Hi everybody.
Went and got my hair cut today. Looking fresh and clean. Ready for prom tomorrow. Can't find my bow tie, but it's okay. I'll get through.
"Infinity on High" is the album where "Bang the Doldrums". That's the first album of theirs that I bought too. Another one from Woolworths in 2008. "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" was the first single released from it, and my sister went crazy about it when she saw that its music video was an exclusive on MTV2. She must have heard the song or something before the video was out, because I had no idea that Fall Out Boy were even about to release a new album, let alone a new song.
The band released three more songs from the album as singles, and I liked those sooooo much that I bought the album. I'm not being sarcastic, the songs are good.
I can't tell you much about "Bang the Doldrums". I have songs on my iPod where the melody and the beat is good, therefore making the song memorable and worthy for a listen when I'm not doing anything important. However, I will have no idea what the song is about because I haven't learnt the lyrics but still able to join in with the chorus. "Doldrums" fits into that category.
From looking it up on the Internet though, the song is made up of phrases that were used in an old blog Pete Wentz wrote years ago, and quotes by a guy called Wesley Eisold.
"Bandages" was the first song I heard by Hot Hot Heat when I was nine or ten. It was around that time that I would get ot of bed at 6 o'clock in the morning, turn on the TV and start watching MTV2.
I think the song was one that appeared the first time that I had actually watched MTV2, and then I started discovering more and more music as time went on, which was much better than any of the chart music at the time. And that was when chart music was bearable.
I think the chorus is what got me hooked right away. Steve Bays, the lead singer, sings in a very strange way but that chorus is a belter.
This song is also noted for its varied mondegreens, ranging from "Panda jizz" to "Ban the cheese" and "Blame the jews", instead of "Bandages". He clearly says "Bandages", but for people who don't know the song title, he could be singing any of those options.
Until tomorrow.
Jamie.
P.S. Breaking Bad is amazing. Why did I not start watching it earlier?
Well, the video above is a black and white picture of George Harrison sitting in a huge garden with four, quite large, garden gnomes. This was the original artwork for his debut album in 1970, before it was colourated for its 2001 remaster release.
It turns out that garden is the main lawn of only one of the gardens at his home, Friar Park, which he bought in the winter of 1970. Friar Park was originally owned by Sir Crisp, and this song is a tribute to him and to the estate.
Did you know that the song contains part of the melody of an original song of his called "Everybody, Nobody". That song was about motoring and travelling on the road, but Harrison rewrote the words to make "Let It Roll".
This song is one of my favourites. It's very descriptive. It's almost like reading a movie script: 'Let it roll across the floor/Through the hall and out the door/To the fountain of perpetual mirth/Let it roll for all it's worth ...'
This song is quite a whiplash in mood on the album; after listening to "Apple Scruffs" which is one of the happiest songs on there, this song comes up with quite a dark tone to it. The reverb on the snare drum and the repeats of "Oh, Sir Frankie Crisp" in the background reinforce the mysterious atmosphere. It's not sad though, in fact he throws in a reference to a Monty Python in the midst of it.
To be honest... this is my least favourite song on "Favourite Worst Nightmare".
Yes, it's another Arctic Monkeys song today. I can only type what comes up alphabetically on my iPod, this is not some sort of conspiracy or anything.
In things of an unrelated matter, I went to Westfield in Stratford to watch "Fast & Furious 6". How was it? Not much different from any of the other Fast & Furious films I've seen. Vin Diesel's still there, he doesn't die. The other main character's there, he doesn't die. Ludacris and the other black guy are portrayed as the joke characters, they're not very important. And there's definitely going to be ANOTHER film in the series. I won't say why if you care that much about it.
Back to the song - yeah, "Balaclava" in my opinion is not that great. I'm not sure what it is about it, whether it's the key the song is in or if it's the melody. It's just not my thing, it's the same as "Brianstorm" in that it doesn't have a verse-chorus-verse structure, but "Brianstorm" is much better in that it's fast, catchy and has a good riff. "Balaclava" doesn't have any of those. I don't know why I still have it on my iPod actually. I'm sorry for the people who like this song, but this is my blog. I say what I want to.
