#i mean he even gave the album a good review

[i-cant-believe-its-not-silk]

So I saw this music review of popular Queens of the stone age album '...Like Clockwork' and I don't remember the guy's name but I do know he was bald and had glasses and his favorite song on the album wasn't 'Vampyre of Time and Memories'

Like the fuck?????

Is this man being silly right now?!?!?!

His least favorite song was fucking 'keep your eyes peeled' wich is like the best fucking song ever

"The bass line was uninspired"

My sibling in Allah that baseline rattled my skull so hard I became non binary

My brother in Christ you are being silly and occasionally funny

Silly funny

Funny silly

That base line you found so bland tasted like gravel being poured down my throat

Like a wasteland colored in red and yellow

It sounded like if a chainsaw chain smoked

How are you not seeing this

Could I be emotionally attached to this entire album and maybe that song in particular?

Absolutely that is definitely the case

But also

God dammit those lyrics go so fucking hard

Keep your eyes peeled was the song that got me into song writing / poetry in the first place

This fucking album. Is so fucking good I could never put it into enough words for anyone to understand truly

Let's not forget about 'vampyre of time and memories'

If songs were waterfalls that rained down blood and emotions

This is the waterfall I'd drown in

This song atleast according to my interpretation is about depression and how it sucks the life out of you. Much like a vampyre of time and memories

Back when I was still a Christian this song was literally my life, it was the log I clung to in the midst of an ocean of trying to justify a loving god committing genocide or really even existing in a world like this.

Whenever I prayed I felt nothing but my own loneliness staring back at me asking me why I felt no love.

If God is so good then why does he let you go through these emotions

I almost can't fathom how I made it through boarding school like that

Waking up everyday wondering what the fucking point was

Because everything on earth was terrible and I just wanted to go to heaven allready

Why ever bother getting out of bed if I'm just gonna lay back down In 16 hours

Thoughts like those of course where of the devil

Because Christians couldn't be depressed when they had Jesus

So instead of letting myself feel anything god forbid (literally)

I listened to '...Like Clockwork' and by extension 'vampyre of time and memories' instead

Told myself I just found the song to be an interesting look into the world of people not feeling loved by Jesus

When in hindsight it was probably more like my fucking lifeline

The '...Like Clockwork' album has always been my favorite piece of art vibing out to 'My god is the sun'

Or hyperfixating on 'smooth sailing' for a month straight I always had a reason to come back

But 'Vampyre of time and memories' will always hold a special place in my heart

Because it was there when I felt no love

[jorjafrozen]

trolls headcanons because i’m bored!! i have a couple other posts on my @obesessedwithjohndory account however im posting this from my phone and can’t get into that account on here but anyways enjoy the hcs <3

john dory and branch hatched early, bruce and floyd were late, clay was right on time

john dory is named after rosipuff’s husband/ the boys’ grandpa who died before he was born

john dory gives branch a pair of old goggles and he wears them whenever they go to events etc

the glasses branch wears in both ‘perfect’ scenes in the movie originally belonged to john dory when he was a baby

john dory is like spencer from icarly, they always tease him for never having friends his own age etc because he lives in pop village and hangs around with branch, floyd, poppy etc and they’re significantly younger than him

bruce’s favourite song is the copacabana

bruce loves seeing his kids play with their uncles

sometimes when critics come to review his restaurant he gets his brothers to come for support because despite them always leaving good reviews he always gets really anxious

bruce would love the troll version of gordon ramsay but would definitely not want him coming to his restaurant because he’d probably pass away

his kids didn’t believe he was in a band because he was very hesitant of putting brozone songs on etc

he teaches them the old choreography

clay has made his bedroom very cosy despite it being in the admin building of the golf course like it’s got fairy lights and photos of his bros + poppy & viva

clay has had a crush on viva ever since he first met her when they were little

he rarely brushes his hair, not because he doesn’t want to, just because he forgets because he’s busy doing his cpa work

clay has 2 sad book clubs, one for his friends (even though he calls them his associates) and one for his bros, viva + poppy

floyd has lots of piercings, eyebrow, lip, ears, nose etc

he was definitely wild in his teenager years, always partying, drinking and whatnot

he’s had A LOT of boyfriends in the 20 years they were apart, mainly pop or rock trolls

hes very rebellious for the first couple months after they all reunite, he’s always like “i beat death, what do you mean i can’t go skydiving?”

floyd and barb would be best friends

he’s the one to help his brothers stop arguing after a fight, it’s almost giving “don’t be like this, this isn’t like you” (☠️☠️)

branch has a lot of collectible items he found over the years when he was in his grey state

sometimes to have a laugh he’ll steal john dory’s goggles and hide them somewhere in the bunker just to see him stress out looking for them, and they’re always usually in an obvious spot like on top of a cupboard or something

john dory gave him an old photo album and he likes looking through it because he likes seeing all his brothers when they were younger

branch is a lightweight

sometimes when he’s with john dory, he’ll subconsciously rest his head on his shoulder and has fallen asleep a handful of times

and he has most definitely called john dory dad more than once

hope you liked these!!!! <3

[blarrghe]

First actual full length album in my collection: Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd. I know, I know, I really don't have to review this one. I mean, we all know this is a good album.

(It is really good).

I got this one from my parents' collection, which they gave to my older brother first so he got most of the good things out of it and then I picked through the rest. I guess he already had Dark Side of the Moon though, and he probably bought it for $65 or whatever it sells for now, like a sucker. Anyway, the jacket is a bit frayed and there's some nice vintagey pops on it when it plays and that's cool, that's authentic. I'm not a big classic rock guy but man, Pink Floyd really had nothing but bangers. Is it overplayed? Maybe, but like can you ever actually get sick of this one? Dark Side of the Moon is a very fun blend of elements, from funky baselines and sax solos to slow moody riffs that hit on those eerie minor keys, with ethereal and gospel vocals on top. Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure they invented new looping and synthesizer techniques for this thing. That's what we call experimental psychedelic rock, babes! But it's also catchier than some other Floyd, while every track does go off on a funky instrumental interlude or three (sax, guitar, and synths), it's jammy enough to be, you know, the one Pink Floyd album literally everyone knows.

I don't know what kids these days think Dark Side of the Moon is about, but they probably think it's about drugs. And I mean, kinda! But mostly the songwriting isn't really that trippy despite the rep, and the lyrics are nice and forthright. More forthright than your conservative dad (not mine, my dad is cool) has any right listing as faves. Still, it has mainstream appeal in that it's super soft and funky, which makes for great background music (if you've heard it before, please just sit and listen to it the first time. Wizard of Oz optional), while also turning your head even on the millionth listen to something new each time.

So! We like Pink Floyd in this house. My only complaint is that I don't have more Pink Floyd records. Someone buy me The Wall.

Favourite track: Money. That jammy solo, the funky baseline, the cash register sounds. Come on.

Least favourite track: Literally none this album has great flow.

[alex31624]

Duck Comic Reading Club Week 22: Paperinik New Adventures: Ancient Future

Jojojo, the last PK review I was missing. Finally.

No need to drag this out, let's go for it.

The story starts with Donald and Lyla on a date. Jojojo, that rascal, good job Don.

But, since he's Donald Duck, the place is raid by criminals. Also, that's the Ducklair Tower, that seems to have a different business every floor.

Lyla takes on of her gizmos and then, darkness.

The couple disappeared, not even Uno can find them. And we all know what that means, they have left this moment in the timeline.

But this travel was for from accidental, Lyla was the one who took them there.

The couple is intersected, and Lyla talks PK into stop fighting. The guys who captured them are the local guards. It looks like we left Earth, and we're on…

I love the look of Dol Arador, it merges past and future in a beautiful way.

Anyway, the guard were ambushed by rebels against the ruler, known as The Ancient.

Our heroes escape with the rebels, and now is time for the exposition. The Ancient had subdue every kingdom, and now the rebels want to take him down. The Ancient's most powerful weapon is the Cup of Light, an artifact that allows him to travel through time and space. Lyla told PK that Cup is their way out of this place.

Of course, that's a lie. Lyla was the one who brought them there, there's no reason to think she can't do it again backwards. She wants the Cup, but doesn't tell PK. Someting is fishy about this.

If Lyla looked at me like that, I would melt.

That one, I would fall for that one. This one...

