*click photo for higher quality*
All photos taken 4/26/2013 by Carmen Bernu - please don't use without permission, unless you're in them, then go for it.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
ALBUM REVIEW: True Romance - Charli XCX
I can't even tell you how long I've been waiting for this album. Ok, yes I can...since August 11, 2012. A friend of mine invited me to see Coldplay on their Mylo Xyloto tour. I'm a fan of Coldplay, but when I saw that Marina and the Diamonds was opening I had to go. An unknown "Charli XCX" was opening for Marina and I had absolutely no idea who "he" was. Some guy that Jay-Z had mentioned? Oh, okay. Should be great.
...IT WAS SO GREAT.
I was immediately hooked and immediately wanted to hear more. Her (yes, her. I picked up on that pretty quickly) platform sneakers coupled with her crop top gave me mad Sporty Spice vibes...but more like if Sporty Spice was a raver. Absolutely insane in the best possible way. Being a completely unknown artist the crowd was, uh, less than enthusiastic but it's obvious that once you got her in a small venue instead of an area, shit would get wild. She's a really dynamic performer.
Since I live in the US I haven't been able to get a hold of a lot of her music so this album is a welcome arrival in my life. I pre-ordered it. Me. Pre-order. I don't think I've ever pre-ordered a CD in my life. That's how much I was looking forward to this album. So, the question is, did it live up to the hype I gave it? In short, 100% yes, absolutely. This album is one of the best I've heard in a long time. It's pop, grime, electronic, 90's, dance, and everything in-between.
If you're new to Charli XCX I would give some of these a preview on iTunes/Spotify/YouTube and see if you're into it. Especially Nuclear Seasons, You're the One and Stay Away, which are some of her more popular songs. I understand that she isn't everyone's cup of tea. When you add an electronic element to your music you're automatically isolating some people from your music. Now, I think people that don't like electronic music are crazy but that's only because I'm extremely biased and probably shouldn't be reviewing music in general.
Give it a listen. Purchase if you like it (I think you will). And $9.99 for 13 tracks? Sounds good to me. Link!
...IT WAS SO GREAT.
I was immediately hooked and immediately wanted to hear more. Her (yes, her. I picked up on that pretty quickly) platform sneakers coupled with her crop top gave me mad Sporty Spice vibes...but more like if Sporty Spice was a raver. Absolutely insane in the best possible way. Being a completely unknown artist the crowd was, uh, less than enthusiastic but it's obvious that once you got her in a small venue instead of an area, shit would get wild. She's a really dynamic performer.
I did a super scientific Twitter poll where one person responded so I'm going to follow their preference for a track-by-track review.
1. Nuclear Seasons - 9/10
2. You (Ha Ha Ha) - 9/10
3. Take My Hand - 7/10
4. Stay Away - 8/10
5. Set Me Free - 9/10
6. Grins - 10/10
7. So Far Away - 8/10
8. Cloud Aura (feat. Brooke Candy) - 9/10
9. What I Like - 9/10
10. Black Roses -7/10
11. You’re the One -9/10
12. How Can I - 7/10
13. Lock You Up - 10/10
There isn't any sort of rhyme or reason to this scale so take these numbers with a grain of salt. Basically, Lock You Up and Grins are the stand-out tracks on this album to me. I could listen to them over and and over again (...I do). I'm struggling to find things to write about because there isn't a single bad track on the whole thing. These songs make me want to get up and dance, or at least get a little more daring with my fashion choices. Also, when listening I have had the sudden urge to throw a rave in a graveyard...a gRAVEyard if you will. Does that give you a better of idea of what this sounds like? No? It really is a completely unique sound which is incredibly refreshing compared to a lot of junk that's been coming out lately.
If you're new to Charli XCX I would give some of these a preview on iTunes/Spotify/YouTube and see if you're into it. Especially Nuclear Seasons, You're the One and Stay Away, which are some of her more popular songs. I understand that she isn't everyone's cup of tea. When you add an electronic element to your music you're automatically isolating some people from your music. Now, I think people that don't like electronic music are crazy but that's only because I'm extremely biased and probably shouldn't be reviewing music in general.
