The fear of technology

Technology can destroy you.

Technology makes life easier. Today, there are even robots that make you coffee and bring it to you. We are living the era of advanced technology. Computer, mobile phone, portable media player… We are addicted to all of them.

But… some people go through bitter experiences.

Please watch this first…

She was listening to her music loudly. People around her also hear the music and get annoyed. It’s not good for her ears. Above all, she does not recognize anything that goes on around her. Then, the worst thing happens.


I want to dedicate this video to my roommate. If you keep listening to music that loud, you are going deaf and possibly this kind of thing could happen.

Music these days.

I am so tired of hearing crappy music every time I turn on the radio or walk past another student’s room. I know, it really depends on each person’s opinion of what is “crappy” or not. But really, all I’ve been hearing are songs involving way too much cussing and annoying, repetitive phrases involving “big booty chicks” or “getting money”.

If music had been a person, he or she would be very disappointed to see him or her self now. Sure, music is about expressing yourself. But really, are those people really expressing themselves, or just making these ridiculous songs just to make money? What happened to the good music? Like the Beatles or Michael Jackson? People seem to forget about them more than they realize.

It really grinds my gears to hear amazing and talented artists, bands, or musicians go unrecognized for a long time, or forever. I know that not everyone can be famous or share their music with the rest of us, but in my opinion, these people deserve recognition more than the rap artists who repeat themselves in every song.

Variety and self-expression is what makes music beautiful. I feel like these days, the values expressed in songs are very questionable and the lyrics are just distasteful.

Theophilus London.

Theophilus

Music is constantly changing and progressing, following new rhythms and presenting new sounds. It is constantly advancing but normally it takes it’s time until it hits the ears of many listeners. Of course there are exceptions and many artists slip under the radar appearing on blogs etc. Theophilus London did just this.

Born in Brooklyn NY, Theophilus has been a producing artist since 2008. An undercover artist and sensation on many music blogs he is now starting to gain a lot more recognition with his new EP Lovers Holiday.

A unique rapper and MC, London’s music combines a wide range of sounds that come together to make something that’s completely different from the norm. Drawing sounds from electro, new wave and RnB amongst other genres his work brings forward catchy sounds that are easy to dance and sing along to.

So if you’re thinking that music is getting dull these days it’s not, you’re just not looking in the right places. So check out the blogosphere to see some new faces and some alternative beats.

Junk of the Heart.

Waiting for an album from your favorite band to be released is always exciting. What sort of sound will they present? Will it be a disappointed? How can they possibly beat some of their old tracks? These are all questions we ask ourselves when purchasing that long-awaited album.

These are all questions that filled my head on Monday the 12th of September. As I carefully placed my headphones into my ears, scrolled down the music library, selected albums and finally sought out the chosen album I waited in anticipation as I carefully hit the play button on my iPod. Playing Junk Of The Heart (Happy) by The Kooks.

Yes, Indie band The Kooks are finally back. After a two-year break the Brighton band have finally returned with a new album, Junk of the Heart. A sequel to the hit album Konk, released in 2008, the new album has been highly anticipated by many adoring fans. Yet, it’s a little disappointing.

Ok, so I’ve only listened to it a couple of times but there are only really a few songs I like. The rusty voice of lead singer Luke Pritchard still remains but the music hasn’t got the acoustic rhythms and “Kookyness” of the past albums. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good album and I admire them for their efforts to develop their style and go outside the box but in my eyes it just doesn’t suit them.

Still, there are a few songs that the bands unique sound shines through and I’m sure as I continue to listen my opinion will change, and I will grow to love it. Despite my first opinion, one thing will always remain, I still love The Kooks.

The Wombats.

The wombats
We all need some good songs to sing and dance along to, on occasion, and The Wombats provide just this.

Formed in Liverpool, England in 2003 the Indie Pop band provides music that is quirky and brilliant. With lyrics that are strong and fun the band really can do no wrong. Each song is easy to relate to as they use everyday things to describe their feelings and emotions.

With lyrics such as, “Carrots help us see much better in the dark. Don’t talk to girls; they’ll break your heart,” there is no way a band like this can go wrong.

Releasing the first album “The Wombats Proudly Present: A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation,” globally in 2007 the album was a great success coming 11th in the UK album charts. The album was full of great songs that individually did very well in the charts.

In 2010 the band were back releasing new singles such as “Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves).” Then in 2011 the group followed on with the album “The Wombats Proudly Present…This Modern Glitch.” The new album has a more grown up sounds in comparison to the first album, involving different sounds. In no way does this make it worse, in fact many argue that it was better coming 3rd in the UK album chart.

So if you feel like you have energy to burn and want to listen to some fun, individual music you should definitely listen to The Wombats.

