Music in Manhattan

The Merits of Covers

2011-12-16T03:13:00.000-08:00

So it's finals week. I do apologize for my blog presence making a rather significant disappearance, by the way- who knew that school would become such a whirlwind? College is like nothing ever experienced before, and something you'll never experience again. Hitting finals week, though, is something that everyone can relate to- that week that blurs into one long, stressful day. It takes some weird things to get through finals week- Dayquil. Monster Energy drinks that you promised yourself you'd never touch. Pretzels. Sweatshirts. Duct tape over the door lock so people can freely come and go to borrow clothes/notes/textbooks. Most importantly, though, finals week takes music, and lots of it. Therefore, in honor of finals week, we're going to talk about the universal music of friendship, Christmas, and college- cover music. Every college band plays covers of Oasis 'Wonderwall'; every Christmas song has been sung by just about everyone who's ever sung in the first place. Friends sit around the coffee table at five in the morning after pulling all-nighters for exams they've been studying for all semester and sing songs from Youtube. Covers are ways to tell someone something that's already been said perfectly and covers are ways of telling stories in your own voice, and nothing is better for the week of regurgitating information than listening to songs sung twice. For everyone who's awake and trying to keep their minds on organic chemistry, here are some of my favorite covers-

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE- HALO

This is the type of song that was all right the first time around, but only really hit gold in my eyes when it was sung by someone else. It makes me sad, it makes me find beauty in things that aren't real, and it's the perfect song for sitting and studying when you're too upset to focus on what you're reading anyway. So for all those newly single, heartbroken, not-wanting-to-head-home students out there- study hard, and let me see your halo.

FOUR YEAR STRONG- FLY
To be completely honest with everyone, Four Year Strong is a total 'bro band'. Guys love them. This is a fact. But as far as covers of nineties rock go, this one is one of the more solid ones I've ever come across- and as a nineties music fanatic, that means a lot. They sing what was completely sugared pop rock in their own, frat house, loud and rather raucous style and make everyone want to sing along.

This one needs no oratory explanation. Simply listen and absorb, and best of luck with all that may come your way.

Remember the Name- Fort Minor

2011-11-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

Not all war images have guns, and not all pictures of soldiers show camouflage. Don't believe me? Just visit the Asian Culture Center Building at St. John's University- the 9/11 photograph exhibit, displaying world-renowned street photographer Jeff Mermelstein's images from a decade ago, certainly qualifies as war photography. From pictures of people blanketed in dust to messages of retaliation hastily inscribed on filthy windowpanes, the images both tell the story of the Tuesday morning and take the viewer back to where they were when everything crashed down. Do you remember where you were that day? I sure do. Back center table, doing my cursive book while my teacher attended an emergency staff meeting. I know what had happened, but had no comprehension of the full impact- and I can personally say that Mermelstein's photographs remind me of that feeling. Some of the pictures, after all, wouldn't mean as much out of context. One image in particular of a man in a simple windbreaker and thick glasses, gives no hint as to what he is staring at so blankly. that goes for many of the images- they force you to think about what was going on all around, and not just what was captured through the lens.

The images aren't the only part of the exhibit, though. Walk to the left of the exhibit's check-in desk (the photo gallery is down the hallway to your right), and you hit a 3-walled room entirely encompassed by blackboards. Did that day bring you a new guardian angel to pray to? If so, you'd connect with whoever chalked the wings and halo onto the caption 'I wish I'd said more to my dad that morning'. Were you there? In that instance, you'd get chills reading the neat, block print talking about the sky turning black and racing to get home and tell your family you were fine. Stories, pictures, poems, questions... no matter what one wanted to share, its on the public chalk wall gallery. Here's a picture of me leaving my part of the story, taken by my close friend Diona Dacosta. Want to read what she thought of the exhibit? Take a look at her blog, http://soyouthinkyougotstyle.blogspot.com.

