Beautiful to Me

So it's the end of the semester, which means that Blue Hawk Records has released another compilation album.  Our seventh album featured four unique artists, each of them expressing their talents in different ways.

My personal favorite has to be Dan Amato's "Beautiful to Me."  After auditioning acoustically, it was settled that a trumpet, saxophone, drums, and bass would be added.  His song is soul pop, the soul mainly coming from the brass and woodwind instruments.

Next, we have rock band Thanks Genie's song "Run."  The song has vibes like Paramore with the female lead singer and eminent guitar.

Blue Hawk Records' Fifth Album 'Blue Hawk Five'

Kellen Brennan's song is perfect for those who love a jazz tune.  Listening to this song takes you to an intimate jazz club in Greenwich Village.

Finally, there's Dan & Jackson.  The duo's song is what you'd listen to on your drive to the beach with your convertible top down.  Like Dan Amato's track, something was added to this song last-minute.  Background vocals were added by six of us (yes, I am part of that six) in the last minute or so of the song, giving the track a little extra of a wow factor.

The album is available for purchase on iTunes here and also available to stream on Spotify.

Don't Give Up

So I went MIA again, so I apologize.  But on a good note, there's a lot happening in the field of music right now, so be prepared for plenty of amazing posts coming up.

To start off my comeback, Blue Hawk Records is preparing to release their seventh album on DECEMBER 9th!!!  I can first-handedly say that this is one of our most rocking' albums yet, so be prepared to be bombarded with posts about the upcoming release!

Another thing you'll have to look forward to is a bunch of random information.  If you've been a reader of mine for a while (and I thank you if you have) you'll already know that I talk about some really random stuff sometimes, so it's only appropriate that that continues.

If you have a Spotify, a lot of my posts will probably involve playlists, but if you don't have a Spotify, I will be sure to make the songs accessible to you.

So that's basically what I am going to be talking about from here on out, but I'm going to try to make it as interesting as possible.  So things you will NOT see anymore on here are song reviews (so no, I will not be covering "Hello" by Adele) and people I'm sick of seeing in the music industry.  So many people are sick of Taylor Swift, so you don't want to hear me say I'm sick of her when a majority of the world is already saying it.

So to leave you today on a good note, here's One Direction's latest music video (because if you've been a reader for a while you will know that I love the boys).

[Source:  YouTube]

Dorian

I know, I know - I haven't been on here in months and I feel terrible.  This post was from May 1st, but for some reason I never posted it.  So, more than two months later, here it is.  And expect more posts from me!


So on April 29th, Blue Hawk Records (a student-run record label) released their fifth compilation album.  The Applied Music Industry II class put together this entire album - from holding auditions (and choosing the five acts for the album), to promoting the most innovative album of Blue Hawk Records' releases, this album is such a nice reward at the end of all of the grueling work.

The album was recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park, and was produced by Erik Romero and our professor, Joe Rapolla.

[Source:  photos.nj.com]

I was the Online Director for the label, handling Facebook and Twitter over the course of the semester and making sure everyone was always updated on what was going on with the label and recording at the moment.

Here's the track list:

1. Calendar Pages - Lily Anne Riche (folk)
2. Competition - Tatiana Walia (soul)
3. I Found Gold - Shoreline (indie)
4. You'll Never Be - Brian Perrino (alternative)
5. Dorian - Tympanic Plexus (instrumental)

Aside from being the Online Director, I was also part of the A&R team, so I sat in on the auditions and had a say on the acts chosen for the record.  Lily was the first person to audition, and the second she left the room was her song was over, everyone immediately knew they wanted her to be on the album.

Shoreline used to be known as a duo called Joe and Dan.  With Kathleen now part of the group (the girl singing the harmony), they became known as Shoreline.  They came in and auditioned with two songs:  "I Found Gold" and another song about a piano (I'm sorry, I can't remember the name).  They were on last semester's album, so we were a little hesitant to pick them, but everyone really enjoyed their performance.

Brian Perrino also auditioned two songs.  His songs were both very angsty, and that's what we liked.  We wanted this album to be different from every other BHR compilation, so having an emotional act like him helped us to achieve that.  His energy and performance took us all away and we really liked him.

