I Will Never Be The Same and Imogen Heap

For my post today I want to focus on two of my favorite bands that start with the letter I.  We are slowly making our way through my favoriets on my I-pod.  As always I have chosen one male artist and one female artist.  Today's lucky picks are I Will Never Be the Same and Imogen Heap.  Ladies first.

Imogen Heap is a successful British born singer and song writer; she also is the other partner in the band Frou Frou.  She has been singing since 1997.  You might have heard some of her work in various movie soundtracks like The Holiday, Garden State, and The Chronicals of Narnia.  The first song that I chose to share for you is from Goodnight and Go wich is actually just a single's album with a couple songs on it.  The song I chose is Speeding Cars.  I liked this song because it is different.  First of all I love her voice.  She is such a great soprano.  I like how she starts low and then creeps up to her upper register.  I liked the simplicity of this song.  I enjoy the piano in this song.  I also enjoy the lyrics quite a bit.  I think that they could help any one looking for hope.  I hope you will give this song a listen its beautiful.



The second song that I chose from her is Just For Now and it appears on the Speak For Yourself album.  This song makes an appearence in the movie the Holiday which is where I first heard it.  Again she takes my breath away with her angelic voice.  I really like the use of electronics in her music.  I think that she is one of few artists who know how to use it to enhance her music instead of using it to make up for poor vocals.  If you like what you have heard I encourage you to check out the rest of her music it's all great.



And now we switch gears to the band I Will Never Be The Same.  This is a synth-rock electonic band that started singing in 2008.  I first heard this band as I was rifling through my husbands music.  I listened to a couple tracks and was hooked.   The first song that I selected to play for is a called This Will All Be Over Soon off their Tornado's album.  First off this song has a very catchy into with electronic drums and the guitar.  The lead vocals for this band are amazing.  John Atchley is an amazing vocalist.  This song has major vibes and I just think it's one of those songs that you can play when you're feeling down and it will lift your spirits.  Please check it out below.



The second song I chose is Cry Little Sister and yes this is a remake of the popular song by Gerald Mcmann off the Lost Boys Soundtrack.  This song appears on their album Standby.  I am aware of how hard it is to remake such a classic and iconic song but Josh does it justice.  His vocals are so dark and then uplifting its such a heady and weird combination that I find myself loving it.  Again as soon as the song starts you just get into the strange vibe of what this song is about.  What more can I say this is an amazing remake and to me even better than the origional.  Give it a listen and let me know what you think.  Thank you so much for reading and enjoy some great music-Kristy

Asidefromaday-Chasing Shadows review

I make some of my decisions to listen to some new music--artists whose work I am unfamiliar with-based on music reviews.  That may sound like an incredibly shallow tactic, but consider first that literally countless pieces of new music and artists come out every day.  I can't possibly listen to all of them.  Now, my decisions are not just based on positive or favorable reviews.  Sometimes reviews can come out that say next to nothing about the music the band in question plays.  I read reviews about new music, putting a keen ear to description of the music.  And then, if it sounds like I might like it, I listen to it.  Many times I turn it off after only a minute or so, or even less.  Other times, I keep listening to it all the way through.

Although I was skeptical of this band because of their run-on name, I enjoyed the sound their new disc offers.  I think run-on band names are dumb.  Iwrestledabearonce just sounds like a juvenile name.  Forget about the fact that the aforementioned band plays a style of metal that I can't stand. 

What really caught my attention was the album cover.  The cover art was the first representation of this album that I saw.  This is another aspect that can often lead me to listen to a new band.  Sometimes cool album covers suggest cool music.  The NewReview shows the album cover only as the initial link to their review.  Some album covers I find unbearable to look at, and so I will skip the review.

Enough about my decision-making process.  I'm sure that some of you find that as interesting as watching paint dry.  What can I say, some people are just so impatient they cringe at the idea of pronouncing a band's full name.

What kind of music does Asidefromaday perform?  What, it has taken me this long to get to that?  So I ramble sometimes.  So sue me.  Many classify Frechmen Asidefromaday as either post-metal or post-hardcore.  This is an opinion I do not share.  While the band certainly flourishes some of the same musical styles of those sub genres, they counter that with some fantastic shredding.  Most of the songs sound similar, but not similar enough to get repetitive and boring.  Like post-rock, the music stretches with long, spaced-out atmospheric passages that suggest the imagery of still-glowing, but blackened coals draped over the moribund flames of aggressive metal.  I enjoy this interplay with the more voracious metal tones immensely.  The progression in the music is striking.

