Playlist of the week?

Hey y'all,

Recently, I've been listening to a lot more electro than I used to (think dubstep, house, drum and bass, etc.) and because of this, the playlist today should be a little more...diverse. So, here's a playlist of my current music favourites!

"Selkies: the Endless Obsession"- Between the Buried and Me. I absolutely love some of Between the Buried and Me's pieces, but sometimes that growling can be a little bit much for me. This particular piece has a complex instrumental part, which may be somewhat of an understatement, but the thing that made this piece stand out from the other BTBAM (I'm going to start using this acronym now) tracks was the vocals. It's not just a whole lot of growling, which I am pleasantly surprised by.

"Living iPod"-Savant One of my friends recently introduced me to Savant's Vario, and I found most of it nice, but not completely outstanding, but this particular track blew my mind.

"A Rite of Passage"-Dream Theater If you've read my previous blog posts, you would know just how obsessed I am with Dream Theater. Interestingly, I never really paid much attention to their album "Black Clouds and Silver Linings", probably because many of the songs on the album were over 15 minutes... I listened to this one on a whim, and ended up liking it a whole lot more than I thought I would.

"Centipede"-Knife Party The same friend who introduced me to Savant also introduced me to Knife Party's new EP, Rage Valley. This was probably my favourite track out of the four songs included in the EP. I love the riff and the discovery channel sounding sample in the very beginning.

"Esprit de corps"-Robert Jager Eyup...I'm a weirdo, I absolutely love the fast paced 16th note runs in the upper woodwinds and the heavy main melody held in the mid-low brass portions of the band.

"Acid Rain"-Liquid Tension Experiment If you don't have a spotify, I urge you to go install it because its apps are truly a great way to "discover" new music that sounds amazing. Had I not stuck around in the progressive metal room in the soundrop app, I would never have discovered this song. It's amazing. Go listen to it.

"White and Nerdy"-Weird Al "I'm fluent in Javascript as well as Klingon" I'm not big on rap, but the lyrics in this parody make me crack up every single time I listen to it. If you haven't listened to it, again, I highly recommend it for the laughs.

"(Don't Fear) The Reaper"-The Blue Oyster Cult "MOAR COWBELL!" You're probably familiar with the popular Saturday Night Live skit involving the production of this track with "Bruce Dickinson". I actually ended up enjoying the song almost as much as I enjoyed the skit.

"All I Ask of You"-Andrew Lloyd Webber Recently, I have really been enjoying the soundtrack to the "Phantom of the Opera" I'm not all that into opera, but Emily Rossum's voice paired with Patrick Wilson's creates an absolutely heavenly mixture that is pleasing to the ear. This is also the song I wake up to these days, and it puts me in a much better mood than my previous wake up track.

"The Island (Madeon Remix)"-Pendulum I loved both parts I and II of "The Island", especially part II, but I think I might like this remix more. It's quite a creative and fresh take on the original track.

Rap

Long time no see?
... Octavius: Last post: 9/4/11
Yeah, I've been... busy. For almost nine months. Top secret ninja missions take time, you know.
And yeah, I'm that "Octavius guy who wrote one lengthy post about a 20-something minute song, and disappeared." Assuming that you read the "About Christie Road" page.
Anyways...
For some reason, I feel like talking about rap today. Yay!
My thoughts on rap:
Many people think that rap sucks and is not music at all, just random speed talking (maybe not even speed talking). That is a misconception. Many other people think that rap is the bane of music's essence and is more badass than Bottom's face after Puck screws around with him. Although I cannot agree with that idea, I also cannot label it as a misconception. Thus, I feel compelled to talk about rap. Like I said earlier...

I'm not too well versed in rap other than random stuff I hear (Rack City, White & Nerdy (assuming you count that as rap), etc.). From what I know about it, rap, as with many musical genres, is best heard live. As the rapper generally doesn't sing or produce somewhat melodic stuff, the real purpose of rap is to incite your inner fire. That is to say, rap is not necessarily a form of musical expression, but rather a method of unleashing the energy of the human spirit. <-- cheesy fluff

Generally, my favorite part of rap... is the backing tracks. As I do enjoy orchestra tracks, many rap songs involve semi-orchestral backgrounds. I also like the combination of genres, and rap somehow becomes a bit of a breeding ground for rap/hip-hop/classical hybrids.

Obviously, another important part of rap is the lyrics. The lyrics are the main method to convey a message to audiences. Contrary to popular belief, rappers don't always rap about doing drugs/having sex/whatever. Often, they contain different messages, like perseverance and recovery.

In a sense, rap is like any other musical genre. Through a certain language (verbal or musical), it conveys its message, its point. I am willing to call it music, although I think that the musical part of rap is just a secondary way to achieve its real goal, which is to appeal to people's emotions through the means of communication that humans can understand best: speaking.

And here's some stuff. I don't know much about rap, so... my selections may be poor. Whatever.

And some other dudes from America's got Talent (kinda cross genres a bit, which is cool)- starts around 1:25

And some Lupe Fiasco:

Rap can also be educational! :3 :3

Bloom

http://cdn03.cdn.gorillavsbear.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BEACH-HOUSE-BLOOM1-575x380.jpg

http://cdn.stereogum.com/files/2012/03/beach-house-bloom.jpg

The album title just gave me an excuse to include a pretty flower.

 Beach House released a new album earlier this month titled Bloom, and that's truly what they do in this album. It's like all Beach House albums before but at the same time it's not. The songs on this album are so much more evocative and even more thought provoking than their previous works. Somehow, they just keep getting better and better.

 It's both dreamy and troubling at the same time - the album as a whole basically takes you to a moment before a storm - before some trials and walks you all the way through until you reach the other side - until you reach the calm. But unlike other artists who just write full out epics, Beach House uses their unique charm to tell this story. All at the same time, I felt like I was progressing into the future, in the present, and immersed in nostalgia. It has that perfect balance that makes you feel sentimental, confused, and yet somehow still hopeful for what is to come. 

This might be my favorite album thus far this year (Franz Ferdinand -you have a lot to live up to.) As usual Victoria Legrand's vocals are the epitome of perfection and Alex Scally's intricate guitar intertwines with the most delicate precision. This album just does so many things right. The album as a whole is stunning and really, there are no dull moments. 

In the opener "Myth"  - the single released earlier this year, Legrand sings "it's never as it seems" and indeed it isn't. Part of the magic of Bloom comes in it's ability to create a world separate from this one. In the songs of Bloom, you are transformed to another place - somewhere the sky is always bright and you are running around in the sunlight in a field, but then still reminds you of the reality. The mix really creates emotional conflict and causes you to feel really connected with the albums. "Lazuli" the synth toys with your head just a little and is completely tranforming - it's a strong followup to "Wild"."New Year" is probably my favorite song on the album and is exquisite - Legrand truly shines. "On the Sea" is the perfect track for just laying down on the middle of the floor in a room and staring at the ceiling thinking.

Beach House has done it again.

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.

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.)

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.

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