Keeping It Fresh

Today I thought we could go back in time, relive some of the glorious 80s and get some old school music back on the map. And to start off, I thought it would be cool to take a look at different artists across various genres in the 80s. Think of it like a series dedicated to the age when big hair, punk rock, disco, and new wave all had a spot in the spotlight. The 80s were a time where bands were starting to embrace instruments like synthesizers and keyboards, where rock music was starting to evolve and change to include these “unconventional” instruments. New wave band, Modern English, was no exception.  It’s interesting to note that Modern English is actually an English band – as were many popular bands during the 80s. I think a little background might add some context on why that is a cool tidbit. Let’s start with the genre – new wave. This is a genre which encompasses some pop music styles and punk rock to create a deliciously catchy dossier of sound. New wave was a shift a...

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last post. And to be honest the reason I haven't I just haven't been feeling any inspiration. There hasn't been a song that has compelled me to write or an artist that makes me want to share their music the past couple of weeks. And it's not because there isn't any good music out there, we all know that there's plenty of good music. But it just felt kind of like a dry spell, until I came across this song. Now, I know the Hamilton mixtape was all the rage when it came out. And now that I have listened to it in full, I can definitely see why. This mixtape is such a beautiful piece of art because it attacks so many different issues across so many levels and does so in a way that is so incredibly relatable and catchy. One of the best parts of this mixtape though is that it features artists from so many different heritages. And this song specifically features work by rappers from various ethnic backgrounds. And what makes i...

Big news! Last weekend was the first weekend of Austin City Limits! Now ACL is one of the biggest music festivals in the South, and rightfully so! The festival claims six days over two weekends and over 200 artists, which is pretty nuts! I was lucky enough to be able to go, and I wanted to share my experience with you all. Which is why I thought it would be great to talk about some of the artists I got to see who completely surprised me! So let ACL Week begin! Today I want to talk about an artist who blew me away within the first 10 seconds of their performance. Greta Van Fleet is a band I had never heard of and probably wouldn't have come across in my music discovery paths. But thanks to ACL, I have been exposed to such a riot of a band, and I am excited to be able to share their music with you. This band sounds like a modern y Led Zepplin, and when the lead singer opened his mouth and let out the first note, I was hooked. It wasn't so much a note as much as it was a growli...

So, rock music for anyone? It has been too long since I last discussed rock music, a shame if I am to be honest. But I thought today and going forward, I can talk about more rock music, whether it be rock n roll or modern rock. Starting today with a band out of Japan, ONE OK ROCK. Now I only recently started listening to their music, and it took me back to my rock roots. I will say ,ONE OK ROCK tends to take a little bit more of a punk sound with this song, but it really works for them. One of the things I really have to appreciate about ONE OK ROCK, is that each album sounds different. The band is not afraid of trying out new sounds and vibes each time they put out an album, and I respect that both as a listener and as a musician. You can also really tell who has influenced the band. Some albums are almost like an homage to ONE OK ROCK's favorite and most inspiring bands, but they are still able to make each album sound like their own. Now the album which this song comes from i...

Today's song is very interesting one. It isn't often that I talk about heavy metal groups or heavy rock groups in general. While it is common to hear rock bands cover each other, it isn't necessarily common to hear covers done the way that Bad Wolves has covered this iconic song. Bad Wolves created a cover of The Cranberries' most iconic and classic song. And the way they did it is not only an incredible performance but a moving tribute to Dolores O'Riordan who sadly passed away this year. I hadn't heard of Bad Wolves until I heard this cover get released. And I have to admit, I was so humbled and moved by this version of the song. There are quite a few things that are going on in this song, which makes me love it even more. One of the things which makes this song so powerful is that the vocals are incredibly ferocious while displaying and a graceful and emotive sound. Tommy Vext delivers a growling performance about a topic that is sensitive and political an...

Today we are getting back to the music, and I have quite the track for you. I have to be honest, my rap game has been really off lately. I haven't talked about rap as much, posted much about the genre, nor have I spent a lot of time talking about any new rap artists. But today, I want to introduce you to a rapper by the name Dave East. Dave East hails from East Harlem, and he really started to gain attention in 2014. Yes I know, it is 2018 and I am behind the game. But hey, I got to him eventually! The story behind Dave East and his music is one that I find very interesting. There are a lot of artists who write about hardships in life, from falling out of love to internal struggles and wars, to societal issues that meet many people. Somehow, Dave East is able to beautifully talk about all three topics and more in his music. That is what makes him so great and refreshing as an artist. He is able to talk about what life is really like, from the streets of Harlem to being in jail t...

Hey everyone! I have been a bit MIA for the past week, I know. I was traveling for a bit and wasn't able to keep posting, but since I am back I am ready to start talking about some music! And to start us off, I wanted to post music which originates from the place I spent my last week - Korea. This is always an interesting style of music for me to write about because of how little yet incredibly well known Korean music is. Recently, we have seen the explosoin of Korean boy band BTS, as they have made their American debut and more. But, while this music is super hype and very well done, there are many other styles of Korean music out there other than K-pop. Which is what I have for you today! Korean rap has to be one of the greatest styles of rap I have ever heard. There is so much that goes on throughout the song, from incredibly clever lyrics to sick beats. One of the things that Korean rappers do very well is flow changes. There are always some interesting beat and flow swtiches...

