The Neighbourhood

I recently came across this new-ish alternative group called The Neighbourhood and there music isn't half bad. They have a slightly raw-r sound than most alternative bands and they incorporate many different types of sounds into their music which makes their music very interesting. They also include some electronic sounds that I think give their songs a little "texture." But I also generally like songs that have interesting and fast beats. One thing I found interesting is on allmusic.com, they said that the fans of the band would also most likely be fans of modern pop music. To me, that statement is kind of like the cold truth to me. I don't like to think of myself as someone who loves any song as long as it sounds good - in my fake reality, I like to think that I enjoy music because it has merit, great vocals, and is instruementally put together very well. But that statement was like a slap in the face. It's true, I do just like any song that sounds good, regardless if it is by The Beatles or Selena Gomez...

ANYWAYS, I still think this band has great potential to producing some great hits in the near future. Their most popular release is titled "Sweater Weather."

I also really enjoy the song "Female Robbery." The intro of the song is very captivating and really draws in the listener.

Their song, "How," shows more of their electronic side versus their alternative side.

The more I listen to this band, the more I like them. Just in writing this blog about them, I already like them way more. I will definitely be on the watch for their next album.

Echotone

I thought Echotone was a really interesting movie not only because of the stories and journeys it revealed, but also that it showed what Austin, Texas was like 5 years ago. Movies that are set in your city are always neat to watch, regardless of the topic it covers because throughout the film, you find yourself saying, "I remember that!" or "I've been there." It was also neat to see the view of the city through another person's eyes, such as a fish delivery man. To me, Austin is a loving, welcoming, and weird city, but to Black Joe Lewis, it might have seemed rough and unforgiving. But I find Black Joe Lewis's story quite inspiring. I think I am able to say that he might not have been as fortunate growing up, which led to his job as a fish delivery man. Even though he hated and dreaded his job, he still went every day so that he could attempt to make it in the music industry. And I find that kind of perseverance really inspiring because for someone who came from a fortunate life to make it somewhere isn't that unheard of. But for someone who was less fortunate or got themselves into a really bad place (drugs, gangs, violence, prison)  to make it out on top is really fascinating.

I also really enjoyed the band Belaire. I'm not a huge fan of their music, but it isn't bad. What I really enjoy about this band is their sincerity. The fact that the lead singer makes all of their cd case designs and their t-shirts by herself is awesome. And what really made me love them was when she said something like 'I don't want to put our name out there, I want people to come find us.' I think that is so great because for once, they are in it for the music and the art, and not just the money.

M83

I first came across this band a couple years ago when I heard there first, well known song "Midnight City." It has a really catchy, electronic sound that really draws you into the song. It has a very vibrant and exciting sound while the voice of the singer is very low and drawn back. The contrast works really well because it creates a balance in the song. The contrast compliments both the artists and the songs strengths. One thing that really sticks out in the song is the trumpet. I think it was a great addition and brings a factor of "reality" because most of the music is electronic and computer generated.

M83's electronic-alternative vibe captures the ear of many music lovers. They all have incredible voices that really compliment their music. Neither is over powered by the other - they are always in balance, like I explained above. Their songs vary in sound quite a bit. Certain songs sound like they could be from the 90's, while others sound like the could be in the hair metal genre. And there are some that have a more current sound with the use of dubstep-like beats.

Right now, my favorite song of theirs is "Skin of the Night." It is so eerie and the voices of the singers give me chills. When the female begins with the chorus, the male vocalist comes into the background and that sound that they create together, (I'm not sure exactly what it's called, I don't think it's harmony, but it's something) that sound that they create together is magical-sounding. Everything flows so well, it just makes me so happy and giddy whenever I hear the song.

My next favorite song is also off of their Saturdays=Youth album, which was released in 2008 and is currently my favorite album. The song is titled "Couleurs." I just love the mixture of the sounds, it also gives that eerie feeling. I also think it's great how throughout the song, power builds and then recedes and then it builds, and then it recedes - that pattern is very entertaining to me.

"Couleurs"

I also really enjoy "We Own the Sky."

