Lyrics Part Deux

Hey,
Welcome back to second installment of the new series I'm starting on lyrics! Last week, I compared Mutemath and Katy Perry and the depth of their lyrics and this week, I am going to explore the songwriting phenomenon of good songwriting versus good line writing.

Now, what exactly do I mean by that?

In essence, some songs are well written while others have one stand-out line with a bunch of meaningless lines. I do not, by any means, expect all artists to make every single line of every single song the most amazing things ever. I'm being realistic.

Do you remember a couple of years ago when "Airplanes" by B.O.B ft. Hayley Williams came out? Every single thirteen year old drama queen and her best friend would change their facebook status to "Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky/are like shooting stars/I could really use a wish right now." Yes, I admit that is a pretty creative line; I'm impressed. However, the rest of the song is just about B.O.B whining about trying to be discovered and gain notoriety and blah-blah-blah. It's crap. Especially compared to that one line.

That is a prime example of good line writing.

Next, let's look at an example of good songwriting, "But It's Better If You Do" By Panic! At The Disco. This band is known partially for the fact that all of their songs are freaking amazing and partially because their lyrics kick some major butt. Ryan Ross, who wrote this song and eventually left the band, is a relative lyric genius, maybe one of the great songwriters of the 2000's. Still, Brendon Urie filled his role after he left and is doing a brilliant job. I digress.

"Now I'm of consenting age to be forgetting you in a cabaret
Somewhere downtown where a burlesque queen may even ask my name
As she sheds her skin on stage
I'm seated and sweating to a dance song on the club's P.A.
The strip joint veteran sits two away
Smirking between dignified sips of his dignified peach and lime daiquiri

And isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety
Oh, and isn't this exactly where you'd like me
I'm exactly where you'd like me, you know
Praying for love in a lap dance and paying in naivety

Oh, but I'm afraid that I
Well, I may of faked it
And I wouldn't be caught dead in this place."

Well, it may not take a genius to figure out that this song is about a guy trying to forget about a girl and looks for pleasure in a strip club. It's one of Panic's more risque songs and I was hesitant to use it on here, but it's one of my favorite songs in a lyrical sense. In this song, all of the lines pack a punch of some kind. It's narrative, telling a story of a guy's experience, not just physically and emotionally and mentally. All of lines contribute to the overall tone--regret, remorse, and contemplation. Where B.O.B's track switches between Hayley's wishful tone and his bragging, swaggering, tone, it just does not flow. It's one great line smushed in between the other bad lines. With Panic's, it's a bunch of fantastic lines all put together, so that the song flows, without any unnecessary dissonance. Dissonance is a strong literary device, but B.O.B's song just contradicts.

Another example of fine line-writing is the chorus of Britney Spears' "Gasoline."
"Spark and it's like gasoline
I start burning like a machine
My heart only runs on supreme
So hot, give me your gasoline"

 Terribly sexual in nature, it's honestly just another example of someone being crafty with euphemisms. Anyways, I still see it as "good" because it's rather creative. Not to say if Panic! came out with this song I'd call it good; I'd be pretty disappointed because I know they're better that that. But, this is Britney, the woman who sings about how toxic some dude is and how she's in love with criminals (my butt, you are). So, considering this is Britney (and I don't actually think she wrote this :D), it's passable.
So, this guy is making her cray-cray and she wants his "gasoline." Hmm, whatever could that be? :)

Well, that wraps it up for this week. Next week, I will talk about the use of repetition in lyrics and try to pick some less disturbing songs.

Until then,
Bella

Lyrics Part One

Hey,

Sorry for the lack of a post last night, but I had to take the SAT at a school this morning that's about fifty minutes away from here, so I had to go to bed super early to get there on time.

Anyways, this week, I've decided to start a little series on lyrics. Love 'em, hate 'em, disregard 'em or appreciate 'em, they're a major component of music. Sometimes the lyrics are funny, sometimes they evoke an emotional response, sometimes they are sheer fluff and other times, the lyrics are the key component of a song.