Today I have some really sick music for you by Vic Mensa and Kanye West. That is right, today we are delving into the world of rap and hip hop, with a little electronic work in the background. Quite a while it has been, but let's get to it! Vic Mensa is quite the interesting artist, because his focus on pursuing music is so raw. For him it is more about the experience of getting out there and doing something creative and fun, like making music. This song has a lot of really good things going on in it, and the first thing that I noticed was that the song is pretty chilled out, with these deep and firm and strong percussion work. That creates this awesome sound for the song, something that you can listen to everywhere and anytime. Now I actually have to go the drop in this song because it is a drop into absolute ferocity. This is the kind of song that makes you feel like you own any room you may walk into.  From what I hear in this song Vic Mensa has some major talent. But the tr...

Today I have some new music for you by a band that I have loved for a long time. 30 Seconds to Mars is a band that I have spent a lot of time talking about in the past, and they are out with a new track and hopefully, another album to follow suit. But the band has spent a lot of time touring and performing, taking a bit of a break, the frontman acting in a few films, etc. But I have to say, it is exciting to have the band finally drop some new music, so let's get into it. In standard 30 Seconds to Mars fashion, this song makes me feel like I am capable of doing anything. That tends to be a common theme across all of their albums. From the opening to the very end, this song surges with power and passion, ferocity and intensity. There is this fierceness to the music which feels like it is coursing through your veins, powering your mind, body, and soul. And that is one of the things I absolutely love about the band. The music is passionate and empowering, as are the music videos whi...

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I last posted. Lots of things going on, some moving around, trying to get some time to write. And I am starting up again with some music for you from Japan. ONE OK ROCK is a rock band (go figure) out of Tokyo, and was recently on tour. Now I only recently started listening to their music, and it took me back to my rock roots. I will say ,ONE OK ROCK tends to take a little bit more of a punk sound with this song, but it really works for them. One of the things I really have to appreciate about ONE OK ROCK, is that each album sounds different. The band is not afraid of trying out new sounds and vibes each time they put out an album, and I respect that both as a listener and as a musician. You can also really tell who has influenced the band. Some albums are almost like an homage to ONE OK ROCK's favorite and most inspiring bands, but they are still able to make each album sound like their own. Now the album which this song comes from...

I feel like it has been such a long time since I have talked about some hardcore rock music. So today I have some heavy rock music for you all. This song just started playing in my head earlier in the evening, and it feels like a nice throwback to the time when rock music was full of this grit and grunge. Breaking Benjamin  I know it was for me, especially because this song definitely seemed to capture my mood for part of the day. This is one of the my favorite songs by the band Breaking Benjamin. A lot of people have heard this song, and many have fallen in love with it. For me, it is easy to see why this would be so popular among all age groups. Breaking Benjamin creates music that is very raw. Each song has a depth to it which we can all appreciate because we have been there. And that rawness is something to be commended. Now one of the reasons Breaking Benjamin isn't what we would call main stream rock, is due to their stylistic elements. One of the most prominent (and my a...

Today I have some wildly sick music for you. The band Sigur Rós is one of the most eclectic and hauntingly incredible bands I have ever heard. This is one of those bands that people seem to know about but also not know a thing about. Struggle, I know. But, for those of you who have never heard of  Sigur Rós or know the name but no songs, this is a special treat for you.  If there is one thing I have learned from my dabbles in literature, entertainment, and music, you really only get to experience these things for the first time once. I know it sounds so stupid, but when you think about it, the reality of that is there. You only get to experience something for the first time once. That elation and excitement and complete shock and utter bliss is something that you feel from experiencing something for the first time will never happen again once you have experienced it. So for those of you who are hearing Sigur Rós for the first time, I hope you really enjoy this first expos...

Today I have some music for you that is so refreshing because it is just some good old rock and roll. This song is by a band called Splitter, a name that I would automatically think would suit a  more metal sound. But this song is what I think the Beatles would sound like if they had a little heavier rock. And I love it! This song has a lot of the older rock elements that have become classic, but the lyrics and style of guitar playing is very modern. That combination is pretty damn swell when we hear it in a song like this. I mean you take the guitar solo that is thrown in the middle, and that just screams rock and roll. And then, of course, we have the vocals which remind me so much of Paul McCartney. This is definitely what a modern day Beatles would sound like, and there is nothing wrong with that! Every kind of artists needs some evolution, it just so happens that a second band proves to be a bit of that evolution for the Beatles.  This song opens up with a repeated gu...