I have a feeling that I won't have a lot to write about today. There's not much to say about this particular song. The band don't like it very much either, and tend to not to play it live.
Arctic Monkeys have changed.... I know this change has been occurring since they released in "Humbug", but this is ridiculous. Have you heard their new single? It's quite good you know. But you listen to that, and then listen to "The Bad Thing" for a comparison. You would think it was a totally different band.
After "Whatever People Say I Am..." became the fastest selling debut album in the UK in 2006 and spouted two number one singles in the process, Arctic Monkeys became one of the biggest bands in the country.
"Favourite Worst Nightmare" was one of the most awaited albums in 2007. I bought it from Woolworths after a day of school and listened to it at home.
"The Bad Thing" is considered to be one of the more forgettable songs from the album. I've got to admit that I can remember listening to "If You Were There, Beware" and "D Is for Dangerous" more than this one, maybe it's because it's near the end of the album - I don't know, but in recent years I have come to appreciate it a lot more.
This song uses the theme of relationships that is common throughout their debut album. This time, it is sung from the point of view from a guy who is hit on by women in relationships, and although he doesn't want to be tempted he can't help himself. Because he's a guy. And that's normal.
When I was thirteen in 2008, Supergrass was the band that I enjoyed listening to the most.
I got "In It for the Money" and their self-titled album as presents for my eleventh birthday, listened to them and didn't think much of them. The songs just passed me by, you know? Except for "Richard III", which was the only reason I got the former in the first place.
Using the free music-video service that was available on my TV provider (Virgin Media ftw) I watched all of their videos from "Mansize Rooster" to "St. Petersburg" and realised that the band's music was one of the most enjoyable and exciting to listen to.
So it was no surprise that I was really excited and could not wait for the release of their then-new album "Diamond Hoo Ha". Although I was quite disappointed in the first song that they promoted from it, the almost title-track "Diamond Hoo Ha Man", it was "Bad Blood" that really got the heart pumping and the blood circulating.
The song itself is a one of the highlights from the album. It's a great release of energy after the first track. With quiter, chugging verses accompanied by a rip-roaring chorus, the song is one of the best from the Supergrass catalogue of the twenty-first century.
It's a shame that this song didn't do so well commercially, and "Diamond Hoo Ha" turned out to be the band's final album after the members split in 2010. *sniff sniff*
Oh well, the music remains and the good times roll on.
"Backfire at the Disco" was released as a single from The Wombats' first album "A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation" in 2007. It reached #67 in the charts.
At that time no one really knew who the band were, and so they re-released it in 2008. It reached #40 in the charts.
The band was another that played on MTV2 when they first came about on the scene, and so there wasn't a day when this song wasn't playing on the channel.
I didn't really like the song back then. The song that really got me into them was "Kill the Director", which will be coming up later many years from now.
The song includes a trademark vocal that the band used throughout their first album and then abandoned in their second. You know how on "Employment" by Kaiser Chiefs, almost every song (or single, I haven't listened to all of that album) included a part where a build up in tension was signified by an "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh *breath* oooooohhhhhhhhh woooooooahhhh ooooooooooooooh"?
Well, on "A Guide to Love" almost every song (I can say that this time as I own the album, and have listened to it) includes a "woo" or an "ooh" section, either as back up vocals or as a break between a verse and a chorus or something.
Both bands are similar in that when they both abandoned those vocals, their second albums didn't do as well. I haven't listened to "This Modern Glitch", and probably won't. I would stick to their first if I was you.
The song is about a person who goes out on a date, and it almost goes well until they go to the disco and everything goes wrong. I'm sure many people have been through this before. I guess.
Yesterday I went out with friends to watch "Man of Steel", the new Superman movie. I was out for a long time, I couldn't put out my post and for that, I apologise to the small number of people who actually view this blog.
