Throw Me A Melody, I'll Write You A Symphony...

Now Playing - Original Me - Cascada (The Entire Album)

Hi! (from the road :) )

So here we go, the first blog post on the road, (I finally did it!). I'm so excited that this idea of posting a blog from other places, other than my hometown, actually made it! It also kinda fits that the album that I'm going to be reviewing today is one that I listen to as I cruise (I listen to audiobooks usually if I drive long distances). So, before I start, I'm going to be all teacher and let you know what I am planning today for this post: a more extensive review on an album (guess which one it is??).

The Review

So I said before that my Old Man Markley review (psst...it was last post!) was a mini-review and what I meant by that was that I only talked about a few songs that stood out to me and gave brief descriptions on them. This review is going to be a little bit different because I'm actually going to designate some time for ALL of the songs on this album (don't worry, there are only 11 songs!). 

1. San Francisco - What a great first song!! Gets you dancing and it's one that you can crank as you drive around in the summer! The one thing that I will say about this song is that it does have a certain "California Girls"(Katy Perry)-esque vibe to it. I love that song too so it helps this song, it's just kind of funny how this seems like a lesser mainstream version of that song. 

2. Au Revoir - This next song seems like a 'power' song. What that means is that it's all about female power and not about a girl 'gushing' about her new man. As a single, and proud of it, female, I LOVE 'power' songs. Always have, always will :)...even when I'm not single.

3. Stalker - Ok, so as soon as I saw the title for this next song, I was hooked! It's a running joke with a few friends of mine that I'm a 'stalker', just because I find them all over our town and such. But with the techno beats and the fact that she talks a little bit at the beginning and end of this song, I don't mind being associated with this song. 

4. Night Nurse - If you listen to this song, you might get a bit of Cher at the beginning when they sing the 'Night Nurse' part, I definitely did, which is one of the reasons I like this song. Another is just the ease of understanding and hearing the lyrics (I love to sing along to songs :) ). 

5. Pyromania (the song is the video that's linked at the beginning of this post) - Now I'm a bit touchy when it comes to songs about fire, because of what happened in my hometown on May 15, but I actually don't mind this song. I think it has a good beat and rhythm. This whole album is pretty techno and this song lends really well to that genre. A definite party song :).

6. Unspoken - The first 'slow' song of this album. The word slow is quoted because this song definitely has a bit of electronica in it as well. I love the rapping in this song (give me a good rap anyday and I'm happy :) ). I love the lyrics of this song and it's funny that I know couples that this song pertains to; they have a love that doesn't need words to explain it's there (my parents, Alyssa and Josh).

7. Original Me - The title track :). I love this song because it's another 'power' song. I would rather someone know the 'original me' than the made up and fake me, anyday :).

8. Sinner on the Dancefloor - Listening to this song from the beginning, you would think it's going to be quite a slow song, but then you get the pounding techno beat that totally changes the sound of the song. Another great dance song :).

9. Enemy - The second slow song from Cascada. This song definitely showcases the singer's very sweet and soft voice. I think it's beautiful. The lyrics are definitely deeper than on the other songs. I love when artists who are more 'clubby' and such include songs like this on their albums. It allows for more emotional moments to come off a single album.

10. Hungover - Another deep and slow song. Hidden in this song is a 'power' song. It seems as if Cascada wants to keep all of their slow songs to the end of the album; I'm not a big fan of that. I like my song styles intermingled or else you just end up skipping the last three songs off an album.

11. Independence Day - The second song with rapping on it :). I feel like the last song kinda segue'd nicely into this one. She was 'hungover' from him and this song is kind of about her 'sobering' up. She is gaining her independence and her 'power'.

Overall this album has a nice electronica/techno mix. It has a nice variety of songs that you can jam along to. I have on more than one occasion, rolled down my windows and cranked it while driving around my hometown with the sun shining through and thinking 'this is paradise'. Cascada has, in the past, been quite monosound on her albums (re: Alyssa.."Cascada?"), but this album has a nice balance of sounds and subjects. I bought this album because I love upbeat, uptempo music and she hasn't let me down before. I didn't come out of this experience let down either :).

Rating: 4.5 bars out of 5.

Bye for now, and "C(ascada)" you very soon,

Marie

While I've Got Your Ear, What Do You Want To Hear...

Now Playing: The Whole Album - Guts n' Teeth - Old Man Markley

Well here we go again, 

Hi!

So this post is going to be a hybrid of a few things. I'm going to do a my first review(be it a mini one) and then I'm going to talk about a certain type of playlist (hint: I took a girls road trip this weekend), and finally(!) I am going to recommend a new song that made me super happy to find and hear! So let's get started.

