Rage Against The Machine

This week we listened to a little of Rage, and watched one or two or their music videos. This reminded me of how much I enjoyed Rage, and liked listening to them. I truly can't say that I'm a huge fan because I only have their album Battle Los Angles, and Bulls on Parade. Although I have listened to Battle Los Angles so many times that I could sing along to most of the vocals. Calm like a bomb, Maria, and Mic check are some of my favorite songs from that album, and listening to them this week has rekindled that spark that I have for them, and has made me listen to them which is something that I haven't done in a while. And of coarse Bulls on Parade is a great song and worthy of listening to anytime. The opening of that song has so much energy and is just great, with the guitar, bass, and drums. I should look into more of their old songs and albums, I'm sure there just as good. 

OutKast

For one of the last weeks in music history we listened to many different artists, but one that stood out to me and that I hadn't heard much of was OutKast. Really the only song that I've heard from them and knew it was OutKast was Hey Ya. I personally liked this song when I had heard it before, and still liked it when we watched the music video in class. The song was really catchy, and simple enough that you could sing along to it. The other music video we watched of them I had never seen before, and it was ok. Very interesting, but I can see how they peaked and then fell out of the music scene. I am defiantly not an OutKast fan, and will most likely never be. 

James

The artist that I am writing about this week for the Independent blog is Trinidad James.  As I'm sitting here writing this I can't really believe that I'm writing about him because he's really not that good of an artist and the song is okay, but is not great. This song I heard on the radio, and after about the third time I listened, I shazamed it and find out what the name of it was. Don't get me wrong the songs alright and I don't want to hate too much was home. It has a good beat and is it repetitive, but the second half of it is more of an electronic base type of music which I like. With the female voice that is in it when you're cruising down the street this song is alright to listen to, and I listen to it any day. As for the rest of Trinidad James, I know that has a song called 'gold on everything' and is also quite popular but ,is also epetitive with the N-word.

Tear

This week for the in class blog, on Tuesday I showed up late due to sleeping in and I showed up right after I believe, that you played creep by Radiohead. I was pretty bummed out here about that because I really like that song, and would've enjoyed it. After that we listened to some Massive Attack and especially that song Teardrop which I really liked. I have heard that song before but you know, not really heard much of any their songs. And the best part in my opinion was today when we turned off the lights and listened to the whole album. Also what I really liked was learning the history of the group and hearing how they started out originally separate doing rave music and slowing it down for the changing drug scene. I had never thought of this before and it was just interesting. The part I liked about today in the quiet was laying on the floor and really listening to the music. With no phones and low-level lighting, It was a good good day. I thought Brooks would chime in there at one point and lay down with me but he never did.

Scumbag brain

When I was rolling in my car this week and singing a long to my songs it hit me. That realistically I memorize more of my song lyrics then I have any academic things regarding school.  And I personally think that that is very interesting. When I hit shuffle and go through my songs I honestly can sing along to most of them. I may only have about 600 songs on my phone but if you asked me to recite most literary terms, or math formulas or the presidents of United States in order, or anything else like thatI  most likely could not.  It's not that I am not a smart man, and I'm not trying to fluff my own feathers, but it just seems that way. I guess the repetition for listening to the songs has made it so I have memorized them, which in actuality makes sense because repetition is the best form of learning. I just found that interesting and since I really haven't discovered in the new music this past week I blow some steam from  my brain. 

ACL

This Monday the first thing in class that we talked about was the ACL lineup. As soon as we started talking about it I immediately lost interest because I do not care about it. I have heard people talking about it, and a lot of my friends are going but to me it just is not appeal. I'm sure when you're there the experience is fantastic, and actually I can't really say that it is not that great, due to the fact that I have never been. But with all those people around to listen to music that I can in the comfort of my own home does nothing for me. Especially when you consider that you can watch the live feed on YouTube and not have to deal with the heat, parking, the cost of tickets, and the cost of food and whatnot. I may sound like a broken record, but I just want to say again that I don't care.

Chili

I was excited to find out that we were going to listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in class on Tuesday. I had heard of them before but never listened to this album all the way through before. However this album did seem quite long. There were songs that I was familiar with and others that I had never heard before. I liked just about all of it. And especially enjoyed the songs that I were familiar with and knew the beat. I couldn't believe hearing about the history of the band how they had been preforming so long before they were really discovered and became popular. 10 years with little to no recognition must have been very hard. And I couldn't believe how many bandmembers they went through. It seemed like they got a new guitarist left and right.

