This isn't going to be the most uplifting of posts. I'm having sort of an existential crisis in combination with a personal/friendship/relationship crisis in combination with 90% confidence that my medication is in the wrong dosage. So overall, I'm a mess.
I get bouts of depression randomly and I when I'm like that I have no desire to do absolutely anything except lie in bed, eat a ridiculous amount of anything, cry, watch television and when my eyes burn from too much TV, listen to music. Generally, I'm able to mask any sort of sadness/depression with laughter and really obscure humour so when I get smacked in the face by crippling depression I don't know what to do. This is when I resort to my adolescent teachings. Thankfully, my adolescence was ruled by the OC and Gilmore Girls, both of which had insanely awesome soundtracks and music-loving main characters. My depression leads me to ask myself, WWSCD? What would Seth Cohen do? Answer: Death Cab.
All those male-lead bands that ruled music in the mid-2000's were really on to something. Who knew. There's something insanely relaxing listening to a guy with a floppy haircut singing close-eyed into a microphone about how he will never be happy again. Anyway, I don't really feel like making a full post about each and every song because to be completely honest, they're all about the same and REMEMBER I'm depressed. *eats entire package of oreos* Just like listen to the O.C. Mix Volumes 1-419845 and you'll be set.
What's your favorite music to listen to when you're depressed?
Are you never depressed? WELLL LA DEE FREAKING DAHHH GOOD FOR YOU.
I've been really good about keeping up with this blog lately so, of course, I recently got writer's block. I've been stressing about a lot of things so music-related junk has been put on the back burner and frankly, nothing is out right now that's really tickling my fancy? ...what a disgusting expression.
So basically, nothing is good and it's pissing me off. I feel like everyone is coming out with new things and there's all this hype attached but they are all just so boring. Is it just me? I feel like everything sucks and generally that happens when I'm in a crabby mood so the problem is most likely me. Grumble grumble.
Examples:
Devandra Banhart - Mala
Meh. His worst album. I keep trying to listen to it but I just can't even get through it and it's just so flipping boring. Everyone is going on and on about he's incorporating his Venezuelan roots with this album and how it's supposedly more cohesive but...no...or in Spanish...no.
David Bowie - The Next Day
Blah. It's ok. I don't even know what to say. Bowie fans will like it. I'm kind-of whatever about it.
..."Wow this is such a great blurb, Carmen. How are you so eloquent?"
Stornoway - Tales From Terra Firma
Bloop. I really love Stornoway. Zorbing is probably one of the best songs ever written. When I heard they had a new album I was super jazzed but upon listening to it I just felt...underwhelmed. I don't know. I can't help but just thinking of them as a Decemberists/Sufjan Stevens hybrid (which they're not) and literally while I was going through the tracks I kept flipping back to their old album. Maybe it will grow on me but right now I'm adding it to the "meh" pile.
The Strokes - All the Time
Ok, so, I've only heard the one song but I'm not feeling it. Yeah, it's catchy. Maybe I'm just having Angles flashbacks and I'm not getting my hopes up. Man, this whole blog post is super monotone and I'm incredibly sorry.
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - We the Common
This album bugs the crap out of me. I had people literally throwing this CD in my face to listen to and we had it promoted at work so I was forced to listen to it. Holy cannoli it's probably the most blah album ever. Also, the most annoying album. Yeah, sure, you can listen to one of the songs once or twice in a playlist but listening to the whole album makes me want to rip my hair out. Dat voice.
Beyonce's New Song
I can't think of a Beyonce song that I don't like...except this one. It's repetitive, really weirdly put together and not consistent with anything she's EVER done before. I'm just really confused about it and I don't know if it's the pre-cursor to something? Like an artistic something? Yeah, no idea.
Local Natives - Hummingbird
Is this good? I can't decide if this is good. It's not good. But they sound really Shins-y on this album? Right? And Black Balloons is pretty good. Right? Ugh.
Vampire Weekend
I'm bored already. It sounds the same. They always sound the same.
After all that bitching and moaning is there anything I'm actually liking? Well, sure. It's all just getting swallowed by boring crap.
The new Cold War Kids track is growing on me and I find myself getting more and more excited for their new album...I'm nervous to get my hopes up though.
Bastille's new stuff is really really realllayyy good. I'm loving it.
