DragonForce recently acquired a new vocalist named Marc Hudson, this album being his debut album with the band. He's actually part of the reason why I even bothered to listen to the entire album. Those soaring beginning notes in the first minute or two of the first track reminded me a lot of Rob Halford from Judas Priest, whose voice I absolutely adore. Sadly, instead of going all Halford-esque for the rest of the tracks, I feel like Hudson is holding back quite a bit making him more of an average vocalist instead of an incredible one for me. Also sadly, I hoped that the new band member would cause them to explore a new musical structure, however, instead of doing so, I find that the same themes are still repeated in their songs. You could call it their "signature thing" but it just doesn't do it for me. Of course, the guitar solos are technically incredible and the shredding passages are mind blowing as always. So, all in all, if you're looking for a typical DragonForce album with a slight change, this is probably a great album for you. If you expected a radical change, I wouldn't recommend it. Oh, I almost forgot, DragonForce sounds incredibly happy. It's probably some of the happiest metal I have ever listened to, and I have listened to a lot of metal. So again, if you're into that sort of thing, definitely check it out.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Power Within
Wow, it's been a long time since I've done a post. Anyhow, I was listening to some stuff on Spotify and I came across the new album by DragonForce called The Power Within. I'm relatively impartial with Dragonforce, I don't actively search out their stuff, but I don't have a problem with listening to it. It tends to be extremely repetitive and a bit too happy for my taste, almost, as my friend Maria so eloquently put it, like video game music. So, without further ado, allow me to talk about this new album.
DragonForce recently acquired a new vocalist named Marc Hudson, this album being his debut album with the band. He's actually part of the reason why I even bothered to listen to the entire album. Those soaring beginning notes in the first minute or two of the first track reminded me a lot of Rob Halford from Judas Priest, whose voice I absolutely adore. Sadly, instead of going all Halford-esque for the rest of the tracks, I feel like Hudson is holding back quite a bit making him more of an average vocalist instead of an incredible one for me. Also sadly, I hoped that the new band member would cause them to explore a new musical structure, however, instead of doing so, I find that the same themes are still repeated in their songs. You could call it their "signature thing" but it just doesn't do it for me. Of course, the guitar solos are technically incredible and the shredding passages are mind blowing as always. So, all in all, if you're looking for a typical DragonForce album with a slight change, this is probably a great album for you. If you expected a radical change, I wouldn't recommend it. Oh, I almost forgot, DragonForce sounds incredibly happy. It's probably some of the happiest metal I have ever listened to, and I have listened to a lot of metal. So again, if you're into that sort of thing, definitely check it out.
DragonForce recently acquired a new vocalist named Marc Hudson, this album being his debut album with the band. He's actually part of the reason why I even bothered to listen to the entire album. Those soaring beginning notes in the first minute or two of the first track reminded me a lot of Rob Halford from Judas Priest, whose voice I absolutely adore. Sadly, instead of going all Halford-esque for the rest of the tracks, I feel like Hudson is holding back quite a bit making him more of an average vocalist instead of an incredible one for me. Also sadly, I hoped that the new band member would cause them to explore a new musical structure, however, instead of doing so, I find that the same themes are still repeated in their songs. You could call it their "signature thing" but it just doesn't do it for me. Of course, the guitar solos are technically incredible and the shredding passages are mind blowing as always. So, all in all, if you're looking for a typical DragonForce album with a slight change, this is probably a great album for you. If you expected a radical change, I wouldn't recommend it. Oh, I almost forgot, DragonForce sounds incredibly happy. It's probably some of the happiest metal I have ever listened to, and I have listened to a lot of metal. So again, if you're into that sort of thing, definitely check it out.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Oberhofer/Kaiser Chiefs/Cold War Kids
Recently, I've been listening to a hodge podge of things...kind of strange because most of the time I listen to same playlists for a month straight or I listen to 2 or 3 albums for an entire month. Anyways, after Coachella I resolved that I needed to start listening to more diverse material...and this week, it seems it's been a non stop back and forth game with Oberhofer, Kaiser Chiefs, and Cold War Kids. With some occasional Chopin Nocturne thrown in and some Debussy for good measure. Don't ask. My erratic playlist this week:
"Nocturne No.2 in Eb Major Op.9,2" - Chopin (Yes, remember this? It's the random nocturne from the middle of the Muse song "United States of Eurasia")
"Addicted to Drugs" - Kaiser Chiefs (Kind of sums up my relationship with life right now...confusion and denial)
"Haus" - Oberhofer ("I want to build a house with you/ a house with you" - I've been walking around humming this all week...)
"Louder Than Ever" - Cold War Kids ("I can hear you/louder than ever/whisper to me/help me remember")
"Sprawl II" - Arcade Fire (yes - this again. Still can't get over Regine de Chassagne's vocals. Love/hate thing...)
