Hi Friends!!
I finally have the internet back and have moved hous. Yay!! Also, as of today i will not be using Blogger, i have decided to make the move to Tumblr, it seems like an easier way to get these posts out there. So thanks for reading so far and i hope you continue to do so over at Tumblr!!!
Cheers,
Joel:D
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Art Is The Weapon
Greetings all!!
So, a lot has happened since my last post. For starters, I have a new house!! I will be living with Tonky(Current housemate and amazing DJ), Dave and Lys (generally unreal :D) and my lovely Girlfriend Ashleigh (what more can I say?!). Its a great house, lots of room and a MASSIVE backyard, so bring on the BBQ's :D
Just under a week away until Birds Of Tokyo and Silversun Pickups concert! I'm pretty pumped to be heading down to Melbourne with good friends for good times. Then a week or so later, Ashleigh and I are off to see Paramore, so busy times ahead!!
On the work front, I'm on school holidays at the moment, next Monday I'm back to the grind, with training this week. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to getting back to it, and I'll be a lot busier this term by the sounds of it. I feel so happy I have a job doing something I'm good at, and I'm very thankful for that:D
Lots of new TV shows starting back up currently, and I love it! How I Met Your Mother made a great comeback last Tuesday, along with Glee a day later (Telephone and Empire State Of Mind FTW :D) and Dexter downloading as I speak, lots of things to keep me entertained!! Speaking of TV Shows, I stumbled across a show called Huge, starring Nikki Blonsky of Hairspray fame. Its an interesting show, focusing on kids at a summer weight loss camp. Its very cheesy, but if you like glee and that kind of story ideas, its a recommendation. It also has a great message about body image, and shunning the idea of having to look like something that's completely unreasonable; something I'm very passionate about.
Onto video games, Zombie-Sandbox/Time Management game Dead Rising 2 came out last week, and as I haven't had much time to really sink my teeth into it(pun absolutely intended), I cant really give an in depth review as yet, but I will say its highly entertaining, especially with the combo weapons system. There's nothing like cruising around in red long-johns and a motorbike helmet, smashing zombies with a pair of MMA gloves with nails attached to them, whilst riding a pink children's bike to get around........and I am not exaggerating any of that.
Music News!!!
Not really much for me to report this time, I have a few albums I want to review and share, but there's plenty of time for that, so I'll keep it brief.
My Chemical Romance- Na Na Na
My Chemical Romance aren't everyones cup of tea, but for some reason, I've always had a soft spot for them. Maybe its because i listened to them a lot during High School/growing up issues, but I have always enjoyed their music. After their successful album The Black Parade, MCR are back with their next album, gloriously entitled Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and even though we don't get the full deal until November 22nd, the first single has been released.
Above is the video announcing the title of the album, showing off 1) the boys new style and personas and 2) the absence of drummer Bob Bryar, who has left the band for unknown reasons. It also gave a tease of the first single, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) (yes thats the full title and majority of lyrics lol). This new look MCR suits the rough, dirty punk sound the band was known for on earlier recordings.....and I LOVE IT!! Combined with the post-apocalyptic, grindhouse new look, I couldn't be more excited. The whole vibe of the above video reminds me a lot of one of my favourite games Borderlands. The single itself is brilliant, I cant stop listening to it. It's catchy, rebellious and great to sing along to. All in all, its a great taste of what (hopefully) the rest of the album will sound like. So check out the video above and let me know what you think!!
So there it is, just a quickie this time. I also wanna mention, if you guys have any suggestions for albums, or anything for that matter, just let me know and I'll check it out!! I'll be back next time with hopefully a review on the Birds Of Tokyo/Silversun Pickups gig, and maybe with photos!!
Until Then, Keep Listening :D
So, a lot has happened since my last post. For starters, I have a new house!! I will be living with Tonky(Current housemate and amazing DJ), Dave and Lys (generally unreal :D) and my lovely Girlfriend Ashleigh (what more can I say?!). Its a great house, lots of room and a MASSIVE backyard, so bring on the BBQ's :D
Just under a week away until Birds Of Tokyo and Silversun Pickups concert! I'm pretty pumped to be heading down to Melbourne with good friends for good times. Then a week or so later, Ashleigh and I are off to see Paramore, so busy times ahead!!