This week I want to focus on the actual writers of these songs.

Songs are written by teams of people, as opposed to artists thinking and creating for themselves. Granted, some people are not able to create beautiful lyrics and melodies; some have talents in one area and not both. Fine, I understand that. But, explain why it took 6 writers and 4 producers to come up with this crap. I'm perfectly fine with bands/artists reaching out for a little help, but why does it all sound repetitious and pathetic?

Take, Katy Perry, for example. Her album "Teenage Dream" had nine producers and the title track had five writers. Contrasting directly with one of my favorite bands, MuteMath, and their newest album "Odd Soul" which had three producers (the band members) and their title track had three writers (the three members of the band). Both artists' title tracks are similar, in that they are narrative in style (story-telling) but that is the only similarity they share.

 Let's directly compare lyrics.

Teenage Dream
"You think I'm pretty without any make-up on
You think I'm funny when I tell the punch line wrong
I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down
Before you met me, I was a wreck
But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life
Now every February you'll be my valentine, valentine
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, we'll be young forever
You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's runaway and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back, don't ever look back
We drove to Cali and got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and built a fort  out of sheets
I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece
I'm complete..."

Odd Soul
"I was once a son
Now I'm on my own
Wade through every rut
And I've got myself to show

And the trials and tribulations
Seem to always track me down
I'll ride off into the sunset
And try me another town

I'm an odd soul, oh yes, an odd soul
Walking side roads
'Cause that's the only way I know
I'm an odd soul, oh yes, an odd soul

Watch for who you know
Careful what you try
Everywhere I go
I still got myself to fight

And one day my child
Ever wonders what is wrong
I won't bat an eye when
I tell her, "Daddy don't belong"

I'm an odd soul, oh yes, an odd soul
Walking side roads
'Cause that's the only way I know
I'm an odd soul, oh yes, an odd soul

One of God's own
Just trying to find a place called home."

See the differences? I know I do. Katy and her gazillion other writers detail a stereotypical fling that escalates to much more, they'll be together forever, he makes her feel younger (she's only in her twenties, what the heck is wrong with her?) and he completes her. No set rhyme scheme, no real diction I mean, yes, they chose words, but obviously not strategically, and there is too much filler repetition. (I didn't copy all the lyrics because it essentially repeats all over again). In Mutemath's song, they present a personal anecdote of trying to find themselves and their purposes on Earth. Certainly, it's quite a bit deeper than "going all the way tonight" like Katy. They actually utilize some rhymes (down/town, etc) and I absolutely adore the phrase "wade through every rut," as it shows they know how to use dark diction and careful syntax to get their ideas across.

In conclusion, though both songs are narrative, in essence, one clearly outshines the other. MM tells a deep story of looking for meaning, both relating to God and life in general, while Katy discusses a fling with a guy who makes her feel like an irresponsible teenager. Overall, it is easy to see the discrepancies between the two.

Next week, for the second part of this series, I will break down the notion of good songwriting versus good "line-writing."

Until then,
Bella

Twilight Soundtrack Review

Hey,

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I am a devout Twi-Hard. I have been ever since the first movie came out when I was in 7^th grade and my parents finally relented and let me see it. The last movie just came out and it got me thinking. Even though Twilight can be a rather dividing issue (whether it’s Team Jacob vs. Team Edward or Twi-Hards versus Harry Potter/ Hunger Games fans or people who just flat out hate Twilight). I’m not here to argue my point, but the one thing fans and non-fans have been able to agree on is that the soundtracks have been amazing. So, in celebration, or mourning, depending on your opinion, of Breaking Dawn Part Two, I am going to, for the next several weeks, review all of the movie soundtracks.

                Tonight, I will start with the first soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: Twilight.

                1. Supermassive Black Hole by Muse- Oh, Muse. One of my favorite bands of all time! I love the heavy rock guitars at the beginning which give way to Matthew’s ridiculously perfect falsetto and creepy lyrics. It fits so perfectly with the movie, as well as the baseball scene it’s featured in. Amazing.

