joshwellscth:

March 17th, 2012 3:31 AM

A rant from me, read if you are bored or want a true unedited view into a musicians brain.:

As far back as I can remember I had a passion for music. It drove me. It kept me from doing as well in school as I could of easily done.

I did well on tests but never…

The sounds of the eerie music flood my headphones. Justin Vernon’s gentle yet creepy voice comes in. Here is the start to a marvelous album; it holds a level of maturity not heard before by them.The sound that Bon Iver had in For Emma, Forever Ago was fantastic but their new self-titled album blows it out of the water. Their most popular song off the album, Holocene, definitely stands out the most among the tracks. The build-up in the song keeps the listener on edge just to be brought back down again. Once you think the song is over, the beautiful chaos of the horns begin softly and brought back to full volume. The song itself is unreal and brings a sense of relief and calmness to the listener. The song Beth/Rest though is a completely different sound that hasn’t been heard from Bon Iver. It resembles an 80’s rock ballad with the use of synthesizers. Also, in perfect Bon Iver fashion the auto-tune played a major part in the song, but was it too much this time? Even though this song is different from the normal sound, it still holds true to Bon Iver fashion. The whole album is a marvelous listen but, to some it may be too boring and monotone. This could be true but listening to the album consistently, the listener can pick out bits of each song that they would have never payed attention to at first. This album is sure to grow on you but I recommended buying the album and not buying it off of iTunes. Most of the songs have tie-ins and putting it on a portable electronic device can take away the beauty of the flow. 

I haven’t been able to post in a really long time. Real life kinds hinders that right now . I will be trying to put up another review and start a habit of updating.

I love these take away shows but this one precedents them all. The harmony in this is incredible. Absolutely beautiful. Oh, and don’t kind the huge joint behind his ear and when I has huge, I mean HUGE!

Guitar chords flood the speakers and you are blessed by Adele’s voice shortly after. The opener of her album Rolling in the Deep speaks of the anger and heartbreak of a break up. Throughout the song the bass drum beat is the beating of a heart that is broken. The adrenaline coursing through your veins after you are told “It’s not you, its me.” Her soulful voice illustrates the passion, confusion, and anger from this breakup. The voice breaking, cracking, and sliding at points in the song makes the passion pronounced.

The transition into her next song, Rumor Has It is smooth. A kind of cheeky number with a jazzy feel but still upbeat like the first song. Adele has some fun with this song and it is obvious. It strays away from the heartbreak of the album but makes light of a relationship that is based off a rumor. Leaving your boyfriend for a man who you fancy who left his girlfriend for you. We have all been through it and can relate to this song. When the song goes into the bridge it takes you back to the era of old jazz. You can feel the swing to the song and can imagine being in a speak easy bar during the prohibition era smoking a cigarette and drinking a martini. Throughout the song it is in the background but the feel comes out in the end. A change of pace comes where the listener can become a little thrown off. But, do not fret the next song does not disappoint.
The soft opening keys of the piano in Turning Tables sets a different mood. Its a heartfelt song where she sees and understands the problems arising in the relationship before taking any kind of action. She sees that he has taking control of her life and wants out but the problem of wanting out she doesn’t know how to do it when so deep in love with someone and not be hurt by it. She talks about going through a bunch of hardships and tribulations when breaking it off but realizes that it was the best decision. Talking of hope and confidence when entering in a new relationship also on how she can protect her heart better the next time. 

Soft guitar chords come on and you are brought to a calm place. But, listening to the lyrics harder, the listener can relate to the song. It is the want of the ex to realize that he needs her. What they used to have and the realization that she has done wrong as well. That she needed to change but still loves him despite everything that happened. The question that plagues every woman after a break up. Why did we even break up when we had something so special? Don’t You Remember is a gorgeous song asking all the questions that we as women and men bring up after a break up. 

The start of Set Fire to the Rain is a 180 from the previous song. Falling in love and realizing that this person is not who you thought they were. How new realizations are coming to the forefront of the relationship and how you can’t change anything to save yourself or the other person. The thought that you want to escape this kind of relationship but it is near impossible based on how strong you feel for them. The music for this song is powerful. String instruments in the background creates a strong passion that is tangible. Then the piano becomes the focus towards the end of the song when Adele is using her powerful and soulful voice to hit amazing “ooos”. 

The beginning of He Won’t Go reminds me specifically of the chords used in Chasing Pavements from her 19 album. Drum beats start and piano comes in. When introduced with her voice, you start to become attached to this song. The bass line becomes prominent and it starts the chorus. The lyrics in this song speaks of being scared of entering the relationship then also the fear of the end. If you enter this relationship, you know the outcome but its worth the risk. She has a more soulful, jazzy voice with this song. Combined the soulful voice and beat, you can’t stop the tapping of your foot. Entering the bridge you are treated to the beauty of the harp in this song. Then goes straight into the chorus and ends how the beginning started, with piano and drums.

