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Bands and Songs

Gift Buying For a 28 Year Old

Who’s the easiest person to buy a gift for? Yourself obviously. I went out and bought a few things that I know that I’d enjoy. I presume these gift ideas would work well for anyone like myself who enjoys rock and roll, good TV, and a fun read.

Breaking Bad Season 1 – $12.99 – I’ve heard from critics that this could be the greatest show on TV. Obviously when I hear that it somewhat piques my interest. For only 13 bucks I figured what the hell. Naturally there are only 6 episodes for the first season but I’m still interested. A brief summary of Breaking Bad is it’s about a man who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and he starts selling meth. Good price for a good story.

Arrested Development Season 1- $20.99 – People rave about this show and how they pray for a new season. We all know how much I hate Jason Bateman but I still give things a chance. People say the show is smart funny and is one of the best sitcoms ever. My gut feeling is that it probably tries to hard. When people tell me that I have to understand the characters to get the show I think it immediately lowers it a notch. I hear that from people who watch the office and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia all the time. Let me fill you in, if it’s not funny, it doesn’t matter if I don’t get the characters.

Young the Giant – Young the Giant – $9.99 – This album debuted at the beginning of this year but I’m not usually lining up to buy a new CD. With the very nice singles My Body and Cough Syrup I decided I’ll throw 10 bucks their way. The first track is Apartment and I think it should be hitting the radio because it’s really great. I haven’t had the oppurtunity to give it the listen it deserves but the band obviously has talent and really seem to sync to make some really easy to listen alt music.

Led Zeppelin Biography- When Giants Walked the Earth – $12.99 – About 500 pages of pure Led Zeppelin. Obviously only people interested in music would like to read about a band that’s 40 years old but there’s something about that era that just fascinates me. How did they play so much better music that long ago compared to today. People have evolved in so many ways just not Rock and Roll. Learning about their life can clue me on possibly why this has occurred.

Tucker Max – Assholes Finish First – $16.00 – The sequel to I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. I did read the first one and find his stories amusing. I sort of envy his approach to females and not giving a fuck but I’m well aware this will never be the person I am. That’s why I like reading about them. He’s really a good writer and makes hilarious comparisons and tells stories with quite a flare. Not for the person who has never done anything wrong in their life because this book will definitely gross you out. I, however, am extremely amused.

By |2011-12-21T23:17:15-05:00December 21st, 2011|Music|1 Comment

Foster the People vs Led Zeppelin

Just to make sure Mark’s comment doesn’t get buried below I will share this song which I also think is pretty good. This song isn’t on Torches though which was why I’ve never heard it until watching the video. This was the first time I saw Mark Foster before and it sort of surprised me that his voice sounds that way even live. Foster the People sound like a really cool concert to go to even though the audience seems comatose. They rock out towards the end a bit but whenever I see people rocking out I always come back to this song.

If you don’t have the time to listen to the whole song I would suggest skipping to 3:30 to hear some of the best rock and roll of all time. This is why no one can compare to Led Zeppelin. You first hear Foster the People, one of the hottest groups out in 2011, rocking out and then you hear perhaps the greatest rock and roll group of all time putting them to shame. I know this isn’t a fair comparison but I’m just making a point of why rock has never stepped up to where it was back in the late 60’s, early 70’s. I wonder what Robert Plant thinks of these bands in today’s era?

I’m gonna make one final attempt to urge people to join spotify because it really is a cool service. I’ve been listening to my own music for the most part because like usual it’s very difficult to get people to create playlists so the entire community can listen to their music. Basically you share playlists with all your facebook friends but no one interacts but me and a few others. I’ve created lists with songs that I like and I pretty much just listen to them myself. However, I’d be happy for new people to introduce me to new music. A sample spotify:user:129434542:playlist:6jukaHPOTO8eRN5mbNLRqj

