Something different...

Hey guys, I'm back again. It's become difficult for me to consistently update this thing. I'm going to take a little bit different approach to this entry. Rather then sputtering out facts about music and my opinions on them, I'm actually going to go a bit deeper into the way music has affected my emotional status, and vent a little bit at the same time.

Let me start by saying, that tonight I realized that I am completely emotionally numb, and that even in the face of any travesty that I could possibly face, and all that numbness comes from one source. The mind-numbing media (despite how cliche that sounds) and that even though I am so out of "the loop" of current events, I still find it hard to 1)Pay attention in classes, 2)Get enthused about work, and finally 3)Accept other peoples opinions and inputs to anything I'm involved in. 

When all of that is put into play, it makes me sound like I'm not unique or I'm not "my own person" but in all honesty, that's who I try to be everyday of my life. I try to be my own Kevin, and not what all the other kids in my school see as "cool." I view life a lot like the way John Lennon saw song writing. You can do the same thing over and over again, and try to change it, but it will always be the same thing. So to the people out there like me, who are stuck in the rut that is high school, I want to say that if you're going to be doing the same thing regardless, then have  some fun with it. 

The song "Roll With It" by Oasis is one of the greatest songs for rebels in today's generation....or sort of today's generation. "You gotta say what you say/Don't let anybody get in your way." How fitting for a high school... So many times in my day-to-day life I find myself biting my tongue and holding back to fight for what I know is right. But I've never sold myself out and I can say that with a Hell of a lot of pride.

So, I mean, it's not that tough to get lost and bogged down as a teenager in today's society, but the only way to cope with that is through music. Music has helped me through some of the toughest times in my short life. So, just keep rolling, and don't give up.

Which Came First, the Music or the Misery?

Hello once again fellow and yet humble patrons to the blogging world. It's been awhile. It has recently occurred to me, through reading various pieces of literature and going over thousands of songs that are on my iPod, that I, at age 15, am a failure. How did I come to this conclusion you maybe asking yourself? Simple. By opening up my eyes and realizing that I spend every Friday night home listening to "So What" by Miles Davis, drinking cups of tea and/or coffee, and waiting for something better to come along.

The fact that I've spent all night tonight pouring over antique vinyls from way-back-when like Madman Across the Water and Verities & Balderdash, sitting still in shock and awe of how much the music world has changed in general is in a way one of the saddest things I've ever heard, but I still like to think that it's remarkable cool, because most 15 year olds could not tell you who released either of those records, let alone other records in my collection like Tommy, Ram,  and One-Trick Pony (which is a Paul Simon record that was written for the movie.) God forbid kids my age learned some culture through the new age music. Culture like Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Buffalo Springfield, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

I wouldn't say that the thought of that is necessarily surprising, but it is depressing, especially when you look at the top ten artists on iTunes right now include Rise Against, Metallica, and T.I, but at the same time, do I want kids that find those bands talented listening to my chill and laid back contemporary music? (Yeah, I threw a curveball at you.) I don't want every kid my age even knowing, let alone listening to people like the Smiths or even the Black Keys (even though that's pushing the laid back part of my music taste.)

So, I guess the overall view of this "editorial" is that I don't frankly care any more what the skater punk genre considers "punk" anymore, and what the "rock" genre (which has turned into guys in tight pants and makeup) considers rock n' roll. Neither of the people in those genres have the first idea what punk or real rock n' roll is. Because when you reach that level of music, you start to depreciate the actual meaning of the music, and the music itself turns into background noise.

I hate to say it, but John Lennon summed it up the best in an interview in 1968. He says, "In the old days I used to think songwriting was this and I love you and you love me, and my writing was something else. I just realized through Dylan and then other people that it is the same, and that's what I didn't realize being so naive. That you don't write pop songs, and then you do that, and then you do that. That everything you do is the same thing. So do it the same way." Does that not sum of the basis of all lyrical music? Are we all not doomed to die in a painful avalanche of pop music? Pretty deep from a guy who called himself the Walrus.

I guess the basis of the real thought behind Lennon in that quote would have to be that rock music in general has alway had that repetitive poppy vibe, and that vide will never end. Pop music and rock music will always go hand-in-hand...and that's a sad truth to have to come to terms with. So, in close. Kids. Be diverse. Buy a Randy Newman record, and fall asleep, and wake up when emo dies...no pun intended. So goodnight. Good day. Good riddance. Let's go Rays. 

Top Five Modern Records

1. Sky Blue Sky-Wilco

2. Attack & Release-the Black Keys

3. Surprise-Paul Simon

4. Psychocandy-The Jesus and Mary Chain

5. Goo-Sonic Youth 

Wicked Man's Rest-Passenger

Although I know nobody has heard of this band, the Brit Rock party of five from Brighton has released their debut record recently (August 5, 2008 to be exact) Wicked Man's Rest featuring such classics as Night Vision Binoculars which is an all-in-all creepy narrative of a man who is so in love with a woman that he stalks her and watches her from her neighbor's tree, (haven't we all...) and the title track Wicked Man's Rest, which starts the record off on a slow foot, but deep at that.

The record, as previously stated, starts off a little bit slow, but if you can put the slow-paced title track, and get to Night Vision Binoculars, then it's certain that the listener will be hooked by the upbeat and poppy sounds of the song. The next song on the record, Things You've Never Done, is another slow-going song with great lyric meaning, and it has one of my all time favorite quotes, "Don't be scared of failure, the only failure is the failure to try." The same can be said of the fourth and seventh tracks (Girl I Once Knew  and Four Horses). The tempo kicks up once again in track five, Do What You Like. The record is full of it's great shifts in tempo, and is profound for it's lyrics.

