After a recent argument with a coworker about why she thinks I need to stop being "picky" about what I listen to and why "broadening my horizons a little will make me a better musician". I thought i would try to conceptualize my musical standpoint as a musician.
Hears the deal. I'm going to give you two songs. Listen to them start to finish. While you're listening I want you to try and think about every instrument, chord, note, rhythm, and beat thats happening with every instrument. Think about how each part is played, how it stands out and how it blends in. Think of the lyrics and their meaning. Finally think of what it takes to put the song together. Hopefully by doing this you can understand how I listen to music and why I tend to be "picky".
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cry
I drive on her streets cause she's my companion
I walk through her hills cause she knows who I am
She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy
I never worry, now that is a lie.
Well, I don't ever want to feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
I don't ever want to feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way, yeah, yeah, yeah
It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
At least I have her love, the city she loves me
Lonely as I am, together we cry
Well, I don't ever want to feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way
Well, I don't ever want to feel like I did that day
Take me to the place I love, take me all the way, yeah, yeah, yeah
oh no, no, no, yeah, yeah
love me, i say, yeah yeah
(under the bridge downtown)
(is where I drew some blood)
is where I drew some blood
(under the bridge downtown)
(i could not get enough)
i could not get enough
(under the bridge downtown)
(forgot about my love)
forgot about my love
(under the bridge downtown)
(i gave my live away)
i gave my life away yeah
Chorus]
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,
That Super Man Dat (OH!)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,
That Super Man Dat (OH!)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
[Verse 1:]
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Lean And Watch Me Rock
Super Man Dat (OH!)
Then Watch Me Crank Dat Robocop
Super Fresh, Now Watch Me Jock
Jocking On Them Haterz Man
When I Do Dat Soulja Boy
I Lean To The Left And Crank Dat Dance
(Now You)
I'm Jocking On Yo Bitch Ass
And If We Get The Fightin
Then I'm Cocking On Your Bitch
You Catch Me At Yo Local Party
Yes I Crank It Everyday
Haterz Get Mad Cuz
"I Got Me Some Bathin Apes"
[Chorus]
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,
That Super Man Dat (OH!)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja)
Now Watch Me Do
[ Crank Dat lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
(Crank Dat Soulja Boy)
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,
That Super Man Dat (OH!)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
[Verse 2:]
I'm Bouncin On My Toe
Watch Me Super Soak Dat (OH!)
I'ma Pass It To Arab
Then He Gon Pass It To The Low (Low)
Haterz Wanna Be Me
Soulja Boy, I'm The Man
They Be Lookin At My Neck
Sayin Its The Rubberband Man (Man)
Watch Me Do It (Watch Me Do It)
Dance (Dance)
Let Get To It (Let Get To It)
Nope, You Can't Do It Like Me
Hoe, So Don't Do It Like Me
Folk, I See You Tryna Do It Like Me
Man That Shit Was Ugly
[Chorus]
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,
That Super Man Dat (OH!)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Soulja Boy up in it (OH!)
Watch Me Crank It
Watch Me Roll
Watch Me Crank Dat Soulja Boy,
That Super Man Dat (OH!)
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Now Watch Me Do
(Crank Dat Soulja )
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
New Long Lasting Flavor
No time for a clever follow up to my random title today. My 3-5 readers need their dose of literary cocaine that only this blog can provide.
It has been a while so I'm going to get down and dirty on this one. If you're here you probably know me and anyone who knows me knows that I'm not down with rap especially when raps bites off a piece of success from a band I like. So to my surprise, when Cyprus Hill got a hold of a little ditty by The Clash called The Guns of Brixton, I really liked this sample. Good on them for taking my favorite Clash song breathing new life in it.
I'm going to start you off with the original song off the London Calling album. The Guns of Brixton really is the icing on this audiolicious cake of an album. It's heavy with ska and Dub influence. This is the kind of song you want going in your low rider and just cruise. And if you haven't listened to the album go do so. Chances are its influenced some of whatever you're listening to these days.