This is good...I mean, it's not really new, but Australian things take a while to sail over to me.
Big thanks to my wonderful friend Kyle for sending me to Woodkid (as I was writing this, great timing) whose album "The Golden Age" just came out. When I saw the album cover I was thinking it would be Fever-Ray-ish but it's more like Rufus Wainwright meets alt-J? I LOVE WHEN THINGS SURPRISE ME. This is good. Kyle, you rock.
MAYBE THERE IS GOOD STUFF OUT THERE. MAYBE IT'S NOT JUST ME. MAYBE THERE IS HOPE. *weeps softly*
Here it is. The 10 millionth review of what possibly could be the most anticipated album of all time. I don't think I should set myself up to even review this since it will definitely get lost in a sea of New York Times level shit that I can't possibly compete with. Oh well, I just feel like I need to do this.
There's no doubt that this album is going to be compared with FutureSex/LoveSounds so let's just get that out of the way right now. Justin Timberlake created what is possibly one of the best albums of all time a couple years ago (yes, all time) so even coming out with a follow-up album is beyond ambitious. In short, no, The 20/20 Experience is not as good as FutureSex/LoveSounds but HARDLY ANYTHING IS so let's all just get over it. We all had ridiculously high expectations for this album and unfortunately, they weren't met, but I'm not mad. In fact, I'm the opposite. I'm ecstatic. Setting all comparisons aside, this album stands alone as a really great pop album that deserves some credit.
I think the biggest difference about The 20/20 Experience, that many fans are having a hard time stomaching, is that it's not really an album of singles. Yes, they play Suit & Tie on the radio but even that isn't really a single the way "My Love" or "Sexy Back" were. Those songs were built for radio play...although can we all agree that the album versions are 100x better than the radio versions? With The 20/20 Experience Justin owns that extended ending/transition thing that we've come to know and love. Really, whoever came up with "Experience" as part of his album title was spot on. These songs are exactly that: an experience. Most of them are over seven minutes long and there really aren't any two songs on the album with the same feeling. Represented on the album there's classic Timbaland-style pop (Tunnel Vision), Latin influence (Let the Groove Get In), Classic R&B (That Girl) and something that sounds sort-of Radiohead-esque (Blue Ocean Floor). Mirrors is probably the song that most of the FutureSex/LoveSounds fans will like. It's a pretty similar sound we've heard from him before but still slightly different? I'm terrible at describing things. Sorry.
Maybe it's just me but I'm really digging it. I took advantage of the iTunes full stream deal and just listened to the whole thing, beginning to end. If anything, this album proves that Justin Timberlake is pure talent walking. He's putting his own spin on so many different sounds and I give him so much credit for that. Just like with Suit & Tie I really think this album will take some time for some people to appreciate and get used to. It really is good. Trust me.
My personal favorite tracks: That Girl, Pusher Love Girl, Let the Groove Get In
At the end here I just wanted to note that Justin Timberlake is promoting this album like a boss. Letting us stream the whole thing before we buy? Giving live performances for a week straight on Jimmy Fallon? Finally the fans get to experience something BEFORE buying it! What a concept. Thanks JT. Class act. Other artists: take note.
With my last playlist post about study music I felt like somewhat of an authority on the subject. Not so much with this one. I'm not a fan of the gym...at all. I have to have fresh air when I'm working out...cut to me "trail running" (read: stumbling through the woods).
The best way to get through this shit we call exercising is to get a good playlist going. For me, there's a total difference between a hypothetically good workout playlist and one that you can actually run to. I find myself thinking "oh yeah, this would be great to put on my workout playlist" and when I actually try, it's absolute crap. The successful songs must have something to do with the rate of footsteps vs. the bpm of the song... or something? Who knows. All I know is that if it drowns out my wheezing and pushes me to go that extra step (distracts me from how little I've actually run) then it's good in my book.
Here are some of the songs that have personally worked for me to hobble along to:
1. Dance (A$$) - Big Sean (THE VERSION WITHOUT NICKI MINAJ PLEASE)
This is my holy grail running song. I can just go for miles (...not miles). There's something horribly motivating about hearing a man talk about a fit ass at the same time your sad ass is limping up a tiny hill. Female degradation is a key ingredient in this process, folks. AWESOME.