Something is going on. I actually suspect Lyla intentions are not good at all.

There was this part where PK is being trapped by a giant carnivorous plant and Lyla blows the plant up, with a missile on her body.

The day before the attack, the couple had a talk, and the art on that page is sublime. The way the transition between nightfall and the dawn is done perfectly.

By the way...

PK's shield can turn into a dog. How cool is that?

Finally, the rebels arrived to the city and the attack is imminent.

In situ, PK realizes that maybe he's not in the right side of this battle. The rebels were ambush by the guards, and the confrontation begins. PK and Lyla use that chance to escape, they need the Cup.

I don't want to overload the review with images, but the art is so good that I can't help myself. I want to highlight the great work done here.

That fight could be used for the cover of some metal band's album.

The couple found their way into The Ancient's throne, and now, the revelation. The Ancient is no other than Raider.

I'm not Nostradamus or anything like that, but at some point while I was reading I though, is this Raider? And it was. Raider is always a welcome addition.

They gave him a beard because it was the only way to make him cooler.

Lyla tries to pick on a fight with Raider, and he blast her directly in her chest. PK gets furious, obviously, but is time for more revelations. We all suspected Lyla wasn't our Lyla, and we were rigth. She was a robot from The Organization. What we didn't expect was that she was big, mean, robot monster.

Looks like Raider stole for himself the last artifact The Organization asked him to steal, and since they're jerks, send that monstrosity to take him down. Apparently, they needed PK for that. Why? Because we wouldn't have a comic, of course.

PK beats the hell up the robot, and Raider told him he brought peace to the planet. The rebels are better call terrorist.

I want to pause the review here because I have one doubt. Did Raider brought Trip with him? I want to think he did. Trip, now an adult, must be on the bar with a bunch of, lady friends, let said.

Now, is time to PK to go back home.

Uno has been messing around with the criminals, closing every exit. That gave time to the PBI to arrives at the tower, and Angus is there too.

Mary Ann, I get that you love the Saturday Night Fever look but at least wear a bulletproof vest. All your team is gear up to the max, and you look like you just came back from the disco.

Puff... just like Tumblr user and my best friend @puffywuffy8904. Hi Puffy!

Uno keeps the trick until PK's return. Finally, the bad guys can have what they deserve.

PK saves the day, Mary Ann happily accepts that a vigilante is the only one working in this city and Angus is still an asshole.

Other hit. The Lyla monster and the ancient Raider were good plot twists, and I loved the look on Dol Arador. Good stuff.

Just two Carl Barks reviews to be uptodate with the Club.

[jimin-bangtan]

BTS’s Solo Chapter CONTINUED - Part 6

Even Jung Kook, (JK), who had ended the solo album releases for phase 1 of the solo period, still had more to offer.  In addition to featuring on JHope’s 2nd album song, I Wonder…, he also released a song for fans, Never Let Go, for Festa 2024. Likely due to time restraints, he wasn’t able to release the dance video that would have explained some of the lengthy lyrical skips, but that means fans can look forward to that performance when he returns. In addition, there was still more planned toward JK’s 1st album that was now extending into phase 2 of the solo period. That is somewhat understandable timewise, since he was the last to release work in 2023.  JK not only has an exhibition (called GOLDEN: The Moments) traveling to global locations, but he also had his documentary, I Am Still, being released in theaters globally, not once but twice. The 2nd release included an added singalong segment to the original footage. It really was a well-planned, extensive promotional plan, and it brought the results and achievements it was designed to do.  Of course, JK also released the travel series along with Jimin, which was filmed in July, September, and November of 2023. The trips occurred over three long weekends during JKs promotional period and during Jimin’s 2nd album preparations. Some people have complained that it pulled them away from their busy work, but that was the point, or at least one of the points. It gave them restful mini-vacations to relax and enjoy themselves away from the heavy lifting of doing so much work before departing for their military service. They both remarked about having the chance to create memories before taking a pause in their careers to do a restrictive, difficult obligation. I’m glad they had the chance to do it, and it looks like (and they said) they had an enjoyable time through it all. 

As mentioned, RM released a 2nd solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. In fact, we found out, during that clever MMM1 conversation, where he and Jimin discussed their 2nd albums, that RM had delayed his enlistment to complete this project. He was previously planning to enlist on the same day as JHope. Now I understand more what he and JHope meant in JHope's enlistment day footage, when gloomy RM said, “I don’t know.” and JHope responded, “I don’t either.” It seemed RM was hoping his decision to change plans for this album was worth it, and boy, was it! RM's 2nd album stunned even BTS fans.  It was different, raw, creative, revealing, and stylistic - all the things some fans had expected from his first solo album. He still had collaborators but fewer than he had on the 1st album. He chose to operate differently and worked mostly with songs given to him, while he focused more on the lyrics and performance. RM’s first album was very good, and it was successful, but he even seemed unsatisfied with it and perhaps with its lesser achievement than he had hoped. It turns out that the 1st album also might not have expressed all the deep, gritty feelings he needed to let out. RM’s 2nd album also got more company-led promotional effort, and its achievements were also far greater than his first album. He has landed higher on charts and is being acknowledged for awards and recognition that eluded his first album, even though both are critically acclaimed. While fans did not get a documentary for RM’s first album, a very artistic, cinematic documentary (called RM: Right People, Wrong Place) was premiered at the Busan International Film Festival for his 2nd album. We now have word that it will be released globally in December 2024. Early reviews have remarked about how very honest and raw the footage is, that shows more of who RM is and the process that went into creating the very expressive album. After RM’s album release and promotions, he also was featured on a song with previous BTS collaborator, Megan Thee Stallion, called Neva Play, where RM finally declared that BTS “paved the way” for other Asian artists. Speak that truth, RM. 

Presently, at long last, Jin has announced his 1st solo album. Happy will be released in November 2024 along with the (hopefully) improving promotional experience. His album is said to lead listeners through his journey to find happiness. In line with the happy theme, Jin first released Super Tuna 2.0, which was an updated, extended version of the original song and video. Although it is not included on the album, the silly, but joyful, song, about his love for tuna, was the right tone to kick off the release of an album that has happiness as its theme. Fans are excitedly looking forward to Jin’s solo debut. (By the time I posted this, Jin's pre-release song was presented. It is a fun, pop-rock song called I'll Be There. He looked and sounded great. He's off to a very good start.) To tide us over until the group comes back and until his album is released, Jin has been entertaining fans with show appearances, fashion pictures, and RunJin episodes that are full of Jin’s madcap chaos and humor. Now that JHope is out of the military too, I can’t wait to see if (when) he and Jin will produce a subunit project as I had hoped for. There is no doubt that it would be hysterically entertaining. Since Jin’s return, he has also fully capitalized on BTS’s opportunity to have individual ambassador deals now. He hadn’t been able to engage in any business contracts until after his enlistment, and he is wasting no time in catching up on lost time. 

Here is a list of BTS’s individual ambassadorships presently: Jin - Gucci, Alo Yoga, Fred Jewelry, and Laneige Suga - Valentino and NBA JHope - Louis Vuitton RM - Bottega Veneta Jimin - Dior and Tiffany & Co. V - Celine, Cartier, Compose Coffee, and SimInvest JK - Calvin Klein

PHASE 2 CONCLUSION

During this solo experience, we have had the pleasure of watching BTS members grow and develop as individual artists. We have seen them learn a lot from the experience, gaining knowledge that we are excited to know they can bring back to the group activities.  It’s difficult to imagine what the next chapter of BTS will look like with all that we have seen, but we’re excited to find out. Normally, Hybe and/or BigHit Music do put a lot of advanced planning into their efforts. This military situation was entirely new, and an innovative plan was certainly needed. While there were some parts that were clever and very well done, some parts of this plan unfortunately did not meet up with expectations at all. I have made my feelings clear on how the company initially managed the solo projects. Suga had said that each member was expected to manage their own solo tasks and promotions. Therefore each member chose different entities to help them accomplish their work. I explained each project in more detail in my Phase 1 solo period posts (specifically parts 2 & 3). The differing amounts of assistance given to each member, and the apparent, inequitable effort provided for promotions will sting many fans for quite a while. It caused a crack and disturbance in the fandom that will likely exist for a long while, if not forever.