OutKast

I really enjoy the group OutKast. Overall, they are an upbeat group with unique sounds and styles. Again, it was an instance where I thought I didn't know any of the groups songs, but after listening, I recognized many of them. Compared to all of the other hip hop artists present during this time, I prefer OutKast because it's true, their hook lines ARE catchier - they grab and hold my attention throughout the whole song. Plus the beats are memorable and the lyrics are easy to sing to.

During class, the idea was brought up that OutKast doesn't rap in all of their songs. It was then questioned if they were still considered to be alike the rap/hip hop groups that were around at the same time. I think they are the same, even though they don't have rap in all of their songs like "Hey Ya." They are a group that kind of caused for the shift to pop songs. They still have similar qualities like the earlier rap groups in the 90's, but they have evolved with the time and changed the music style.

I really enjoy their song Rosa Parks because it has a really catchy chorus and a great tune. However, I completely understand the reason Rosa Parks sued the group. The song is about "getting down" at the back of the bus, and in a sense is making fun of the famous situation that Rosa Parks, herself, encountered. It is also using her name and attributing it to ideas like drinking and sex. But, it is a catchy song if you don't pay attention to the lyrics.

I also really love the speed and energy of the song B.O.B. It just makes me want to get up and dance. It is so catchy and I think one that works to the advantage of the song is that it is broken up by a chorus with different singers (the choir sounding part). It gives the listener something else to hear and therefore keeps their attention better.

Overall I really enjoyed listening to this group. They are fun and have catchy energetic songs that will always have a place in music.

Vicci Martinez

I'm going to warn you. This is more of a pop-y album, which you may not like/enjoy. But I do sometimes enjoy pop songs. It is on rare occasion and if I do listen to it, the artist is usually super talented and worth listening to. This is the way I feel about Vicci Martinez. Martinez was on The Voice back in 2011, though she did not win. However, she did land a record deal. She had already released multiple albums with other companies before performing on The Voice, but her most recent album is by far her best. She has a very rough/kind of scratchy voice - similar to Adele's. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, she just has that toughness in it - it's not super clear and clean, it's just, I don't know. Here most popular song is "Come Along," which features Cee-Lo Green.

"Come Along"

 

 

Her voice is super strong. With some artists, if they hit high notes and hold them for a long time, you hear their voice begin to weaken. But not with her. She has so much power.


"I Can Love"

"Let Go"

She truly is a fantastic singer/songwriter. Now I can pin-point her voice - it has a very soulful sound, especially on certain songs on her recent album like "Touch That Fire." I can't wait to see what she produces next.

Radiohead

When it comes to knowledge about music, I have very little. I knew a lot of the big names like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, but before this class, I didn't know any of their songs. Or at least I thought I didn't. This was kind of the instance with Radiohead. Before listening the "The Bends," I thought that I knew no Radiohead and it would be a completely foreign group. Well it turned out to be the opposite - I ended up recognizing at least half of the album. Which is going to lead me into a small complaint about the radio. I knew all of these Radiohead songs from the radio. But because I didn't know they were sung by Radiohead, I thought that I was unfamiliar with the band... but I was... kind of subconsciously. And that's why the radio frustrates me. You hear tones of great music (sometimes), but you never know the artists unless you happen to be listening when they announce it or you are extremely well educated with music. That was my rant. Now back to the actual blog.

Once I knew that I had heard many of the Radiohead songs before, I became very excited because it's always exciting to listen to music that you actually know... You're more into it and pay closer attention and you actually enjoy it.

I believe the first song we listened to by Radiohead was "Creep," which I know was off of Pablo Honey. We then listened to "High and Dry" off of The Bends. Then, we compared the songs. Mr. A asked the class which one was an easier listen. Unanimously, we agreed that "Creep" was an easier listen. He then asked which song would've been more preferred during that time or even now. The rest of the class responded with "Creep," while I said "High and Dry." Because I was the only one that responded with "High and Dry," I assume that my opinion was probably incorrect if we still keep it in the context of the question he asked. But if I were to answer the question based on my interests, I would for sure answer with "High and Dry." Sure, it requires more attention to listen to, but it is much more interesting. It's lyrics are much more meaningful and Yorke, I feel, is much more emotionally invested in the song. He also has a fabulous voice that is always wonderful to listen to. It's hard to say if I would've picked "Creep" as my favorite in the 1990's or if I would've stuck with "High and Dry." I know that I get really bored with songs that are the same with little to no variation, but I really don't know.

