Year 5, Day 341

Hi everyone. Today I give you Hung Up by Madonna.

I didn't really feel like writing today so since my mom was around I gave her the chance to write something. I'll hand it off now. Enjoy!! Madonna is the one who got girls to wear their bras on the outside to show the world. I don't know this song by her, but I do remember when she first came out as an artist. The world and music was a lot different than it is now. One thing I remember was getting my first five changer CD player portable ghetto blaster, which at the time was a huge item to own. So I inserted the five CD's including one that had her song Vogue on it. As everyone knows from listening to this song, there is the title word Vogue said and then a dramatic pause, well that one word said loudly when there is no other noise is enough to send me jumping two feet into the air. Something I won't forget as no other song has ever done that to me before. But kudos to her for still being in the business and making music with all the wonderful woman that have become entertainers in this world now.

Peace.

Year 4, Day 149

Hello everyone. So today's song is Shogun by Trivium. This song is on here specifically because of Will so I'm going to make him do this post. We'll see how that goes!

Hello Everyone, I am Will. I don't know much about music, other than what I enjoy. As well, this is my first ever blog, I hope you enjoy, since I don't really know what I'm doing.

Shogun is the song that got me hooked onto Trivium, simply for the fact that I loved Matt Heafy's vocals. But before I go on, I want you to know I was a huge fan of Metallica since I was 16, Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightning were the first CD's I ever purchased. They were the band that got me into metal, so I grew to love the fast riffing, and melodic guitars, and face melting solos that were so prevalent in the 80's era of Metallica, and for a while I only listened to Metallica day in and day out. I grew accustomed to that sort of sound, and didn't enjoy songs if they didn't have a similar sound.

Back to Shogun, it's the title track for Trivium's 4th studio album. It features Matt Heafy on rhythm guitar/vocals, Corey Beaulieu on lead guitar, Paolo Greglotto on bass, and Travis Smith on drums.  When I was about 21, my friend had just bought the Shogun album. He rushes me to his truck and tells me to listen to a specific point at 4:30 of the song. Instantly I was captured by the soft melodic guitar solo, then the vocals this familiar voice begins singing; "The pulse is now quickening, softly it's painstaking. Look within to calm the storm, raging inside the form. there's no turning back." Then some more melodic guitars, and I was so shocked, I paused it and I asked my buddy if it was James Hetfield singing, he laughed, and said he thought the same thing. I just thought, this is fucking amazing! I restarted the song over to enjoy it in its fullest. I just thought the guitars were fucking badass, then the sound of the drums, man I love drums, (I wanted to be a drummer when I was younger) just fit in so well. Then Matt starts singing, I was drawn in and just sat intensely listening to the first minute of this kickass song, then he starts screaming; "FLESH OPENS UP, BLOOD'S RETREATING!" before this, I never really listened to metal that had screaming, nor had I wanted to with much passion, since I thought most screaming was of a certain, incomprehensible style. I know now, since I've broadened my horizons there are so many different styles. But this, this I just wanted more of. I just loved the lyrics, and the vocals, and the sound of the guitars. Just everything about this song got me excited! I was so thankful there was over 11 minutes of metal bliss, and this new metal God in Matt Heafy and Trivium. After that day, I purchased the previous 3 albums, and all the following albums. 8 years, 3 concerts, hours upon hours of deafening Trivium, cause it's best played loud, Shogun is still one of my favorite songs, and albums, among my collection. if you've never listened to this song or band, give them a listen, you won't be disappointed! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my short(ish) blurb.

Day 364

Hey there, it's Anna again. Steph's been lacking in ideas for this very last week. What a time to hit writer's block, eh?
Being the noble and selfless friend I am, I have stepped in! (Huzzaaaahhhhh! All hail Anna, our noble and selfless hero!) Here we have Ukrainian immigrant Eugene Hutz and his SUPER ENTHUSIASTIC BAND, Gogol Bordello.



If you dislike this, I hate you.
That is all.


ps. LOOK AT HIS MO'EFFING MOUSTACHE!! THIS IS THE MANLIEST MAN WHO EVER WAS A MANLY MAN.

"MARRY ME, PLEASE?!!"  -Anna

Day 362

This song was written by a band of rabid raccoons in a boat off the coast of Iceland. Raccoons are not known for their musical talent, really, but it was either that or cannibalize one another. Did I mention they were stranded?

