Music

I truthfully have not been listening to any thing new due to the fact there are many tests to study for and I haven't been putting forth full effort for my music abilities. Although I really am liking what we are starting to listen to in class. I have herd a little of Led Zepplin, but nothing really in depth, an the only song that I know and like is Kashmir. I have herd this song and I think that is such a good rhythm and it really gets your heart going. I look forward to learning about the Zepplin.

Jimi

This week, was a week where we only had two classes. And on the first day, we finished up Woodstock, and watched the performance of Jimi Hendrix, which I thought was he best performance of the festival. I felt that he had soul, and really cared about the music. Although I thought it was a shame the he preformed at a very awkward time, and there was less than ten thousand people watching him. The last thing that I though was cool, was that he came from nowhere and stunned the current music scene, and it was something that people had never herd before.

crystal

This week I have really not been listening to any think new, but one group that I am kinda interested in an that is new to me is Crystal Castles. The main vocalist in a woman and it is mostly electronic, but I my having a hard time describing them. This previous year they were at ACL and once again if I would have seen them if I went to the festival. Once aging u learned about this particular group from my friends that have been listening to them for a while now. I made a station on pandora of crystal castles and that's where I've been listening to the majority of there songs, due to the fact that I really don't want to buy there albums off of iTunes for big bucks. I am looking forward o see what other music that I will start to acquire form my friends and expand my music tastes for the better.

Ozz

During this week in class we learned about Ozzy Osborne, listened to Abbey Road from the Beatles, and watched a documentary about the wonderful festival of Woodstock. First I want to talk about Ozzy, we didn't really listen to anything of Black Sabbath, although we did watch a small clip from one of the first episodes of the Osbourne's, which was one of the first reality shows that aired on MTV. I personally think that Ozzy was very cool and the king of his era. Being in his twenties touring and having all the groupies and drugs that he had, and biting the head off off of a bat is weird, but he didn't know it was real until it was to late. The Woodstock documentary I though was interesting in some parts but I would liked to have watched, more of the Osbourne's off of YouTube. Woodstock in my eyes is just a much larger ACL that lasted for much longer and on a grander scale overall. I didn't really like many of the bands that were on the movie and while I think that it was a cultural revolution, and ground breaking I would not watch it again. Abbey Road, I thought it was an iconic album, partly because of the extremely well know album art, which attracts tourists to reenact the photo.

Death Magnetic

Only very recently have I been opening my self to more music. On my Ipod I have over 600 songs but the truth is that I really only listen to maybe half. One of groups that I am curently into is Metallica. I bought there album Death Magnetic, quite a while ago, atleast 3 years ago. When I first bought it on Itunes, I thought to myself, "why did I by this?" Yeah, I listened to it but at the time, (and still now) im not that musch in to heavy metal. Recenly though, I have listen to the album again and made a station on Pandora, and I have to say that I am liking them. In my opinion, its not to hardcore but just the right amount of bass, guitar, and vocals. I encourge you to listen to them if you haven already.

$$$

This week in class we had a two day week, on the first day we listened to Johny Cash. To be honest I had not listened to much of Cash, but I had a predetermined train of thought that I would not like him, but I was wrong. I think one of the factors that made him more likable in my eyes was the fact the he preformed at Folsom prison, it just seed that he was a more down to earth guy, who had not let the fame go to his head, but also the fact that he too, was once a prisoner, and wanted to give back to the society where he came from. I also liked the style and the overall tone of his songs. He is one of his most famous songs, Walk the Line.

Do you thrift?

For my one blog this week I decided to write it about my music and not the music that we listened to one day this week. One song that is very popular and that I listen to a lot is a song called Thrift Shop. I cant exactly say what I like about this song, just that I think its pretty funny that this song is about having almost no money to spend on cloths for a thrift shore, and asking people for there grandpas clothes. I herd this song from friend who herd it from his friend, who herd it in class from his teacher. I think the beat also has a lot to do with liking the song. For a good laugh I encourage you to check it out.