Some of my favorites off The Bends are "High and Dry" (obviously). I also really enjoyed the music video. Rather than distracting the listener, I thought it helped portray the emotions and messages even better. I also love "Fake Plastic Trees." It's a classic, there is not much to say. I also really enjoy "My Iron Lung," which brings up an interesting point. Thom Yorke and the lead singer of Muse, Matthew Bellamy have similar voices. Their bands also share a similar sound. I love Bellamy's voice, so I guess that's why I love Yorke's voice so much as well.

I know that this song isn't on either of those albums, but we did listen to it. I really like Paranoid Android. Okay that's all.

Hey Champ

A new group I recently came across through the hours spent on Spotify is called Hey Champ. They aren't a very well known group. For instance, to find out more information on this group, there was no Wikipedia page or allmusic.com overview. I had to resort to a Wikipedia page in Spanish, which you'd think you could turn the language to English, but no. Once it's in Spanish, you can never go back. But that just proves that Foreign Language in high school HAS A PURPOSE. Continuing with my original motivation for this blog, Hey Champ is an electropop/alternative group that I really like. They have some killer beats, with tones of variety. They remind me a lot of Two Door Cinema Club, which is another one of my favorite bands. However, I wouldn't say that Hey Champ are incredible lyricists, because they aren't. They are repetitive. I feel like the meaning and ideas behind the lyrics are there, they just don't expand well on those topics. But I really enjoy listening to them because I feel like every song is different. Lead singer Saam Hagshenas has a voice that I would say is comparable to the lead singers of Two Door Cinema Club, Phoenix, and Passion Pit, except imagine all of their voices put together. That is what I think of when I hear Hey Champ. One of my favorite songs by the group is probably on of their better known songs called, "Cold Dust Girl."

I think what I like about it so much is the beat and how it kicks off in the very beginning. It is kind of 80s retro. It quickly jumps out of that sound into a more modern jam, but overall I think all of the different sounds, whether they're artificially made or natural all compliment each other really well.

"Cold Dust Girl"

It might me a bad thing to some people, but some of their songs sound like 80's-90's jazzercise music. I don't personally mind it because a large part of the time I spend listening to music is done while I workout or run. And I don't exactly want to be listening to The Beatles "Let it Be" as I am running up a huge hill. It's just not as motivating, if you know what I mean.

Another song I like by them is called "Shake."

which oddly sounds a lot like Two Door Cinema Club's "Something Good Can Work Here."

But, I don't really mind. I am excited to see what Hey Champ puts out next because their last full album was released I think in 2010 and since then, they have only released singles.

The Fugees

My overall opinion of The Fugees is very scattered. To me, they sound like any other rap group. I tend to zone out with hip-hop and rap songs because usually the beat is very consistent and uninteresting. Even with the different rappers singing different parts, that can hold my attention for maybe a few extra seconds, but after that I am lost again. But what really makes me reconsider The Fugees is Lauryn Hill. She is incredible. Her voice is strong and it really stands out against the somewhat dull sound. She really gives the songs life and originality. One example where I think she really outshines the other group members is in "Ready or Not." From the very beginning, she starts off powerful and eerie. But what is great about her power is it comes from the tone of her voice, not the volume of it.

The songs without Lauryn Hill are very dull and boring. Usually they have very little change in melody and without Hill's strong and controlling voice, it leaves the song very blasé. And I know you might say, "But their lyrics are ingenious." And that may be. But for me, a song can't just have good lyrics and an alright beat. If lyrics were the only thing that mattered, then I would listen to poetry, not a song. I'm looking for something that can hold my attention, and if the lyrics are incredible, then that is a plus. I feel like people look down on me because lyrics aren't important to me. I'm not an active listener. I never have been and I'm not sure I ever will be. Yes this class has taught me more about where lyrics come from and how they affect the songs, but they just aren't a huge deal to me.

