Happy 2013

Happy 2013!!

As I have not had this blog for more than a year, I have never had the opportunity to wish a broad number of people a happy New Year.

Furthermore, I'd like to discuss a little about the new year...

With each year comes new opportunities, experiences, friendships, and challenges. Frankly, I'm looking forward to this new year. I don't have any specific reason why I'm excited, but I feel like amazing things could happen.

And I'm going to seize every opportunity.

What about you?

Phillip Phillips: Home

Seeing as this song represented America in the London 2012 Olympics, most every American is already acquainted with this song. Seeing as it is American Idol winner Phillip Phillips' first single, the song has done exceptionally well in the music industry.

Home

So, the first thing about this song that strikes the listener is the interesting rasp that is the intrigue of Phillip Phillips' voice. The second is the interesting mix between folk music and pop that the song attempts to capture.

And does it! This song is unbelievable in its lighthearted mood and its ability to become an instant hit. There is not a soul in America that would not recognize the chorus.

But, here we come to the dilemma: the content of the lyrics is at best weak. There are only "oh"s as chorus lyrics and the verses are the same melody, same form, and identical lyrics. This is the only problem with this song.

Due to these observations, this song has earned 3 1/2 stars.

One Direction: Little Things

For the second entry in my week of reviews, we will take a look at One Direction's newly released song "Little Things" from their soon-to-be-released album, "Take Me Home".

Little Things

The first notable characteristic of this song is its noticeable lack of percussion. For a British boy-band noted for their thrilling and exciting "power pop", this is a unique turn for One Direction, one that I hope will continue.

Also, the guitar prelude into the song is slightly reminiscent of "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles. A sort of homage to the kings of British music? It also might pay to note that critics are calling the mass outbreak of "One Direction Infection" and the hype surrounding the Wanted and the Script a modern version of the 1960s "British Invasion". Perhaps One Direction, The Wanted, and The Script are our generation's Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Manfred Mann? Although American purists, if there are such people, may scoff at the influx of foreign acts, preferring Lady Gaga, Hot Chelle Rae and Pink (or P!nk); the many British and Irish bands coming to America are providing young Americans a way to learn about other cultures. This may be a remedy for the extremely culturally intolerant American people!

Back to the music!

The verses are very similar to the Harlem Renaissance style "spoken word", with a tune mixed in. This style of singing lends itself well to the lyrics of the song, describing the many meaningless things that comprise the object of the song's affection. However delicate and gentle the melody, the chorus is relatively weak in comparison. The message is understood, yet the way the lyrics are couple to the music is a little awkward.

The quiet yet pronounced plucking of guitar strings combined with this style of singing results in a very intimate love song. This mood has the effect of of melting the preteen girl's heart.

Finally, the lyrics:

This excerpt is taken from the chorus:

I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if I do, it's you, oh it's you, they add up to
I'm in love with you and all these little things

Although literary content wise, the lyrics are nothing to hark about, I think that for the teenage girl, the lyrics speak to her. I can imagine that, with all their insecurities, hearing an exceeding adorable love song about a girl's minute quirks really comforts the millions of teenager girls listening. Also, the message "It's you they add up to" is very cute in that they imply that each seemingly small detail makes up the beauty of the person. This message can be augmented to state that inner beauty is more important than exterior looks. This, to me, is the most touching part if the song.

So, for touching lyrics, cute instrumentals, and mediocre melodies, this song has earned 3 stars.

One Direction: Live While We're Young

So, for the first review of this series today, I'll review "Live While We're Young" by One Direction. (Stay tuned for the review of "Little Things", by the same group.

Live While We're Young

Firstly, we can all recognize the opening rift from The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?". Although some critics dislike this opening, I can say that for a new anthem for a new album, the familiar rift acts as an instant draw. I believe that the critics who dislike this rift are the same who disliked "What Makes You Beautiful"'s opening rift from "Summer Nights". The music afterwards lacks a certain je ne sais qoui. Similar to Beyonce's "Single Ladies", there is a lot of excess noise included in the song. While listening, note the inclusion of a synthesizer once Zayn Malik begins his bridge. The synthesizer adds an element of fun to the song but, for a certain ear, detracts from the quality of the music.

The lyrics also add an element of fun

Let's go crazy, crazy, crazy till we see the sun
I know we only met but let's pretend it's love
And never, never, never stop for anyone
Tonight let's get some
And live while we're young
Woahhh oh oh oh
Woahhhh oh oh oh
And live while we're young
Woahhh oh oh oh
Tonight let's get some
And live while we're young

But, there is one aspect of the text that is somewhat questionable: "Tonight let's get some". This line shows the eternal conflict of boy bands: While the group is gradually growing older (Niall Horan was 17 at the birth of One Direction, he's now 20), the age-group that it's catering to seems to stay fairly constant. While a more pure mind wouldn't think twice about this line, a more mature audience hears a somewhat suggestive message from the seemingly innocent song. One Direction has encountered the "Awkward Boy Band Phase". Wanting to grow up, the boys have tried to branch out, without going as far as driving their younger audience members away. 

However, this topic will be saved to talk about in detail at a later time. 

Due to the infectious nature of the song, the carefree lyrics, and decent vocals, I give "Live While We're Young 3 1/2 stars.

Apology

Hi! It's been a very long time since I've posted!

This trend will not continue. I promise I will continue to post reviews, answer questions, and post music related material on Music Is Beautiful and life material on Life Is Beautiful

Long time!

Wow,

I haven't been on in a while! Summer is coming to a close. That means school is around the corner. So, what are your 2012-2013 school year goals? I think it's important to always have goals; that way you never run out of things to look forward for!

Mine are as follows:
-Learn enough French to be able to converse with my French friend
-Learn more instruments (specifically mandolin, banjo, bass clarinet, electric guitar, etc.)
-Get some really good grades for my junior year
-Think of some more goals

So, what are you looking forward to for this school year? What is helping you to get by? I'd like to know!

we are

This is a song by Craig Hella Johnson. The song states that we are more than what people say.

I am a boy, a musician, a diabetic, a high schooler, a son, a brother, and a friend.

But, I am so much more than these labels. I am a human being; alive, and ever growing. Mere words cannot accurately depict my meaning. Even the simplest of things: my name; cannot describe me. I am not "Christian". This is but a title.

We are more than labels. Everyone has meaning. Everyone is unique. This is why names are inadequate. There may be hundreds of Tylers in the world, but there is only one you.

Also, I have a quote from the song:

if you could know for one moment how it is to live in our bodies within the world

you ask to much of us

you ask to little

-"we are", Michael Dennis Browne

This can be interpreted many ways. One way is to say that, in this example, my life is difficult and say to someone that if they only knew how hard my life is, they'd understand. Another is to say that my life is great and that if only someone less fortunate could see how amazing it is to be mr. Finally, I think it is a combination. This is meant to show the reader how lives differ from each other. We must grow and compensate for others's losses and expect the same.

you ask to much of us...

This is the most moving passage. I'm a music kid. Sports and cars and girls are a huge part of "being a man". Or at least culture says so...

I've been expected to follow this rule of society but I refuse! I feel it is unjust to ask from me something not in my nature.

And yet, my talents: music and language; are not appreciated enough. I am not given the chance to show what I can do.


I know I am not alone in this school of thought.

I know I sound radical.

I know life must have more meaning than just names.

Please, let me know what you think. Let me know how this text speaks to you.