Category: music

My fantasy come true

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The Yankees have announced that on Sept. 14, Yankee Stadium will host “The Big 4” — a concert event featuring Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax.

Here’s all I can say to that, HOLY CRAP!

For many metal heads, the rift between Megadeth’s frontman Dave Mustaine with Metallica as a band has become the stuff of legend and has prevented any such concert from taking place. However, finally as a part of the Big 4’s US tour, this fantasy many of us have has finally come true. Add on Slayer, the titans of thrash, the deacons of death metal, and the craziest and fastest band sporting adidas sweatsuits, Anthrax. These four metal supergroups are sharing a stage performing some of the most famous songs metal has ever been graced with.

In Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, Metallica’s ENTER SANDMAN can be heard whenever closer Mariano Rivera emerges from the bullpen to save a game. But on September 14th, 2011, the greatest venue in America will be rocked to its foundation by a moshing maniacal metal fest in which the metal messiahs will own the night.

Nerd Rant, Part III

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Before I begin this segment of Nerd Rant, I must issue a “formal” apology to all of my musicians out there:

I’M SO SORRY. I’M SO, SO, SO, SO, SO SORRY. I COULDN’T HELP IT, IT DRAGGED ME IN AND NOW I’M TRAPPED.

Well, now that you all probably think I got addicted to some kind of drug… I AM!

My dear friends and odd stranger, I, TheyCallMeDame, am addicted to Glee.

I am a Gleek.

The thing is, Glee goes against all of my principles as a musician and especially as a proud vocalist. They take the best singers and rarely ever give them solos, and the people they do give solos, they are so autotuned that the music producer adds synthesizer to disguise the robot-on-crack sound that autotune gives a singer when they hold a note for too long or slide from one note to another (or you could be like Rebecca Black and use so much autotune that no one can tell what her real voice sounds like, except that it is extremely nasally).

But yes! I have been roped in.

Even though I get insulted when they cover brilliant songs and butcher them completely, totally making me want to cry, I still can’t stop watching.

As a musician, I am ashamed to call myself a Gleek (BUT I CAN’T HELP MYSELF).
And the plot lines are so cheesy and the drama is slightly predictable but what’s a girl to do?

So, I’m sorry to my musician friends, and I’m sorry to my mom, who patiently watches all the episodes with me so I “don’t feel too bad.”
And I’m sorry, but I’m a Gleek.
For real.

This segment of Nerd Rant has come to a close; please stand by.

My Music

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MY HEROES
I love music, all kinds of music, and yes I even love country.  In fact, when driving up to OVS in the mornings, I listen to the highway country station on sirius.  Oddly enough, most recently I have been cycling between classic rock and dub step.

On the classical side, bands such as Van Halen, Rainbow, and Guns and roses. And of course guys like Bruce Springsteen and Brian Adams.  Now I believe that there is a type of music for every situation.  For instance, my classic rock playlist is only used for driving longer distances, usually alone.  Classic rock has a way of just flowing and it passes time really quickly.

BUT when the weekend hits and all the boys squish into someones much to small car, its time for LMFAO, Hyper Crush and BassNector.  Now these bands are what really get the party started.  Heavy Bass and sounds that most adults probably cant even hear anymore.  Most adults also say this is bad music because of the subliminal messages of drugs and alcohol, buts its no worse then anything else.  Point of fact: I LOVE DUBSTEP. And I totally have a crush on the girl from Hyper Crush

Razorlight.

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Razorlight!

Razorlight are an indie rock band from England. Famed for the track “America,” the group formed in 2002. Lead by quirky lead singer Johnny Borell, the 4-piece band has both character and charm. Some even compare the group to The Who.

Setting out by practicing in a decaying factory, the four-piece band has gone on to achieve great things. The group’s first album, “Up all night” debuted in 2004, wreaking much success and coming 3rd in the UK album charts.

After a two-year break, in 2006, the band released their second album, “Razorlight.” The second album was much improved and the songs were catchy, different and alternate, consequently leading it to achieve #1 in the charts.

As the band moved up higher in the charts their music progressed greatly, sounding better and better. Their popularity grew as they gained more recognition and in 2007 the band were nominated for two BRIT Awards. These included Best British band and Best Song for their single, “America“.

In 2008 the band released their next album “Slipway fires.” The album was more soulful and heartfelt compared to the previous albums but it still contained the passion that had led to their success.

Razorlight are a great band, their music is unique and fun, and  with a character like Johnny Borell  as the front man the band can really do no harm.

Give them a listen!

Foals.

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Foals
Foals are an indie rock band from Oxford, England. Debuting in 2008 with their first album “Antidotes“, the band went on to releasing their second album, ”Total life forever” which was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.

Their first album gained much success coming third in the UK album charts. Full of drumbeats and fast tempos the songs put the listener in a happy mood. Aimed at the indie scene the album emits the sense of summer frivolity and fun. With strong lyrics and pulsing melodies, the album makes a stand against the typical music one would classify as indie. Incorporating a range of instruments, the music stands out with its guitar rifts and use of the occasional synth.

“Red Sock Pugie,” the third track from the first album, “Antidotes“.

In comparison “Total life forever” is a mellower album focusing more on the vocals than on fast rhythms and tempos. Soothing, relaxing and calming the album allows the listener to unwind through the 25 tracks. Although still including the famous drumbeats the songs have a more peaceful nature, perfect for a car journey through the countryside.