Class this week

During this unusual short four day week that we had, we learned that people should turn there blogs in on time, to not only save your grade, but also save Mr. A trouble when you try to scramble and save your grade by writing multiple make up blogs. In class we listened to some Cream, and some more Jimi Hendrix. Maybe it was the album or the fact that most people were talking because Mr. A left the room, but it didn't really do anything for me. I honestly only know one song from Cream which is Sunshine of your love. This era of music just really hasn't been for me, I just have not really liked it or connected with it like some of the other music that we've listened to.

Bombay

One great album that my friends have turned me on to is Bombay Bicycle Club. He lent me the CD and I burned it to my computer. In my opinion it is just really relaxing and calming. Any time I am working on a project or homework, and I decide that I need some back ground noise, this is the album for me. Any time I listen to a song I decide that it is my favorite song on the album, but then the next song comes around and I think that I like it more. This past ACL I knew that they were going to play there but unfournantly I didn't go as I mentioned in one of my previous blogs. I cant pen point what exactly I like, just alternative with a up beat tone. And here is the full album.

Internet Sensations

In my opinion, it is very interesting to me to look black over the years and see the songs that's have been extremely popular and played every 5 minutes on the radio. These songs that if your ask people about them today, they would most likely have a reaction of, " Oh that song, yeah I totally forgot about that song." Some songs in my opinion that fit those guidelines are, Crank that by Soulja Boy and Stanky Legg by the GS Boyz. If you we're living in 2008 than you have almost certainly herd Crank That and either have done the dance that comes with it or have seen it done. And I haven't even mentioned the music video that on YouTube has, I believe, around 150,000,000 views, which was a world wide phenomena. And Stankly Legg, which was an extremely repetitive and includes a dance move that uses your leg (hints the name). These song made a name for them selfs but it clearly did not last. And I feel the same will happen with Psy and his song Gangnam style, which has 650,000,000 views, which in my eyes is just ridiculous, thats the equivalent to every person in the united states watching it twice. It has all the features to make a name for its self like the easy to learn dance. Although unfourtanly it will fall under the category that I mentioned for be first two songs, which will be forgotten in a year or so. Here I have listed some YouTube music videos, Crank That and Gangnam style.

In class

This week we learned that people can be very disrespectful and destroy property such as a chair, but we also learned about, and listened to the Beatles. It is still hard for me to think that the Beatles we are listening to today, are the same that were first exported from the U.K. In this album there were great hits that most people had herd of like I am the walrus, which I happened to really like, but also in the course of the week a grew a feeling for Strawberry Fields Forever. Both of these songs in my opinion were very tripy, and they just seemed to really grow on me. I know that we are coming close to the end of the Beatles, and I anticipate hearing what ever they have to offer.

Nonsense

Today, on thursday we had a pep rally and a late start. For the pep rally today it was very interesting because the music choices that were made were not very good in my opinion. One of the first songs was Pretty Boy Swag and when I first herd it my thought process was, "what is this nonsense." I just don't understand the whole swag concept, maybe it's just because i'm just white, who knows? But it's not my thing. I also think that the toleration for can be played at school events has increased. a couple of years ago that would never have been played, but now Donna is just watching the show dancing with the tunes, oh times have changed.

Jimi Hendrix

In class today on thursday we didn't have a whole lot of time considering we had a late start and a pep rally, but we managed to listen to a little of Jimi Hendrix. I personally don't know much about the man and I wasn't too surprised when it seemed the only facts we could pull about him collectively was that he was black. On my own I knew only a couple of songs by him, but on that I really liked was All Along the Watchtower. This song was in Forrest Gump, which is my favorite movie of all time. As I said we didn't get to listen to much of him, but what we did, I liked. I look forward to listen to more of him soon.