2. E.T. - Katy Perry (THE VERSION WITH KANYE WEST PLEASE)
I hate this song. I really really really hate this song. However, it seriously works perfectly for me as a running song. That makes me just so angry. My feet are just totally in sync with whatever bullshit Katy Perry is yammering about. You win again, KP.
3. Beautiful People - Chris Brown & Benny Benassi
I wish I wasn't supporting Chris Brown but here we are. As long as I downloaded it illegally, right? Ugh, screw you for making enjoyable music.
4. Professional Griefers - deadmau5 feat. Gerard Way
I think I've talked about this song before so I'm just going to stop while I'm ahead. (ahead of what?)
5. Hold You - Gyptian (Major Lazer Remix)
Don't even bother listening to any other version besides the Major Lazer remix. I saw a video of a bunch of naked people at Burning Man dancing around to this song a couple years ago and it's been my jam ever since. What? Seriously.
6. (We Stay) Up All Night - Buraka Som Sistema
I may or may not find myself singing along to this when running which is totally fine. A fun ("fun") thing to do is to grab songs in different languages that you can (sort of) speak. You'll find yourself trying to decipher the lyrics and sing along rather than focus on what an idiot you look like.
7. Express Yourself - Diplo
I must have a thing for asses. Have you seen this music video. Jaysus. There might be (there is) a certain element of jealousy and motivation since my ass basically goes from my lower back to my thighs without any sort of curvature. Blessed. But ok, can we just appreciate how there is an entire song about pussy popping?
8. 212 - Azealia Banks
Now, I know what you're thinking. This song is over! Shut up. It's amazing. She can be as much of a drama-starting biotch on Twitter as she wants. I don't give a single fuck. She made a damn good song...and really the whole 1991 EP is brilliant.
9. You (Ha Ha Ha) - Charli XCX
I love a good Charli XCX moment and this song is amazing. YES I KNOW IT'S GOLD PANDA SHUT UP. That's the beauty. If you want the lyrics to distract you, go for that. If not, just listen to You by Gold Panda. Done deal. Can't both versions be good? Apparently not based on the YouTube comments.
10. Watch the Sun Come Up - Example
Example is just one of the best, bar none, but this song will always be my personal fave of his. There's no reasoning behind that or anything, it's definitely one of his least dance-y/hardcore songs but I'll never get sick of it. This and Kickstarts are probably tied for running.
Ten? Is that enough? Whatever. I might make another updated post later once the snow melts (never) and I start working out again (never). I'm actually really curious what everyone else's playlist is like? Leave a comment? Is that a thing? Do people do that? I'm questioning everything? Good-bye?
I've never written a concert review before so bear with me while I stumble through this process. I bought tickets to this concert the minute they went on sale and have been eagerly been awaiting it's arrival for six months now. As expected, I have a serious case of post-concert depression now that it's over. What do I even have to look forward to anymore? Cue melodramatic violin music.
Sort of unrelated note: Can I start out saying that Target Center is one of my least favorite venues to hear a concert on earth and this is why I was adamant to get GA floor seats. The nosebleeds in that arena make me want to jump to my death (which could be accomplished by leaning forward just a bit...they're that steep) so I'm curious to see how the concert looked from up there.
Anyway, Dead Sara were the opener and they opened the shit out of the show. There aren't enough words to describe how dynamic this group is. I like to think of myself as a closet punk-rocker meaning the music is amazing but I'm incredibly uncool (example: calling myself a "closet punk-rocker") and feel a bit out of place listening to metal or metal-ish music. That being said, I enjoyed the crap out of it. Any musician that likes to climb on top of amps and scream their lungs out is good in my book. Emily Armstrong, the lead singer, has a voice that could raise the dead. The power that comes out of her is unlike anything I've heard and her rasp just adds this extra cool factor. Immediately after getting home I downloaded their self-titled album and while it's amazing, I highly suggest seeing them live. From what I've experienced, usually a band is better on their album than live but the opposite is true for Dead Sara. They ROCK in person and I don't think I could bold the word "rock" any more. So much emphasis on rock. Basically, go see them live. I don't remember the last time I was so excited about an opening act.
