6/26/15

Music Review #122: "Mississippi Queen"

Today, I will be reviewing "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain. This song was released in 1970 as part of Mountain's "Climbing!" album. I really like the cowbell and guitar riffs at the beginning of the song. I also like the drumming throughout the entire song. I always get excited when I hear this song. I have always been a fan of this song and I think that the guitar playing in this song is great. This is such a short song and I feel that if I listen to it, I have to listen to it more than once. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/25/15

Music Review #121: "Surf Rider"

Today, I will be reviewing "Surf Rider" by The Lively Ones. This song was released in 1963 as part of The Lively Ones' "Surf Rider!" album. I really like the guitar throughout the song. When I hear the guitar, I can imagine being at the beach watching people surf. Even though the guitar is a key piece to this song, the rhythm in this song is phenomenal. The drums and bass guitar are great. My favorite thing about this song is the use of the tenor saxophone. I love the tenor saxophone. The solo in this song is great. I really like this song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/23/15

Music Review #120: "Big Money"

Today, I will be reviewing "Big Money" by RUSH. This song was released in 1985 as part of RUSH's "Power Windows" album. I like the synthesizer throughout the song. I also like the heavier use of guitar. I also really like Geddy Lee's vocals in this song song. I also think this song sounds very uplifting. I really enjoy this song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/23/15

Rest in Peace, James Horner

As many of you may know, composer James Horner was killed in a plane crash last night. He was 61. He had composed the scores for several great movies. Some of these movies include "Titanic," "A Beautiful Mind," "Field of Dreams," and my favorite movie of all time "Apollo 13." This is an absolutely tragic loss. He was such a great composer. My sympathies go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

6/22/15

Music Review #119: "Like A River"

Today, I will be reviewing "Like A River" by My Morning Jacket. This song was released in 2015 as part of My Morning Jacket's "The Waterfall" album. I really like the acoustic guitar in this song. It adds an interesting flare to the song. I also really like Jim James' vocals throughout the song. When I close my eyes, I can actually picture a river flowing and I must say that it is quite a powerful image. Further into the song, the percussion entrance is great. This is one of my favorite songs in this album. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/21/15

Music Review #118: "Handlebars"

Today, I will be reviewing "Handlebars" by Flobots. This song was released in 2005 as part of Flobots' "Platypus" album. I really like the bass guitar in this song. I also like the addition of the trumpet too. I have always been a fan of this song. I think "I can ride my bike with no handlebars" just sticks in your head when you hear it. I think it's interesting that the song starts out as hip hop then transitions into rock. I really like this song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/19/15

Music Review #117: "Seven Nation Army"

Today, I will be reviewing "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes. This song was released in 2004 as part of The White Stripes' "Under Blackpool Lights" album. I really like the bass riff at the beginning of the song. I also like the drums in this song. Even though Jack White's guitar playing is great, I am not wild about his voice. I have never been crazy about this song. I was more into it a few years ago, but since it is overplayed, it has lost its spark. This song to me is just okay. I give this song a six out of ten.

6/18/15

Music Review #116: "Get Back"

In honor of Paul McCartney's 73rd birthday, I will be reviewing "Get Back" by The Beatles. This song was released in 1970 as part of The Beatles' "Let It Be" album. I think the rhythm in this song makes it quite catchy. I also like the guitar in this song. Also, I have always thought that Paul McCartney has a great voice. This song is one of those songs that you should listen to if you are having a bad day. This is a really good song. I give this song a nine out of ten.

6/17/15

Music Review #115: "Beer For My Horses"

Today, I will be reviewing "Beer For My Horses" by Willie Nelson and Toby Keith. This song was released in 2002 as part of Toby Keith's "Unleashed" album. To start things off, I am not a country music fan, however there are a few songs that I don't mind. This is one of them. I like the tempo of the song and I like the drumming throughout the song. I also like the combination of Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, as they are two great musicians. My favorite part of the song is the repeat: "Justice is the one thing you should always find. You got to saddle up your boys. You got to draw a hard line. When the gun smoke settles, we'll sing a victory tune and we'll all meet back at the local saloon. We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces singing whiskey for my men and beer for my horses." This is an awesome song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/16/15

Music Review #114: "Solsbury Hill"

Today, I will be reviewing "Solsbury Hill" by Peter Gabriel. This song was released in 1977 as part of Peter Gabriel's "Peter Gabriel" album. I like the flute in this song. I also like the beat. This song is quite mellow. I also think that this song is quite uplifting. This is a song that you might want to listen to if you are in a bad mood or you are having a bad day. This song is pretty good. I give this song a nine out of ten.