The sound is a mixture between two other British acts of David Gray and sadly, James Blunt for his high pitched Falsetto voice. But this record is far superior in it's class and is a hybrid of Falsetto vocals mixed perfectly with a balanced amount of pop and rock sounds. This rock record paves the way for other British acts, and leaves the door and my ears open to more and more great things to come.

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Top Five Side One Track Ones

My own tribute to High Fidelity

1. Carry On-Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young-Deja Vu

2. Scarborough Fair-Simon & Garfunkel-Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme

3. Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35-Bob Dylan-Blonde on Blonde

4. Come Together-The Beatles-Abbey Road

5. Roundabout-Yes-Fragile

Harps and Angels-Randy Newman

As we all know, the 62 year old man who wrote the song from Toy Story called You've Got a Friend in Me and the song from Major League called Burn On (which is a slow bluesy tune about the city of Cleveland, Ohio) recently released his latest studio record called Harps and Angels, which was a new blend of political bluesy music, mixed with the aged reminiscence of a 62 year old artist.

The new record deals with such themes as getting old, universal healthcare, and of course... politics. It would not be a Randy Newman record without involving some form of politics, such as the song Piece of the Pie which touches on certain issues like universal healthcare, education, and the administration in general. The record is typical though, it shows how consistent he is with his sound, but for him releasing so many records, one would think he'd change the way he sings or plays. It is a cool bluesy record, especially in the title track Harps and Angels because it's a laid back tune with simple piano and a lot of lyrics that mean a lot, and relate to his life, but also apply to the daily life of most Americans. Harps and Angels  is a good mellow record that actually does spark thoughts in the listeners mind through the lyrical importance of the words that he sings, especially towards the end of the record in songs like Korean Parents and Potholes. 

In closing, Newman again makes a solid record that strikes at the core of our personal being and what the listeners believe and how the listener should keep an open mind about what others believe. So, although there is a lack of change in the song style, it is still a monumental record for Randy Newman because it gets everything out on the table for him, and he doesn't hold back in his lyrical stand point and lets the listener knows what he's feeling.

The Age of the Understatement-The Last Shadow Puppets

In May, Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane of the Rascals teamed up as the Last Shadow Puppets and released their first LP The Age of the Understatement, which spurred on to a large spread outbreak of Arctic Monkeys fans and Rascals fans, but still has not gained much recognition for the dynamic duo from "across the pond."

The record starts out with the title track of Age of the Understatement, which dragged me into the record from the start because of its attractive up-beat tempo with its techno-esque intro, and then takes it just a bit slower in the second track Standing Next to Me which combines a little bit of up-beat acoustic but still has that dark side to it that is so familiar in Favourite Worst Nightmare (Arctic Monkeys', 2007 release) and Rascalize (Rascals', 2008 release). Which is why they're one of the most perfect combinations because of the mutual darkness in their style of music. It keeps up that same pace all throughout the record, but the song that truly stands out is the fourth track Separate and Ever Deadly which is hard to explain, but it's seemingly a perfect rock ballad.

The record has its downsides. It sounds like all Arctic Monkeys songs, despite having one of the Rascals, and although consistency is not a bad thing, it gets a little old because the band is basically using the same material and putting a new name on it. Not that it isn't good, it's just nothing new. Although, there were a few changes to the music itself, they still had the basic Arctic Monkeys sound. Even though the record has its advantages and it is a great record, it's not perfect, and could use work in a lot of areas. The duo has not quite mastered the sound, but they're close to accomplishing it, and they'll get it if they release a sophomore record."

In Rainbows-Radiohead

This record is long overdue for review. Radiohead has, in recent history, released their seventh record, and even more impressive, they did this one without a record label, after their contract with EMI Records ran out...and I may say, that they have out-done themselves this time...even for Radiohead. The record encompasses everything that it is to be human. The flaws in this record, in a way make it stronger.

This record is the soundtrack for human existence, if one was to be compiled. The reasoning behind that judgment isn't so much in the music itself, but rather the tempo that it poses. It starts out with a catchy, up-beat anthem called 15 Step, signifying birth and early childhood, how everything is fast, and really catchy, and up-tempo, and restless. Then, as the record progresses, it starts to get a little slower, and then picks up again here and there. Just like mid-life. All of the sudden, you're at the end, and it just stops. Now, I'm not trying to give the entire record away, rather telling my readers what to expect when the turn on 15 Steps, and start the hour long ride of your life...literally.

As for the actual review of the record, I hold true that it is one of the best records of 2007-2008, and it makes it even more special because this was made completely on their own, with no help from the label. They jumped one of the most difficult hurdles in their new record, and that is pulling a complete 180 on their sound, and turning it in to something that is monumental for them as a band. Which is why I agree with Rolling Stone Magazine when they say, "The Future Belongs to Radiohead." They've done something that, in a way, is impossible to do. They changed their genre. They went from being a typical rock band, with "something about them" to being known to me now as "God knows what that is, but it's damn good." That, my friends, is what I say Radiohead's new genre is.

The one, true downside I could find with this record, is that you can't understand a lot of the lyrics, and I think that actually adds to the signifigance of the music itself. Although, I would like to have been able to understand some of the lyrics that Thom Yorke had put into the record without having to look them up. It's an outstanding record, with vocals that compliment the background noise in flying colors. I really hope that Radiohead stays the same way for their next record (also hoping that it doesn't take them two years to release it.)

So, to In Rainbows, I give 5 stars. It took me almost an hour to find a flaw in it. Absolutely go out and buy it. By far the best self-released record that I've ever heard (even though self-released records come from up-and-coming artists who have little money or talent for that matter.) It's brilliant on almost every level.

The Black and White Album-The Hives

In October, the Hives released their new record called the Black and White Album which actually was a different brand of punk rock from the dynamic five Swedish guys who can be declared as the different breed of punk rockers who, instead of ripped Levi's, they choose black slack, and rather then a Misfits t-shirt, they choose a black dress shirt, and instead of a leather jacket, they choose the white dress jackets. "Why?" One might ask, and the only legitimate explaination to think of, is to be different.

