A Sad Playlist

Hey,

Sad news. My summer vacation comes to an end this Tuesday. Sucks, right? So, this week I'm just going to list my five favorite "sad" songs. I know it's a little weird, but hey, it's what I'm listening to this week. :)

5. Somebody’s Baby by Jon Foreman- Oh, my goodness. The first time I listened to this song I just broke down and cried like my dog had been killed. (My dogs are healthy and alive, thank you for asking).  Jon foreman is the lead singer of Switchfoot, and this song came from one of his four solo CDs he put out a few years ago, and I think this song is clearly the best (and the saddest). I like how this track is very bare-bones. It’s just Jon, a guitar, a light orchestral section, and zero percussion; it’s a nice change and adds to the emotional weight of the song. The song is about a homeless woman and raises a good point, “She’s somebody’s baby/ she’s somebody’s baby girl/ and she’s somebody’s baby still.” I never truly thought about it that way, but now I can’t help but…that’s powerful songwriting. Fantastic song, Jon. Really.

4.  Bad Day by Daniel Powter- I get that this song is hardly indie/alt. You couldn’t escape this song a few years ago! It was everywhere: the radio, TV (American Idol, anyone?), and the internet. Still, despite the fact that this song is about as mainstream as you can get, it’s a good, “bad” song. I think I’ve mentioned before that I love 24 (Jack Bauer, specifically) even though I realize that show has been off for two years now, my family got into it over the summer—we’re obsessed. J But, my sister, the little YouTube fiend that she is, found a well-done Jack Bauer video with this song in the background; it fits perfectly. J

3. Party of One by Tim Weisberg- Kind of a wild card, here, I know. This song has nearly nothing in common with the other songs on this playlist, but I specifically remember putting this song on last summer and mourning the fact school was beginning. Anyways, in case you didn’t know, Tim Weisberg is an amazing flautist (that’s someone who plays the flute…AKA a flutist, though the two can be used interchangeably) I completely melt when I hear his perfect, rich tone, the backing instruments that never overpower, just assist, and the varying sections, from the warbling tone, to the heavy bass, and back to the soft, gentle flute at the end. Gorgeous.

2. Brothers On a Hotel Bed by death Cab for Cutie- Can you really create a playlist without having at least one Death cab for Cutie song on it? I don’t think so. J I picked this song because of the melancholy piano intro, the lyrics detailing a failed relationship (the title comes from the line “Cause now we say good night/from our own separate sides/ like brothers on a hotel bed), and that haunting, sinking feeling emanating from my stomach that only Death Cab can create.

1.       Never Going to Give You Up by The Black Keys- This song is hardly sad, but I feel bad for the guy; obviously, this lady doesn’t want him, but he just won’t give it up. Somehow, this song qualifies for my “sad” playlist, just because his efforts are valiant, yet sad. Not to mention, the slow tempo, paired with his emotional vocals. Because we’re celebrating sadness today, I like this line:  “Do you see these tears/in my eyes/got no use in life.” Nicely done, Pat & Dan. J

Next week, I’m going to write about my 8 favorite eighties songs, which I realize i was going to write about this week, but I'm in kind of a :( mood right now, with school starting on Tuesday. Nonetheless, I'll pick that series back up next Friday. :)

Until next week,
Bella

Sad Post

Hey,
Here We Go. :(

My sad news comes from patrickstump.com. No, he's not dead. No, Brendon Urie didn't attack him (they toured together). No, Fall Out Boy hasn't magically gotten back together (Would that be sad news? Happy?)

Rather, Patrick has announced that he is taking a break from music. Apparently, critics and supposed-fans have absolutely detested his music. That makes me sad. He was a saving grace in this collapsing music industry. Through his efforts in Fall Out Boy, in the song-writing he did for various artists, and his solo career, Patrick made valiant strides to revolutionize the definition of what can make it on the Top-40 radio stations and what real music sounds like. He mentions in the blog post that Soul Punk (his full-length album) was 90% metaphors. Ask a mainstream artist (I'm thinking someone like Ke$ha) what a metaphor is and they'll probably just stare blankly back at you. The only metaphors they know are slang terms for genitalia. Sorry, but it's the truth.

I discovered Patrick's music through the P!ATD concert fiasco and realized he really was a serious musician. I feel bad for the guy. He said in the blog post that fans had mostly negative things to say about his music and his weight-loss. Fine, attack his music, we are all entitled to our opinions, but leave the weight out of it. You can't walk up to a fat person and be like "I liked you better skinny." That's considered harassment. So, you shouldn't be able to walk up to a once-heavy person and say "I liked you better fat." That's mean and unnecessary. Just because you bought concert tickets does not entitle you to the right to attack Patrick or any other artist. It's rude and I am thoroughly disgusted with whoever did that. You should be ashamed of yourself. I don't care how much of a Fall Out Boy fan you are/were; it doesn't matter. You don't get to parade and tell people (namely Patrick) that his old group was better.  You weren't involved in the band so back off. Remember the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Is that how you would want Patrick to talk to you?

I wish Patrick would reconsider but I will respect his decision. Hopefully, he will change his mind, record again, and come back to Iowa....preferably sans Panic!.
Wishing you the best, Patrick! I loved your music and hope the future has fantastic things in store for you!

Until next week,
Bella

Happy Post

Hey,
I have a surprise, y'all...for the second week in a row you are getting 2 posts!


Top 5 Songs of the Week:
5. Your Ghost by Greg Laswell. I love this song. It was created following, what is arguably, the best recipe for beautiful music. Here it is: 1/2 cup Cover-That's-Better-Than-The-Original-Song (the song was originally recorded by Kristin Hersh back in 1994); 1/4 cup deep baritone, four tablespoons simple percussion; one teaspoon gentle piano; equal parts powerful guitar and strings; one cup perfect guitar accompaniment. Yum.

4. Holdin' on Together by Phoenix. These guys are French. They write nonsense lyrics. I have no idea what they are saying 99% of the time. . They are what I like to call "Genre Bouncers." I have a feeling you know what I'm saying; they rarely/never stay in one genre, electing to be alt/pop/dance/house/indie/mainstream all at the same time. It truly works.

3. Acoustic Kingdom Underground EP by Matt Duke. No, this is not an individual song, but an entire EP. This was released back in 2009, but I think it's still relevant. And you can't tell me differently, because this is my blog. ;) Just kidding. Anyways, this is EP is filled with 6 tracks from his first album that he re-recorded with just his voice, a guitar, and a few other strings here and there. It's beautiful. Some of his "skippable" tracks are made into something goose-bump-inducing.

2. Up Up Up by The Givers. I first heard this song at Younkers one night when I was shopping...good place to find music, quite honestly and made sure to remember this song. It's obnoxious, catchy, and cute all at the same time. Kind of like dogs and some people...haha But, really, this song is worth checking out if you like simple drum-lines, alternating female/male vocals, and songs that repeat words.

1. The Longest Road (Deadmau5 Remix Radio Edit) by Morgan Page ft. Lissie. This track came on my 3OH!3 Pandora station and I stood frozen in my bedroom, just mesmerized by the vocals. Turns out, Lissie is quite the talented lady and has been big for a while. Things I like: the minor key, the thumping bass (just like Dev, I like my bass down low. I'm not serious; I just couldn't resist), and the tinking sound in the back. It reminds me of Ellie Goulding, and lo and behold, Lissie and Ellie toured together.

So, that concludes my weekly playlist. Enjoy and check them out.

Until next week,
Bella