Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Top 10 Alternative Rock Songs

In the history of music one genre can be defined as the ultimate midway point between Metal heads and Punks, Alternative! Culminating influence from maiden era metal and punk influences from bands like Minor Threat and The Sex Pistols, this genre took off in the 80's, became the most popular genre in the 90's and is still popular today. From R.E.M to Nirvana to The White Stripes to Cage the Elephant, alt rock is a favorite in many peoples hearts.

Today I will countdown, my top 10 alternative rock songs. The rules are; No punk spectrum music like Green Day or *EARLY* Nirvana. Also I will try to avoid bands that released one alt rock album and later on went back to a new genre. Anyway without further ado I give you MY top 10 favorite alternative rock songs!

10. Losing My Religion by R.E.M.
REM is considered to be the first alternative band to reach mainstream success. One of their biggest hits however, would be 1991's "Losing My Religion", this song would be an all time alt rock anthem. Acoustic mandolin, deep infectious lyrics, and originality make this song a definite winner for the genre.

9. Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
Between 1998 and 2001 there was a sub genre of alternative, it used electronic pops and clicks, and record scratches with pop themes, but kept the alternative vocals and guitar. It never really got a name put to it, but the biggest hit, and a majority of it was....to be nice GARBAGE. There was however one band that defined this short lived sub genre, Wheatus. Their 2000 hit Teenage Dirtbag goes down as being one of the best alternative rock songs simply for the greatness of the writing. Taking the theme of not belonging and being different, mixing it with the pop dynamic of high school life, and adding an acoustic flare to this song, made it really stand out. While wheatus' first album was this weird poppy alternative rock, their second album was a straight alternative album, while their third was a power pop album, but they returned to their alt rock roots with Pop Songs and Death which is one epic long album split into 4 EP's.

8. Trigger Happy Jack (Drive By A Go Go) by Poe
Poe is a very original artist, she only released 2 albums both only got little radio play and neither did very well in sales. Her 1995 album Hello featured the single "Trigger Happy Jack (Drive By A Go Go)" while it's a mouth full it is also some of the best song writing in the genre. Using heavy guitars in the chorus, and acoustic guitar in the rest of the song. With one of the most infectious choruses "Can't Talk to a Psycho like a psycho like a normal human being", this song is just overall eargasm and worth a listen.

7. Under the Bridge by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
A beautiful song what can one really say about Under the Bridge that hasn't already been said. I can say that the first time I heard this song was when I was in the local dollar store, shopping for chalk, and a chocolate bar. It reminds me of that day, and that day was a good day. Music is one of those things that bonds to us on many levels, whether it reminds you of an event, or if it is just an amazing song music is the fabric of our lives!

6. In One Ear by Cage the Elephant
This song is awesome, it brings back the bluesy sound of the early 90s and mixes it with that tongue twister style of vocals, and adds in some awesome guitar riffs. Seeing THIS band live was AMAZING!!!! When this song started playing the entire crowd went nuts, the pit was so fast and rowdy, that you'd get bounced around like a jumping bean on a land mine. VERY FUN SHOW! Very cool song!

5. Goin' Down by The Pretty Reckless
This song wasn't a single by The Pretty Reckless, but it damn well should be. This song when I first heard left me in amazement. Borrowing talent from her predecessors, Taylor Momsen manages to combine the Pop infused punk rock style of hole with a vocal style that would make Janis proud! This song doesn't miss a beat it is so on that it just gets you jamming, from beginning to end!

4. Tired of Sex by Weezer
Off of Weezer's so called critical smash/fan hated album, Pinkerton, Weezer managed to predict the future of rock, and create one of the best rock albums of all time! The reason I chose this intro track of this album is because of the awesome solo, that just comes out of no where. I mean it is like the best SOLO IN ALTERNATIVE ROCK HISTORY....okay maybe not that, but it is so random and cool it puts this song OVER THE TOP.

3. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Nirvana that is all!

2. Bound to the Floor by Local H
With a catchy guitar track and a unforgettable set of lyrics, that compose of less then 100 different words. This is the song that makes people understand why the early 90s was called the Lithium Era, because this song is musical Lithium. The rock duo Local H became one of my favorite bands after hearing this on the local alternative rock station during the commercials for Love Line.