That's exactly what this record was. Different. To say the least. Very new for them, and unknown. Which hints a label of "a different type of punk rock." That's what they are all-in-all, is a punk rock band. One of the only surviving ones, at that. They're so pure about it, and nothing is phony, and that's what makes the Hives punk. The fact that they don't care about what they look like, or what their music sounds like. I applaud that. Which makes them the kind of band that you listen to to get pumped up.

One of the most fun things about this band is how egotistical their lead singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist is. He takes a great sense of pride in what they create and he thinks that it is perfect. And in all honesty. It is. He once said in an interview, "We've been explaining to the world a lot of things about our new record, and how good it is, when it will eventually come out. Sometimes it feels like we're making Chinese Democracy." I mean, if the record sucked, he would sound like an asshole, but the record was a classic, so you don't even care, and in fact, you find it moderately funny.

This record, compared to the other records which areTyrannasaurous Hives, Veni Vidi Vicious, and Barely Legal (try to download that one on LimeWire) this one is way different. Frankly, some of it's downright weird, but it's still cool....a lot like Daft Punk. Especially songs like T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S. and A Stroll Through Hive Manor. It's punk, but, as I said earlier, it's a different breed of punk rock.

One thing that did pain me to see, was that they toured with Maroon 5. In response to that, I quote the movie Superbad,"That's like slapping God in the face for a great gift." Anywho. That doesn't really matter anymore. I'm excited to see what they do for their fifth record. It should be rather interesting...to say the least. Also, I apologize for the tardiness of this review, considering it was released almost a year ago. I give it four stars, and not five, because it was a little lengthy...which shouldn't be surprising to me anymore. Most records are now.

Geology-The Stock Market Crash

The Stock Market Crash is becoming a pretty big deal 'round these parts of Oklahoma. They've really started to show what they can accomplish musically with their sound, and how experimental they can really get. They're just not your average, local band. Also, despite how old this record is, it still stands out as a phenominal record...especially for an up-and-coming Okie band.

I realize that most of my readers have never even heard of The Stock Market Crash, so thus, you have no idea what the Hell I'm about to talk about...even though you should definately go check these guys out. Their record Geology is definately a great starting record, because although it's a great record, you can tell where they can improve for their sophomore record, to cut what could be a legendary rock record.

I think I like this record so much because it's so easy to review, because as soon as you read this, and listen to the record you know exactly what I'm talking about. Also, I feel somewhat connected with the record because I did a sample review of Geology when I was with NONzine for a short time (which is a small, quazi-tabloid, bi-weekly Arts & Music magazine in circulation in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.)

For starters, Matt Bacon (lead vocals) has one of the most innovative and inventive voices that I've ever heard. A little Bob Dylan-esque in many ways, but at the same time, it's his own way of singing. It's unlike anything I've ever heard before. He also backs it up with great lyrics though, i.e. the song In the Mouth of the Whale when he sings the line "It's a full time job/To be a part-time lover." It's so simple, yet quite deep when you think about the truth behind that (as I've said before in my Top Ten Songs in Modern Music post.)

The music that backs him up is different as well. There's no real explaination for that either. Pedals for the guitars, maybe. It's just all around different...I guess that's why I like this band. A lot of it, I guess, would be the fact that it's simple guitar (no solos really, or anything gaudy that makes their music seem so phony) put with interesting effects. All-in-all, that's the only way to really explain the sound.

The record did have it's downsides though. Despite how good it was, it still seemed like they had no idea where to put the songs on their record. Song placement is a very big factor in putting together a great record. If it doesn't tell a story (which many records do now) then you still can't bore your audience. If you have a slow song, don't toss it in the middle of the record, put it close to the end, so that by the time your audience gets to the middle of the record, they're still very into what they're hearing...and then throw the slower song on them...see how they like it.

Also, the pace of the record may have changed, but the songs seem to start running together at some points. It's like the songs start to sound the same. I'm not saying that ALL their songs run together, but a fair few of them (on this record) do. Not that that's even a bad thing, but it does get a little too much to handle, especially when you can't remember which song's which, when trying to tell a friend to listen to them, like Don't Walk and In the Mouth of the Whale. I always used to get those two songs mixed up, because they sound so damn similar.

All-in-all, it is a great, and very artistic record, where you can tell that there's a lot of British influence, and a little blues influence in it, because of the tone in the lyrics. I'd give it four stars. Which is great considering it's a debut record. I look forward to seeing The Stock Market Crash unveil newer stuff very soon, and I think they have the potential to get up there, and make it. So, do yourself a favor, and buy it on iTunes. You'll like it.

With a Little Help from my Friends

In 1960, four guys in Liverpool, England started up a band. They grew to be one of the biggest and most popular bands in the history of Rock & Roll. These guys are the soul purpose of modern rock music...at this point, you should know that I'm talking about the Beatles.

Despite how ridiculously cheezy of an opening that was, just think of what the Beatles have done. I'm not going to spill a bunch of BS about how the Beatles "invented" rock music, because we all know that's not true. In fact, Elvis Presley didn't even "invent" it. In my own personal opinion, I think that Chuck Berry invented rock & roll music. So, the Beatles might not have made it, but damn it, they perfected it.

Think where Rock music would be today with out The White Album(which is number one on my favorite records.) No one had heard that before. No one had even thought about that before, and yeah, maybe it was the acid talking, but it's still tops. The song Helter Skelter alone could be considered as part of the reason we have distortion in guitars. Who knows, Daft Punk might have been influenced by the trippy "musical experience" that one experiences in Revolution No. 9.

