From: "SO COOL" (Album) Released: August 2011, South Korea Rating: 2.35
This is the one good (new) song SISTAR put out this year, that still sounds like SISTAR. Slightly cheap, probably a disaster when performed live, but catchy and melodic. Can't go wrong with that combination, can you?
I mean okay, I have no idea what "Just be snooty baby" is supposed to mean in relation to the rest of the song, and believe me, 90% of the time I find myself laughing on the inside whenever I hear that line, but "New World" is actually a pretty good song for SISTAR standards, and even for kpop standards.
The instrumental is just there, doesn't do much by itself, but paired with the melody it manages to make the singing stand out a lot more, which is a good thing in this case.
We have to talk about that string section. We have to. It's very evident at the beginning, but once the verse comes in it's as if it just disappears. Wrong. It's there, being gorgeous and all, and it really gives the song a much-needed lift. And a bit of class, which SISTAR are in dire need of, both in their stage deportment and their songs.
Enough emoting about my Philippine Blog Award, and back to our regular programming this December. ^_^
From: "Lucky" (Mini Album) Released: October 2011, South Korea Rating: 2.35
Kim Hyun Joong can't sing. That is a fact. But that doesn't stop modern recording from making it seem like he can. And "Smile" is a pretty song, so it's only right for them to make it sound as if Hyun Joong has some semblance of a voice. (He should totally hang out with Jaejoong more, maybe absorb some of JJ's godly vocals.)
"Smile" is on the list because it's a pretty song, very soothing, very calming, and actually, if someone with a more capable voice were to sing it, the calm aspect would probably be in danger. That is, if the voice wasn't 100% capable. So actually, the combination of Hyun Joong's voice and the song is pretty good.
And the reason why this is on my list is because it's a really, really, really pretty song. Not gorgeous or stunning. Pretty. The type that makes you want to smile like a creep because it's too pretty. The guitar lines, the water droplet sounds, the pretty flute, the very lax dynamics -- pretty. If you depend too much on technology, one day it will become obsolete and you will be left with the parts of the song which weren't dependent on technology. While Kim Hyun Joong isn't the most talented of the bunch, at least when technology disappears he still has an actual song.
Fugazi is a band from Washington, DC. Between 1987 and 2003 Ian MacKaye, Joe Lally, Brendan Canty and Guy Picciotto played over 1000 concerts, covering all fifty United States, Europe, Australia, South America, Japan and many points in between. Over 800 of these shows were recorded by the band's sound engineers, often on high quality recording gear.
The Fugazi Live Series, officially launched on December 1, 2011, is a complete online archive of these concerts. Show pages will feature data from the concerts and (when available) related photos, flyers and MP3 downloads. Visitors will be encouraged to comment on the shows and recordings, and to contribute images and recordings to fill the gaps. The goal is to make the shows available to browse for free or to download for a small fee. Initially the band will release 130 concert downloads (100 new shows plus the 30 shows released on the now out-of-print Fugazi Live Series CDs). Additional downloads, photos, flyers, etc. will be added regularly until the entire archive is available.
In keeping with the band's philosophy of keeping music affordable, the suggested price of a concert download is $5. However, there will also be a sliding scale option where you can set your own price. Additionally, the site offers an All Access option that will allow the user to download every show on the site - that would include all 130 presently available downloads as well as all subsequent shows that will be added to the site over time.
Fugazi Live Series is a wing of the Dischord Records website and utilizes the secure Dischord online store for payment and delivery of the downloads. The site was designed and produced by Dischord's Alec Bourgeois and was developed by Jerrod Blavos of Rec Center. All shows were mastered by Jerry Busher except the 30 shows initially released on CD, which were mastered by Fugazi. Thanks to Peter Oleksik, Lindsey Hobbs, and Amy Breesman for their expertise and help organizing the Fugazi archive. And a special thanks to the many photographers who have generously shared their work.
I know, I STILL can't believe it either, but it's true. All those times I whined about never winning an award (EVER), all those times I broke down because I thought I wasn't good enough, and all those times I was brought down by other, older, people, well, to put it simply, they were worthless. I just won a national blogging award. I'm not just one of the best culture and arts blogs/bloggers. In the words of 2NE1 (even if I hate the song LOL), I AM the best.