Moving on the Cyprus Hill. They hooked up with Rancid front man, Tim Armstrong on this tune called Whats Your Number. They basically put The Guns of Brixton on the Major League Baseball Diet of steroids and hormones. A beefed up bassline and heavier guitars pad this song with several other layers of tracks to fill it out. Its catchy and the lyrics are solid. For a genre that I make a point of distancing myself from this one gives me hope that popular music can be good. Enjoy.
It has been a while so I'm going to get down and dirty on this one. If you're here you probably know me and anyone who knows me knows that I'm not down with rap especially when raps bites off a piece of success from a band I like. So to my surprise, when Cyprus Hill got a hold of a little ditty by The Clash called The Guns of Brixton, I really liked this sample. Good on them for taking my favorite Clash song breathing new life in it.
I'm going to start you off with the original song off the London Calling album. The Guns of Brixton really is the icing on this audiolicious cake of an album. It's heavy with ska and Dub influence. This is the kind of song you want going in your low rider and just cruise. And if you haven't listened to the album go do so. Chances are its influenced some of whatever you're listening to these days.
Moving on the Cyprus Hill. They hooked up with Rancid front man, Tim Armstrong on this tune called Whats Your Number. They basically put The Guns of Brixton on the Major League Baseball Diet of steroids and hormones. A beefed up bassline and heavier guitars pad this song with several other layers of tracks to fill it out. Its catchy and the lyrics are solid. For a genre that I make a point of distancing myself from this one gives me hope that popular music can be good. Enjoy.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Just a Quickie
Come on... just one for the road.
Just tossing up a quick post updating you on my good buddy Chris' song Friends. He made a video that made me smile and tear up just a bit. I miss you buddddddddddddy.
Peace Gangstas.
Just tossing up a quick post updating you on my good buddy Chris' song Friends. He made a video that made me smile and tear up just a bit. I miss you buddddddddddddy.
Peace Gangstas.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
This Blow Will Blog Your Mind
No joke. I'm coming out with the heavy hitters on this one. For today's post I invited the living legend Johnnie to cover the visuals off todays music video. So now that you're all beaming with anticipation I leave you with Johnnie...
When my esteemed pal Kevin Stephen asked me to do a guest spot on his blog, I had no idea what I’d write about. Being primarily a movie guy, I know next to nothing about music. Being the white knight that he is, however, and in an attempt to help a proverbial brotha’ out, Kevin hooked me up with a link to a video that he thought would appeal to the pretentious cineaste in me, “Hang Me Up To Dry” by the Cold War Kids, a band my philistine ass hadn’t even heard of until now. So as you can imagine, I was coloured pretty surprised when I ended up digging the song and the video more than I ever thought I would.
The video is shot in a style reminiscent of flicks from the French New Wave movement, masquerading as a trailer for the final part of visionary (fake) director Carlos Salvador Moran’s crime trilogy, whose previous (non)films “Six Cowards” and “She Loved a Street Tough” won him massive accolades. The visuals are sumptuous and stark with the kind of lush black and white cinematography that would make a Truffaut or Kurosawa proud. While I can’t decipher exactly what the movie would be actually, you know, be about, I can’t deny that it looks gorgeous and captures a kind of cinematic essence that hasn’t been tapped for a while now.
Honestly, this is one of the most creative, beautiful videos I’ve seen in a long time. In an age where a half-conscious Britney Spears grinding against a pole for three and a half minutes can constitute a music video, it’s refreshing to see a video as artistically potent as this. And the song is pretty good, too! As a guy who lives on a steadily fibrous diet of Bowie, The Cure and Tom Waits, it’s rare that I dig new(ish) music in any way, shape and/or form but this stuff is good. Thank you for steering me in the right direction for once, Kevin Stephen. I owe you one.
And no, I won’t do that.
We'll see if a few drinks can change your mind. Did I type that aloud?
Onwards.
