Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

There's this song that has recently come out called, "Paris." The band that is doing this song called Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. It is such a fun rock song that sounds like it's from the 80's. However, it actually came out in just a few years ago. The lead singer has very cool rockish but also type of hippy type of music.

I tried to find other songs that I thought that was fun to listen to. However, I wasn't able to find any. Perhaps, the song "Paris" is just another one hit wonder. Enjoy the video of from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Norah Jones

Ever wonder who's singing the songs in all the girly movies? Well that would be Norah Jones. She is an alto singer that has really great lower voice with jazzy feel to it. Most of her music is slow. I discovered her when I watched the movie Maid in Manhattan. She sang one her songs called, "Don't know why". Her music is also on other romantic movies as well.

Here are two videos. One of them is her song "Don't know why" from the movie Maid in Manhattan. This will help you remember who she is. I also added an other song called, "Sunrise" which is more fun and positive song.

The "Shoegaze" Post

There is a peculiar type of music that I discovered I have a great affinity for. This type of music is known by many different names: Wall of Sound, dream-pop, but the most popular way to describe it is Shoegaze. The name comes from the singers hanging their heads down towards their feet while singing, embodying the mesmerizing qualities of singing.
These types of songs, and the artists that created them, strive to create soft, dreamy landscapes with their music. The sounds are lush, light, and airy, as if you can drift through them on a cloud. the music circles around you like the wind. The most popular tool for this genre of music is the guitar, and often these songs feature several instruments layered over one another, creating the illusion of multiple instruments playing at once, luring the listener into a trance.

My favorite band that creates this type of music is Blonde Redhead. Two guitars (and various other instruments), one female singer, and all heart. "Elephant Woman" is a slow, haunting song that with somber violin notes and gentle, whispering vocals. This band is one the best examples of the Shoegaze genre.

 

When this style of music was popular, other artists tried their hand at imitating the large, enveloping sounds of Shoegaze, including CKY (hard rock), A Place to Bury Strangers (not-as-hard rock), and Coldplay (kinda rock). 

If you liked this song then you may also like:

 

Inspiration from the Emerald Island

Since spring is here and the world is green one again, it seemed fitting to turn to some music from Ireland. "Dance of the Celts" is one powerful album. Using folk music as inspiration with the addition of modern forms of perfecting recording, this album fills the very air with spirit. Most of the songs are "reels" with classical underpinnings and strong movement.

Listen to Deanta's "ready for the Strom" here at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OPVw2dWy9k    

Ben E. King - Stand By Me

This oldie but goodie was written by Ben E. King The song was originally written for the group The Drifters. The group choose to let this number one pass them by. King himself later recorded it. Taking the song to number one on the billboard charts in 1961! This song has been covered by many well known artists from all different musical backgrounds. Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon are two of the most well known artists.

This song has appeared on many movie sound tracks. One of the most well known movies is also called Stand By Me. The movie stars many well known actors Richard Dreyfuss, Corey Feldman, a chubby Jerry O'Connell, John Cusack, Kiefer Sutherland, and River Phoenix.

Hope you guys Enjoy!

Amanda

The "Melodic Metal" Post

"I like everything except Country and Rap...oh, and that crazy metal stuff".

We all know someone that says stuff like this. I used to say the same thing myself. I didn't like country, and I especially didn't like metal, but that was before I heard one of the most amazing songs ever. A song I will never forget.

I had never heard of In Flames, but by that point in my life I was already accustomed to hard rock music and enjoyed it. I still didn't like metal music though, until I heard this song.

This song snuck up on me, and when I say that I mean that it didn't sound like what I imagine a heavy metal song to sound like. The introduction to the song is over a full minute of gentle acoustic guitar and light, but rhythmic drums. It sounded very nice, and is a great warmup to the hard driving guitar of the rest of the song.

You know that growling gutteral "singing" that is a staple of heavy metal music? These guys do that too, but there is a key difference that kept me from skipping the song like I normally do, and eventually made In Flames one of my most often listened to bands. This, and on every song on the album, the lead singer's voice is considerably lower than the rest of the song. You hear more of the amazing guitar than the voice. The music is the main course.

-Himmler

If you liked this song then you may also like:

(This one has piano!)

 

Criminal

Insight into Fiona Apple! Fiona Apple received a Grammy for the Best female vocalist in 1998. The song that earned her the Grammy was Criminal.Criminal reached the US Charts at number 21. Criminal is a piano rock song. This was one of her biggest hits. The music video depicts a teenage girl at a party singing about how she committed an offense against the one she loves.

Here is a link to watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOzayDpWoI&ob=av2e

Amanda