2. Decode by Paramore- I usually do not like most female vocalists, but Hayley Williams is one of the exceptions. Her voice has so much power and emotion that it’s honestly hard not to like it. My favorite thing about the song is the way it builds. It does not just stay at one tempo or one level; it constantly crescendos until it reaches its very beautiful climax at the chorus. All of the instrumentation melds together nicely and the chorus describes Edward and Bella’s relationship, though someone is probably going to kill me for pointing that out. J

3. Full Moon by The Black Ghosts- that acoustic guitar truly is captivating; I’m a big fan of that. The drum line is simple, yet complex and the soft violins in the background speak volumes, while allowing the haunting vocals to remain front and center.

4. Leave Out All the Rest by Linkin Park- Chester Bennington may be one of the best lead singers ever. I am not a big Linkin Park fan, but I think Chester’s voice carries so much emotion, switching effortlessly from subdued to angry and so forth. The song itself is mediocre at best, but I like Chester. J

5. Spotlight by Mutemath- Ah, Mutemath. If it weren’t for Twilight, I never would have found this amazing band. Wow. Kind of deep if you don’t think about it. Anyways, I’ve reviewed this song before, but I love Darren’s drumming and Paul’s gorgeous, soaring vocals that many try but fail to replicate. Best song on the album.

6. Go All the way Into the Twilight by Perry Farrell- One of the most random songs on the album. I hate it and love it at the same time. I have no idea what he is talking about—though I think it has something to do with sex—and the female vocals in the background feel unnecessary and childish, yet it’s one of my favorite songs on the CD. It was played during the prom scene, so I guess I will always associate it with that. Maybe that’s why I like it. Regardless, it’s a good song. J

7. Tremble For My Beloved by Collective Soul- Only the instrumental portion was played in the movie, but the rest of the song is pretty good too. I like the steady drumming, very vintage guitar section and the fact that it’s Collective Soul. J

8. I Caught Myself by Paramore- Song numero dos from Paramore, and arguably 10 times better than Decode. Don’t get me wrong; Decode was amazing, but the introduction to this song and the infectious chorus really sold me. Very pretty, which is something I rarely say about Paramore. J

9. Eyes on Fire by Blue foundation- Creepy, creepy, creepy. I think the song is about torturing something but I can’t be sure. The song fits in with the movie, to an extent, but it’s good on its own. Kind of a weird one, but sometimes weird is good. J

10. Never Think by Robert Pattinson- Yes, the dude who played Edward is singing this song. Crazy, right? If I didn’t know it was him, I never would have guessed. Well, it’s certainly different. I’ll give him that much. My guess is he recorded this song while under the influence of something; he has a good voice, but he spends most of the song muttering the lyrics. The guitar part is pretty and when he actually sings, it’s a nice track. Not Mutemath, but not bad.

11. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron and Wine- Yes, the Twilight saga introduced me to the musical mastermind known as Iron and Wine. I do have to credit them for this one too. J I love the tambourine—they’re magical instruments—the accordion, and Sam’s gentle vocals. It could almost be a lullaby, if it weren’t for the second verse when the guitar and other instruments kick in. Almost as amazing as Mute Math’s track, but still a gem.

12. Let Me Sign by Robert Pattinson- Yes, it’s him again. I like this song, but I have to be honest. The first time I head it, I thought it was some sort of tribal birthing song. Then, I realized he was speaking in English and it was Robert. Oops. I love how organic it is but wish he would sing instead of this moaning and groaning thing. Seriously.

13. Bella’s Lullaby by Carter Burwell- One of my favorite tracks (it’s my namesake; how can I not like it?) and easily one of the most memorable. Carter has a true knack for taking a simple theme and creating something unexpected. Stunning.

Well, that’s it for this week. Next week, it’s New Moon time.