"Deux Arabesque: Arabesque No.1 in E Major" - Debussy (The running melody is arguably one of the most calming things ever...makes me think of water.)
"Boxing Champ" - Kaiser Chiefs (Can't seems to forget this...there's something about it that's just so haunting...I think it just makes me feel...so helpless...but that's not always bad, is it? Some perspective.)
"Landline" - Oberhofer (So twinkly. I just can't get over it).
"Everlasting Light" - The Black Keys (It makes me feel something...and I don't know why.)
"Hang Me Up To Dry" - Cold War Kids (One of those songs that you just WANT to dance to.)
"Heat Dies Down" - Kaiser Chiefs (Incredibly catchy.)
"Cruising FDR" - Oberhofer ( There's just so much youth and vitality in this song...It's exploding at the seams with bratty attitude.)
"Audience" - Cold War Kids (Makes me feel so alone...but not in a bad way. Poignant in a strange way.)
"Nocturne No.2 in Eb Major Op.9,2" - Chopin (Yes, remember this? It's the random nocturne from the middle of the Muse song "United States of Eurasia")
"Addicted to Drugs" - Kaiser Chiefs (Kind of sums up my relationship with life right now...confusion and denial)
"Haus" - Oberhofer ("I want to build a house with you/ a house with you" - I've been walking around humming this all week...)
"Louder Than Ever" - Cold War Kids ("I can hear you/louder than ever/whisper to me/help me remember")
"Sprawl II" - Arcade Fire (yes - this again. Still can't get over Regine de Chassagne's vocals. Love/hate thing...)
"Deux Arabesque: Arabesque No.1 in E Major" - Debussy (The running melody is arguably one of the most calming things ever...makes me think of water.)
"Boxing Champ" - Kaiser Chiefs (Can't seems to forget this...there's something about it that's just so haunting...I think it just makes me feel...so helpless...but that's not always bad, is it? Some perspective.)
"Landline" - Oberhofer (So twinkly. I just can't get over it).
"Everlasting Light" - The Black Keys (It makes me feel something...and I don't know why.)
"Hang Me Up To Dry" - Cold War Kids (One of those songs that you just WANT to dance to.)
"Heat Dies Down" - Kaiser Chiefs (Incredibly catchy.)
"Cruising FDR" - Oberhofer ( There's just so much youth and vitality in this song...It's exploding at the seams with bratty attitude.)
"Audience" - Cold War Kids (Makes me feel so alone...but not in a bad way. Poignant in a strange way.)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Pinning for Coachella...
Like the wet noodle that I am, instead of being at Coachella, I spent today streaming it. Lame, I know, but IT WAS FANTASTIC. I managed to stream the Arctic Monkeys and the Black Keys and both were amazing. Tommy also spent the day streaming...(as far as I know). I was a little disappointed that EMA was not available for streaming...
Anyhow, I'm super excited for the Arctic Monkeys encore and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds tomorrow. Also looking forward to Florence + the Machine and Real Estate on Sunday...and of course NEXT WEEKEND - where I get to do this ALL OVER AGAIN.
I love that Coachella is now two consecutive weekends.
Anyhow, I'm super excited for the Arctic Monkeys encore and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds tomorrow. Also looking forward to Florence + the Machine and Real Estate on Sunday...and of course NEXT WEEKEND - where I get to do this ALL OVER AGAIN.
I love that Coachella is now two consecutive weekends.
mixtape
Organized with 3 songs each by 4 of my favorite British bands. Painstakingly made to flow by our top engineers smoothly adhering to the 22 minute limit of sides of vinyl records, with no more than 2 songs by the same artist on a side. Faster upbeat songs on side 1, slower somewhat more CONTEMPLATIVE songs on side 2.
Side 1
Magical Mystery Tour ROLL UP FOR THE MYSTERY TOUR
Stay Young (Faculty Mix) COME WHAT MAY WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE
The Hardest Thing IT NEVER HAPPENS THAT WAY
2+2=5 ALL HAIL TO THE THIEF
Elephant Stone THERE'S A HOLE IN MY DREAMS
Listen Up SAILING DOWN A RIVER ALONE
Side 2
Penny Lane BENEATH THE BLUE SUBURBAN SKIES
Underneath The Sky IT BELONGS TO A FRIEND OF A FRIEND
Bye Bye Badman GOT NO QUESTION GOT NO LOVE
Prove Yourself I'M BETTER OFF DEAD
When I'm Sixty-Four YOU'LL BE OLDER TOO
Exit Music WE HOPE THAT YOU CHOKE
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Drumroll please...