Tis the season for Tchaikovsky

2011-11-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen Black Swan? If not, shame on you- it's a phenomenal marriage of ballet and cinema, both visually and in reference to the stories of both the bovie and the true swan lake. That aside, though, let's take a closer look at the mastermind behind the music- Pyotr Tchaikovsky (pronounce- pee-yoh-tur tch-ike-ov-skee). Why? Well, for starters, it's been scientifically proven that studying AND sleeping to classical music is better for you, and this composer is perfect for both the seasoned classical music fan and the newbie. His compositions are exciting, diverse, and easily recognizable to anyone who doesn't want to just start downloading eight million etudes in the pursuit of sounder sleep and higher education. In addition, the first snow of the season fell all day yesterday- and for me, at least, the first snow always signifies the coming of ballet season. You should ALWAYS care about ballet season, regardless of who you are. Boys- buy your girl tickets for Christmas. Girls- bring your friends and have an excuse to dress up, or just go by yourself and feel moved by the minor falls and major lifts (and for those of you who regularly read my blog, that's a direct quote from Leonard Cohen's Hallelujiah). Back to Tchaikovsky, though. Whether listening to him for studying, or because you love classical music anyway, or because you want to put on your dancing shoes- you're bound to be enthralled by his apt use of unique instrument features, seamless key changes, and challenging, enticing time signatures. Take a listen- who knows, you might get hooked.

A little nod to Tchaikovsky himself that I forgot to mention earlier, by the way- thank him for Sleeping Beauty. Whether the play or the Disney movie, still one of the most moving scores in history.

Why not get a little Passionate?

2011-09-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

Passion Pit. I've mentioned them a few times in previous posts- I believe we discussed the song they sing with Chiddy Bang earlier, 'Truth'. This band deserves their own post, though, so here we are-

Passion Pit. The words almost never make sense in a way that makes you feel like they might just be more profound than you, the music makes you want to get up and dance in the street, and the the voice makes you want to sing along in your head only- for both the enticement of listening to it and the sheet range it covers. This is the perfect clean your room and jive music, the perfect drive down the highway and belt it out music... but decidedly not for those sad days. Regardless- sometimes, it's pouring rain and you just want to hear nonsensical rhymes about little secrets and being judged when you walk down the street. I recommend 'Cuddle Fuddle' for anyone who's in love, and the tickets to see them live are usually adorably cheap.

'Let this be our little secret, no one needs to know

We're feeling higher and higher and higher.....'

Stepping away from the Norm... An Introduction

2011-09-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Normally, all my posts are about music. They'll continue to be, don't worry. But per necessity, I've decided to post my autobiography on here for multimedia-

I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in January of 1993. Since then, I've lived most of my life in Houston, Texas- somewhere I don't plan to return to very often now that I've graduated high school and moved out. I spent most of my childhood loving to run, talk, read, and dance ballet. Until I was about 16, I wanted to grow up to become an author-slash-lawyer. I still might become a lawyer- I'm taking the LSATs in about a month, and we'll see how well I do.

I come from a small-ish family- I have a mom, a dad, and younger twin brothers named Andrew and Phillip. They're about as different as twins can be- as freshmen this year, Phil's class president and on drumline; Andy's on varsity soccer, cross country, and debates. I used to play soccer with Andy but go to concerts with Phil, but as much as I miss them, I come from a family that doesn't have many problems being apart. That might have something to do with how often they text me, though. It's like they're always there.

When I grow up.... well, when I graduate, I'm not quite sure what I want to be. I love languages- I speak English, Spanish, and French, and am working on Russian- but I'm not sure if I want to use my language skills in diplomacy, marketing relations, or law. I want to live in New York City- hopefully either in Chelsea or near 2nd and 77th, eventually. I love the cold, I love the north, and I love public transportation. I know, I'm a little odd.

What's the Word on Weezer?

2011-09-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Beverly Hills... for all those kids who feel like they're broke and lost and confused and won't ever fit in. Pork and Beans... for everyone who just doesn't want to throw out last season's outfits and go to the gym day after day. I Want You To... the ultimate 'I'm cool, you're cool, let's hang!' song. Rivers Cuomos, at 43, has been connecting to the chill, eccentric, offbeat punks and outcasts in all of us since the mid nineties. With the Buddy Holly glasses and the swing-style rhythms and the lyrics that make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs about those days you just didn't fit in, Weezer is the band with the universal connection. Even in recent years, the band has collaborated with artists like B.O.B. and topped the charts. Just be careful- listening to too much Weezer has been known to make people dance in odd ways and pull out the old Phish t-shirts, so listen sparingly.