THE REVIEW

 

As I start this review, the song that drew me to this band has just come to an end. It's called "For Better, For Worse" from (you guessed it!) Old Man Markley! Now I know what your thinking and it's something I thought too...what kind of music is this band going to play? The band name doesn't really give any hints, and when I tell you what they play, you might shudder if you don't like country music. They play a folksy/rock/indie style of music. This album is definitely a mix of different sounds. The background sound is country, but the lyrics are deeper than normal country music. I already mentioned one of the songs that I love off of this album (look above for a great song that has an opening that you can't help but sing over and over again; the video is crazy too!) , but another one is called "Letterman". (Sorry I don't have a link for this one). The opening harmonica bit drew me to this song and made me feel like swaying in my seat. The lead singer's voice is so gruff and soulful in this song that it is very easy to listen to. If you are looking for a song where you can 'bop' to the whole song, this is your choice. The third song that I love (I love them all, but this was a mini review) is called "Song Songs", and it is hyperlinked on my whole album link. This song leads perfectly into the second portion of this post. I cannot express how much I love this song, but I'll sure try. The message it conveys is one that there are all different types of songs. I love when songs can cover so many moments in your life. There is a line in the song "Songs can't tell who you are, but they feel so real", it just speaks volumes. No matter how you feel, there is a song that can motivate you, console you, be your best friend, be your coach, be your shoulder to cry on. I thank Old Man Markley, and J for introducing me to them, for this great album and the awesome music that I get to listen to forever. :) (psst...go buy it!! :) )

Musical Score: Five bars out of five.

THE PLAYLIST

Giggles, Moneybags & Bangin' Boo

Leadfoot & Cadilac

So these are my girls and I love them all! We recently went on a four day girls fest down to Calgary and then on to the town of Blairmore for a little thing called "THUNDER IN THE VALLEY". Along the way, we spent over 20 hours in my small vehicle. (Five girls + five girls luggage for four days = one tired car!) Anywho! We listened to a lot of music on this trip and I thought I would share our 'playlist' in order to inspire other future girlfriend road trips! 

Leaving the city: Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys - We all jammed out to this one and so will you! It's a classic!!

Driving down the Highway: Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO - Now this one is new, but had to be added to this playlist (we fist pump out the window!)

The first night in Calgary: Cadilac Ranch - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Leadfoot and Cadilac (aptly named!) were showing the cowpokes how the city folk do the two-step while the three of us (Giggles, Moneybags, and Bangin' Boo) were hanging outside taking pictures!

Heading to Blairmore: Thunderstruck - AC/DC - This head rocking song set the tone for the rest of the weekend, heck, it even has the word thunder in the title! 

Getting ready to go out the second night: Blow - Ke$ha - I honestly think we listened to this song five times that second night! Such a 'get you pumped up' song, and who can't help but dance when she says to at the beginning?

Heading to the Lake - Shots - LMFAO - This is another song that gets you pumped up and allows you to do the 'Python'; Moneybags' way of doing a fist pump where you essentially punch forward or make a striking python..try it!

Last night at Thunder - Firework - Katy Perry - I thought it was quite cute that in the huge field where they set off 30 straight of minutes of fireworks, they cranked this song. I LOVE! when songs link up to what is actually happening.

Heading Home - Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain - This whole song encapsulates our weekend but with the lyric "the best thing about being a woman is the prerogative to have little fun", Shania cemented her place in our all girls weekend. This song is so empowering and you just want to crank it and sing it with your girlfriends!!

So that's that, the first playlist that was inspired by my real life. I look forward to many others and what emotions and adventures that they will be based on!

P.S. - Sorry to any boys who read this...the next playlist won't have as much estrogen in it..

BREAKING NEWS!!

Ok, so I went into this blog posting tonight only thinking I'd do two things: the review and the playlist, BUT!! whilst looking for a video for my last posting, I came across something wonderful!! 

A NEW PARAMORE VIDEO!!

Now if you haven't already guessed by my background, or my first blog song selection, or my tattoo..or, or, or..I love Paramore!! I could write and talk about them and gush all day..but I won't. Anywho, here is the video for their NEW SONG!! (GAHH my inner self is screaming) 

'Monster'

Thanks guys and gals for reading and I hope you take your daily dose of Vitamin M(usic) ;)

-Marie

Well I Got A Lot To Say To You...

Now Playing - Crushcrushcrush (Live) - Paramore - The Final RIOT!


First a little history....

Hi!

My name is Marie and I love music!! Like we have all seen that commercial where the guy marries the gum..right?? Well I would marry music if I could...we would make beautiful music together...cheesy I know ;). Anywho, back to the real story. I have loved music my entire life and it plays a huge role in my life: from my lowest lows, to my highest highs, music has always been there for me. I felt like this blog was a good idea in order to properly express my love and appreciation for all that music has given me, PLUS open a line of communication about reviews of new CD's and talk about playlists for different activities (not just working out, but taking a bath, crying about an ex, or just going for a walk on the beach!) 

Anywho...now that you know a bit about me and what this blog is about, I look forward to many entries to come :). So excited and so many ideas floating around. 

See you on Side B,

Marie.