Tatiana Walia was an act that completely blew us away.  She walked in and had no music, so she sang two songs acapella.  Her song "Competition" was extremely powerful to the point where I started crying.  The amount of passion she put into her audition was so inspiring and all ten of us fell in love with her faster than we have anything in our lives.

Despite my feelings towards Tatiana, Tympanic Plexus is definitely my favorite act on the album.  The woman who signed them up, Heather (who plays the electric violin), is a current student at Monmouth, while one of the others in the group is an alum.  The other band members are just friends of theirs.  They're an instrumental group who came in and auditioned two songs and we ultimately chose "Dorian," even though both were fantastic.

The album is available to purchase on iTunes and is available for streaming on Spotify!  It would mean the world to us if you bought the album!!

What Lies Beneath the Parkway North

So many great artists have gotten their start in the legendary Asbury Park, NJ such as Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Bon Jovi.  The talent, however, doesn't end with them.  Asbury Park-based alternative rock band Flammable Animals is one to look for.

[Photo: AM Productions]

This quartet consists of Guy Battaglia (vocals, guitar), Kevin Houston (vocals, guitar), Pat Napurano (bass), and Joe Enright (drums).  I had the amazing opportunity of hearing them audition for Monmouth University's Blue Hawk Records' Spring compilation album back in February and they sound just as incredible live as they do in the studio.  In a nutshell, they are not what some would think a college band would sound like, I'll tell you that.

Their individual talents mesh together perfectly, making their presence sound similar to that of a band like Brand New and The Wonder Years.  It's pretty rare that I actually feel music, but I feel it with this group.  From every lyric, to the instrumentals of each track, their passion for music is very evident in the recordings, as they convey feelings in ways that no pop or R&B group ever would, and that's what makes them a true pop-punk band.

[Artwork: Michael Burke, Summerlyn Astrom, Alexis Morrison, & Erin Holmes]

Their debut EP, What Lies Beneath the Parkway North, isn't what you would expect from an alternative/pop-punk band . . . It's so much more.  There is an intro track called "Initium" that sets the extended-play of on a great start, and each song is perfectly placed on the album, making it flow very nicely through the ears of the listener.  As put by Guy himself, "This record is a culmination of New Jersey sounds, spirits, and smells that were recorded in Steve Kellner's (Van Atta High) basement as a result of a horrible Christmas."

Here's a video of them performing the second track of their album, "Frozen Grapes."

[Source:  YouTube]

Their album is available pretty much everywhere.  You can buy it from Bandcamp here.  Or if you're more into iTunes, you can buy it here.  And for those of you who like CD Baby, click here.

Like them on Facebook

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Spaces

"Does it ever drive you crazy just how fast the night changes?  Everything that you've ever dreamed of, disappearing when you wake up.  But there's nothing to be afraid of.  Even when the night changes.  It will never change me and you."

~~~~

"Only half a blue sky.  Kinda there but not quite.  I'm walking around with just one shoe.  I'm half a heart without you."

~~~~

Today marks a very sad day for me and my fellow Directioners.  I found out this afternoon at 12:40 that Zayn Malik has left One Direction.  Being a fan for three years, this was a day I thought I would never have to see.  One Direction would not only break records, but they would stay a complete band forever.  I was naive.  No band ever sticks together.  No, One Direction has not broken up, but I can't help but think that this is the beginning of the end for them.

I had been awaiting Zayn's return to the tour.  After finding out today that he would not be returning for the remainder of the On the Road Again Tour or to the band in general, I was very heartbroken.

While most people reading this will think I am just a dramatic fangirl, something everyone should understand is that I have put so much into this band.  I was finally able to go see them last year during their Where We Are Tour and I was beyond excited.  This year, when I attend the OTRAT, I won't get the same feeling I got last year.  I will never stop being a One Direction fan and I still can't wait to see them this August, but it's not the same without Zayn.