My point is, hands down, the Beatles are the greatest rock band ever. I'm not even saying that from a fan stand point. Led Zeppelin is up there (and I'm not even a Zeppelin fan) but you have to take into consideration that Zeppelin was most likely influenced in some way by the (at the time) revolutionary sound the Beatles had come up with.

Song writing is a totally different story. Neither of those bands come close to the level of song writing of Bob Dylan, who I hold true to be the greatest song writer ever. I think I could say that even the Beatles were influenced by him in some way...his early stuff. If you listen to a lot of the lyrics that the Beatles wrote (especially in the latter days of their life as a band ie. Abbey Road) there's a lot of similarities. The one aspect that really stands out to me, is the fact that they're both incredibly symbolic with their words. A lot of metaphors and similies are used...and people don't write like that. It sounds odd to say, but the people (usually) who are influenced by Bob Dylan are influenced souly by his sound, not so much the words he uses...with the exception of the Redwalls.



I say the Redwalls, and anyone who knows them knows why, because they are...Dylan. The sound sounds damn-near flawless, and some of the songs are written the way Dylan would write them...just full of symbols...plus many of their songs are political. But not in a bad, sell out kind of way, but rather, it's more of a release, which isn't exactly bad. You just have to get over it, and listen to the music, despite if you agree with the artist or not.

This is nothing more then a rant...it's going on 2:30 here. In fact, tomorrow, I'll probably wake up and read this, and be totally disappointed with myself. I'm tired, dozing off here-and-there. I'll update again very soon. Thank you.

Kevin

Sleep Through the Static-Jack Johnson

For all of the soft rock, easy-listening, adult contemporary music fans out there, you may know that Jack Johnson just recently released his newest record Sleep Through the Static. People didn’t get that good of a vibe from it…which is understandable because it didn’t really have the stuff to draw new people, but for a serious Jack Johnson fan, it was different for Jack.

Jack went electric on this record, which was kind of a weird change, and seemed kind of ballsy to the people who were die hard Jack Johnson fans when it was him and an acoustic guitar. He also brought back long time friend and pianist Zach Gill, who in a way, made the record what it was creatively, especially when it comes to the back part of the record when you get to the song Monsoon, which had a creative balance of piano, guitar, and outstanding lyrics. This was one of Jack’s best records.

People would disagree with that statement though…sadly. It still is, in a way, same ol’ same ol’ Jack Johnson, just a guy with a guitar who writes slow, and frankly, girly songs. The difference between this record, and the previous records (besides the sound) was the meaning behind all the songs. Usually, as Jack Johnson fans know, all of his songs dealt with love and friendship, or in a few circumstances, what was going on in society (i.e. Cookie Jar, Fall Line, ect.) But this record broke those things that stereotyped him as a “one-trick pony.”

He focused this record on what’s going on in the war (not necessarily his personal opinion.) It focuses on how it affects my generation, that being the one that has to grow up during this war and seeing the killing on the TV screen. It’s different then any other “anti-war” statement that’s been released in recent music history. That is, because it doesn’t put the blame on someone or something, rather it gives solutions to the problem. Which is…cool. You don’t really get that from many artists. It’s his actual views and him releasing musically, rather then selling himself out to get a cheap cheer.

It’s different for him, that’s all I can really say about it. I’d give it five stars, because he pushed his own boundaries and reached his expectations. He really did it this time. He changed his sound in a great way, which you don’t really get anymore. I’d pick it up if you like this kind of music, and you like Jack Johnson. If you don’t have it, you should pick it up. It’s definitely worth it.

Narrow Stairs-Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab for Cutie just recently released their latest record called Narrow Stairs, and I for one, love it. It’s a big step forward for them, because it embraces the new boundaries they were able to set for themselves. They got a little experimental with their sound, but in a great way, and it really paid off.

It is one of the best records I’ve heard in a pretty long time, and in a way, it has a Flaming Lips kind of feel to it, especially the first track Bixby Canyon Bridge. The way Ben Gibbard sings just reminds me of the way Wayne Coyne (lead singer of the Flaming Lips sings). It truly shows the confidence they have as a band, because through the originality of some of the songs (such as I Will Possess Your Heart, which is an eight minute long song with an amazing instrumental.) It shows that they made this record for themselves. Not the critics, not the label, and not even the fans. The record then progresses to the middle of the record which pulls you in to the Death Cab spell with songs like Talking Bird and Grapevine Fires. Then it comes to the ending of the record with the classic song, The Ice is Getting Thinner, which, in all actuality, is a think piece on relationships and how they just don't work for Ben Gibbard.

That’s a respectable thing to do in the industry, being able to play what you want and if people don’t like it, being able to say “Go to Hell, because that’s the way it’s going to be.” There’s only one downside to this entire record, and that’s the fact that it’s just a little lengthy. It’s still good, but it’s hard to sit down and listen to the whole thing in one sitting, unless you’re on an airplane, or sitting in a car on a road trip.

That’s all that I really found wrong with the record. They did such an outstanding job of putting this all together, that it just turned out beautifully. Definitely pick it up and spend fourty-five minutes listening to it, because it’s also a great lyrical record. I give it 5 stars. It’s almost a perfect record.

This is venting...

Okay, I'm sorry to say it, but I think that music has hit an all time low. I mean, I've recently been listening to XM Satellite Radio, and the Music News Break came up and the hottest news story that the DJ's could come up with, was about Shakira getting a deal with some record company that won't even really matter until 2009, and even then...really, who gives a damn?

Now, I know that this is just sounds like the nonsensical rantings of a teenage music fanatic, but does no one see anything wrong with the fact that Now That's What I Call Music 28 and Disney's Camp Rock are numbers 3 and 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Sales Chart? I mean, even then, Coldplay's Viva la Vida is STILL the no. 1 spot, which just doesn't make sense. I will admit though, for being diversified as a music fan, that I am moderately glad to see Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter III at the no. 2 spot, because even though it's a rap record, it's still a great record for it's kind.