Favorite tracks: Lemon Scent, Test on My Patience
Super Grainy Picture Taken By Me On My Super Shit Camera
A good hour after the opener (ugh) Muse took the stage. I may or may not have let out a squeal or two when the lights went dark. I WAS THAT EXCITED. Muse opened with Unsustainable, my favorite, and everyone else's least favorite, track from The 2nd Law. Unsustainable is the perfect track to open a show to and I was so into it. Really, I don't want to get into every song or whatever because the whole show was literally perfect. The only gripe I have is that they completely ignored Origin of Symmetry. It's my favorite album and New Born definitely should have been included in their setlist. They did have a good variety of music from all their other albums including two personal favorites, Stockholm Syndrome and Knights of Cydonia.
Shit Instagram Photo Taken By Me
Shit Picture of Awesome Lighting
Muse can definitely keep their title of being one of the best arena bands in the world and I can't say another word about anything without mentioning the lighting. I knew it was going to be good...I read the other reviews...I've seen the videos... but seeing it in person is beyond words. All I can say is that I'm glad I don't have epilepsy so I can experience the magic of lasers and strobe lights. It might have been nice to be a couple feet back from where we were to experience the full show of lights but there's a fine line between being too far back to see the band and too far up to miss the lights. I guess I'd rather look at Matt Bellamy even though he reminds me of an ostrich...a super talented ostrich.
The crowd was pretty good. It seems as though I can't go to a show without there being at least one psycho bitch who is drunk-crying, yelling at people and threatening to punch out her boyfriend. Get it together, girls. Of course, I also had a mega douche mosh his way directly in front of me two seconds before the show started. He stayed there for about three songs, strung out of his mind, phone up in the air blocking my view and his rock arm smacking me in the face. I did the subtle "push you in the back like people are pushing me but really I'm trying to move you as far away as possible" move and he got the picture and moshed his way closer to the stage. Seeing a mostly male, 18+ crowd, was a nice change from what I've gotten used to lately. There's just something infinitely better about guys at a concert than screaming (read: shrieking) 13-year-old girls. I'm even willing to put up with the extra height and body odor. Minnesotans are known to be slightly...reserved...so I was happy to see people jumping around and singing. There was a really good energy to the crowd that night and I was so happy to be a part of the front group of Muse fanboys and girls.
The only thing bad thing I have to say is that I was getting so frustrated at the amount of people recording things on their cell phones. Please take a minute and realize that by holding your cell phone you are literally blocking the view of everyone behind you. I don't care if you take pictures or video or whatever...I'm a concert photographer for fuck's sake...but be subtle and considerate about it. Your 10 minute cell phone videos are going to end up shit anyway. I guarantee someone will have a better video of the exact same thing on YouTube. Just enjoy the damn concert and put your phone down.
See? Phones. Go Away. (says the person taking a picture with a phone...it wasn't above my head though)
Overall, Muse were one of the best live acts I've ever seen. I feel like I say that after a lot of concerts I go to but there was really something extra special to this show. Maybe it was a combination of the energy, lighting, and sheer talent of Muse. I really can't say but I would recommend seeing them live to anyone and everyone. Even if you aren't a fan of their music the spectacle is worth the money alone. This show wasn't even sold out. Are you kidding me? America, get your shit together.
The best picture I could get out of my shit camera.
Another "Top Tracks" post. Hurray. *throws confetti unenthusiastically*
1. Shuggie - Foxygen
I think I listened to this song a whopping two times so obviously it's my number one song of the week. Thanks, Spotify. It's an interesting song but I can't really tell how I feel about this band yet. Very psychedelic, very hippy-dippy, something I haven't heard in a long time so I give them props for that. We'll see how I feel about this in a month. I think I might already be over it.
2. Rock Me - One Direction
Shut up. I can't help it.
3. The A Team - Ed Sheeran
I may or may not have just flown across the whole damn country to see one of his concerts because I'm clinically insane so Spotify is just reaffirming that. Cool.
4. Clique - Kanye West, Jay Z, Big Sean, etc.
I love this song except I'm really confused as to why I listened to the edited version. Edited versions of songs make me hate everything so Spotify is definitely lying about this.
5. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - Bob Dylan
My second favorite Bob Dylan song. Boots of Spanish Leather is my favorite...didn't you read that in one of my last posts? No? Yeah, figures.