And then you get to the vocals.  The vocals may sound like your average metalcore screaming more often than not, but they work well enough to not sound out of place or truly derivative.  These extreme vocals continue throughout the album, which adds intensity to sheer emotion displayed within the swelling keyboard atmosphere and the crushing rhythms.

The best part about this disc is that it isn't challenging to listen to at all.  Some of the tracks are long, but not so long that you think you'll be cashing in your social security by the time it ends.   Listening to "Chasing Shadows" is a truly rewarding listening experience you cannot go wrong with.  Check out the full album stream, courtesy of Asidefromaday's bandcamp page.  Thanks for listening and enjoy..

Cloud Atlas teaser and a new EP from Beliefs

Today we have two juicy items for those of you salivating for some fresh tunes. 

First things, first...I'm not a huge fan of album teasers or 'previews' as they are sometimes called, because with some music you just can't get a fair taste of what you are going to get should you choose to purchase the album.  So far, the preview is the only legitimate piece I have found from the movie Cloud Atlas. 

If you have not seen Cloud Atlas, I sadly cannot recommend it because I have not seen it.  I have not even watched the full trailer, so I have no idea what takes place in the movie.  However, being an avid fan of film score music, I have been eagerly anticipating the soundtrack to Cloud Atlas.  The film features Tom Hanks and Halle Berry to name two.  Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil are credited with creating the music in the film. 

What I have heard so far is the same thing I'm embedding here.  The music is mostly quiet, minimalistic orchestral compositions interspersed with some creative, spatial electronic moments.  I'm all for trying new technology in film scoring, so this was not worrisome at all.  I indeed like what I have heard, but some of it lacks in the 'epic' factor that I enjoy so much.  Of course, this is coming from hearing just the first minute or so of each track.  The good news is that film compositions often start off quiet and build toward a grand climax.  That is what makes motion picture music so...moving.  Take a listen to the soundtrack preview below.


Second, there is a new 'Untitled' EP from Beliefs.  Beliefs is a shoegaze/dream pop outfit from Toronto.  The new EP is steady mix of outstanding reverb-laden shoegaze rock and dream pop.  The band blends spacey atmospherics and ambiance with psyched out rock rhythms and excellent vocal work.  These vocals depart from the standard shoegazing fare by showing more prominently in the mix and being of a deeper, somewhat baritone variety.  I like what I have heard, but am a bit disappointed that the EP contains only two tracks.  You can stream both tracks below. Thank you for reading and enjoy!

Isis-Pliable Foe

We have another random look at new music that is new to me today.  Scream all you want, but until now I had never paid much attention to Isis.  All I can say is two words: Perception. Changed.  Isis is an American post-metal band formed in 1997.  For some reason, I never really had much desire to look into their music.  I knew about them, sure, but I had just never listened to any of their music.  Isis disbanded in 2011, but is gearing up to release a new 'rarities' album called "Temporal." 

The style of music combines clean vocal singing with progressive, acoustic instrumentation with bouts of heavy guitar distortion and heavy drums.  If you like progressive metal, then there is a good chance you also like post-metal.  Post-metal is a sub genre that is not exactly loaded with great talent.  I know of Pelican and Isis so far.  As I have only heard one song from Isis, I can't positively say that I like Isis better, but the one song I have heard is very good. 

This rare track is called Pliable Foe. Check out the video here and let me know what you think.  Do you think I should look into to Isis' back catalog?  Enjoy!

Miscellaneous-Sarah Brightman and Trentemoller

Today's post is going to be a little bit on the random side, since we seem to have hit yet another lull in new music released to listen to.  I am sharing a couple of tidbits of news that is not really news. 

The first Item I wanted to look at is the new video of the song Angel from Sarah Brightman.  This track comes from her forthcoming album "Dreamchaser."  The video features clips of childhood memories interspersed with space exploration footage while Brightman sings across symphonic brilliance in her unforgettable soprano-operatic voice.  Check out the new track below.


Second, I was doing a random search on soundcloud for M83 and I discovered a remix of the smash hit Midnight City by Danish electronic prodigy Trentemoller, who we have raved about here before.  Trentemoller takes apart the original by slightly lessening the atmospheric ambiance while adding bouncy electronic sections and digitally modified vocals that fit the song perfectly.  Check out the remix below, followed by the original M83 version.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Decortica-11811 review

I know I am not likely the first to review any album.  Invariably, there are numerous other blogs, some of which will get to it before I do, and some of those can review albums before they are released.  Since I do not have that luxury, I am forced to join the fray just a little late.  Thankfully, there is no such thing as too many reviews of any one album.  Everyone will have differing opinions naturally, and that is to the advantage of the average listener, who may need a second opinion.

