Oh, It’s Going to Be One of THOSE Weeks

Posted on February 20, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: Justice
Song: Stress (Live)
Album: A Cross the Universe
Mood: Moody Monday morning

I don’t think the universe allows people to kick off the week happily. The very nature and existence of Monday is already doomed to fail. It is after all, the beginning of a work week. To make matters worse, today is President’s Day and unlike everyone else in America, I had to venture into work. Naturally the subway is running on a holiday schedule, making my commute excruciatingly longer than it already is. Oh and I got to hear the pleasant sounds of a child screaming his/her head off for a good 15-20 minutes on the train.

But I’m here at work at last and I’m pushing away my case of the Mondays with a little “Stress” by Justice. The beauty of this song is that while it certainly embodies that feeling of stress with the perpetual blare of a siren, it makes me feel incredibly happy. The song begins with the sharp strain of violins very softly and steadily increasing with additional instruments kicking in, creating an immense buildup of tension. And just when you think it’s ready to break, it quiets and builds up yet again until it literally climaxes in a frenzy, all the while fans scream their heads off, right before you hit the 2 minute mark. And then it’s just a crazy dance party. I’ll just come right out and say it, the song mirrors an amazing sexual experience. If you like electronica music and you love sex just as much, put this song on your playlist.
It’s glorious and the perfect stress reliever, just like sex! But the regular version doesn’t do it justice, no pun intended. Listen to the live version if you want to enjoy that blissful release.


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Chill Happy Dancing with a White Horse and Goldfrapp

Posted on February 17, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: Goldfrapp
Song: Ride a White Horse
Album: Supernature
Mood: Chill and very happy

I came into the Goldfrapp scene late in the game, maybe about two years ago or less. I randomly came across the video for “Strict Machine” on a music forum and was smitten. I immediately downloaded her entire discography. I’ve always been a sucker for electronic music, and more recently synthpop. In my own opinion, it’s what pop should sound –no frivolity. What I truly adore about Goldfrapp’s music is the perfecting blend of synthpop/electropop and ambient music. Her albums intertwine the chill with the dancey, without feeling like I’m at a rave.

After “Ride a White Horse” came on my shuffled iPod the other day, I was immediately in the mood for more. Although the week didn’t start out as wonderful and it’s felt like an eternity, it progressively improved and I’m happy for the weekend at last. “Ride a White Horse” offers plenty of groove and dance beats with disco inspiration. It’s impossible not to nod my head like a crazy person as I type this post with the song blaring in the background. So if you’re feeling chill, but want a gentle groove and soft vocals to get you moving, take a listen.


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Valentine’s Day Woes: Love Stinks

Posted on February 14, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: J. Geils Band
Song: Love Stinks
Album: Love Stinks
Mood: Lonely and hating this holiday

I can’t imagine a more fitting song for Valentine’s Day, from the perspective of someone who is single. Oh V-Day, most hated of all holidays for single people and for most couples. It’s a day that dupes people into saying “I love you” when they don’t mean it and spending hundreds of dollars on fancy meals, flowers, candy, jewelry, and red lingerie. People whoe are unfortunate enough to feel unloved must be constantly remind throughout the day that they won’t be getting laid when they get home. You watch as everyone else in your office receives flowers and cards. People with heart-shaped balloons bump into you on the street. And every restaurant tonight is serving meals designed for two.

People might try to tell you it’s about remembering everyone who loves you in your life, friends and family. I call bullshit. Walk into a CVS and 90% of those Valentine’s Day cards are for husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends. And it’s advertised as such on every commercial. It’s always been a day for people with “In a relationship” checked off on their Facebook. Try to explain this to your single friends, tell them you love them and expect an evil glare. Or maybe that’s just me and my bitterness. But to all those who feel as bitter about this waste of a space holiday as I do, enjoy “Love Stinks” by J. Geils Band. The version from The Wedding Singer is probably better but I thought I’d go with the original today. And if you’re feeling especially morose today, check out yesterday’s post with the Evanescence video “My Heart Is Broken.” That little goodie works for today too, as do a lot of their songs.

Let’s wallow together and remember that 50% of marriages today end in divorce. There’s hope for us yet.