Hang Me Up To Dry grabs ya from the get go with a simple rhythm that is mellow at first listen but lends itself greatly to the energy of the song soon after. The singer takes this song, which uses dirty clothes as a metaphor for being in an "abusive-ish" relationship, through highs and lows with his soft singing transitioning to emotional shouting. Between all that a smooth guitar lead ties it all together and gets heads bobbing to the beat while fits of off rhythm piano key smashing adds depth to the sound.
I really like this song and band because they are so damn original. I tried to think of a category to throw them in or something to compare them to but I come up with nothing. I encourage you all to pad your Itunes library with Cold War Kids album Robbers and Cowards to give yourselves a new listening experience to break up whatever you might keep in your regular rotation.
Thanks for lending your geek brain to this post Johnnie. I look forward to mooching your talent in the future.
Peace and Love Mother Canuckers.
When my esteemed pal Kevin Stephen asked me to do a guest spot on his blog, I had no idea what I’d write about. Being primarily a movie guy, I know next to nothing about music. Being the white knight that he is, however, and in an attempt to help a proverbial brotha’ out, Kevin hooked me up with a link to a video that he thought would appeal to the pretentious cineaste in me, “Hang Me Up To Dry” by the Cold War Kids, a band my philistine ass hadn’t even heard of until now. So as you can imagine, I was coloured pretty surprised when I ended up digging the song and the video more than I ever thought I would.
The video is shot in a style reminiscent of flicks from the French New Wave movement, masquerading as a trailer for the final part of visionary (fake) director Carlos Salvador Moran’s crime trilogy, whose previous (non)films “Six Cowards” and “She Loved a Street Tough” won him massive accolades. The visuals are sumptuous and stark with the kind of lush black and white cinematography that would make a Truffaut or Kurosawa proud. While I can’t decipher exactly what the movie would be actually, you know, be about, I can’t deny that it looks gorgeous and captures a kind of cinematic essence that hasn’t been tapped for a while now.
Honestly, this is one of the most creative, beautiful videos I’ve seen in a long time. In an age where a half-conscious Britney Spears grinding against a pole for three and a half minutes can constitute a music video, it’s refreshing to see a video as artistically potent as this. And the song is pretty good, too! As a guy who lives on a steadily fibrous diet of Bowie, The Cure and Tom Waits, it’s rare that I dig new(ish) music in any way, shape and/or form but this stuff is good. Thank you for steering me in the right direction for once, Kevin Stephen. I owe you one.
And no, I won’t do that.
We'll see if a few drinks can change your mind. Did I type that aloud?
Onwards.
Hang Me Up To Dry grabs ya from the get go with a simple rhythm that is mellow at first listen but lends itself greatly to the energy of the song soon after. The singer takes this song, which uses dirty clothes as a metaphor for being in an "abusive-ish" relationship, through highs and lows with his soft singing transitioning to emotional shouting. Between all that a smooth guitar lead ties it all together and gets heads bobbing to the beat while fits of off rhythm piano key smashing adds depth to the sound.
I really like this song and band because they are so damn original. I tried to think of a category to throw them in or something to compare them to but I come up with nothing. I encourage you all to pad your Itunes library with Cold War Kids album Robbers and Cowards to give yourselves a new listening experience to break up whatever you might keep in your regular rotation.
Thanks for lending your geek brain to this post Johnnie. I look forward to mooching your talent in the future.
Peace and Love Mother Canuckers.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thats what she said...
Seriously. Just the other day she said that to me and I was all like, "Theres no way you can say that in public without causing a scene, riot and tsunami."
So I feel like I'm in a cycle of complete bullshit right now. Work, school, rink repeat. I go to bed at 10 or 11 every night and wake up early to go through the same morning routine. I save all my money and still feel like I'm strapped for cash. I try to play the guitar or design something for the hell of it and i just can't get the effort or creativity to get anywhere. So this is what I've got to express any kind of whatever... that and a drum kit that I'll bash the hell out of to feel better. (who said violence doesn't solve anything?)
