In Memory of Michael Jackson

No words can express how I felt when I heard the King of Pop had died. I felt sad for his family and close friends. I also felt a little happy that he is in a place now that he can be happy and without harsh words. But in reality they are still there. The negative comments and people wanting to tear him apart. But I won't listen to those people.

Michael was a human being with a heart. A heart that felt happiness and sadness as much as the next person and I think people forgot that along his journey here.
I want to remember him as a musician, someone people adored and looked up to with wide eyes wondering if they could have a chance in the spotlight like him.

I want to sit back in my car with "Beat It" blaring through the speakers and singing along with MJ. I want to sing along to "Black or White" when some one is talking trash about Jewish, African American or any other discriminated ethnic groups.

Michael gave us music to think on and hope for a better future and I don't think people see that. I think people misread his thoughts and say what they want about the music. I hope that people will see beyond that.

I really can't put words down as for what I really wish to say cause they just aren't there. All I can say for myself and any others who feel the same way:
Please let Michael go. Let his music and memories stay good and without bad intent.
Love him, let his family grieve, remember the wonderful moments that he put in our minds and hearts. Let us all stop being monsters and creatures of a dark night that should be forgotten. People will always wonder and ask why.
All those words, careless memories and cold hearts will still be there the next day, but in the end "it's just human nature".

I have a lot of Eric Clapton and sometimes I don't listen to a lot of it. So today two Clapton songs came up on my ipod while having it on shuffle, song one was his version of "I Shot The Sheriff". When I was little I hated this song, both Marley and Clapton's versions. So I am supposed to be scanning and I decided not to skip it when the song came on. Soon I realized I am bopping back and forth to the beat of the song and actually listening to the lyrics. I found myself intrigued by the lyrics and the groove of the song. Soon I stopped scanning completely to listen to the song twice in a row: Once through just for the lyrics and then the second time for the music. I think I have a new respect for the song. I loved the piano and organ bits, the drumming is very slick and organized, the bass groove and the guitar riffs that are simple and timely. And the girls singing wasn't annoying me anymore. I have always loved Marcy Levy since hearing her on Clapton's Behind the Sun album. She is Clapton's most recognized backing vocalist since joining him in 1974 after singing with Bob Seger. She has written a few songs with Clapton as well, most notably "Lay Down Sally".

So that was song one that I found a new appreciation for. Song two was a song not written by Clapton, but on his August album called "Grand Illusion", which I though i never liked. Boy was I wrong. I have never even listened to the dang song since today. WTF. Sooooo, once again I had to stop and listen to the song twice through for the lyrics and then for the music. A dark somber song that I recognized the drumming and the drummer behind the kit. Yes, Phil Collins. If Eric Clapton hadn't started singing, I could have sworn it was a b-side of Collins that could have filled his "No Jacket Required" album. Simple lyrics but still very powerful. I love the bridge into the chours where the thumping of the drums ask you for attention. The best line in the song in my opinion:

"I used to chase the moments of desire
Back to when my young heart burned like a fire."

Ladyhawke

Just when I think I have heard all the best stuff from 2008, my friend Brandi tells me about this gem. All she said to me was, "I know you love 80's music, so just go buy this album, Ladyhawke. I guarantee you will love the whole album. Please just go out and buy it." Well, I couldn't cause its a rule that during December no one in the family gets their selves gifts. So I told her I'd have to wait and see if Santa brings it to me. My sister gave me the cd for x-mas and all I can say is WOW!

First off I have to say it again with previous albums I've reviewed, my own words won't fully give the best description but I DO try. If you love 80's tunes and the memories/feelings it invokes, this is a must have. Some songs invoke different 80's artists and I will tell you which songs I think have a similar feeling. Phillipa Brown/ Pip Brown (aka Ladyhawke) is a bit of everything you can imagine. Another cool aspect of Ladyhawke, she plays just about every instrument on the album from guitar, bass drums and synths. So without further ado, onto the album.