But then you get down to the 8 and 10 spots, of being Disturbed's Indestructible and Offspring's Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace which, I'm sorry to tell you heavy rock fans, that music, downright sucks. You hear one song of any band in that genre, and you've heard the entire genre. It's just downright ridiculous. I mean, just how does stuff like this make it to the top, where as, it doesn't get good until the Top 20 portion, where the no. 12 and 13 spots of Journey's Revelation and Weezer's self-titled record Weezer. I just really don't understand it at all.

I'm also going to throw out another topic which I kind of reached earlier. The lack of music diversity in today's music "fans". I mean, I for one, can listen to a little bit of absolutely everything. I like a little rap. Ton of indie. Ton of rock. Little tiny bit of metal. Even smaller bit of pop and country. But it's all there. You know, with today, it's all the emos listen to the emo "music" (which is just a bogus scene to begin with) and usually the rap fans listen to only the rap. Same with the metal fans. It's stupid. And it isn't usually even a question of individual taste, but rather what their scene tells them they should be listening to. That's why I consider myself "cool" and not cool. It's like what Chuck Klosterman says about Billie Joel in his book Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa-Puffs that I'm so uncool that it makes me cool. I listen to what I love. What actually speaks to me, and that is what music is really about.

Like, for instance, I for one, am a HUGE Kanye West music fan. I'm not a fan of him as a person, but he's an incredibly talented artist, and a great poet. Where, at the same time, I still have that Oklahoma country-boy in me that listens to old John Denver tunes. Two COMPLETELY different worlds musically. I quote one of my favorite artists Jack Johnson, "Music is pure fun." It's what makes you feel great. Music, to me, is actually life, and not just me saying that. Music is being able to put on Die Motherf***ers by Geto Boys and dance around a house with your buddies with no shirts on, or being able to sit by my speakers or with my earphones and just mellow out. 

Now, I know, this is probably offensive to some people, considering that everyone has opinions, and to my readers, thanks for the support, and let me know how you guys feel. Nothing is more fun to me then just sitting and talking music with people. So, just comment as you like. I love to read the feedback. Let me know how you guys feel.

Viva la Vida-Coldplay

Okay, as everyone well knows, Coldplay's highly anticipated fourth record Viva la Vida was just released, and frankly, I'm not too big of a fan of it. I mean, it's good, but a lot of hype was lead up to this, and it was a flop, frankly. 

Okay, first of all, Coldplay is not the greatest band on Earth, and I need to base that down to begin with, especially because Coldplay has turned into the High School students' "Dave Matthews Band" fad. Everyone listens to them, and everyone's an expert on them. Which is a sad truth when it all boils down.

I'm definitely not saying that Coldplay sucks either. Chris Martin masters the falseto style of singing, and the addition of the mellow music of guitar mixing with a piano just makes the band what they really are. But that's all about the band itself that I'm going to say before this review turns bias.

First, to start off, one of the cons of this record, is that it starts out with a pure instrumental, that honestly, bores the living Hell out of you. I mean, it is upbeat and everything, but it's repetitive. Also, I, frankly, cannot STAND the song Viva la Vida because of how famous it's become. I mean, it still is good, but it doesn't deserve the attention it has got.

Now, I will give it the satisfaction of having three very good songs, and the band all together, writes very deep and meaningful lyrics and sings it well for the most part, and I'm talking about near-great songs. These songs are Cemeteries of London, Yes (despite the deep vocals at the beginning) and Death and All His Friends (for the soul purpose of the line "Cycle recycled revenge" even though it was not come up with by the band, rather their producer.)

It good. I will at least give them that. But it just sounds like X&Y, which as well all know (if you actually know music) was not that great of a record. Coldplay has just turned into a repetitive band, and that's a hard habit to change, because when you start writing songs and singing them one way, then you're told that you have to completely change that, it's hard to do. I guess I'd tell you to buy it, I did. Don't rip them off. It is kind of worth it, but much better records have been released. I give it three stars.

Top Ten Songs in Modern Music

Top Ten Songs in Modern Music
1. Belt Loops-The Films-Don’t Dance Rattlesnake
Okay, we all know how I feel about most pop-music in general, and although this song has a mild, pop to quazi-pop attitude about it, it’s still got a balance of good solid lyrics, “in-your-face” guitar and bass (how ironic that that actually rhymed), and a solid vocalist make this somewhat of an unofficial anthem for my generation because it is the story of overcoming a failed relationship, and that pretty much speaks for itself.

2. Colorful Revolution-The Redwalls-Universal Blues
This is the “MTV Generations” Revolution. And not just because of the similarity in the name. Overall, it addresses the problems in our society through somewhat of a figurative way (although plenty of the song’s meaning is just straightforward and easy to interpret.) It addresses the war, and the inflation, and everything else our society is famous for, despite how political it really is. The difference between the Green Day kind of politics and the Redwalls kind of politics is that the Redwalls’ is not opinionated, but rather straightforward facts. And I, for one, will step right up and start a colorful revolution.

3. In the Mouth of the Whale-The Stock Market Crash-Geology
I know most people have never EVER heard of this band. Little local diddy from here in Okie. There is just one line, that I think sums up our generations views on relationships and love. “It’s a full time job/To be a part-time lover.” How damn truthful that really is, and not so much the job part being full time, but rather that all we can look forward to is a bunch of “One Night Stands” or “Two-Week Relationships” that we, for the most part, have forgot all about the love factor that goes into a relationship, that could then lead to marriage.

