Stop and listen :D
Just for fun, the occasional pick of my audio list with a brief review/summary. Enjoy!
(Please leave comments as replies to the specific comment in reference, thanks.)
Random thought of the timeframe
Those wind pylons look like they're all standing in lines and doing arm exercises.
‘… And I don’t know if the dead can talk/ to anyone… Disarm yourself in your hands/ are you one of us?’
The High Road, by Broken Bells, starts with a slightly random semi-techno feel, but the beat quickly establishes a sense of direction, and once the verse starts, there is just no turning back from this song. The returning techno theme in the chorus contrasts the too-alt-rock-to-be-jazz instrumentation and chords in this laidback yet lyrically and harmonically intense refrain. This song has a cool old-school twist to the ending, with a subtle shift to a brighter tone and key. I like.
Rating: 7.5
August 6, 2010 at 2:40 pm
‘… transmissions echoing away/ far from the world of you and I/ where oceans bleed into the sky…’
This single from Linkin Park is all right to me. I especially like the flow of the lyrics; the rhythm of the words in each line just fits. The instrumentation is however kept fairly simple, which maybe doesn’t bring out the drama as much as it should and my main issue with this song is that it lacks intensity, which shouldn’t be happening, coming from such an experienced group. This has been called unsatisfactory for Linkin Park’s normal standard, and the band has been accused of ‘going mainstream’. I can’t totally disagree; as a fan I was kind of expecting something a bit heavier, or at any rate a more ‘epic’ offering for want of a better description but as a song I don’t think this is awful. It’s an okay song, even if it’s not in the style we were expecting. So it’s not really metal. So what? ^^ Wait for 1:42 and 2:39, ok?
Rating: 6.5-7 for the song, 6 for the LP expectation bar.
August 8, 2010 at 4:45 pm
‘… another second in the sunshine/ a decade in the dark taking part in a dream/ have you forgotten what she looks like/ or do you only see what you want to believe…’
This song from the newish duo, Hurts, is reminiscent of Depeche Mode, particularly with echoes of Precious, to me. I like the official video, which I can’t seem to find, but musically, this is a feast. The mixing is polished, the vocals smooth and controlled. Lyrics flow beautifully, and the overall effect has just the right balance of momentum and darkness. I like. Very very much so. Check out their other songs; favourites include Unspoken and Stay.
Rating: 8-8.5
August 19, 2010 at 2:42 pm
‘… you’ve got one hand on the devil baby and one hand in mine… hold on we’re gonna make it if it takes all night/ hearts racing like a rocket at the speed of light/ don’t fight it we’ve been running for far too long… so hold on we got our wings and we’re chasing the wind… we’re going back where we belong.’
I hadn’t heard of Thriving Ivory before this, but I like it tremendously now. The flow of the text fits with the tone colour of his voice, and you have got to admit it has a catchy feel. The words are really awesome; sweet, but not too sugary; a kind of rock-love song
I especially like the intro, the clarity from the combination of strings and piano add a more refined touch to the music. Looking out for more of this group’s work!
Rating: 8
September 11, 2010 at 3:38 pm
‘… did I say that I need you/ did I say that I want you/ oh if I didn’t I’m a fool you see…
no one knows this more than me…’
I love Pearl Jam, for their ability to state the most amazingly, simply beautiful lyrics, with stunning clarity, and amazingly, simply beautiful guitarwork. This song is no exception. The words just hit me first time I heard it, although I was at the time busy being mesmerized by the flowing guitar parts. I adore the way this song comes together so effortlessly, and so completely, not so much to pull at the heartstrings, as to very gently, very tenderly, settle into the place between the heart and mind. Wow I hope that made sense.
Rating: 8-8.5
October 18, 2010 at 3:14 pm
This is really pretty, and not just because it has Jam in the name. Sorry, I stumbled upon your whatnot somehow and thought I’d wander a little about the page. I shall flitter away again.
x
September 11, 2011 at 5:08 pm
‘… drive your high heel into my heart/ I don’t even care/ ’cause my pride is worth much more than your… stupid little love…’
Mike Posner is like a mature, non-18SX, sensitive version of Justin Timberlake. Which is not to say that he’s not sexy, because his smooth vocals are definitely exactly that. He’s got the mixing down, and the right mix of emotion. Other favourites include Another Love Song, Save Your Goodbye, and Please Don’t Go; brilliant work, that I could listen to on end for weeks.
Rating: 8.5-9
December 10, 2010 at 5:22 pm
‘… I am a gentleman/ didn't I pay for every laugh every dime/ every bit every time… guess what I am the same man/ same that I've always been… '
The Airborne Toxic Event is probably best known for their song Sometime Around Midnight. This song displays a more outgoing side of the music they make, and I have to say that while I understand the comments about their similarity to The Killers, their individuality is not compromised in any way in this song. The beat is fascinating but simple, and this song just makes you want to sing and stamp along. It's fun and honest and profound at the same time, which makes it pretty darn good. Also worth noting are their songs Something New and Gasoline.
Rating: 8
March 12, 2011 at 3:25 pm
‘… did you know these colours that you’re shining are/ surely not your best… ‘
It took me forever to figure out who sang this – mostly because I couldn’t for the life of me remember anything except the music video; not the lyrics, nor the band name, nor even the tune. I finally thought of the word ‘colours’ and just googled it anyway, which just goes to show that sometimes the important bits DO stick. Sure enough, I remembered liking this song and I still do. The vocals are naturally rugged and solid, but what hints at the dark tone in this song is the guitar intro underneath the lead vocal line. The twisting chromatic-toned minor-tinged line lends a sinuous quality that leads very smoothly into the heavy full-blast sound of the chorus, which for me makes the music that much more dramatic. Overall this song, with its simple melody so dependent on harmonic shading to provide a full tonal foundation, creates a sense of overhanging emptiness that completely captures the voice of rebuke and disappointment.
Rating: 8.5
December 25, 2011 at 7:13 am