Until then,

Bella (Cullen…) J

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

MuteMath Never Lets Me Down

Hey,
Before I dive into my review on the MuteMath concert I attended on Tuesday, I just wanted to mention how incredible it is that, at 6:30 Central Time, I am 2 views away from having 800 views on this blog. While that doesn't seem like much, it means the world to me. I created this blog with the intention of writing music reviews, rants, and raves, hoping someone else might stumble upon it. I most certainly did not expect 800 views within the first year. In the past, I had another blog, but I shut it down after two years, and it definitely never reached 800 views. Thank you so much for reading this blog. It means everything to me. Really.

Alright, now that you understand exactly how much I appreciate y'all, we'll get right to it. On Tuesday night, I went to the MuteMath concert at Wooly's in Downtown Des Moines. It's the same venue where I saw Graffiti6/Eric Hutchinson last spring; it also happens to be my favorite venue. (People's Court isn't bad...just not a favorite, Val Air Ballroom has limited visibility, and Vaudeville Mews is cramped and it is ridiculously difficult to see anything unless you're at least 6 foot {However, at VM last year, when I saw MuteMath, I got to stand next to the sound board dude--who happens to be Nathaniel Motte's twin--which was really cool...the fact that I got to see exactly what he did, not who he looked like...though it did throw me off at first.}so I prefer Wooly's) The venue was packed, but not as bad as the last time I saw them when I was elbow to elbow with a complete stranger; that's always awkward.
Civil Twilight was the opening act. I had listened to their stuff before, but wasn't "wowed." The concert was no exception. They are what I like to call a hit-and-miss band. Some of their songs are great, some of their songs are just awful. If they would keep their songs in the "hit" territory, I could see myself listening to these guys. The hits of the night were: Fire Escape, Letters From the Sky, and Holy Weather.  The misses of the night were everything else they played. It's kind of disheartening to see a band that so much potential becoming so repetitious, boring, and honestly, painful to listen to.
After a half hour break--in which I played a successful game of Solitare on my iPod...I've finally learned how to kill time at concerts--MuteMath started. In order to get to the stage, the band walked through the middle of the crowd and all of the members were just a couple of feet away from me. It was so cool to see them up-close like that. I was so deep in shock that I completely forgot to pull out my iPod and take pictures, but I had another opportunity later in the concert. (I'll talk about that later). They opened up with "Odd Soul" and transitioned beautifully into my personal favorite from their newest album "Prytania." They went down the list, playing all of their best songs, including two of their instrumental songs, which I thought was kind a cool touch. "Sun Ray" is one of the only instrumental songs I actually enjoy as much as a "regular" song, with vocals. I love how they played songs from their newest album, but also played songs from "Armistice" and their first album. It's amazing to hear how very different each album is, but when played back-to-back they all flow very nicely. They ended the concert with their best-known song "Typical," which was a very good choice, as it's high energy right to the end, just like their show. I had a fairly good view of the band, considering it was standing room only and I'm only 5'3. As always, I got stuck behind some guy with at least 6 inches on me, but thankfully, he was swaying quite a bit, so I had a fairly decent view. I got to see Darren go nuts on his drums, Roy look ridiculously awesome on bass, Paul pouring his heart into each song, and Todd doing a fantastic job on guitar, making me wonder "Greg, who?" The guys always put on a good show, with their musicianship and energy.
The best thing about the concert was Paul Meany--the lead singer--and his interactions with the crowd. Perhaps it was the cramped venue from last time, or the fact that the other concert was just an introductory tour--they hadn't released Odd Soul yet--but Paul did not really interact with the crowd very much, which was okay, considering the other venue was split on two levels and I was on the top, so it wouldn't have mattered. :) But, this time, Paul really got out there. During the "Armistice Outro" and "Equals," he was pushed out on a cart of some sort and sang. he was right in front of me!!! It was incredible. I realize I sound like a Belieber, but, I mean, come on! It was so cool. I got a ton of amazing pictures of him, and I will cherish them forever. Truly. :) Then, during Quarantine, he crowd-surfed on a mattress (here's a video, even though it's not the exact concert I was at) and he came close to me, but not close enough. It was okay with me, though, because I already had my pictures. And that's the best memento ever. Absolutely amazing show!