Green Day is releasing a new album!!! To be more specific, THREE ALBUMS!!!
http://www.greenday.com/node/7541
So. Freakishly. Excited.
http://www.greenday.com/node/7541
So. Freakishly. Excited.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Of Monsters and Men
You might of heard of this band by now...and I have fallen in love with their album and sound. Although many call them the new Arcade Fire, I would have to disagree. Whereas my feelings for Arcade Fire are at best lukewarm, the music Of Monsters and Men is like a cataclysmic explosion in comparison. If anything, the way that they utilize vocal harmonies is more reminiscent of The xx. Sunny melodies, sweet harmonies, and catchy riffs with plenty of brass to balance, Of Monsters and Men epitomize everything that an orchestral sounding band should be. Intertwined with catch melodies, there are heavy guitar riffs and copious amounts of distortion that create a perfect atmosphere that has clearly has large ambitions but seems far from ambitious. And of course, there is the band name. The literary geek in me can't help but smile at the allusion to Of Mice and Men, and in a way their music makes me feel like the book did - part heartbreak, part mystery and definite startling beauty.
Some of my favorite tracks from their newest album - My Head Is An Animal.
"Mountain Sound" - Some what reminds me of The Cults - in the best way possible. Bouncy and pop influenced with just the right touch of auxiliary.
"Little Talks" - The cinematic masterpiece of the album that has probably received the most attention, that is more than deserved.
"Six Weeks" - The riff on this song is fantastic and the great vocal harmony doesn't hurt either.
"Love Love Love" - I love love love how Nanna sounds both desolate but hopeful in this song that effortlessly blends heartbreak with moving on. Her voice is exquisite and the roughness and vulnerability is beyond perfect. The soft acoustic guitar with the twinkling of bells is absolutely adorable.
"Your Bones" - Has a sort of Beatles throwback vibe to it and is glowing reminder of years past.
"Yellow Light" - A delicate and beautiful end to an amazing album. It makes me think of walking through a serene forest and just stopping to peer at the cracks of light that filter through the branches.
Some of my favorite tracks from their newest album - My Head Is An Animal.
"Mountain Sound" - Some what reminds me of The Cults - in the best way possible. Bouncy and pop influenced with just the right touch of auxiliary.
"Little Talks" - The cinematic masterpiece of the album that has probably received the most attention, that is more than deserved.
"Six Weeks" - The riff on this song is fantastic and the great vocal harmony doesn't hurt either.
"Love Love Love" - I love love love how Nanna sounds both desolate but hopeful in this song that effortlessly blends heartbreak with moving on. Her voice is exquisite and the roughness and vulnerability is beyond perfect. The soft acoustic guitar with the twinkling of bells is absolutely adorable.
"Your Bones" - Has a sort of Beatles throwback vibe to it and is glowing reminder of years past.
"Yellow Light" - A delicate and beautiful end to an amazing album. It makes me think of walking through a serene forest and just stopping to peer at the cracks of light that filter through the branches.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Look at the Stars/Look How They Shine For You
This is one of those days. You know, those days where you feel ultra contemplative/artsy and super forlorn at the same time? Those days where everything just seems so...wrong...but so right? It's like you hate yourself, but don't know why and you hate the world but the angst is empty. Yeah. It's one of those days where you want to just walk outside, lie on the grass, star at the stars and just never, ever, ever get up. It's like you want to just get lost in the splendor of the world and forget yourself, for now, even if it's just for a little, forget all your problems and just breathe.
I'm having one of those days, where it seems like life just needs a soundtrack and some deep thinking just needs to be done.
Trouble - Coldplay
The Melody of A Fallen Tree - Windsor For The Derby
Until The Day Dims - The Woodlands
Concerto No. 2 Op. 28 in C minor - Rachmaninoff (you need to listen to this at the same time with rainymood.com open. Seriously. Just try it. It is THE best thing ever. Thank Leonard for this one. So relaxing yet hauntingly beautiful.)
Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran
Talk Tonight - Oasis
Northern Downpour - Panic! At The Disco
Soldier's Poem - Muse
Codex - Radiohead
My Evaline - Weezer
Yellow - Coldplay
I'm having one of those days, where it seems like life just needs a soundtrack and some deep thinking just needs to be done.
Trouble - Coldplay
The Melody of A Fallen Tree - Windsor For The Derby
Until The Day Dims - The Woodlands
Concerto No. 2 Op. 28 in C minor - Rachmaninoff (you need to listen to this at the same time with rainymood.com open. Seriously. Just try it. It is THE best thing ever. Thank Leonard for this one. So relaxing yet hauntingly beautiful.)
Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran
Talk Tonight - Oasis
Northern Downpour - Panic! At The Disco
Soldier's Poem - Muse
Codex - Radiohead
My Evaline - Weezer
Yellow - Coldplay
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