JK, in honesty and in fact, did receive a much larger piece of the promotional pie, for whatever reason. Perhaps it was solely because of the group he chose to work with. Time seemed to be his only limiting factor.  I’m glad he was able to get that level of promotion. He did an awful lot in an awfully short amount of time. I only hope that going forward, all of the members receive that level of care and investment. They all were responsible for the success that built the company, they all worked extremely hard on their solo projects, and they all deserve the same level of care and attention (with reasonable adjustments) to support their individual careers. The support may not look exactly the same, but it should look like equal effort. It should not stink of neglect and have missing necessary and available items or actions that some promotions received but others did not.

It is sad to see conversations from fans and the public, in which they compare the promotions of BTS, the most successful KPop group in history, to promotions given to artists from other companies. The comments express that they are surprised about how differently BTS is supported by its own wealthy company that their hard work built.

My final, previously stated, point on promotions for now is that even if the differences in promotions were due to the members having to handle their own promotional activities and make their own choices, it was all of their first solo projects! I feel the company should have provided a better framework of guidance for the projects, including promotions, to be sure the members knew how to roll them out fully and knew what tools and information - or additional assistance - was needed to make sure they not only had quality music but also quality roll outs. It seems this would have been a company priority, especially seeing that their primary money makers would be absent for a while. It would have maximized company profits, but perhaps the goal was instead for the members to learn from the process, regardless of everything else, including peace in the fandom.

With that said, the company has seemed to have grown or at least hopefully learned a lot from the experience too, for which I’m glad. We saw changes and improvements during the solo period from phase 1 to phase 2. Perhaps the members did learn and made changes and/or the company realized the flaw in their original tactic. It was a new experience for both sides. (Sadly, we’ll never know what could have been, since you cannot get a 1st time debut back.)

BTS is a unique band in a unique situation. Where most KPop groups disband at about the 7-year mark - if they make it that long - BTS is still thriving and successful into their 11th & 12th years. The members have recently signed a rumored 10-year contract, together, in advance, with the same company, which is also uncommon. Hybe is new for a corporation’s age, and BigHit Music is still learning as they go. As Suga has said many times, BTS is experiencing things where there is no roadmap because no other group has traveled this path before them, so it is expected that the company will have some missteps as they go. I certainly didn’t expect this type of misstep, or the extent of the misstep, but learning and growing from mistakes is far more important than attempting to never make a mistake, which is unrealistic.  Provided they do course-correct and do better going forward, progress can be made and wounds can be healed. As with every step of BTS’s journey, we all will continue to watch and see - right along with them.  APoBangPo - Army forever, BTS forever

RELATED POSTS

**See my Updated BTS Solo Chapter Wishlist.** ***Refer to my BTS Official Content & Social Media Links post that is a directory of links, which leads you to all of the mentioned activities and solo work on official pages. ***

<- BTS Solo Chapter CONTINUED - Part 5 - opening post for this update

[jewishbarbies]

Is it just me or was the Midnight Era a flop compared to all the ones before, including Red TV?

Like for real, instagram suggested me a post the other day and I had a whole 30 seconds after reading "Swift's latest album Midnights" when I was like, WHAAAAT?? And then I remembered. I literally listened to it when it came out and have been reading posts on this blog ever since but somehow I sort of had forgotten that Midnights was an actual album? This ""era"" feels like she just dropped a bunch of singles with no album attached and thinking about it now the whole release and Era in general made little to no noise compared to the past. Not talking about the paid good reviews or the fake records, what I mean is just that the Midnights Era itself fell flat right after the release. We had a couple of months between the announcement and release week where she was attending every event and her fans were all excited about the way it all seemed 1989 Era 2.0 but then the album dropped, there were a couple of weeks of the media reporting her new "record-breaking achievements" and then... nothing? Even with the tour and the gossip hints she gave through the lyrics it still baffles me how little people talked about Midnights outside of her fandom.

I think that before the He*ly backlash she was going to ditch the "Midnights Era" completely (except for the tour performances) because she lost interest as soon as she realized it made zero impact aside from the artificially boosted sales/streams and her fans, but then she decided to try and promote another single from Midnights for her damage control collab with Ice Spice. It still didn't change the fact that no one cares about this one album, I recall both Fearless TV and Red TV having more longevity in terms of general interest and they're both old material. Her popularity is definitely fading, a little bit at least.

[very-straight-blog]

I know that it was John Lydon who was against the creation of this series, but in my opinion "Pistol" gave him justice. He showed that he was right from the very beginning, that he was the heart of this team that was worried about his friends. I haven't read Steve's biography that inspired this series (because I can't get it anywhere in my country ☹️), I don't know if maybe there was something inappropriate there, or maybe John just didn't want to share his private life in this way, but it's good that this series was created and showed that this nonsense from "Sid & Nancy" is just nonsense. It felt more like fan fiction than something related to a biopic. I don't recommend it. I didn't like Gary Oldman's Sid, even though I think he's a good actor, but Louis Partridge's one made me like him (but I'm still not a fan of the real Sid). Maybe it was because it felt like he was a young man and not an adult pretending to be twenty, or maybe it was because he and Anson Boon had really good chemistry together. I'd rather watch them than Sid and Nancy, lol. There was a sense that they cared about each other like brothers, and it hurt Johnny when they started to grow apart. (And although I consider RP fanfiction to be yuck, I'm not surprised that after the series premiere on AO3 they started being shipped more. But still yuck) I love that even the way he dresses, his hair, and his tension changed throughout the series. There was a lot to read from it. And that scene with his mom when he invited the band after the album was released! It meant so much to him! And then it started to go wrong :(

Yes, yes and yes again. It's a real shame that this show didn't get any awards for HOW it was made. Everything you mentioned was at the highest level and you could feel that Danny Boyle put a lot of heart into it. He and the entire gang, so it's a great pity that the series ended up in the trash due to low viewership :( In my country, it was on Disney+ a few months before it was canceled. It didn't even get a single review from any pop culture portal. It's a disgrace :(

I don't know anyone who watches the series, only you and another person on tumblr, so I'd love to read everything you write about 😊

Sorry for the slow answer, I was very very busy!

Now I'm reading John's autobiography and everything he tells there was pretty accurately shown in the series, I didn't find any significant differences, so yes, I agree. I started watching Pistol without knowing anything specific about the band members and John instantly won my love and respect - which means the creators did everything right, even if the real John was against this project.

In general, the book is wonderful, I advise you to read it if you're suddenly interested in the band. It covers the time period from John's childhood to the breakup of the band. It's wittily written and really reveals John's relationship with the people around him, including Sid. I marked the places I found interesting and ended up with them on every page lol.

And yes, in my country, even the series itself was very difficult to find, especially in English with subtitles. I spent several hours on this.

The actors did a great job and it can be seen. Sid and John have amazing chemistry. Despite the fact that I can't stand Sid, I almost started to sympathize with him simply because of their relationship with John and how everything that was happening affected him. Weird huh.

I think how much content could have been obtained if the series had gained more popularity and I feel sad. I need art, fics and stuff(

[cosmicalily]

jihyo zone album review!!!

first off: i literally cried while ranking these. they all served and she is amazing. this is just my opinion, feel free to disagree! stream zone, support our girl zyo, im actually so addicted to this album already and she was barely born.

room - this song oh my gosh i feel like so many of these songs feel so nostalgic, this song reminds me of one of my favourite bands, the aces, and i feel like it just has that calm, indie kind of vibe, which is so stunning, and its so so beautiful with jihyo's deep vocals. it 100% feels like a retro indie kind of song, i can already picture the film camera and vintage clothing, like oh my gosh, it gets better each time i play it.

killin' me good - its so iconic. i can't. i love the instrumental in ways i have never loved an instrumental before; something about the synth kinda style keys just triggers the right part of my brain. again, the more chill style instrumental is HEAVEN when paired with her powerful vocals. she absolutely ate this up with those iconic vocals, i can't even. it's stunning. it's beautiful. it's the title track for a reason. jihyo, you absolutely served, the vocals, the choreo, visuals. everything is an 11/10. stop it, though, because i'm a chaeyoung bias, and you're actually fucking with my brain. go away. leave. please. but like, don't. because imma need 900 mini albums now, as well as all of those unreleased bsides.