In Class

The music that we listened to during class this week was interesting because it was some that I really liked and some of it was just not so appealing and I couldn't really care less about. For example some of the music that I really liked was of course, Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones. That's a classic song that just about everyone seems to like. And something that I thought was pretty interesting, was the map of metal. Even though we didn't spend a whole a lot of time on it I thought it was really interesting although I didn't really care for music I just thought how interesting it was that some people really like that kind of music and listen to it daily. And the Beatles revolver that we listen to I thought was very interesting, I liked it and I have liked most of the Beatles  that we have listen to as a class. And the one album that Mr. A said that he thought was one of the best albums ever made, just didn't seem to strike a chord with me and I didn't really connect with it. Anyway, here is Paint It black

Jay Z

Jay Z Is one of those very few music artists that have existed many many decades and are still very well known, and active to this day. I guess I've kind of grown up with JayZ, I know that he was very active in the 90s hip-hop movement, but most of his songs that I know are more current. And of course One of his more recent albums featuring Kanye West called Watch the Throne has in my opinion, some very very good songs that I will link up to YouTube.  And of course we all know that Jay-Z is married to Beyoncé and it is known as one of the huge power couples in the music industry, I believe that they're both worth over $1 billion, which is just on the believable. But I guess it's true because Beyoncé and Jay-Z are huge huge artists. I don't know a whole lot about Jay-Z's background story, I do know that he grew up in New York and that's why most of his music is seated around New York and telling of his poor upbringing as a child in the ghetto. He is just a huge star and that's why I am blogging about him on my Friday night. Some of his songs that I mentioned earlier are, Who Gon Stop Me, and Hard Knock Life.

Janis EXTRA CREDIT BLOG

Last Friday in class we listened Piece of my Heart, by Janis Joplin and the cover by Faith Hill. The version by Janis in my opinion seemed more real and gritty, while Faith's rendition seemed more clean cut. I had herd of Janis before because I had herd to song, Mercedes Benz. Trying to pick a version that  I liked better is difficult in my opinion. On one hand Faith is easy on the eyes and is not a bad singer in any regards, but she doesn't seem to have had her heart broken very many times. While Janis looks like she has a hard time finding love. I really liked how Janis got her start right here in Austin, specifically at the Thread Gills restaurant which I have been to many times, and my mom picked to go for her birthday celebration this past monday. Here I've included the song Mercedes Benz. and To Love Somebody

ACL

ACL was this past weekend, and it was one of the biggest music festivals in the country. In my opinion they had a pretty decent lineup, with some huge headliners like the black keys, the red hot chili peppers, avicii, and Weezer. I hate to say it, but I unfortunately did not attend the festival this year. I just didn't really think about it in advance, and didn't have a ticket. Of course some people stuck in or bought tickets the day before craigslist but I figured that I was just going to go out next year. ACL is pretty well-known and is an Austin landmark. The headliners to me seemed pretty good and if I went I would have seen all of the bands that I mentioned previously. Some of my friends went and hearing them talking about it, and the combination of talking about it in class made me really want to go. I guess I will be that much eager to go next year. I'm not sure who was going to headline or even attend but some bands that I hope will attend are, Odd Future, Nero, and Grouplove. Here are some of my favorite songs by the groups that I have listed that will hopefully attend, Rella, Sunlight by Modestep.

Beach

In class today on October 18, 2012 on a late start, we talked a little about the Beatles in their latest albums that were influenced by drugs and the release of Sgt. peppers, and we listened to the album Pet Sounds by the Beach boys. I have pretty much like all of the Beatles that we have listen to and I like the later stuff that are a little more out there. When we listened to the start of the album I had never really heard the Beach boys before and didn't really know what to expect. But after listening to it mostly through I have to say that it didn't do anything special for me. Even though Mr. A said it was one of the best albums ever made I just couldn't see it and if I had to put it on ever in my opinion it would just be for background noise. However the song that Mr. A pointed out, I'm waiting for the day,I did happen to like and I could distinctly hear the drums. I'm interested to see what other things we won't hear from the Beach boys, and here is the song, Caroline, No

Piece of my heart

On Friday in class we listened Piece of my Heart, by Janis Joplin and the cover by Faith Hill. The version by Janis in my opinion seemed more real and gritty, while Faith's rendition seemed more clean cut. I had herd of Janis before because I had herd to song, Mercedes Benz. Trying to pick a version that  I liked better is difficult in my opinion. On one hand Faith is easy on the eyes and is not a bad singer in any regards, but she doesn't seem to have had her heart broken very many times. While Janis looks like she has a hard time finding love. I really liked how Janis got her start right here in Austin, specifically at the Thread Gills restaurant which I have been to many times. Here I've included the song Mercedes Benz.

