Nate’s Mix Tape Monday – 4/26/2010 – Emarosa
Nate’s Mix Tape Monday
Featured Song: Heads or Tails? Real or Not
by Emarosa
It’s time for the very first entry for Nate’s Mix Tape Monday! The first song I’m going to introduce for your listening pleasure is from another one of my favorite front men (musically, off the stage he’s sort of a dick) Jonny Craig. I have been following Jonny Craig’s career since I heard him in Dance Gavin Dance, I then went backwards and finally found his very first cd by Ghost Runner on Third, he was 17.
Upon leaving Dance Gavin Dance he joined a band called Emarosa. I’ve been in love with this band since it’s release of the Relativity album. The Mix Tape Monday’s featured song comes from that album, in fact it was the very first song I’d heard from this band.
As always, I attached a YouTube video, and as always it really doesn’t do the song justice… I strongly recommend going to buy it from iTunes or purchase the relativity album, you won’t be sorry!
The Descendants
The Descendants
Decending into a new atmosphere, I am weightless.
I will take the air in my lungs and recreate this.
Picture my thoughts, they flow with rhythm and motion.
Calm yet chaotic like the waves of an ocean.
I will breath life into you through my essence.
You will try to take life from me and my descendants.
I am transparent and you are solid and tasteless.
I display my heart on my sleeve while you remain faceless.
Destiny is a fallacy and I can see yours.
You tempt me with mine and close many doors.
I am not riddled by your torment, I know I will get there.
You are weak and opaque, and I warn you beware.
One day we will meet up in the end and we will see,
The true meaning of the words we use to describe destiny.
You use fate and ambition,
I use love and submission.
For when you are lonley are you not aware?
That with love in your heart, there is no need to be scared.
Your ambition can only lead to an end.
While my love will see through and descend.
Through my loved ones future, past or present.
There will be a piece of me in all my descendants.
Circa Survive – Blue Sky Noise Offical Review
Circa Survive’s –Blue Sky Noise
I have been looking forward to this album for over a year now, and I have been following closely to Anthony Green’s twitter comments about the progression of recording, and his ideas for new lyrics. It just added to the excitement of the album release! It was finally released on April 20th, 2010, I barely survived my anticipation. Although, they had the entire album up on their myspace for the fans to hear before the release date, I stayed away because there’s just something about listening to an album on release date for me; it’s part of the experience.
After hearing some friends critique of the album, Blue Sky Noise, I was a little worried. I did hear one song prior to release date, “Get Out” and I was already mezmorized by it’s “awesomeness” so hearing my friends say the rest of the album was not up to standards was worrysome for me.
I purchased the album and happened to be out sick from work that day and the following day and I listened to it literally all day, trying to form my own opinion of the album. You can really tell the band is maturing and really growing into the collaborative whole that makes up Circa Survive. Every musical aspect on the album meshes very well together. They encorporate acoustic guitars (which you should know by now is my favorite. If you don’t, you need to visit here more often) and I’m very happy they don’t overuse guitar effects, they retained their original Circa Survive sound.
Anthony Green is one of my all time favorite front men, his live show is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It really appears the music controls him and flows through him the entire show you just sit there with your jaw dropped. He was deemed “The Golden Baby” and you can really see why at shows, he has a very mezmorizing aura when he’s got the mic in his hand. His vocals on this album are excellent, he keeps his unique straining high notes that only Mr. Green can hit and make it sound good. His lyrics have always been awesome, his writing compliments his melodies perfectly.
I highly recommend this album for any music lover. It’s something we don’t see much anymore, a unique quality sound. Circa Survive does not sound like any other band! My favorite song is “Get Out” it’s very rugged and full of passion, “Dyed in the Wool” is a very close second. Go check out Blue Sky Noise and let me know what you think! It’s available on iTunes and in stores! I recommend buying the deluxe version of the album for the acoustic version of some of the songs, they are brilliant.
My official rating of this album is 4 out of 5 stars.
Some random quotes I’ve seen off people’s facebook statuses about the album:
“Between the new Coheed and Cambria CD and the new Circa Survive CD, I think my ears are in heaven. Ahhh so much good music at once. It’s been so long since I’ve really enjoyed music. :D”
“fully enjoying the new Circa Survive cd!”
No U-Turns
I’ll place a bandage on my wounds
It will soak the blood that tells me to leave
The blood that stains my brain
With temptations to just drive away
I’ll get lost and picture what could of been
If I would of just tasted the feeling within
I’ll take my journey someone else decided for me
That someone else likes watching me bleed
I’m following road signs away from home
It’s leading me on a downward slope
Save the melody that is my reality
For I want to dance…not accomplish “things”
What is this sensation that’s making me itch?
I feel cold and when I awake I cringe
But I am sleeping, but not dreaming
My dreams have turned their back on me disappointed
I neglected their say in things
I will come back to you, please don’t leave me.