By |2011-12-13T21:58:25-05:00December 13th, 2011|Music|0 Comments

Spotify is Electrifying

Electrifying probably isn’t the right word but I needed something to rhyme. I find Spotify to be a very fun service. It’s integration with Facebook is really impressive. A list of your Facebook friends appears on the right hand side of the software and displays all of their public lists. Unfortunately not many people create lists but I’ve taken it upon myself to do so. Basically you can put together playlists for the entire public to view. I like this because people can see what good songs are from someone who has good taste in music. The only downer is that they don’t have all artists. I’ve found many that I search for (Pink Floyd, Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Beatles…) that have covers which just aren’t the same. This isn’t saying they don’t have plenty of songs but not all. They seem to have much of the newer material out and a popularity scale to help rate each song. It’s a real nice way to keep up to date with what is popular. Plus it acts as a music player and other than the annoying ads which I’m considering just paying for to get rid of, I find this to be a very useful way of listening to music while incorporating the listening experience with friends. Feel free to subscribe to my lists if you join the software.

By |2011-12-09T08:26:57-05:00December 9th, 2011|Music|1 Comment

T.H.E (The Hardest Ever) – Will.I.Am feat J. Lo and Mick Jagger

This is the worst collaboration on a song, ever. Mick Jagger must need the money because he is tarnishing his reputation. First off, he has about 4 lines and they all come at the end of the song. J Lo does a little chorus to get her name (it’s bad and repetitive) on the song and Will.I.Am (such a stupid name) does some below average “rapping” throughout. The song reminds me of another song “Moves Like Jagger” which has a main artist (Adam Levine) do the entire song and you throw on some random bs by a named artist (Christina Aguilera). Problem is that this song is about 10x worse. This seriously bothers me because kids growing up probably have no idea who Mick Jagger is and stick his name with this song. I know the Stones have been around since the 60’s but they haven’t made a good album since the 80’s. Meaning younger people have no idea who Mick Jagger is. To hear him on this track makes my head spin because he just doesn’t belong. I can’t tell if it’s autotune but I think his singing days are in the past. His manager needs to give him some better advice.

By |2011-12-06T16:47:52-05:00December 6th, 2011|Music|0 Comments

Astro FTW

I watched an X Factor performance tonight. It was the first time I’ve watched the show and I saw Astro sing “I’ll be Missing you” by Puff Daddy. Let’s not mistake that this song originates from The Police “Every Breath You Take” which is a phenomenal song off the incredible album Synchronicity. Since this is the first episode I’ve watched I’m obviously seeing the best of the best. I give Astro high marks. His personality is that of a star. He gives a performance. I think he’s like 15 and you can just see that he is fit to be take it to the next level. Labels will jump all over him even if he doesn’t win. Can he write his own songs? Probably not but he has talent so we’ll see where he goes. Obviously he won’t write his own songs but you get the point that he doesn’t have to which separates him from true artists who create their own music. Thus 9/10 tops.

I just watched Lakoda Rayne and they did some Fleetwood Mac songs. All 4 girls are definitely bangable. I agree 100% with Simon that they shouldn’t need a gimmick to win over fans. I think they were comparable to Fleetwood Mac but they are just missing that extra umph. Very good but didn’t floor me. I’d give Stevie Nix an 8 and these girls a 7.

Next was Drew (I’m starting to get a kick out of this) and she did “With or Without You” by U2. I stand her next to Bono when she sings this song. She’s no Bono. She’s a tiny 15 year old girl. The song was slow and I prefer Bono, no homo. I’d kick her off despite what Simon says. She’s boring and Bono put her to shame. There was no uptempo to her song and I wasn’t entertained. I don’t care how well you sing, I care how well you entertain.

Marcus Canty took the stage next and he sang one of my least favorites Janis Joplin. He was pretty good but the song wasn’t a good choice for him. Probably because I hate Janis but his talents were wasted. The other judges are idiots and just want his dick (Nicole and Paula) and La Reed just says he’s awesome because he’s coaching him. Simon is correct in this kid was trying to be someone he wasn’t. 8/10.

By |2011-11-16T21:58:21-05:00November 16th, 2011|Music|3 Comments

Worst Songs of 2011

5.) The Situation – The Situation

I don’t even know how to comment. On the plus side he doesn’t really do much but I just can’t imagine where someone thinks that this is going to help is reputation. The Sitaution isn’t talented. He’s just a regular guy who got lucky being a douchebag on a hit TV show. Give it up trying to make him something he’s not.

