#aboutalbums

[theparanoid]

Marusha - The Land We Are Talking About

Album: Over The Rainbow (1994)

[Techno, Hard Trance, Happy Hardcore]

[aboutalbums]

36/1001 - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, by Bob Dylan

It's absolutely wonderful what a man like these one can do with just a guitar, his voice, and the sporadic harmonica. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is just that. Of course, with some classic inside: "Blowin' in the Wind", "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall", and "Masters of War".

The performance of the guitar is even more spectacular in "Girl from the North Country", and in "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". "Down the Highway" is somewhere between blues and folk, . And if you're looking for some examples of that sporadic harmonica, check "Bob Dylan's Blues" or "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance".

Definitely worth listening to "Oxford Town", "Talkin' World War III Blues", and "I Shall Be Free". I also found "Corrina, Corrina" very captivating.

Many of the songs in this record represent a clear protest and a critic to the society of those years. What I know for sure, is that it's great music. And it's Bob Dylan's.

[aboutalbums]

MidWeek Album #6 - Some Nights, by FUN.

This record starts with an intro (Some Nights - Intro), that introduces us to the music FUN. does. Every song is thought to make you feel as if there were lots of things happening at the same time. Nate Ruess' voice is distinct to any other, and has a good set of choirs to support it. The best example of their style is "Some Nights", although other songs in this same line like "Why Am I the One" or show the same

Besides those voices, there's always a guitar and a piano to create a very complete style, with melodies full of color, end up in powerful tunes. I'm sure you've all heard "We Are Young" (featuring Janelle Monáe), which was a great hit, but in my opinion there's a lot more to FUN. than this song shows. "Carry On" and "All Alone" are similar: calm but steady verses, with a growing chorus with a lot of strength.

Some Nights contains some tracks that are quite different. "It Gets Better", that could have been written and performed by any other group (except for Ruess' obvious voice).

Also deserve a couple of times of being listened: "Stars" and "One Foot", which have a very peculiar touch because of the brass. And if you have 5 more minutes, "All Alright" and "Out on the Town".

[aboutalbums]

It’s really cool when you discover something new through one of your favorites artists. Thanks to walkthemoonband for this one!

[aboutalbums]

SNL is a great source to find awesome music.

[aboutalbums]

26/1001 - Miriam Makeba, by Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba gathers several traditional Xhosa wedding songs. The performance of Makeba in many of this tracks include something very rare: Xhosa vocal "clicks", a sound that provoked the first song to be named "The Click Song", as Englishmen couldn't imitate the sound, also found in "Mbube (with The Chad Mitchell Trio)" (BTW, I couldn't contain a smile when I listened to that "A-wim-ba-we" in the background - In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight...). 

I hadn't listened to this type of music, except for the OST of a bunch of movies. But somehow I found quite cool to listen to "Iya Guduza", "Nomeva", or "Saduva", african-rooted rhythms, melodies and songs are, in a way, an amazing way to recover a smile. It's happy music.

Miriam Makeba demonstrates her talent as a singer outstandingly with her own version of "House of the Rising Sun”. "The Naughty Little Flea”, "One More Dance (with Charles Colman)" also caught my attention.

Yet another surprise. I’m quite glad to be discovering such wonderful artists and songs. Any recommendations?

[aboutalbums]

One of the powerful things of Spotify, Deezer, or Rdio, is how easy is to discover new music through your friends, without them even having to tell you.

I saw a friend listening to this song and, out of curiosity, decided to play it. And now, I share it with you!

[aboutalbums]

22/1001 - Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs, by Marty Robbins

It's time for some country! Marty Robbins' Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs won't leave you indifferent. Love, murder and danger all together to create a record that could perfectly fit in Django's OST.

I'll make it quick. Sad and baffling: "They're Hanging Me Tonight" or "Saddle Tramp". Gunfighter stories: "Big Iron", "Running Gun", and "Billy The Kid". On the other hand, there are tracks that may allow us to relax a bit ("In The Valley" or  "The Little Green Valley" ).

"El Paso" is one of those songs that confuses me: I start to see no difference between country songs and mariachi songs. Yes, language. But the rest of it…two-voiced melodies, same base rhythm, and guitars playing similar riffs.

Although unexpected, I enjoyed "Cool Water" and "Utah Carol".

[aboutalbums]

MidWeek Album #5 - Babel, by Mumford & Sons

It’s Christmas! So I decided to do an extra album for today. I’m like that :)

Mumford & Sons is one of my favorite bands to this day. Babel starts strong with a song with the same name (”Babel”). The combination of the banjo, some basic drummimg, a piano, guitars, and the change of rhythm and volume, create a hard-to-imitate folk style, that we can also appreciate in other tracks, such as ”I Will Wait”, ”Hopeless Wanderer”, and ”Whispers In The Dark”.

Talking about love and life, Mumford & Sons also perform in this album a lighter profile of songs (”Ghosts That We Knew”, ”Reminder”). Nevertheless, it’s still music that, somehow, can fill your soul (or if you’d rather, make your day). ”Broken Crown"  is “the sad song” from the record.