On the work front, I'm on school holidays at the moment, next Monday I'm back to the grind, with training this week. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to getting back to it, and I'll be a lot busier this term by the sounds of it. I feel so happy I have a job doing something I'm good at, and I'm very thankful for that:D
Lots of new TV shows starting back up currently, and I love it! How I Met Your Mother made a great comeback last Tuesday, along with Glee a day later (Telephone and Empire State Of Mind FTW :D) and Dexter downloading as I speak, lots of things to keep me entertained!! Speaking of TV Shows, I stumbled across a show called Huge, starring Nikki Blonsky of Hairspray fame. Its an interesting show, focusing on kids at a summer weight loss camp. Its very cheesy, but if you like glee and that kind of story ideas, its a recommendation. It also has a great message about body image, and shunning the idea of having to look like something that's completely unreasonable; something I'm very passionate about.
Onto video games, Zombie-Sandbox/Time Management game Dead Rising 2 came out last week, and as I haven't had much time to really sink my teeth into it(pun absolutely intended), I cant really give an in depth review as yet, but I will say its highly entertaining, especially with the combo weapons system. There's nothing like cruising around in red long-johns and a motorbike helmet, smashing zombies with a pair of MMA gloves with nails attached to them, whilst riding a pink children's bike to get around........and I am not exaggerating any of that.
Music News!!!
Not really much for me to report this time, I have a few albums I want to review and share, but there's plenty of time for that, so I'll keep it brief.
My Chemical Romance- Na Na Na
My Chemical Romance aren't everyones cup of tea, but for some reason, I've always had a soft spot for them. Maybe its because i listened to them a lot during High School/growing up issues, but I have always enjoyed their music. After their successful album The Black Parade, MCR are back with their next album, gloriously entitled Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and even though we don't get the full deal until November 22nd, the first single has been released.
Above is the video announcing the title of the album, showing off 1) the boys new style and personas and 2) the absence of drummer Bob Bryar, who has left the band for unknown reasons. It also gave a tease of the first single, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) (yes thats the full title and majority of lyrics lol). This new look MCR suits the rough, dirty punk sound the band was known for on earlier recordings.....and I LOVE IT!! Combined with the post-apocalyptic, grindhouse new look, I couldn't be more excited. The whole vibe of the above video reminds me a lot of one of my favourite games Borderlands. The single itself is brilliant, I cant stop listening to it. It's catchy, rebellious and great to sing along to. All in all, its a great taste of what (hopefully) the rest of the album will sound like. So check out the video above and let me know what you think!!
So there it is, just a quickie this time. I also wanna mention, if you guys have any suggestions for albums, or anything for that matter, just let me know and I'll check it out!! I'll be back next time with hopefully a review on the Birds Of Tokyo/Silversun Pickups gig, and maybe with photos!!
Until Then, Keep Listening :D
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The ramblings of a Music Lover
Hey All!!
So, my name is Joel, and here is my Blog.
Wow, I thought I could come up with a better introduction than that.......
.........Clearly Not.
Anyway, on a complete whim, I decided to start this thing. Who knows how long I can keep it up, but I assure you, while it's going, it will be the most amazing, stupendous and brilliantly......average thing you ever read.
Set the Bar high didn't i?
So, as I said, my name is Joel. I live in a town called Bendigo, Victoria (its not as bad as some people will tell you). I have many great friends and my house smells of rich mahogany. I enjoy participating in local theatre, and have had a great deal of fantastic experiences. I love playing video games, have a strong interest in film. These topics are the main things I will talk about here.
Now before you ask, no I am not actually a doctor. T'was merely a cunning and delightfully hilarious ruse. But I do love music, more than most things in life and even life itself sometimes. So what I HOPE to achieve with this is some sort of creative outlet for my passion for music, along with other things. One of the ways I will be entertaining all 3 people who are reading this, is through reviews. I will probably update you all on the various going ons in my life as well.
So, without Further Ado! I bring my first review (rhyming already......jeez its all downhill from here),
SLEIGH BELLS-TREATS
A few months ago, whilst listening to Triple J in the car, I heard a song from that weeks Feature Album. It was a song called Tell 'Em by Sleigh Bells. It was an eclectic mix of infectious pop, break beat hip hop and dash of Hardcore/metal.......and I fell in love. It was just so impossible to listen to this and not feel good. (Now, before I go any further, I would like to say that this is MY OPINION, I don't care if you do or don't like what I'm talking about, I'm merely putting my views on the subject matter out there. So, before you comment with remarks that aren't backed up with an educated or even relevant response, would you Kindly fuck off....kthnkbai!)
Treats is Sleigh Bells debut album. It's chock full with intense bass and drums, crunchy guitar and bubblegum flavored vocals. Sleigh Bells, for a brief history, is comprised of Derek E Miller (ex Poison The Well guitarist) and Alexis Krauss, of teen pop group Rubyblue. Both bring to the table a generous serving of their respective musical influence, and somehow, it makes perfect sense. At points its ethereal and dreamy, and at others its so intense that you feel that immediate need to thrash around like a dying goldfish.