But I am not mad at him.  I have noticed a big change in him this past year.  He has seemed upset, like he hasn't been enjoying himself as much as the other boys have been.  Not that he didn't like the amazing opportunity he was given, but the fame and spotlight made him unhappy.  Everything happened so quickly for One Direction.  They were formed on The X Factor, and only a few weeks into the live shows, they had hundreds of girls lining up outside the studio to see them.  Between releasing a new album every year and going on 9 month tours non-stop since 2010, it's been too much to handle, especially for Zayn, who is someone who likes to have some time to himself.

I love Zayn more than words can describe and I've never even met him.  If leaving the band is what it takes to make him happy, then that's what it takes.  I love you, Zayn, and you'll be a member of One Direction.

~~~~

"Ooh, spaces between us keep getting deeper.  It's harder to reach ya even though I try.  Spaces between us hold all our secrets, leaving us speechless and I don't know why.

Who's gonna be the first to say goodbye?"

Unzip Your Harrington

The first time I listened to the Drowners, I assumed, because of their sound, that they were English.  And don't get me wrong - the Union Jack (even though paired with an American flag) did nothing but add on to the deception from this post-punk NYC-based band.

[Source:  Amazon]

Now, my "false" predictions that the quartet is English weren't completely false.  Lead singer Matthew Hitt moved from Wales to NYC.  See?  I kind of know what I'm talking about!

Anyway, enough with my ongoing obsession with Englishmen.  Everything about this band is perfect.  To start, their songs are not long at all . . . we're talking Beatles lengths.  In fact, only one song from their debut album Drowners was over 3 minutes.  Even though the songs are short, they don't seem unfinished like some shorts songs do.

Their songs are also very lyrically well put together.  "Watch You Change" has the repetitive line "There's not a shoulder cold enough for me to give her," and "Unzip Your Harrington" starts the chorus with "I'm gonna hang around long enough to be part of your furniture."

It's crazy I have gone so long without knowing this band and their music.  Bands with such cool tunes deserve a lot more recognition.  Share them with a friend, they'll probably love them.

Cheap and Cheerful

Garage rock is a genre we have seen since the 1960s with groups like The Kinks and Andy Warhol's The Velvet Underground.  Of course one could say that garage rock has evolved, but to be honest, what doesn't age through generations?  Despite that being fairly true, I don't see much of an evolution with garage rock and here's why.

First, listen to "All Day and All of the Night" by The Kinks from 1964.

[Source:  YouTube]

Now, listen to "Cheap and Cheerful" by The Kills of their 2008 album Midnight Boom.

[Source:  YouTube]

Aside from the obvious difference in quality, what's the major change between the two tracks?

Well there isn't much.  I know this may be true for these songs only, but it does go to show that the genre clearly hasn't done much changing in the past 50 or so years.

I first heard "Cheap and Cheerful" when one of the people I follow on Tumblr posted it from Spotify.  The first listen I took didn't make me too pleased.  It wasn't until I continued playing it on Spotify that I fell in love with it and bought it on iTunes.  It's quite good.

Talking Body

I was on iTunes yesterday trying to find some new music to buy and stumbled across one of Tove Lo's songs from her debut album Queen of the Clouds called "Talking Body."

After the chart success of her single "Habits (Stay High)," I had to give the track a chance.  After only twenty seconds of the minute and a half preview I fell in love with the electropop tune with 50 Shades of Grey raunchiness.

"Now if we're talking body, you got a perfect one so put it on me.  Swear it won't take you long.  If you love me right, we f*** for life on and on and on."

[Source:  YouTube]

Speaking of 50 Shades of Grey, I am also in love with "Love Me Like You Do" by "Burn" singer Ellie Goulding.  I guess Valentine's Day has a big effect on me - I'm in love with songs about love at the moment.  At first, I wasn't a huge fan of this song, mainly because I thought the chorus was too repetitive, but I did like the strong use of percussion and lyrically is a great song.

"Fading in, fading out, on the edge of paradise.  Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've got to find.  Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire."

"Yeah I'll let you set the pace 'cause I'm not thinking straight.  My head's spinning around, I can't see clear no more.  What are you waiting for?"

[Source:  YouTube]

When You Were Mine