wishing on you - i felt this was like the 'basics' of zone; it was THE chill bside and i can def see myself playing this when im getting ready in the mornings, its giving me a bit of iu kind of vibes, like bbibbi, but also feels a little bit red velvet, with the high vocals. i love this song so much because it almost feels like shes singing a duet with herself, because she has the contrast between her higher, sweeter voice, as well as her deeper voice, and it amazes me constantly that her vocal duality is that powerful, when she does the higher harmonies during the 'you, you, you, you' in the chorus, with her deeper adlibs, i ASCEND. stunning. chefs kiss. if songs were edible, i would've eaten the plate too.

talkin' about it - THIS SONG LITERALLY ATE UP JIHYOS VOCALS, the prechorus with her deep vocals??? im now in heaven. and the contrast between her rich vocals and then the 'mmh, mmh, mmh." it's like what i was saying before where its like she sings a duet with herself, because of her vocal duality, she constantly changes it up. it's such a powerful song. and the electronic instrumental reminds me of 'love foolish', which is such an iconic twice bside. this is so incredible, and her english pronunciation is also incredible. and the guitar in the prechorus reminds me of avicii's older songs (rest in peace). 24kgoldn gave me a jumpscare, did not see that coming lmao, but yk what, it's growing on me. he did well, but like, he was in a duet with the park jihyo; she's the moment, so she def outshined without meaning to, but it's okay, like, its her mini album and her song anyway. no hate to him, love him. but jihyo served so he could slay. i would've loved to see this with a strong, deep-voiced female rapper too, i feel like it would've been such a good combo, like imagine this with moonbyul, jessi or youngji, GASP i would pay such good money for that, it would've been absolutely chefs kiss.

closer - omg stop jihyo with the spanish style influence, I CANNOT. i'm actually obsessed with her bsides in this album; they're all really chill and i feel like have quite minimal instrumentals, meaning they really really let her strong vocals shine through. i feel like with itzy, the really bright, energetic bgm works well for them, since their music and vocal style is different, but for jihyo, because her vocals are so powerful, she needs the more simplified instrumentals to let them properly shine through, and i feel like that was really well done with this album, so a+ to their producers for making sure you did our jihyo justice with her iconic deep vocals.

nightmare - WHEN I SAW THIS LIVE DURING THEIR CONCERT I LITERALLY DIED, i feel like the j-line solo stages during their ready to be tour went viral, but jihyo and chaeyoung's vocal stages were ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. i'd seen all the other solos on instagram but i hadn't seen or heard jihyo's and it was gorgeous. it suits her vocals so beautifully, the deep, strong song, and the fact that she wrote it?? an icon. it would've ranked higher, but this is one of those songs where the recorded version doesn't do the live one justice. it's stunning, but since i've been blessed with the live version, i can't listen to this one without feeling like its a bit less powerful and raw.

don't wanna go back - i love it, its like kdrama vibes but also kind of like early 2000s, it sounds like something tlc would have eaten up back then. i do love jihyo with this song but i feel like it wouldve worked really well as a group song too? like i can see xg doing this as a bside. as every song in this album does, it ATE, but its the kind of song that i wouldnt search up and play, but i wouldn't ever skip it either if it came on when im shuffling music.

[rrxnjun]

it does fit him kinda but i also just can't imagine him just teaching someone maybe i just don't know awsten enough🫡WAIT HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THAT???? but this is my new fav fact about them wow🥹 wahhh tommy does deserve everything he is a savior for real🫡 my minecraft addiction is unhealthy istg i don't think i will ever be able to get out of the phase at this point it's a lifestyle ngl 🤣🥲but i'm glad to hear that u also had a minecraft phase it's just such a fun game!! ohhh i never really got into sideman but they seem very funny that's for sure!!! tbh the first time i ever heard of alex will and memeulous was through probs wilbur but i listend to their podcast in quarantine and they were very funny tbh so i understand the chokehold!!!

I DID SEE SO MANY CLIPS FROM IT IM AO EXCITED FOR THE ALBUM I CANT WAIT!!! NINGNINGS SOLO WAS SO GOOD SHE IS JUST SO AMAZING EVERYTHING WISE ITS CRAZYYY and i'm going to be very upset if the solo songs do not make it to the album they will hear from my lawyers for sure!

take ur time with it u have the all the time in the world to listen to her! my fav song from her is definitely you're here that's the thing, it's like the cutest song ever but i also really love apple cider those two would probably be my favs and also sunny day as well!!!

WE LITERALLY ARE 🫢 it has never really happened to me before as well so i'm very surprised! I LOVE THE DIRVER ERA DUDEEE🥹 SO SAME LOVE THE MAN SO MUCH i will always be thankful for austin and ally for introducing me to the amazing man ross lynch is🫡 i listened to wallows and they are pretty good definitely will listen to them more however nothing dethroned scrawny for me so i'm staying with my basic as hell fav song🫡 BAEKHYUN HOWEVER I FOUND ONE OF MY NEW FAV ARISTS I THINK!!! amusement park is just so me core i love it so much!! claiming it as my song hihi! but the whole ep was🤌🤌🤌(i still believe in u beating him one day!!!)

OH MY UR REVIEW JUST MADE MY WHOLE DAY MY GOD!!!🥹 IM VERY GLAD THAT U DIDNT REALLY DISLIKE ANY OF THEM AND THE FACT THAT SOME OF THEM MADE IT TO UR PLAYLIST IS JUST🥹🥹IM VERY GLAD THAT U ENDED UP LIKING SOME OF THEM🥹🥹🥹

lovely neighbor!!! hi!!🤭i think i knew that u were slovak but i kinda forgot:( HOWEVER I MIGHT ACTUALLY VISIT SLOVAKIA IN LIKE 2 WEEKS OR SO!! VERY EXCITED TO SEE THE COUNTRY!🥳(or more like the one city we will be visiting)

IM GLAD U ENJOYED!! I ENJOYED TALKING ABOUT MUSIC VERY MUCH AS WELL AND THANK U FOR LISTENING TO THE HUNGARIAN SONGS U ARE VERY LOVELY FOR IT!!! and also if u have any slovak song recommendation tell it to me pls as well!

LMAO NO PROBLEM FOR WRITING HER AS A CHEATER I KNEW THERE WAS PROBABLY NOT LIKE "ANY GOOD REASON" THAT U WROTE HER AS THAT BUUUT HAVING A CRUSH ON MY GF💔💔HOW COULD U /j

LMAO probably most likely it would be similar but i actually want to see them and like properly throw jisung up in the air like i still think about that every time i see jisung!! u portrayed it so well my lord!!!! oh my the renjun bathtub pics inspiring it just makes it even more perfect my god!!! THE LAST SCENE IS JUST SO SUPER GREAT IM VERY GLAD UR INNER JOHN GREEN PULLED THROUGH XD I LOVE IT WHEN MEN ARE SIMPS ITS SO RARE BUT I LOVE IIIT🫡 i wrote it right after i read it and my emotions were all over the place it showed very much i think xd AND THAT IS CRAZY WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT PLAYINGGGG (liebestraum anon💕💕)

no thats so valid i couldnt imagine him being a guitar teacher either LMAO. and tommy deserves the world for that song alone AHAH also i understand the minecraft lifestyle the other day i wanted to download it too but it didnt work and i am not paying for that game so i just gave up after a while lmaoo. sidemen are funny sometimes but sometimes they also miss w their humor so take it as you will AHAHA. i didnt listen to the eboys podcast if u mean that one!! i am not a podcast girlie tbh i dont enjoy listening to people talk jfkdals but their videos were honestly my favs. also i sometimes still watch george memelous drinking vids where they watch terrible movies because i just think that is peak comedy

MY GIRLFRIEND NINGNING DID SO WELL the solo is stuck in my brain i NEED A STUDIO VERSION ASAP. i honestly never really stanned any girlgroups but aespa have such a chokehold on me istg- my friend said its only bc theyre the girl version of nct sound-wise and i was like :D ok then.

