Pandora vs. Spotify

So now that I have figured out how to use Spotify, I am addicted to it. It is so great to be able to listen and find new artists for free! But then I thought about how it compared to Pandora. I have used Pandora for the past few years, mainly because of it's convenience and lack of commercials. I can pull it up on my phone, and rather than playing only the popular songs like a radio station, it mixes it up and adds in some new artists. You can also choose the overall style of the station, which is definitely a positive.

But then it also has its cons. Though you can skip songs, you have a limit and once you have used up all of your turns, you are stuck listening to a horrible song. You also have no control over what you play... which can sometimes be a huge turnoff.

I realize that there are many other pros and cons of both, but rather than just listing them, I'm going to make a chart.

Pandora:

Pros                                  

• Introduces you to new music
• You can skip songs you don't like
• You can choose the style of the radio station
• You can thumbs up/thumbs down songs you like/don't like
• Limited commercials
• Plays songs continuously
• Provides information about the artists
• Ability to follow others (I don't)
• Can be used on mobiles and computers
• Limits you to overplaying songs

Cons                                 

• Limited number of skips
• No control of the songs played
• Songs can be repetitive
• Singles only - Not full albums

Spotify:

Pros                                      

• Stream any music
• Free
• Follow artists or playlists
• You can create your own playlist
• Like a free iTunes
• Listen to full albums
• Can listen to radio
• Shows new releases, top songs, top playlists
• You can connect with people you know through facebook

Cons                                        

• Limited to computer use only (the free version)
• Radio choices are limited to mainly genres
• You can easily overplay songs and ruin them

That might show you something - the fact that I can't come up with any more negatives or positives for Spotify. Sorry if I forgot some. But overall I think they are both great for different reasons. If spotify was free on mobiles, it would definitely be my favorite, but right now they are at a tie...

Paul Simon - Graceland

Definitely an interesting album, but it wasn't my favorite. It was a very laid-back album, with hints of energy and culture. It was a really well put together album - It carried a similar theme throughout all of the songs, with a similar sound (very conversational), and overall it was catchy. It just wasn't my thing. For me, it is REALLY hard to get into songs and albums that sound like the artist is talking rather than singing. For instance in the song "Gumboots," it sounds like a guy talking to you at a concert. I also feel like Simon's voice doesn't change much or have much vocal range, which I think is pretty vital to songs so that it keeps your attention. I interpreted the theme of the album to be very hopeful, especially with the first song being "The Boy in the Bubble." Simon includes the lyrics:

It was a slow day
And the sun was beating
On the soldiers by the side of the road
There was a bright light

And the in the chorus he includes:

These are the days of miracle and wonder

I could be completely misinterpreting it and just looking at its literal meaning, but it's what I think.

Graceland (the song) also continues this theme.

Though I think Simon uses a few too many words sometimes, he really has a way for putting them. He uses a lot of metaphors that are really creative and have in-depth meaning that really add a lot to the song. Like in "That Was Your Mother," he uses the metaphors:

She's pretty as a prayerbook
Sweet as an apple on christmas day

These metaphors add a lot of merit to his lyrics, which makes them very unique. Most artists struggle with developing lyrics where as with Simon, I feel like he is the quirky guy who can say something crazy and turn it into a great lyric.

Overall, I think Paul Simon is a really talented guy, but he just isn't my favorite.

Civil Twilight

So a friend recently saw Civil Twilight at SXSW and she can't stop raving about them. She already knew who they were before she went, but she said they were even better live. I had heard two of their songs before.

"Letters from the Sky"

 

 

 

"Fire Escape"

 



 

 

I liked both of these songs previously and so I thought I'd check them out again. I was quite shocked when I found out that they were from South Africa. They have a very indie-rock sound. Some of their songs are very subtle and quiet, while others are a bit up beat. Their overall vibe is very soft and easygoing. They aren't like those bands who build adrenaline in an audience. They have the type of music you want to listen to when you want to relax. And I like that.

 

One song my friend introduced me to was "River."

 

"River"

 

It has a soft sound that is accompanied by a faster beat which gives it a great vibe.

 

I also am really enjoying this song.