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Disappointment for the Grammy Awards

Posted on February 13, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: Evanescence
Song: My Heart Is Broken
Album: Evanescence
Mood: Disappointed

I can’t honestly say I’ve ever had much hope in award shows, whether it be the Grammys or the Academy Awards. And I think most musicians today have come to terms with the fact that it’s all one big popularity contest that has no real bearing on how good or bad one’s music is. I’m not here to bitch about Adele winning nearly half a dozen awards, because I know she deserved them and I’m actually a huge fan. Instead, I’m here to bitch about a lack of representation in rock music.

Like pop music, rock has always been here and will always continue to be here. Just like I’m sure country and rap aren’t disappearing anytime soon. Yet it’s amazing how even the Grammy categories have changed over the years. I went to do a little research back into the early 90s when alternative and grunge ruled the airwaves. And I found there used to be Best Rock Vocal Solo, Best Rock Duo/Group, Best Rock Instrumental, and even Best Rock Male and Female Performance. What is there today for the rock world? Hard rock and metal have merged into one for starters, rounded out with Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Album, and Best Alternative Album.

Apparently the Foo Fighters are what the music industry views as the face of rock. I like and respect the Foo Fighters very much, but if they’re considered the face of today’s hard rock scene, I’m scared. I don’t even understand how one band can be nominated in both Rock and Hard Rock/Metal categories. Hard rock they are not. Likewise, the face and very definition of alternative has changed as well. In the mid 90s, alternative meant you liked Jane’s Addiction and Alice in Chains. Today it apparently means you enjoy the mellow folk sounds of Bon Iver.

Granted rock music has changed and evolved, as it should, and we’re stuck on an indie kick, but it’s still a form of rock music that deserves to have recognition. I understand hard rock and metal are not as popular as they used to be, but it’s still there and artists are still making amazing albums and people are still listening. Just like people are still listening to R&B and rap and country and jazz. I don’t see their categories being slashed.

I don’t know why I work myself up over something so petty and meaningless, but I do. Maynard James Keenan of Tool insulted the awards pretty well, “I think the Grammys are nothing more than some gigantic promotional machine for the music industry. They cater to a low intellect and they feed the masses. They don’t honor the arts or the artist for what he created. It’s the music business celebrating itself. That’s basically what it’s all about.” Ironically enough, they’ve won 3 Grammys.

To gather up all these feelings of disappointment, slight anger, and a general disregard, I felt it best to pick a song from a band that gained popularity at the tail end of the nu-metal scene in the early 2000s, a band who took a 5 year hiatus, came back during a time when indie is all people listen to, and still managed to have their new album debut at #1,  Evanescence (who also won 2 Grammy Awards in 2004). “My Heart Is Broken” was inspired by the victims of sex-trafficking, but plays to the souls of anyone who’s had their hearts stomped on. I find it fitting today because the Grammys have crushed the hearts of many over the years and I mourn the disappearance of hard rock. Musical is cyclical though, I know it will return eventually. Until then, I’ll shed some tears with a band who continues to fight for rock.


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Madonna Sings About Blow Jobs At Super Bowl Halftime

Posted on February 7, 2012 by EricM Leave a comment

Artist: Madonna
Song: Like a Prayer
Album: Like a Prayer
Mood: Orgasmic

A few years back, Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson got into heaps of trouble for what was infamously known as a “wardrobe malfunction” during a Super Bowl halftime show. During this year’s halftime sextravaganza, M.I.A. got herself into a bit of hot sauce as well when she flipped the bird to the camera and sang “I don’t give a shit.”

Both controversies seemed warranted. If you’re going to perform in front of 10-million plus  people, you can’t flick off the crowd and you can’t try to earn some Mardi Gras beads. No argument. Simple enough. Rules are rules.

But if JT, JR, and M.I.A. got blasted for their indiscretions, why isn’t anyone taking shots at Madonna for closing out with her hit “Like A Prayer,” a song that is so clearly and obviously about oral sex, it borders on the humorous??

What’s that? You didn’t know Like a Prayer was about fellatio? Please, review the chorus:

When you call my name, it’s like a little prayer.
I’m down on my knees, I wanna take you there.
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power.
Just like a prayer, you know I’ll take you there

The title itself even fits the theory. Picture the silhouette of someone down on their knees praying. Now picture the silhouette of someone down on their knees rounding third base.

Oh snap! It’s the same silhouette.

