I’ve got a few reviews, recent finds, new loves and things to share. Let’s start out with some music, shall we?
I recently lurked into the land of all things random and sometimes music related (i.e. Hot Topic via Carolina Place Mall) and picked up the newest Manchester Orchestra album, Mean Everything to Nothing.
Now, Manchester Orchestra was suggested to me by a girl I work with. She listed off several bands that I have every intention of checking out but Manchester Orchestra stuck in my mind as one to check out first. The first single (I’ve Got Friends) has been playing on the radio for a while now and I loved it. I figured I could spare the cash to get the whole album. And low and behold, I love it.
The first song, The Only One, is upbeat and almost beachy in sound. I love the instrumental aspect of this song along with the abstract lyrics. It immediately got stuck in my head from the very first listen. Shake It Out is the second song on the album and has a more intense sound. It’s almost brooding in a way and is just angsty enough that seasoned fans of punk rock will most likely love this one. The third song is I’ve Got Friends and, from the first time I heard it playing on the local rock station, I fell head over hills with the hard hitting lyrics. You could apply the song to love or a great number of other relationship issues. The musical vibe is also very striking. You start out expecting the song to be a bit on the slow side only to turn around and get lost in guitar rifts and just the right amount of artistic screaming. The fourth song on the album, Pride, is almost ambient in sound and has a grunge rock edge. I loved it immediately for the vocals and the lyrics. I can definitely see this song inspiring some good writing. In My Teeth is next up in the album. It wasn’t one of my favorites but works as a good transitional piece. I did enjoy the lyrics but I didn’t feel that the music interacted well with the words. The sixth song is 100 Dollars and it’s short, spectacular and somber. I loved the lyrics. (Noticing a pattern here?) I Can Feel A Hot One follows it up and it’s almost lullaby like. I could fall asleep to this one; not because it is dull but because it is soothing and distinctly sad. Song number eight is My Friend Marcus and has a stronger vibe than most of the previous songs. It’s a song to do something to, whether that something be driving, cooking, cleaning or showering. Number nine is Tony the Tiger and (besides having an awesome name) has some awesome lyrics. The music has a funky sort of sound that, again, has almost grunge rock undertones to it. The nest to last song is Everything To Nothing and it is probably one of my favorite songs on the album. I loved the music. I loved the lyrics. I loved the story it told, the images it provoked and the feeling it gave. The final song on the album is The River and is a fantastic and mellow way to sum up this work of art.
All in all, this album has turned me from a casual listener into a full blown Manchester Orchestra fan. Overall, they have some of the best, poetic lyrics that I’ve heard in a good while. I can’t wait to purchase a copy of their other album, I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child, and fall in love all over again. If any of you guys would like to buy either this album or any other for a good price, I suggest you go to shockhound.com.
Shockhound was suggested to me by a nice girl in Hot Topic. For those who are into music and haven’t heard of shcokhound, it is basically facebook for music freaks. I got one and I am loving it so far. Through the site I have been able to find both CDs and merchandise for my favorite bands, which gives me an alternative outlet to amazon.com. (screw eBay.) If you get yourself a shockhound account due to this, add me. theblusetlight.
Now, my current reading list is quite wonderful. I just finished Ink Exchange by Melissa Mar. It’s good chocolate reading; not literary genius but serves a good purpose. I enjoyed it and look forward to the third book in the series to come out in paperback. (The first book in the series being Wicked Lovely.) The two books I’m reading right now are End of Days by Sylvia Browne and The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I’m certainly loving both and plan to write a full review for the latter after I finish reading it. A book that is on my to-do list is Moloka’i by Alan Brennert. I found it randomly at Barnes & Noble and bought it because it sounds like it’s going to be really good. Expect a review for that one as well.
In other news, I am now the proud parent of Pablo and Oddie. ( a Sanyo 2700 Blue cell phone and a yellow iPod Nano.) Love them both. Also, I have been considering a major in Journalism/Creative Writing instead of English/Creative Writing. There is a difference there and I have discovered a love for music, movie and book reviews. What better way to interview musicians, writers and directors than becoming a journalist. Who knows if I’ll change my mind again. Right now, I’m just having fun with life.
(my blog where this was originally posted: http://thebluestlight.wordpress.com/)
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