 

"Holy Weather"

 

 

 

Again, same indie soft sound accompanied with a quicker beat. I really like that mix together. It is too overwhelming, yet it keeps your attention.

 

I am definitely planning on listening to all of their albums, now that I understand how to use spotify and what not.

 

And one last note. These blogs have really helped me figure out what I truly like in music and why I like it. I never would have said I like indie rock. Mainly because I didn't know what it was, but whenever I think indie, I think kind of hippy-ish. But I really enjoy that sound. And my knowledge of artists and music throughout history has really grown tremendously. Thank you, Mr. A, for making us write these.

Hair Metal Day

I'm going to be completely honest. I'm running real low on what to write about. I feel like I don't know how to find any new artists and music. I did just get spotify - well I have had it, I just didn't use it. It just seems quite difficult to keep up with new artists. It's also really time consuming digging through artists and trying to find ones you enjoy. But regardless, this is not what this blog is about.

This blog is about HAIR METAL DAY!

First words that came to my mind when Mr. A said Hair Metal Day: Screamo. I honestly had no idea what hair metal was - I genuinely thought it was hardcore metal - like so hardcore, it made your hair static-y... No not really.

But it was the exact opposite. AND I LOVED IT. I don't get what is so bad about men dressing like women and singing really upbeat and potentially pointless songs. I seem to be sensing a song that Mr. A might dislike pointless songs, even if they are fun and upbeat. I will admit that he likes The Ramones, but if it doesn't have merit and beauty, then he doesn't like it. Which I feel is the EXACT opposite of me. I don't care what the lyrics are, the symbolism, what this means, what that means, I just want to listen to something that is entertaining and fun. I don't want to listen to trash, but I also don't have to listen to the most beautifully written song to feel happy or pleased. Music for me is like a release or a relaxing technique. In a sense, it's my escape.

Well that is off track. Anyways, I loved Van Halen's "Jump." I thought the music video was hysterical and fabulous in so many ways. It was energetic and fun.

I also loved Winger's "Seventeen" and Van Halen's "Panama." I really can't remember any more of the bands we listened to because their sound all sounds the same - it all blends together.

Oh, we did listen to Motley Crue, though they weren't my favorite - they were a little too rocker.

Poison also had some good ones like "Unskinny Bop." And of course, there is no point in quoting lyrics because like I said earlier, they aren't the most beautifully written songs.

Overall, I did enjoy Hair Metal Day. A Lot. Sorry this blog was so jumbled. I just thought it was important to throw out some of those points I mentioned at the beginning.

Random

My blog tonight has no specific view or direction. I'm just going to talk about some songs that I recently heard that I think are really great or that the artist has a huge amount of potential. So, first off. I heard a song on a commercial and really liked it's sound. So I googled some lyrics I heard in the song and to my luck/surprise, it is sung by MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS. I serious love this guy. He is so different and is sound is varied and has a great beat behind all of his raps. Which brings me to the point that a lot of rap artists have great raps, but they lack a beat behind them, so the song is really dull. But this never happens with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, which is why I absolutely love them. Anyways, the song is called, "Can't Hold Us." Ugh, it is so great and upbeat. One might argue that it doesn't have much merit lyrically or musically, which makes me realize that the main reason I listen to music is to feel uplifted and positive - for entertainment. I don't really care what the lyrics say unless they drop multiple cuss words. As long as the song is catchy and upbeat, I basically love it. Which it's sad that it has taken me 7 months to figure out why I listen to music, but at least I know. But back to the point of this blog. This song is the jam. I can not wait to see what these guys produce next.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - Can't Hold Us

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHRkHFxD-xY

The next person I am going to talk about is a girl named Kat Dalhia. I reason I found out about her was because while Mr. A was looking up disco songs on Thursday, she and her new song were being advertised. Then that night, I was listening to the disco songs and her name came up again. So I thought, why not? I don't really know much about her because she is so new, but I do know that she is a Miami rapper. She recently released a song called "Gangsta." The lyrics of this song at times can be quite revolting. But the reason I am writing about her is because her voice. It is so deep and rich. She almost sounds like a man and a women, but then again not. It is so unexpected. And the sound of her voice makes her sound very genuine in her songs. I will have to say, this song definitely isn't the best thing ever. But I think she has so much potential. Her vocal capabilities are unbelievable and she can really do a lot with them. I will be looking out for her future work.