I STILL HAVENT LISTENED TO BEABADOBEE BUT I PROMISE TO GIVE YOU A REVIEW OF THESE IN YOUR NEXT ASK

no bc when austin and ally aired i was fundamentaly changed as a human. everything about ross lynch was just- DFJKA i even watched the teen beach movie like three times because i had such a crush on him LMAO. i wasnt really ever big on r5 (however i still have some of their songs in my playlist) but the driver era are sososo good. scrawny is so good!!! i think my fav from wallows (at least atm) is definitely wish me luck. it has such a good sound and the lyrics are honestly sososo good ugh. YES CLAIM AMUSEMENT PARK!!! ITS ONE OF MY FAV SONGS EVER AHHH i personally claim bambi because it's my nickname irl and when he came out w the song i lost my shit so hard i made it my whole entire personality. (thank u for believing in me. rather than beating hyuck i now fantasize about us going to a baekhyun concert together in my dreams<3)

THANK U TO INTRODUCING ME TO HUNGARIAN MUSIC!! i really have nothing against trying songs in diff languages if thats what you were afraid of!! i really enjoyed all of the songs they were so vibey<33 your music taste>>> AHAHA ITS OKAY IF U FORGOT IM SLOVAK i mean i dont really talk abt it here as much?? on my main tho,,, i dont shut up about the fact i even shitpost in slovak sometimes bc i just can. slovak music recs are hard for me to give bc i dont listen to slovak music much?? and the ones i do listen to i would get clowned for in slovakia bc they are just objectively not good songs but theyre my guilty pleasure AHAHA but if you really do wanna listen to some i recommend my by yael (it was in my top 10 on spotify wrapped last year LMAO), vďaka ti by yael and puerto (which is a badbunny cover lmao but listen to the ver on youtube and not spotify bc the spotify one sucks ass), valeriya by samey (THIS is a guilty pleasure for sure. the rap is weird but the lyrics are beautiful), staré časy by medial banana, káva by medial banana, záverečná by iné kafe, nad prahou by zoči voči and včera som miloval by fishing strip (for some good slovak punk rock<3) ALSO WHICH CITY ARE U VISITING (if u wanna tell me ofc)

the renjun bathtub pics....altered my brain chemistry so much iykwim. like i knew my man was hot but i didnt know he could get THIS hot. AHAHA MEN BEING SIMPS IS RARE BUT SO FUCKING GOOD thats why i even started my series in the first place the original title was the simp diaries bc its all about men being simps AHAHAHA

[bbbrianjones]

lovely emmi. can I ask what your ranking of the mental as anything albums is?

ok so you said ranking and i’m gonna turn this into a review of each album because... it’s me <3 i’m only ranking the albums from 1979-1987 because those are the ones i have time for but GOD this was so hard.

6. espresso bongo [1980]

i feel like this is pretty popular opinion. it has some great moments on the album but it just feels kinda dead, it’s just lacking the “quirkiness” that appeared on the last album. it suffers from the dreaded “second album syndrome” where they are recording songs they have only worked on for a week ago due to time, which might explain why a lot of the songs feel rushed or underdeveloped. there’s obviously some good songs on the album. martin certainly shines on here, i love the song cannibal <33 there’s just something quite sweet about - ‘if i were a cannibal you’d be the first to go // or would i miss you too much?’ who would really think about writing something like that?!?!?! also the little harmonica lyric after the chorus just add the nice country twang to the song. ‘come around’ is also such a banger, love greedy’s keyboard solo in the middle <33 also i love ‘won’t let me drive’ - greedy coming through as a fellow non-driver about wanting to see his girlfriend but has no way of getting there, very cute and very greedy <33 also insect liberation with some BANGING keyboards and some lyrics about how insects are taking over the planet. overall it’s a pretty good. overall i think it’s a very good album, good range of songs by everyone. just a shame it wasn’t given the time for it the be properly developed but hey, it was the 80s!

highlighted songs: cannibal, come around, won’t let me drive 

5. cats & dogs [1981]

this is such a banging album. i feel like it’s the first album that is truely “their’s”. i mean they’re still finding their feet but it just has their sound with the niche little songs and i just fucKING love it so much!!! again everyone just shines here with all of their songs - especially martin again girl !!!! fuck it up !!!! i mean ‘if you leave me, can i come too?’ is such an iconic song. it’s just so them. from the cheeky lyrics to greedy’s little keyboards throughout the song. i mean what else is there to say - great song! also love ‘let’s cook’, you would think with how simple and repetitive it is you’d get bored of it but you just can’t! again greedy and his keyboards, this man had it going on!!!!! find it so bizarre they actually performed this song live. idk why. and the growl that martin does is honestly a bit weird. this was technically the first song i heard by them because they did a version with the wiggles which surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly) is kinda their best song. ‘too many times’ is an actual tune, hella annoying because it gets stuck in my head all the time but that’s sorta the point??? again greedy back at it again with the keyboards (and also harmonica!!!!!) love the bouncy “jumpy” music against the really dark and depressing lyrics. love the way greedy sings “doctor that i went to couldn't do any good // he gave me pills for sleeping i took more than i should” like he’s guiltily confessing to it. BERSERK WARRIORS !!!!!!!! WHAT A FUCKING BANGER !!! WE NEED MORE SONGS ABOUT ABBA WITHOUT REALLY BEING ABOUT ABBA BUT A STILL ABOUT ABBA !!!!! i just love it. you can literally not go wrong with a gregorian chant and honestly we need more of them nowadays. i really want to like this album more but the other songs are just kinda lacking :/// like the most popular songs are excellent and then the deep cuts are.... well deep cuts. 

highlighted songs; berserk warriors, too many times, if you leave me, can i come too?

4. creatures of leisure [1983]

now THIS is literally a classic. LOVE THIS ALBUM SO MUCH !!!! wish i could say it’s not because of spirit got lost but i would lying through my fucking teeth. can’t even lie spirit got lost is one of those songs that you just have to hear to believe it - honestly have no idea what my guy is singing about but i love the horror and darkness that it has. i mean that bass is just so sexy and the constant thud it makes throughout the songs, but especially in the verses, just adds literally so much to the song. and the instrumental - look greedy and his keyboards i mean what can is say?? it just sounds like bones being rattled together and i have no idea what that actually sounds like but i’m gonna assume it’s that. and i mean nothing fucking takes me out like ‘there’ll always be a chair for you in the corner of my heart’ like WHAT?? FUCKING WHAT ??? OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKKKK. THAT SHIT IS GOING ON MY GRAVESTONE!!! i swear is that not one of the greatest lyrics of all fucking time??? AND RIGHT AFTER THE INSTRUMENTAL AS WELL??? greedy... honey.... i know it’s credited to mombassa/smith but i’ll be fucking DAMNED if you did not write that line. anyway there’s other songs i love on this album. close again is one of the sweetest song ever. a very greedy song not written by greedy. i love the chill mellowness of it. literally i played this song with my brother in the car and he went ‘what’s this hippie shit?’ which was a little bit rude considering i love this song but i get what he means. there’s just something sorta hawaiian shirt about it but like in a good way. also brain brain is a genius song - i love how the songs transitions from verse and chorus. it’s very dissociated and causes an uneasy feeling which i think reflects the mood of the song. fiona is an underrated bop, bit of a country guitar side which gets me moving! drinking from her lips as well is a really good song. this album is very chill suburban album that just shows the potential they were capable of achieving with their next album (hint hint hint!) 

highlighted songs: spirit got lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just go listen to it pls <3, close again, drinking from her lips

3. get wet! [1979]

where it all begins!!! you know that post where it goes ‘i love debut albums because it shows raw and realness” well baby if that does not perfectly describe this album i have no idea what does! considering there were like four main songwriters in the band, all of the songs are pretty consistent yet still show off the different sounds of each member. martin and reg SHINE here. i love spanish gardener, interesting lyrics and rhyming (been watching you for some time // while i eat my pie at lunch time) and again, greedy’s keyboards with that slight fuzz mixed with the sharpness of the guitars just cut through like a knife! it makes the song quite funky and cool <3 love the song sheilah as well. most of the songs are just. so keyboard that you almost get whiplash wearing this song, it’s just so guitar-driven that it gives an edge to the album. i love business and pleasure as well, there is something quite raw and real about it, just the sorta tongue in cheek mocking of the music business (threads and licks and jokes and pretty lights too). also talk to baby jesus - i would have loved to be at a gig when they started playing this song, the place would’ve gone fucking oFF! greedy’s two songs are another man’s sitting in my kitchen, which is about him peaking through the window of his old house to find (guess what!) another man’s sitting in my kitchen with his ex girlfriend and insurance man, which is about how he would die if his girlfriend left him and he’d like to put a claim on his life. and im sure you can deduce what greedy’s toxic traits were (he’s a capricorn it’s forgiven). can’t even lie but i would die on the hill for insurance man, the way the guitar goes from quiet to loud while also becoming more manic just adds such a foreboding and horror note to a song which could be deemed quite spooky. this album also has the classic ‘the nips are getting bigger’ which i love asking what people think the nips are in the songs. i remember hearing about the title first before the song and just being amazed that it would have even be allowed to play because i thought they were talking about nipples. now i am sure that doesn’t come as a surprise to literally anyone. i feel like this album is a bit of a hit or miss but i love it. love it so much. 

