In Defense of The Genre by Say Anything

God…I love this band. I’ve had a tough time getting into their newer albums, but I respect their creativity and where they’ve been going. They really have a very distinct style. Max Bemis has this incredible voice that sometimes strangely reminds me of Ben Folds-but he’s got this passion behind it that can only be created by his own experiences…which I assume are much different than those of Ben Folds (not that Ben Folds doesn’t have passion, just different).

“In Defense of The Genre” is such a relatable album. It speaks volumes on mental health and letting go of fear/anger to find love again. I remember going to see Say Anything at House of Blues in San Diego a few years after they released this album. When Max spoke a little about these songs, it made them that much more powerful. They are absolutely incredible live. I’ve seen them perform now a hand full of times, and every time I am so pleased that I went.

 

Blue Sky Noise by Circa Survive

You may have noticed that I did not follow through with my second year of musical appreciation. Unfortunately, video blogging is just not something I am very passionate about… It was also consuming way too much of my time!

I am, however, still listening to albums…and I love it so. Proving that the challenge was successful in bringing me back to enjoying the “art” of an album.

“Blue Sky Noise” by Circa Survive is fairly new to me despite being released in 2010. I was introduced to them my senior year of high school. It was their first album “Juturna” that I fell in love with. Anthony Green‘s alien voice full of passion and poetry.

“Blue Sky Noise” certainly isn’t as raw as “Juturna”, but that passion and poetry is still there.

My two favorites:

Dyed in the Wool & Strange Terrain.

 

Monday February 6th, 2017- My Art

Monday January 30th, 2017 – Concert of a dead musician

Monday January 23rd, 2017 – What type of music do you hate?

I always say, ” I like all kinds of music! “…but truth be told, after listening to a different album every day of the week for an entire year…I figured out that there are definitely some types of music out there that I just can’t listen to for an extended period of time without wanting to bang my head against a brick wall.

There is a new age of rap music that I just can’t get behind at all.

I don’t want to hear any song about thinking a tractor is sexy.

And, I tried with all my might to enjoy the rest of Justin Beiber’s album…and it just doesn’t do it for me.

That is why…I am a blogger, and not a professional journalist/music reviewer. I have no experience to say what is good and what is not good, just what I don’t like…and what I do like. And, I thought it would be fun to hear what other people think as well!

So, I asked some friends to tell me what music they hate:

 

Anna Flemming is a fellow blogger…much better than me! Check out her awesome travel blog and plan your next excursion!

http://www.curlyvagabond.com/

 

Monday January 16th, 2017 – Instrumentals

Instrumentals.

Where do I start? There was a time when I’d fast forward through them, skip them, discredit them. They were actually dissatisfying to me because they had no lyrical element. I’m sure there are some of you find that appalling 😉

Third grade music class, we’ve all put away our recorders after exhausting our last repetitions of “hot cross buns”…the teacher sits us all down to listen to a recording. The recording is of Edvard Grieg’s “Peer Gynt-In The Hall of the Mountain King”.

 

A story within an instrumental…no lyrics. I realize that is more of a classical example…Still, I sure wish I brought that along with me when judging instrumentals throughout life. Of course, I have much more of an appreciation for them now.

 

I was sick all week, and did not get a chance to put together any sort of video, or interview anyone 😐 I did have some interesting conversations with people in regards to instrumentals. The general consensus was that I am a crazy person for ever skipping one on an album! Though I know I can’t be the only one out there…

So since this didn’t quite pan out how I wanted it to, I’d like to hear from you…even if it is just one of you reading this… What is your favorite instrumental, and why?

 

 

Monday January 9th, 2017 – What was your first album?

I personally sought out on a mission to take three albums from my older sister’s bedroom. The first was Blackhawk’s 1994 Self Titled album. The second was The Wallflowers’ 1996 album titled “Bringing Down the Horse”. The third, and final stolen album (there were actually probably a few more, but for the sense of drama..) was “Mutations” by Beck, 1998. I was 10? Before that I was listening to Tom Chapin’s Family Tree, Raffi’s Baby Baluga…and some weird Teddy Bear picnic album that was all about Teddy Bears. (ps…click on the album/song names and you can listen to them on spotify!)