To be honest the film wasn't that good; I don't see what all the fuss is about.
Today, I bring a special two-in-one post. Only to make up for yesterday though, don't be expecting anything more.
"Ram" is the second album released by Paul McCartney after The Beatles split in 1970. However, it was credited to both he and his wife Linda, and therefore doesn't really count as a solo album.
"Ram" is one of the happiest albums I've listened to. Whereas "McCartney", his first album, was more of a collection of old songs he had written whilst he was still in The Beatles, "Ram" on the other hand gave off a sense of freedom and also a sense of closure. Paul had 'found his love awake and waiting to be' and was ready to take things head on.
"The Back Seat of My Car" is the final track on the album, and probably the most emotional. Love is a theme that runs throughout, but this is when it reaches its peak.
The story in the song is pretty simple. The couple have dreams of getting away 'along the highway' to 'Mexico City' but prefer making out in the back seat of a car unbeknownst to the girl's father who is always nagging at them. Awww. How romantic is that?
Sure, the story is short and sweet. The actual composition is beautifully performed, with calming and soothing vocals by Paul and slight changes in tempo here and there culminating in an audience participation section and a rocking outro make it perfect for the album closer.
Also, the song contains what is probably the best vocal delivered by McCartney. Ever.
I can't describe it very well, just listen to it; you'll get what I mean.
John Lennon thought this was one out of several songs on the album on "Ram" that was aimed at him and Yoko, it isn't, but you can hear his thoughts about it if you search for it on YouTube.
Big Boi - Back Up Plan
Put that bitch in smash mode.
Ooh, another closing track from an album.
"Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" was Big Boi's debut in 2010. I wrote a bit about it in my previous Big Boi post, but all you need to know is that it was released and a lot of people liked it.
It has a completely opposite message compared to Paul McCartney. This time around, Big Boi's been cheated on or dumped or whatever, and the relationship has ended. But what does he do? He only picks himself up, dusts himself off and moves on to a new one. That being his 'back up plan'.
That is pretty much all I can say about the song. Big Boi basically tells the story of the relationship in the song, so again listen to it. It's a confident closer, I enjoy it. What could go wrong?
Today's song is another one by those four guys from Liverpool. I don't have access to my computer at the moment so I hastily type this up using my iPod Touch.
"Back in the U.S.S.R" is the opening track to the band's double album "The Beatles" - also known as "The White Album" due to the album's front cover. I prefer to call it "The Beatles" though because... that's the name of the album.
1968 is known as the year when the members of the band started to get a bit annoyed with one another. You probably wouldn't think that listening to this classic though. Upon first listen you might think, "Yeah, I can dig this! Paul sounds like he's having a good time, they are all whooping and stuff in the middle. Ah, those guys."
IT'S ALL LIES. Tension was building amongst the group, and for a number of different reasons. George felt under appreciated, as did Ringo and John had brought along a force that would totally break the harmony between the four for the rest of their years together.
For anyone who didn't know, Ringo doesn't play on this track. It is actually Paul on the drums. I'm sorry to break it to you if he's your favourite or whatever.
In regards to "The Beatles", it was a matter of 'back to basics' for the band. Their last full release was "Sgt. Pepper" which is known for its wide variety instrumentation and the colourful front cover and whatnot, and so after travelling to India for 'spiritual enlightenment' the band were ready to keep things simple.
"Back in the U.S.S.R." is a great opener, I can't imagine it anywhere else on an album. It's got that sense of urgency and pace and gets you hyped up for what is to come.
"How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?"
"Baby, You're a Rich Man" was originally released a b-side to "All You Need Is Love" in the summer of 1967.
Everything was still fine with the group; Brian Epstein was alive and they had been revelling from the success of their then new album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". Yep, things were going strong. Probably better than ever before.
The band then decided to start work on "Magical Mystery Tour", in those sessions this song was recorded. The actual thing started out as two separate ideas that Lennon and McCartney had, the former with the aforementioned quote at the top and the latter with the "Baby, You're a Rich Man" chorus. With a few tweaks and shape ups, they ended up with the song that you and I enjoy today.