Next week, I will be talking about a new band I found.
Much love,
Bella

Beacon Is a Solid Follow-Up Album

Hey,

This week Two door Cinema Club dropped their new album “Beacon.” Much like last week’s post, I am picking my top three songs. I realize I did five last week, but I’m doing three this week only because these three really stand out. Speaking of last week’s post, I was really excited to see that Imagine Dragons’ album is in the Top Ten on iTunes. I am so excited for that band. They are very talented and it’s great to see them get the recognition they deserve.

                Anyways, here are the top three songs from Beacon:

 

3. Sleep Alone. I realize I highlighted this song a couple of weeks ago, but it truly is one of the standout songs on the album. The distinct vocals, complex, poetic lyrics, and that guitar line I can’t erase from my mind all contribute to the track’s reappearance on my blog. J “He needs no army/ where he’s going/ cuz he knows” is such a great line. Their songwriting skills have truly improved—not that their debut album’s lyrics were poor—and it is always exciting to see an artist/artists mature.

2.  Sun- When a band opens a track with “Ocean blue/what have I done to you/cut so deep/yet growing through and through,” I think it’s fairly easy to see why it earns a special place on my playlist. J My other favorite line is 'Over and over many setting suns/ I have run, I have waited for the rain to come/ When through that mist I see the shape of you/ And I know, and I know that I'm in love with you.” Factor in that steady, bumping drum line and that bluesy riff, and I’m in love. Solid effort.

1. Pyramid- It was a difficult decision to decide who should get the top spot, between “Sun” and “Pyramid,” but the slightly darker lyrics, that guitar riff in the background, the percussion that refuses to settle into mediocrity, and the somber verses switching into the manic chorus. This song brings back beautiful memories of MuteMath. That is as high of a compliment as I can offer, truly.

So,  I am seeing MuteMath on Tuesday, September 18^th, so that means I will be giving a nice little summary of the concert, like I’ve done in the past. The week after that, I will do a post (like I have done for the last two weeks) about my favorite tracks from Minus the Bear’s new album.

                Thank you for reading!

                ~Bellla

Bubblegum Pop

Hey,
It's been 3 weeks since I gave a Top 5 PLaylist, so here's another installment. No theme here, just random, like always. :)

In no particular order--because I'm too much of a softy to rate these songs--my weekly playlist...

5. Heart Skips A Beat by Olly Murs
I realize this guy is hardly indie/unknown, given the fact that he tried on the X-Factor in England and toured with One Direction, but, this guy has pipes. The original version is mediocre, but check out this acoustic performance. He has a great voice and I would love to see Olly push his vocals and explore other types of music besides bubblegum pop.

4. Bronte by Gotye
I love the soft, Bon Iver-esque instrumentation. Wally's (AKA Gotye's) vocals just lightly waft over the instruments, complenting never dominating, serving as another mechanism in this beautiful machine. The poetic lyrics remind me ever so slightly of a lullaby, coupled with the graceful, lilting tempo. I respect you, Wally. I do. I really wish this song would make it on the Top 40, but that's just a silly thought. The majority of people who listen to the radio want one catchy line they can post on Facebook with an immature emoticon and some club jam. Not beautiful simplicity.

3. Treading Water by Alex Clare
Alex Clare has gained significant notority for his song "Too Close," but I am willing to argue that "Treading Water" is a much better track off his album Lateness of the Hour. "Too Close" is good; I'm not saying that it's bad, but I like TW better. I'll explain. :) Reasons: the romantic, bittersweet lyrics detailing a failing relationship, the gentle beginning leading up to a gorgeous Dubstep-style climax, the way Alex blends several musical styles (which one could point out he did the same thin on TC), the way he transitions from a roaring chorus to a soulful second verse, and how the song just goes full force right to the very last second.