Crash

While trying to think of something to write for my personal music blog. I was just messing around on Pandora, and happened to click on a station, that I hadn't listened to in a while. Just trying to find some new music to write about. And it just so happened that the soundtrack from the movie crash started to play. No normally I wouldn't think anything of this and would most likely skip ahead to the next song. But it just so happened that we are in fact watching that movie crash, and my sociology class currently. Now I have never seen this movie before but while watching it in class it turned out to be a very good movie and I look forward to finishing it. And on the music side of things, the soundtrack was surprisingly good and very calming music. I don't remember hearing any specific songs and matching them up to scenes from the movie but this music seems like it could in fact have been from this movie, and would have fit in well.

Riff

What I'm blogging about for personal music is the rapper Riff Raff. In my opinion he really isn't so much of a rapper as a comedian. He must think he is black but he was born white. He has cornrows, and was featured in the movie Spring Beakers, that has been in the theaters recently. I've listened to some of his music, most through pandora, and it's not that good in my opinion. He acts so black with his voice, and all of his chains and drugs and whatnot. Especially if you watch his music videos on YouTube, how he shows off his money and possessions. How I found out about Riff Raff was through my friend who like him.

LCD

Today on Friday we had a sub, and we watched LCD Sound System preform at Madison Square Garden. And I personally really didn't care for it. Although I did blog about this group before that was one song that I felt was really good, and what I listened to didn't appeal to me. I did however like how they did preform, and the whole stage presence. I liked watching the performers change instruments, and move back and forth on stage, the concert appeal was cool, and the stage lighting was nice. Although I can't believe that a group like this could fill a venue like that and have that large of a following.

Wildstyle

A song that I'm always in the mood to listen to is Wildstyle Method by Bassnecter. I got turned on to this song by a friend, and it was a great recommendation. I like to listen to it, while in by car because the "drop" is a big part of this song, and I have to day the bass in my car is quite nice. I will mention this song is of the dupstep genre, and has very few vocals, except a high pitched voice, saying very repetitive sayings. The drop, which is the main part of dupstep and the most intense part of the song is very good, and does not disappoint.

Nevermind

On Tuesday of this week we listened to Nirvana's album Nevermind, and I have one word to describe it, fantastic. I had herd select songs from the album, but not the whole thing straight through. The album started out with Smells Like Teen Sprit, and that is a great song. Just the overall energy, and the vocals, make it, in my mind a great song. Other songs like Lithium, and Come As You Are, are fantastic. Although the hidden bonus song in my opinion was trash and it sounded like screamo. I can't see how you, Mr. A liked it, but that's all you.

LCD

A song that I've recently herd about and purchased is North American Scum by LCD Sound System. I herd about it from my friend, who asked me if I've seen the movie Step Brothers, I said yes of coarse, and then he preceded to play this song. Immediately I loved it, and bought it that day. The first part of the song is in a scene of the movie, and it is very recognizable. The whole song is very up beat and fast paced, yet it has a good rhythm and just makes you want to groove. I personally haven't listened to really any of LCD's other songs, but if their anywhere as good as this one, I'm sure I'd like it.

NWA

This week in class we on Monday we listened to the group NWA. But most importantly, the one song that stood out to me the most was the song, Straight Outta Compton. I think I had herd of this song before but never really listened to it fully all the way through. The group, Easy E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and MC Ren produced some great music and were harder than the rap from the 80's we listened too. Obviously there were many more vulgar words in this group and in their song, but to me it didn't make a difference. Their just words, right, who cares. I hear or use any number of those words on a daily basis and, I'm sure I've become desensitized, but who cares. I guess the combination of the beat mixed with the lyrics and the different rappers really made Straight Outta Compton a great song in my book.

Wolf

This week for my personal music blog, I decided to write about the new Tyler the Creator album, Wolf. This album had a good amount of hype about it because its had the release date pushed back a good amount of time. I personally was expecting a lot from this album because the new shit that Earl has been releasing like Chum, and Whoa has been good, so I thought that in turn this would be good, and its ok but not great. Most of my friends have been saying that its not very good but once you give it some time and listen to it a couple times through it gets better. And of coarse there are some good hits, like Domo 23 and Jamba are my personal favs from the album. I know that OF is working on a new album and I am looking forward to hearing it.

This week

This week in class we watched a documentary on the band U2, and other videos, some on the singer Jack White who I believe is the singer for the White Stripes. I thought the video on Jack White was pretty cool, in the video it looked like he had his son with him. I think his son because they were dressed identical. Anyways I thought it was really cool how he was teaching this little kid how to play they piano. Another thing I liked from this week was how in the U2 doc. They played this on song called Rumble, and I had herd it before but never know the title, and I really liked it, and now have been playing it on my own off of YouTube.

Thursday March 28 EXTRA BLOG

Today was very interesting in that, the first part of class we talked about life, and looked deeper into our future and education. And the second half we watched, in my opinion we watched some good ass videos. For instance, we watched a very cool stop motion videos, retro VW car commercials, mass up of YouTube videos that were created into a song, and Odd Future on Jimmy Falon. I really liked today. I think because in my opinion I like almost everything we listened/watched. And also talking about what in 20 years will still be around and what will survive, as some of the hits form the time we are living in right now.