Songs that come and go

It is very interesting to me to look black over the years and see the songs that's have been extremely popular and played every 5 minutes on the radio. These songs that if your ask people about them today, they would most likely have a reaction of, " Oh that song, yeah I totally forgot about that song." Some songs in my opinion that fit those guidelines are, Crank that by Soulja Boy and Stanky Legg by the GS Boyz. If you we're living in 2008 than you have almost certainly herd Crank That and either have done the dance that comes with it or have seen it done. And I haven't even mentioned the music video that on YouTube has, I believe, around 150,000,000 views, which was a world wide phenomena. And Stankly Legg, which was an extremely repetitive and includes a dance move that uses your leg (hints the name). These song made a name for them selfs but it clearly did not last. And I feel the same will happen with Psy and his song Gangnam style, which has 450,000,000 views. It has all the features to make a name for its self like the easy to learn dance. Although unfourtanly it will fall under the category that I mentioned for be first two songs, which will be forgotten in a year or so. Here I have listed some YouTube music videos, Crank That and Gangnam style.

Ticket to Ride

In class this past week we listen to the Beatles, but the one song in particular that I really liked was, Ticket to Ride. I had heard this song before but I had never really examined it and obviously did not know what the real meaning behind the song was. When I heard the real meaning of the song "Ticket to Ride" I was shocked. Not shocked in a bad way that I thought it was disturbing, but shocked in just how plain unaware of what the lyrics really meant. I did really like the story that Mr. A told us about the meaning if the song, and could not believe that back in the day the record company would not let them spell the song title "RYDE" and instead may them spell it the generic way, "RIDE". Vocally and with the nuclei did like the song also and I am still glad that I am experiencing Beatles how I never thought I would. I have wondered to myself that back in day when the song was released if the people that listen to it truly knew what it was about I haven't decided if they did or did not, but I'm interested. Below I have imbedded the song Ticket to Ride

Evolution of Music

Music is a very interesting thing and it is extremely prevalent in our everyday lives. There is music in the TV commercials that we watch, we can go on iTunes in preview a song, we have access to YouTube which has millions of songs, and we have TV shows Like American Idol and The Voice that feature musicians and artists and try to make a it to be a star. Music is also extremely easy to acquire. Like I said you can go on iTunes and preview a song to see if you like it or not, and go on the Internet and steal music without having to pay for it. 20 years ago it was more difficult to get to music because you physically had to go to the store and buy records and CDs. Of course there are other online music Buying websites like Bear Share and Napster, but in my opinion iTunes has really revolutionized the way most people in the world view and buy music on a daily basis. And to get back to American Idol, that show has been on the air for going on 10 years now I think, and with the new addition of the judges including Nikki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, and Keith Urban to me it's really not even about the music.  There is so much fake hyped up drama going on to boost the ratings I can't see how that show is going to be on the air much longer. I am constantly amazed how music is evolving every day. Records now are almost obsolete except for the few hipsters that still hold on to them, and CDs are becoming more and more disregarded every day as music is becoming digital. I can not wait to see what music will bring us in the next ten years. Here I have included the alleged fight on the show American idol between Mariah Carey and Nikki Minaj.

Black Keys Extra Credit

The black keys consists of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. Thales started out of Akron Ohio and met while in high school together and liked the same music. They built a fan base the old fashioned way by touring clubs and releasing lots of albums. There major breakthrough came with there album release called Brothers. There song Tighten Up, won three Grammy awards at the 2011 Grammys, and there music has appeared in over one hundred commercials. There latest album El Camino has received great reviews as well. I like the black keys a lot and learned about them over the last couple of years. I like what they bring and there own uniqueness seems really honest to me. Chances are even of you haven't herd them you have herd there music in countless commercials and I bet that you like them. I really encourage you to check them out. Here are some of there more popular songs, Tighten Up, Lonely Boy, andLittle Black Submarines