Take It All starts and her strong voice pulls you into this song. Sliding of the notes, again, make it feel jazzy and soulful. The song has to be one of the most perfect songs on this album, nothing but vocals and piano. She talks about the end of the break up on how everything was taken from her and she is just letting it go. She thoughts that every girl has had and yours truly just experienced. I am emotionally connected to this song. The questions that we all face, what did I do to lose you, why is this easy for you, and what went wrong? Then just the exasperation one feels and comes to the conclusion that I can’t do anything to keep you, so go ahead and leave. Also the question that is prominent in the song, at least for me, is ‘I thought you loved me more than this’. She starts the bridge perfectly, piano changes to a more harsher melody and her voice becomes higher and more powerful. The lyrics speak of how she will change if she has to but to just not do this and leave. But going back to the chorus, she gives up. 

I’ll Be Waiting starts with lower piano chords and brass section. It is hard to not bob your head to this tune. Waiting for the lover who left and promising that she will be different the next time around. How she has grown since the break up and this time she will be better to him. The bridge comes and it becomes R&B. Softly sung words make you pay close attention to what is being said. Entering back into the chorus powerfully and ending with a bang. This has to be the song that doesn’t mesh well with the album. It was cohesive and fantastic until this song. It just doesn’t flow well.

Going back to how the album flows, One and Only starts. Piano and vocals again flood the speakers. When you hear this you realize that this is what she is best at. Her voice should not be over powered by instruments. Her voice makes her unique. No one can do old jazz or R&B well anymore but you hear this song and you fall more in love. Not even paying attention to the lyrics, the song is beautifully done and is the direction that she needs to go. The pop songs that are all on the radio are amazing but this song is perfection. But I stray from the point, the lyrics are powerful. The missing of the ex and the want of them back. How the past doesn’t matter anymore and to give her another chance. She would do anything to get him back and wonders will it happen again. She is hopeful but hesitant at the same time. The bridge comes forth with the start of piano, adding of more instruments. Her voice and harmony of more female voices. The building and adding of more parts. It can bring tears to your eyes. It is the most beautiful part of the album, so much passion and love into this one song. It is easily felt and its moving. 

The soft chords of a guitar come on and you are joyed by Lovesong. Originally done by The Cure (ehh), she definitely makes it her own. Adding an organ to the song just heightens the originality that she has made. This cover fits well with what the album is based about. After the chorus the organ reminds you of the cheesy shows or movies about Paris. But listening to more of the song, there are too many different styles in this one song. There are the chords that connect to Paris then there are the chords that are more R&B. Its too different. If we compare this cover to another cover of Lovesong, 311 did it better.

Someone Like You, everyone has heard this song and either loves it or is annoyed by it. It has become to overplayed but it holds true to my vision on where she should go. I have talked to friends, guys and girls, about this song. Their views are complete opposites. While a female can understand where she is coming from on how she loves him and will find someone like him because their relationship was perfect or close to it in her eyes. While a male doesn’t understand. My male friends have told me that if they break up with someone they will not find someone like them. They will go the furthest from that kind of woman. The difference in the way of thinking for the two genders really makes this album realistic for me. This song puts that thought into the forefront of my mind. Her voice is beautiful in this song, lyrically it makes sense, and she reaches the high notes perfectly (although she smokes or smoked like a chimney). The lyrics tell of how she sees an ex lover and how things haven’t changed for her. But since he is with someone else she won’t steal him away, she will just find someone like him. 

Overall, the album was brilliant. I love the flow and how is was about heartbreak. It is an album close to my heart but with some songs I really don’t understand how it fits. Why I chose the title realistic heartbreak? Out of all the female singers of today, Adele really captures the truth about break ups. We would all like to think that we are strong and can bob along to Beyonce’s Irreplaceable but it isn’t real. Adele just gets it and understands how hard it is. She goes through all the emotions anybody goes through in a relationship; anger, sadness, regret, and everything that goes along with it. This album is real and true with so much passion and honesty. I recommend giving this album a chance.

Overall Rating: 8.6

This is the start of my new life. I changed my career choice many of times but never had one stick until now. I became inspired by a pitchfork review on one of my favorite songs, Holocene by Bon Iver. It was then that I realized that my dream was always and forever will be music and writing. I told my friends and family about my sudden realization from which their encouraging words made me start this tumblr. This is a first for me to having my musings out in the open for all to see and I hope you enjoy what is to come. I have enabled questions if anyone wants to say anything or give me an artist or album to review. I look forward to starting this journey and seeing where this may take me. I will start a review tomorrow about a band or person that I have fallen in love with. My choice is still unknown to me but this will keep the suspense building. Until then, enjoy and reflect on these parting words.

“It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness of pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied love. The cruel beauty of nature and everlasting beauty of monotony.”  Benjamin Britten