Give it a listen. Purchase if you like it (I think you will). And $9.99 for 13 tracks? Sounds good to me. Link!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Fandumb.
I honestly can't tell what is going to come out of my brain with this post. It's a topic I've wanted to write about for a while now but I'm terrified of getting murdered by a 13-year-old girl while I sleep. I'm just going to spit everything out in one shot and see what happens.
Fandoms, stanning, OTP, shipping, what am I even saying? What are these things? Why are people flipping their tits over boys with swoopy hair and chiseled jaw lines? I mean, yes. I get it. But also, it's insane. People have gone insane.
As a 90's kid I had a true obsession with the Spice Girls. They covered the walls of my bedrooms. I owned notebooks, t-shirts and even lollipops reppin the Spice Girls name. So in a way, I know where these (mostly) girls are coming from. But really, is it just me, or has this gone to a completely asinine level? I mean, Twitter and Tumbler are 90% to blame but I can't get over the absolute anarchy that is happening. Bands feuding, people shipping bandmates, something about Anne Frank. It's chaos. I swear you can't say anything on the internet with a Belieber threatening to burn the bodies of you and your family.
It seems to be happening with everyone too. Not just musicians, but with actors and internet stars. A person can't just be a fan of someone, you have to be completely and utterly obsessed. It must take over your life and GOD FORBID you actually choose to be a fan of two different people. Justin AND One Direction? Well fuck ME.
These celebrities are so "watched"(...stalked?) and it makes me legitimately sad. They have literally thousands of minions following and analyzing their every move to the most minute detail. There's a quote from my favorite movie that says "it's front page news when one of them takes a shit." Completely accurate. Do I really need to be bothered when Harry wears a new beanie? Is that important? Apparently, yes. Very important. I really have to give these people such credit. I don't know how I would function if people thought it was appropriate to touch my hair, or I don't know, grab my ass, or tell me that the continuation of his/her life completely depends on what I do. Can we not put that kind of pressure on people? No wonder Justin bought a monkey.
Am I a hypocrite saying all this? Probably. I might be a part of a fandom. That sounds completely bizarre for me to say, but I suppose it's true. Oof.
I don't want to say who I'm a fan of so I'm going to make up a hypothetical situation: I'm a massive fan of...uh...Jerry Seinfeld. I've loved him for a long time, not as long as some other fans but long enough to feel like I've been a part of his journey. His talent is matched by an awesome personality. I get his sense of humor. It really scares me how similar I feel we are sometimes. For some reason, there's an element of jealousy when other people meet Jerry...other fans or celebrities or whatever. I mean, I liked him first you so clearly that makes me more deserving...right? (Wrong. But I get that nasty thought in my head sometimes.) There's just something about Jerry. His fans began calling themselves Seinfelders which is apparently what you have to do when you are a fan of someone. I can't bring myself to do it. I'd love to meet Jerry though. He seems chill.
So there's that. I'm, I suppose, obsessed, with Jerry Seinfeld. *shiver* I hate the word obsessed. Does this make me a crazy person? According to my friends and family, yes. Completely. I try to keep my "fangirling" internal but I do have a Twitter... (shout out to people I know in real life that still manage to follow me on twitter. you guys rock.) But here's what I think: I will like Jerry Seinfeld whether or not he stays famous, whether or not I get to meet him, whether or not he goes crazy. He's talented. That's what I was originally hooked by, and that's how I'll stay. I've had the chance to travel and meet the best people because of Jerry. This, to me, has been the ultimate benefit of my being a part of this "fandom". Of course, there are some other fans that I absolutely can't stand and I'd rather chew off my own arm then hear them blarf rainbows all over Jerry related everything...but they're still good people. It's fun to be involved. Share my love of Jerry with other people that understand.
Honestly, I think the point of this post is to just have people calm down a bit. I've been seeing some really really really really really concerning things on the internetz lately. Most of the time it's all in good fun but some people take it way too far. Nothing should give you the right to yell at other people and make them feel bad because of who they like or what they like. There's no reason to cut yourself. There's no reason to feel like your life is over because your "true love" won't recognize your existence. I mean, really. Enjoy them as they are. Love them. Obsess over them, but do it internally...or logically. Remember they are first and foremost, a human, like you. Embrace every fandom. They love their people just as much as you love yours.
