tell all your friends about these guys, buy their album (I promise you’ll have these songs stuck in your head), and support them; they deserve it.

 
If you want to connect with the band, their music is available on iTunes, Spotify, and their website. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and their official website.

Here are the links:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/beechers_fault

Website: http://beechersfault.com/

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

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/beechersfault

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/beechersfault

 

Until next week,

Bella

Lana Del Rey Born to Die: Paradise Edition Review

Hey,

You may have seen this week that Lana Del Rey released a new edition of her first album Born to Die, called the Paradise Edition. It brings us 8 new, previously unreleased songs, showing a different side of Lana Del Rey.

Without further ado…

 

1. Ride- I love the harmonies at the beginning, Lana’s sultry, raspy vocals, beautiful, yet slightly creepy Freudian lyrics (her trademark, really), the melodramatic string section, and the way the melodies all flow into each other, creating a symphony of sorts. It makes me want to “just ride.” 5/5

2. American- Another solid track, American has a very retro sound to it, but at the same time her strong, versatile voice makes it entirely current and modern. I admire her for pushing herself to explore her high, child-like notes; it shows her determination to not just be another female singer who follows the trends. The “oh-oh”’s in the song have a slightly angelic quality, contrasting the very adult lyrics. 5/5

3. Cola- Oh, boy. This song boasts one of the most disgusting, but memorable opening lines: “My p**** takes like Pepsi Cola.” Well, that’s direct; I’ll give her that much. The lyrics are rather self-explanatory, though she makes some interesting references and similes. “Harvey’s in the sky with diamonds” references “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” by the Beatles, while “I gots a taste for older men” alludes to her other songs “Off to the Races,” “Lolita,” and just about every other unreleased song she has on YouTube. Lyrics aside, the instrumental side of things is incredible! Once I stopped focusing on her less than classy beginning, I fell in love with this song. Around the 2:44 mark, I heard some Michael Jackson influenced vocals and the guitars in the background are reminiscent of the mainstream music of the 1980’s. All in all, one of the best songs on this edition. 5/5

4. Body Electric- I hate to admit it, but the first time I heard this song, I hated it. Now, I’m absolutely obsessed with it. The lyrics—I hate to keep focusing on the same thing—are one of the best elements of this song. The allusions to Elvis, Marilyn Monroe,  Walt Whitman—and the title of this song references his poem “I Sing the Body Electric”—and Monaco, Spain, who serve as her friends, paint her as a rather crazy woman, which one could argue she always tries to come across as less than sane. With anyone else, I would call bull and put them down for pretending to be someone they’re not, but with Lana (or Lizzie, if you  like that better) she embodies this crazy lady thing and makes it sexy, but never lets it overpower the amount of effort she puts into her music. Anyways, the prominent strings and her pleading, powerful vocals really make this song. 5/5

5. Blue Velvet- A cover of The Clover’s wildly popular song from the 1950’s, Lana obviously put her own spin on it, utilizing her velvet-like vocals J, while personifying the musical style of the 1950’s. It feels less like a cover, and more like a tribute track. 5/5

6. Gods and Monsters- A slower track, but still good. I like it, just not quite as much as I like the other tracks. Referencing Jim Morrison after she just made a ton of allusions in Body Electric feels cheap. I do, however, like the keyboard line, the slow drums, her lower, raspier vocals, and self-conscious lyrics “if I get a little prettier/can I be your baby?”. 4/5

7. Best track on the album. A few months ago, I was looking up her unreleased music and stumbled across this gem. I love the drunkenly swaying beat, her lilting, angelic vocals, and the minimalistic instrumentation.  The lyrics are terribly melancholy, exploring a girl who is addicted to cocaine (Yayo is a slang term for coke), living in a trailer park. Lana does sad best. At first, I thought the line “Let me put on a show for you Daddy” referred to her Freudian relationship with her dad, but, after some research, I’ve figured out that line refers to her having to strip to support her coke habit, not that that’s any better, really. Regardless, this song is one of her most emotionally gripping tracks and has the most staying power out of any of the other (still great) songs on the album.