2. Get Higher by Paper Tongues
I found these guys a few years ago and remembered them the other day when I was listening to another band (Imagine Dragons) whose voice reminds me of the Paper Tongue's lead singer. I love the rock influences, the lead singer's unrelenting powerhouse vocals, the religious-without-being-righteous lyrics, and the guitar lines. I'm so glad I rediscovered this song as it brings back some great memories from JUnior High.

1. Sleep Alone by Two Door Cinema Club
These guys are one of the best alternative bands right now, up with MuteMath, Panic! At the Disco, and Young the Giant. I honestly cannot find anything to complain about with this song; all I hear is a fantastic, complex song that represents exactly what I love about alternative music.
A. The guitar lines that carry the song
B. Tempo changes
C. Volume changes
D. Confusing, poetic lyrics
E. A dinstinctive vocalist
F. A talented drummer
G. An infectious chorus
H. An original sound
I. Utilizes various instruments besides guitar, base and drums
J. Makes me smile

Alright, that about wraps it up for this week. :)
In a couple of weeks, I'll be seeing MuteMath in concert (2nd time!!!!!) so as soon as that happens, you'll get a new review of this tour. :D

Until next week,
Bella

My Top 5 Favorite Music Videos

Hey,
Sorry for not posting last night, but I'm doing it now...so it's okay. :)

Tonight I am doing my top 5 favorite music videos...

5. This City by Patrick Stump

4. I Write Sins Not Tragedies Panc! At the Disco

3. Heart's a mess by Gotye

2. One Thing Leads to Another by The Fixx

1.Spotlight  by MuteMath


5. Patrick Stump rocks. I've mentioned that before, and I think this video solidifies that. I like the black and white footage, the very 1980's effects, and Patrick's sick dance moves. No, he's not exactly the next Usher, but at least he can sing without mandatory autotune.

4. Yeah, I know these guys are, uh, questionable, (see my review of their concert, if you're lost) but this is their "big" breakout track and easily one of their best videos; sorry, hipsters, its true. So, what I like: the theatrical feeling, Brendon's top hat (I mean, seriously, who even wears those any more?), they're actually acting out the lyrics (I feel like that never happens anymore unless you're "getting down with some shawties"), and no dance breaks! Ha, that's incredible. Almost every music video (save for these, I suppose) features some type of choreographed dance break. I'm here for a story and the music, not some choreographer's idea of what's happening. Duh. Oh, well, amazing video/song. (And, yes, I know PATD has other songs; I own almost all of them. I just think this is their best video. But, The Ballad of Mona Lisa is good too as well as Ready To Go, but this is my fav and my blog, so shhh. :D)

3. Ah, Gotye. My favorite Australian. And musician, too. Here's what I dislike: nothing. Here's what I like: it has a futuristic theme, its very somber, I have no idea what is going on (when its a deep confusion, not just "Why are you going to three parties with your girlfriend's sister" type, I like it.), the way the "robots" dance-walk during certain segments of the song, and it reminds me a little of something Johnny Depp and Tim Burton would collab on. It feels like a movie, which is cool.

2. yes, I realize this video is from the 1980's. It's on my list because, well, it's just good music. Sometimes, especially when this song come on, I wish I had been alive during the 1980's; my parents were so lucky. :) This is, in my mind, the perfect video. A perfect video should follow these rules:  Okay, 1) walk around in a tunnel (because everybody in the 1980's just walked around in tunnels. Duh) 2) Wear a suit with the top/shirt unbuttoned enough that when you swing your arms like you are skiing, your chest cleavage either is super visible or you are completely covered by the suit (watch the video if you don't understand) 3) Rock a bad mullet 4) Make weird hand motions as if you are making up a new sign language that looks like a Do Not Cross sign in many different forms 5) Get some creepy dogs 6) Climb a ladder in a shiny outfit; all the cool kids are doing it 7) Have a crime scene lab that can be built in under 5 minutes. Just grab a lady's purse, some constumes from a thrift store, and have at it! 8) Make sure someone in your band looks like a celebrity (The Fixx found Matt Damon's blonde twin) 9) Crawl on the ground. It makes sense if you don't think about it. 10) Chase your bandmates around. One of my favorites from the 80's, which makes me think I should do a favorite videos of the 80's post. That would be cool. :)