The contrast of albums shows how over the years the band has developed. Unlike many bands that focus on the same “fail safe” sound they experiment using different tones, instruments and vocals.

Foals are a great band that, I’d recommend anyone to listen to.

“Blue Blood,” the opening track from the second album, “Total life Forever“.

Coachella

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Of all the things I wish I could have done so far this year, Coachella tops the list. With headliners Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, and Kanye West on top of artists like The Black Keys, Wiz Khalifa, and The Strokes, it was no doubt nothing short of incredible.

In my slight depression since missing Coachella, I’ve been reading a lot of reviews, and all of them say that it was almost all great shows. One performance, however, stood out above all else.

Kanye West.

In all of the extravagant concert entrances I’ve seen, which is a slightly above average amount, Kanye’s was the best planned and would have been beyond awe-producing.

To sum it up, he had his dancers, twenty or so ballerinas, dance around for a good three minutes, then kneel down to a large monument to what seems to be gods. Then, from behind the crowd comes Kanye West, slowly being raised into the air on a raised platform, pointing to the sky all the while, as the phrase, “can we get much higher” is heard over and over again.

When I saw the video for this entrance, I was feeling two, very clear emotions: Jealousy, at the crowd for being there, and at Kanye, for being him, and then complete and utter awe. I knew right then and there that Kanye had done something that few people have ever done. He had made himself, in that one moment, the most important man in the world.

Not to say that he was the best, or the most needed, but I’d bet that more people wanted to see, hear, and be Kanye West in that one moment than anyone else on earth. He was truly the king, and even his ego was ridiculous no longer.

Of course, the moment passed, and he was just Kanye West again, entertainer, egomaniac, and generally only respected for his music. The image still remained, though, and in my mind and undoubtedly in the mind of countless others.

Super Blues

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One of the greatest and most influential genres in music is the blues. The blues gave way to rock, pop and even metal. The world will remember many great blues musicians, but there are several that will be held in a higher regard than others. Some of these musicians got together in 1967 and made one of the greatest blues album of all time. That album was called Super Blues.

Super Blues was an album created by some of the Blues best, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Bo Diddley and Otis Spann. Just those names alone should make someone need to have the album.

Muddy Waters is arguably one of the best Blues singer ever. His performance of I’m a Man at the Last Watlz is amazing.

When one thinks of great blues guitar players, BB King and Bo Diddley are at the top. Bo Diddley makes the album with his great playing.

Otis Spann and Little Walter are the soul of the album. Otis Spann manipulates the piano to make it sound like it was made to play the blues. Little Walter can somehow make an album great just by playing his harmonica.

This could easily be in the top ten list of great blues albums. The combined talent of the four greats is very unique, and very amazing.

Warpaint.

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Warpaint.

Warpaint is a 4-piece girl band from Los Angeles. I’m guessing that when you hear the word girl band you automatically think: poppy, fake, materialized rubbish. This is definitely not the case with Warpaint.

Warpaint are an experimental art, rock group who formed in 2004. Although primarily indie, the girls describe their genre as Ghettotech, Melodramatic Popular Song and Psychedelic.

The girls came together to create a different type of music and sound, they succeeded.

With melodic and peaceful symphonies mixed with rock and guitar leads, Warpaint have conquered a combination that works wonders. Their haunting sounds relax and entice, whilst contrasting beats adding flavor to the  melodic tones and harmonies.

Releasing their first album “The Fool” in October 2010, as well their debut single “Undertow” the band captured the attention of many music lovers.

The group is scheduled to play at several large festivals over the summer months including Coachella and Glastonbury.

Warpaint are an extremely unique band that I admire greatly. I hope they keep producing and playing great music!

Tommy Reilly.

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Tommy Reilly!

Tommy Reilly is a singer, songwriter from Scotland. In 2009 Channel 4 hosted the show Orange Unsigned Act, Tommy was one of many contestants competing to win a recording contract.

The viewers, of the show, took a strong liking to Tommy’s individuality along with the judges. The emotional connection he held with a song often reduced him and his viewers to tears. He was unique because he was true to his heart and sang for his pleasure rather than to impress. With much support Tommy ultimately won the show.

After his triumph his first single “Gimme a call” was instantly released into the U.K charts. The song reached 14 in the single charts but unfortunately for him, his success didn’t last long.
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Insulted.

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Okay, I know we’ve already had the “Rebecca Black” blog post done by yourgingerkid, but I’d like to take a different point of view on the matter. Yes, like yourgingerkid, I do feel bad for Rebecca Black, she’s young and doesn’t deserve all of the death threats, and she also probably doesn’t know that her voice sounds like a walrus on crack. But I also have to say, as a musician, I am insulted.


(Said Walrus on Crack)

As a vocalist, I am insulted that a 13-year-old girl and so much autotune that you don’t even know what her voice truly sounds like (except for the fact that it’s unbelievably nasally) has gotten recognition for being “the next Justin Bieber,” even though he isn’t that fabulous anyway.

As a lyricist, I am insulted that a mere child is talking about partying, and even more so insulted that, in her bridge, she sings, “We we we so excited, we so excited, we gonna have a ball today.” I’M SORRY, but it really makes me cringe that she couldn’t use “we’re” or “we are” or just follow the proper rules of grammar.

As a musician, I am insulted that electronic instruments, terrible electronic drums, and a music video with more awkward dancing than a middle school dance has more than 73 million views.

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