8. Bel Air- the angelic piano and strings at the beginning, playing the melody from Lolita masterfully tie the two albums together. From what I’ve deduced, the song is about Lana’s secretive relationship she had a long time ago with Axl Rose from Guns N Roses. I’m not entirely positive if that’s true, though that does explain the lines “Roses/Bel Air/Take me there” and “Sweet child of mine.” Lyrics aside, her lovely, soaring voice complements the strings in the background. However, the chorus is rather repetitive and ends up grating on my nerves. 4/5

 

So, that’s it for this week. Next week, I’m hoping to do another album review. Cross your fingers. J

Until then,

Bella

Those Who Put Effort Into Their Lyrics Are Rewarded

Hey,

So, I’m sorry I did not get this post up last night, but I’ve been sick all week with strep throat and honestly, I was absolutely miserable last night. I’m trying to be punctual and keep to my promise of a new post every Friday, but I needed one more night to rest. I’m doing better today, still sneezing like crazy, but at least I can think clearly. J

Health issues aside, this week, I’m writing about my favorite lyrics. As a music conisseur, I like to pay as much attention to the lyrics as I do the music. This sometimes ends in disappointment due to the kiddie-pool-depth of most songs, but occasionally, especially in these five instances, I am pleasantly surprised.

Without further ado, I present to you my five favorite songs that boast beautiful lyrics…

Plastic Jungle by Miike Snow- One of my favorite European-alternative bands! This song makes it on my list because I have no idea what the heck they’re talking about. It opens with “I was born into money/and sold down the river.” What? It goes on to say “I was choked by a jailor and f***ed a gorilla.” And I have to hope that’s a metaphor for something J I love the fact that their lyrics are so confusing. I know that’s kind of weird, but it makes you think. It’s different from other groups where their lyrics are simple and you know exactly what they’re trying to say. It is impossible to decode this song without doing some research. And from what I’ve gathered, everyone else is confused too, but a few people have hazarded a guess that the singer is telling his own personal story about how he hates his evil ways. That may be true, but I’m going to keep appreciating these crazy lyrics for what they are: creative.

Cousins by Vampire Weekend- Another song with equally confusing lyrics. Unlike Miike Snow’s song, I think there is an actual meaning to this one. J The song is essentially a slam against critics who are putting Vampire Weekend down because of their wealthy backgrounds. And VW, ironically, showed those critics that just because they’re rich, it doesn’t mean they can’t write amazing songs. Do you think those snot-nosed, hipster critics could write beautiful lyrics like these? Nope, didn’t think so. I chose this song because it’s the ultimate diss track, yet they do it with style and end up looking even better than they did before. Not to mention, it is literally lyrical poetry and that, most definitely, deserves a place on my blog. J

Dance Dance by Fall Out Boy- Oh, Fall Out Boy. While I cannot say that I am a big FOB fan, I do like several of their songs and truly love their lyrics. You may be sitting at home thinking, “Wow, Bella, ‘Dance Dance’ is one of FOB’s most mainstream songs. Why’d you pick that one?’” Well, thanks for asking. I chose it because, in my opinion, it’s one of their best songs, showcasing their lyrical originality and ingenuity, so that’s why I’ve included it on my list. Now, I can make sense of these lyrics, so that’s good. J It’s about a failed relationship, though, like the other two songs, it takes a little bit of digging to discover that. My favorite line is “Why don't you show me/ A little bit of spine/ You've been saving/ For his mattress, love?” It’s a completely squirmy, pervy line, yet, due to their syntax, it comes across as slightly beautiful. I don’t condone using that as a pickup line, but it goes to show why FOB was/is so popular.

Mercenray by Panic! At the Disco- Yes, my favorite scandalous band. This song came off the Batman: Arkham City video game, so, yeah, this song is about Batman. It would have been easy to just write a song like “He’s a superhero/you don’t know his history/his parents are dead/he be fighting the man with bad makeup/yo, he’s Batman.” Instead, Panic! At the Disco rely on bright diction (word choice) such as “collateral damage,” “mercenary,” and “dodge.” Laugh all you want, but I’m including “dodge” because how often do we really use that word in every day conversation? Never. So, diction aside, I love the phrasing as well. “I dodge the blast/and apologize for collateral damage” not only sums up Batman, but it could also fit into any other PATD song because it’s different and unique. My other favorite line is “I can only recall/and spend some time” because it straddles the line of sounding conversational and formal. A truly fantastic track.