Hallelujah

2011-09-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

My roommate and I are both rather drugged at the moment, and so I feel justified in changing up the perspective of my entry. As per the last five entries, I've been focused on specific artists and songs they recorded originally. Sitting at my computer at midnight editing my roommmate's speech, though, I realized that part of music education isn't looking at the way an artist can make you feel, but looking at the way a single song can portray a million different emotions. The song 'Hallelujah', originally written by Canadian folk artist Leonard Cohen (who, quite frankly, I'll probably introduce everyone to soon enough), has been covered by seven major artists and countless others. The words have the power to move you from sadness to indignance to a religious revelation. It's been featured in movies like Shrek, and played at places like my high school prom. Christians hear stories they've known since childhood, and everyone else hears snippets of familiarity to folk tales and memories. It's told in a storytelling fashion rather than as specific verses, with rhyming where it fits and free verse where it doesn't.

I heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this- the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift,
The baffled king composing Hallelujah.

Isn't that beautiful? I have yet to listen to it and not have it move me, whether to tears or to become productive and accomplished.

This artist, Jeff Buckley, sung arguably the most commonly known rendition of Hallelujah, recorded and released in 1994.

If Anyone Remembers the Nineties...

2011-09-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

... do you remember the Smashing Pumpkins? Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Korgan. Billy Korgan and Courtney Love. In 1988, when rock and altrock and grunge were all coming together to form one of, in my opinions, the best genres in existence- alternative- came the band The Smashing Pumpkins. They sang in a high, whining drone about nostalgia and hatred and girls who were just teetering on the edge of suicide and hate. They had a distinctly ragged guitar sound and managed to sound sensual and absolutely indignant all at the same time. The song 1979 makes everyone think about that time when they made the wrong choice and still had fun with it, the song Bullet With Butterfly Wings makes every man think about the one who got away, and the song Tonight, Tonight makes most girls cry. You hear them on soft rock radio, acoustic radio, alternative radio, and occasional pop radio. Bands cover them. The paparazzi heralded them. I, personally, listen to them whenever I'm up past two a.m.- which, to be honest, is quite often. This is the music for anyone who wants to stay awake, but really isn't in the mood for something that's going to scare their sluggish, half-asleep system as they try to write essays and take theology notes.

Of course, I must note- loving a band like the Smashing Pumpkins does not mean you should love the Smashing Pumpkins as human beings. Please try not to act like this in real life.

Everyone Needs Some Country- A Collective Effort

2011-09-08T05:39:00.000-07:00

So it's four a.m. and I'm sitting in the common room, writing a dissertation for MassComm (second blog class, anyone?) and my friend decides to start sending me country videos via YouTube at a rapid-fire pace. Now, I'm not a country fan by any means. Yet, despite my general aversion to all things country and redneck and what-have-you, I have mad amounts of respect for certain country artists that paved the way for music and musical artists over the years.

For starters, we have Johnny Cash. From the Boy Named Sue to the Ring of Fire to the shortly-prior-to-his-passing Nine Inch Nails cover, the autonomy and complexity of Cash's deep voice and country/gospel sound does a solid job or reaching into everyone's heart. When I want to sit and contemplate life and feel a little bit like a real American, I watch Walk the Line. Country. Folk. Jazz. Blues. An artist in prison and a lost hand (watch the movie, I promise it's worth your while) and a million songs and stories. I was alive and aware when he died, and I cried.

Of course, Johnny Cash needs to be mentioned twice- has anyone ever heard The Highwaymen? The song 'Highwayman' makes every little kid want to be a gunslinger and ride out into the West- trust me, even I wanted to get up on a horse and ride away. It's like the Travelling Wilburys for country- Willie Nelson, Kris Kristoferson, Waylon Jennings, and of course, my man Johnny. Rumor has it, I was at one of their last concerts- of course, I was still at about 4 weeks gestation, but you know, semantics.

Speaking of Willie Nelson... can we talk about Willie Nelson? Literally one of the best country singers alive. He's this braid-wearing, bandana-sporting old skinny country crooner who manages to up the cool factor of anyone he sings with. Any time you want to ease your way into country music, I recommend 'Pancho and Lefty' by Nelson and Bob Dylan. Want something more modern and less folksy? Try 'Mendocino County Line', sung with Sheryl Crow. Sheryl. Crow. It's like this eighty-year-old former pal of Cash thinks he's Kid Rock or something.