If there is one thing I really do love it's bashing the drum kit. When I was a lad I wanted drums but my parents wouldn't have it. Now that I've slowly graduated up the decibel scale with guitars and amps I managed to con them into letting me have a kit at the house (props to Paquette for lending his kit). Now I'm by no means a good drummer but I am improving all the time. One thing I am good at is knowing when someone else is a talented drummer. I've seen a few in my day. One particular drummer who just so happens to be my hero of life is none other than Dave Grohl. The dude is amazing. I've always loved him as a musician but I never realized his drumming talent until I listened to the album Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age. Its an awesome album where every instrument holds its own and then some in sweet, beautiful harmony. It's not until you hit "Song for the Dead" that Dave has his time to shine. And shine he does. Observe exhibit A where some fellow Dave Grohl fan drums along to the tune.
Start to finish it's an awesome song. But the best parts are the start and finish. Starts with some catchy work on the toms. Finishes by going balls out.
So wonderful that I made the ending my ringtone. I hope you like it as much as I do. Though I don't expect that much out of anyone but me and maybe the guy in the video.
Until the next time I have something to bitch and segue into a song... Peace
So I feel like I'm in a cycle of complete bullshit right now. Work, school, rink repeat. I go to bed at 10 or 11 every night and wake up early to go through the same morning routine. I save all my money and still feel like I'm strapped for cash. I try to play the guitar or design something for the hell of it and i just can't get the effort or creativity to get anywhere. So this is what I've got to express any kind of whatever... that and a drum kit that I'll bash the hell out of to feel better. (who said violence doesn't solve anything?)
If there is one thing I really do love it's bashing the drum kit. When I was a lad I wanted drums but my parents wouldn't have it. Now that I've slowly graduated up the decibel scale with guitars and amps I managed to con them into letting me have a kit at the house (props to Paquette for lending his kit). Now I'm by no means a good drummer but I am improving all the time. One thing I am good at is knowing when someone else is a talented drummer. I've seen a few in my day. One particular drummer who just so happens to be my hero of life is none other than Dave Grohl. The dude is amazing. I've always loved him as a musician but I never realized his drumming talent until I listened to the album Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age. Its an awesome album where every instrument holds its own and then some in sweet, beautiful harmony. It's not until you hit "Song for the Dead" that Dave has his time to shine. And shine he does. Observe exhibit A where some fellow Dave Grohl fan drums along to the tune.
Start to finish it's an awesome song. But the best parts are the start and finish. Starts with some catchy work on the toms. Finishes by going balls out.
So wonderful that I made the ending my ringtone. I hope you like it as much as I do. Though I don't expect that much out of anyone but me and maybe the guy in the video.
Until the next time I have something to bitch and segue into a song... Peace
Sunday, February 3, 2008
I just can't get you out of my head.
Howdy. Its been a few and I've finally stumbled upon some time where I'm not working and not being a ridiculously lazy bastard. This is precious time folks. So keeping on the topic of me being busy, I've been at work a lot and there are some moments where I can't use my ipod, laptop or radio while I slave away. Those moments would be when I stand in front of a 1000+ lbs hydraulic die cutter making hundreds of fridge magnets and/or hockey/baseball/soccer/lacrosse/whatever the hell else kids play these days, cards. This cutter is incredibly loud so to drown out the sound of it churning/slamming/slicing/repeating I will stick a song in my head and contemplate putting my head under the cutter.
Horrible thoughts aside, all week I had the song Pneumonia Hawk by the Cancer Bats looping in the ol' noggin. I absolutely love that tune. I don't really rock out to the heavy tunes as much as I used to but this one brings me back. If this one doesn't get your head banging or at least a toe tap out of you than you are dead to me. Its got some heavy guitars that don't quit to back some solid, screaming,vocals. George from Alexisonfire (elephantonfire to my friends) makes an appearance in the song and the video. Speaking of the video. I'm a fan. It shows the boys in the woods eating pancakes, downing syrup, jumping into a truck and heading off to work for George. He sends them into the bush where instead of giving trees the business they uncover their gear and shred. George gets wind of said shredding and joins in for a screaming trade off with enough energy to resuscitate the squirrel that drowned in my neighbour's pool last summer... I called him floaty.... poor floaty. But seriously those two screaming styles could not compliment each other or the song better.