1. This video is my favorite because it looks so spastic, so random, so "we're running out of time and we have to whip something together in the next half hour or we're going to look like idiots" that it achieves a high level of awesomeness. I think its great. Between the fact that they look totally cramped and that was the best Paul's hair has ever looked (sorry, I notice the little details), it's amazing. They all get so into the music, considering the fact that they are smushed into the back of a moving van. Amazing? Yes.

In music news, just wanted to let you know, on YouTube, they are broadcasting Bonaroo live. Tomorrow, Young the Gianta and many other alt/music greats are playing. Look it up!

Until next week,
Bella

Odd Soul Review

Here is finally is! haha I know the album came out a loooong time ago (like 4 months...) but here is my track by track review of MuteMath's new album "Odd Soul."

1. Odd Soul- very bluesy, wailing-like vocals, and pain behind the lyrics. It rubbed me the wrong way at first. I was like, "Ugh, this isn't MuteMath!" Then, I heard it in concert and it's now one of my fav songs. It pushes Paul (the lead singer) and that's always good. Don't get too comfy!

2. Prytania- my jam-out song. haha Kicking bass-line and Darren (drummer) just goes kind of manic here! I have no idea what "Prytania" is, but it's a darn good song.

3. Blood Pressure- 2nd single from the album (Odd Soul was the first) this one also was on my I-Hate-This-Song list, but, thank God for the concert. ;) I love this song. I interpret it to be talking about the pressure that is put on Christians to do more, be more, etc.

4. Tell Your Heart Heads Up- Number one, super tongue-in-cheek title. Number two, this song will get you on your feet in like 2 seconds. Paul is just pouring his soul into this track

5. All or Nothing- a nice slower track, more like Armistice than their first album. Paul explores his vocal range, producing a haunting falsetto set to a gentle, but memorable drum line

6. Sun Ray- Instrumental Track. Very cool. It's reminds me of P!ATD doing the "Introduction" on their first album.

7. Allies- "Somehow this world is out of control, we gotta found our enemies." Good lyrics and good instrumentation

8. Cavalries- similar to All or Nothing with plenty of reverb and a nice minor key tonality

9. Walking Paranoia- So totally on my running playlist. This one, I heard, is about being worried about Jesus coming back, like He could show up any minute. I can relate, and it's nice to know that Darren/Paul are worried too. ;)

10. One More. O. M. G. Falsetto!!! The first time I heard this song I was walking my dog and had to stop. I actually got goosebumps; it was so beautiful. The way Paul just manipulates his voice from one octave to the next; he makes it seem totally seamless and easy. Ke$ha needs to take voice lessons from him.

11. Equals- kick-butt song. Very motivating song, nice harmony and key changes. Exactly what you would expect from MM

12. With a total run time of 7:02, it's the longest on the CD, but without a doubt, the best. The minor key! The tempo change! The harmony! Ugh, it's just too good to be true. A band should not be this good.

13. In No Time- very ballad-like. Slower tempo, more harmony, less drum, so that's good and bad. It's not really MM without Darren, ya know? It's like Oreo with the filling; it just doesn't work. So, not my fav track

14. Amendment- cool harmony, reverb, very choir-like, but in a positive way. It works.

15. Cold Sparks- I love to listen to this song before I go to sleep. It puts me in a relaxed sttae, between the drum kit, the mellow tone, and guitar line

16. Sun Ray part 2- another instrumental, a la P!ATD, but even cooler, less theatrical, more mature/composed. It works, it works just fine.

Download the album, y'all. And go see them in concert! They're on tour!