1. Santa Monica by Everclear
A song about suicide, depression, and finally excepting to live your life, 1995's Santa Monica was a dark hit. It was the song that helped bridge the gap between old grunge and post grunge. Talking about Art Alexakis' suicide attempt at the age of 13 where he filled a suitcase full of rocks, and jumped out into the ocean. While he was down there he said he saw the ghost of his brother and he swam to the shore. This song is just amazing, and it was the song that really got me into alternative rock. If it hadn't of been for this song I would still be listening to Green Day 24/7.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Taylor Momsen is a Talented Musician and is Definately NOT a Role Model

I was online this morning while searching on google for some of "The Pretty Reckless" demo's, and came across a story about front women, Taylor Momsen, that none other then "Fox News" had running on their site! This was a response to 17 year old Momsen telling Disorder Magizine, that she likes vibrators. Followed by Fox News talking to their "experts" about what they thought of the incident.

The following interviews were all extremely against her and except for one remark everyone said in oh so many words, that she is an attention seeking whore who should be acting like a role model to the children. Let me tell you something, she IS NOT a role model TO ANYONE, she is an actress and a ROCK STAR it is not her job to set an example for your children! The show she is on Gossip Girl is targeted to a 16 to 24 year old female audience. Its not like she is Miley fucking Cyrus, who has a kids show and is whoring it up in music videos!

The worst part was when I was going through the comments on this story. People calling a 17 year old girl garbage, because she likes marching the penguins every now and then. I mean the story might as well of been titled "17 year old girl plays with her self, scientists role doomsday clock forward to 5 minutes till midnight. The worst part is someone who I am pretty sure hasn't heard a single song by The Pretty Reckless (the band Momsen plays guitar sings and WRITES MUSIC, I repeat WRITES MUSIC for) said:

"She is not a rock star! She is a spoiled brat who is being taken advantage of by promoters who see a chance to make a buck. She is a twisted little twit who has been living in a fantasy world arranged to make her pliable to a money making machine. Once the money goes away she will be the next Lindsey Lohan."

That comment has driven me nuts. The Pretty Reckless is an amazing band, critics are waiting at the edge of their seats for it, people RESPECT her talent, and along comes an idiot who probably DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT GENRE OF MUSIC THE BAND PLAYS, saying that she is going to be a coke whore like Lohan.

Lindsey was an actress with no talent, who decided she wanted to be a pop musician. From interviews you could tell she was very introverted and not really that smart. Momsen on the other hand carries herself well, she seems smarter, she writes her own music (unlike Lohan, Cyrus, Spears, and all those other pop musicians), and most of she is not A POP MUSICIAN. Her music isn't targeted to kids, its targeted at the college student market.

This blog is written with a lot of rage, but its for a reason Rock music use to be sex drugs and rock and roll, but the heads over at Disney decided to make it virginity, waiting till your 21 to drink, and play dough. Then when a great teenage chick song writer comes along WHO ACTUALLY HAS TALENT, sexist retards who probably listen to songs like "Big Balls" by ACDC or "Cherry Pie" by Warrent, think that she shouldn't be allowed to say whats on her mind because she is a girl.

I am a guy and I am 16 and I am saying....guess what I jack off, and you wouldn't believe how open guys are to talking about this stuff...well unless you are a guy, then you know what I am talking about. Why is it a big deal when a chick says something like that its wrong. IF Miley or Demi said something like that I would understand the outrage, but that is because THEY HAVE KIDS SHOWS, Taylor does not. She is no ones role model, nor does she intend to be. Lets let rock stars be rock stars, and just shut up about this already please?

Link to the Fox News Story: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/07/27/taylor-momsen-young-talking-sex-toys-critics-say/#content


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Degrassi What A Girl Wants part 2 review

The first half of this review will be spoiler free, the second half will be my opinions about the show and will contain spoilers. The second half with be separated by the word SPOILERS in all caps and in bold.

The story for this episode was better then part 1, not by much I mean, its still kind of flat and boring, but it seems like its setting up for something big, so it's one of those wait and see type things. I just REALLY hope these episodes don't end up flat. Also this one has 2 plots that actually go somewhere, so that's an improvement!

The cinematography was better this time around to, the scenes were staged better, and I really thought that camera work in spots, was well done.

This episode featured a great song from a okay band. "Love, Love, Love (Love Love)" by As Tall as a Lion. It is very much hipster drool, but not all hipster music is bad and As Tall As a Lion is a pretty good band. So hearing that song was pretty cool!

This is an okay episode I'd like to see where the A,B,C,and D plots all go (yes it has 4 plots, I think that's why the story is suffering), the direction I think they are, this might be very interesting!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holly J's evil plan to get class president kind of backfires, when Anya (who tells Sav she is pregnant when she is not) says that he should still run for class president WHICH he does. This splits into an interesting D plot to this episode where Anya tries to get Sav back by making him think she is pregnant...which is even more evil then Holly J's plan, so I AM VERY excited to see where all this goes. Evil Anya+ Evil Holly J on a collision course...I MEAN COME ON! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!