Greatest Hits = Greatest Mistake
After reading HiFi Dave’s blog post about digital downloads and the death of albums, I decided I’d do some what of a compliment post to that. Only I’m going to discuss the topic of “Greatest Hits”…
I have a huge problem with “Greatest Hits” albums, almost a hatred. First of all, Lindsay Lohan has a greatest hits album and she only has one or two albums, I find that hard to cope with… Not to mention she’s Linsday Lohan. Anyway, who gets to pick these “greatest hits” songs that go on this album? I’m sure it’s based off the “charts” that are diluted with garbage and corporate advertising. I used to buy a couple Greatest Hits albums. Mainly I got the artists who had a large collection. Recently, I looked over what artists I had a “greatest hits” album for and got the rest of their discography and I can’t even begin to tell you how much I missed out on.
As HiFi Dave talks about in his post, most albums have a type of flow it’s part of the creative process of creating the art that is music. It seperates the great artists from the good ones. I think the album that best shows this in my eyes is Thrice’s “The Illusion of Safety” I’ve heard so many people positively describe the flow on this album and I agree hands down.
An album could have good songs, but horrible flow and it is less likely you could sit there and listen to the whole album if the transitions in songs isn’t there. It’s like reading a book but reading the chapters in random sequence. Especially for artists like The Dear Hunter and Coheed and Cambria. These artists often do “concept albums” which usually tell a story.
I know another reason “Greatest Hits” albums exsist is so they artists can make more money… I can’t even count how many “greatest hits” albums Aerosmith has… I love Aerosmith but come on man, how many albums is Dude Looks Like a Lady going to be on?
Would you buy 1/12 of a painting? Would you buy 1 chapter of a book? Would you read 1 line of a poem?
If you answered yes to those questions, slap yourself.
Music is art, just like all those above… Treat it like art, embrace everything the artists gives to you. Listening to music is a gift.
Thanks HiFi Dave, for helping educate the masses.
Very first CD?!
Remember the days of cassette tapes? Rewinding… Turning over to side B? I can specifically remember the first time I ever heard a CD was in someone’s car, it was a red convertable. I was amazed that you could just skip a track and it would start at the beginning you didn’t even have to look for it by fast forwarding and rewinding! You didn’t have to wind up the tape when it got thrown off track with pencil…
I got my first CD before I even got a CD player. I remember it was All 4 One because I liked the song “I swear”. I played the crap out of that CD and that’s where my collection began.
What was your first CD? Do you have a specific memory of when you first heard about CDs? Let me know, I’m interested.
Connection, experience, passion… What do you connect to?
Everyone who is a music fan connects somehow. From rage to love, music provides it all! There is something for everyone, and the best part is I could listen to a song and connect with it totally differently than you. The artist could write a song about something they were feeling, but it can be interpreted so many different ways it’s truely a universal tool to connect to our emotions.
I’d like to dedicate this post to a song that I think is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. Maybe you will connect with it the same way, or maybe not. You will probably see a lot of mentions about this band in future posts because they are one of the most dynamic bands I’ve ever heard. They began their music career in what I would call a post hardcore influenced sound. And now they are creating absolute beauty like the song I will get to later in the post. The band is Thrice. This band has grown with me starting in high school and every album has been an influence to me in some way.
They came up with a genius idea, they have 4 EP’s that collectively form a 4 disc collection called “The Alchemy Index” each EP is dedicated to Earth, Air, Fire, and Water (no Captain Planet is not part of this post. What was with the Heart dude in that show? Seriously? Heart? OH NO A BEAR IS COMING AFTER ME, DON’T WORRY GUYS I’LL MAKE HIM LOVE US!” – anyway back to the post). The EP is flawlessly connected with the elements, you really do get a sense of each element as you listen. The song that I have deemed “The most beautiful song ever” is from the Air EP.
The song is called “Silver Wings” I believe the vocals on this track are absolutely brilliant. The melody and harmony that Dustin Kensrue applies to the breath taking background is genius. This song is only 2:11 and it is very simple, but it is absolute, pure connection for me. And the part that gives me goosebumps every time is in the last 40 seconds of the song…
“And after all of this, I am amazed. That I am cursed for more than I praised.”
Brilliant, the beautiful harmony fades away so naturally, it leaves you feeling extremely calm. Please, check this song out it’s 2:11 of your time, turn all background noise off. I strongly recommend purchasing this song, it’s available on iTunes and playing it on a stereo system (or at least something better than computer speakers, will give you the experience much better. This YouTube video does not do it justice, it lacks body).
Enjoy the experience…. Hold on tight, take a few breaths because they are about to be taken from you, melodically…
“Silver Wings” by Thrice from the album Alchemy Index
What do you connect to? Let’s hear it!
Want some pure music?
I decided I’d like to do a post of some absolutely awesome, pure instrument music. The below mentions do not use distortion/effects it’s pure music. Don’t get me wrong, I love hard guitars and some effects every now and then but I’m a huge fan of acoustic. You can’t hide flaws when you play acoustically, which is why most guitar teachers suggest starting off on acoustic so you don’t form bad habbits starting on an electric.