Magic, the opening track makes me think of lots of different 80's things. To me it makes me think of riding on the back of Falcor from The Neverending Story and the next I feel like I am Sarah running through the Labyrinth.

Manipulating Woman reminds me of a 'Til Tuesday song, Ladyhawke sounds a lot like Aimee Mann with the chorus of "ooh ooh's" in the background. I love the beat as its eerily cheerful as well as those 'oh oh's' being sung.

My Delirium is my absolute favorite as i feel as its Pat Benatar inspired, I love Pat Benatar and I can easily see her singing this song. I can also picture Missing Persons doing this as well, when Dale Bozzio isn't doing so much of her 'poppy voice' like in the song "Words" . I see it in a similar vein as "Noticeable One" It's the drums and the bass that places the song into my Driving Music playlist on my ipod and way before I saw the music video for the song. The music video features a water colored Ladyhawke in a car driving down a desert highway, which I think was inspired by a-ha's "Take On Me" video. This song was also chosen to be a single.

Better Than Sunday is another Aimee Mann sound alike. Her voice sounds a bit synthesized during the verses and the lyrics for the chorus makes me think of "Everyday Is Like Sunday" by Morrissey.

Another Runaway is a bit of all sorts of 80's artists. "Oh Oh Oh I don't believe it" makes me think of the Buggles 'Video Killed the Radio Star" while the rest of the chorus makes me think of Chrissy Hynde. I know you're thinking what kind of combo is that, but you just have to go and listen for yourself and figure out which songs remind you of 80's people/bands.

Love Don't Live Here Anymore sounds like the early eighties in this song, ranging from Quarterflash to Pat Benatar to Loverboy's "Turn Me Loose". It's the quality of the sound. Like it was recorded back then.

Back Of The Van is another favorite and so reminds me of Kim Carnes's "You Make My Heart Beat Faster" I also think of this song being a counterpart to Icehouse's song "Not My Kind". The video to this song is so neat as its dedicated to stylized 80's videos: Her hair, the back drops, the dancers, all of it is pure 80's in its best form. Some might think its cheesy, but I love it. Also I like the little things of songs like when Ladyhawke is singing the "You set me on" during the chorus and she goes up a note on the word 'You' make the song better in my opinion.

Paris Is Burning reminds me of Bananarama with the verse's percussion and Gary Newman's song "Cars". Easy to sing along to and it's her main single from the album.

Professional Suicide, another Gary Numan sounding song. With all the synths I also think of Human League and other heavy synth bands during the early eighties.

Dusk Till Dawn is a great dance song with feelings of Survivor's drum beat of "Eye Of The Tiger" and sounds like it could have made the cut on Duran Duran's first album, the tone of the album and a side song to "Friends Of Mine" I could also see Laura Branigan making this song a classic hit for her self.

Crazy World is something Cyndi Lauper or Belinda Carlisle would have splashed on either their first or second albums. The thing about Ladyhawk's singing is that you hear her but you can't help but picture all these amazing artists who inspired her to make this and other songs. It's like putting together a puzzle of your past.

and last but not least the album closes with a song to wind down with Morning Dreams. This makes me think of Eric Clapton's "Never Meant to Make You Cry" and "It All Depends" from his 'Behind the Sun' album.

So as you can see, Ladyhawke is just about anything you can remember from your childhood in the eighties. Writing all her music and playing it is a hard thing to do but she goes out of the way to make her songs her own. All of the eighties wasn't bad. She reminds us of that.

Not Another Broken Heart

There comes a time when you buy an album and after 5 spins on the cd player, mp3 player or what ever listening device you have, you finally see why the album was popular at the time of its release and why that album will stand the test of time. First off, I want to set the record straight: I didn't know what I was getting into when I bought this album and didn't know what to expect. I also want to say I never really cared for the band Yes. That was until I heard a song at work called "I've Seen All Good People", I instantly loved the jingle jangle guitar work and the layered vocals. I had to know who was the band/singer of the song and found it to be the band Yes. I wanted to hear more of the layered vocals and odd instrumentation. Because of this I pulled their "90125" album out again to hear what I found I liked about this rock band.