Then you have Fiona, who is still dating Captain Date Rape despite the fact he PUNCHED HER IN THE FUCKING FACE AND TRIED RAPING HER...you know because she's smart. Fiona then catches her boyfriend CHEATING ON HER WITH ANOTHER GIRL, and what does she do...nothing! Finally she finds out that he is still seeing the other girl and she tells him its over and then he pushes her down a set of stairs and tells her SHE CAN'T BREAK UP WITH HIM (This guy in the most obvious bad guy ever, at least Rick was 3 dimensional...Fiona's boyfriend is just douchetastic!). Also it doesn't help that everyone Fiona talks to is retarded; Her mom thinks she is just making problems out of nothing, Declan thinks she is just trying to start drama, and people just randomly walk into Holly J's room without knocking while she is skyping.

Then there was another plot line I didn't bring up yesterday because, I thought it was going nowhere and guess what DING DONG IT WENT NOWHERE. Alli was put on as number 42 on Dave's hot chicks of Degrassi list, even though he meant to rig it and put her at number one so he could get a date with her...anyway long story short, Dave Says sorry Alli forgives him, and they are still just friends POINTLESS POINTLESS POINTLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!ARGHHHHHH

I hope tomorrow's episode will be able to improve this trend of pointlessness and bland story lines, it just seems like these past 2 episodes have just been set up!

P.S. Needs more Principle Snake

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Degrassi What a Girl Want part 1 Review

Like last review, the first part will be me reviewing the episode with NO spoilers, and the second part after the thing that says SPOILERS in bold is my opinion of the episodes plot, with spoilers. All ready to go, lets dish! (God I am REALLY turning gay this show does bad things to me)

The story in this episode was BLAH yesterday we got a 4 part epic, with lots of twists and turns. Today we get an episode with a stale story, and instead of "going there" it kind of tried going there but got distracted on the way. With a good Holly J Storyline and a nobody cares Fiona storyline, I was left feeling betrayed. This could have been SUCH A BETTER STORY!

The cinematography was very basic, but forgivable not much happened this episode so not very much camera work was needed. Same with the music in fact I don't think there was a single licenced song and it was just the normal score.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holly J gets back from New York, with a new lease on life, until she finds out she is not going to Yale, she's moving to an apartment, and that Sav is running against her for class president. All of this combined causes Holly J to go from nice girl, with an attitude to total savage queen bee mega destroyer. She is planning on starting a rumor about Anya having Sav's baby, and she starts by telling Sav that Anya is pregnant, which isn't true. I like mean Holly J she was a great antagonist!

Then Fiona has a storyline we get hardly any development on where she has an abusive boyfriend who tried raping her, but instead hits her....yeah this one was just boring I have trouble feeling bad for Fiona after she tried ruining Holly J and Declan's romance in yesterday's movie.

Oh and I forgot to mention, Mr. Archie "Snake" Simpson, is now principle of Degrassi which is totally awesome, because he seems like a good principle. He has that stern growl in his voice, that makes me stop what I am doing when I am watching it. Also the chick that replaces his computer class, IS SMOKING HAWT...and short!

Thats all about What A Girl Wants part , I hope part 2 can redeem this kind of boring episode!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Degrassi Takes Manhatan/The Rest of My Life Review/Opinion

The season 9 caper/season 10 opener of Degrassi (without the TNG now), leads us off into a movie, about love, getting past love....oh an Fiona kisses her brother...yeah this is why I LOVE DEGRASSI! This review is going to be split into two parts, with no spoilers, where I mention nothing relating to the plot of the TV movie and the part where I dish about my favorite part...I think I may have turned gay....anyway that will be separated by a bold thing that says SPOILERS, okay lets begin.

Degrassi, has lets face it kind of sucked recently, every character has gotten bland, and the story lines recycled. The only interesting characters being, Spinner, Declan, and Holly J. Well this movie focuses on all three characters which already makes it awesome. The story however is what seals the deal,on this being great. We get closure for the younger members of the original DTNG cast, and gives closure for the older new kids. The story was actually, slightly dare I say realistic, and it was heartwarming in a few parts.

The cinematography was what you'd expect from the long running series. I think it was very well shot in the city scenes, I mean New York is not an easy place to work with when filming, so the fact that they did such a good job on the show's nearly shoe string budget is amazing!

Then there is the music...4 songs were made for the TV movie...4 horrible awful songs. Lets just say if you ignore the Degrassi universes horrible bands this is a damn good special! As for teh licensed music "Your Love Is My Drug" is featured.