I went there, armed with five nominations. Even if I walked away with only one win, that one win was the first award I have ever won, for anything. The first time I've been dubbed the best at something.
I started Pop Reviews Now when I was thirteen. Four years later, I stood on that stage last night and claimed an award given to me by an elite panel of judges who deemed PRN as THE best culture and arts blog for Luzon. To you guys it may not be a big deal, and to other bloggers it might just be another day in the life, but to me it isn't. I waited four years for this, I went through the haters, I went through so many different insecurities, I went though people who never failed to remind me that I was never good enough because I was a young girl in a field dominated by older writers. To say that success is sweet is an understatement - it's so much more than that.
Tagumpay. Ang tamis ng tagumpay. Ngayon ko lang lubos na naintindihan ang totoong ibig-sabihin ng apat na salitang iyon. Matamis ang tagumpay. Napakatamis. Apat na taon akong naghintay. Apat na taon akong naghirap. At apat na taon akong walang-sawang umasa. Ito ang katapusan ng paghihitay ko.
I feel like DB5K at Tokyo Dome. After five years of hard work in Japan, from the ground up no less, they get to the stage of their dreams, and to be honest with you I'm in awe at how they weren't crying from the very beginning, because the minute PRN was called I practically lost it. It's a miracle how I managed to say actually words. Excuse the reference, but I'm a pop music blog, so I guess you should be used to it now. :D
I could say enough "thank you"'s to last me a lifetime, but I don't mind. To know that people actually care enough to congratulate me, to know that real people, and not just spam bots, take time out of their busy lives to write comments, talk to me on Twitter and Tumblr and FB, and even vote for me when needed -- that's an even greater vindication of my success, and once again, I thank you ALL so much, but even this simple "thank you" wouldn't be enough to show how grateful I am for you guys.
I screwed up my speech, yes, but in hindsight, I am a blogger, not a public speaker. I wanted to tell the people at the awards show last night that young writers shouldn't be looked down on, but I realize now that the best way to put the message across is by putting it on my now award-winning blog. After all, isn't this what blogging is for?
For the past four years I've been blogging for myself, for my own personal gain, but I realize how fortunate I am, and from now on I will not only blog for myself, but for a cause. For all the young writers who are too afraid to try and match their seniors, who were looked down on and judged because of their age - I'm writing for them. And I'm writing to encourage them to write, to never give up.
You start young, you get farther. You won't get better by just listening to lectures all day, you get better by actually writing and making use of what you learned. Being a young writer isn't something to be ashamed of, it's something extraordinary and something to be proud of. I hope both young writers, and older writers who look down on us, realize that time is of the essence in writing.
It was one of the most emotional documentaries ever aired on the Showtime Cable Network. Now, for the first time, on December 6, fans will have a chance to own The Love We Make, a look back at Sir Paul McCartney and his efforts to plan and perform a benefit concert in the aftermath of the worst day in the history of New York City.
Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the film, directed by Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter) and Bradley Kaplan, on DVD and Blu Ray. Shot in stark 16 mm black and white, complete with color concert clips, The Love We Make juxtaposes dramatic images of “The Concert For New York City,” held mere months after 9/11, with that of scenes of McCartney himself as he walks the streets of the town that his former songwriting partner, John Lennon, loved so much.
“It was an honor to be able to help New York and America at that time in its history,” said McCartney of the concert. “There was a feeling of shock and fear in the air that I thought we could help alleviate with music and the fact that so many people stepped up to join us made for a very uplifting evening for us all.”
Recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM Stereo, the 90-minute film features cameo appearances by President Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Jay Z, Billy Joel, Elton John and many more in onstage and backstage moments.
It is a film that no music fan can afford to miss.
(English version to come tomorrow, when I'm more sane)
Hindi ko alam kung bakit lumalabas sa wikang Filipino yung mga iniisip ko, pero ayun, Filipino ang gagamitin ko.