highlighted songs: insurance man, spanish gardener, business and pleasure

2. fundamental (or fundamental as anything) [1985]

MY BOY HITTING THE BIG TIME!!!! this is where greedy literally popped off as a songwriter. like it started with spirit got lost and then only got better and better as the albums kept coming out. i’m really sorry for the other guys on this album because i only really know the singles off and they just so happen to be by greedy. like i’m sure there’s some other great songs i just haven’t listened to them yet :// my bad! this is by far their most popular album because it has live it up on it, which i mean if that was the only song it would still make the top three on my list. live it up is just a certified classic bop by everyone who has ever listened to it. from the keyboards at the start to grab our attention to greedy’s country twang vocals singing about comforting someone depressed over some stupid man. i have listened to this song in times of crisis because it just instantly makes me feel so much better about everything going on around me. i have both sung and cried along with this song because it just feels like such a warm hug. i mean it literally opens with ‘how can you see looking through those tears? // don’t you know you’re worth your weight in gold?’ like what the fuck greedy. i’m cured. and of course ‘hey yeah you with the sad face come up to my place and live it up // you besides the dance floor what do you cry for let’s live it up’ how can you not see those lyrics and just be immediately filled with love and hope. it just made me realise how powerful music is and what it can do to impact a person’s life or feelings. anyway thank u greedy !! thank you for this one song, thank you for making my life just that little bit better <3 i miss you so much <33 anyway ‘you’re so strong’ is also a very sweet song, greedy said he wrote it as a feminist anthem which is certainly an interesting way of describing it but whatever you say lil guy. there is an endearing quality about it though, as well as very addicting. i hear this song and then it’s pretty much all i hear for the next three days. and of course date with destiny <3333 love this song so much, whenever i hear that keyboard and drum machine i literally get so PUMPED! and it includes ‘me loving her was always meant to me to make my life complete’ like you are seriously going to find me floating face first into a fucking lake soon!!!! it is slowly killing me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! overall i do like this album for the shallow reason of i believe those last three songs were written about me but they sorta secretly are so it’s ok <3

highlighted songs: live it up, you’re so strong, date with destiny 

1. mouth to mouth [1987]

and here we are, literally the best album ever made. again greedy, literally the king <3 but every song on this album is just a bop, no flops allowed here. 

don’t tell me now - what a fucking opener. love the 80s saxophone and drum machine. 

my door is always open to you - best song ever written (and underrated!) why does this song get overlooked when it comes to this band?? you know why does this band get overlooked all the fucking time in the first place?? i just love the beatnik sorta vibe to the sound with the flicking of fingers and that bass and then how it goes through verse to chorus of going quiet before soaring up !!! i feel like i’ve heard this song somewhere else but i honestly have no idea where. anyway time for the lyrics that makes me lose my marbles - ‘don’t stand outside in the cold // you’re a sight for sore eyes’ i mean does that not want to make you melt!!!!  

put me back - reminds me of something very depeche mode if depeche mode was allowed to have guitars. 

let’s go to paradise - best song ever written. there is a sorta conga feel to it which again might explain why it gets stuck in my head for four years whenever i hear it. and of course “don’t you wonder bout the time that you’ve spent wasting your own when you could be wasting mine?” again fucking what? that line is so real it almost could have come from shakespeare or austen but nope. that’s from my fucking king in sydney <3 

the mad king - i have no idea why this song goes so hard but it does. the fucking vocals are just so fucking funny to me. i love it. 

he’s just no good for you - best song ever written. considering the subject matter this song is pretty ahead of its time. i mean for real he’s just no good for you .... why are you going back .... you deserve a whole lot better than that. greedy was honestly our biggest ally. 

thinking out loud - tune. 

stay at home girl - again harmonica fucking slap. 

mouth to mouth - literally how i imagine cocaine to feel like. 

i’m glad - nearly died when i first heard this song. i’m glad i’m with you too greedy !!! 

ruby baby - i am in a bahamas with a margarita and you will not change me. 

wandering through heavens - mentions the devil being let out of a cage. how can you not?

overall they ended their golden period what can only be described as their best album and i’m so glad they did this album for me and i would kiss them all on the cheek. except for greedy, he can get a kiss on the mou- *GETS GUN DOWNED*

[callmeblake]

Part 1 from a leathermouth interview on Jerseybeat.com february 11th 2009

link

part 2, part 3, part 4

Almost five years in the making, LeATHERMØUTH is a straight-up hardcore band born and raised somewhere in New Jersey (or possibly Europe.) The group’s hard-hitting first album XØ (released through Epitaph Records) has received respectable reviews (and a couple of bitter comparisons to Motorhead.) [Read Rich Quinlan’s review here.] This is a project that no one seems to know quite what to make of, which naturally intrigues us. Besides the name recognition of frontman Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance, it also features one of my favorite new guitar players, Rob Hughes, and a touring lineup to die for. So we asked Frank to spare a moment or two from an L.A. recording session for the next MCR album, which he was nice enough to do (eventually.)

Q: Hey Frank, it’s Deb from Jersey Beat, how are you? F: Hey Deb, I gotta tell you: I really want to thank you; I know it’s been hell getting in touch with me for this interview.

Q: No, it’s all right, I appreciate that you’re in the studio and I guess there was a communication issue, so it’s fine. I appreciate your time, too – you’re taking time out of what you’re doing. F: No absolutely. That’s the thing; we just got here a couple of days ago, and we’re just getting a feel yet of what the record is going to be like, and stuff like that, so it’s really just fleshing out like a couple of songs here and there. I’m really getting into the stride now, so… Q: I checked; it’s exactly the same temperature this week in Los Angeles as it is in New York City – good plan, there! F: Yeah, every time we’re in Los Angeles, the weather is always horrible, so it’s not weird for us when we get here. It actually just today lightened up – it’s very nice today. Q: Oh, that’s a good thing! It’s not nice here. F: Yeah the thing is we really spend our days just locked in the studio, so I haven’t really been outside that much. Q: Oh, some palm trees, whatever…! F: Yeah, I haven’t even been out of the room. Q: Yeah, well that’s a good thing, actually, being locked up and recording is certainly better than being outside and standing in the windy weather. Okay, so this LeATHERMØUTH project took five years to come to fruition - how different is the finished product from what you started out with? F: Insanely different! When we first started, the only recordings we really had were just from a practice studio in Jersey and then…well I guess maybe it’s not that different because now it’s just a live version of us playing in my basement (we both laugh.) We actually had time to craft the songs - a lot of that was done when I would come off the road for a week or two here and there. We’d be like “Oh, let’s try this one a little bit different.” I had the recordings for a while without lyrics and vocals – I would just sit on it while touring, and when I would finally come home, that’s when I’d record in my basement. Q: You had two songs at the time, correct? F: Yeah, we started with the two that were live recordings from the rehearsal studio, and we called it “Live In Spain.” It was “Murder Was the Case They Gave Me” and - at that time it was called “What’s a Pulse Got Ta Do With it?” - which ended up being “Bodysnatchers 4Ever.” Q: Right, I remember when it was called that, actually. That’s not at all confusing, right? “Oh, it’s a completely different song!” F: (laughing) I didn’t want to steal too many titles! I didn’t want to keep that going. Q: Right! (laughing) Well, I know that you've stated that this is the first project where you've actually been responsible for all of the lyrics, but you've done a few here and there for other projects, right? F: Yeah, you know, mostly ideas and stuff like that – I mean never like full verses or whole songs by any means. It was maybe a line here or there or just an idea. Q: Mm hm. Does this sole responsibility change what you feel you are able to say?

F: Well…I don’t know if it would if I knew that the record was going to come out. See, originally, I thought I was just going to do it anonymously, so when writing for that, I didn’t care too much. I think for the next record, when everyone will know already, it may. I don’t really know, but that’s yet to be seen - I hope not, though. I’d like LeATHERMØUTH to just be what it is, and just promote people – and I think to promote people, you need to just be uncensored.