6/15/15

Music Review #113: "Take Me to Church"

Today, I will be reviewing "Take Me to Church" by Hozier. This song was released in 2014 as part of Hozier's "Hozier" album. I like the piano in this song. Hozier's voice has an Elton John-type sound to it. I think it's interesting how this song has a melancholy tone to it. The cool thing about this song is that I can picture this song being played in a coffee shop on a Monday morning just like today, dark and rainy. This song isn't bad, but it is not my favorite. I give this song a seven out of ten.

6/14/15

Music Review #112: "Runnin' With the Devil"

Today, I will be reviewing "Runnin' With the Devil" by Van Halen. This song was released in 1978 as part of Van Halen's "Van Halen" album. I really like the guitar in this song. This song always makes me happy and if I hear it on the radio, I have to put my windows down and the sound way up. I also like how the bass guitar keeps a steady beat in this song. The drumming is also pretty awesome. I understand that many people may not like David Lee Roth's voice, but with a lot of other singers, it is an acquired taste. This song is a great one, but I could do with out a ton of the screaming. I give this song a nine out of ten.

6/13/15

Music Review #111: "Flashdance...What a Feeling"

Today, I will be reviewing "Flashdance...What a Feeling" by Irene Cara. This song was released in 1983 as part of Irene Cara's "What a Feelin'" album. It is also a song from the 1983 movie "Flashdance." I like the synthesizer and slower tempo at the beginning of the song. I also really like the percussion entrance. My favorite part of the song is the repeat. "What a feeling, being's believin'. I can have it all, now I'm dancing for my life. Take your passion and make it happen. Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life." Irene Cara has a great voice. I have always enjoyed this song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/12/15

Music Review #110: "The Kids Aren't Alright"

Today, I will be reviewing "The Kids Aren't Alright" by The Offspring. This song was released in 1998 as part of The Offspring's "Americana" album. I really like the guitar entrance at the beginning of the song. I feel that it sets the tone for the rest of the song. I also like the faster pace to the song. I really enjoy the repeat: "Chances thrown. Nothing's free. Looking for what used to be. Still it's hard. Hard to see. Fragile lives. Shattered dreams." I feel that there is an important message in this song. What this song says to mean is that every child has a bright future ahead of them, but when they get into things like drugs, their lives will be ruined. This is really a great song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/11/15

Music Review #109: "No Excuses"

Today, I will be reviewing "No Excuses" by Alice in Chains. This song was released in 1996 as part of Alice in Chains' "MTV Unplugged" album. I really like the acoustic guitar throughout the entire song. I also think that the bass guitar needs to get some attention, as I really like the bass line in this song. All of the instrumentation in this song is superb. For the longest time, I have always enjoyed the singing duo of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. This is a great song. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/9/15

Music Review #108: "Hand Cannot Erase"

Today, I will be reviewing "Hand Cannot Erase" by Steven Wilson. This song was released this year as part of Steven Wilson's "Hand. Cannot. Erase." album. I really like the guitar in the beginning of this song. I also really like Steven Wilson's vocals in this song. I like how the song picks up around the 1:00 mark. I really enjoy the bass guitar in this song as well. This song is one of the multiple great songs on this album. I just saw this group a week ago today and this song rocked. I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/7/15

Music Review #107: "Believe"

Today, I will be reviewing "Believe" by My Morning Jacket. This song was released this year as part of My Morning Jacket's "The Waterfall" album. I really like the vocals and the piano at the beginning of the song. I also like the addition of the bass and drums. This song is extremely uplifting and I think it is truly a tremendous song. I got to see these guys in concert on Thursday and they opened with "Believe." It was terrific! Jim James is a great singer. This song is great! I give this song a ten out of ten.

6/2/15

Music Review #106: "Lazarus"

Today, I will be reviewing "Lazarus" by Porcupine Tree. This song was released in 2005 as part of Porcupine Tree's "Deadwing"album. I really like how this song has a soothing and calming tone to it. I also really like the piano. Steven Wilson is an extremely underrated musician. His vocals in this song are phenomenal. My favorite part of this song is the repeat: "Follow me down to the valley below, you know. Moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul." This is truly a great song. I give this song a ten out of ten.