Next week: Review of a certain concert. ;) Not a good review, either. Be ready for me to get mean and sad. :)

 Support your indie/alt artists!
Until next week,
Bella

MuteMath Concert Review

Okay, after this post, I am all caught up. :)
Today, I will finish up with a little review of MuteMath.
I saw this incredible band in concert back in October, actually two days before the album came out, while they were on their Odd Soul Introduction Tour. And it was AMAZING! I still haven't totally gotten over how crazy it was. The show was completely sold out, so it was packed! The venue that I went to had the stage then the floor, then a set of stairs leading up to another platform that overlooked the floor. I was lucky (and short enough...only 5'3. :D) to be able to squeeze into the front of the pack that was upstairs, so that I had a nearly perfect view of the stage and I stood right next to the soundboard guy. Seriously, if you ever get the chance, stand next to one of those people. It is fascinating how much they control. He was busy the entire time and he danced a lot. :D
But the band itself...AAAHHH! :)  THey led off with "Prytania," my fav song off the record, actually walking through the crowd to get to the stage. How cool!Paul Meany, vocalist, has an incredible voice on the CD and an even better one in person. He has a fantastic vocal range which is something I admire in a lead singer. The drummer, Darren King, is a maniac. (And that's a compliment) He bangs on his drums so hard and with such ferocity that he has to wear gaffer tape just to keep his headphones on. He's just EPIC in human form...I think. :D
The bassist, Roy (I'm not going to type his last name because I know I would screw it up.) and the guitarist, Todd Gummerman, are most certiaintly important as well. THey carried the show with their skills too. :)
between the lights, the energy from the crowd, and their instrumental talent, MuteMath proved once and for all that they are a band who is going to stick around for quite some time. Another thing, Paul was great because, unlike a certain other band...expect that review in 3 weeks, I think, he just went from one song to the next, not stopping to talk in between. I hate it when artist do it.

Every single song from their new album "Odd Soul" is full of their usual manic talent. (Expect a review in 2 weeks, give or take)
Basically, my main point tonight is this: if you are even thinking about seeing them in concert...GO!!!! You will not regret it. They just played their music and didn't worry about what we were thinking, as long as we were having a good time.  So, go see 'em already!
~~~
Before I forget...here is a link to a video of Mutemath performing at the concert that I was at. :) Click here

Introduction

Hello, bonjour, hola, hey there.
Thanks for reading this, though I'm pretty sure you stumbled on this blog by accident. It's okay, you can go back that iJustine video you were trying to watch; I'll be alright. If you're here because you actually meant to, then, welcome, and thank you.
My story? I'm a high schooler who happens to love alternative/indie music with a crazy passion. When I was younger--elementary school--, my dad used to put on The Big 80's when we drove around town, and suffice to say, that was when I got hooked. I loved music. I loved the volume, the drums, the guitars, the voices...it was all great. I'm 90% sure that I was one of the only 8 year olds who knew almost every Beatles and Men At Work song. My parents were great at exposing me to music.
Then, two of my friends corrupted me in 7th grade. They showed me the Top 40 Station. Cue the dramatic lights and sound. That type of music was so different from the 70's/80's music I'd heard. For a short period odf time, I dabbled in Christian top-40 music, but hated it so much, that after a month or two, I never listened to it again. Part of me wondered if that was going to happen again with this stuff, but instead, this music period lasted a little over a year. I learned all about 3OH!3, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Akon, and others. My parents were less than thrilled, but at the time, I thought they were silly for not loving these auto-tuned masterpieces. I later saw the light.
That moment came in 8th grade when I discovered AltNation on SiriusXM. Cue the fireworks. I had heard a little altnerative stuff, mostly from the Twilight soundtrack, but I tried my best to ignore it. In 8th grade, I couldn't. I practically waved off the Top 40 station completely and switched to AltNation. There was something crazily unpredictable about the music that I just couldn't get enough of. MuteMath, Muse (both of which were on the Twilight soundtrack), The Bravery, and others dominated every playlist. It was love at first sight.
So, every since that moment of fate, I've been a dedicated music snob, and darn proud of it.
I decided to create a blog so I could talk about it and maybe find an audience who agrees.
That is me in a nutshell. :)