"90125" is/was the start of a new beginning for the group and the return of former vocalist Jon Anderson, who quit back in 1979 and the introduction of new member Trevor Rabin on guitars/vocals/keys. This was also their turn to use the synths and keyboards to the best of their knowledge and combine it with their rock roots to make an album that was radio friendly and a hit with fans and with new listeners.

Of course everyone loved "Owner Of A Broken Heart" which I think gets a bit repetitive. Don't get me wrong! I like the song but there is only so much of it I can take. The other songs that made it to radio and on the charts are "Hold On" which plays like a down trodden track that you should listen to when you need a good friend to pick you up. This is one of my favorites on this album. "It Can Happen" leaves an oriental image in my head with the oriental sound in the intro of the song. I like this song as it is a message for you to open your eyes to what could be and what is happening to your life. "Changes" I remember hearing on the radio when I was little and has an eerie feeling to it. The song is about how you take the changes in your life and how the things you do can affect not only you but others around you. "Leave It" is a fun song full of the stuff that everyone can recognize as being "80's" I think everyone can figure out what this song talks about, taking what you can and leave the rest behind. Funny thing about this song, the first time I heard it brought back a memory. I remember hearing this song on the radio, the tv being on and seeing Gumby on the screen. So now whenever i hear it I think of the fun toys the 80's brought us. Also as a bit of trivia, this song had a video for it as that was the popular thing to do as a musician/band in the '80's. Actually this song has 15 videos made by Godley and Cream who were responsible for a lot of popular videos back then.

The other songs on this album are classics as well in their own right. "City of Love" is awesome as it sounds like it is a slowed down cousin song of Starship's "We Built This City" as the guitars take precedence over the keys and synths. When the keys come in the song, they aren't over the top. The cool deepness to the guitars and the cheeriness of the keys are a good combo. The vocals are strong and tight and I like that. One of the best songs on this album.
The track "Hearts" closes the album on a tender note, may it be considered the 'ballad' on the album since there really are no ballads. Also "Cinema" is the only instrumental song on the album.

Overall the album is a 4 out of 5 stars for me. All the songs are great, but 2 that are not standouts like others. I think the band faired very well with Jon Anderson returning and getting ex-Buggle/Art of Noise member Trevor Horn to join the band and produce the album to make it an album from the eighties well worth having in your collection.

Love Is Dead

Some might say that Kerli sounds like the same pop stars of today singing about losing in love and hating the world. I don't think so. She made this album about coming out of that hate/depression and seeing everything for what its really worth: and I like that. It's a breath of fresh air. She is a gothic pop rocker who invokes a bit of bjork in her voice and the familiarity of something yet to come. Not all the songs seem that dark and sad but she does leave you with a sense of pride and self reliance when she is singing about being strong and not giving into all that dark stuff. That is shown in the song "The Creationist" when you need to know that the sun will come out and to make the best of what you have. Don't be afraid to outshine others. But let's not jump to far into the album, let me start with the opening song and single "Love Is Dead" which tells you the harsh reality that hits when someone just isn't in love with you. Sort of in your face during the chorus "Love is dead, love is gone, love don't live here anymore" but also she sounds so sincere when singing something that can be sad and angry at the same time.

"Walking On Air" brings about a darkness but fun to sing along to. Vivid imagery. Light string arrangement in the song makes the song feel floaty even with the pop beats and synth bass, which I absolutely love. Near the end of the song at the bridge, she shows her bjorkness. :P

One song I haven't made heads or tails of is "Up,Up,Up" which has a strange whispered voice repeating the lyrics Kerli has sung. I think it's a beautiful song. I really don't know if it's supposed to have that affect; may not be her strongest and bit out of place on this album. I really don't care, I still enjoy this song.

