You are currently browsing the daily archive for November 19th, 2008.
Yes guys, I meant that literally. Like, seriously – lend me your ears.
A few months ago I adopted a policy of anti-(illegal) downloading because I discovered I was morally opposed to it. I admit the going has not been easy, and more than once I almost wavered on my possibly-too-ambitious promise and almost started downloading all over again. However I am glad to announce that since the day I made that promise, no illegal music file has been downloaded onto my computer and then played.
Now comes the sad part:
As you may have guessed – after a few months – my music hoard’s replayability has started to run low. VERY LOW, in fact. I have gotten tired to listening to Death Magnetic (the first benefactor of my new-found policy) over and over again, and I have decided it is time for something new; ordinarily this would not have been too difficult – I would just have torrented ALL the albums that I was interested in and leave it at that. However, as the only avenue that I have to gain new songs nowadays is via purchasing them myself, my options are obviously much more limited.
So this is where YOU come in dear reader. I need your help. I would like you to help me choose what to buy for myself over the next few days. You see, while I am all the rage for new music, I just realized that I haven’t a dickie clue on what to buy – all I know is that I want a change in my musical repertoire. However that statement comes with a few slight caveats – that degree of change should preferably be not too drastic. In other words, all that I’m saying is that you guys should not ask me to pick up Pavarotti, or Bjork, or something.
I would like something conventional and easy to get used to.
To make the choice easier I have selected a few of my own “candidates” for the CAD 15 purchase, with a short brief on why it even made it so far (i.e to this list). I encourage you guys to choose from the mini list I have made; however you are absolutely free to add your own unlisted choices. I should make it clear however, that because they are as such, the probability of me actually going for that relatively novel choice of yours is much, much lower. Oh, and another caveat: I would like a 2008 release, if that’s possible (all the ones here are 2008 releases, so don’t worry about that).
Alright guys, so I’m going to let you have your say: argue, scream, yell, use force – do anything you want to make sure I end up gravitating toward your musical opinion. Just don’t make me torrent it =)
Here goes:
# 1:
Prospekt’s March.
If that looks amazingly like the cover art for Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, then it should – it is the upcoming EP from the band, and is set to be released this 19th of November in Europe. The follow up to their highly succcessful album release in May, this EP contains eight tracks, six of which are brand new, with the other two being remixes of Lost! and Lovers In Japan.
Why is it here?
Coldplay maaaa…DUH. *smacks your head*
Also because I really liked the sound they pursued on Viva La Vida, and look forward to what Life In Technicolour II would sound like (YES THAT IS THE TITLE OF A SONG ON THE ALBUM!).
Why should it not be the one?
My iTunes currently has 2334 songs, and adding a measly eight to the list wasn’t really my idea of expanding my playlist. Something more copious in song quantity would be awesome; also that this isn’t really something new – it essentially is Viva La Vida Part II.
You decide.
# 2:
Narrow Stairs.
If you can read sideways, that’s Death Cab For Cutie on the sidebar of the image. Narrow Stairs is a fairly recent release from this rather-seasoned band, and although only a few weeks in it has already managed to set many a heart ablaze due to its apparently revolutionary musical direction.
Why is it here?
Like I said, I wanted to try something new – I think an alt-rock band definitely qualifies. I am not too sure if softly whining guitars are my thing (especially after Metallica’s rock solid Death Magnetic), but I am willing to give it a go. Having said that, I find that I Will Possess Your Heart – the album’s first single – is very much to my liking. Also, Farhana has been bugging me to try them for ages – I think it is time I acquiesed to her demands.
Why should it not be the one?
I am not sure if I can stomach slow guitars. To me, guitars are only meant for one thing: thrash metal solos. I didn’t really dig Snow Patrol – a band which I suppose is in the same musical league – and I worry the same thing could happen to me again in this manner of experimentation.
# 3:
Safe Trip Home.
Remember this lady? My-tea’s-gone-cold-I’m-wondering-why-I-got-out-of-bed-at-all? Well, she’s back with a new album and – by the sounds coming from the British press – it’s bloody damned good. Also, nice album cover – that’s astronaut Bruce McCandless II during a spacewalk, as part of space shuttle mission STS-41-B.
Why is it here?
I’ll be frank and honest: I HARDLY LISTEN TO ANY FEMALE SINGERS, NO SHIT. Of the 2334 songs in my iTunes, I doubt if 500 of them are sung/composed/played by women. Something which I find is a massive shame, especially as there are good female singers out there, perfectly deserving of some of my hard-saved turkey.
I also think Dido qualifies as “something new”.