“Holland Road” finishes with an empowering lyrics-less melody, accompanied by secondary vocals and violins. ”Lovers’ Eyes” and  ”Not With Haste” are  similar. The curiosity comes with the second one, which was written and recorded again for Pixar’s film Brave. The result is the final theme of the movie, “Learn Me Right”, sung by Birdy.

My two picks: ”Below My Feet”, and ”Lover Of The Light”.

I really hope you enjoy this album: it’s incredible.

[aboutalbums]

MidWeek Album #4 - Vampire Weekend, by Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend is an admirable example of how to include any instrument when it comes to make great indie pop-rock music. The first song, "Mansard Roof", starts introducing strings. That, we can also listen in "M79", which also brings a clavichord to the game. "A-Punk" has, on the other hand, flutes and wind instruments perform in the chorus. Or "Cape Kod Kwassa Kwassa", in which Vampire Weekend used bongos instead of drums.

"Oxford Comma" is the proof that two voices well combined, can deliver incredible melodies. And it has that weird, characteristic Vampire Weekend-sound (like a high-pitched train whistle), just like "Campus", or "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance".

It might be the singer's voice, or the high guitar riffs, but somehow, every song has a recognisable touch that make you thing of these guys. Or even those weird electronic sounds in which VW base their tunes, as they do in "One".

Ah, yes! My favourites: "Bryn", "I Stand Corrected" and "Walcott"!

Have fun and share it if you like it! :)

P.S.: don't forget you can listen to all the music I post on this Spotify list.

[aboutalbums]

25 Christmas songs - Happy Holidays!

It's finally Christmas! I've created a Christmas playlist, with the most typical songs that we always want to hear this time of year, and some less known, but still great tunes to enjoy.

1. Andy Williams – It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: this is a very strong song, but it describes perfectly what Christmas is - the most wonderful time of the year! 2. Aretha Franklin – Joy to the World: more classics, but with a recognizable touch of soul by Aretha. 3. Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You: could not keep it out of this playlist. 4. Wham! – Last Christmas: do I need to say more? 5. Cheap Trick – I Want You For Christmas: a remake of Cheap Trick's own famous "I Want You To Want Me". Rock! 6. Frank Sinatra – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!: aye, it's a big change, but you know I have my favorites...Sinatra is definitely one of them. 7. Ella Fitzgerald – Sleigh Ride: more swingy & jazzy Christmas tracks, and of course Ella had to be here. 8. Kelly Clarkson – My Favorite Things: this one really surprised me, because I didn't know THIS Kelly Clarkson. For me, a happy accident. 9. Diana Krall – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: the tenderness of this one is off the charts, but in my opinion, it's a keeper for a Christmas playlist. 10. Gavin Mikhail – The Little Drummer Boy: no lyrics, just Gavin Mikhail with the piano...and the result is a wonderful version of this carol. 11. Mason Jennings – Santa Claus is Coming To Town: a folk-ish, entertaining cover with an amazing guitar. 12. Blitzen Trapper – Christmas Is Coming Soon!: this one I had never heard, but it hooked me. And is another one with a skilled guitarist. 13. Jack Johnson – In The Morning: imagine the faces you see in the morning of Christmas, and you will understand this song instantly. 14. Fiona Apple – Frosty The Snowman: that is to keep the same mood, acoustic, melodic, and charming. 15. She & Him – Baby, It's Cold Outside: it's a little odd, but it has Zooey Deschanel singing in it. 16. Coldplay – Christmas Lights: Chris Martin knows extremely well everything he does, and this is another example of how to create a great Christmas song from scratch. 17. Glasvegas – A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss): their sounds, with all those echoes, fits perfectly with Christmas. 18. Susan Boyle – O Holy Night: an outstanding artist covering a great song, to make it even better. 19. Jewel – What Child Is This?: more classics versioned. Jewel's voice is a bless in this tune. And the violin... 20. Christie Marie Gerwinat – Angels We Have Heard on High: an acoustic cover. Enjoy! 21. Jason Mraz – Winter Wonderland: the unforgettable style of Jason Mraz transforming this classic into a remarkable Christmas song. 22. Sufjan Stevens – Coventry Carol: just...listen. 23. Josh Groban – Ave Maria: not an actual carol, but still a cristian song, and I liked this version by Josh Groban. 24. Jack Johnson – Angel (Holiday): I knew the original version very well, but Johnson has adapted this song without having to change the lyrics. Bravo. 25. Damien Rice – Silent Night: I got goosebumps when I listened to this song, the voice is amazing, and the cello completes an outstanding live performance. SPECTACULAR.

Enjoy these days, and have a great time with your families and loved ones!

[aboutalbums]

Aaaaaaahhhhh...YES!!! Finally on Spotify!

[aboutalbums]

Biffy Clyro. I'm definitely doing a review some day. They remind me of Foo Fighters (yes, I'll do something about that too).

Enjoy Machines... :)

[aboutalbums]

This song is amazing. Its end is just incredibly powerful.

Have a nice weekend! :D

[aboutalbums]

Heart-shaped bruises...