Lyrically, its nothing amazing. Personally I could not make sense of anything sung, bar a few key lines to scream along to, and on reading them I wasn't entirely moved. It's the albums, and I guess the band's, only downfall, but I think that Krauss' vocals are just another element to this wall of "Noise Pop" as they are often classed as. It's all so deliciously Lo-Fi that it doesn't matter what shes singing, just that shes SINGING. The distortion on every track is so overpowering, but it only adds to the distinct sound of Sleigh Bells; when you hear the riff from Infinity Guitars you KNOW its Sleigh Bells. Sure, there are many bands and artists out there that have that effect, but not many that make you so intrigued you want to keep listening just to see wheres it's going.
In closing, Sleigh Bells Treats is a brilliant debut from this unique two piece(Who play live as a two piece, Guitar and Vocals being the only live instruments). Highlights......well the whole album. Weighing in at only 32 minutes its short, but sweet, blasting you with an intense sound that is completely different from what you'd expect from a mash up of Pop and Metal/Hardcore.
9.5/10
Well, There you have it, my first review, hot off the press. Please enjoy!!
Until Next Time, Music Fans,
Dr Joel McDonald, PhD Music :D
So, my name is Joel, and here is my Blog.
Wow, I thought I could come up with a better introduction than that.......
.........Clearly Not.
Anyway, on a complete whim, I decided to start this thing. Who knows how long I can keep it up, but I assure you, while it's going, it will be the most amazing, stupendous and brilliantly......average thing you ever read.
Set the Bar high didn't i?
So, as I said, my name is Joel. I live in a town called Bendigo, Victoria (its not as bad as some people will tell you). I have many great friends and my house smells of rich mahogany. I enjoy participating in local theatre, and have had a great deal of fantastic experiences. I love playing video games, have a strong interest in film. These topics are the main things I will talk about here.
Now before you ask, no I am not actually a doctor. T'was merely a cunning and delightfully hilarious ruse. But I do love music, more than most things in life and even life itself sometimes. So what I HOPE to achieve with this is some sort of creative outlet for my passion for music, along with other things. One of the ways I will be entertaining all 3 people who are reading this, is through reviews. I will probably update you all on the various going ons in my life as well.
So, without Further Ado! I bring my first review (rhyming already......jeez its all downhill from here),
SLEIGH BELLS-TREATS
A few months ago, whilst listening to Triple J in the car, I heard a song from that weeks Feature Album. It was a song called Tell 'Em by Sleigh Bells. It was an eclectic mix of infectious pop, break beat hip hop and dash of Hardcore/metal.......and I fell in love. It was just so impossible to listen to this and not feel good. (Now, before I go any further, I would like to say that this is MY OPINION, I don't care if you do or don't like what I'm talking about, I'm merely putting my views on the subject matter out there. So, before you comment with remarks that aren't backed up with an educated or even relevant response, would you Kindly fuck off....kthnkbai!)
Treats is Sleigh Bells debut album. It's chock full with intense bass and drums, crunchy guitar and bubblegum flavored vocals. Sleigh Bells, for a brief history, is comprised of Derek E Miller (ex Poison The Well guitarist) and Alexis Krauss, of teen pop group Rubyblue. Both bring to the table a generous serving of their respective musical influence, and somehow, it makes perfect sense. At points its ethereal and dreamy, and at others its so intense that you feel that immediate need to thrash around like a dying goldfish.
Lyrically, its nothing amazing. Personally I could not make sense of anything sung, bar a few key lines to scream along to, and on reading them I wasn't entirely moved. It's the albums, and I guess the band's, only downfall, but I think that Krauss' vocals are just another element to this wall of "Noise Pop" as they are often classed as. It's all so deliciously Lo-Fi that it doesn't matter what shes singing, just that shes SINGING. The distortion on every track is so overpowering, but it only adds to the distinct sound of Sleigh Bells; when you hear the riff from Infinity Guitars you KNOW its Sleigh Bells. Sure, there are many bands and artists out there that have that effect, but not many that make you so intrigued you want to keep listening just to see wheres it's going.
In closing, Sleigh Bells Treats is a brilliant debut from this unique two piece(Who play live as a two piece, Guitar and Vocals being the only live instruments). Highlights......well the whole album. Weighing in at only 32 minutes its short, but sweet, blasting you with an intense sound that is completely different from what you'd expect from a mash up of Pop and Metal/Hardcore.
9.5/10
Well, There you have it, my first review, hot off the press. Please enjoy!!
Until Next Time, Music Fans,
Dr Joel McDonald, PhD Music :D
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