"Killing Me Softly with His Song" is definitely another song that shows off Hill's talents. Again what is so great about her voice is the subtle power - if that makes sense. Everything she sings sounds so effortless, yet strong, but never forced. She always sounds very composed and together, and I really enjoy listening to her songs.

 

 

Ending on a COMPLETELY different note, I was kind of saddened by the fact that Lauryn Hill is going to jail because she hasn't paid over $1 million in taxes. I mean, how hard is it to pay your taxes? You're wealthy, you've had a fabulous career, just pay your darn taxes. And if you can't afford the taxes, then don't buy things with such high taxes. That's all.

Crystal Castles

I'm not sure if I have already written a blog about this group, but I don't think I have. But if that isn't the case, then I'm terribly sorry. Crystal Castles is a very intriguing band to me. They have a great electronic/dance sound which I really love. And unlike a lot of electronic groups, they actually have somewhat decent vocals. A lot of their songs have that video game sound, where they make all of these beeps, boops, etc. I don't especially like those songs, but when the male of the group, Ethan Kath, sings, the songs are really great. His voice kind of sounds like those from the 80's hair-metal era, which I know many people hate, but I personally enjoy. I really like the song "Vanished" off of their first album, titled Crystal Castles.

But other than this song, I'm not a big fan of their first album. But I do like their second album. It has the same electronic sound, just not as much of the video game sounds are present. Off of their second album, I love the song "Not in Love." This song actually has some literary merit because it somewhat talks about a story. One thing I particularly like in this song if the fact that there is a building affect. The verses of the song are much quieter, but as you come closer to the chorus of the song, the intensity builds and then during the chorus, there is an explosion of sound and beat.

One thing I also noticed that I don't normally notice is their album cover off of their second album Crystal Castles II. It is really eerie and creepy because the girl is in front of graves. And she looks like one of those child demons in the horror movies. I think rather than being creative and different, it came off rather creepy. But it definitely makes the viewer/listener question what it is and what is its purpose and how it relates to the album, which is the point, I guess.

Stevie Wonder + Primus

First, I'm going to start off by saying how very surprised I was with Stevie Wonder's song "Higher Ground." I had never heard the song before today in class and I LOVED it. It is funky and groovy and definitely jam-able - sorry if that isn't a word. The intro is really catchy with all of the different sounds. It has a great vibe and can definitely hold your attention throughout the whole song. I've never really known much about Stevie Wonder, which I know is quite terrible, but this song has really opened up my eyes and I intend on listening to much more of his music in the future. However, the cover done by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is no where near as good as the original. For starters, I don't like how they sped up the song - it ruins the tranquility and "funk" of the song. The vocal capabilities of the singer are also not as good as Wonder's, which also takes away from the cover.

Abrupt ending, but now I would like to talk about how much I hate Primus. They are loud obnoxious, and I feel like they don't follow any particular patterns or beats when they play. It sounds like they stuck a bunch of four year olds together and said, "Start slamming against the instruments on the count of 3. 1....2....3... JKLFJDKSJFKLSJDKL." It just sounds horrible. I don't enjoy the vocalist either. He sounds like he is talking the whole time during the Suck On This album. I understand that their instrumentalists alone are probably really talented guys. But man, when they are together, I feel like plugging my ears and curling up in a ball. My ears actually hurt after listening to this band. Now that could have been because the music was being blasted, but it could also be because they are bad. But to end on one positive note, some of their attempted beats and songs had creative sounds and some were intriguing.

Here is to remind you of the dysfunctional band:

 

 

And this is completely unrelated. But I am here to prove that The Moore Brothers sound like Oompa Loompas!

 

 

The Moore Brothers:

 

"Second To"

 

 



 

 

Oompa Loompas:

 

Veruca Salt has gone down the garbage shoot

 

 

 

You are welcome for this incredible connection and discovery.