I’ve gotten a lot of flack with this theory from co-workers, mostly the real religious-types who think anything outside of daily Bible study and flagellation is an affront to God. They argue that Madonna is actually singing about her day-to-day struggles with morality and the potential fall from grace she apparently faces constantly.

To those stuck in this opinion, I offer the following lyrics (keep in mind that like a prayer, every word in this song is intended to have precise meaning):

“Like a child, you whisper softly to me.”

-So God is speaking to her like a child? Fire n Brimstone, smite the infidels, flood the whole world GOD speaks like a toddler? I’m not buying it.

“I wanna take you there…”

-Psalm 23; The Lord is my Shepherd, not the other way around. She’s not taking the Lord anywhere.

“I close my eyes, Oh God, I think I’m falling, out of the sky. I close my eyes, Heaven help me.”

-Seems a little literal for Madonna, don’t it? Actually using G’s name? Referencing Heaven literally? Sometimes the first answer is the right one. But whenever you get stuck on a multiple choice question, do you guess (A), or do you go down to (C) or (D) ??

Okay, so that’s a bit of a stretch. And there are plenty of other clips of lyrics in Like a Prayer that support the religious opinion. The word “oral” isn’t even on the songs Wikipedia page, for Christ’s sake. But the bottom line is, with a television ratings record on display, was a song that is sorta, kinda, maybe eluding to giving brains really appropriate?? ZZ Top wasn’t allowed to play Tush, y’know?

If only the game had been played at the Superdome…


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Super Bowl Champions of Awesome

Posted on February 6, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: Queen
Song: We Are the Champions
Album: News of the World
Mood: Superior than New England fans

I’m one of those football fans that only really gets into the sport closer to the playoffs. I can’t honestly say I watch every Sunday or I’m that invested. But growing up in a Giants household, I will always root for them. It took me by surprise to even learn the Giants were in the playoffs two weeks ago. If I were still living at home, I might have actually known courtesy of my father making us watch football Sunday evenings during dinner. Naturally when my home team is playing in the Super Bowl I’m going to care…a lot. I watched four years ago as my Giants provided one of the most exciting Super Bowl games I’d ever seen and they opted to repeat it this year. The game was intense, to say the least. Of course the rest of the country was betting on the New England Patriots. I guess everyone forgot that the underdogs bit their asses last time around.

So as a way to again say, “Suck it New England,” I will gloat with Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” I feel no explanation is really necessary. The song has become a staple at sporting events or any time you kick someone’s ass. The Giants may not have won with a huge lead, but they scored the winning touchdown within 3 minutes of the game and stopped the Patriots from scoring within the last 5 seconds. I think that deserves some serious gloating.


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A Party in My Head

Posted on February 3, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: Daft Punk
Song: Prime Time of Your Life/Brainwasher/Rollin’ and Scratchin’/Alive
Album: Alive 2007
Mood: A happy dancing fool

It’s hard not to be in a good mood on Fridays, even if the weekend isn’t looking that exciting. Oh wait, Super Bowl…go Giants! On the way to the train station this morning I scrolled through my iPod playlists trying to decide on the perfect mood music for a brisk morning. I was a bit rocked out this week from that Tool concert. I opted for dance music, my Janet Reno’s Dance Party Mix of course. I completely forgot I had put today’s song on the playlist and oh what a pleasant surprise it was. A glorious 10 minute surprise.

Alive 2007 is pure Daft Punk orgasmic awesomeness. Daft Punk songs are amazing on their own, so when you mash them up, it’s sex for the ears. That’s the best way to describe this track. On its own, “Prime Time of Your Life” is the least interesting track, but the other three offer great beats that can stand alone. But my god, Daft Punk sure knew what the hell they were doing because all four beats together is bliss. The songs blend together as though they were originally created that way. Yet the songs span the duo’s entire career. It’s fast paced, bass thumping, serious head nod worthy. As I type this it’s taking enormous self control to remain still in my seat. Well, my head is nodding pretty hard to the beat, but I assure you I’m still sitting. I’m ready to dance. I’m ready to tackle this weekend. If you don’t enjoy this song, I question your devotion to Sparkle Motion.