No. All of that is lies. This song is actually by a band called the Zutons, from a couple years ago. It's their most popular one to date and DAMN but it is catchy! I sing this song every time a get a chance. In the shower, in the car, while walking my dog- all the time. The combination of a memorable girl's name and simple chorus can make for some serious brain-crack. I'm looking at you, "Roxanne". Also "Cecilia", "Allison", etc.
Wikipedia tells me that Valerie is a real girl from Florida, and I think that's kind of rad. Even though I'm not usually one for big gestures, it would be nice ot have a cool song written about you and floating around in the world, no?

Day 134

Hello everybody! It's Anna. Stefi is a lazy butt and can't think of anything to put for today. As a result, you get me. Today's song is by The Format, and it gets stuck in my head 24/7.
I give you: Inches and Falling.

It's poppy and fun and easy to sing along with, which is kind of Stefi's style.
I don't know what else to say about it. Just see if you like it. You included, Steph.

Day 123

Hello there to whoever reads Steph's blog! I'm her beloved and cherished friend Taylor. Today she asked me to do a guest post! I was originally invited to write about Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence", but I feel like I wouldn't be able to do that song any sort of verbal justice, as I'm just getting into Depeche Mode themselves.

I assume that because of who I am, Steph will have expected me to do a Beatles song, or make an ass out of myself by writing about Big Booty Hoes by Notorious B.I.G. or something. (Don't worry world, it'll happen one day.)

Instead the song I picked was The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan. I don't want to put music in the blog that Stefi herself won't enjoy, but I honestly don't know her opinion on Dylan, or if she has one at all.
I find this song to be extremely powerful in so many ways. Almost too many to properly write about. The lyrics for one, and how they're complimented perfectly by the simple acoustic guitar and harmonica. Just listening to it again, trying to find a perfect line to some up the song, I feel like the best one is the title name.
This song speaks to every person or action that has tried slow progress. The first verse speaks directly to you. Love the change and wonder around you, don't fight it. The next verse declares itself to anyone artistically inclined (in my opinion). To those whose inspiration comes from events, landscapes, and the people around them, "For the loser now will be later to win, for the times they are a-changin'." The following verse is an obvious stab at the older generation of any time period. The people generally don't like change. Dylan writes that you need to embrace it, as your youthful companions are "beyond your command." After that, there comes the politicians. Dylan begs for them to not try and stand in the way of development, or there will be an uproar.

The final verse sums up to everything he's already said, but in such a way that's almost heartbreaking. It's a plea, in my opinion, but also a very confident passage explaining how he sees the world. And how it's changing.

Heavens, I feel like I wrote too much.

The best way to end this post is to give a recap on my outlook and a link to the song.
In many ways, Dylan has written an essay supporting the change that he sees around him and encourages others to adopt the greater good around them. Paired with the simple guitar:
(G-Em-C-G
G-Am-C-D
G-Em-C-G
G-Am-D
D-D7-Gmaj7-D
G-C-D-G)
and the moving harmonica line, Dylan created a symbollic masterpiece that yes, is also fun to sing along to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7qQ6_RV4VQ - Sorry, this was only one I could find on YouTube with this good of quality. Plus this is a really good video to listen to it with I suppose.

We all need more Bob Dylan in our lives. <3

- Taylor
xx

Day 117

Hey, readers! When Steph and I came up with the idea of me doing a guest post (this is Anna, by the way. Steph's dear friend and confidante), the ideas started churning. What would be the best way to force my music tastes down your throat? Maybe I could find a 20 minute long recording of Robert Plant screaming, or something else that poor Steph would hate.


Instead, though, we're going into Cat Stevens' classic, Peace Train.  

Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens and whatever name he was born with before that, has been running around musically tossing good vibes everywhere for decades. He wrote about finding your place in the world, being yourself, loving people, all that good hippie jazz, and I love him for it.
Also, the beard.
Yesterday, this song played in the grocery store and I stopped the shopping for an impromptu dance party. Today, it cropped up in my ipod shuffle and I played it four consecutive times. My favourite lyric? "Now come join the living, IT'S NOT SO FAR FROM YOU!!". Something about Cat Stevens yelling at me to get over my issues and be awesome just makes me smile every time. Love you, homeslice.

Anyway, that's it for me. I hope that all of Music 365's readers can enjoy a good Cat Stevens jam as much as I do.


Thanks!
Anna. =)