First man I’d like to mention I have deemed the “king of the acoustic guitar’. Anybody can learn to play a few chords but this man has truely created an unbelievable use of the guitar. He uses the entire neck and even uses the body of the guitar as some rythm throughout his songs.
Andy Mckee
This man has some absolutely amazing albums, none of them include any vocals and it’s all pure acoustic guitar. You can totally sense the emotion throughout the tracks it’s honestly like he’s transfering his heart through vibration of the strings. The below video is my favorite song he has, it almost always gives me goosebumps.
Iron & Wine
This man is a genius! His collection of acoustic music is truely brilliant. His very soothing voice and awesome acoustic guitar skills are really breath taking. If you want to have an experience, dim the lights play his collection of acoustic brilliance and sit back and enjoy the experience. The below song is ONE of my favorite songs of his, it never gets old for me. Unfortuneatly, they used it on the Twilight soundtrack but I heard it before that. He does deserve recognition so I hope it brings him some more fans.
Kings of Convenience
This is a British band who reminds me a lot of Simon and Garfunkel’s sound. I’ve often refered to them as the modern Simon and Garfunkel. However, they do have a unique sound that is worth listening to. Most of their tracks are very calm and chill. For the most part, it’s pure vocal and acoustic guitar with very minimal distraction. Here is another example of one of my favorite tracks of this band for your listening pleasure.
Good Old War
A couple of these guys used to be in one of my favorite bands – Days Away. They now formed this band which is pretty folky and acoustic. I saw them live with Anthony Green and they are also featured on his album. I miss Days Away, but I’m happy to see that we get something good from their breakup. Also, just as a note, Days Away had to break up because of music pirating. Too many people were downloading the music and they couldn’t handle the debt anymore. If you do download music, remember bands make most of their money by merch sales so go buy a t-shirt to make up for it they will get more money from that then if you buy their CD. However, buying their CD will help reduce the debt some of them have to go in to release their albums.
As I said, I’m a huge fan of the acoustic sound. I have an “acoustic playlist” on my iPod and I often just lay in my bed with the lights dimmed and listen to all the acoustic tracks I have. I’m very strict on what I put on this playlist, if it has any electric instruments at all (maybe some synthesizer background) it’s not allowed in my playlist.
I love hardcore music, but it’s always great to listen to pure instruments. Don’t get caught up in labels, I remember in high school that was a huge deal. If I listened to Slipknot and some of my “friends” got wind that I had a Simon and Garfunkel CD in my disc man (haha remember those?) it would be a big deal. Listen to what you like, and support what you like, don’t let labels influence what you will or will not listen to. In the words of Brand New
“this isn’t high school… This isn’t high school… This isn’t high school…”
Isles and Glaciers EP – Official Review
Isles and Glaciers - The Hearts of Lonley People
This band/side project is a collaboration of what was advertised as an “all star” group. It includes members from Emarosa, Pierce the Veil, Chiodos (X-lead vocalist and current lead vocalist of Cinematic Sunrise) which are all some great bands that I really enjoy listening to. To put it lightly, my nipples couldn’t get harder for the release of the EP.
To give all the artists credit, here’s the line up:
Craig Owens – Vocals
Jonny Craig – Vocals
Vic Fuentes – Vocals
Nick Martin – Guitar
Matt Goddard – Bass
Brian Southall – Guitar/Programming
Mike Fuentes – Drums
On to the review…
We open up this EP with a light instrumental/electronica beginning to what when my ears were first graced with this melody I couldn’t wait to hear the epic kick in of some of my favorite artists. My first opinion of this instrumental/electronica interlude/introduction that can be heard all throughout the EP was a little boring, but I don’t like to judge the CD/EP before listening a few times…
Now we get into the actual tracks, and I must say, you can’t go wrong with Jonny Craig’s unique voice. And at first I was a little skeptical about including Vic and Craig. I thought it might have some sort of vocal clash because they all have very unique sounds. Needless to say, I was wrong. I believe the EP flows perfectly and the once “boring” instrumental fits perfectly as well.
Some say they are disappointed because it’s not different from what they would do with their current bands, it’s just a Pierce the Veil, Cinematic Surnrise, Emarosa blended up EP. This could be the case, but to be honest, I probably would not like the EP as much if they attempted to do something out of their comfort zone. And the real purpose of this group forming was to form an “all star” group. To expect them to create music out of their comfort zone would be like making an all star basketball team out of hockey players. They do what they’re good at, and that’s all we can really ask of them.
My favorite track from the EP is entitled “Empty Sighs & Wine” (see YouTube video below) I believe this song plays to the strengths of every member.
I strongly recommend checking this group out, it really has a some great melodies and the vocals are amazing.
I give this EP 4 of 5 stars.
The sky is the limit!
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