John Lennon: Imagine

Today in class we listened to John Lennon's solo album "Imagine". One thing that I won't deny about Lennon is that he has a gift for writing songs. Excluding the babble that somehow came together from his writings in Magical Mystery Tour, all of his songs sound really deep and meaningful. I'm no musician but the way he arranges the notes and beats, and his creativity of based sound so advanced and awesome. However, I don't really like his album as a whole. Part of it is because I like The Beatles as a group together, all harmonizing and complimenting each others talents. However, I don't really like Lennon's voice alone, as I feel that it sounds kind of flat and dull. I think I would like the voice solo of McCartney, but the writing skills of Lennon. Overall I like them together as a group and wish they would have stayed together for longer to enlighten us with their amazing music.

Justin Timberlake

Although he has been off the radar for god knows how long, Justin Timberlake has recently come back with a new song and is working on an album. Maybe it is because I haven't heard it for awhile, but I forgot how obnoxious and annoying his music is to me. It's not just the super computerized jump tune that I find so annoying, but the main problem I have with him is his voice. I know in music  weirdness is originality, but the ridiculously high pitch in which he sings to me sounds like nails on a chalkboard. People think he has a wonderful talent for how high he consistently sings, but I can't say i think it impresses me. His repetitive, poppy lyrics annoy me and I don't think unless he hits puberty and starts singing like a real man, he wont be on my ipod any time soon.

Joni Mitchell- Blue

Today in class we listened to Joni Mitchel's album, and it was definitely a breath of fresh air from the music we have listened to in the recent past. Although I know some people like it, I am not a big fan of the noisy, metallic punk rock that many people created in the 60's. The first thing I noticed with her music was very eloquent and beautiful background music. To me, backup music isn't as important as the voice and song of an album, but I liked that unlike the rough, I thought unnecessarily noisy crashes of the punk music, it actually added to the song and made it even more complex and pretty. My favorite thing about it was definitely her voice, as I agree that it just seemed effortless for her to make amazingly high notes. I also really like how her voice isn't rich and deep (although I like that too) her voice was really light and refreshing. Lastly, I like how her songs were complex and not
just nonsense or repetition. I really liked the album and will actually probably go look up some of her songs tonight!

My Problem With Disney Singers

Let me start by saying I have always and will always love the songs and movies of the origonal Disney, and I can sing from memory pretty much every song from movies like the lion king and any other princess movies. That said, I have a pretty big problem with most present day Disney Channel stars. Of course, there are exceptions such as Ariana Grande or the girl from Good Luck Charlie (as I have blogged about in the past), I feel like now they take their "actors" and "actresses" and make them sing, regardless of weather they are good or not. Then they just autotune it until it sounds remotely good, and then publsih it all over the place and on kidzbop 700000 or whatever they are at now. Even now they are going as far as re-recording old fairy and princess songs and trying to make them more poppy. I personally think that it is easier for a musician to be transferred to an actor then vice versa, because musicians are used to entertaining a crowd while singing is a talent that pretty much you have or you don't. Above is an example of one of the not even costar but another random actor from Hannah Montana that decided to make a song when I don't think he sounds good or natural at all.

Led Zeplin 4

Even though I am on the fence about whether or not I like Led Zeplin, I actually enjoyed their fourth album. I could do without the high pitched screeching parts, but I felt that the beat of the drums and up beat tune made the music go by surprisingly fast. Also, I liked how the music would get up and really exciting (especially the hint of jazz) and then would calm down then forte up again. I also like how the longs aren't repetitive and boring, but they kind of feel like the link and fit together well. I was most surprised that although some of the songs were long, like Stairway to Heaven were so long, but it didn't drag on the way some songs would if they were that long. Maybe it is because the complex guitar and drums keeps my ears entertained, but I thought it was cool that the album went relatively quickly. I am looking forward to hearing more from him, because he seems to have a lot of different ideas and creative tunes.

Ariana Grande

It never fails to amaze me how many young talented singers are discovered by the Internet and through sites like YouTube. That is how Ariana Grande was discovered. I first saw her in one of Nickolodean shows "Victorious". I definetely don't like the singers that come from Nick and Disney, because I feel they take their so called "Actors" and make them sing and autotune it till it sounds good. However, I think Ariana Grande is an exception, because their are YouTube videos of her just singing on the camera, and she is phenomenal. I really like how powerful and strong her voice is especially for a person that young.

Carrie Underwood Temporary Home

I really like Carrie Underwood, because I really like her mix of pop and country, but one of the things I really like about her is that her songs actually have meaning and are deeper than the latest breakup or the newest clothes. Her songs, and her music videos really get to me and open my eyes to the struggles of life. This song is one of my favorites, not because of the music (because honestly I like the music of anything she sings because her voice is gorgeous) but because the song is so deep and strong. Also, a little confession I totally cried when I watched the music video. Overall, I really love that she sings about real issues and songs from the heart.