4. Naïve-The Kooks-Inside In/Inside Out
Good Lord! What an amazing song. Speaks out for how dumb all of us can really be, when especially when we see things we really want (or at least think we want) right in front of our face, and we just let them take advantage of us and use us, and not just love in this situation, but rather anything one could think of, whether it be alcohol, friendship, or even religion for Christ-sake (no pun intended). The song just fits us so perfectly because of the lyrics. And not only that it’s an all around amazing song.

5. Politik-Coldplay-A Rush of Blood to the Head
Now, I’m not going to lay down a bunch of crap hailing Coldplay as the “greatest band to grace God’s Green Earth” because frankly, they’re not. I love their music, but they’re repetitive and overall are afraid of change, but this song is just so beautifully written, and performed so. I’m not quite sure what it is about the song, but if I had to give one thing about it that makes it stand out from every other Coldplay song, it would be the lyrics. They’re just so…yeah. Words, in no way, can describe it.

6. Saint John-Cold War Kids-Robbers & Cowards
This song isn’t even brilliant lyrically. This song just tells an amazing story of a man waiting on death row for killing a man with a brick in defense of his sister as she was being raped. It just really captures a lot about my own views on the death penalty, as if Nathan Willett (lead singer) has actually spent time waiting on death row. The music for it really captures a lot of the mood, as it starts with a low, sad three chord bass line, that is basically repeated throughout the song.

7. Electric Feel-MGMT-Oracular Spectacular
This song just puts you in a dancing mood, as gay as that actually sounds. It can’t even be classified as any type of music really. I mean, maybe electronica, because of its sound, but all I know is that this is a great song. Not even lyrically again, but just kind of a “feel good” kind of ballad that has kind of a Daft Punk feel to it. Just carefree, not worrying about anything kind of mood to it.

8. Yeah Yeah Yeah Song-The Flaming Lips-At War With the Mystics
Not what you would really expect from the Flaming Lips (of course I am referring to it’s meaning) that being kind of an anti-war ballad. It is a political piece again, but not in a horrible way, and Wayne Coyne (lead singer) kind of clears it up at in concert by breaking it down line-by-line, and explaining it (which was one, if not the, best concerts I’ve ever seen.) It does have to do quite a bit about President Bush, but I’m so out-of-it politically, I could really careless, and it’s also not as extreme as SOME bands (Green Day, System of a Down.) But definitely a great, and powerful song.

9. Crescendolls-Daft Punk-Discovery
You know, robot rock is so sweet. I mean, Daft Punk has got to be one of the most influential and different (to say the least) bands of all time based souly on the fact that they are the founders of Robot Rock. I just chose this song because it’s my favorite Daft Punk song, and it’s just a song that pumps me up. There isn’t any lyrical meaning to it, and I honestly cannot explain how I love it so much, or Daft Punk for that matter.

10. Hard Sun-Eddie Vedder-Into the Wild OST
What an amazing song this is, especially for a movie soundtrack. My brother really got me into this song this summer. It just is such a beautiful song. I mean, lots of symbolism lyrically, really easy but still remarkable guitar, and good vocals all back this song up. This actually is some of Vedder’s best work (including his stuff with Pearl Jam). Just good, easy listening music.

Now, all of these songs are available for download (for a short time) and if anyone has any objections to any of these songs being posted, please let me know and I'll remove them and apologize immediately. So the link to get all ten of these songs is
http://savefile.com/projects/808652848
Enjoy!

Kevin

My Views on Modern Music...

Okay, so even more different now. I'm going to blog as to why I think the popular "music" of today...sucks. Now, by popular music, one should know that I'm not talking about your Coldplays, and Jack Johnsons, but rather, your Fallout Boys, Panic! At the Discos, and so on and so fourth.

First of all, to get this out and on to the table, if you tie politics into your music, then you are selling out to one of the most recent fads that are involved in today's music "scene" (or lack-there-of) and yeah, I am fully aware of how preachy this sounds, and this will be the only blog like this that I do. Back on task though. I concur, President Bush may not be one of the greatest guys to ever be put into office, but Hell, we all voted him in there (or atleast the majority as you can blatantly see). Just because a guy makes mistakes when he's in office though, he gets a whole music fad after him? Honestly, if they weren't such crappy bands (Green Day, System of a Down) I would be partially honored. But now these bands are taking what Bob Dylan and John Lennon did best, and commercializing it for personal fame? That just doesn't seem right to me, that the two best song writers to ever grace God's Green Earth are being mocked by what are basically rich kids who think Bush sucks because CNN or MSNBC says that Bush sucks, they feel that that's a way to get a great cheer out of the audience.

I was recently talking to a friend of mine named Paul Snyder, and we discussed this topic quite a bit. He put it very blatantly and straight-forward by saying that these guys are like "Hey, we suck at playing music...but Bush sucks!" And the crowd eats up every bit of it and cheers right along with a ceremonial "Hoo-rah" against the American government, and the sad part is, most of this happens OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY. 

I just hate knowing that pompous rich boys like the three malcontents in Green Day are ruling the music industry, when people who are far superior in vocals, straight up music talent, and lyrics are struggling to make money off of their record because it's also become uncool to buy music, so iTunes and old time record stores (half of the people my age don't even know what that is...sadly) are down, while free sites/applications like LimeWire and RapidShare are sky-rocketing in numbers.

Also, the fact that crappy emo boy outfits like that of Fallout Boy and Panic! At the Disco, and Cobra Starship (Sorry Taylor) can whine their hearts out on a record and play God-Awful music, that girls that are my age, just because of their hair or T-Shirt line, or shoes, or whatever BS it may be, will still end up eating it all up, and it becomes then "An Industry of Cool" and not about what we (my humble readers) love so much about music. The sad SAD truth is that if rock n' roll, and I mean real rock n' roll, not this stuff that I'm talking about stays the way it is, has a good seven years left before it goes belly up, and then we'll be left with rappers and country artists, and thanks to emo and political music, real music will finally rest in peace, just like Mr. Don McClean predicted it would.