Overall this was a far better special then Degrassi Goes Hollywood, definitely worth a watch for fans of the series, and its just WIN!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay so Spinner finds out Jane had been cheating on him with Declan for 2 weeks, so he knocked Declans lights out and told Jane to fuck off. Which I think was just awesome I HATED Jane I found her character to be annoying and whiny and her story lines never went anywhere and Spinner kicking her to the curb was like YEAH!!!!!!!!

Emma returned home asking spinner for a job(before he PWNED Declan) she got the job, spinner came back (right after kicking Declan's ass)...then the Dot exploded, because Emma is a dumb ass sometimes. Of course Spinner being the nice guy he is took the blame, for what happened.

Jane goes to new york and joins a band for like 10 minutes...not a very good story line...but then you had Declan's twin sister Fiona freak out because he was spending time with Holly J so she decided to bug Holly J by becoming an intern at the same place Holly had an internship with and then Holly went back to her bitch self for a second and locked Fiona in a printer room(awesome moment) then Fiona got declan mad at Holly for like 2 seconds, then there was a party where we got the twincest kiss, where Fiona trying to piss Holly J off kissed Declan, and then Declan had Fiona sent away to their aunt Viv...(Fresh Prince would be proud) and Holly and Declans relationship is stronger then ever...Declan and holly make a great couple so AWESOME, plus we are confirmed about Fiona's true feelings towards her brother...her creepy creepy feelings!!!!!!!!!!

All that happens in spinners storyline is Manny, Jay, and Emma take him out, they go gambling, drink, and have fun in Niagara Falls, then Spinner marries Emma in a drunk flurry....wait WHAT! yeah that's right MY 2 ALL TIME FAVORITE ORIGINAL DGTN CAST CHARACTERS NOT ONLY HOOK UP BUT MARRY...it gets better they decide to go through it and stay married, until cheating bitch Jane decides to go to their second wedding ceremony, and when she gives spinner a good bye forever kiss, MANNY KICKS JANE'S ANNOYING ASS, in one of the series best cat fights! After that Spinner and Emma finish getting married Manny sings a god awful song and that takes us all to the end of this season end/premiere episode.

Yeah that was pretty epic, I have high hopes for this new season especially since they are changing format to a soap opera release schedule (4 episodes a week for 48 episodes), they are going to be exploring darker subject matter, and will be less preachy according to everything I have heard...is anyone else excited as I am...no....that's what I thought, oh well I can't wait!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

So Here I Am Listening to Music and Writing When I Should be Asleep

I have been thinking again, and thinking when your a teenager should be banned, as my friend Jasmine once said. I am sitting here just thinking about everything I have done in my life, which is 1/4 over. I've learned how to ride a bike, I've recorded music, I've criticized music, I played over 500 hours of Fallout 3 , and I have become somewhere below slightly e-famous.Thinking about all of that just kind of blew my mind, I have done so much but so little in all actuality, and its only gonna get better from here.

This life is wonderful, don't let anyone tell you differently, because those who complain about life might have a reason, but they never have a true justification. I am sick and tired of these Scene kids talking about cutting their wrists, about wanting to die, about how in their few years of life, they can accurately judge that nothing will ever change. That is all BULL SHIT. I just want to shake some of these kids who just don't understand, what life is all about.

Life, is about doing stupid stuff with friends, its about telling stupid stories of what you did with stupid friends, its running down the street to a stop sign and running back just to feel the rush of life. It's about going to see concerts and moshing, it's about not letting petty arguments ruin friendships that could developed. And it is most certainly about understanding the one you love!

When we let our problems get the best of us it clouds us of what life is all about. I remember being younger, and living in a single room with my parents a dog and 2 cats, after my dad injured his neck. I use to stay up nights wishing , that it all would end, and I became a real introvert, I didn't talk to anyone, I hated life. Everything was horrible then one day I realized something, I could stay, hidden under my skin or learn to enjoy the life I have been given. We only get one right?

I changed my attitude and everything seemed to start looking up for me, we moved out of the bedroom and into a house with 2 bedrooms. The more happier I became, the better and better things looked. While, I don't buy into the secret stuff I do believe, a positive attitude can make the good stuff better and the bad stuff not as bad.

But these kids dressed in all black, with their 2 inch eyeliner don't get this they force themselves into depression, anorexia, self mutilation, social exclusion, and even into committing suicide. If I had one thing to tell these kids it's don't waste your life being depressed because, if you do you'll just bury yourself into a holr, and that hole gets harder to dig your self out of as time goes on. Go out and have fun, Never take life seriously nobody gets out alive anyway :)