Again, Again, Again

The crowd is buzzing quietly while two students stand on the stage, finishing up their introduction.

I’m on the left of the stage, hunching over my guitar, Wulfric, and making sure that the capo is firmly on the 9th fret.

The blood is rushing through my ears and I can’t hear anything that they’re saying; I just watch them until they motion in my direction.

Smiling softly, I walk over and plug in Wulfric before sitting myself on the uncomfortable high stool.

The photography teacher, Mr. Boyd, helps position the microphone in front of my face. He fiddles with the microphone’s stand and I grip my green star-cut pick in my right hand.

“Can I go?” I ask quietly to him, wondering if the sound people were ready for me.

The crowd laughs and I realize that they could hear me perfectly. Heat rushes to my face and I smile uncomfortably at the audience.

Mr. Boyd nods and my and I hunch over my guitar to begin my harsh, palm-muted intro. It seemed to go far to fast and before I knew it I was singing into the microphone, all of my worries completely gone.

http://www.facebook.com/v/1944801692093

All of a sudden, the song is over and my worries are back.
Every single insecurity and trouble weigh come rushing into my body and I sigh in disappointment.
It always ends too soon.

But the crowd still cheers.

I smile awkwardly and look up at the sound board, making sure I can unplug my guitar without messing with the amplifiers.

The song is over, and all I can think to myself is:

When can I play again?

Avi Buffalo

I’ve been to about 30 concerts in my life. From seeing the Rhianna to Michael Franti, I’ve made my way around the different genres and different venues. This last Saturday I was lucky enough to see Avi Buffalo at the Getty Museum.

I had never been to the Getty before and didn’t have much of an idea of what to expect. I’ve always driven down the 405 and wondered what that white tram led to and what wonders were inside the museum itself. All that I can say is that it’s magnificent. Every single molecule in that museum is beautiful.

From to the different exhibits, to the perfectly mowed lawns, to the magnificent water gardens, and to the city views, it’s simply the most beautiful place that I have ever been to. I plan on returning there as soon as possible to spend my day exploring all the parts that I didn’t even have time to see. But that wasn’t even the best part of my day.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

My friends and I were walking to use the restroom when Charlie (pictures above) stopped dead in her tracks and said “That’s him!”[The lead singer of Avi Buffalo] We followed him down in order to get a picture or two with him and watched him walk through the crowd without being noticed. It’s so strange to watch someone so talented and known not be recognized by the mass majority of a crowd. Though after the show he was a lot more popular.

It’s also needless to say that the show was amazing. The band only has one album out, but on set they played several songs that hadn’t been heard yet and many that the crowd was yearning to hear. We were all in the front row and we couldn’t have been happier. The energy feeding off the stage mixed with the flashing colored lights, sounds of the crowd, and the smell of inscents made the prefect mixture that was blissful.

If you haven’t heard of them, please go look them up now. You can download their album here for free, and believe me, it’s well worth it. But if you can, do try to support them! They aren’t too big yet, so they could always use the money from music sales. I hope that you like them! Oh and go visit the Getty if you haven’t already as well. You won’t regret it!

Razorlight.

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!

Music Map

Here I go again. Posting yet another music related post.

Do you guys ever get sick of listening to the same music?

Is the school’s internet too slow to host pandora or fm radio? Well I’ve got a good website for you!

This wonderful website allows you to type in the name of an artist and gives you names to plenty of others just like it.

You don’t have to go to Pandora and sit through all the songs until you find a few that you like. You don’t have to listen to the radio and figure out which songs you like. Now you can just type in the name of an artist and find plenty of others just like it.

I honestly sound like an internet advertisement, but that’s okay. I’m fine with that as long as I get the message across. You all should definitely check it out.

My Current Thoughts (Literally)

My thoughts as of this hour:

Why would you think of expanding the baseball playoffs Bud Selig? 10 teams by next year in the postseason? It’s kind of weird that we’re playing the October classic in November. If you want to watch your favorite team play the Fall Classic on Christmas day, let’s keep that as a fantasy.

Spaceballs was an awesome movie. Daphne Zuniga is totally hot and sexy in that movie and I wish I had a space winnebago. That’d be awesome.

My Kick Ass poster is falling off my wall, it’s a real eyesore.

I would love it for Facebook to stop sending me event invitations and offers to see who is viewing my profile. I don’t care because they never post anything or say hi. So stop giving me false hope by having the notification ad pop up! I’m a lonely soul folks!

I wish the Cate game didn’t get cancelled, I wanted to throw fire again. Go OVS Baseball!

I’m digging 90’s contemporary rock and punk music. Green Day, Soul Asylum and Third Eye Blind are really doing it right now.

Last but not least, it’s so refreshing to vent your emotions. You need to do it every once in a while. If you don’t, you’ll explode.