Apparently at the very end of the song when everyone is singing the chorus, John sings 'baby, you're a rich fag jew' in reference to their manager Brian Epstein who was a homosexual... and Jewish. I can't hear it, it's probably just a rumour. Thinking on the lyrics now, it may be that the song is about him - but that's for discussion.
It's very groovy, with smooth bass playing by Paul and a clavioline by John which makes those random noises in the intro and during the verses. The highlight for me is at the end when the song picks up pace, everyone's shouting the title at the top of their voices and the song fades out. Everyone sounds so happy and we all know that they wouldn't be that way for much longer, but that particular part makes me want to be in the studio with them.
You know the video for "Hello, Goodbye" when everyone starts dancing? This is the audio version is that.
It's also something that makes me want to have more songs on The Beatles Rock Band. Can we have more songs on that game? Probably not.
Apparently, 'fratelli' is 'brother' in Italian. So here we have The Brothers with the song 'Baby Brother'.
Evening, everybody.
The Fratellis are a three-piece band from Scotland. They haven't been around for some time, but around 2006/07 the band was one of the most popular indie rock bands in the UK.
I first came across the band when I was eleven - a time when MTV still showed music, and 'MTV Rocks' was 'MTV2' and a much better music channel.
"Creepin' Up the Backstairs" was their first single, but it was released as a song on their first EP and so it was not eligible for a placement in the charts. It's good, I like it. The band re-recorded for inclusion on their first album, but I much prefer the video version.
They released "Chelsea Dagger" which became their most popular song due to its memorable hook, and because it is played in many sports stadiums when a team scores a goal.
"Baby Fratelli" was the album's fourth single. You may recognise it as a song that is played in the film 'Hot Fuzz'. I've never seen that film, but the actual music video for the song features random clips of it that are thrown amongst the band performing the song on a rooftop somewhere.
Even though they are Scottish, I always get this Italian vibe when I listen to their music. Especially on their first album. I know they are called The Fratellis, and that itself is an Italian word, but it's just something about their songs. I always get a picture in my head of Italian people. And images of people doing the can-can.
The latter springs to mind in this song, particularly in the final chorus when the horns kick in.
I don't know what this song is about, I just like it.
"What are you going to do now?"
"Rest until July, then I'll find something to do."
That was one exchange of words by my mum and I after I had finished my last exam in secondary school. I have been working endlessly all year for this stuff, and it feels like a whole weight has been lifted off my shoulders, it feels very relaxing. Everytime I feel like I should be doing something... but I don't, and it feels weird and a bit creepy.
It's fine not doing anything at the moment but seeing as other people still have exams to do, it's quite boring being in your house by yourself when the weather's crappy and there's nothing on except.... daytime television.... eurgh.
At least I have my iTunes library to keep me company. And that reminds me... it's the second of the 'B' series. Yay.
I feel like I've already gone on about The Who in an earlier post, so I won't rabble on too much. "Who's Next", the album 'Baba O'Riley' is on, is actually the most recent one of theirs that I downloaded and listened to. It's considered to be their magnum opus by many critics, and I knew that their two most overplayed songs including this and "Won't Get Fooled Again" were on it. I didn't want to listen to an album which I thought was only good for two songs, so I chose to listen to "Quadrophenia" and "Sell Out" instead. Heck, I might have even listened to "By Numbers" before it. I can't remember. I'll have a look at my computer.
Yeah, "Who's Next" is beast. This song is the perfect way to start things off.
Firstly, the synthesiser which seems to last for an eternity until the descending riff is introduced by the piano and Moon's drums come crashing in. "Who's Next" is mainly regarded to be the album in which each individual member had reached their peak in creativity, much like "Revolver" by The Beatles. Although Roger Daltrey wasn't much of a songwriter, but listen to his vocals on here compared to those of "Tommy"... I know right? Pete Townshend was well in the way of writing songs with meaning, and with links between one another to tell a story, simply put as a concept album, and had completely abandoned the writing for the "singles band" that The Who was once regarded to be. John Entwistle and Keith Moon.... well with a rhythm section like that, how much better can you get? Come on, people.