Kat Dalhia - Gangsta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trtdEg34eII

DISCO

Going into disco day, I was really expecting the worst. It thought the songs were going to be really obnoxious and boring and repetitive and loud and unnecessary. That is, until I realized The BEE GEES were considered disco. I have known about the BEE GEES since I was in elementary school, and I guess I never really connected that they were disco. I love their songs, especially "Stayin Alive." I think part of the reason I love this song so much is for it's music video. In the beginning, they are just walking like they are so cool and hip, and then BOOM! They hit some killer high notes (at least to me they seem high.) It's like their whole manly outlook is ruined. But it is awesome. Plus, all I can do is stare at Barry's white teeth that are surround by a super dark face. It's just so funny because the guys in the video are so chill, barely dancing, yet they are singing this upbeat song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY

I consider disco as a package rather than a sound. Kind of like punk, I think it is an attitude as well as a sound. I also think disco includes the fashion, the dance moves, the sound and the attitude. If you had some guys singing "Stayin' Alive" in jeans and a t-shirt, it would be COMPLETELY different and not a great. I just love the uniqueness of disco itself. It is so different from anything we see today. I guess you could say that dance music is similar, which it is. But when you hear dance music, you think of clubs and grinding. And that's what I love about disco. The dance moves weren't about grinding. They were about showing off your awesome talent and skills, while having fun and staying a friendly distance from unknown, drunk people. Plus it has such a happy outlook. Hearing it just makes me want to smile and get up and dance. I don't get the same reaction from listening to Joni Mitchell's album Blue. So I think it's nice to have an escape genre, which I guess is what it could be called.

Anyways, back to the people of disco. I also loved the Brothers Johnson and their song "Stomp." I think it has a great sound and the chorus is so catchy. Again it just makes me want to get on my feet and dance with high-waisted flared pants. Plus it has one of those guitar slap solos (I'm not sure if that is what its called.)

Overall I love disco, even though it might not be the most inspirational or lyrically important genre, I think it is nice to have a genre that is catchy and fun. Even if it's only purpose is for escape.

BOY

Lately, I have been struggling to find artists to write about for my second blog for the week. Nothing was really striking me as really good or even halfway decent. So tonight, while I was browsing iTunes to see if there was anything interesting, I came across a band called Boy. It is a duet band, consisting of two females. The lead singer is Valeska Steiner, who is originally from Switzerland, but is now based in Germany. Sonja Glass is the musician of the group. Together, they formed a band in 2007 and released their first work in 2011 titled Mutual Friends. Their songs have a very laid-back and folky sound, almost reminding me of Joni Mitchell. But BOY's sound is a bit more upbeat and positive than Mitchell's sad sound. I almost feel like their album is a reflection of ideas and objects. The lyrics are mainly about reviewing things they've had and been through. Their lyrics aren't the most amazing thing I have ever seen, but they aren't too bad. These are from the song "Army."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN1ZnEi3FdY

You should see my favorite people,
You catch a glimpse of gold through their skins.
I walk on air whenever I'm with them,
They're where the happiness begins.
And I'm alright on my own, but with them I'm much better
They're like diamonds and diamonds are forever.
What I really enjoy about this group is the raw and realness of their sound. It doesn't sound fake or like it has been messed with. It just sounds real. Her voice sounds raspy at times and other times it sounds really composed and beautiful. It never sounds forced, it always sounds natural and soft. What I also really enjoy is the fact that their album has a mix of songs. Some are faster, some are slower, some are sad, and some are upbeat and positive. My favorite song off of the album is definitely "Little Numbers." It is a creative song with a great beat and awesome sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBNm0jnhUr4

I also really enjoy this song called "Boris." It is really raw and kind of has a darker sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=L-wsep7aYLg

Overall, I am really glad I found this band because it is completely different from what I normally listen to and I really want to broaden the style of music that I listen too. I think BOY has a great sound and I think we can expect to see them grow as a band in the next few years.

Here is the link to All Music to check out more of their songs.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/mutual-friends-mw0002225404