Tagumpay. Ang tamis ng tagumpay. Ngayon ko lang lubos na naintindihan ang totoong ibig-sabihin ng apat na salitang iyon. Matamis ang tagumpay. Napakatamis. Apat na taon akong naghintay. Apat na taon akong naghirap. At apat na taon akong walang-sawang umasa. Ito ang katapusan ng paghihitay ko.
(switching back to English now ;D)
Pop Reviews Now was named the best Culture and Arts blog (Luzon) at the 2011 Philippine Blog Awards. Pop Reviews Now is now an award-winning blog. I am now an award-winning blogger and writer.
I'll get to all the nitty gritty tomorrow morning when I'm less sleepy and more aware of things, but I'd just like to thank EVERYONE for not only putting up with me and my absenceS, but going the extra mile and supporting me. It means so much.
You know an album is good when it grows on you with every listen. The same can be said about certain musicians with every time you listen to one of their songs. Both are how I feel about Zola Jesus and her latest album Conatus. From the very first time I heard about Zola Jesus I was intrigued. Not just because of her awesome name, but because of what she sounded like.
Around 2009 I first heard about Zola Jesus when my indie and hipster friends told me to check out this “mesmerizing and sensational” experimental rock and synthpop songstress. Even though she delivers a goth rock sound most of the time, Zola Jesus is able to capture your soul with a unique voice that is unlike most singers you come across. Earlier this year I wrote an article about record stores and vinyl for my college magazine Scene at CSUN and visited about 30 stores to compose my piece about how popular vinyl remains. When I visited one particular store, Origami Vinyl, located near the Silver Lake neighborhood in Echo Park next door to The Echo and Echoplex, I was blown away with the gigantic section they had on Zola Jesus. I tried to remain as objective as I could, but I gave into temptation and purchased several vinyls and 7” singles including two Zola Jesus records.
Speaking of vinyl, that’s another remarkable thing about Zola Jesus. She fully utilizes technology to her full advantage and sounds even more amazing on vinyl. I can guarantee if you love goth rock and experimental rock you will love Zola Jesus on vinyl because she was made to be heard on that format.
Synths, drum machines and the dark sexy voice of Zola Jesus propels her third album Conatus to a whole new level in this stylized and sensational album. For Zola Jesus fans this is the exact kind of record you would expect from her and for those unfamiliar with her, this is a great record to be introduced. At times there is a sense Zola Jesus is all over the place experimenting with electronica, industrial, and synthpop, but somehow each song compliments one another.
Other artists similar to Zola Jesus include L.A. Vampires, Former Ghosts, Burial Hex, Austria, Joy Division, Nika + Rory, Dead Can Dance and the Cocteau Twins. Just imagine if Throbbing Gristle and Oingo Boingo had a baby with Siouxsie Sioux (of Siouxsie & The Banshees, you would get Zola Jesus.
Zola Jesus is not afraid to express her dark side and she perfectly propels her philosophy throughout Conatus and as the title of her latest effort implies, she is ever-changing. The first track “Sword” sets you up on the bizarre adventure you will take with all the mechanical noises of drum machines. Jesus’ powerful and emotional voice creates a dramatic, distant song in “Avalanche,” which sets the tone for the remaining songs on Conatus.
The industrial “Vessel” proves she can create abstract music without forfeiting her personal style to create tension-filled music. Jesus’ passion oozes throughout “Vessel” and gives a fresh, raw approach unlike most of her early material. Zola Jesus has found her voice by relying on the darkness within.
Track number four, “Hikikomori” is another sublime single with an edgy sound like “Vessel.” The infectious beats in “Ixode” make it another memorable song, much like “Seekir.” Besides “Vessel,” my second favorite song on this album is “In Your Nature,” which begins off like a classical song filled with pulsating dance beats. To be perfectly honest I wish there was more music that infused classical and dance together in such a complimentary way.
The luring “Lick The Palm Of The Burning Handshake,” startling “Shivers,” the piano ballad “Skin” and the beautifully bleak “Collapse” make up the rest of the album. If you purchase the album from iTunes, there is an awesome bonus track “Days Grow Older.” If you’re willing to submit to the darkness and become one with your soul, Zola Jesus will take you to the Promised Land with one of the year’s top ten albums of 2011!