Pins and Needles by MuteMath- One of the best alternative bands of our generation! And, understandably, their lyrics are incredible as well. The lyrics are much less confusing compared to “Plastic Jungle,” yet there is a great depth to them. This is hardly a fluffy pop song. At first, the instrumentation caught my attention, but there is more to this song than just Darren’s incredible drumming. The lyrics are quite breathtaking. The song is about facades and how the lead singer, Paul, is tired of people pretending to be someone they’re not and eventually comes to the realization that he is “broken.” I love the brutal honesty and laments contained within these lyrics. More than that, this song makes my list because of the vivid visual imagery. My favorite examples are “facades are a fire on the skin,” which one can easily picture, “I get tired of pin and needles,” a beautiful metaphor, and “paper thin conviction,” which is a very true observation. MuteMath always creates such stunning musical masterpieces and it is so refreshing to find a band, like all the others highlighted on my list, who puts as much emphasis on the lyrics as they do the actual music.

Alright, that’s about it for this week. Next week, I’m hoping to do another edition of “What’s on my Spotify” or something along those lines.

Until then,

Bella

Halloween Songs

Hey,

In honor of Halloween next week, I decided to do a Halloween playlist. Now, I realize all of these songs are Disney-related, save for the last track, but honestly, unless you wanted an Avenged Sevenfold playlist, there’s really not a fantastic selection of Halloween music. So, in an effort to be creative, this is what I’ve come up with. J Enjoy! J

This is Halloween by Panic! At the Disco- The only serious musician(s) on this playlist, TIH is a cover from the Tim Burton movie Nightmare From Halloween that I was honestly too scared to watch until high school. Pathetic, I know. J Anyways, Panic brings the creepiness and makes their cover quite a bit scarier than the original. Brendon’s vocals are strong, tapping into that frightening persona he knows and sometimes we love and the instrumentation in the background complements his voice nicely. A good track to get in the spirit of Halloween, or in my case, get pumped to hear little kids’ jokes and hand out candy. I’m kidding; I love it. Last year, everyone pretty much had the same joke though: “How do you wake up Lady Gaga?...Poke her face.” Creative.

Grim Grinning Ghosts by The Mellomen- This song was scary and still is. I know I sound like a wimp and I’m okay with that. To be honest, I have no problems with excessive violence and movies where a lot of bad stuff happens, but anything that even resembles a horror movie, I freak out. I can’t handle it. I love vampires, werewolves, and lots of sci-fi stuff, but anything with spirits and dead people, count me out. Back to the song…I am rambling really badly tonight. I really hope there aren’t any socializing ghosts anywhere near me…but, the Mellowmen and Betty Taylor’s sounds all meld together nicely, creating a perfect Halloween song that really does take me back to when I was a little kid and trick-or-treating was the highlight of my year. J It also reminds me of this old Disney Land VHS we had and they did this song and I used to torment by easily scared sister with it...those were the days. :)

I Put a Spell On You by Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus-

This movie has been a Halloween tradition in my house for years. We love the off-beat humor, creative story line, and above all else, the music. Bette Midler, for those of you who don’t know, is a pretty famous singer and the filmmakers decided to utilize her talent to create this memorable scene. She, along with Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, brought her characters to life and made one of the best kid-friendly Halloween movies. J

Heffalumps and Woozles from Pooh Bear- My childhood! Oh, how I miss it. Sorry, nostalgic episode. Granted, this is hardly Halloween, but I remember when I was eight years old and I hated whenever this song came on my super cool VHS tape of the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. As weird as it is, I actually kind of miss VHS tapes; we used to think we were so cool…lol Anyways, considering this is a kid’s horror movie of sorts, at least it felt like that to me at the time, the animators did an incredible job bringing this song to life. I’d be freaked out if I found Heffalumps and Woozles in my house.

Thriller by Michael Jackson- What kind of a Halloween playlist would it be if I didn't include Thriller? It has to be on here! Between the creepy lyrics, fitting music video, and the unforgettable dance, Thriller has become a bit of a Halloween staple. :)

Now, this is not a Halloween song, but I have a great deal of respect for people who put this much time and effort into their lights. We don’t put Halloween lights, though we do Christmas, but my family’s proud if we have a strand of lights and some bush lights; this puts us to shame. Amazing!  

Next week, I’ll get back to actual, new music, but I wanted to do something different.

Have a safe, happy Halloween!

Until next week,

Bella

What is Bella Listening To?

