Oldies but Goodies

Although Stadium Arcadium by The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Is This It by The Strokes are two albums of past obsession, these two Cd's deserve a spot on my blog for being two of the greatest concerts I have ever been to. As well as being two incredibly kick-ass albums.


Stadium Arcadium, The Red Hot Chili Peppers thirteenth album, is a double album containing two Cd's Saturn and Mars. This album is jam-packed with a total of 28 tracks, all of which being impeccably well crafted. Aside from the obvious hits "Dani California," "Tell Me Baby" and "Snow," this album is chock full of potential billboard toppers. "Hump De Bump" is a silly funk song, one of which highlights talent of the bass player, Flea. "Wet Sand" is one of my favorites off the album, and is quite the interesting song. It starts off quietly and but upbeat and eventually crescendos into a full lighter-swinging ballad. This was one of the songs off of Stadium Arcadium that was actually played at the concert. The concert was on October 21st at the Pepsi Arena. I bought myself a ticket for my 18th birthday, and it was the best 60$ I ever spent. About six of us all went as a group and it was an amazing experience to share with friends. As I looked out into the crowd while the band rocked "Wet Sand" I couldn't see a crowd anymore, it was just one big pit of flame, swaying in the breeze. Unfortunately, The Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't play some of my favorites off the album, such as "If," "Hard to Concentrate," and "Strip My Mind." All of which are musical genius. Overall, this album is completely different from any other previous albums by RHCP. It's a new sound with more funk, what more could you want?

As for Is This It by The Strokes, this album is full of eccentric alt-rock, as well as catchy, harsh sounding riffs. I attended this concert on October 6th, it was another birthday present (not from myself this time), and very well could have been the best one, mainly because it was such a surprise. The concert was at Washington Avenue Armory, not the fanciest shin-dig, but the concert would not have been the same without the gym-floor ambiance. It was a general admission show, meaning there were no seats at all everyone was on the floor, which led to involuntary mosh pits. Luckily the mosh pits were mainly just shoving, not very violent, in fact, they were quite fun. The show mostly consisted of songs off of Is This It, which was completely fine with me. With songs like "Take it or Leave it," a catchy, upbeat tune, and "Is This It" another catchy but slower tune on the lineup, the show blew me away. I have never attended a show where the band sounds so different live than in studio. It's a good thing really, I love it when the sound is so different live, it gives authenticity and credit to the band. But the difference was so vast that it made me like the band even more. Is This It, is probably the hardest album I have attempted to describe so far, you really just have to listen to it.

As a result of my current lack of new music, sharing my concert-going experiences seemed like a good idea. I promise I will get back to my obsessions soon, but I will be attending the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert this Friday, so expect my next blog to be about that.

What more could you want than Tapestry and White Ladders?

When I think tapestry and white ladders, I think interior decorating gone way wrong. However, Tapestry by Carole King and White Ladder by David Gray are two of my favorite "love" albums. Both albums have the standard "love" ballad, but both ballads are unique in their own way.



Tapestry by Carole King is by far my favorite album of this diva. She is also one of my role models, leading the way for female musicians, while shaking that love-struck "bubblegum pop" image. Granted, she emerged in the 70's where bubblegum pop wasn't exactly an issue quite yet, but she did prove that women musicians deserve to be taken seriously. This woman has quite the set of pipes on her, her strong, bluesy voice can make anyone instantaneously close their eyes, kick their head back and groove. Especially with songs like "I Feel the Earth Move" and "Natural Woman," this album really captures the spirit of a woman. Sorry guys, you may not like this one, but check it out anyways, maybe your girlfriend will like it, if not, at least your mom. "I Feel the Earth Move" is a crooning, bluesy piano tune about being in love. Whats so great about this song is that you don't even have to believe in love to enjoy it; it doesn't make you want to run to the nearest wastebasket. On the other hand, the album is full of fun songs too, such as "Smackwater Jack." This song is about an angry man who goes on a shooting spree, but trust me, it's still a fun song to groove to. But the most surprising song on the album is "Where You Lead," a song about always being there for someone, no matter what. However, this song has gospel roots, which is an odd fact considering the bluesy, rock-ish nature of Carole's voice; but she rocks this song from beginning to end."



White Ladder by David Gray is a different type of "love" album. First of all, it's a guy, secondly, it's even more sappy than Carole King. "This Years Love" is my favorite song off of the album. It's can be considered the standard love song, but since David Gray's voice is so relaxed, almost nasal-y that its a completely different sound than those stupid boy-band ballads, oh and he has talent (unlike the other ones), that kind of helps when you're in the music business. Other songs on the album include "Say Hello and Wave Goodbye" and "Babylon," both of which have a sound that's incredibly relaxed and sad. It is a very sad album, but very chill and is musically well crafted. I would highly recommend this album for those days where you just feel like driving up in the countryside, it might make you a little sad and/or introspective but it will also make your brain produce endorphins that remind you what its like to be in love (whether you believe in love or not!) I myself have not quite figured out whether I believe in love yet, however I can still appreciate these love songs and all they have to offer. As sad as some of these songs seem, David Gray is always able to weave in how sweet he thinks life is as a whole, especially in songs like "White Ladder" and "Silver Lining."