My video editing still needs A-LOT of work, but I had a really fun time hearing about the first album that my friends ever owned/acquired.

 

First albums:

Patrick- Mortal Kombat Soundtrack

Steve- Destroyer by Kiss (we all wish we could be as cool as Steve)

Kaitin & Jason- Thriller by Michael Jackson (OW!)

Kris- Licensed to Ill by Beastie Boys (Slow and low, that is the tempo!)

Thomas- Bigger & Deffer (BAD) by L.L. Cool J (so oldskool it’s not even on spotify)

Jessika- Tidal by Fiona Apple, Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt or some Fugees album…

Marcia- Like a Virgin by Madonna

Alex- The Number of The Beast by Iron Maiden

Meghan- Mad Mad World by Tom Cochrane

Megan- Lit or Savage Garden?

 

Man…these are some crowd pleasers! Until next Monday… 🙂

Monday January 2nd, 2017 – Music & Dating

A friend’s dating website escapades

Welcome 2017!

For my first entry of the new year I am exploring music & dating. I’ve asked a few friends what comes to mind when they hear the two topics together. Anywhere from young love, awkward dates, and long relationships…everyone has a story relating to music. I know I have plenty of them!

Let’s start with the ever so popular world of online dating! Many dating sites now allow you to attach your own music streaming account so that your potential sweethearts can see what tunes have been bumping out your earbuds recently. Some even allow you to send songs to each other.

What’s a better ice-breaker than sending “I’m Too Sexy” to a new prospect?

Well, you could certainly send someone a rap like the gentleman on my friend’s dating site. Props for the creativity…not for the accusation.

If you’d really like to dive into the musical online dating world, check out this article.

 

And now for something I’ve never done before…my first (ill-prepared) video blog!

 

That’s a WRAP!

❤

Day 260. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles

Brubakers + Zieglers. Christmas 2016 🙂

Day 260. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles

Here we are…the last day of my blog for 2016. I believe in the importance of the weird, the silly, and the light-hearted. Sometimes we take things too seriously, and need to remember to have fun and explore creativity.

Though this album may have been highly influenced by recreational drugs, it still embodies those mentioned above. The Beatles were able to give themselves an alter ego to experiment and try something new.

What I learned from experimenting and trying something new this year:

1. Writing a meaningful entry every day of the week is very hard.
2. It creates interesting conversations
3. It provides a platform for developing new ideas
4. You have to keep things fresh…or your writing starts to flat-line.
5. When you’re writing starts to flat-line, you could end up repeating yourself. (see Days 60, 204, 85 & 203)
6. True test of your memory bank
7. There are a lot of albums I can’t stomach to listen to more than one time
8. I have many accomplishments
9. I really miss listening to playlists
10. Grammar/spelling mistakes…I gotta work on that 🙂

I’d like to dedicate this year’s blog ( my first blog ), to all the people that have influenced me musically and creatively throughout my life. There are a lot of you out there, and I’m very thankful for that 🙂

With that comes the idea for next year! In 2017 I will be interviewing people about their musical influences. Every Monday I will have a new entry with stories, memories, expressions from one or multiple individuals. I’m looking forward to hearing how music has shaped your life!

So, if you have a story that you’d like me to share, please e-mail it to me at: a_broobie@yahoo.com

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for reading.

❤ Amelia

Day 257. “Idlewild South” by The Allman Brothers Band

Just me chillin’ at the beach.

Day 257. “Idlewild South” by The Allman Brothers Band

Another groundbreaking album. This one, from 1970. My friend Melissa introduced me to The Allman Brothers Band. Thank you, Melissa!

The Allman Brothers recorded this album (their second album) while on tour across the United States. Their band manager wanted them to move to New York instead of staying in the South in which their reply was a flip of the bird.

Although this album brought The Allman Brothers more commercial success, it was their live performances that really drew in fans. Incredible musicians with all types of southern influences. Gospel. Country. Blues. It was their ability to improvise and change the music at every show. One of the first commercially recognized “jam bands”.

 

When I listen to this album, it feels like a concert. Their jam wasn’t lost in this production.

Ps. Track 3 is one of my favorite songs of all time. “Midnight Rider”

Tomorrow: “Tapestry” by Carol King