Hey all you music lovers. Last night was the biggest night of music ever: The Annual Grammy Awards. Normally, I don't watch the Grammys since there has been a bit of a decline in decent music but last night I had something to look forward to: The Foo Fighters. They were nominated for six awards but they only took home five out of those six. Other big winners included Adele, who won six awards and Kanye West, who won four.
The show started out with Bruce Springsteen performing his new song "We Take Care of Our Own." He did a phenomenal job. It's nice to see that aging hasn't affected him too much since he still looks pretty young. There was also a tribute to Whitney Houston, who had recently passed away. Jennifer Hudson came out and sang one of Whitney's signature songs, "I Will Always Love You". I thought it was beautiful. Among the others that paid tribute were Bruno Mars and Stevie Wonder.
The best part of the night was when the Foo Fighters performed the hit single "Walk" from their latest album Wasting Light. The performance took place in a tent outside the Staples Center. That really made my night. Unfortunately, I wish it could've been longer but I understand that they needed room for the other performers. They came back later when they had won the award for Best Rock Performance and when they performed a remix version of "Rope", featuring deadmau5. Unfortunately, they lost the award that I really wanted them to win, which was Album of the Year, to Adele. But, I don't hate Adele so I really wasn't that upset.
Other performers included Taylor Swift, Rhianna featuring Coldplay (strange combination), Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Jason Aldean featuring Kelly Clarkson, Paul McCartney, the Beach Boys, and Chris Brown (who I believe should be locked up for life). So overall, it was a pretty good night for music.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Guided by Voices said to release new album in 2012.
Guided by Voices is an indie rock band that originated in Dayton, Ohio in 1983. The band had made frequent personnel changes but it always maintained the presence of frontman and singer-songwriter Robert Pollard. Guided by Voices started out as a playing at bars in Dayton. Their recording career began with a few self-financed, independent releases. They disbanded in 2004, which is when the band released the Half-Smiles of the Decomposed LP. After a select round of final US shows, Guided by Voices played their final show at the Metro in Chicago, Illinois on New Years Eve.
I was introduced to Guided by Voices by my older brother five or six years ago. I thought they seemed like a really cool band. My favorite songs by them include "Game of Pricks", "I am a Scientist", "Echos Myron", and "Bulldog Skin". Most of their songs are in the two-minute range, but many are even shorter to the point of being less than a minute long.
Their new album, titled Let's Go Eat the Factory, is currently available on iTunes since December 20. But, it won't officially be released until 2012. You can get it through mail order on January 1 and will be in stores on January 24. It has 21 tracks with a total length of 41:44.
I was introduced to Guided by Voices by my older brother five or six years ago. I thought they seemed like a really cool band. My favorite songs by them include "Game of Pricks", "I am a Scientist", "Echos Myron", and "Bulldog Skin". Most of their songs are in the two-minute range, but many are even shorter to the point of being less than a minute long.
Their new album, titled Let's Go Eat the Factory, is currently available on iTunes since December 20. But, it won't officially be released until 2012. You can get it through mail order on January 1 and will be in stores on January 24. It has 21 tracks with a total length of 41:44.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Red Hot Chili Peppers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Recently, something spectacular has happened to one of my favorite bands: The Red Hot Chili Peppers. On December 7, they were announced as part of the Class of 2012 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the Beastie Boys and Guns N' Roses. The awards ceremony will be held in April 2012.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was established in 1986 (the year my brother was born) and is located in Cleveland, Ohio. It is dedicated to recording the history of some of the best known and influential musicians, bands, and producers that have had a major impact on the music industry, particularly in the rock and roll area. There were originally only four categories of induction: performers, non-performers, early influences, and lifetime achievement. In 2000, a new category called sidemen was added but was replaced by "Award for Musical Excellence" ten years later.
I am very excited about the Red Hot Chili Peppers being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is really nice to know that they have been a major influence in the music industry. They deserve this honor big time. I hope that in a few years, Pearl Jam will receive this honor as well.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was established in 1986 (the year my brother was born) and is located in Cleveland, Ohio. It is dedicated to recording the history of some of the best known and influential musicians, bands, and producers that have had a major impact on the music industry, particularly in the rock and roll area. There were originally only four categories of induction: performers, non-performers, early influences, and lifetime achievement. In 2000, a new category called sidemen was added but was replaced by "Award for Musical Excellence" ten years later.