ALT-J

Last week I was watching one off the last episodes of the last season on a show called Weeds on Netflix. At the very end of this episode, a song stared which played during the credits. I promptly rewinded the show to listen to it again, except this time I used the Shazam app on my phone which told me the artist, title, and everything else about it. The name of the song was Fitzpleasure and the artist was ALT-J. I though, and still think, this song is really good, and I have listened to it many times. It starts off slowly, and gets louder. I can't really describe it, but I do enjoy this song greatly.

U2

For the week of March 25th for our one day in class we listened Paul Simons album, and some of U2. The one song that I really enjoyed, and that had never herd before was Bullet To Blue Sky. When this song started I stopped what ever I was doing at the time, to learn what song this one and listen intently to the lyrics. The combination of the guitar, and the vocals, made the song for me and I was glad to listen to different songs than the usual, 'Beautiful Day.'

Hair Metal day EXTRA BLOG

Last weak in class we had a day of metal, some people's reactions were not so excited to listen to it, but I have to say that I was. When ever I ride in my dads car he has satellite radio, and always plays a station called 'Hair Nation'. I guess that's where I became exposed to that type of music. In class, some of the artists we listened to we're Def Leopard, Twisted Sister, and Van Halen. I really enjoyed all of these artists and I thought that this change of pace form the 80's was a much needed change. Songs like We're Not Gonna Take It, and Pour Sugar On Me, I thought had good vocals, and a good over all sound that made them catchy.

Post title

For my personal music blog I wasn't really sure what to write about until I started browsing my iPod and shuffled through the songs. When I'm perusing the songs, there is usually a couple of songs that I will stop and listen and one of them is Hustlin' by Rick Ross. I'm not sure what I like about this song, but ever since I bought it I do enjoy it. I guess it's the mixture of the bass and deep voice that makes me feel like a true black man. I am also not sure what to write about and tis is the best I can come up with.

Thursday

Thursday in class was a disco day, and I have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought, and I kinda liked it, it was a nice change of pace from our normal 70's jam. The first song that we started out with was Stayin' Alive, by the Bee Gees. My fellow class mate Brooks adamantly did not like it, but I thought it wasn't too bad , and it made me really want to dance. Then came Beat Street, which in my opinion was super cool. The dance moves back then far surpassed the dance quality of today, and I just over all really enjoyed watching it. Another aspect that I think is why I liked it was, the group of all the people, and how they seemed to have so much fun, and to battle with dance.

Chop

For the past few weeks I have been listening to a channel on my satellite radio in my car called SHADE45, which is mostly rap. And at least every day they play this song called Karate Chop, by Future, and Lil Wayne. I know this song is trash but I still like it. It just basically talks about chopping up bricks, "like karate" of cocaine to sell. And I'm sure the rest of the lyrics are very well either, but I don't care, I blast it, and roll down the windows. This song will be in the category of being popular, but then overplayed and diminished down the drain, much like other really huge songs, like, Goytes' hit song.

Police

Today on March first we listened to the Police and the album Outlandos D'Amour, and I have to say that I liked it much more then I was expecting. The first song in the album was great, it started off strong, and the over all combination of the great drums and guitar and bass made the song in my opinion. I've herd the stereotypical song of the police, and of coarse Roxanne which is a great song. This music reminds of great groove music, and it makes me move to the beat and tap my foot along.

Grammys

I think that the Grammys are more about the performances than the actual talent and the awards given out, I think this about the Grammys every year, but this year in particular was especially bad. To start off the host who was LL Cool J rapped at the very end of the program was atrocious. His rapping abilities mixed with his, "friend" Tom Morello, and Travis Barker, was shameful. Chris Brown was a dick, for not acknowledging Frank Oceans award. And I feel that there were all of these performances with these huge stars, but only a small amount of awards given out. In my opinion the Grammys were a waist of time.

Zepplin

The video that watched in class with the substitute on the Thursday late start, was interesting in many different aspects. I thought that that guitar solos were pretty decent and the fact that he used a violin bow on his guitar was pretty bad ass and I've never seen anything like that. I felt like the video went on way too long and it felt very monotonous and repetitive. I'm glad that I experienced this side of Led Zepplin, but I would never choose to watch this on my own, with my own time. I think in my opinion that this appeals to an older demographic like our sub. Ms. K, or possibly our parents or grandparents. The guitar abilities of Jimmy page are wonderful and amazing, and that was one thing that I did infact like.