Hey,

It’s time for another installment of “What is Bella Listening To.” No, my playlist may not be super exciting, but I love sharing with ya’ll what’s been trending on my Spotify account. J

Here we gooooooo….

 Damn You by Lana Del Rey- One of Lana’s unreleased, early tracks, this song really stands out above the rest. I love her emotion, the poetic lyrics, and the simple instrumentation. Lana can take a potentially sleep-inducing song and turn it into something memorable. The lyrics detail a failed relationship, and even if you blocked out the words, only listening to her voice, you would easily be able to hear exactly what happened in the relationship. Honestly, the one characteristic is what is lacking in the music industry. Artists today, with several exceptions, do not show emotion in their songs; they’re just autotuned robots. Anyways, Lana’s song is worth checkingout.

Only You by Ellie Goulding- Ellie’s album just dropped this last week, and while it’s not quite as stunning as her debut album, it boasts a few good tracks, one of which is “Only You.” I like the well-developed electronic sound—she’s dating Skrillex and it’s painfully obvious he was a big influence on this album—and her high, light vocals, though it sounds like she’s stretching her voice a little too far, but somehow, she makes it work. This is not something I would typically listen to, but I do respect Ellie for her musical ingenuity and think she may be one of the best female pop artists we have.

Because I Know I Can by Andy Burrows- Andy Burrows may be a familiar name to some, as he was the drummer of Razorlight, switching to We Are Scientists for a while, eventually creating a side project I Am Arrows, and finally settling into this solo venture. I highlighted “Green Grass” by I Am Arrows a few months ago, and I really like Andy’s work. This song is essential alternative rock. It features a prominent, strong drum section, beautiful melodies, varying instrumentation, and Andy’s Simon and Garfunkel-esque vocals. Really good work, Andy.

Starz In Their Eyes by Just Jack- I discovered this guy thanks to Pandora, my faithful musical ally. I like the memorable instrumental beginning, Jack’s mixed singing-rapping vocals, and the tempo changes. He never quite settles on just one style, which is a nice surprise. It’s cool when bands—or artists—play around with a song format. This song is six years old, but honestly, if a popular “band” (I put that in quotation marks to let you know that’s used sarcastically) put this song out, I could see it charting. Oh, well, it’s a well-kept indie secret. J

Cinema (Disparate Youth) by Mike Tompkins - This cover makes it on my list because I have a deep, heartfelt admiration for a capella artists. And, Mike Tompkins embodies everything I love about YouTube. He takes a simple cover, puts his own spin on it, and gets millions of hits. I admire his creativity, truly. Anyone who does a capella, though, automatically gets my respect—assuming their cover doesn’t suck big time…lol. Mike’s cover fuses Benny Benassi’s song “Cinema” with “Disparate Youth” by Santigold. The mash up sounds, at first blush, like it would clash and sound awkward, but oh…it’s stunning. Mike’s incredible talent with the software paired with his soaring vocals and the fact that, using the software, he can recreate the Skrillex sound that we all know and love (or hate, depending on your musical preferences). It’s a beautiful piece of art, really. Check it out here...

Until next week,

Bella

No One Direction Infection Here

Hey,

Sorry about the lack of a new blog post on Friday. I had the SAT the next day, so I had to go to bed super early and get ready and I didn’t have time to do a post. But, two days later, here it is!

Originally, I was going to just talk about the songs I’ve been listening to, but that’s really boring after a while. Instead, I’ve decided to explain exactly what I detest about One Direction. If you saw my Twitter this week, you may have seen where I tweeted about my sister's newfound One Direction obsession.  Yeah, my sister, despite all my glorious attempts to sway her, has conformed. She held out for a long time, but she finally caught The One Direction Infection. (Am I the only one who thinks that sounds like a really disgusting way to say you’re a fan? Maybe you should go see a doctor for that infection)

Multiple times, I’ve asked her to explain why she likes them, but all she keeps saying the same thing, “They’re really cute, attractive, funny, and great singers! And their songs are really catchy. And they’re really hot!” As a good sister, it’s hard for me to keep criticizing her music choices, but I really do hate One Direction.

