I know that I haven’t posted in AWHILE, been very busy searching for jobs and having to help out with a lot of things. I just wanted to say happy late 4th of July! I just hope everyone had a blast on the 4th. I’ll try to do a weekly posting on this blog now, if I can find the time for it at least.
There’s not much going on at the moment. Just pretty much updated what I like music-wise on my facebook profile, studying up for finals and playing League of Legends.
So, as I was looking through my collection of Jazz music. I got the idea to talk about one of my personal favorites, Sonny Rollins.
This man can play a Saxophone like a madman, but with the temperament of a gentleman. He was really famous during the “New Jazz” Era, which was a combination of Cool and Avant-garde style. He was one the leaders of this style with his strong, but yet relaxed playing that made him so entertaining and great to listen to during his live shows. He got addicted to heroine, but took a year off from Jazz to do social work and got himself off of heroine. If anyone is interested into Jazz, but don’t know where to start I’d start with this man’s music.
Right now, this is a cool-down period for me from a ridiculous amount of work still, so I’m still down for the time being.
I’ve been so busy as of lately, I haven’t been able to really review anything for the past few weeks due to tests and other assignment requiring my full attention. Sorry for the down-time and expect me to be able to blog again moderately soon.
I was shown a website a few days ago, and I have to admit that I love the idea of it all. The site is called www.jamendo.com and it’s an unlicensed band search and download engine. Here’s the website:
All the downloads are free, but they allow you to give donations to the bands. I’ve got to say that I’ve found quite a bit of really good bands from using this, and I’m more confused that they’re still unlicensed. You can also find bands from pretty much any country as well. If you want to find some nice off-the-beaten-path of mainstream bands, I highly recommend trying this place out.
This Album is absolutely amazing, now I know Eminem has a lot of haters and at the same time he has his lovers. No matter what you think of him, I would recommend you throwing those thoughts of hating or loving Eminem and just listen to his Recovery Album. This album is pretty much him voicing his comeback, or how I usually like to call it, a second wind. That’s not the point though, what the point is that this album is VERY good.
Quality: 7/10 at least
The quality of the songs on the album is crazy. Most of them are of his fast, powerful beats and rapid, unstoppable voice that can just run on pretty much anything that he sings. It’s ridiculous if you ask me.
Sound: 10/10
As mentioned before, Eminem’s voice is astonishing and absolutely breath-taking. One of my favorite songs being Cinderella Man with the constant beat being that of stomps and claps while Eminem sings about coming back with a vicious bite against all of his haters and comparing himself as Cinderella Man, never giving up and not going to screw his second chance up. Combined with the chorus, I can listen to that song all day. Switching from that to Love the Way you Lie ft. Rihanna is just a wreck-house combo of music able to steamroll whatever is in his way.
Uniqueness: 7/10
I always love comeback albums, but the only problem is usually that it’s always done nowadays. Seems some people think that it’s “hip” to do stuff like this to get even MORE fans. The reason I’m giving Eminem’s comeback a 7/10 is for two reasons. One, he did come out of some bad times during Relapse and this album comes out after his name was smeared a couple years back. Second, he comes back with such a powerful vengeance that it’s just awesome to see. Especially with songs like “Not Afraid”, “Won’t Back Down”, and of course “Cinderella Man” that has the show and bite of an indomitable spirit in the energy of his voice on this album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xumBcPNCzpA&hd=1
That’s a link to the Official Video of the song Lotus Flower by Radiohead, one of the songs Yorke showcased in his solo sets that was on this new album. Although the video is creepy but at the same time moderately artistic, the music itself is very laid and soothing.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/radiohead-s-king-of-limbs-track-by-track-20110218
Here’s a good break-down of the tracks and how they sound if you haven’t got the album from on-line yet. That, or you could wait till it’s out on March 28th. i would highly recommend anyone to get this album.
If you haven’t heard already, then now’s the time to hear from here. As most know already, there’s a new Radiohead album coming out and will be able to pay for a download, or if you’re more dedicated, pre-order actual physical copies of the album via CDs and Vinyls. The name of this new album is called The King of Limbs.
The announcement was done on Valentine’s Day, and oh so fitting of a gift like this coming out this Saturday. If you want some really good detailed information, here’s where you can find it:
http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=10&title=radiohead&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
Here’s another link for prices that aren’t in Euros:
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/02/15/radioheads-new-album.html
Now, Radiohead has done this before with their last album “In Rainbows”. I have to admit, this is a very interesting marketing tactic on the band’s behalf by making you be able to download the music before the album actually comes out on the shelves in stores, which for this album will be March 28th for it to hit shelves. As the second link says though, you can buy the CD, two vinyl discs and get shipped art from the band with these physical copies on May 9th for $50. I can’t wait to hear the reviews from people who bought this interesting piece of work when it comes out. Until then, come back here for any more updates.
P.S.: Sorry for the long time of updating, been moderately busy.
Now after the crazy weather has blown away (Finally!) and starting my day off with a nice cup of coffee, I’m going to review over an album that has been out for a couple years now, Viva La Vida by Coldplay. Now to me this band is pretty good overall making some nice, melodic alternative rock music. Combining this with interesting art and lyrics that have loving to reminiscent meanings to them, you get the album Viva La Vida. I feel this was a very creative and outstanding album for the year it came out. Now let’s get to the scoring…
Quality:
8/10
Their quality is quite astounding to be completely honest. It explains why they’ve gotten the notoriety and such a big following. With songs like “Violet Hill” and “Viva La Vida” on the album, quality is definitely not an issue on this album.
Sound:
9/10
Their sound is superb, just splendidly well-done. They’re able keep their standard alternative sound that they’ve had in past album while still making new and more intriguing sound throughout their songs. Each song has it’s own beat and vibe to it without feeling pretentious or like a copy-cat of some sort, they are their own sound, and a damn good sound too.
Uniqueness:
9/10
As I stated earlier, most of the songs usually talk about love or reminiscing, and does it with such a feeling to it. Songs like “Strawberry Swing”, “Lovers In Japan/ Reign of Love”, and “Violet Hill” all talk about love, but each a different kind. “Strawberry Swing” is about not wanting to lose the person that you love, while “Violet Hill” is reminiscing and regretting losing that chance with someone you wanted to love, and “Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love” talks about not giving up on love, even when you’ve messed up. While the song “Viva La Vida” is talking about reminiscing about a revolution, which explains the front cover of the album being a revolutionary march, and “Cemeteries of London” talks about marching at night-time in the name of God. Combining these meanings with the change of paces through-out the songs is absolutely incredible.