In my Business of Music class, my professor plays a song or two from a new(er) album.  He played four different artists today, one of them being Night Terrors of 1927.  The LA-based duo just released their debut album through Atlantic, Everything's Coming Up Roses.

One of the songs my professor played was "When You Were Mine," featuring twins Tegan and Sara.  After hearing it that one time, it's probably one of my favorite songs at the moment.

[Source;  YouTube]

It may sound a little amateur, but I really like how this song has two duos.  It's pretty symmetrical - it goes well with my OCD.

How many Beatles can you name?

There are two things I love:  music and hockey.  My sister-in-law sent me a video yesterday of a bunch of NHL players trying to name the four members of The Beatles.  The results were appalling.

P.K. Subban of the Canadiens, T.J. Oshie of the Blues, and Ryan McDonagh of my beloved Rangers were just a few of the players who couldn't name a single one.  Not one.

From the Flyers, Wayne Simmonds was able to guess Ringo, but he quickly stated that he's the only one he knows, while Claude Giroux took what was clearly a wild guess:  "McCarthur?"  I'm assuming he means McCartney.

My Rangers continued to let me down, unfortunately.  Goalie Henrik Lundqvist, a man who is in a rock band, mentioned Paul and then John, but John was guessed with the help of the woman behind the camera.

As the video proceeds, though, more and more Beatles are becoming known.  Justin Williams of the Kings, Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks and Andy Greene of the Devils mention John, Paul and Ringo.  Poor, George.  As stated by Brian Gionta of the Sabres a little bit later, "Sorry, George, I think you're always forgotten."  That's so sad.

In the end, there's only one player who successfully names all four of The Beatles without stumbling, and that's Blake Wheeler of the Jets.

[Source:  NHL]

Nobody Does It Better

If you have been a reader of my blog for a while, you will know that I go through quite a number of obsessions.  Sometimes they're songs, while other times they are people or groups (ahem One Direction:  still going strong!).  Well, right now I have a new obsession with an old song.

"Nobody Does It Better," the theme for The Spy Who Loved Me, performed by Carly Simon.

[Source:  YouTube]

I have probably heard this song around fifty times in my nineteen years of living.  "Why is she so obsessed with it now?"  Well I am glad you asked.

The song is phenomenal if you have not heard it - if you haven't heard it that means you didn't watch the video I so kindly provided above.  Typically when you hear someone talking about a James Bond song, you think of a song like "Goldfinger" - something a little more on the jazzy side.  While the song may not sound like the other Bond songs, it still did something that most 007 songs do:  the writers, Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer, incorporated the title of the movie in the song.

I love the pace of the song, as well as the lyrics.  "I wasn't looking but somehow you found me / I tried to hide from your love light / But like Heaven above me / The spy who loved me / Is keeping all my secrets safe tonight."  Nothing says "James Bond" better than using "spy" and "secrets" in the song.

Ghost

We're more than a week into 2015.  I think that means it is time to talk about who I want to see more of in the music industry.  Normally I would add the acts I wish to not see, but I'll skip that for now.

There's one person in particular I am excited to see this year - someone I have already spoken a little bit about.  Who is it?

Ella Henderson.

I remember back in 2012 when she was eliminated from UK's The X Factor.  She was removed from the competition with quite the number of weeks remaining and people everywhere were in shock.  Her audition (an original track) wowed the judges - Tulisa Contostavlos gave her a standing ovation along with the entire audience.

[Source:  YouTube]

Ella's debut album, Chapter One, is available on January 13th.

Irresistible

Fall Out Boy have done nothing but impress me so far with this new album of theirs, American Beauty/American Psycho, which is set to be released January 20th.  The most recent song released from the new record is "Irresistible" and already holds the number one spot on iTunes, bumping Mark Ronson's and Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk" to number two and T-Swift's "Blank Space" to number three.  The band also has "Centuries" in the number nine spot.

As put by Ryan Reed in his Rolling Stone article from yesterday, the song is "deadly love."  "You're second hand smoke / I breathe you in, but honey I don't know what you're doing to me" starts the bridge, while lyrics such as "I didn't come for a fight but I will fight till the end / This might be your battle, might not turn out okay" line the verses.

Whether you're a fan or not of this pop punk/alternative rock band, this track - hopefully as well as the rest of the LP - is a must buy.

[Source:  YouTube]