I love Jerry but I feel balanced. I think this is ok.
...I dont know. Maybe this whole post is me trying to justify my psychosis. It really wouldn't be the first time.
Discalimer: If you are getting here from my Twitter know that I am not reffering to anyone I know, or talk to, or have ever acknowledged. I'm mostly referring to a couple specific things I've seen in many fandoms. I've seen it typically during competition, or certain news events or whatever. You're all great.
Second Disclaimer: Coming off as a total bitch was not my intention. I know that I sound conceited. Really, really, really I don't mean to come of this way. I'm just jealous.
Fandoms, stanning, OTP, shipping, what am I even saying? What are these things? Why are people flipping their tits over boys with swoopy hair and chiseled jaw lines? I mean, yes. I get it. But also, it's insane. People have gone insane.
As a 90's kid I had a true obsession with the Spice Girls. They covered the walls of my bedrooms. I owned notebooks, t-shirts and even lollipops reppin the Spice Girls name. So in a way, I know where these (mostly) girls are coming from. But really, is it just me, or has this gone to a completely asinine level? I mean, Twitter and Tumbler are 90% to blame but I can't get over the absolute anarchy that is happening. Bands feuding, people shipping bandmates, something about Anne Frank. It's chaos. I swear you can't say anything on the internet with a Belieber threatening to burn the bodies of you and your family.
It seems to be happening with everyone too. Not just musicians, but with actors and internet stars. A person can't just be a fan of someone, you have to be completely and utterly obsessed. It must take over your life and GOD FORBID you actually choose to be a fan of two different people. Justin AND One Direction? Well fuck ME.
These celebrities are so "watched"(...stalked?) and it makes me legitimately sad. They have literally thousands of minions following and analyzing their every move to the most minute detail. There's a quote from my favorite movie that says "it's front page news when one of them takes a shit." Completely accurate. Do I really need to be bothered when Harry wears a new beanie? Is that important? Apparently, yes. Very important. I really have to give these people such credit. I don't know how I would function if people thought it was appropriate to touch my hair, or I don't know, grab my ass, or tell me that the continuation of his/her life completely depends on what I do. Can we not put that kind of pressure on people? No wonder Justin bought a monkey.
Am I a hypocrite saying all this? Probably. I might be a part of a fandom. That sounds completely bizarre for me to say, but I suppose it's true. Oof.
I don't want to say who I'm a fan of so I'm going to make up a hypothetical situation: I'm a massive fan of...uh...Jerry Seinfeld. I've loved him for a long time, not as long as some other fans but long enough to feel like I've been a part of his journey. His talent is matched by an awesome personality. I get his sense of humor. It really scares me how similar I feel we are sometimes. For some reason, there's an element of jealousy when other people meet Jerry...other fans or celebrities or whatever. I mean, I liked him first you so clearly that makes me more deserving...right? (Wrong. But I get that nasty thought in my head sometimes.) There's just something about Jerry. His fans began calling themselves Seinfelders which is apparently what you have to do when you are a fan of someone. I can't bring myself to do it. I'd love to meet Jerry though. He seems chill.
 |
| stud. |
So there's that. I'm, I suppose, obsessed, with Jerry Seinfeld. *shiver* I hate the word obsessed. Does this make me a crazy person? According to my friends and family, yes. Completely. I try to keep my "fangirling" internal but I do have a Twitter... (shout out to people I know in real life that still manage to follow me on twitter. you guys rock.) But here's what I think: I will like Jerry Seinfeld whether or not he stays famous, whether or not I get to meet him, whether or not he goes crazy. He's talented. That's what I was originally hooked by, and that's how I'll stay. I've had the chance to travel and meet the best people because of Jerry. This, to me, has been the ultimate benefit of my being a part of this "fandom". Of course, there are some other fans that I absolutely can't stand and I'd rather chew off my own arm then hear them blarf rainbows all over Jerry related everything...but they're still good people. It's fun to be involved. Share my love of Jerry with other people that understand.