Q: Oh, I agree – I don’t think there would be much logic to a hardcore band that’s censored.

F: No, I mean like censoring your thoughts or the different things that you would talk about.

Q: Mm hm – I don’t think any artist should have to do that, actually. That’s kinda not the point of living in this country – I’m so against censorship. This is the first project where you've not contributed instrumentally, right? Is that a weird shift to make for you as a guitar player?

F: Yeah, but I think it helped me vocally, because I definitely did things I wouldn’t normally have thought of, you know? Taking such a step back from that, it kept me in an open mind.

Q: Fair enough. Everyone gets asked about the song or band that made them want to play - do you have one that made you completely reconsider the business?

F: No…even the rough spots, when you see things that make you want to give everything up, you kinda take a step back and realize that’s not why you’re doing it. You’d like to think that you would be in a band even if there were no other bands out there, or any kind of music - like you would be creating even if you were just drumming on a rock. That’s the thing; I think it’s just a necessity that I have. I have to play music, I have to create or write just to stay sane – so other people’s actions really can’t dictate how I feel towards that.

Q: That’s a great answer, actually.

part 2

[ponderingrandomthings]

I just love (and agree with) the insight by Pete Pardo (from Sea of Tranquility).

This band has some amazing deeply philosophical lyrics and good music (keyboardy prog metal) that I go back to after years...

This is a good album Dividing Lines (2022).

[Edited part transcript of this video]

I always thought this about Threshold. You don't get immediately the big wow factor like a new Dream Theater album or Symphony X album. There's less eye-catching 'wow' moments but more throughout the whole album. That's always been the music of Threshold. I like to listen to their albums as albums and it's always very pleasing. It's just heavy enough, it's just prog enough. It's just good song-based progressive metal. They're just one of those consistent bands that just keeps pumping out really really great albums that sometimes I think we take for granted. I'm just as guilty when in conversations with people I talk about like some of the great ProgMetal bands and ProgMetal albums I always forget to bring them up. Yet every time they come out with a new album, I get it, I review it, I love it. It ranks very high on my year-end list. They're one of the best ones out there… but I overlook them. I have conversations with people all the time and they very rarely come up. And then when you mention (Threshold), then "Oh yes! Threshold is great. I love them. But I didn't think to mention them right they didn't pop into my head first."

'Taking a band for granted' - I'm so guilty of this - to this band in particular.

Oddly, I don't feel that about Rush. (I can always rattle off some Rush recommendations without thinking - Subdivisions, Red Sector A, Force Ten... See? And more if needed.)

Besides, I've cited Rush lyrics for quite a while. (A friend once told me he knows me to be the Rush guy. That he got interested because of me. There was a time I didn't stop talking about the meaning behind the Rush songs.)

Just like I have cited Dream Theater lyrics for a longer (earlier) while. I've even correleated so much of life with some DT lyric from Awake or A Change of Seasons.

And Megadeth lyrics before that...

Interesting how all these people from such faraway countries have impressed my mind. And remained important decades later.

--

Interesting 'Trivia':

The drummer Johanne James, has a band KyrbGrinder, in which he is both singer and drummer! Check this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35rV7b2xIrQ

Johanne gave vocals in the Ayreon album Transitus.

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 6th February

There's a distinct calendar to the charts, just in a pretty straightforward, basic sense. You get Christmas songs at Christmas. You get summer songs in summer. You get other songs at temporally appropriate points. This is a very simple concept. So why, in the name of all that's holy, do we have this week's song now, on the 6th February already?

April Love - Pat Boone (peaked at Number 7)

Aside from being premature, I should also note here that this song stayed in the charts for 7 weeks. Which means it disappeared in March, well before the month it's actually talking about. This is just poor marketing, one has to presume - nowadays you like to think that somebody would be a bit savvier about it.

It's a Pat Boone song, possibly the Pat Booniest of Pat Boone songs, all comfy sentimentality. His voice, in particular, is soft and very gentle. It's not that he shies away from big dramatic dynamics, but he leads smoothly into them, and hangs back at points. This, combined with a few of the instrumental choices actually gives the song the same feel as a Christmas song, at points - subject matter aside, you could absolutely see this working in a classic Christmas film (à la Bing Crosby).

Lyrically, the song's about April love, which Pat explains is for the very young, when everything seems perfect and every star's a wishing star for you. So it's a song about being young and in love. Life isn't perfect - we hear that sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers - but even that can become something beautiful, the rain growing flowers for your love's first bouquet. It's all very sweet, very cutesy.

Of course, Pat being an old fogey at heart, even at the ripe old age of - *checks dates* - wait, twenty-four? This man is twenty-four?! That's wild, literally incomprehensible to me. In my mind, I can see him in his slippers and cardigan, perhaps smoking a pipe by the fire, he's not allowed to be twenty-four! That's younger then me!

Well, my shock aside, Pat's grandfatherly sensibilities mean that he's just got to add a little bit of melancholy old-man wisdom, singing about how April love can slip right through your fingers / So if she's the one, don't let her run away. Young love's great, but it can be fragile and fleeting, so hold on to it, if you think it's the real deal. Sound advice, I guess, though really, Pat should be out there falling in "April love" himself. He's twenty-four, that's still pretty young! I know age expectations were maybe different in the 1950s, but really, what happened, Pat? Why are you so jaded and wistful? Who burnt you?

We don't get a solid answer. Instead, we get a little bit more noodling around, before a surprisingly mellow ending, with this slightly jazzy trumpet. It's maybe my favourite thing about this song, helping to sell Pat's entirely age-inappropriate wistfulness with this absolutely gorgeous chord.

I should probably note, in wrapping up, that the song is from a film of the same name, starring Pat Boone. It sounds like a fairly standard-issue romance between a joyrider on parole who gets sent out to his relatives in the sticks, and a girl who's into horse racing. They notably don't kiss on screen because Pat didn't want to upset his wife (sucks to be Shirley Jones, his co-star, I guess) and even more notably, a critic apparently gave this review, which I think really is damning the film with faint praise, describing it as a musical with "two of the nicest-looking young singers to be found anywhere, a batch of pleasant tunes, some nifty Kentucky scenery in good color and absolutely no plot". There is a cousin who was killed in the Korean War, which is interesting, if a bit tangential to the actual plot. But yeah, otherwise it sounds really quite dull. Sorry, Pat.

Anyway, I'm not going to lie, I'm mostly still in shock about Pat Boone's age, here. There's even a photo of him on the album cover, I can see that he's young, but my mind clearly had not processed that until now. (He must have been twenty-one when we first saw him in this project, that's crazy!)

Favourite song of the inappropriately-nostalgic bunch: April Love

[icravemusicx0x0]

track thursday #8 | ĐỂ Ý - WREN EVANS

in my opinion, WREN EVANS is like the vietnamese TROYE SIVAN, except that he is more romantic than sensual, and definitely not homosexual. i mean, thats not a problem whatsoever. WREN EVANS' love pop musics always sound like a sweet and good pickup line, like a walking green flag. but he's not afraid to do anything with his love. i feel like his new single ĐỂ Ý, describes his vibe perfectly in such a soft way.

i have talked about this guy before (for you tumblr readers, my past review will come out soon). but if you haven't heard of him, WREN EVANS is a vpop artist who made many well-known hits, some have even reached 30 million streams on SPOTIFY, which is pretty big for a vietnamese artist. his debut studio album LOI CHOI, produced by ITSNK, was a big success (go read my review here). ĐỂ Ý was released following the album.

ĐỂ Ý is a simple song, and i do enjoy a simple song. it is a simple song with that pick-up-line vibe he gave during the album. its soft and very enjoyable. but this song is like bubblegum, it may be sweet at first, but slowly becomes bland. its decently basic so you will get bored of the song pretty easily. its clearly not as notable as the songs in the LOI CHOI album. with that, theres nothing to say much about this new single.

[thepermanentrainpress]

CONCERT REVIEW: KATELYN TARVER W/ ROSIE DARLING AT THE WISE HALL - SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

Adorned with a canopy of lights, the high ceilings and cozy lighting of The Wise Hall were a fitting atmosphere for the Compliments Only Tour. It was an intimate crowd, but one that gave their undivided attention to both Katelyn Tarver and Rosie Darling on their Saturday night in East Vancouver.