These albums bring some variety to the love song genre, both in their own unique ways. Carole King eases her pain with the blues and David Gray uses his syrup-y sweet voice to capture what it means to be in love. So add these albums to your list and put yourself in a good. loving mood this holiday season.

This Week...Double TT's

All right, so this week I'm currently obsessed with TV on the Radio's Return to Cookie Mountain, and The Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition. Both of these albums bring a quite unique sound to the music scene and have influenced my choice of music in many ways.


TV on the Radio's Return to Cookie Mountain, released in Spring 2006, brought major changes to the indie rock scene in my eyes. This band is odd, quirky and addicting. With songs like "A Method," "Dirtywhirl" and "Wolf Like Me," this album has ranges like no other. "A Method" begins with a singsong whistle, with a triple tap hand clap keeping the beat in the background. Then the vocals come in with a monotone chant, which evolves in to a very relaxed, beatnik-type chorus. "It's very dark; haunting" says Sean Victor, a fellow music nut. "Dirtywhirl" is also darker song. However, the tone of both of the songs is far from dark, it is almost hopeful and fun. This week I have listened to this album every single morning as I got ready for school, it's good music to wake up to. The overall tone of the album is just indescribable, I've never heard anything like it before; which is always a good quality in the music industry.




The Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition, is a live album. The Talking Heads can probably be most recognized by their 1983 hit "Burnin Down the House." David Byrne, the lead singer and musical genius, is notorious for his eccentric musical arrangements and outlandish dance moves, which just brings more humor and fun to the band. The Talking Heads is probably the most boisterous band I have ever heard. A mere hum of one of their tunes can completely 180 a bad mood. For instance, on one particular day not too long ago, I had a rotten day, and was in a very sad and blase mood. As I sit next to Sean Victor, he begins to hum "Once in a Lifetime," by the Talking Heads of course, and it instantly turned my mood around in the blink of an eye. Trust me, you will feel so much better after listening to the Talking Heads, seriously it's good for your health. My favorite tracks off of this album are "Once in a Lifetime" and "Girlfriend is Better." Both are incredibly odd, different and completely genius.


After listening to both of these albums, I have acquired a taste for odd music. Much like Sufjan Stevens, TV on the Radio and The Talking Heads have made me realize I am completely infatuated with bands who can bring something unique to the music scene. So ask for these albums for the Holidays, you won't be disappointed.

Night Zombies and Butchers....What?

Well, as you may know, I'm an aboslute music nut. I listen to so much music, I have an new favorite band every week. Since I like all types of music, its easy to find different albums to obsess about. My obsession this week is Sufjan Stevens: Illinoise and The Decemberists: The Crane Wife. I can't stop listening to them. I'm pretty big on the indie rock scene and these two albums are major reasons why. When it comes to being creative and different, these artists help raise the bar.

Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise is a series of interesting songs, follewed by even more interesting interludes. Even the song titles are interesting, such as songs titled Decatur, Or a Round of Applause for your Step-Mother; The Predatory Wasp of Palisades is Out to Get Us and Lets Hear that String Part Again Because I Don't Think They Heard it All the Way Out in Bushnell. This album is great, no matter what kind of mood you're in. The songs on this album range from, sad and depressing, to upeat, happy and hopeful, to just dark and disturbing. His voice is one-of-a-kind, and his use of orchestral background is genius. Some of my personal favorites off of this album are Chicago, They Are Night Zombies!!! They Are Neighbors!!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!!! and Prarie Fire That Wanders About. Although, I absolutely love this entire album, so I can't really pick a favorite.

As for The Decemberists' The Crane Wife, they bring about an entirely different sound then Sufjan. The Decembereists have Irish sounding roots that gives thier music a folk-y type sound. These guys (and girl) have a unique sound when thier voices blend, the harmonies can be harsh and brazen, but in a completely good and different way. The song Yankee Bayonet is about a soldier going off to fight in the Civil War, leaving his lover behind. It's a tragic tale, but the sound of the song is upbeat, hopeful and shows how in love the couple really is. The song Shankill Butchers is a dark and depressing song about the Shankill Butcher Massacre, which was a group of men who inebriated themselves and slaughtered people in the night. Many of The Decemberists songs have historical roots suchs as both Yakee Bayonet and Shankill Butchers, and also, O Valencia, the song about star-crossed lovers, who eventually meet thier fate, very Romeo and Juliet, I know. However, this album is great to throw on whenever, and once you learn the words, it's a bunch of fun to sing along to.

I highly recomend both of these groups to anyone and everyone. You got iTunes? Use It!