Honestly, I think the point of this post is to just have people calm down a bit. I've been seeing some really really really really really concerning things on the internetz lately. Most of the time it's all in good fun but some people take it way too far. Nothing should give you the right to yell at other people and make them feel bad because of who they like or what they like. There's no reason to cut yourself. There's no reason to feel like your life is over because your "true love" won't recognize your existence. I mean, really. Enjoy them as they are. Love them. Obsess over them, but do it internally...or logically. Remember they are first and foremost, a human, like you. Embrace every fandom. They love their people just as much as you love yours.
I love Jerry but I feel balanced. I think this is ok.
...I dont know. Maybe this whole post is me trying to justify my psychosis. It really wouldn't be the first time.
Discalimer: If you are getting here from my Twitter know that I am not reffering to anyone I know, or talk to, or have ever acknowledged. I'm mostly referring to a couple specific things I've seen in many fandoms. I've seen it typically during competition, or certain news events or whatever. You're all great.
Second Disclaimer: Coming off as a total bitch was not my intention. I know that I sound conceited. Really, really, really I don't mean to come of this way. I'm just jealous.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
SHAZAM!
A couple months ago I finally got an iPhone. Praise the Lawwwwd. Honestly, one of my main objectives when getting my iPhone was so I could try out Shazam. The amount of times in my life where I have been like WHAT IS THAT SONG is absolutely ridiculous. Also, remember the thing where you Google random blerbs of lyrics that you sort of remember?..never worked.
WELL no more, my friends. This app has honestly changed my life. I'm now officially that psycho person holding their phone up in the Gap trying to figure out what the hell is playing. Or, while driving, which is always a super safe idea.
Whatever. I've found some pretty awesome things. Sharing time!
MaLLy & The Sundance Kid - Good One (feat. K.Raydio)
Holy shit. Within the first two seconds of hearing this I wanted to know what it was. I'm not sure if this guy has just snuck under the Minneapolis radar for a while or what's going on but I sure as hell have never heard of him. Amazing. Really amazing. This song needs radio play NOW. The rest of his album is equally as great from the little bit I've heard but this track is definitely my favorite so far. Hopefully we'll be hearing his name around a little more in the future.
WELL no more, my friends. This app has honestly changed my life. I'm now officially that psycho person holding their phone up in the Gap trying to figure out what the hell is playing. Or, while driving, which is always a super safe idea.
Whatever. I've found some pretty awesome things. Sharing time!
MaLLy & The Sundance Kid - Good One (feat. K.Raydio)
Holy shit. Within the first two seconds of hearing this I wanted to know what it was. I'm not sure if this guy has just snuck under the Minneapolis radar for a while or what's going on but I sure as hell have never heard of him. Amazing. Really amazing. This song needs radio play NOW. The rest of his album is equally as great from the little bit I've heard but this track is definitely my favorite so far. Hopefully we'll be hearing his name around a little more in the future.
James Blake - Retrograde
This is another song that hooked me in the first two seconds. Is he a producer or what's going on here? I can't really figure it out but I did end up listening to basically his whole catalog on Spotify and I'm hooked. That special part of my heart that is reserved for electronic-y jazz-y music is happy. His name has popped up in some of the music that I've listened to before but I can't find anything of his that sounds familiar? So maybe I'm hallucinating or mistaking him with James Blunt (I'm definitely not). Anyway, this is good. Listen.
Update: Figured it out. I've heard "The Wilhelm Scream" before but I think I just assumed it was Aaron Neville in outer space. Classic.
St. Vincent and David Byrne - Who
When I first heard about this collaboration I thought it was a joke. I mean, it kind of is. This is weird shit. St. Vincent's voice is the creepiest most awesome thing ever and coupled with David Byrne's... whatever...it's just...I have no idea. This will never get out of my head though. That's what makes it successful, right? Example: It's A Small World
So I'm not really sure what direction this post went in, or what the point of it was originally? Oh yeah, Shazam. Cool. Get that app. It's free. Isn't it? I hope I'm not paying for this or I'm back to Googling lyric blerbs.
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