Why should it not be the one?
Maybe I don’t listen to female singers for a very good reason?
# 4:
Dark Horse.
AH. FINALLY. A ROCK BAND. I LIKE!!! Eh what am I saying.
Why is it here?
Frankly, you can’t really go wrong with Nickelback – they’re a very safe bet to say the least. Reasonably radio-friendly, with good vocals and solid homage to the gods of rock, I dare say this choice is one that I am reasonably confident will pique my interest for quite a good while.
Also, they’re Canadian *grinz*. Sokonglah pemuzik tanahair is a slogan I seem to remember from my years growing up. Time to put that mantra to good use =p
Why should it not be the one?
I also think Nickelback is too safe a bet. It’s nothing new at all, and runs the risk of sounding like a boyband, coming off the back of Metallica. I’m not even kidding. Have you ever tried playing Guitar Hero and seeing how insanely hard to play their (Metallica’s) songs are?
# 5:
Ode To J. Smith.
Listed on my Top 5 Albums of the Year last December, Travis makes a return slighly over a year later with Ode To J. Smith. This is another band that appears to be a safe choice, and one which you can trust to serve up good alt-music.
Why is it here?
Bronze medallist, Irving Tan’s Personal Playlist 2007, nuff said.
Why should it not be the one?
“This is another band that appears to be a safe choice, and one which you can trust to serve up good alt-music.”
Apparently that is not so – Ode To J. Smith only stayed on the UK charts for a mere three weeks, and peaked at a measly # 20 during that time >.<
# 6:
When The World Comes Down.
The AAR. You know them, you have heard them; now tell me why I should believe that When The World Comes Down is a safe bet.
Why is it here?
No idea to be honest. It isn’t new, and The AAR is bordering on emo – which I somewhat don’t quite like. In any case, the opening single for the album has got to be one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard all year.
“When you see my face hope it gives you hell – hope it gives you hell!”
Why should it not be the one?
As evidenced above, even I have my doubts about the suitability of this one – let’s move on.
# 7:
Diamonds In The Rough.
As the only artist on this list of mine which rocks harder on Nickelback, Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) deserves a mention for being home to one of the best guitarists in the world, and definitely being able to squeeze more than a single hook into a song. Their self-titled 2007 album was one of the best metal albums I have heard this year – and according to their fans, apparently that’s their worst work ever @.@
Why is it here?
A7X is definitely a class metal band, and something which my blood will definitely race to. The album is also a double disc package, and with the new album comes a live recording of the band at the NBC. I’m thinking Bat Country will be awesome to hear live.
Why should it not be the one?
I don’t know if you know, but Diamonds In The Rough is actually a collection of songs that failed to make the band’s 2007 album (hence the title, see?). Although I do not doubt the album will feature more than plain lousy demos, I have this slight fear that these unselected songs may just have been dropped for a reason @.@
Also, lousy cover art. (LOL!)
# 8:
Perfectly Clear.
Sorry Jewel, if that were the case, I would have selected you already. As I look at this album cover I realize that a geology and sexually-related pun is forming in my head – just by looking at the artist’s name, the album title, and the woman herself LOL. MSN me to find out what it is…if you dare.
Why is it here?
Like Dido, she benefits from my gender-equality movement. I have also no doubt in her capability to belt out country-based marvels; the random collage of songs I have from Atif go a huge way to proving that.
Why should it not be the one?
Again, maybe there IS a reason why I have not picked up Jewel on a constant basis as of yet – even though I have been listening to her since I was like 7. Another reason lies in her genre – country man, country @.@
# 9:
Folie a Deux.
With a title en la langue francaise, Fall Out Boy return. Folie a Deux is their follow up effort to the brilliant Infinity On High, and I must say I am extremely piqued to see what they turn up with this time around.
Why is it here?
Infinity On High was an incredible piece of work, and although I have not heard all of it, I think From Under The Cork Tree (their previous album) exudes the same infectious grooves as well. Infinity was my bronze medallist as well for my 2006 Music list, and I see no reason why that trend should not continue. Trust FOB to get the job done.
Why should it not be the one?
Did I just say that I see no reason why that trend should not continue? Excuse me, I do – their first single sucks. It’s called I Don’t Care, and I have to say I share that exact same sentiment about it, really.
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So that’s about it – at least from my end. So I leave it up to you guys. Please do leave your respective two cents’ worth on the comment page, and I will weigh out all your opinions and hopefully make a choice this early December =)
Alright I should really get back to the books – I can’t believe writing this post took the larger portion of two hours @.@
A bientot!!
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