Odd Future Extra Credit

The group Odd Future is a rap group based out of Los Angles and it consists of multiple rappers including Tyler the creator, Hodgey Beats, Mike G, Left Brain, Domo Genisis, Taco and frank ocean, to name a few. Together the group has released two albums as a whole and have broken off in smaller groups. Hodgey Beats and Left Brain are by them selfs, Mellow Hype, and Tyler, has released multiple albums on his own, and was the creator of Odd Future. I have only know about this group for about a year and a really like them. The group as a whole has only been around for a couple of years but has been getting a lot of attention lately. The group even has there own television show called Loiter Squad, that is a cross between Jacksss, and Silent Libary that comes on Cartoon Network for 15 minutes usually comes on after midnight. Tyler, Domo Genisis and Mellow Hype have albums comming out in next few months. I really like the and I encourage you to check them out as well. Here are some of there more popular songs, Rella and Oldie

Rolling Stones

When we listened to the Rolling Stones on Friday I really didn't think that I would like anything that we listen to. But my mind was changed and I did happen to like a few songs that we listen to as a class. One of the better songs that I liked was time on my side. I like to the rhythm and the beat and just the overall sound of it, as it felt really classic to listen to and it was a good surprise. Another song that I really liked and that I had heard a couple times before was a song Suzie Q. I really like this song also because of the beat and because of the lyrics. I have to say that the Rolling Stones are growing on me, although this period of music is on my favorite. I am looking forward to other bands that we are going to listen to as a class. And some songs that I will find that I really enjoy from artists that I didn't think I liked. Below I have included some clips from YouTube, Time on my side and Susie Q

Earl Sweatshirt

Thebe Neruda Kgositsile or other wise known as earl sweat shirt is a slightly underground rapper that was found and put into light by Tyler the creator. Tyler discovered him in early 2009 and joined him to odd future. He produced his self titled album, earl that was produced by Tyler. I have only know about earl for about a year, and I have to say that he is not my favorite rapper but he is very unique. Over the last year earl had pretty much disappeared, although he made a big debut with his feature on the song oldie in the new odd future song. Earl has also made a impact on the t-shirts as well. He has released a shirt with a crudely drawn head with the words earl under it most people have probably never seen it but true odd future fans know all about it. I encourage you to check out earl and maybe you will learn about other bands along the way. Here are some of earl's more popular and well known songs from multiple albums, Orange juice and Epar

Lil Wayne Extra Credit Blog

Lil Wayne in my opinion is one of those artists who have equal criticism against them  as they do great marks. He grew up in a very rough and dangerous area in New Orleans in LA. Some people say that lil Wayne cannot be compared to other great rappers of the 90's, but I say that he is as good if not better. I've been listening to lil Wayne ever since I've gotten my first I pod touch in seventh grade. I have most of his solo albums and listen to lil Wayne radio on pandora. Listening to lil Wayne, and hearing artists that are featuring him, has turned me on to other artists that I'd never herd of like Tech N9ne, Busta Rhymes and Bun B. Here is one of my favorite song by Lil Wayne, Up Up and Away.

50 Cent Extra Credit Blog

Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent, was born in Queens New York and grew up in a very rough neighborhood to say the least. At age 12 he started to sell crack and weed, and just a year later bought  his own gun. Years later he stopped the drug business and started to pursue his rap career. During his rise to fame he was shot nine times in a drive by shooting. He amazingly survived and came back stronger then he had before  and released his album called Guess Who's Back, and that is when he got the attention of Eminem. Eminem and Dre signed 50 to Interscope records. 50 was one of the highest selling artists in 2003. He has acted in his movie called Get Rich or Die Tryin'. His album Get Rich or Die Tryin' was the 6th best album of the 2000's, and has his fifth album coming out in November. Here is one of 50s' more popular song, I Get Money

Rolling Stones

When we first listened to the Rolling Stones album I honestly had high hopes for them, although I have to say that I really did not like them. I think that I was expecting something better, the album in my eyes was very bluesy and it really was not my forte. I do however like the song "Paint It Black" and I think I was expecting something like that. I have to say that I am glad that I've experienced the Stones, although I will not go home and listen to them on iTunes or spotify, or go and watch videos on YouTube. Here is my favorite song by the Rolling Stones, Paint it Black.