The Raconteurs-Consolers of the Lonely

Okay, I don't know what to even call this thing anymore. Let's just call a music source, with articles and reviews. (God, I really need a new hobby and a smaller vocabulary.) If you couldn't read in between the lines (if anyone is reading this at all) I'm back with another review, and this is of Consolers of the Lonely by the Raconteurs.

Again, little background information. Formed in 2005, the Raconteurs consist of Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler, Jack Lawrence, and the legendary Jack White (who I still hold as my generation's Jimi Hendrix.) And, they're not bad, but can't touch the original workings of Jack and Meg White as The White Strips, where most of the classic music of my generation actually has come from.

Now, this record started off with a big band that kind of left you wanting more after the first song of Consoler of the Lonely. Then, it goes into Track 2 on the record Salute Your Solution, which still isn't a bad song, but no where near the magnitude of the primary track of the record.

I will give them one thing, the guitar through out the entire record is strong, and that is also a key point to why this record doesn't completely suck. It just takes a while to get into, and after about five or six songs, you just start to get bored of everything, and go find something else to do.

It's not even that the remaining songs on the record suck. It's just that they're so repetitive, and it just all sounds like it's one, long, never-ending song. It just drags on and on, until you get to Track 12, which is my favorite on the record (Rich Kid Blues). I mean, I like the 1st, and the 12th track? That's not what a good, solid record is supposed to be like. That part of it, is mediocre at best.

I honestly do think that Jack White makes much better and lasting and stronger music when he plays with Meg White as the White Stripes. I think he is just better as a solo act with drums, because when you mix him in with a rhythm guitarist, then you just take away from that man's God-given talent of being able to absolutely destroy a guitar. So, I give three and a half stars.

De Nova-The Redwalls

Yes, although I'm back with yet another review, mainly because I'm working with a few bands right now, still in the interviewing stage, but will have articles up very soon if all things go to plan, but I just want to review what is perhaps one of my favorite records. De Nova by the Redwalls.

 

I mean, Logan Baren sounds (almost effortlessly) flawlessly alike to Bob Dylan. Although that might be a bad thing according to some people. The thing is though, Logan Baren sounds more like the legendary Dylan, then Dylan's own son Jakob (especially in songs like Glory of War and Front Page which both ironically have a Dylan-esque theme to them of anti-war).

This record is not to go without it's flaws though. There is a little too much harmony in some songs (as if I could actually find myself saying that with my love of the sound of harmony). I mean, it's not completely over-the-top, but it isn't even that much of a harmony sound, as it is Logan and Justin Baren singing the same piece of music in the same key. It just gets to be a little too much because it all seems to get mashed together.

Also, and I just have to get this out there on the table. This whole record is almost flawless with the exception of one song. Love Her. It's not good. The record was a little lengthy to being with, but that was just a waste of a song, in my opinion. Besides  that, it's almost hard to point out any sort of flaw in the entire record.

Now to the strong points of the record. For those of you who grew up during the 1960's/1970's or are a fan of the music of that era, this sounds like the good ol' fashion music from then. The guitar sound just sounds like it's raw, and original, and not messed with by new age pedals or effects. 

The one, key point to this record (and band for that matter) is the lead singer's (Logan Baren) voice. You just don't get people who sing like that anymore. It's carefree, and just original sounding, and to me, that's what makes this band really stand out above the rest of the bands in the music industry (if you can even call it an industry anymore).

I'd give it a good four stars, and it'd be four and a half, if it wasn't for Love Her. It's good. Pick it up if you get a chance. It's worth 9 or 10 dollars.

The Kooks-Konk

Once again, I'm back with a review. This one is a little tough to do too, because one thing you have to remember is that no matter how much you like a band, you have to be brutally honest and overall, unmerciful. So, Konk, by the Kooks is on the chopping block for this post.

 

Konk, first of all, was named after the studio that recorded the record. That's just a little background information. This was the Kooks sophomore record (succeeding Inside In/Inside Out which could be considered as one of the best records of this decade thus far) and it had a lot of hype to live up to, due to the success of Inside In/Inside Out. 

Now, I'm not going to say that this was a bad record. This record had a lot of solid building blocks in it. The guitar throughout the entire record was impressive to say the least, and thank Kooks' guitarist Hugh Harris for that. The guitar work really stands out, especially in the song Gap and as well as See The Sun (cleverly related to the blog name.) A lot of the guitar stands out though, not because of swill solos, but rather eccentric hammer ons and slides that give it an extra pizzaz, rather then over-the-top solos that drag the songs out.

 

Now, I have to bring up the lyrics that Luke Pritchard wrote for this record. Now, I'm definitely not saying that the lyrics sucked, but compared to that of Matchbox (From Inside In/Inside Out) and other examples from that record and various EP's they released. I mean, Inside In/Inside Out was just far superior lyrically, because on Konk, Luke wrote songs like Do You Wanna which was a great guitar song, but the incredibly repetitive chorus of "Do you wanna/Do you wanna/Do you wanna make love to me?" It just gets hard to listen to after a minute and a half of the same fourteen words over and over again.

 

I do actually suggest buying this record. But, I'd get a better feel for the Kooks prior to doing so, because I didn't really think this was the Kooks. I give this three and a half stars, based souly on the lack of deepness in the lyrics. So, if your at the record store or BestBuy or whatever it may be, get Inside In/Inside Out first, and if you own it, get Konk, but get it with special bonus disk Rak because it has songs on it that are like the ones on the freshman record (such as Watching the Ships Roll In).