6. Outro - Ed Sheeran, Yelawolf and 7. You Don't Know - for fuck's sake
The Slumdon Bridge EP isn't one of my favorites. I love the concept but something about it just doesn't work. As a massive Ed Sheeran fan and a massive rap/hip-hop fan it kills me to say this. I still listen to it though so maybe everything I just said is load of crap.
8. The Morning - Raekwon, Pusha T, Common, 2 Chainz...everyone else on earth
This is my favorite song on G.O.O.D. Music, Cruel Summer, which, side-note, is really good despite everyone hating it. I'm not the only one that felt it was good, right?
9. Redford (for Yia-Yia and Pappou) - Sufjan Stevens
Ohhhh Sufjan. How you hit my soul right where it counts. Maybe not so much with your newer stuff but that damn Michigan album gets me every time. This song is basically the perfect song to make you cry, or as background music for a nature-themed powerpoint presentation.
10. Pyramids - Frank Ocean
Everything about this song is perfection. It tells a really interesting story and I don't find myself getting bored despite it being approximately 47 minutes long.
Well, there you have it. Bing, bang, boom. Blah blah music things. End of entry. Comment or subscribe or whatever the hell. You decide.
I think the great thing about music is that it sticks around in your memory the same way smell does. I'm still automatically transported to my grandma's kitchen whenever I smell Palmolive dish soap. Since I've been taking a little jaunt down memory lane lately I thought I would list a couple songs that I can't listen to without thinking of a particular memory.
Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
I was six or so years old. The song told me to hike up my skirt a little more, so I did. My mom put an end to that rather quickly.
Head Over Feet - Alanis Morissette
On Thanksgiving my (much older and cooler) cousins were singing this song while playing Super Mario Bros. I had no idea what they were singing but pretended I knew the words too. This scenario is pretty much the story of my life.
Songbird - Eva Cassidy
I don't know if there is a song that has a stronger memory attached to it than this one. I won't go in to the details because this blog is supposed to be light-hearted and whatever but it is an incredibly beautiful song that deserves a listen if you haven't heard it before.
It's All Been Done - Barenaked Ladies
My cousin gave me Stunt on CD (!) randomly when she was visiting my house. This was pre "One Week" hysteria and I was thrilled that I was ahead of the trends for once. Unfortunately, I had to re-record it on a cassette tape since school bus listening was essential and I only had a Walkman. Woe is me.
The Next Episode - Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
One of my friends got this CD for her birthday and it was a big deal. Explicit CDs were something that a kid would do anything in their power to get their hands on. They were more valuable than gold or all the Beanie Babies. We were all listening to it at school, passing the headphones around (#thuglife) and when it got to my turn, the volume was turned completely up (the only cool way to listen). I was terrified. I put the headphones on my ears and swiftly turned the volume down to a bearable level, jammed out for a minute, then turned the volume all the way up as I handed them to the next person. Point- my ears.
Cathedrals - Jump Little Children
They played this song on one of my favorite television shows when the main character dies (a la The OC and Imogen Heap). For some reason it really stuck with me and I don't think I've listened to a song more than this song throughout my life. It was also the first song that I tried to learn on guitar...I think tried needs to be the key word here.
Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
A boy I had a major crush on was obsessed with rock music. I hadn't boarded that train yet and didn't know what to talk to him about. Cut to me briefly stalking him and listening to absolutely anything he mentioned for even a split second. The Beatles were a tricky nut for me to crack. I just couldn't find anything I liked. I guess when you're used to listening to Ashlee Simpson nothing else appeals to you. As soon as I heard Eleanor Rigby everything changed. This song struck a serious chord with me and I've been a Bealtes superfan ever since. Thanks megacrush!
Apply Some Pressure - Maximo Park
My best friend that I was always trying to be as cool as burned me a CD with this song on it. Around this time I was close to getting my driver's license. I had a vision that I was going to rock out to this song on the way to school, in my new car, and everyone would turn their heads going "whoa! who is this cool girl listening to a British rock band! she has the coolest shoes!" This vision never became a reality. My Toyota Camry wasn't exactly worthy of head-turns. I still listen to this song while driving though. It's just damn good.
What are some of your memory songs? For some reason the ones that stuck with me were very adolescent oriented. My teenage angst was very music-centric I suppose.