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Spiral Out, Keep Going

Posted on January 31, 2012 by KristenM 2 Comments

Artist: Tool
Song: Lateralus
Album: Lateralus
Mood: Inspired

Tomorrow marks my first, and hopefully not last, time seeing the band Tool. I have long been a fan since my high school days, mainly thanks to my boyfriend at the time who made me realize the band was more than just creepy claymation music videos. Tool climbed my favorite artist list quickly when I realized the band is a culmination of powerful lyrics, incredible musical talent, and stunning visuals and art. I have grown to appreciate journalist Patrick Donovan’s description of the band, “[T]he thinking person’s metal band. Cerebral and visceral, soft and heavy, melodic and abrasive, tender and brutal, familiar and strange, western and eastern, beautiful and ugly, taut yet sprawling and epic, they are a tangle of contradictions.”

The song in question today, “Lateralus,” is not only my favorite song by Tool, it’s quite possibly my favorite song of all time. Musically, it follows what Mr. Donovan described. It’s beautiful and melodic, heavy when it needs to be –mainly thanks to Danny Carey’s insane drumming towards the end of the song– and lyrically mesmerizing. The song is literally a consummation of my spiritual beliefs and how I view the world, how I view life itself. “Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind / Withering my intuition leaving all these opportunities behind.” Unlike other Tool songs that ebb and flow between slow and fast, quiet and harsh, “Lateralus” is a complete buildup. And the further into the song I delve, the more inspired I become to embrace life, to embrace this moment, and to continue to “spiral” into this infinite existence.

I’ll end with my favorite lyrics and what I feel is the most motivating and invigorating words from the song.

I embrace my desire to
Feel the rhythm, to feel connected
Enough to step aside and weep like a widow
To feel inspired, to fathom the power,
To witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain,
To swing on the spiral
Of our divinity and still be a human.


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Voice of the Voiceless: SOPA Edition

Posted on January 18, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: Rage Against the Machine
Song: Voice of the Voiceless
Album: The Battle of Los Angeles
Mood: Rebellious and standing up for a cause

As you can see this blog did not join the SOPA blackout per say, but we are showing our support by dedicating today’s mood music to the event. I spent a few minutes trying to think of a song that would perfectly how I feel about the government trying to essentially take over our lives and ruin this glorious thing we call the Internet. Then it dawned on me, Rage Against the Machine, one of the most politically active bands from my generation. The band may have dismembered, but their message lives on.

But oh so many songs to choose from. I could have literally chosen anything from them, but I feel “Voice of the Voiceless” speaks to me the most in these dark times, pun intended. What could be more fitting than Zach de la Rocha screaming, “You’ll never silence the voice of the voiceless…And Orwell’s hell a terror era coming through / But this little brother’s watching you too”? It seemed to fall into place all too well this morning as I rocked out to one of my favorite politically charged bands. Well, really one of the only bands I listen to dedicated to damning the man.

So today I urge you all to damn the man along with Rage and I as we fight the power and rock the hell out.


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Musical A.D.H.D.

Posted on January 12, 2012 by KristenM Leave a comment

Artist: The Agonist
Song: Thank You Pain
Album: Lullabies For The Dormant Mind
Mood: Frantic, impatient, and not satisfied with anything

This work day is absolutely dragging. I feel like I’ve been at work for about 16 hours right now, even though it’s more like six and a half. So I’m already antsy for Thursday to end and Friday to begin. But on top of that, I am not satisfied with anything I’ve listened to today. Starting with two Paramore songs this morning on the subway, then switching to Tool to A Perfect Circle to Smashing Pumpkins to Interpol and about 50 other songs from random artists in between. Nothing is satiating my musical appetite. I’ve tried listening to bands I’ve loved for years to venturing out into artists extolled by others.

Technically I could throw in any song today for my mood because it wouldn’t matter. I’m not happy with anything. It’s an irksome feeling when all the music you love can’t satisfy you. (Take that statement how you wish.) So I decided to choose a song that showcases my frustration. “Thank You Pain” is a chaotic track by the death metal band The Agonist. Naturally it’s heavy as hell and lead singer Alissa White-Gluz mixes singing with guttural screams. (It’s always hot when chicks can scream as well as their male counterparts.) It’s a song you actually need to look up the lyrics to as well. But lyrics aside, all the screaming and thrashing sums up how my brain feels right now. I wouldn’t mind tossing my chair and computer at someone right now while listening to this song. So bang your head, potentially punch someone, and thank your pain for leaving you at an impasse.


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