"Beautiful Day" sounds like it could have been produced by Timbaland, you know that signature sound of his. Radio friendly hit right here folks. This should get some airplay to propel this fantastic artist from Estonia. Speaking of Estonia, you get to know Kerli more by listening to "Creepshow" which is my least liked song. Not that its bad, it just starts to get on my nerves. Maybe it will grow on me the more I listen. I think of Siouxsie Sioux when I hear the song.

"Hurt Me" has a awesome drum beat that I wish I could play. An angry song with a killer chours. This is a song that's worth hearing in concert to jump and pump your fist to. Someone out there,please make a remix of this song!

"Strange Boy" is another drum song. I think this song could have made it on a Inxs album. There is just something about the instrumentation that makes me feel that it would be a song fit for them. I wish we still had Michael Hutchinson with us so I could hear him and the boys rock a song like this.

The one thing that would have made this album even better is the song "She's In Parties" which was released on her E.P."Kerli", please everyone go out and find this song and support this girl. It is too cool and a crazy Kerli song which fun. She really must be a new generation Bjork for the kids these days. I sure hope she makes more music like this. This is what she is good at and makes it her own. She writes all of her music which is a plus.

Kerli from Estonia, please don't be sad anymore, we love you. :)

Thriller

From the words of Michael Jackson's song, I really "wanna be startin' something" different when I start to write a review on his
album "Thriller" but what can I say that someone hasn't already written already? All I can say is what this album makes me feel and the songs that I enjoy. To share my thoughts, feelings and memories. So that's what I plan on writing.

I guess I will start off by addressing the very first song "Wanna Be Startin' Something". What a great song to start an album and I think so because of the drum and bass lines in their rhythm that catches my attention. I usually listen to it so attentively that I forget to listen to Michael. The lyrics are simple and fun to sing along to. Within the lyrics we see that you don't want to be messin' with Mr. Jackson, only if you wanna be startin' something. We also get a glimpse of Billie Jean before we get to the song of the same name. Some people might get tired listening of the same lyrics for 6 minutes but it gets better when we get to the climax of a change of lyrics at 4:44 into the song, "Ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa" and no instrumentation for 32 seconds before the instruments return and fade out.


"Baby Be Mine" wasn't my favorite song when I first heard it but that was a long time ago. Now hearing it again brings back memories and a whole new love for the song. What I love about this song is the synth-bass line which makes it a staple of R&B music and the smooth sexiness to it. The song picks itself up with the addition of a horn section which makes it more fun to listen to. I am not a huge fan of horn sections in songs but only if its written right for a song and here it gives the song flavor.

I am not going to get into the next three songs cause they are the three that made the record sell. We pick up the middle with the singles "Thriller" "Beat It" and "Billie Jean". What can I say that would do these songs justice? Not much, so I will say that I admire whatever inspiration these songs gave others to write and perform. These songs will become classics down the road.

"Human Nature" is an interesting song. This song wasn't even one song considered to be on the album but according to Q. Jones, they needed another "ballad/soft song" for the record to round it out. They picked this song because of the signature "why why, da da da da da , why why." it was then that Jones sent the song to John Bettis to write lyrics for the tune that Steve Pocaro of Toto had written. Now for me this song is the most innocent sounding song on this album. This song has always had a sadness or loneliness to it. For me the first time I can clearly remember hearing this song on the radio was when I was really little and I thought to myself that it was very sad it me. I didn't understand then and I still don't know why I still feel that way when I hear it. I think this track is one of the most amazing songs Michael has recorded.

The last upbeat song "P.Y.T" (Pretty Young Thing), is fun and catchy. Our P.Y.T's on this album include sisters Janet and Latoya Jackson, Becky Lopez and Bunny Hull. There is a great breakdown with Michael and the ladies singing back and forth. Near the end of the song we get a vocoder making Michael's voice sound like Alvin of the Chipmunks.