I am very excited about the Red Hot Chili Peppers being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is really nice to know that they have been a major influence in the music industry. They deserve this honor big time. I hope that in a few years, Pearl Jam will receive this honor as well.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Examples of cover songs that are better than the original.
Cover songs are very common among the music industry. Usually, they aren't as good as the original such as when Miley Cyrus did that awful cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as well as Britney Spears' covering the Rolling Stones' "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" and Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll." But, there are some occasions when the cover version is better than the original version. Here is a list of cover songs that I think are better than the original version and my reasons why.
1. Smooth Criminal- This was originally done by Michael Jackson in 1987. It was the seventh single on his Bad Album. It was covered by the rock group, Alien Ant Farm in 2001. The reason why I find Alien Ant Farm's version better is because this is a very intense song (being about a girl who gets brutally assaulted by a maniac who sneaks into her apartment). I feel that the hard rock vibe just goes with this type of song.
2. Turn the Page- This was originally done by Bob Seger in 1973. It was later covered by Metallica as the first single from their 1998 Garage Inc album. It was drummer Lars Ulrich's idea to have the band cover this song, stating that "It had James Hetfield all over it." It was given a heavier feel, which is probably the reason why I prefer this version better than Bob Seger's. To me, Bob Seger's version wasn't as exciting as Metallica's version.
3. Another Brick in the Wall-This was originally done by Pink Floyd for their 1979 album, The Wall. It was meant to be a protest song against rigid schooling (boarding schools in particular). It was covered by Korn in 2004. To me, Korn's version matched the mood of the song more than Pink Floyd's. I don't think Pink Floyd sounded angry enough. That is why I think Korn tops them on this one.
4. Ring of Fire- This song was originally by the man in black himself, Johnny Cash. It was covered by Social Distortion in 1990. While I like Johnny Cash's version, I feel that Social Distortion's faster version makes it more exciting to listen to.
1. Smooth Criminal- This was originally done by Michael Jackson in 1987. It was the seventh single on his Bad Album. It was covered by the rock group, Alien Ant Farm in 2001. The reason why I find Alien Ant Farm's version better is because this is a very intense song (being about a girl who gets brutally assaulted by a maniac who sneaks into her apartment). I feel that the hard rock vibe just goes with this type of song.
2. Turn the Page- This was originally done by Bob Seger in 1973. It was later covered by Metallica as the first single from their 1998 Garage Inc album. It was drummer Lars Ulrich's idea to have the band cover this song, stating that "It had James Hetfield all over it." It was given a heavier feel, which is probably the reason why I prefer this version better than Bob Seger's. To me, Bob Seger's version wasn't as exciting as Metallica's version.
3. Another Brick in the Wall-This was originally done by Pink Floyd for their 1979 album, The Wall. It was meant to be a protest song against rigid schooling (boarding schools in particular). It was covered by Korn in 2004. To me, Korn's version matched the mood of the song more than Pink Floyd's. I don't think Pink Floyd sounded angry enough. That is why I think Korn tops them on this one.
4. Ring of Fire- This song was originally by the man in black himself, Johnny Cash. It was covered by Social Distortion in 1990. While I like Johnny Cash's version, I feel that Social Distortion's faster version makes it more exciting to listen to.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Why Pearl Jam should play at the Super Bowl halftime show
The Super Bowl is a very big event for a lot of people in the United States. It's a time to gather around with your friends and/or family to watch the biggest NFL game of the year, eat plenty of food, and maybe get drunk. However, if you love music and may not be a big football fan, then you'll look forward to the halftime show. There is a famous grunge band that I believe should play at this upcoming halftime show: Pearl Jam. Here are my reasons why.
1. They have never done it before- Therefore, it would be a new experience for them.
2. I know a lot of people that would look forward to it- My mom, my brother, and I along with a bunch of my friends are big Pearl Jam fans. So, that would make us all happy.
3. It would make up for last year's fiasco- That was when the Black-Eyed Peas (or Crack-Eyed Peas, as I like to call them) performed at the halftime show and totally butchered Guns and Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine", a rock n roll classic.
4. It would be another big event for them- A few days ago, there was a documentary on PBS called Pearl Jam Twenty. It highlighted the band's legacy, which included recordings of their earliest live shows. Playing at the Super Bowl would be a good way of celebrating that.