Yep. I don't want to ruin the song for you. It's already up there.
Until tomorrow.
Jamie
P.S. I can confirm that I did listen to "The Who by Numbers" before "Who's Next". And what... bitch.
That was meant to be the introduction to the song, by the way.
Hi everyone! I'm in a good mood. I am now a free man, exams are finished, nothing's gonna change my clothes until results day. Until then, I should probably get started with this again. It is time... for the B SERIES. YES! YES! COME ON!
So System of a Down.... what can I say?
In 2005 it had been three years since the band released their third album. I didn't follow the band so much, so I had no idea that this album was even out. However, "Chop Suey!" and "Toxicity" were two songs of the band that I saw on MTV2 and, although the former's video was quite weird and I was quite confused by the actual song, the band really rocked and I guess I wanted to hear more from them.
"B.Y.O.B.", acronym for 'Bring Your Own Bombs', was released as the first single from Mezmerize, the first half of a double album that would be out by the end of the year. It is considered to be yet another of System of a Down's trademark songs due its fast pace, contrasts between quiet and loud in the verses and chorus, and lines that you are able to shout out at the top of your lungs.
This was also their first single where Daron Malakian had lead vocals in the part of the song. I remember seeing the video when it first came out, and again I was confused at how the song randomly changed in the middle. They were singing about "having a real good time" and "going to the party" and then it was "BLAST OFF IT'S PARTY TIME, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!!!!!!". It was crazy. But it makes it that much awesome.
This is another song out of the hundreds in the world that are anti-war. I think this song depicts the message quite clearly. It is about how the government chat shite most the time and how much they suck. George Bush had been re-elected as president the year before, which I guess no one understood back then. So people were pissed. I'm thinking Serj and Daron pretty much felt the same way.
Why do they always send the poor? Why? WHY.
That was alright. It's good to be back.
Until next time.
Jamie.
P.S. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH MY POSTS YESTERDAY AND I REALISED I MISSED TWO BLOODY SONGS IN MY 'A' SERIES.
How did I do that? Yeezus. I might as well do them pretty quickly, and without focus.
George Harrison - Apple Scruffs
That is not the album version, but it's pretty close.
Another song from 'All Things Must Pass'. Not much to say about the song. I listened to the album back in 2011, and this song was one that caught my ear. Great harmonies in the chorus by Harrison, and a delightful tribute to the 'Scruffs' who would hang outside Abbey Road when The Beatles were there.
Very nice.
Nine Black Alps - Along for the Ride
OK, Nine Black Alps are one of my favourite bands ever.
They released their newest album "Sirens" last October, which you can listen to here. "Locked Out from the Inside", the album this song is on, was released in 2009 after the second album "Love/Hate". I was dissappointed by the second album, because their first album was so good. So good. It's one of my favourites. "Love/Hate" was just so mellow, and indie and using acoustic guitars. It was such a bore compared to "Everything Is".
"Locked Out from the Inside" for me was a return to form. Their crunchy, rough Nirvana-esque sound was back, no acoustic guitars in sight. It just felt like everything was back to normal.
"Along for the Ride" is the penultimate song from the album. I think it's about wanting a relationship, or being interested in someone. I don't know, I don't really look deep into lyrics. Even though I typed the lyrics up for every song and got them up on the Internet.
If you don't know Nine Black Alps, listen to their stuff. Please.
This exam period gone so quickly, now I only have three left.
I have no idea how I've done so far. I think I've done okay, but there's never been a point where I have been laughing in my head at how easy an exam has been.
OH A-LEVELS, WHY? WHHHHYYYY?
On the 17th June I finish, and then 'My iPod' comes back. Unless I forget I something. But it will be an epic start to 'B'. Yes.
I'll talk to you guys soon, only two more weeks. Two more weeks.....