Today is a day of mourning for the music community. We lost an incredible vocalist, musician, and music member last night. Chris Cornell was the lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, and to this day remain one of the most important and pivotal influencers in the music community. The Grammy-nominated singer could be considered one of the fathers of grunge rock music and helped kick start a movement which shook the entire world. He helped define the niche genre that is grunge, taking the best elements of punk and metal to brew something completely unique and edgy. His voice was a force to reckoned with, being able to fluidly transition from a vulnerable howl to a gritty growl, with a range that spanned four octaves. From 1984 to now, Chris Cornell is a powerful presence and overcame much in his life. I pay so much respect and love towards Chris Cornell and his family. His work with music and his influence within rock music have been so transformative for the genre. My ...

Today I have some music for you by a band that has been a little off my own personal radar. Sometimes you run across a band that you listened to in what seems like a past chapter, and their music allows you to reminisce. I wanted to go ahead and talk about a song by Blue October that did just that for me. I haven't heard this song by Blue October in such a long time, that when this shuffled into my music stream, I had to stop for a moment to just listen. This song definitely airs a little bit more on the somber rock side of things. Blue October is a band that is under appreciated in my opinion. Though they are more well known as a rock band, Blue October has some beautiful music centered around these rock soundscapes. Every song has such a deep meaning and a theme that they are able to explain to us through music. This, in particular, is a song that really speaks to the depths of humanity. This song reaches out toward the emotions that everyone feels and struggles with every day....

Today I have some music for you by a trio of musicians who are an odd mix of electronic dance and rock music. And this rock music is more along the lines of hard rock. Art vs Science is a group out of Sydney, Australia with an intense, lively, and spunky spirit. Art vs Science is one of the oddest groups I have heard, but I absolutely love how unique and fun their music is. This band is one that has received some mixed reviews, with some dismissing their music and others praising them as one of Australia's greatest live acts. I will leave you to decide how to feel about the band, and would love to know what you think! But before we even get to that, let's take a look at a breakdown of this song. For starters, this is such a pumped up and fist-bump worthy song. The energy felt in this song is really reminiscent of The Beastie Boys and The Chemical Brothers for me. There is this very particular kind of sound that comes with musicians like this. I am going to try to put it in wo...

**When I posted this, YouTube had been kind enough to leave the song, FEAR. online. Sadly, they pulled it down yesterday, but for reference, the song being discussed is indeed FEAR.** Today is the last day in the Kendrick Lamar saga. I have to say, it has been pretty awesome being able to write about his music and how impactful the album is. And so to wrap up this chapter of music, I wanted to start off by thanking YouTube for not taking this down. Everywhere I look, Kendrick Lamar's latest material is being taken down left and right. But we do have this one final song, so here we go! Okay, so this song is a standout piece for a few reasons. For starters, it is one of the longest, if not the longest song on the album. And while this is all great and dandy, the real uniqueness comes from the autobiographical nature of the song. Kendrick Lamar uses this as a way to create a biopic kind of piece, which I thought was pretty darn interesting. We get an inside look at the life of Ken...

Today we have Day 2 of the Kendrick Lamar special. This song is the one that probably had the most questionability surrounding it. When people first saw that U2 was the featured artists on the song, it definitely raised a lot of questions and left people scratching their heads. But, this song was so well executed with the inclusion of U2 that I felt the need to talk about this one. This song is a bit more subdued than a couple of the other tracks on the album, but it tends to fluctuate a bit more between being more calmed down and fired up. Kendrick Lamar starts this song off with a more mellowed out and simmered down kind of sound. In the progression of this album, I do feel like that more calmed down was necessary. As much as we all love a hype song, there is a need for a break every once in a while. And Kendrick Lamar gives us that! The basic breakdown of the song goes a little like this. We are introduced to the song with some eerie chorus singing over a softer synth melody. Whic...

This week I wanted to spend some quality time talking about an album which recently released but has left me absolutely spellbound and beyond impressed. Going into this week of music, I'm going to pick some highlighted songs off the album and talk a little bit about why they stood out to me and what makes them so unique. So if you were trying to guess which album I am talking about, the answer lies with Kendrick Lamar. This latest album DAMN. is one of the greatest albums I have heard from the rap world. In the long-standing question as to who the top 5 rappers are, this album puts Kendrick Lamar on this illustrious list. Kendrick Lamar has always been a great lyricist, but this album showcases his abilities as a rapper, lyricist, producer, and activist. From beginning to end, there is an incredible emotional charge to the album. Not all of these emotions are sad and tear jerking feelings. We get anger, frustration, contempt, vulnerability, and more. There is an incredible passion ...

Today I have some long awaited, incredible music for you. We have been waiting for new music by the British band Gorillaz for over five years. Five. Years. And my oh my did they satisfy! One of the cool things about Gorillaz, is that we never know what to expect from them. Their sound is so eclectic and strange, the persona they have is unique, and their choice of musicality and lyricism is out of this world. There are so many things which make this band a special one, a band that we can't help but want to know more about and hear from.The greatest thing though is that no song sounds the same, and each album is entirely different from the rest. Gorillaz tends to follow some kind of rock and rap combination, however, the way the two are combined is up for experimentation. Gorillaz is a band that experiments with different sounds and somehow is able to find the strangest and greatest combinations. With this song, we get a rock slow jam which features Jamaican style vocals. Normally, ...