5. It would be the greatest Super Bowl halftime show ever- Most Super Bowl halftime shows were not all that great for me. Some were okay while others were not. It really depends on who's performing. If Pearl Jam performed, it would be a dream come true.
1. They have never done it before- Therefore, it would be a new experience for them.
2. I know a lot of people that would look forward to it- My mom, my brother, and I along with a bunch of my friends are big Pearl Jam fans. So, that would make us all happy.
3. It would make up for last year's fiasco- That was when the Black-Eyed Peas (or Crack-Eyed Peas, as I like to call them) performed at the halftime show and totally butchered Guns and Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine", a rock n roll classic.
4. It would be another big event for them- A few days ago, there was a documentary on PBS called Pearl Jam Twenty. It highlighted the band's legacy, which included recordings of their earliest live shows. Playing at the Super Bowl would be a good way of celebrating that.
5. It would be the greatest Super Bowl halftime show ever- Most Super Bowl halftime shows were not all that great for me. Some were okay while others were not. It really depends on who's performing. If Pearl Jam performed, it would be a dream come true.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
James Durbin Scores Record Deal.
It's been quite a while since I last updated because I have been trying to find something to write about. Suddenly, I found out some big news about one of the finalists from this past season of American Idol. It turns out James Durbin, the resident rocker has landed a record deal with Wind Up Records, the largest independently-owned record label in the world. The label specializes in hard rock, alternative rock, indie rock, and alternative metal.
James Durbin had auditioned for American Idol twice. First time was in Season 8, but he didn't make it. The second time was this past season where he did make it but got fourth place (just like Chris Daughtry during Season 5, coincidentally). He also happens to be the first Idol contestant to be diagnosed with both Aspergers Syndrome and Tourettes Syndrome. As someone who has Aspergers, I feel that James is a real inspiration.
Anyway, I am very happy that James Durbin got a record deal. I was very upset when he got kicked off American Idol (Though, my second choice ended up winning). However, he may not have won American Idol, but he will be a very successful rock star. His album is scheduled to release in November, hopefully around the same time as my birthday since I am totally looking forward to hearing it.
James Durbin had auditioned for American Idol twice. First time was in Season 8, but he didn't make it. The second time was this past season where he did make it but got fourth place (just like Chris Daughtry during Season 5, coincidentally). He also happens to be the first Idol contestant to be diagnosed with both Aspergers Syndrome and Tourettes Syndrome. As someone who has Aspergers, I feel that James is a real inspiration.
Anyway, I am very happy that James Durbin got a record deal. I was very upset when he got kicked off American Idol (Though, my second choice ended up winning). However, he may not have won American Idol, but he will be a very successful rock star. His album is scheduled to release in November, hopefully around the same time as my birthday since I am totally looking forward to hearing it.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Red Hot Chili Peppers new album and tour.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the greatest alternative rock bands ever. They formed in Los Angeles in 1983 and are still very successful today. The group's musical style fuses traditional funk with elements of other genres such as punk and psychedelic rock.
They are said to be releasing a new album on August 30, 2011, titled I'm With You. This I'm really excited about especially since the band went on hiatus a year or so after their last album, Stadium Arcadium, which was released in 2006. The album's first single, "The Adventures of Raindance Maggie" was scheduled for radio release on July 18, 2011. But, it ended up being released three days earlier due to an Internet leak. I guess that was a good thing for the fans.
The band announced their first tour in four years on June 17, 2011. The I'm With You tour will officially kick off in Bogota, Colombia on September 11 and will continue through 2013, with more dates to be announced soon. This will be the first to feature their new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, who joined the band after the departure of John Frusciante in 2009. I'm not sure how it will turn out with Klinghoffer but, I wish them the best of luck.
They are said to be releasing a new album on August 30, 2011, titled I'm With You. This I'm really excited about especially since the band went on hiatus a year or so after their last album, Stadium Arcadium, which was released in 2006. The album's first single, "The Adventures of Raindance Maggie" was scheduled for radio release on July 18, 2011. But, it ended up being released three days earlier due to an Internet leak. I guess that was a good thing for the fans.
The band announced their first tour in four years on June 17, 2011. The I'm With You tour will officially kick off in Bogota, Colombia on September 11 and will continue through 2013, with more dates to be announced soon. This will be the first to feature their new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, who joined the band after the departure of John Frusciante in 2009. I'm not sure how it will turn out with Klinghoffer but, I wish them the best of luck.
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