Anyways, thats enough out of me. Watch/Love the song/video.
Cheers.
Horrible thoughts aside, all week I had the song Pneumonia Hawk by the Cancer Bats looping in the ol' noggin. I absolutely love that tune. I don't really rock out to the heavy tunes as much as I used to but this one brings me back. If this one doesn't get your head banging or at least a toe tap out of you than you are dead to me. Its got some heavy guitars that don't quit to back some solid, screaming,vocals. George from Alexisonfire (elephantonfire to my friends) makes an appearance in the song and the video. Speaking of the video. I'm a fan. It shows the boys in the woods eating pancakes, downing syrup, jumping into a truck and heading off to work for George. He sends them into the bush where instead of giving trees the business they uncover their gear and shred. George gets wind of said shredding and joins in for a screaming trade off with enough energy to resuscitate the squirrel that drowned in my neighbour's pool last summer... I called him floaty.... poor floaty. But seriously those two screaming styles could not compliment each other or the song better.
Anyways, thats enough out of me. Watch/Love the song/video.
Cheers.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Oi! Don't Interupt Me!
Right. That was rude... Anyways, I want to start off by saying if you haven't checked out my long time friend and brief fling, Johnny's blog (http://tarantinoholic.blogspot.com) I suggest you do so. I am almost certain that it is more enlightening than this. So now that I'm done name dropping and making my sexuality questionable, on with the show.
Friends - Chris Ceglarz
So a little back story to bring y'all up to speed on this tune. Chris is my bestest ever friend in the whole wide world. One fateful November 23rd 2007 Chris got a job in Al-effin-berta. So on a fateful November 24th he packed up his life in his truck and took off faster than the French from world war two. Fast forward to a few weeks ago. Chris is now an established man with his own apartment. When he first got his place all he had was a guitar and his laptop. So picture a 300 pound polish kid, not even 19 for a month, sitting in a room with bare walls and no furniture, thinking about how much he misses his buddies. So he writes a song about us. Heart warming eh.
So i got to say that for a musically up beat song with its almost baseball park like organs backing up the guitar that it is one depressing little ditty. If you listen closely you can hear the echo of Chris' voice in his empty apartment. Though the premise of the song is a downer and a half, Chris keeps true to his happy disposition by throwing in clever rhymes and inside jokes that only Stephens (me), Johnsy and Paquette would understand. Way to be big guy.
I am completely bias in reviewing this song but any song dedicated to his buddies gets a 20/10 from me. Unless you're Puffy ripping on The Police's fame to dedicate a song to his fat buddy.
Ps. Ian I have your money for the Foos
Friends - Chris Ceglarz
So a little back story to bring y'all up to speed on this tune. Chris is my bestest ever friend in the whole wide world. One fateful November 23rd 2007 Chris got a job in Al-effin-berta. So on a fateful November 24th he packed up his life in his truck and took off faster than the French from world war two. Fast forward to a few weeks ago. Chris is now an established man with his own apartment. When he first got his place all he had was a guitar and his laptop. So picture a 300 pound polish kid, not even 19 for a month, sitting in a room with bare walls and no furniture, thinking about how much he misses his buddies. So he writes a song about us. Heart warming eh.
So i got to say that for a musically up beat song with its almost baseball park like organs backing up the guitar that it is one depressing little ditty. If you listen closely you can hear the echo of Chris' voice in his empty apartment. Though the premise of the song is a downer and a half, Chris keeps true to his happy disposition by throwing in clever rhymes and inside jokes that only Stephens (me), Johnsy and Paquette would understand. Way to be big guy.
I am completely bias in reviewing this song but any song dedicated to his buddies gets a 20/10 from me. Unless you're Puffy ripping on The Police's fame to dedicate a song to his fat buddy.
Ps. Ian I have your money for the Foos
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