4.) I’m Hot – Angelina Pivarnick


I’m picking on the Jersey Shore cast for the first 2 but someone has to. I saw this was added in 2010 but I heard it a few months ago and this is pathetic. I just sat here for 4 minutes to listen to it all the way through and it is mind numbing. You come out of this song feeling dumber. God Awful.

3.) Last Friday Night – Katy Perry


With 132 million views it’s hard to imagine this as one of the worst songs but just because people watch it doesn’t mean it’s good. We can’t deny that it’s a catchy song but the lyrics are frighteningly bad. Is this a hickey or a bruise? Rhyming ginger ale with epic fail? That is just trying too hard to use the phrase epic fail. The music video has some great cameos from Corey Feldmen, Kenny G, Rebecca Black and Hanson. You’d think I’d put It’s Friday by Rebecca Black on this list but I sort of see that as a mistake rather than an attempt at a huge hit.

2.) Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith

I share his love for a red solo cup but this is too far. The lyrics are obviously bizarre considering the solo cup is the main focus but the chorus is unbearable. Country people might eat this up but I can’t fake liking this nonsensical bs.

1.) 5 in the Morning – Tpain feat Lily Allen & Wiz Khalifa

This song is what made me create this list. The lyrics to this song are beyond stupid. A girl is after a guy to come back home and she’s horny. The chorus is mildly catchy but this song is so lame. I can’t get past the lyrics to this song. They suck.

By |2011-11-16T18:47:28-05:00November 16th, 2011|Music|1 Comment

Jukebox selection for a crowd

Your in a bar full of 100 people and it’s silent except for the noise of conversation. Everyone knows that people have more fun when there is music so you step up to the jukebox and decide to get this party started. I get the feeling that most people don’t understand the importance of this selection. Now I know that most people don’t think this way and will probably just choose their favorite song but I’m just pointing out that you are effecting every single person in that room and you don’t want them wondering who chose this shitty ass song. This is one of those important times to realize that the world is bigger than you. If you aren’t up to the task, don’t pick the song. I’m going to give my opinion on proper songs for proper situations.

A few years ago I was at PJ Whelihan’s in Bluebell and this situation presented itself. It was a Thursday night and I’d guess there were upwards of 100 people there. This location is more sports bar oriented with white adult males (25-40) to be more specific to who we are trying to entertain. To think you can please everyone in the bar is nonsensical but a solid pick is still possible. I went with The Rolling Stones, Paint it Black. Upbeat song that is one of the top 5 best bands top 5 song. The girl after me chose “Your Song” by Taylor Swift…

At the Bayou, a bar with a younger, professional crowd, one afternoon we were choosing songs. There were 2 or 3 of us trying to decide to pick one and we were deciding between Michael Jackson, Jay Z, and other popular artists. When no decision was coming quickly I chose Badfish by Sublime. It’s a laid back chill song that no one can really get mad at you for picking and turned out to be a fine choice. A few songs later Gusto and I were deciding on a Doors song and it turned out to be too long and a group that not everyone can enjoy, thus a bad pick.

After those two examples I’ve come up with a few simple rules:
You want to pick an artist that people have heard of.
Play to the audience.
Long songs tend to drag.
People prefer popular over obscure.
Play a happy song. (Bruce and Billy generally aren’t going to fly)

Here are some examples of songs that are hard not to like:
Dispatch – The General
Dr Dre – Still DRE
Counting Crows – Rain King
Nelly – Ride Wit Me?
Lionel Richie _- All Night Long
Wallflowers – The Difference

By |2011-11-14T20:11:33-05:00November 14th, 2011|Music|1 Comment

Nickelback Sucks?