Grammys extra make up blog

Well this weekend is decoded Grammys but I'm really not that interested. I mean I think it's cool house so many of the biggest stores get together but I think at this point it's really not as much about the award, but just a big televised music fest. With at least 15 huge stores performing at the Grammys it seems to be a large concert with minimal award giving. I think it is also the fashion that draws many of the viewers to the pre-Grammy celebration to see the stars walk down the red carpet. With all of the television ads and air time I'm sure the Grammys to make a hefty penny in the nighttime TV department.

Misc. extra make up blog

Now I think I'm going to talk about some of the topics and discussions that we talk about during class. One day this week we talked about the Super Bowl and it's outcome and the ads that were played. People told their favorite ads and we recollected on all the years of football. We've talked about the quality of vinyl compared to CDs and the upcoming crannies that destroying a lot of attention. We talked about the Beatles and the Beatles solo careers we've talked about Marvin Gaye. Even though I don't sleep very much in the conversations I do seem to like them very much and find them entertaining and I do not mind not speaking. So this blog is not about music this is about our conversations that we discussed about and tell Mr. a feeds the conversation because without him, we would be awkward group of students.

Marvin Gaye

On Monday of this past week we listened to Marvin Gaye's album. The only thing I knew about this was one famous song of his that everyone seems to like. I also like the song very much, and the overall entire album seemed very home and relaxing and soothing. I also like this album quite a lot, and it seemed to be good for background noise as well. There's not really a whole lot more to say, I don't know much about Marvin Gaye. I knew that he was associated with the blues Brothers and what not. But again all I know is that one song of his.

Imagine

In class today We listened to Paul McCartney's solo album. I thought it was pretty good but the best song I liked was called imagine. I just liked this song and it felt very classic and call me and I just like the words and really everything about it. Although after I heard that song the rest of the album was just kind of background music which I didn't listen to very intensely. I still can't believe that we are still listening to Beatles stuff. It feels like we have been listening to the very first albums months and months ago, and now we're listening to their solo career. Once again I liked the song imagine very very much.

Yela

A song that's have been jamming to in my car is the song Billy Crystal, by Yelawolf. I had honestly never hereof him until a few months ago, but this song, and his other song, Daddy's Lambo is damn catchy. I. Not sure why I like this song so much, I think that it is something new that'd haven't herd before. I have listened to this song enough to analyze it and figure out its true deeper meaning,which is a big time drug dealer, and i f you mess with him, or don't pay him he will send his people after him. Although in my opinion this song, and any other song I recently acquire I play a lot, and then within a week it simmers down and just becomes a song in my library with I would hear when I a shuffling through my songs.

IV

Friday in class we listened to Zep IV. I had herd some of the songs from it but never listened to the whole thing. The first song that listened to was black dog, which I really liked a lot. I just liked how upbeat it was, and the over all rhythm that it had. I had herd this song previously but had never knew the actual title of they song. Another song thatwasvwryaoleling was the song Stairway to Heaven. I had herd the chorus before, but had ever listened to the whole thing, and I have to say that i liked it it. It had good guitar solos, and good vocals that were calming but impact full. Now that's have familiarized myself with Led Zeppelin, I look forward to listening to more of them.

Public domain

When we watched the documentary in class this past week, I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it as much as I did and how it appealed to our generation. I liked the artist that they featured who was Girl Talk. I really liked their mash up ideas of their songs. I think that the music debate is a good one, and I think that they put time and money and passion on there songs, and they want to see some profits, and some money from there hard work. However I think that the licensing fees are way too high.

Yela

I haven't been listening to anything new, but one song that is damn catchy is Daddy's Lambo. This song is honestly not that good but it has a good beat and rhythm, that makes you want to continue to listen and hit replay. Yelawolf is a white rapper with a bunch of tattoos, but he has some decent songs on his album, and I could see why people buy it.

Manson

Early this past week we slightly touched base on the artist Marilyn Manson. I had heard about him before but never really looked in depth about anything that he has ever done or really any thing about him. When I got home that day I was intrigued and wanted to know more, when we watched one of his music videos, I have to say that I liked it and I found him fascinating as a whole. I watched an interview about him on CNN in the 90's and then he looked pretty normal. Now I believe that he is in his 40's. I honestly haven't gone too in depth on his music or albums, but just as a person I find him fascinating. Just hearing about some of his concert experiences are intriguing. I look forward on doing more research about him in the future.

Black

On Thursday, January 10th in class we listened to the album of Black Sabbath. I had herd of this band before and I was only recently aware that Ozzy is the vocalist. The only song that I really know and, is the song Iron Man. I have herd this song multiple times, and I really enjoy it, considering is was played in the movie Iron Man which is one of my favorite movies. On this album we listened to there were more songs that I liked but, unfortunately I do not know the names of these songs. I enjoy listening to some great early metal bands.