The Ramones

Rolling Stone Rank: 33

Well, what is there to say about this short little ditty? As you would expect, since it's the first real punk album recorded, it's not the most polished or most effective album; but, it's historical value is immense. To be honest, listening to it is not the most exciting thing (especially when you're on a tour bus with 50 high schoolers). If you look at the time in which is was made though, you can feel that energy and angst bubbling through the lyrics and music. Still, its not really comparable to the punk music being made today.

That being said, I wasn't alive to hear this band in the late 70's. I don't have the perspective, blah blah blah, you know. Anyways, I think the Sex Pistols sound 100 times better, and hell of a lot more real. Please feel free to disagree.

Maybe I'm just in an arguementative mood, but let me address one more thing.
I'm sick already of the "Go Cubs Go" facebook updates. So stupid, at least tell me something about the game, or where you're watching, or really anything other than "Go Cubs Go". I hate that stupid song, and I hate that stupid team.

Stats

Album: The Ramones

Artist: The Ramones

Year: 1976

My Favorite Song: Blitzkrieg Bop

Tomorrow: The Band

Back From Italy

Hi,
Got back from Italy today, just in time to go to work tomorrow =/
I woke up this morning at 4 am Italy time, which is 9pm Chicago time. I'm trying to stay awake so i don't wake up at 3 am ready for work.

Anyways, that's my disclaimer about this post...
First of all, I listen to a lot of music, so I'll get to those posts when I can get my head thinking clearly.

The thing I wanted to talk about here was the fear that all people have, that nobody notices, or cares when you're gone. On the trip, I didn't bring a computer, or check my phone. And it felt great. Well, parts of it felt great, I had quite a few memories of my previous European trip.

And not that I was expecting anything really, but...no calls, no emails, no nothing. Doesn't help that I came back to an empty apartment, and spent the last however many minutes surfing the fb.

Aaaaand now it's snowing.

Ok, this must be just because I'm tired. I really did have a good time =). More thoughts about this trip later, tomorrow maybe
~Me

Let it Bleed

Rolling Stone Rank: 32

As an album, I'm not sure what ties these songs together, and to be honest I'm not sure if they fit together. OK, that being said, two or three of these songs individually are the best the Stones have to offer. fantastic riffs by Keith, stirring vocals by Mick. This is what the Stones are known for.
Starting this album off with Gimme Shelter, a fantastic choice. The song is perfect for getting your juices flowing, it builds up slowly with a good 45 seconds of instrumental before Mick comes in. ::side note, it's hard not to remember the opening to The Departed::
After Gimme Shelter, the album takes a kind of country twist, including Country Honk. Not my favorite song, but an interesting twist on their classic.
Let it Bleed is another favorite for me. A very simple song to remember and sing along, it's a powerful song for anyone to listen to. Right now I'm reading a book on music, and it's affect on the brain. Anyways, in the book, the author talks about how refrains that repeat the same few lines with little changes (like the line, "we all need someone we can _____ on") ingrains the music into our brain. That our brain enjoys the little game that the musician has created, not consciously, but unconsciously or brain is enjoying coming up with all the possible rhymes with Bleed
Lastly, what a perfect song to end an album with. You Can't Always get What You Want. Such a perfect mantra to live by, there's not a lot that I can add to this song, it's one of the greatest songs ever written, and it's the reason this album is #32 on RS list.

Stats

Album: Let it Bleed

Artist: The Rolling Stones

Year: 1969

My Favorite Song: You Can't Always Get What You Want

Tomorrow: The Ramones

Another Album-less Post

Hello readers,
It's been quite awhile since I wrote, mostly cause I've been up to a lot of stuff. I wrote before that I finished up my jazz season, and just a few days ago we had our spring concert, which was quite stressful in itself. It went well, although I'd love to pack a house one of these days.