If I didn’t know that Nickelback sucks, I’m not sure I’d know they suck. Now it’s pretty hard to say a band sucks when they’ve sold 50 million albums and are the 11th best selling music act of the 2000’s, but people are adamant that they are the worst, most overrated band on the planet. They were asked to perform at this year’s Thanksgiving game in Detroit and now the fans are petitioning that they find a new act. We’re talking one game on one day and fans are petitioning against them? That must mean that they are pretty bad. Yet I’ve heard some of their popular songs and they don’t strike me as the worst music created to garner such hatred towards them. Here are 5 songs from ONE 2007 album, All the Right Reasons, that I’ve heard “Photograph”, “Savin’ Me”, “Far Away”, “If Everyone Cared” and “Rockstar”. Are these good songs? They’re catchy for one. I’ve heard of them which is more than I can say about thousands of other groups. 11 million copies of this album were sold so I’d give them that. I think they get a bad rap because of their image. They are “hard” rockers who appeal to the general public with catchy choruses and a simple sound. I suppose most of their fans are teenage girls and stay at home moms and to have as much success as they do bothers people who are fans of rock and roll. I hear their music and think to myself, “its not my favorite but I’ve heard worse.” I don’t really think about Nickelback derogatorily. I don’t really think about them at all. Where this hostility towards them comes from is explained better in this article. I wouldn’t want to see them at halftime though if I paid for a ticket but I’m sure they could choose way worse than Nickelback.

By |2011-11-14T08:45:51-05:00November 14th, 2011|Music|0 Comments

Artists I Don’t Listen To

I listen to a lot of music. I’ve continued to appreciate music as I’ve gotten older. I can say I know one person, Gusto, who knows more about music than me. Also note that he doesn’t listen to present day music but his knowledge of songs from classic artists and groups is deep. I know way more about the 80’s, a decade he forgets, and current pop music and alternative. I’m currently updating myself on the likes of Bob Dylan, Beatles, Stones and other historical groups. That being said I can’t stand these 5 groups listed below. I can listen to just about anything but I generally swap the channel when these artists play. Some good reasons, others not so good, but I still have my opinion.

The Pretenders

Front woman Chrissie Hynde is the essentially the band. She had a daughter with Ray Davies, lead singer of the Kinks, and that actually makes me like her a little more than I did before I wrote this. The band was formed in 1978 and have hits “I’ll Stand By You”, “Brass in Pocket”, “Back on the Chain Gang”, “My City Was Gone”, and “Tattooed Love Boys.” “I’ll Stand By You” is actually pretty good. The others just rub me the wrong way. I can’t explain it but I just don’t like the music. You’ll notice with some of the other members of the list that the female lead singer has this tomboyish, dyke attitude.

Dave Matthews Band

I don’t dislike Dave Matthews. I don’t even dislike his music. I detest his fans. It all stems back to high school when to be cool you had to like Dave Matthews. I didn’t like the group of people that liked him which made me dislike his music. Under the Table and Dreaming was one of my first 10 albums ever purchased and I really liked it. This was back in 1994 when I was in middle school and before the huge hype surrounded Dave. I was 13 when Crash came out and the followers started piling on the bandwagon. I’ve listened to him here or there but to this day I can’t fully like Dave Matthews without thinking I’m being brainwashed by the crowd.

Janis Joplin

The worst. I hate all her songs. Me and Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz or Piece of My Heart, I dislike them all equally. Apparently she has a great, unique singing voice but it sounds to me like road kill being run over and screeching before they croak. I’m actually happy she passed on young so she didn’t produce more music people would guarantee play because she’s Janis Joplin. I wonder if she wasn’t dead if she’d be as well liked. He music just doesn’t sound like good music to me.

Britney Spears

Sort of a weird one of the list but I wanted to include her. I listen to Gaga, Katy Perry, Nikki Minaj and other female pop artists and she stands out as the worst to me. I don’t think her early stuff was awful (Baby One More Time, Sometimes, You Drive me Crazy) but after her self titled “Britney”, she should have stopped making music. The auto tune is too much now. Her and Kesha are in the same boat of no talent, carried by their producers, please stop making music club. Sure she’s an icon but I won’t listen to her music.

Pat Benetar

Saving the worst for last. I actually don’t dislike her more than Janis but the songs “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”, “Heartbreaker” and “Love is a Battlefield” are so overplayed that I never want to hear them again as long as I live. I think the fact that these songs are played on a daily basis all over the US is what drives me mad. They are never going away. They just keep eating at you until you love to hate them.

By |2011-11-01T21:58:39-04:00November 1st, 2011|Music|1 Comment
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