Eminem

Eminem is famous for growing up in poverty in the heart of Detroit near 8 mile road and slowing working him self up the rap stardom latter until he finally made it. Eminem, also called Marshal Mathers, or Slim Shady he has been declared the king of hip-hop and has sold over 100 million albums world wide. He has stared in his movie, 8 Mile which starts right when he is gaining popularity but is still living in a trailer park with his mother. Eminem is especially know for his provocative verses and his diatribes of minorities, including being accused of being homophobic. He has a record label called Shady Records and is a huge partner with Dr. Dre, and in 2002 with a partnership form Dre's label, Aftermath, they signed the up and coming rapper 50 cent, which turned out to be a huge success. In my eyes he one of he greatest rappers of his era.  Here is one of my favorite songs by Eminem, Lose Yourself 

Tyler

Tyler the creator is the creator of Odd Future and is a very successful rapper by himself as well. Tyler lived in Ladera, CA and he met up with Mellow Hype, which consisted of Hodgey Beats and Left Brain. Tyler also discovered and helped bring to light Earl Sweatshirt. Eventually other people joined the group like Mike G, Domo Genisis and Odd Futurer was born. Tyler has a very successful album by himself named Goblin, which talks a lot about going through therapy and rehab. He also produces all of his songs and has a record label called Odd Future Records. He has had a couple of very successful songs that helped start him in his career, like Yonkers, Sandwhiches, and French that we're off of his album. In 2011 he won best new artists with his song Yonkers by the MTV Video Music Awards. Yonkers Music VideoSandwhitches

Beatles movie

When we first started to watch the documentary I was really not interested and could not get into the movie, but as we continued I started to like it. It's was amazing to me how popular that they were with girls following them around constantly and it was also a culture shock to see how people lived in the 60's. Certian aspects of that time period like people constantly smoking in public places and in this day in age no one smokes in restaurants. I am glad that I have learned more about the Beatles that I never knew before and that I've listened to there music.First US visit

The Beatles

In class when we first started talking about the Beatles I had really never herd on the Beatle history before. Of coarse I head some of there greatest hits and I even have some of there songs on my iPod but I never knew for instance that they got rid of there drummer because he was too good looking. When we listened to the first album in class I had herd twist and shout but none of the other songs, and I have to say that I really liked them. Although I have to say this style of music is not really my taste, I like rap and alternative, but I am glad to listen to them and I know that they are a important part of music history.Twist and shout music video

Odd Future

The group Odd Future is a rap group based out of Los Angles and it consists of multiple rappers including Tyler the creator, Hodgey Beats, Mike G, Left Brain, Domo Genisis, Taco and frank ocean, to name a few. Together the group has released two albums as a whole and have broken off in smaller groups. Hodgey Beats and Left Brain are by them selfs, Mellow Hype, and Tyler, has released multiple albums on his own, and was the creator of Odd Future. I have only know about this group for about a year and a really like them. The group as a whole has only been around for a couple of years but has been getting a lot of attention lately. The group even has there own television show called Loiter Squad, that is a cross between Jacksss, and Silent Libary that comes on Cartoon Network for 15 minutes usually comes on after midnight. Tyler, Domo Genisis and Mellow Hype have albums comming out in next few months. I really like the and I encourage you to check them out as well.Oldie music video

Old school

This week in history of rock class I learned so much that I never knew. Charlie Christian changed the way people herd the guitar by amplifying it and playing it through a radio. I also never knew how racey Elvis was at the time. For instant his shaking hips were never seen before and the television programs censored. I thought both of these facts were very interesting, and I look forward learning much more about music than I have on my iPod.

Dubstep

Fairly recently a new type genre of music has emerged and it is called dubstep. Dubstep is mainly electronicly done with few words and generally has a distinct bass. There are many different dubstep artists and groups but a few of the more prevelent artists are, skrillex, flux pavilion, Nero, and bassnecter. Dubstep is a very particular taste is music and not every one likes listening to it.