I’d been familiar with Rosie Darling since her release “Nail in the Coffin” (with Boy in Space) appeared on my Spotify Discover Weekly earlier this year. Since then, I’d been getting acquainted with her music; therapeutic for both Rosie in her craft, and her listeners. She made her entrance to ethereal nature sounds and immediately invited the audience closer to the stage for opener “Reruns.”

Her music is very chill, singer-songwriter pop with an emotional gut-punch. Many of her songs are short in length, so they’re compact, but memorable. Her breathy edge is distinct in “Say Less.” “Villain” was released a couple of weeks ago, and while it’s aesthetic in sound, its message is even more important. About understanding and finding peace after the breakdown of a relationship, it references blame, responsibility and ultimately letting go. Rosie has a very calming presence as she moves on stage; she’s still coming into her own as a performer, using her free arm to bring in the audience. She’ll clutch at her torso on emotional lines and shut her eyes mid-track, imploring us to feel that ache with her.  

She sang “Nail in the Coffin” (sans Boy in Space) and “Witness.” The latter was introduced as an “older one” given its release in April 2021. Rosie’s keyboardist Mike Nardone (who I believe was also responsible for the programmed beats) genuinely looked like he was having fun, and I loved how her music was able to build in layers but still allow her voice to shine. The piano accompaniment was lovely, especially towards the end of the dreamy “Lost on You.” They weren’t wearing their matching red jumpsuits (or pantsuits) in Vancouver though, Rosie opting for a bronze silkier set; although still a penchant for the hair bow and oversized pajama pieces that give her a comfortable, chic style.

Since the release of her debut EP Coping (Nettwerk Records), she’s released a number of singles and the EP Golden Age in 2022. Her debut album Lanterns will be released November 10 (not mistakenly, a word woven into the lyrics of “Villain”). “Boxes” was introduced as an “emotional one [to] get through together,” and that we did. Her voice as lush and soothing as ever, breaking free from confines and learning to value herself.

She closed her set with the somber and much underrated “Coping.” Rosie has a delicate voice with a potent, effervescent kick. Her lyrical depth and visualization are notable, and her music feels like both an anthem and a lullaby. I was impressed by how close she sounded to her recorded music; Rosie Darling is one to watch.

Katelyn Tarver had an unassuming entrance; right into the keys for the beginning of “What Makes a Life Good,” before taking the microphone and working the stage. Instantly, you can see her connection with the music and the questions she poses (“Is it taking someone's broken heart and knowing how to fix it? Is it becoming a mother? Is it learning to be tougher?”). This is a prime example of the big picture outlook in her lyrics; they have meaning and are given much thought.

Throughout her set, she shifted between her trusty mic, keyboard, and acoustic and electric guitars. “Cinematic” was soft and sentimental, while “Hurt Like That” revelled in its instrumental breaks (and driving guitar lines). Katelyn had such a comfortable stage presence; she feels the words and music, and in doing so, allows herself to let go and dance. She’s a natural performer.

The soulful, R&B inflicted “Nicer” makes use of her piercing upper register, while “Shit Happens” is a weighty piano ballad. She spoke about the journey to write “Shit Happens,” in navigating the unforgiving music industry and wanting to make it. It was a special song on her 2021 album, Subject to Change. Katelyn spent time conversing with the audience, showing off her new boots and explaining the concept of ‘compliments only’ starting out as a joke between friends and family. “Compliments are underrated,” she remarked, before providing ones for guitarist Ryland Holland (who kindly steamed her shirt before the show) and drummer Chris Bellew (who was in Canada for the very first time, which she conceded was more of a fun fact than a compliment).

I loved getting to hear my favourite KT song, “Starting to Scare Me,” live. It’s dark and blunt, but has the most incredible rhythm and flow. “Love Alone” was on her debut EP, A Little More Free, circa 2011. She noted its importance as her first original work and having that ownership over her music. This was a beautiful song, just Katelyn and her acoustic guitar. With this song in particular because of its age, I can see her growth as a musician. I’ve seen an older rendition where she sounded more strained vocally to reach the higher notes, but she sings a softer version now that is gentler and uses her warm spirit.

She sang a powerful cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception” (a song she loves so much, that she recorded and released her version last year), before moving to her new material. “Ignorance is Bliss” was released the day prior. I’d liken it to a bittersweet pop cut that makes us question our reality, and possibly enter an existential crisis. Katelyn reassured that the new music meant she is heading towards a new album, Quitter (Nettwerk Records), which drew cheers from the crowd.

“One Without the Other” was the missing link for the album to feel complete, while the title track was an upbeat charmer about reflecting on the past, present and future, and living for herself – not for others. I could tell she was excited to share the new music in her first headlining tour. She expressed that gratitude a few times through her set, stating it’s still “weird” to do what she does for a living and put herself out there, but thankful that fans have stuck with her.

Closing with the recently released “Parallel Universe,” she capped the night off perfectly. The use of shakers during the verses added character and I liked the subtlety. There were a couple moments where both the drums and guitar kicked in and I felt like it overpowered Katelyn’s voice (like during “Out of Excuses”), but for the most part, it remained clear and vivid. Her music is both compelling and poetic, and she embodies her stories as a performer.

It was a great night of music at The Wise Hall by two angel artists. I say angels as both were gracious and stayed to meet and interact with fans post-show. It’s by no means mandatory nor expected, but it says a lot about an artist’s integrity and certainly adds to the concert experience to get to speak with the musicians outside of any minor stage interactions. Both were receptive and kind, and I can’t wait until Katelyn and Rosie make their returns to Vancouver.

Written by: Chloe Hoy

[writingmylifesstory]

Book Review

The Shine and Bright Duology

I’ve been wanting the Girls’ Generation tea. As a Sone, I feel like I was more personally affected than Jessica was when she was kicked out of GG. While she promotes this book as fictional, she makes some pretty outlandish claims about her ex girl group.

In Shine, Rachel aka Jessica is a trainee with a dream. Reading about the trainee days is so much fun and makes me want to work harder at my own goals. But Rachel has to put up with relentless bullying and even her band mate (probably Taeyeon let’s be real) drugging her all because she’s a threat because she’s so talented and perfect and gets things handed to her easily…ok….

It gets juicy when Rachel enters into a relationship with another kpop star (dating isn’t allowed). Some drama ensues and finally Rachel gets to debut with her bully band mates, achieving her dream. As a book, it’s pretty juvenile in its writing. I was hoping for something with more depth. But it’s reminiscent of Jenny Han and if you’re into high school drama then it’s probably a good pick for you. I did stop it at one point because I wasn’t into it but I picked it back up and finished it.

⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

Bright time jumps seven years into the future which sucks because I wanted to read about her experiences being the top girl group in the world. Like tell me more about the glitz and the glamour and the ungodly working hours.

But Bright delivers when it comes to a romantic love interest. Jessica, I get it. I too would have fallen in love with Tyler. He doesn’t know she’s famous. He likes her for her. He’s actually super successful and rich, surprise! He’s more than willing to protect her and her secret dating. He doesn’t mind having to lose paparazzi and in fact takes charge during the situations. I mean Taylor Swift’s exes and whoever else can’t deal with dating famous women need to take note.

She mentions she likes an expensive bag. Boom it’s hers. She mentions wanting to be a designer. He’s got the meeting set up with her favorite designer and buyers already set. I mean, this man was like made to make her dreams come true. It’s wilddddddd. He also unabashedly calls her his girlfriend in front of his family. He has zero issues claiming her or fighting for her. It’s insane.

Meanwhile, Rachel plays the victim because her band mates give her an ultimatum of choosing the band or her fashion line. She chooses neither which effectively means that she’s not listening to their concerns and then she’s surprised they kick her out??? Listen, I think Jessica leaving Girls’ Generation was their death keel. They shot themselves in the foot but why was she surprised? They told her what would happen.

Rachel also claims that they used her stolen lyrics for their next album which was shocking. I don’t get why they were this vindictive and cruel. Like you are co workers. Why is it this personal?

All in all, it was a fascinating read. Definitely a one sided piece but hey at least I got to learn some of the tea. I still love GG for what they gave me and I still support Jessica. I hope they can work it out one day.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars