Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

Anticipation is kind of a dangerous thing, wouldn't you agree?  When having such high hopes for something in particular, in your head you can only foresee two things happening:

1) Everything goes horribly wrong.  All your nightmares come true and all you want to do is run back home, crawl into fetal position and pretend your somewhere in Ecuador...or

2) All positive thoughts come to fruition and everything you wanted to go right, goes right!

Then you get these seldom once in a lifetime experiences where anticipation becomes an after thought.  Where only the conclusion occupies your mind because you don't want it to end.

I had the privilege to meet all five band members of Lord Huron, and I couldn't help but be taken aback at how humble and genuine these folks were.  I waited a mere year for their album to release, but they gave me an experience worth waiting a lifetime. 

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Lord huron has such a peculiar sound to them, in which you can't quite place your finger on.  Their afro-cuban, Western, Alternative rock flair can't be compared with anyone, or anything else I've heard, which is why I took such a great interest in them.  Right from the get go you can hear how synchronized and unique their instruments are played; the guitar riff in "She Lit a fire", the multi-layer percussions in "The Man Who Lives Forever", the delayed bass in "Lonesome Dreams".  Yet the one thing that stands out the most is the lyrics.  

I read a review on Lord Huron prior to Lonesome Dreams where the writer stated: "great bands create songs, but great lyricists create stories".  Ben Schneider (lead singer and founder of Lord Huron) is an amazing story teller, creating themes and rhythms that are extremely difficult to mimic.  The music and the stories he writes come together in such a way that you can't help but be engulfed in the atmosphere he creates.  Here are some of my favourites. 

"She Lit A Fire" - I spent countless hours trying to perfect this guitar riff that my fingers grew calluses over their calluses; totally worth it.  What impressed me the most is how this song is constructed. Each instrument has its own characteristic where one doesn't out shine the other.  It's a perfect blend of lyrical and instrumental ingenuity.  

- "I have been trying to find her

Want to give what I got
She lit a fire but now 

she's in my every thought"

"Ghost on the Shore" - The first time I heard this song, I pictured myself sitting on a rock in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a reason to leave but never finding one.  If you listen to the lyrics, it's funny how it resembles just that.  

- "Die if I must let my bones turn to dust

I'm the lord of the lake and I don't want to leave yet
All who sail off the coast ever more
Will remember the tale of the ghost on the shore"

"The Stranger" - The Stranger is by far my favourite Lord Huron track so far.  It is extremely uplifting, yet deeply meaningful at the same time.  I always find something different when I listen to this song, it's difficult to describe but nonetheless it's a beautiful song.  If you haven't already, I highly recommend listening to The Stranger.

- "All words of comfort can not take away my doubt

I've decided if it kills me I'll find out what you're about"

Once everything is said and done, you feel a little silly how anxious you were at the beginning.  How your heart races and your brows dampen just from the thought, but thats the beauty of anticipation.  We live for that.  We live for the thrill, for the feeling that only you in the entire world is experiencing this moment.  It's a great feeling and I really hope it happens again...I'll just have to wait. 

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

5/5

Recommend Songs:

She Lit A Fire

Lonesome Dreams

The Man Who Lives Forever

Ghost on the Shore

Brother

Favorite lyric: "I said life without end wouldn't have any meaning / The journey to death is the point of our being /Well the point of my life is to be with you babe / But there ain't enough time in the life that they gave me" - Man Who Lives Forever

Mumford and Sons - Babel

I've been entranced with the boys from Mumford and Sons since their inauguration to the indie music scene with "Sigh No More".  Many were weary at first with their folk like sound and melodramatic melodies, but with Marcus Mumford's charming personality, backed with a group of multi-talented musicians, Mumford and Sons took the hearts of millions around the world in the span of one year.

My girlfriend and I had the privilege to watch these four fellows take the stage at a sold out Air Canada Centre. I couldn't help but be proud of a band who exemplified the prowess of hard work and determination.  I also couldn't help but be proud of my city whom excepted and acknowledged the music these men have created.  Sigh No More was a classic, how they faired on their sophomore album is about to be determined.
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To my surprise, every critic review I read upon the release of Babel were all negative.  They ranked the album subpar or merely decent compared to their predecessor.  But here's the thing, none of these reviews took into consideration when, where, and why this album was created.  

Mumford and sons were a traveling folk band playing in venues such as The Horseshoe Tavern, now they have the #1 album in the world...in the WORLD!  Sticking together as a band and keeping a humble heart with so much success in such a short period of time is quite impressive in itself.  Now keep that in mind and realize that they recorded the entire album while on tour.  If that's not enough, you don't think Mumford understands the pressure they are under after Sigh No More?  They put this upon themselves, but as an aspiring artist, it's a problem I would love to have.

Ok, enough of my two cents, here is a review of a few tracks from Babel

"I Will Wait" - Their first single, and by far their best song on the album.  With its thumping bass drum and banjo plucking we've all come to love, "I Will Wait" grasps you with its first strum till its final kick drum.  Its first chorus slows down the melody dramatically, but it mimics the lyrics of having to wait for whats yet to come, and believe me it's worth the wait. 

"Lovers of the Lights" - Lucky for me they played this track during their performance at the ACC back in October.  Listen to the melody when Marcus Mumford sings "watch me stumble, over and over".  This little melody comes up periodically and I can't help but think of Dave Matthews Band when I hear it.  It must be the drum kit in the background that allude to Carter Beauford.

"Below My Feet" -  The lyrics "keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn" still haunt me today.  A play on words that Marcus Mumford is quite known for, his lyrical talent has driven and will continue to drive this band to even greater heights.  This song is the one I am most excited and looking forward to witnessing live.  Might I remind you that Marcus sings, plays guitar, kicks the bass drum and tambourine all at once?  I Know....Mind Blown!

Rating: 4 / 5

Recommended songs:

I Will Wait

Lovers of the Light

Below My feet

Lover's eyes

Broken Crown

Stars - The North

I love Canadian music, there is so much emotion and talent that others take for granted. That being said, I do admit there is a lot of Canadian music that may sound the same and have the same themes and rhythms, but to me, I couldn't ask for anything less.  Each time I listen to a Canadian artist, whither it be the Arkells, Feist, Brocken Social Scene, Toyko Police Club, Arcade Fire, Rush, or even Shad, each one of these artist mimic what it means to be Canadian through their music.  What it means to be Canadian can be debated, but all I know when I think canadian music: euphoric.
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I get such a rush every time I listen to Stars.  Every album they release, there are at least 4-5 different tracks that give me goosebumps; it's like they have a nack of sharing...freedom.  Their latest instalment "The North", i'm proud to say, never let up with those goosebumps.  The entire album hits a different spot with the same feeling; such a rush.
Their first single off the record, "Hold On When you Get Love and Let Go When You Give It", is not generic by any means.  For one, the title is ridiculous and their lyrics are all around the map.  But for front man Torquil Campbell, and front lady Amy Millan, ridiculous is usually whats hit's the spot.  I couldn't agree more.  I couldn't help but sing "take the weakest thing in you, and beat the bastards with it", in the car, at the gym, in my sleep.
"The North" was the next song that caught my attention.  Listen to the chorus during a long walk and don't tell me you didn't fall into deep thought.  Such a subtle, yet strong chorus, definitely worth the same title as the album.
Finally, "Through the Mines" has Arcade Fire written all over it.  Amy Millan and Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, are two of the most talented, Canadian, and under rated female singers in Canadian music today.  So poise yet so strong, "Through the Mines" simply brings you to another world.

I did not grow up listening to Canadian music when I was younger.  My sister was the one who usually chose the music in the house, in which I learned the acronym for R&B at a very young age.  But I haven't been more proud to say that the music that my country produces can easily contend with the best.  Rock on Canada!

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended Songs:
Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go When You Give It
The North
Through The Mines
Backlines
A Song Is a Weapon

Mystery Jets - Radlands

There are a few things I've learnt in my post grad era.  One, you have to learn how to take advice.  Two, patience is nothing short then a gift.  And three, ambition should never be feared from, but admired.  To many times have I been afraid to do what I want because I thought my dreams were too big.  Then I realized that dreaming small is the largest step to falling short.  I've always admired people who have large admiration, that believing you are the best at what you do is never by chance.

I recently watched a show at the Sound Academy in Toronto, excited to be part of a three thousand plus crowd singing and dancing uniformly.  But before the headline band could blow us all away with their strobe lights and dashing good looks, the opening band was well prepared to set us up for a knock out show. So much so that their music was stuck in my head the whole night, even throughout the headline's setlist (the headliner being Keane; and I love Keane).  On the off chance of shuffling through their music once or twice, Mystery Jets was just another band on my playlist that I had no real diligence to listen too; but I think that was the beauty of it.  It was the first time I payed close attention to their music, how they constructed their songs, how united they were as a band, and how determined they were to give the best show they could possibly give.
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Mystery Jets - Radlands

 

Their first song "Someone Purer" taught me a valuable lesson, if you are not aiming to grab their attention at first strike, good luck trying the rest of the night.  Lucky for me, this song grabbed my attention and latched on until I started to sing those oh's in ah's in the chorus; mind you this was the first time hearing it.  This is everything you would want in an opener, catchy, melodic, enthusiastic, and that guitar riff just sneaks up on you at the right moment........perfect!
"The Ballad of Emmerson Lonestar" was another track that stood out to me, but in a different way.  Since meeting my girlfriend, I've taught her how to listen to the different instruments individually.  In turn, she taught me how to listen to the lyrics as an instrument.
"Just a lone star in the sky/treading the night/cutting loose the mess you left/taking flight/from coast to coast you move like a ghost/trying to break the past/so follow the rope to wherever it goes/and strike up another chance".  I also couldn't forget "The Hale Bop".  This one's like a 21st century Ghostbusters!

Mystery Jets understanding for music was what excited me the most while watching them live.  Their camaraderie on stage, their attention to detail, their unity as a band, you could just tell that they didn't get here by chance.  Believing in what you do already sets yourself a part from the rest.  Funny what music can teach you some times.

Mystery Jets - Radlands
3/5
Recommended Songs:
Someone Purer
The Ballad of Emmerson Lonestar
The Hale Bop
Sister Evert
Radlands

@jayleung20

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

The waiting wasn't the hard part; it was knowing that the waiting would soon come to an end that hurt the most.  I have been a Coldplay fan since their first EP's "Brothers & Sisters" and "Castles", but like any other music enthusiast, no one could have imagined their forthcoming popularity; though it's no surprise that their popularity continues to grow.  No other band has the ability to cross genres from Alternative Rock - Hip-Hop - Heavy Rock - Country - Synth/Pop, and still keep it relatively Coldplay.  Their music is never about how catchy, how danceable, or how many "oohs" & "ahhs" you can sing along to. It's always about how effective it is in the end.  If a million people hated their music, but one person loved every minute, then it was worthwhile.  Their music is genuine, it's uplifting, and most importantly...it's powerful.
All of you know how excited I was about this album; so i'm going to take this opportunity to give an in-depth, track by track review of Coldplay's fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto:
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Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Mylo Xyloto  - Chris Martin on Piano & Johnny Buckland on Guitar, what more can you ask for?  I can't wait to wake up in the morning with this playing in the background and the sun hitting my face; it's gonna' be a great day.

Hurts Like Heaven - I'm gonna' jump the boat right now and say this is my favourite song off the album.  Chris's ability to find rhythms and rhymes that fit perfectly to certain tempos is unparalleled.  This introductory track gives all four members a chance to reintroduce themselves to the world.  The lyrics, the beat, the chords - I just can't get enough.  Plus, the first time I heard this song was live. That never hurts. 

Paradise - Synth based melody, heavily distorted bass guitar and a hip-hop infused back beat does not spell out Coldplay; but because of their innovation and charisma as a band, they pull off one hell of a song and the second single off Mylo. 

Charlie Brown - Without a doubt, my second favourite song off the album.  What impressed me the most was their production and how well they incorporated every single sound.  Every instrument has a chance to stand out and have it's own spotlight.  Pay attention to the extra background voice at 1:10, subtle yet extremely effective.  If you asked me to give you just one song off the album to listen to, it would be this one.  (Hurt's Like Heaven is for me =)

Us Against The World - This song builds and builds, then softly sets you back down to reality.  It is a beautiful song with Will Champion backing up his partner in a melodic harmony.  "Through chaos as it swirls, it's us against the world". I think I found my new favourite lyric. 

M.M.I.X - Roman numeral for 2009, a synth, spacey based introduction to Coldplay's first single:

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall (ETIAW) - This song totally grew on me.  I was skeptical at first because I couldn't shake the fact that it was so different, not just compared to past Coldplay songs, but to music in general.  Essentially, ETIAW is made up of three parts: Verse/Breakdown/Chorus.  It's one enormous build up, which is probably the reason why they use it as their last song in their live setlist. 

Major Minus - Other reviews have pinned this as the evil cousin of the album and I couldn't agree more.   What stands out the most to me is the bass riff that Guy Berryman performs on this song.  High to low, dragging notes makes him the focal point of the track. 

U.F.O - This was the one that reminded me the most of their older songs.  Chris Martin is a phenomenal songwriter with an even better voice.  

Princess Of China Feat. Rihanna - This was the song that shook Coldplay fans.  It's fine if Coldplay featured in Hip-Hop music, but not the other way around.  Though I have to say, as skeptical as I was, this song couldn't work without Rihanna; the chorus was meant for her.  Worth a listen. 

Up In Flames - This one was oddly one of my favourites as well.  Purely Chris Martin, he produces certain melodies that only a certain few can imagine.  Call me crazy, but I can't scratch the feeling that this should be used in a Disney film...no?  Give it another go. 

A Hopefully Transmission - The third and final intermission to the album.  I love the use of shakers and cowbells...

Don't Let It Break Your Heart - The pick-me-upper if you will. Can be compared to Coldplay's Politik. A booming, fast paced, instrument driven song, where Chris's voice is mostly used as back-up to the guitars and drums. 

Up With The Birds - A fitting ending to another epic tale of Coldplay.  Almost like a goodbye and hope to see you soon rendition.  Johnny breaks through half way into the song and Coldplay is at it again; this time with a more country feel.  A Great ending to another great album.

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

5/5

Recommended:

Hurt's Like Heaven

Charlie Brown

Up In Flames

Princess of China

Us Against the World

Arkells - Michigan Left

Nothing is ever good enough for the people you care about, so why is it so hard to believe that nothing is good enough for you?  Self deprecation happens to everyone whether you like it our not, and everyone has their own way of dealing with such torment.  For me, I have my friends, my family and my music.  No not my own, just yet, but music that I believe was written specifically for me, right for this moment. Albums that should just be named "Jason's album".  Motivation is always hard to find, but when it comes by, its easy to let go of, that's why we always search for it.  I haven't been finding too much music lately, what with all the post grad business, but that doesn't mean i've stop listening; luckily I found an album that catered to what I was feeling at the time.  The Arkells is a Canadian band from Hamilton Ontario and their sophomore album Michigan Left doesn't shy too far away from their first album, Jackson Square.  You can hear the influence of other great Canadian bands such as Toyko Police club and The Trews in their music.  Possible contender for album of the year at the Juno's.....nothing like an Arcade Fire Grammy, but never a bad thing to support a fellow Canadian band.
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Arkells - Michigan left

The Arkells is a true Rock & Roll band, no need for showmanship, no gimmicks or crazy light shows, they speak through their music, their instrument and their charisma.  Every time I listen to their music, I try to picture them writing it, then performing it and having the time of their lives.  I remember playing with my first band back in high school, and even when it wasn't music any of us really truly loved, we made it from scratch. Our identity was entirely in this music and it was overwhelming.  There was a video of them recording "On Paper"and it just reminded me of that moment where the four of us finished writing a song, and on that final note we all stopped and looked at each other and said...."yea!" Great moment, better feeling.  During "Michigan Left", right away you can pick out the Tokyo Police Club in every strum.  The fun, funky rhythm, with a little mix of reggae, really uplifts anyones sub-par feelings towards life.

I always tell people when i'm teaching them an instrument, even before I teach them anything, is to just play.  Play whatever you can or whatever you know, because more times then not, you hear something no one else can when you're just having fun.  Music usually starts off not what it is intended to sound like, much like life itself.  If you wish for life to turn out the way you intend it to be, you're straight out of luck buddy, 'cause that doesn't even make sense.

Arkells - Michigan Left
3.5/5
Recommended songs:
On Paper
Michigan left
Book Club
Kiss Cam
Whistleblower

Freedom Or Death - Ego

It's really great to be back writing and having the motivation to share music with you again. I've been excited for a while to share my life story and what i've been listening to along the way.  It was important to choose something special to share with you after such a long absence, though honestly I haven't found anything that truly stands out to me...'til now.  But first lets get a run down of what's been going on.  I finished school - thats right, I graduated people!  I finished a summer job and i'm just about to begin a new one with my parents.  I've started to record again and I've also started giving drum lessons to beginner drummers (if you're interested, let me know).  My sister is back from her stay in New York and it's always nice to have her back; and i'm happily in a relatively new relationship in which I don't see the end coming anytime soon (thats a good thing right??) All in all, i'm still living life and i'm still listening to music, and I have a little story that goes along with this artist.
I found this artist a while back, loved the song but could never find the album.  I went to HMV and unfortunately they told me they wouldn't be shipping in any new music in since they were closing down.  I went back a month or two after to see their closing sale, and there it was, sitting there, alone with all the discount stickers.  I felt like they ordered just one for me, and I never came to pick it up until now...It was meant to be.  So here you go....Freedom Or Death
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Freedom or Death - Ego

I'm sorry for such a long (re)intro to this blog, but I was just so excited to be back; and to be honest there are only two songs I really want you to listen to anyway.  One of them is the first song that attracted me the most to this band: "This Crowded Room".  If you listen closely, front man Sway hardly sings without a harmonization.  Every section, whether it be the verse, chorus or breakdown, someone in the background is singing or humming in a different timing or a different tone; its simply genius.  Their cross between electronic, hip/hop infused alternative style makes them unique in so many ways.  If I could make a comparison, (without getting any hatred from it) I would say they sound much like the Toronto sensation "The Weekend".....but better.  Just take a listen to my second request: "Virginia Woolf".  The voice is such an important instrument in which they use to their advantage.  Listen to the slight vibrato during the second verse at 1:10; I mean really, who thinks of this stuff?

This is truly a great piece of work which should make its way to the mainstream; though i'm quite glad, and proud that I found it before the radio destroyed it.  None the less, it was something to share, and something i've wanted to share for a while.  It's never too late to share a good thing. If you keep it amongst yourself, it slowly becomes stale.  So share everything you got...before it starts to turn on you!

Freedom Or Death - Ego
4/5
recommended songs:
This Crowded Room
Virginia Woolf
Human
Nobody Listens

Stornoway - Beachcombers Windowsill

I know it's been a while since i've written anything lately but to my defence, there has been a million things unfolding in the last month or so and I tried to find the perfect album to see fit.  First off, let me begin with my status as a university student............I'M DONE!  I know right, I finally finished my twenty one years of schooling and to be honest, it's a little surreal, though when it does hit me, I don't doubt that it'll hit me like a bag of bricks.  Second, I found two other jobs that will eventually help me with my future plans, although one of these occupations diverts me back into the kitchen where the smell of fried foods, a number of different sauces and sweat all mixed into one is so potent that not even the strongest of colognes can hide it....just think of the money.  And third, I believe I have finally found someone that can bare/withstand my randomness, who I can say is a really good friend to me as well; but that's a whole other story.  Either way, epic right?...So I knew I had to take the time and find the right album to share my story, and here it is...

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A pair of brothers playing up-beat and folky tracks while using an assortment of different instruments make up the core of Stornoway.  With comparison to the very talented Mumford & Sons, who's influential music exploded onto the indie music scene, Stornoway's sound is fresh, unique, and a perfect soundtrack for a road trip in the summer.  "Zorbing" is by far the most unique song i've heard in years.  Listen to the low harmony in the pre-chorus beginning at 0:36, and the eccentric bass line beginning at 1:20.  Their arrangement of sound is quite reassuring, simply because it proves how talented people can be without having to mimic others.  "Fuel up"...do you remember that feeling you get when you hear a certain song, or remember a certain memory and you get this sudden, yet comforting chill that is simply unexplainable?...well take a moment and listen to this song.  That exact moment happened to me at the 1:32 mark when the bassist drops an unbelievable rift that just sends chills down my spin.  If I could define that feeling with one word, I think I would call it 'Swoon'!

I enjoyed this album very much. One, because its simply brilliant; two, because their song writing ability is very influential; and three...they reassure me that in fact, what i'm doing in my life is the right choice.  It may not be the best, but it's the one I want to take - which is the only choice for me.  If I could give anyone advice, (since i've been getting the best as of late) I would say to just take a new look at your goals and accomplishments. You'd be surprised at what you may find by simply keeping the same path with a different approach.  At the end of it all, you are what you love, not what loves you...

Stornoway - Beachcombers Windowsill
4.5/5
Recommended songs:
Zorbing
Fuel Up
Watching Birds
I Saw You Blink
Here Comes The Blackout

The Weekend - House of Balloons

Respect is extremely difficult to come by. It's not just something you can slap a label on and move on, it's something you have to earn and prove you deserve.  I have great respect for people, much like my parents, who came to a foreign country not knowing the language, who fought their way against all odds, and earned their respect.  Our generation is so blinded by the things we are supposed to earn with the things we are given. It's hard to understand what respect is supposed to stand for.  So I decided to write a review on an artist who I believe has given great dividends to a genre in which has lost its respect throughout the years.  Coming from a generation where auto-tune, dub-step and mediocre lyrics have somehow taken top reign in the music industry, true R&B has fallen off the map and I for one missed out on the chance to succumb to artist such as Boyz II Men, Aaliyah, Mary J. Blidge, Erykah Badu, Marvin Gaye, all of which have been forgotten to some extent.  But we can't dwell on what we've missed, instead we should appreciate what R&B has become and use these artists as inspiration. Give them our respect.

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The Weekend - House of Balloons

To set the record straight, no I don't think this mix-tape has saved or somehow reincarnated the R&B genre. Instead, I think it has done a great job producing its own rendition; creating a certain sub-genre that pays dividends to its origins, while staying modern. Abel Tesfaye, stage name The Weeknd, is a Toronto based artist who draws his listeners in with his slow, seductive and melancholic voice, backed up by a dark and eerie production that mirrors the late hours of a very....very long night out.  "The Party & The After Party" is a perfect example of what you may listen to while fixing yourself up, or slowing yourself down from the extremities of a long night.  There are a few things that kept me interested while listening to this track.  1) the sample that is used during the chorus is equally haunting and beautiful, which fits perfectly to its theme... and 2) I can't help but recognize the similarities between this song and Beach House's "Take Care".  Then again, there are two parts to this seven minute track, so I'll leave it to you to describe what you feel while listening.  If you haven't realized already, Tesfaye uses themes such as sex, drugs and money in most of his music, which is basically the exact same concept for modern day rappers; Tesfaye just makes it more appealing.  "The Morning" is another great example of Tesfaye's rendition of sub-genre R&B (comparable to Drake's: Houstalantavegas).  The mixture between Hip-Hop, alternative rock and R&B are all evident in Tesfaye's music, which I believe is a step in the right direction for this coming of age sub-genre.

Respect, again, is only earned when it is equally received.  You cannot go out of your away and just expect others to respect you for what you've done, you have to earn it.  It may takes months, or years, or even decades to earn the respect of others, but when you believe in yourself, it may take mere seconds. After that, everyone else's opinion just doesn't seem to matter.

The Weekend - House of Balloons
4/5
recommended:
The Party & The After Party
The Morning
Loft Music
High For This
What You Need

Lupe Fiasco - Lasers

Simply put, this review is all about having to do shit you just don't want to do.  Accomplishments are one thing, where you want to finish what you've started for your own benefit, but having to do something because of a deadline, more often then not, you tend to finish with something mediocre.  Now i'm not saying that Lupe's "Lasers" is a terrible album, i'm just saying that i've been waiting for this album for quite some time, and it didn't really deliver.  Then after a couple clicks of the mouse, I notice that Lupe himself bashes on his own album.  "When I think about what it took to actually get the record together and everything that I went through on this record—which is something I can’t separate—I hate this album".  This of course has much do with his record label wanting something more commercial so they can sell more albums, but when you have no motivations and a deadline heading your way, you better be ready for some criticism.  
#21 

Lupe has delivered some memorable tracks, such as the infamous "kick kick push", and "hip-hop saved my life", so there was no doubt I was going to be excited for this album to release.  His first single "The Show Goes On" emphasized my excitement for two main reasons: 1) the track samples one of my all time favourite songs in "Float On" by Modest Mouse, and 2) he speaks about the struggles of fame but no matter the circumstance, the show must go on, making the theme ambiguous.  I have a new found respect for Lupe because of his taste in music, but after listening to his whole album, trying to find a glimpse of what may resemble his old style and flow...it just wasn't there.  Tracks like "State Run Radio" (hip-hop rock with repeating chorus line?), "I don't Wanna Care Right Now" (his rendition of Enrique Iglesias "Tonight") and "Break The Chain" (Lupe going DubStep)...you can just tell that Lupe isn't comfortable for the direction he is heading towards, no thanks to his commercial based record label.  Without bashing his album to hard, Lupe does produce a few tracks that do deserve to be notified.  "Letting Go" is surprisingly rhythmic, and the hook is quite catchy.  I won't be surprised if this was his next hit single".  "All Black Everything" is another track I caught myself bobbing my head to, and I realize that it's true; if you have a title that catches your eye, you tend to pay a little bit more attention to it.


I guess this criticism may be coming from the extra negativity of me having to do three 2500 word essays in a span of two weeks, and i've only finished one.  Though it all comes down to the feeling of accomplishments.  I know that if I finish these three, and if I just bite the bullet and not loose control, I will finish what I started and I wont have to face all these critics telling me I have to do it a certain way in order to be successful.  Sooner or later I will be able to do shit my way and I wont have to speak for anybody, people will have to speak for me.  Someone commented on my post, telling me that finishing an essay during St.patty's day isn't cool at all, but it does sound like a coming of age CEO.....yea damn straight!


Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
2/5
Recommended:
The Show Goes On
Letting Go
All Black Everything
Till I Get There
Coming Up

Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart

The world is so exciting, there is so much to explore and so much to do in one lifetime.  It's kind of hypocritical of me to say that since I still live in Markham, but that doesn't mean that my mind is under constraints only because my body is confined to one place.  I realized how young I actually am and how lucky to still have the time to do what I want to do, an epiphany if you will.  I don't see the problem of setting extremely high goals, which are usually unachievable but aiming for them any way, not realizing where you might land.  You may end up pissed off or utterly disappointed, but at the same time, you wouldn't have known if you haven't tried.  So in that case...i'm gonna aim high....really high...put a blindfold on and ignite the tip...care to join?
#20

Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart

All this talk about control makes me think of how little control we actually have.  Yes we have control of our actions, reactions and thoughts, but we have absolutely no control over the outcome...to me, thats extremely exciting, and I thought Ida Maria's album Fortress Round My Heart is the perfect example of control vs. chaos.  Let's start with the aspect of chaos and what better song to represent chaos then "Oh My God".  Straight forward lyrics (mostly repeated), four chord progression, and a chorus line that speaks volumes to the subject of chaos.  "Oh my god, oh you think i'm in control, oh my god, oh you think it's all for fun"...oh and don't forget that slide bass line at the end of the song which is an awesome yet simple addition.  Now if we switch sides for a moment and find a song that represents the aspect of control, "Leave Me Let Me Go" does just that.  A slow, melancholic song that tells the tale of lost love and the venture to find the feeling of happiness once again.  What caught my attention during this song is the build up in the pre-chorus, where Ida rises the tone and rides her emotions high until she lets it fall to the chorus.  Finally we end off with another chaotic track which is quite self-explanitory through its title: "I Like You So Much Better When Your Naked"...basically just listen, have fun with it and take it as you will...cause to be honest...i'm still a little confused lol.

All in all this is just a fun album to listen to.  It's not too serious, nor is it too intense to enjoy, plus it went hand and hand with what I was going through while listening.  Since all my friends were out drinking and partying while I was stuck at home working and writing my essay(s), I needed to listening to something that would lighten up the mood.  We are all way to young to take things so seriously.  We have to realize that there will always be a chaotic side and a controlled side to a story...so lets all just chill out, do what we want to do and live our age for once!

Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
3/5
Recommended:
Oh My God
I Like You So Much Better When Your Naked
Louie
Leave Me Let Me Go
Morning Light

Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza

Things are falling into place and the weather is finally settling down.  Maybe this is just the calm before the storm but till then I can finally take a little breather.  All of these descriptions are metaphors of course, but needless to say, my workload has settled down and my work schedule is about to take a hiatus.  The world knew I needed a break and it gave to me.  So with that said, I wanted to reflect on my current status with an album by an artist who recently won best new artist a few days ago at the Grammy's.  I'm not going to lie, I was just as confused as the next person by their decision to choose such an artist, let alone such a genre, for this award...but then I gave it a listen and i started to understand...the concept of do what you love and it'll take you far was evident.  With artists such as Lady Antebellum and Arcade Fire taking home major awards, it's no secret that the game is changing and personality seems to be shaping the directions of the critics.  My job for example takes a lot out of me (distance, dealing with fans, always keeping a positive attitude), but I absolutely love it, and no matter how tired I am from school or other social activities, I know that if i just do what i love and not act like its my job, it'll take me far.  So far it's working in my favour and i'm glad that the same concept is working for an artist like Esperanza Spalding.
#19

Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza

Jazz is not my strong suit but I can still tell if a flow is working or not.  Esperanza started playing the double bass when she was four and attended the Berkeley college of music, which is essentially the Harvard for music students.  Her trend of adapting Brazilian style to fit with jazzy tones is exquisite, it's catchy, it's smooth and you can just tell that she loves it...you have to feel it.  Her bass and her voice are an extension of her body and her first single "Precious" is proof of just that.  This record is by far the most mainstream of her records, though much like Drake's hit single "Over", I guarantee you that Precious will grow on you without a doubt.  "Ponta De Areia" is another beautiful record sung entirely in Portuguese, adapting her brazilian roots to a jazz rendition.  Since i'm not educated in the Portuguese language, I took this opportunity to just sit and listen, especially to the voice since the voice is essentially another instrument in itself.  I have a great respect for jazz musicians, not only because its bloody difficult to play, but it pushes you to feel the music, not just to perform it.

My sister pointed out that you have to have a certain form of recognition in order to be deserving of an award, such as best new artist.  I agree to an certain extent only because fame and recognition is what artist gain through time, but not what artist usually strive for...well I can't speak for all because i'm not an artist myself, but you can't be too surprised for Esperanza to win this award.  Personally I would of chosen Mumford & Sons because of their pure talent and rapid recognition, but the category was up in the air...secretly everyone cheers for the underdog and sometimes they prevail.

Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza
4/5
Recommended Songs:
Precious
Ponta De Areia
I know You Know
Body & Soul
Ps...I added a few things on the bottom...check it out!

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

It's already February, which means that the new year is no longer new, it's relative to our agendas and adding that extra one shouldn't be an issue...but doesn't it seem that time is moving so fast, you hardly realize that its passing by?  The date moves closer and closer, and as I wake up for my unnerving 8:30 Monday morning class, I begin to realize that there will always be a deadline.  We are always waiting or working towards a certain date that we either dread, or ponder upon...and because of these deadlines, we loose track of the rest of the month, or the other 27, 29, or 30 days.  We look forward to the marked days on our calendars, and when these days pass, we look to the next and the cycle continues.  I to am a victim of these addicting traits, which ultimately left me wondering where in the world January just went, but to be honest, deadlines and due dates are inevitable...everyone works towards something, and when we reach that goal, we set another.  You can always finish what you've started but you can never be truly satisfied...there is always something new you can accomplish.

#19

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Expectations are another theme that goes hand and hand with deadlines.  If you reach a deadline it doesn't necessarily mean you've reached a certain expectation.  Arcade Fire on the other hand takes the pressure from the success of their debut and sophomore albums and release what some critics have acknowledged as the best record in 2010.  The Suburbs has by far reached and exceeded the expectations of their fans and critics alike with their nine piece multi-talented band.  Their instruments include guitar, bass, violin, viola, double bass, cello, percussions, drum kit, keyboards, harps, accordions, mandolin, and some others i've never even heard of...and their sound isn't to bad either.  "We Used To Wait" (Enter your address, its a very cool video) is such a great record I don't even know where to start.  There are layers upon layers of creativity that just scream out excellence.  Subtle layers such as the ghosted guitar riff at 0:38, the back up ascending vocals in the chorus beginning at 2:28, or bass line during the bridge at 3:53 make this record that much more creative.  The three chord piano lick that is looped through out the whole song holds the record together, allowing this Montreal native band to explore their own creativity.  "Sprawl II" is another record I found extremely compelling...the live version is even better.  For my fellow Arcade Fire fans, Sprawl II in my opinion is the following up of "Haiti" from their first record Funeral.  Both records feature the voice of Regine Chassagne and you can't help but fall in love with her voice, and her character on stage.  At one point during the pre-chorus, Regine sings "that we can never get away from the Sprawl".  During this verse, she ascends then descends the range of notes, as if she was painting a portrait of a mountain top, ranging her notes from high to low.  It's such a beautiful concept.

I want to think that after I am done school, I will be rid of all the due dates and deadlines that have me loosing sleep for the last four years, then again, i'm also afraid it might get even worse.  Maybe I have finally found what school has been trying to prepare me for...always make the deadline.  I am this much closer to my deadline, I just need that one last push.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

5/5

We Used To Wait

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Rococo

Ready To Start

Modern Man

Funeral

Neon Bible

Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt

I am a firm believer of the term "don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do".  If you have the drive and potential to do what ever you are set out to do, nothing in this world can stop you.  I enter into my last semester of my short university career and when looking back on my school days, I was never a very good student.  Not in a skip school, never attend sort of way, I was just unable to get good grades no matter how hard I tried.  My sister is a huge role model for me, and for good reason too...smart, determined, focused, driven...and an A student.  Me on the other hand, I have the drive, I have the determination, but a C+, B student at best.  Never did I have a mark where my parents could keep on their fridge and ponder at the fact that both of their kids are A students in a foreign country where they couldn't even speak the language when they arrived.  So when I surprised my parents with my first A in a Canadian university where "A's" were usually bell curved, the look that my mother had on her face was priceless, it was a mixture of emotions where she was speechless and on the brink of tears...in other words the happiest i've seen her in years.  It took me 15 years of schooling, and thousands of dollars, but that one "A" and the smile on my mother's face was worth ever cent.
#18

Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt

You may remember this band from a couple of years ago with their hit single "Boston"...ring a bell?  Remember that catchy piano lick in the beginning of the song?  If not, you may remember them playing in the background of certain melodramatic television shows...cause that's where I found them.  Don't start teasing me now, "Friday Night Lights" is an extremely well written, well acted show, and the music they chose lead me to a great album, and another review.  The song that I was so determined to (as my sister and I would put it) Shazam was called "Fire".  This fully acoustic piano track is a great example of lead singer Dan Layus's song writing ability.  His choice of chords and his heartfelt lyrics apprehend the audience up until his final howl of the word "home", staying with the note for at least fourteen seconds...I couldn't keep a high note for more then four seconds even if I tried.  "Twenty Years" is another song that is driven by Layus's piano and soft spoken lyrics.  The melody he chooses are simple, but the way he arranges them are quite unique.  For example, the first two bars of "Twenty Years" stays with a traditional four bar stanza, but on the third bar, he switches from a sharp to a flat, rearranging conventional chords to an unconventional melody.

I choose this album mainly because it was simple and too the point.  From the very first note, you were able to tell that the band had a connection with each other and the music they were writing.  It was real, nothing fake, and they had nothing to hide, which reminded me that simplicity is still the answer to many things.  There is always pressure all around us to do something out of the ordinary, something you're not comfortable with, something that you know you wouldn't do if you had a choice.  The reason I got a good grade was because I chose to keep it simple.  I chose a subject I was comfortable discussing, and wrote a paper on which I felt was something I would even say out loud.  Just keep it simple, with anything, doesn't matter if no one else likes it...."you just gotta do you".

Augustana - Can't Love, Can't hurt
4/5
recommended:
Fire
Twenty Years
When Love Went Wrong
Hey Now
Sweet & Low

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

So I know it's been a while since my last review...I guess it's just been a while since I found something that would get me back on track.  It's the first night of the new year and like every other year, I was hoping that I would feel different, that 2011 would be a milestone and that everything would fall into place.  Well wishful thinking usually takes the better of me but while everything remains the same, it is in fact a new year which I find very comforting.  It's another year for me to learn and discover more about myself, allow myself to take chances that i've never dreamt of in previous years, and be able to make new mistakes that I would learn from and look back after another three hundred sixty five.  2010 was also filled with memorable moments as well...I was able to attend my first wedding for a friend...a best friend appointed me to plan out his bachelor party...found out that my cousin is having a baby...watched my sister purchase her first car...have my family be behind me for my future plans...and most importantly..not being able to remember anything from the new years party
.......oh and one more thing....being able to write this blog

#17
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

I have to say..this album is phenomenal.  This trio of country singers/musicians have me bobbing my head on the subway as if I were listening to a new jay-z record.  Their song writing ability is simply refreshing and their sound blends with the sweet trends of country-pop and alternative rock.  Lady Antebellum has won a Grammy for best duo performance of the year, and has been nominated for countless CMT and AMC awards including Best New Artist, and Best Single of the year.  It is extremely hard to pin point one or two songs that may do justice to the album as a whole, but due to my constraints, I have to say "Hello World", and "American Honey" nabs my choices.  What caught me the most about the record "Hello World" were the lyrics that lead/background vocalist Charles Kelley evokes in this song, speaking about life itself and how we take it to seriously.  The structure of the song is very climactic, reaching peak after peak until it concludes in a beautiful instrumental ending.  "American Honey" is where the country flow kicks in, painting a vocal picture of a hot summer day with the wind on your back. (not to get you confused, it's the same band, but the lead vocals change from time to time with Charles and Hillary sharing the role)

You have to realize that every year is going to be different, your going to be a year older, an age you probably wont be or don't want to be familiar with.  Your going to lose friends you wish you would never leave, but your also going to gain new friendships with others you've never thought you would have.  Your going to make mistakes you wish you've never made, but realize that you've learned and those mistakes will never be replayed....and you're going to be able to spend another year with your family cause you never know when thats going to end.....
so happy new year to you all and I wish nothing more but the best for you and your family

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
4.5/5
recommended:
Hello World
American Honey
Need You Now
When you got a good thing
Our Kind of Love

Vega4 - You And Others

I've made mistakes in my life....who hasn't...like any other human being, I feel sorry for my mistakes and I have a conscience thats eating away at me, but sorry doesn't usually cut it.   I've tried to make everyone around me happy, but thats the catch, you can't make everyone happy all at once...someone is going to dislike you, someone is going to disagree with you whither you like it or not.  Then there are times where you have to man up and admit your mistakes, admit you've been a jerk at times, but instead of faltering in self pity, you take it as a learning experience for the long run.  My closest friends are usually the victims to my impulsive reactions to certain situations and if anyone is going to tell me the truth, it would be them.  I rely on two or three of them to tell me exactly what I need to hear, even if its going to hurt me even more...but i wouldn't take a verbal punch from any one else but them....you just have to learn to listen.

#16

Vega4 - You And Others

One of my friends asked me where I find my music and all I told him was that I try to listen to every suggestion possible.  I listen to clips of songs used during commercial breaks, during movie trailers, or television programs..(never the radio, radio destroys the fun out of finding new and impressive music), and I take the time to listen to what other people enjoy.  There must be a reason why people choose the music they listen to, a feeling that is unexplainable and only attainable if you give it a chance.  I found Vega4 during a movie trailer and I knew right off that bat that I had to find their music; the feeling was there, I could hear it, I just had to find it.  "A Billion Tons of Lights" uses the ambient sounds of the Tone-pad instrument which suits the title of the track perfectly.  You can tell by the lyrics and the continues 16 bar loop that this song was directly influenced by the Tone-pad instrument and I've been waiting for an alternative rock band to do just that.  "Tearing Me Apart" is another song influenced by the Tone-pad instrument, though Vega4 definitely leans towards the rock approach with this track.  I have yet to hear another alternative rock band gutsy enough to use an instrument that only requires the tapping of your fingers, but regardless of the fact, Vega4 has created a new and exciting way to combine music with technology.  It doesn't take much effort to produce an irreplaceable loop from the Tone-pad, but combining with a full four piece band requires a great amount of skill...

It's hard to keep track of what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong, the only way to know is if my friends are still there by my side.  I do apologize for my misjudgments I embarked on these past few months, but if I had the chance to go back and change my decisions, I don't think I would.  I do believe in second chances, and I do believe that there is no weakness in forgiveness, you just have to make sure it's deserving.

Vega4 - You And Others
3.5/5
Recommended
Tearing Me Apart
A Billion Tons of Lights
Life is Beautiful
Traffic Jam

The Most Serene Republic - ...And The Ever Expanding Universe

Funny story...I went to go watch Ra Ra Riot perform at the Mod Club this past Wednesday and I saw a class mate walk by while heading to the washroom.  I thought nothing of it since we don't really speak to one another in class, though I knew it was him from his distinct characteristics.  While walking back to the concert floor, I see him once again fixing up the guitars, and helping the opening band prepare for their performance.  I turn to my friend and say..."hey look, the guitar tech..he's in my class", she replies with a raised eyebrow "dude, that's the lead singer".  Astonished, I watched his band perform in front of hundreds of people and to my surprise...they were really good!  At that moment, I knew I had to purchase their album, write a review, and someway somehow become his friend....man i feel like a groupie!

#15

The Most Serene Republic - ...And The Ever Expanding Universe

Little did i know that MSR had more then one album out in stores, so it was definitely difficult for me to choose which one to listen too, then I began to remember the performance and pinpointed the song that caught my attention.  "Heavens to Purgatory" (and yes, thats the guy in my class) fulfilled my needs for weird and uncanny musical genres.  The combination of The Shins and The Strokes, mixed with a trans back beat, a banjo outline, and a verse melody that ranges from high to low much like a seismic monitor, is by far the weirdest and most interesting thing i've heard this past year.  Whats most enticing to me is how MSR is not looking for that commercial sound, they find pleasure in producing their own music that fit their needs, and the ones of their avid fans.  "Phi" is another track that provides that indie style, out of the ordinary feeling that i find appealing.  MSR produces an array of musical sounds that fit together like a puzzle, in which one sound may feel naked on its own, but when put together, its simply euphoric.  

It's crazy to think that a classmate of mine, who sits right across from me in tutorial, is performing on the same stage as Ra Ra Riot, it just makes you think of all the talent thats around you.  You just never know who's next in line to stardom, who's the next richest man or women, or who's the next greatest inventor.  The talent amongst your friends, family, and or classmates is incredible, in fact, the talent you bestow amongst yourselves is incredible, we just need that time in the spotlight to share our talents that may potentially change the world.  I might be going overboard with my optimist, but at the same time....you never know....

The Most Serene Republic - ...And The Ever Expanding Universe

3/5

recommended:

Heavens to Purgatory

Phi

No One Likes a Nihilist

All of One is the Other

Mt. Desolation - Mt. Desolation

Sometimes you need a change, a change from your regular routine, a change from what's comfortable to what's exciting.  Admittedly, i've been letting my last year of university slip right through my fingers, by the end of next week ill only have one more semester left...then its off to the world.  The problem is...thats where the regular routine kicks in.  The dreadful 9-5, make dinner from 6-7, eat dinner and watch some glee from 7-8..make plans for the weekend from 9-10, get ready for bed and do it all over again.  I don't know if i can handle it, though i know its looming around the corner, waiting for me, lusting at its inevitability.  I'm not saying its a terrible life style, but i can't say it was something i was looking forward to....I wanted to look outside the box, and i think i found something.
#14

Mt. Desolation - Mt. Desolation

 I found this band while searching through another one of my favourite bands named Keane.  Their pianist Tim Rice-Oxley took time off from his original quartet  and focused on a side project entitled Mt. Desolation.  I wasn't sure how to make out the album, the Keane factor was quite apparent, though the country/up-tempo concept took me by surprise.  It's not something i normally listen to, but when you branch off to something unusual, it's kind of exciting. "State of our Affairs" was the first song i listened too off the album, and this two verse, no chorus, heavy violin and piano piece stood out from the rest.  It might be a bad example when trying to explain the rest of the album, but its not a song i could leave out.  The 2:03 mark was something unexplainable and definitely something i had to share.  By using their own instruments, the band strung together a plethora of notes to create a chaotic sound that oddly fit together with the rest of the song; they invented an acoustic distortion.  "Coming Home" is a much more formal, yet equally emotional piece by Mt. Desolation.  This Keane influence song reminded me much of "Somewhere only we know" by the same band, which you may remember its fifteen minutes of fame from the movie "He's just not that into you".....which i watched...and yes..enjoyed.

I also might have found something that may be a potential of something greater.  I am aware of my youth slowly but surely coming to an end..and yes i am only 21, but living through this generation, you tend to notice that everyone is fighting for the final piece of the puzzle, and age is definitely not a restraint anymore.  It's troubling for a york student at his final year to realize that its your turn, but you have nothing to prepare for when you step up to the podium.  Is it just me, or am I the first to say that i'm not ready yet.  I almost lost something that could potentially be something great, but i was so sure of throwing it away because I just wasn't ready.  This box we put on ourselves, this restraint that we trap ourselves with is self-destructive, it's unhealthy sometimes, and I can't say that school has helped me prepare for any of it.  So I taught myself to look outside the box, and I encourage you to do the same, because you might be surprised of what you may find.

Mt. Desolation - Mt. Desolation
3/5
recommended songs:
State of our Affairs
Coming Home
Bridal Gown
Bitter Pill

J. Cole - Friday Night Lights

Man its tough to make money.  Last summer i worked extremely hard and made a good amount of cash, later realizing that spending it is a lot easier then making it.  I have this crazy ambition that one day i'll move to Vancouver, go to school, get a tattoo, and eventually learn how to ride a motorcycle...but what do they all have in common...they all cost a Frick loud of money!  Talk is cheap, time is money, and admitting the road ahead is tough but pursuing it anyway is a good start.  When we were young...(ok younger)...my sister and I were extremely fortunate to have parents who love us, and supported us on what ever we did regardless of the cost.  They put us in dance classes, music classes, math classes, anything that would better our future...but money isn't what paid for our classes, it was hard work.  My parents...and your parents as well...work their asses off just to put food on the table.  Money is hard to come by, and after working countless hours just to afford subway tokens so i can do the whole routine again...i realize that money doesn't buy you happiness, but you can't deny it brings you some form of freedom...

#13

So instead of choosing any of the albums from my previous blog, i decided to write about an artist who solely works hard for what he earns.  Jermaine Lamarr Cole (stage name J. Cole) is the epitome of what you should do if you want to make it big....work your ass off.  With his most recent mix-tape entitled "Friday Night Lights", J.Cole produces his own music, and writes his own lyrics which landed him a spot on Roc-a-Fella Records (Roc-a-Fella Records is founded by Jay-z).  His lyrical range alludes from a variety of topics, from his college days, to his sleepless nights scrapping for change.  The song "Home for the Holidays" gave out such an original modern rhythm with an old school flow. It spoke about a kid wanting to find himself away from home, but he gets a little home sick, later realizing that home is not the same. 

"one year cost about the same as a Mercedes 

four years cost wife crib and a baby
ay maybe this aint for me
only if i could be Lebron and go straight to league
the worst part 'bout growing up man shit just aint for free
but maybe i can be somebody people pay to see
and maybe i should move up outta here to the place to be
to get from a to z ay what you think im crazy
if i told you one day that Imma sign with jay-z
and will i make it i guess we gotta wait and see"

The rest of the album speaks much of J.Cole's character, an aspiring artist aware of his surrounding, yet not afraid to exploit its faults...its just refreshing not to hear another artist rapping about the glitz and glamor that comes with stardom.  The road is tough, but eventually hard work does pay off. 

There are so many things in life that distract you, and discourage you from what and who you want to become...you have to realize that, how ever loved or spoiled you were before, no one is gonna hold your hand when shit gets rough....be tough...be you...and don't look back until you're sure you have a trail that you're proud of. 

J. Cole - Friday Night Lights

3.5/5

recommended songs:

Home for the Holiday

Blow Up

The Autograph

Higher

In the Morning (feat. drake)

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Yup, i got this album 3 weeks in advanced.  Not the most legal way, but lets be honest, Kanye makes enough money for himself plus 3 starving countries, so he doesn't need any of mine.  Besides, my music library is growing everyday, and I believe I have purchased as much music as I have downloaded, and trust me its a lot.  "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is my first hip-hop review and I wouldn't choose any other artist to use as my first...ok maybe jay-z, but BP3 wasn't that good.  Kanye is a visionary artist, what other artist can you think of that is able to release a minute and a half music video with half naked women in the background, abstract dancing and pounding out the beat, while the artist just stands there without even performing the song...and STILL have people buzzing over it.  Kanye just knows how to create buzz...he's a trend in itself.
#12

The video i am referring is of course "Power", which was the first snippet of what would become "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy".  But enough about the video, this song has so many layers that the naked ear couldn't comprehend.  Kanye is known for his sampling....
(sampling (noun) - the process of taking brief segments of sound (from a song, movie or elsewhere) and using that sound to form another sound or musical piece)...where he proves that he is the best in the game.  Im gonna take this opportunity to dissect and break down the DNA of "Power": he takes three main samples...


Afromerica - Continent #6 - this is the "Oho..AAAAh aaah"
21st century Schiziod Man - King Crimson -this one is a little more obvious
It's your thing - Cold Gritts - this is the backbeat of the entire song
Now you put all these three together, speed it up a couple of clicks, put a little distorted bass and guitar in the background, have Kanye write a verse and a chorus...and boom!..you have a Kanye classic.  I absolutely love finding off timing beats and sounds, and sampling tracks that just don't belong in the song, but without it, it would be nothing.  I try to think how Kanye, and other artist that do the same, how do they come up with these samples, where do they find them, and how on earth do they put them together and make a track like "Power".  It's a talent that i hope one day I can learn...and produce for my own. 
I'm sorry I only gave you one track to listen to, and one that you most likely already heard, but if I dissected every Kanye track off this album, I would be writing him a novel.....hmmm thats a good idea...."The Science behind Kanye".  Maybe another time, but I do hope you take the time to look at the samples, then maybe you can have another outlook on "power", and listen to it again, not just for the song itself.  Also, I would love if you could help me choose which album to review next. I have decided among three, coincidently all hip-hop...
Jay-z - Black album (i recently bought "decoded", and it's jaw dropping)
Nicki Minaj - pink friday
Lloyd Banks - Hunger for more 2


Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
4/5
listen to:
Power
All of the Lights
Devil in a New Dress
Monster
So Appalled