Referencing one of my earlier posts, I didn't get that drumming gig. Not because I wasn't good enough, but the scheduling didn't work out. So, ummm, sigh. So because of that, there hasn't really been the excitement in my life that I had thought there would be about now.

I've spent the last few weekends focused on fantasy baseball, which is all fun and good. But as I've said before, part of the fun of sports is the escape from your life that you feel while watching. Well, if nothing's going on in your life it's not as exciting.

I'm going to Italy next week, I'm really psyched for the trip. Looking for book ideas if anybody has any? It's a long flight...

President's Day

Hey all,
It sure is nice to have this day off of school. That's really the only point to this blogpost, only to say that I'm looking forward to the next month or two. Next month because I'm finally getting to my jazz performances, that'll be nice since we've been practicing since November for these shows. And the month after that because the jazz season will finally be over.
I'm sure I'll have time to reflect when that time comes, but it's crazy to think how much my life changed from the day I chose to go for the extra hours of a jazz band program. Who ever knows if it was the right decision (It's something I think about a lot, if you can't tell).
So, made it past V-Day, thanks captain. And Abdalla made me watch Nascar, as usual it ended with disappointment, now other sport ends their biggest event of the year after only finishing 3/4 of the race.
What better way to end this post than a tribute to our highest office. Please to enjoy...

The Grammys

Slowly but surely, the Grammys are winning me back.
A few years ago, they were unwatchable. Probably, I think, because I can't stand their rules for what songs and albums can win album for the year...
Example: Let's take U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind.
Great album, yes. According to Wikipedia, it was released in October, 2000.
You might remember "Beautiful Day"..

Oh wait, that's not it....Anyways, you know it right? So...
It won:

• Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2001.
• Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2001.
• Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal

Yah great! But oh wait, that was just for the one single off the album, apparently...
soooo Next year came along and...

• "All That You Can't Leave Behind" won Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2002.
• "Walk On" won Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2002.
• "Elevation" won Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2002.
• "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" won Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2002.

Now, while you may argue that everything was only nominated once, it's not like a single got recognized twice...but I still think it's ridiculous.

Anyways, I thought the show this year was pretty good. I like that Plant and Krauss won album of the year. And no, it's not because I don't like rap. It's because the Academy is not the People's Choice awards, and for the second straight year they proved it.

Some other thoughts:

• Jennifer Hudson, good stuff.

• MIA looked weird and Kanye is, well, Kanye.
  

• The Jonas Brothers offend me. Can't believe Stevie wasn't in the center of that stage. Dave Grohl got it right when he played drums for Paul. Dave could have picked up a guitar and stood next to Paul and sing his songs. But, no, Grohl was honored to play drums for him. Just like the Jonas brothers should have been honored to play with someone like Stevie Wonder. They didn't need to prance and jump around. Just sayin'

Take a Listen, Take Some Time, Post your Thoughts...

Not an album title

Hey all,

So check it out. Since my jazz program has started, I have had no time to listen and review the RS top 500. So, sorry for that. But, I thought, stuff has been happening in my life, so I'm going to break from my promise to only post albums and their reviews.
Well, a lot has happened since I last posted in December...well, no not really. We had a break from school, I didn't do that much. School started up again, jazz band rehearsals every day. Weekends spent doing this and that.

Anyways, the reason I picked up the proverbial pen was to talk about this audition I had last night. It's for a cover band, if you know me you know what I'm talking about. It was quite interesting, and kind of brought to a head the two parts of my musical life.
It's tough to explain, but let me try by saying that I went through 8 years of concert bands and classical music. 8 years of being told that the drums were too loud, and that I needed to fit my sound into the sound of the band. 8 years of being told not to overplay and to be a compliment to the group.
Well, last night I was told basically the opposite. It was like, umm yeah if you're not playing as loud as humanly possible how will we get the beat. It makes sense when you think about it, but it blew my mind. Can anybody out there relate to this?

But don't fret, I'm getting another shot. Look for a post later on as this situation develops.

Take a moment, take a listen, post your thoughts.