Kevin

Jakob Dylan-Seeing Things

Although, yes, I usually do straight-edged articles that are accurate, legitimate interview articles, I decided that I would do a review. Also, although this record has not been released quite yet, I have heard it. I have to say, not quite Jakob Dylan anymore. Nevertheless, it's not too bad of a record.

 

He started out playing with a small time band...kind of, called the Wallflowers as their lead singer. You know, he doesn't sound anywhere near what his dad (the one and only Bob Dylan) did/does. And if that man can sing is a very debatable topic. There is common ground between father and son. The deepness of their lyrics. They both were masters of the pen, and were able to take nothing in a song, and turn it into something.

Voice-wise, Jakob does sound the same. I think giving up and flying solo made him start writing considerable deeper lyrics, and although to be a successful musician, you have to be able to back those lyrics up with a good voice, he has turned into a good and solid solo musician. Meaning that the lyrics he wrote has to be able to balance out with the voice, to stick in the mind of the listeners, so that they can see what the artist was trying to accomplish with this song, or that verse, or that stanza. So on and so fourth.

It wasn't a very disappointing record, but if you're a big Wallflowers' fan for Jakob, then you may be just a little bit disappointed. It's good, but not great. There's small blotches in song placement, and the record does get a little bit repetitive at some points. It is a record though, that you can just sit down and listen to, and really ponder on the lyrics this guy writes.

Interview with lo/fi pioneer...Chicago soul/jazz outfit

Some say that true, real inspiration comes in many forms, whether it be through a piece of art, something you read in a book, a great speech from an idol of your's...but for Aryk of lo/fi pioneer, inspiration comes from the things around him, including music. "My musical influences come from everywhere in life, they don't even need to be directly related to music" said Aryk. It's not what he listens to that inspires his music, rather, it's plainly what he hears that invokes his great sense of music. Much of what inspires him comes from other musicians playing in the clubs of the Chicago scene, that wrack his brain and inspire him to create and write. Chicago has helped him develop musically because it's a great scene to see many artists that are fairly popular. Growing up he listened to classic rock and country music. "...although the country was not by choice." Growing up he said that he listened to Aerosmith a lot, and they shaped the way he viewed rock music. In his teen years, he grew into the hip-hop stage, listening to Roots and Rage Against the Machine. None of these shaped his music life like the music of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, when he borrowed a CD of his music when he was 17 or 18 year's old. According to him, "It opened the door to just about everything funky...I was also diggin more live hip-hop and neo-soul." Listening to artists like Nick Drake, Duncan Sheik, and James Taylor. "But it was those funk and R&B records that really inspired me to change the way I write music, sing, and play guitar" He said. That must be why he loves playing live so much. That is his favorite experience about music, because "It's great to have a good record and all, but it doesn't hold a candle to playing that music live. How did lo/fi pioneer get started though? Well they started out with a rotating group of people up until 2006, and were struggling to find the perfect fit of a bassist. Finally, after putting up ads in Craiglist, they came to their bassist Kevin, who, according to Aryk, "Knew where he wanted to be musically and didn't fake the funk." He said that it seemed that the others that he tried just seem to artifical and fake, and didn't really show his particular love for the music. After going through a first drummer, Russell, whom he met at open-mic nights at a Southside Chicago club every monday, they met TY, who is the drummer for the group now because Russell had a "falling out" and introduced them to Russell. According to Aryk, "That must have been a sign...playing with TY has been nothing short of amazing." The best thing about this band, is that the music is real. Nothing is filler, and nothing is fake. All of the music on their latest record "Solid State 2007" is real. It's about true relationships, conversations, and experiences that were worth writing about. They have a true, unbreakable passion for playing their music, and it's just something you do. "It's your fix... I think for most musicians it starts along the path of  you beg your parents for an instrument until they cave in, you learn the instrument, you learn how to write songs and starts from there.  For some of us it we press on until the dreams of becoming a rock star turn into reality, for others it becomes another hobby" said Aryk. That is why this band is different, and that is why this band is successful. It's not all about being what a rock-star is labeled to be. It's all about the passion for music, and knowing that the people you play your music for have a passion for it just as much as you do.

Interview with Scott Monaghan...aka Mr. Pitiful

Chicago, Illinois. Birthplace of the Baby-Back Rib, mass transit and public transportation, and most importantly…jazz. It is here that in 2005 Scott Monaghan decided that it was time to sit down and get serious about his love for music that he had since he was a kid. It was time to perfect his music the way he wanted, and get it the way he wanted it to sound.

                This extravagant "new-jazz" sound that Scott invents and perfects comes from the Soul artist Otis Redding, which is also how he got his name of Mr. Pitiful, coming from the famous song of Redding's that is known by many jazz fans today.

                His feelings on music reflect those that are of every true music fan. The thing he loves most about music, he says, is the way it makes him feel. He says, "It's like nothing else. It takes me to a place where I can't get any other way. I guess you could say I'm a music addict. Maybe I need an intervention."

               Some say that in order to make good music, the music has to have a meaning and a purpose. Music has to have a certain flavor and beat to make it just right for the listener. Scott's songs have this kind of meaning in them, such as in his song "The Wedding Song" because it is a soulful and meaningful song, that at the same time has a catchy slow-tune, that relates directly to him and his life.  "[It] was written for my wife when we got married. I performed it for the first time as a surprise on our wedding day."

                What could one classify this type of music as though? "Some people call it soul, some people call it country, some people call it folk. I just try to write songs that people will like. Classic pop music." That's what makes good music. The fact that you play for your audience and for yourself, and not for a record company just for the money.

                Overall music is about individuality and being different.  What separates on from other artists then is important in today's music business. So what exactly is it that separates Scott from other artists today? "From my point of view, the biggest difference is that I'm me and other artists are someone else.  I see myself from the inside out and other artists from the outside in."

                Look out for Mr. Pitiful's latest record on iTunes, and his website which can be found through his MySpace.