Even the boy bands in the nineties, as highly regarded as they may be, really weren’t/aren't that great.. But, some people are like, “Oh, they were so much cooler back then.” That’s not necessarily true. Besides the horrible music, remember those badly choreographed, awkward dance moves? If y’all want to dance so badly, became a boy dance team. They boys, who were really closer to men, did at least have very mature voices.  I’ll give One Direction—and The Wanted—credit, at least they don’t dance. They do walk around quite a lot and touch girls’ hands because those boys aren’t dumb; they know they have to target the easily excited pubescent girls. Touching someone’s hand, I guess, does it for them. Now, I’ll admit, when I went to the Mutemath concert and Paul—the lead singer—came out in the crowd, yeah, I got excited. I took pictures and told anyone who listened—so that’s my sister, my parents, and my blog readers—that I was this close to Paul. However, I was there for the music, not because Paul has a pretty face or anything like that.

Specifically, I hate One Direction because they target these tween-age girls. The only reasons One Direction’s music sells is because the girls who are listening to this music because A) the boys are sooooooo cute, B) they think these guys have talent, and C) they’re easily wooed.

Sure, the boys, Zayn, Louis, Harry, Niall, and Liam—I only know their names because of my sister—are relatively attractive, but so what? Does one’s facial structure determine their singing ability? I think not. If we, as a complete society, based our musical tastes off that one criteria, would Ozzy Osbourne be considered a legend, what about Meatloaf, most of the bad-hair bands on the 1980’s, and Muse, Silversun Pickups, The Killers, and Fall Out Boy, would they be popular? Now, I’m not calling these bands/artists “ugly” or putting them down. Most of them, however, do not fall until the typical, cookie-cutter criteria of cute that One Direction does. Yeah, I’ll admit a cute lead singer doesn’t hurt anything. As interesting as the concert was, it was cool to see the very sexy Brendon Urie (Panic! At the Disco’s lead singer). However, I do not solely listen to PATD because of Brendon, but it certainly didn’t hurt at the concert. JMost true music lovers do not listen only to bands that boast “cute” or attractive members. But, that’s One Direction’s niche. They’re five decent looking young men who look good in tight trousers, suits, and colorful skinny jeans. Someone could honestly toss those five boys up on stage, turn off their microphones, play the sound of a garbage disposal every time they open their mouths, and girls would still walk away going, “OMG! Harry’s so cute!” Really, the sound of a garbage disposal is a step-up from what they sound like now. Yikes. Also, the guys take a lot of random videos of them making faces, dancing, and saying silly things. Those videos then get uploaded and crazy fans who don’t have enough to do make huge 8 minute videos of this guys, like this one. Yes, I am now in love with these boys because they’re funny. Right…And their funny moments really don’t compare to these guys’.

Next, these poor girls are sadly mistaken when they claim that One D—I’m abbreviating—has talent. For real? Have you ladies heard their auditions? I sound better than they do and I sound like Ke$ha mixed with a dying rabbit, not that I know very many dying rabbits, but the point still stands. Harry, who every time I say his name, I want to add “You’re a wizard, Harry,” sang “Isn’t she lovely” by Stevie Wonder. No, it’s not the worst I’ve ever heard, but it was very pitchy and kind of weak; I agreed with Louis, instead of Simon and that’s very rare. Niall was very likeable, trying to sing "So Sick" by Ne-Yo, but like Harry, he needed more practice and quite a few voice lessons, to be honest. Zayn was terrible, oooh, just terrible. He tried too hard, drawing out notes that should not have been drawn out and it was painful to listen to. Louis butchered “Hey there Delilah.” Dude, that was my favorite ballad before you stomped all over it. It was just all over the place and…yucky. Liam, on the other hand, I actually liked. Before you turn away and declare me a Directioner, listen to his audition. The guy has a very Michael Buble like quality. I say, Liam, leave those other losers and go be a little jazz singer. I’d buy your stuff. Not because of who you are, but because of the talent hiding in those skinny jeans. In the end, that’s pretty sad, isn’t it? Four guys and only one sounds better than a dying rabbit. Wow.