I can see why this album did so well during its time. Not only was it a Pop album but one with R&B, Dance and Rock rolled into one nice package that everyone could enjoy.

And Then There Were Three

So after a while of being a foursome, the band went to three members. Mike, Tony and Phil were on their own and on their way to stardom. All they did was release one of the biggest selling albums during 1986 which spawed 5 singles and sold out concerts every night. But we aren't talking about that album, we are talking about the one that started to bring them into
the US audience, that album "And Then There Were Three" to be released in 1979, their 9th studio album.

Granted "ATTWT" only had one single to hit the US charts - "Follow You Follow Me" but it was when touring the album had other highlights to listen to. People thought they were selling out as most of the songs were any where from being 3 to 4 minutes in length and those people were hoping for the long drawn out songs that became anthems to them. The saving grace was of course the brilliance in Mr. Tony Banks's musical keyboarding skills. I think out of any songs, Tony's are always the stronger ones. Tony has always been the driving force of Genesis. Don't get me wrong, I like Phil and Mike as well, but to me Tony is the quiet one but still has some power driven songs. But of course this is my opinion. With that said I think I will go straight into the songs.

The opening song "Down and Out" sounds like it jumps off beat several times while listening to it. Phil is great with his drum work and this goes to show how fancy and creative he can get within a song without the beat being repetitive like so many other songs sounding alike.

Dropping down a bit to a slower pace is a Tony Banks piece and you know that 'its gonna get better'. (Yes, I just said that and any Genesis fan would have spotted that out as the title to a song off their 1983 self titled album. ) "Undertow" is a masterpiece and the first song that shows Tony hasn't given up on the Genesis we all know and love. The song trying to tell you never give up despite the hand you are dealt, you make the most of what you have and keep going. The piano and bass come together to make this song soar. Mike's bass plays a rolling progression during the chorus which is just gentle for the ears but enough to make you feel the emotion the other instruments are playing out. My all time favorite song.

The band picks up the pace again with "Ballad of Big" a rocking song. Another favorite of mine, goes to show that even though their songs have gotten shorter they make up with the change of instrumentation within the song. If you don't know what I mean, look at the song "Land of Confusion" where there is the break in the song where it changes mood and tempo near the end before launching into the last verse.

"Snowbound" is the first Rutherford piece we are privy to. Back down to the sentimental side we get a song that sounds like it picked up where "Undertow" had ended. I love the guitar we hear picking its way into the song. Sometimes I feel Mike's guitar playing gets hidden behind Mr. Banks's work. Here it doesn't do that. We get a even amount of playing on both sides.

"Burning Rope" is familiar sounding after the long intro. Like a precursor to "Me and Sara Jane". Which is why i love this song so much. Anyone want to guess who's song this belongs to? Yes, a Banks piece. Yet again the genius at work again. And don't forget to notice this is one of the more length worthy songs.

I hate how Mike Rutherfords's songs don't get much acclaim as Phil's or Tony's. This one "Deep In The Motherlode" really suprised me. I thought of Tony right away and soon found this to be all Mike. I find this song to be moving and sad during the lyrical part 'Go West Young Man, like your family said.' before launching into a instrumental break. Follow your heart and what it brings you - the gold rush, is exactly what Mike was going for.

"Many Too Many" shows you when you think you have it all someone or something can take it all away and lead you astray.
Tony sure makes his mark with this and many other of his songs. Not much to say other than its a middle of the road type song with the high point being the chours.

All the other songs are just as good and that's why I am going to shorten this blog a bit to say that the album is worth buying.
I can't write the words I'd like to because the music just leaves me speechless. It is nice to note that Mike Rutherford is the lyricist for "Follow You Follow Me" - the song that started to bring them into American's eyes. Thanks Mr. Rutherford! You are wonderfully talented and deserve huge praise. For all you out there reading this, esp the Genesis fans, I know you are looking at me with bug eyes wanting to know what I think of the other songs the close the album. Write me if you are that desperate to know.