Hey everyone! Don't get me wrong, I love Rice Krispies, but that's not what I'm writing about today. Today I will be writing about Pop music. This is not something I do often. As you may have guessed from previous posts, my usual choices in music are of the alternative/rock type. But as a writer, I feel it is important to convey to readers (assuming I have readers), that there are ALWAYS exceptions to everyone's preferences.
Maybe your exception is food: "I love all Girl Scout cookies, except for thin mints (if that's even possible.) Or maybe it is your lifestyle choices, ( I actually heard this once), "I'm a vegetarian, except for chicken. I love chicken," is that still considered a vegetarian? I think "picky" is a better term. If it is still considered vegetarianism? vegetarianesque? Then I am a vegetarian, except for chicken. And bacon. And burgers. :P
Anyway, my "exception" to my love of rock/indie/alternative, is Pop. Specifically Jesse McCartney. Remember him? The Justin Bieber of 2004? Mr. Beautiful Soul? Yep, Jesse McCartney, my first concert ever. He is still on my iPod, and I often find myself singing his songs in the shower (admit it, you are a shower singer too.)
With his last record "Departure" being released in 2008, he has done other work on the side. For example, he wrote Leona Lewis' hit "Bleeding Love" and starred in several TV shows (Summerland, Greek) and movies (Keith, Chernobyl Diaries) in addition to guest appearances throughout the years.
Today you can find him on the show Army Wives, and there have been rumors of a new CD to be released within the next year. *Fingers crossed!*
Until then, I will have the songs "Good Life" and "Right Where You Want Me', which does have a hint of rock in it, on repeat. Want to know why? Because pop can rock too. Yes, I said it, pop rocks. Mmmm... Pop Rocks. Yum. :)
Until next time, keep on rockin' or poppin,' you can even start snappin' those fingers! But cracklin' well.... that sounds painful. I wouldn't do that. :)
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Maria Vela / Blog
Snap, Crackle, POP!
Hey everyone! Don't get me wrong, I love Rice Krispies, but that's not what I'm writing about today. Today I will be writing about Pop music. This is not something I do often. As you may have guessed from previous posts, my usual choices in music are of the alternative/rock type. But as a writer, I feel it is important to convey to readers (assuming I have readers), that there are ALWAYS exceptions to everyone's preferences.
Maybe your exception is food: "I love all Girl Scout cookies, except for thin mints (if that's even possible.) Or maybe it is your lifestyle choices, ( I actually heard this once), "I'm a vegetarian, except for chicken. I love chicken," is that still considered a vegetarian? I think "picky" is a better term. If it is still considered vegetarianism? vegetarianesque? Then I am a vegetarian, except for chicken. And bacon. And burgers. :P
Anyway, my "exception" to my love of rock/indie/alternative, is Pop. Specifically Jesse McCartney. Remember him? The Justin Bieber of 2004? Mr. Beautiful Soul? Yep, Jesse McCartney, my first concert ever. He is still on my iPod, and I often find myself singing his songs in the shower (admit it, you are a shower singer too.)
With his last record "Departure" being released in 2008, he has done other work on the side. For example, he wrote Leona Lewis' hit "Bleeding Love" and starred in several TV shows (Summerland, Greek) and movies (Keith, Chernobyl Diaries) in addition to guest appearances throughout the years.
Today you can find him on the show Army Wives, and there have been rumors of a new CD to be released within the next year. *Fingers crossed!*
Until then, I will have the songs "Good Life" and "Right Where You Want Me', which does have a hint of rock in it, on repeat. Want to know why? Because pop can rock too. Yes, I said it, pop rocks. Mmmm... Pop Rocks. Yum. :)
Until next time, keep on rockin' or poppin,' you can even start snappin' those fingers! But cracklin' well.... that sounds painful. I wouldn't do that. :)
Reply
The Grammy's 2013
Hi everyone! So as you have probably heard, the Grammy Awards were on Sunday. Can I just say that I was pretty stoked for this year's awards show? The vast majority of the Grammy's are mainstream pop, hip hop, R&B, and indie. While these may not be the genres I listen to all the time, I am "in the loop" enough to know who/what everyone is talking about.
With that being said, I would like to give a big congratulations to the band Halestorm. They were the first female-fronted band to be nominated for a Grammy in the hard rock/metal genre EVER, and they WON! What is even more amazing, is the fact that they were up against some already well known bands, and they still won!
This award was given to the band for their song "Love Bites (So Do I)," which they had played on Jimmy Kimmel Live just days before. Love Bites is the kind of tune that you just want to crank up in your car while stuck in traffic, in the house while you're cleaning (or attempting to), or working out... for those of you who are still sticking to the whole New Year's resolution thing; which if you are, kudos to you! This song is catchy. Im talking Swine Flu Paranoia catchy, it has been on repeat on my ipod for the last three weeks.
Lzzy's voice is very versatile. From slow melodies and ballads, to practically screaming at parts of their songs (without causing a headache), she kills it every time. I like to think of Halestorm as No Doubt and Evanescence had a baby, and this is the work of art that was created.
Halestorm: While this may be your first Grammy, keep cranking out the great tunes and I bet it will not be your last. Either way, us "Halestorm Freaks" will be around and dedicated to your music for a while. There is No Doubt about that. See what I did there? :)
Until next time, keep on rockin'
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Like a Storm's 2nd Album
Hey everyone! This week the much anticipated Like a Storm album, "Chaos Theory Part 1" came out. It has been a little over three years since we last heard a full record, (2009's The End of the Beginning) from New Zealand rock band Like a Storm, but it was well worth the wait.
This time around the Brooks Brothers did everything with a new drummer, Roye Robley. Chaos Theory is filled with songs for both the hard rockers, (check out Six Feet Under) and the ballad loving type, (Break Free). With that said, Chaos Theory still caters to fans of even the rap scene, yes, I said rap. Like a Storm does a great cover of Coolio's Gangster's Paradise. Before you start making judgements about a bunch of New Zealand boys rapping, please note that they did do their own rocker take on it.
The first single entitled, "Never Surrender" is a great inspirational song. With lyrics such as, "I've given way too much to just give up now, stood up too many times just to fall back down," the song tells of never giving up and following your dreams no matter what others say, a positive message that we should all remember when things get tough. Never Surrender also has a music video that came out this week as well. There is another song that stood out to me, "Southern Skies." Some of you who bought the band's acoustic DVD released earlier this year have probably heard of it. BUT, you have yet to hear the "non-acoustic" final product. Southern Skies refers to the band's native New Zealand. One lyric, that I am positive will get mistaken for referring to religion, "Everything I thought i'd lost, I found beneath this southern cross," is just speaking of a constellation found in New Zealand.
I recommend this record to any and all rock fans as well as those who just want some good tunes to help them finish that morning run. Take that workout by storm and never surrender to the cold winter weather! Haha, that was cheesy. But seriously, check this album out. You will be doing your eardrums a favor, and your mood, and your soul..... Get the picture yet?
Until next time, keep on rockin' (preferably to Chaos Theory :) ).
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FANTASTIC Maria !!! I agree with every (well-written) word !!! I hope everyone gives it a listen and goes to www.likeatstorm.com to purchase it !