I'll be mad disappointed if I go and ask you about your favorite country song and still hear the name 'Jason Aldean'.

Let's Talk, as I have Before, About Chiddy Bang

2011-09-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

So I'll be frank with you all- I'm holding out on you a bit. Yes, I do have a second blog. Technically, I have three- this, my personal blog, and one for my MassComm class, but I digress. A few weeks ago, I did this big personal dissertation on how happy I was to have discovered the band Chiddy Bang- credit to my best friend Thomas on this one, actually, but a discovery is a discovery! In essence, Chiddy Bang is one of those rap groups that you don't have to be a rap fan to love. The music tends to be almost Weird-Al Yankovic style in that sometimes, you can tell what song the track was first- but with rhymes and ideas being spat out at a rapid-fire pace in a way that makes you laugh and think and run yourself ragged trying to keep up. Since their formation at Drexel in 2008, the band has hit the charts in the US for two songs- one with MGMT (and I mean, we'll get to them later in the year- but really, no one hates MGMT, they're just too brilliant and collegiate and odd), and one with quite possibly my favorite band of all time, Passion Pit. There's a white boy and singing and rapping and there's some name-dropping (at one point, the band mocks West Coast rapper Asher Roth for his song about loving college for all the wrong reasons), not to mention a catchy dance beat. Seriously? Dancing beats. Tell me you don't want a witty club song for those nights you just want to celebrate being finished with all your Russian and MassComm homework. That's what I thought.

Mumford and Sons (Because I Don't Back Down on my Promises)

2011-09-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

So in my post yesterday, I do recall mentioning this band to keep you all on the edges of your seats (and, quite frankly, to reel everyone back in after such a sellout to start myself off). For anyone who's never watched MTV, TMZ, VH1's Top 20 Countdown on a Sunday Morning, or listened to the local lite rock radio station, Mumford and Sons is... universal. It's got quick guitars and a folksy sound and raucous singing and really, a little something for everyone. If you've ever heard someone talking about 'that lion song', that's Mumford and Sons. If you've ever heard anyone play the banjo recently and say they picked it up for kicks, it probably had something to do with this band. It's the music you hear in those cute innovation commercials by GE and in Memorial Hermann ads and the songs you listen to when you ride the subway.

And it was not your fault, but mine.
And it was your heart on the line.
I really messed it up this time, but didn't I mind it?
Didn't I mind it.

Day One: Let's Talk About All Time Low!

2011-09-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Day one, and I've already missed my first class. Seriously. Wednesday I was fine, Thursday I was fine, so naturally, I miss the only class with my major in its name. I consider that my 'of course it happened' day and feel like that's a sign of good things to come. Daily posts should let us know, though. This should be interesting to look back on throughout the year.

So, to start us off, I'm going to go on about literally one of the oldest bands I've ever admitted to loving. For anyone out there who's young enough to remember freshman year of high school, recall that feeling of pressure to listen to the 'right music'. Which, really, was such wrong music it hurts (I mean, seriously? I sat on the bus to my first cross country meet listening to Christina Aguilera. I think about all the poor freshman who did the same thing with Katy Perry at meets last year and cringe for them in anticipation.), but I digress. There was always, and still will be, All Time Low. Don't lie, everyone in the world can sing along to 'Dear Maria, Count Me In'. It's mandatory. And every time I listen to the acoustic version of the song 'Jasey Rae', I still tear up a bit. Yes, I'm admitting this to you. That's deep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf-RVZ1cRHo

So, All Time Low. It's trashy, thrashy, bubblegum pop with sappy lyrics about partying too much and falling in love. (The bands I analyze will get 'better' and 'deeper', I promise. I do) It's perfect music for Times Square when that one friend we all have won't put down the camera, though. You all know what I'm talking about- the more they refuse to stop photographing you, the giddier and more aggravated you get. It's the Times Square paradox, and it's why we all hate Times Square, but this is the music that makes you feel like you can put on something crazy and take over the world. Please don't try listening to this often, though, or you might timewarp to 2006 (myspace grrrrrls, anyone?) and start wearing skinny jeans with beaded bracelets and scrappy Vans.

Keep checking up, though! I'm taking the LIR (for all you non-citygoers out there, the Long Island Railroad) tomorrow to watch my friend play at a wedding, and nothing's better for the train than Mumford and Sons.

Why be silent when you could be musical?