The newest album by New Zealand's Decortica, "11811", was released last week to generally positive reviews.  Oddly enough, it was the album cover, depicted above, which prompted me to give this album a listen.  While true that as far as cover art goes this is about as bland as it gets, I found myself intrigued.  I had never heard of Decortica before, so a surprise was surely in store.

Decortica performs alternative and progressive-styled rock and metal similar in some respects to Deftones.  Progressive rock and metal riffage wraps around excellent rhythmic drum work and mostly clean-sung vocals, but with a few screams.  This also sounds similar to what older Chevelle provided, but more decisively in favor of metal riffing.  Keyboards are used sparingly to create astounding atmospheres played against both new and old school metal riffing and excellent guitar leads.  As I mentioned before, If you like Deftones, chances are you will dig Decortica.

The problem with this album is that it is not widely available.  Neither Amazon nor iTunes has it.  So far the only reputable source from which to buy this is Decortica's bandcamp page at $17.99 in New Zealand dollars, which converts to about $14.50 in American cash.  This is a good album, but at some points sounds unsurprisingly familiar and even a little band.  While still certainly worth the purchase price, it is not the best alternative/progressive rock album out there. 

Take a listen to the album stream from bandcamp below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Hinder and Heart

So Today's letter is the letter H.  This was actually really hard to find artists that start with the letter H especially females. I was overjoyed while looking through my music that I found Heart.  My other choice was Hillary Duff and not that I don't like it, she wouldn't be on my ipod if I didn't it's just not one of my favorites and this post is about my two favorite artists that start with this letter. 

Heart has been around for a long time.  They started singing in 1973.  They are considered to be one of the few female rock bands.  I enjoy Heart's music.  Even though it's been more than thirty years since they started singing Heart still holds onto it's two lead females.  Ann Wilson is still lead singer and Nancy Wilson continues to rock on the guitar.  Heart released a new album in 2010.  It's pretty good.  This band still rocks.  The first song that I would like to share with you is my all time favorite Heart song entitled Stranded.  This song first appeared on their album Brigade.  In 1990 this song reached number 13 on the billboard chart.  Not to bad for a band that at that time had already been singing for almost 20 years.  This song starts out with quiet guitar and slowly picks up the pace adding the drums and more guitar.  I love Ann's voice; it's so crystal clear.  I also enjoy the lyrics to this song.  I believe what she is singing about.  I don't want her boyfriend to leave her.  Listening to this song takes me back to elementary school and I think that it is just as good listening to it today as I did back then.



My second choice is a song off their newest album entitled Red Velvet.   Closer To The Sun is number 13 off this album.  I must warn you that I am a fan of the older stuff from heart like the stuff that came out in the late 80's and early 90's.  I think that is why this song is so appealing to me.  Other songs off this album rock and if you are into the Heart that was rocking with songs like Barracuda and Crazy On You, you won't be disappointed.  You should give this new album a listen.  The song Closer To The Sun starts out with just some acoustic guitar and the beauty of Ann's voice.  As you continue to listen the drums come in with some tambourine and drums.  I think the chorus of this song is catchy and it's just nice to have some new music by heart to listen to.  I hope you enjoy it. 

 

Hinder is a relatively new rock band that has come out in the last 10 or so years.  They started singing in 2001 and found success with their second single off the Extreme Behavior album Lips Of An Angel which came out in 2005. I have been a fan ever since. First of all I like Austin Winkler's voice.  The first song that I chose is I Got A Thing For You off their Take It To The Limit album.  What I like about this song is it is a naughty little ballad and it still rocks.  I love the drums and the guitar, I think that they make this song addictive and then you add the lyrics and this song is amazing.  Give it a listen below



The second song that I chose from Hinder is What Ya Gonna Do off their All American Nightmare Album.  What I like about this song is the rock element.  I really enjoy the electric guitar in this song.  I also like the lyrics to this song.  I love that someone is actually acknowledging that booze won't solve all your problems.  This song just has great vibes and an amazing guitar solo in the middle.  I really enjoy Hinder's music and I look forward to more rock and metal music from them in the future.  Thank you so much for reading-Kristy