Finally, their main audience, little girls, are easily influenced. They are only buying One D’s stuff because they have yet to actually formulate their own musical opinions and are just beginning to understand what they like. At 12, the target age of 1D, I was into Ke$ha (synonymous now with a dying rabbit), Akon, Beyonce, Katy Perry, and a million other talentless people that considered themselves “artists.” How is it art if my ears bleed when your songs come on? Just curious. That raises another question of mine, why does One Direction call themselves a band? Do you see them playing any instruments, save for a random guitar here and there? Nope, but they have a backing band that doesn’t get any credit; they’re the ones that are actually doing the heavy-lifting, whereas the boys simply have to prance around and sing. So, I don’t consider them, The Wanted, or any other boy-band, rubbish project of a record company a band. They’re singers, I think, not a band, and most definitely not artists. They are, most definitely, a sorry excuse for music that the tweens eat up. Back to my original point, girls—and kids in general—at that age are trying to discover what kinds of music they like. They’re more likely to fall for guys that smile and sing songs about how beautiful they are, as opposed to bands that did not choose its members based on how chiseled their jaw lines are and sing about heavier, soul-searching lyrics. As well, once a girl’s friends begin to enjoy One Direction’s music, they begin to follow suit, spreading a “One Direction Infection” throughout the school. That’s exactly why these boys have such a rabid, ever-increasing fan base.  Thank God I’m immune this infection, like I was to Bieber Fever. Keep your ailments, girls. I’ll take my Panic! Attacks, thank you very much. J

Another thing that bothers me about these guys is their lyrics. No, I’m not going to rip them apart for writing songs about puppy love; artists—real artists, mind you—have been doing that for years. (I’m reminded of that awful “Puppy Love” by Donny Osmond…scary) What irks me is the lack of depth, the fact that they never address the girl they’re in love with, and the music behind their lyrics.

Take their song “One Thing.” It opens with “I’ve tried playing it cool/ girl when I’m looking at you/ I can’t ever be brave/ because you make my heart race.” Okay, nothing awful there, aside from the fact that his masculinity is still in development, as evidenced by the fact that he can’t look at a girl’s eyes, nose, and mouth without his heart racing.

They go on, blabbering about how much they love this girl and how special she is. Then, Zayn (Or as I called him for months until I learned his name, Zoombafoo) says she has that “one thing.” What is that “one thing” you ask? Well, that’s a good question, because the boys, actually, the people who wrote the song in the first place, have no idea. I like how specific they are about why she’s so special…NOT. I have no idea why they’ve all fallen for her. “I Want” is about a super materialistic girl who wants them to love her. Okay, that songwriting rivals the Jonas Brothers for suckiest shizz posing as beautiful lyrics. As well, boys, putting an electric guitar line that none of you even play does not make the song rock and roll. It definitely comes across as a little pretentious, perhaps, but it’s your manager and everyone else that’s hiding behind the curtain (“pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”) who makes that stuff happen.

Next, they never name the girl they’ve fallen for (am I the only one who is creeped out by the fact that all five guys sing to one girl?), always calling her “you.” Why, you ask, do they do that? Because, when they sing it in concert, they point at different girls and the girls go “OMG! He told me I have that ‘One Thing!’” No, you don’t, but it sells more tee-shirts, tickets, CDs, and merch. More sales = more $$$$$ for them.

Finally, the music that the lyrics try to compensate for are just awful. They don’t want you to notice that the instrumental side of the group is pitiful; they want you to fall for One D’s faces and the fact that the boys are in love with “you.” So, they spend as little time as possible on the actual music and the end result: the music sounds like crap. It all sounds the same, a guitar, a piano, light drums, and a repetitive melody that never really goes anywhere. It’s just your typical boy band music. And that’s why I continue to listen to Mutemath, Muse, Panic! At the Disco, The Black Keys, Just Jack, Two Door Cinema Club, Arctic Monkeys, Patrick Stump, Electric Guest, The Kooks, Keane, Incubus, and Young the Giant. At least those bands have the decency to put effort into their music.

Before I call this rant quits, remember that I’m not personally attacking One Direction and I’m not a hater. (Though, remember that haters are your motivators) I don’t like their music, why they’re popular, and what they represent in the music industry (puppets controlled by a record company and managers). However, I’m sure they’re very nice guys and I didn’t set out to put them down and make a mockery of them. I just think that considering the amount of success that they’ve had, they should at least have a little talent. So, just a critic, not a hater. Got it? Good. J

If you want to laugh even more at One Direction's strange following and their lack of musical talent, check out Barely Political's parodies here and here. And while you're there, check out their 24 parodies here and here. I couldn't resist a chance to slip in a 24 reference. :)

Anyways, until next week,

Bella