Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Its a top ten list!
like the new layout?
wait i still have no followers, meh.
so i was thinking about music today, specifically albums, and i feel that nowadays we don't appreciate full albums as much as we used to, perhaps this is because as we have moved to MP3 as the musical format of choice. I mean it just seems like less consideration is put in to the making of an album, important things like order of songs, Box art ect...
then i thought to myself "this must not be the case, perhaps i'm just being an old bitter curmudgeon"
Then i thought, well can i think of 10 truly amazing albums. Albums that are not only a collection of Great songs, but are Masterpieces themselves.
So here are my Top ten albums of all time.
so here we go
Dubnobasswithmyheadman By Underworld: my first introduction to underworld was that song that always played in all the club scenes, in every movie that came out in the 90's. (Yeah you know, that song) later on i discovered dirty epic, and through it Dubno. Dirty Epic is perhaps one of my favorite songs of all time,. The rest of the album is very fluid, and has a very good sound, but to me the rest of the album is overshadowed by Dirty Epic(But perhaps i am biased) i also managed to see Underworld live on my last night in Montreal before i moved to long beach. I would have to say it was the 2nd best concert i have ever been to.
Wiser By Halou: I cant Remember how i found this album, but i do know i love it. I would have to say this is what got me in to trip hop. The melodies are Ethereal as well as beautiful, every song on this is good, and the album flows quite nicely.
The Last Broadcast by the Doves: I discovered the Doves while doing research for my directing scene in my last year of undergrad. the song Pounding was used in the play M.A.D which i was doing a scene from, And so like a good director i decided to check the song out. I liked it, so i got the album. this album sold me on the Doves, and they are one of my favorite bands. This album jumps from Haunting orchestral melodies to Full on Rock, and i think it encompasses the best of what the Doves have to offer. perhaps the only reason this Album is so low on my list is because while every song on this album is Wonderful, there isn't the sense of fluidity from one song to the next for some of them.
Yanqui U.X.O By Godspeed you! Black Emperor: I was Introduced to GYBE by my roommate and perhaps one of my best friends. i had known of their existence, (as all young Montrealers at the turn of the century should) but it wasn't until NIP played this album for me that i was hooked. Although i should really put all of the GYBE albums since they are all fantastic, this one holds a special place in my heart because GYBE toured when this album was released and the concert in Montreal was the first music concert i had ever been to, and to date is still the best.
Fat Of The Land By The Prodigy. I remember when Firestarter came out, i think it mainly appealed to my 16 year old delinquent self, but i still enjoyed it. When i was 17, 99.9 the Buzz was having a contest they were giving away 3 cds to the 9th caller, the CD's were "the fat of the land", "OK computer" and "This is Hardcore" i was the 9th Caller, it was awesome. then i listened to the whole album and was opened up to the world of British Rave techno. Climbatize is perhaps my favorite from this CD. Also their videos Kicked Ass. I the only song i could do with out on this album is diesel power, it just doesnt seem to fit with everything else
Demon Dayz by Gorillaz: This Album flows like a story. I can only expect greatness from a band that was created by the front man of Blur and the guy who invented tank girl. but this album is by far their best, plus Dennis Hopper contributes to this album how could you go wrong?
Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins:
Twilight to starlight or dawn to dusk? every song on this album (Both albums) is Fantastic. I put on the album so i could remind myself of how good it is. To me This album had the songs of my Generation, yeah i know what your gonna say " oh Ronan what about Nirvaaaaaannnaaaaaa?" well to you, i say Nirvana got the ball rolling, and that's good, but the smashing pumpkins took the ball, changed the rules, slam dunked it and went home with all the Trophies. (Well at least on this album,)
If you haven't heard this album in a long time, put it on right now, see how you feel after. that weird felling in the pit of your stomach, that's the nostalgia creeping in (and the baked beans too)
Silent Alarm By Bloc Party I only discovered this album about 2 years ago. This is Bloc party's first album, They have the revolutionary qualities of good British punk mixed with a brit pop/alternative style sound. to me these are songs for my generation, (you know the ones who grew up listening to the pumpkins, Foo fighters and the Clash) every song blends in to the next, if you stop and listen to the lyrics they are both Realistically depressing and uplifting at the same time, and the drummer kicks ass.
O.K Computer By Radiohead. I really don't know how to explain it. this is the music i listened to when i was 17, it has aged very well. by far this is Radioheads best album. It has a surrealist, dreamy quality to it, This album grows on you. like a good scotch it sends shivers down my spine every time i listen to it.
In-Sides By Orbital: My introduction to orbital was that song that played in all the sad parts of those movies in the 90s (Yeah you know what i'm talking about) I discovered In-Sides about a year later (i borrowed it from my brother) Orbital are the Godfathers of techno, and big Doctor Who fans. as you listen to this album its hard to tell were one track begins and the other ends. Orbital (Phill and Paul Hartnoll) have served as a constant inspiration to me, as a lighting designer,as an artist, and as a dreamer (Perhaps i will go more in to detail later) and this was the album that kicked it off.
So there you have it, feel free to throw in your two cents. sorry about some of the videos, apparently big bands don't let you embed their videos (I'm looking at you The Doves)
RMK
wait i still have no followers, meh.
so i was thinking about music today, specifically albums, and i feel that nowadays we don't appreciate full albums as much as we used to, perhaps this is because as we have moved to MP3 as the musical format of choice. I mean it just seems like less consideration is put in to the making of an album, important things like order of songs, Box art ect...
then i thought to myself "this must not be the case, perhaps i'm just being an old bitter curmudgeon"
Then i thought, well can i think of 10 truly amazing albums. Albums that are not only a collection of Great songs, but are Masterpieces themselves.
So here are my Top ten albums of all time.
so here we go
Dubnobasswithmyheadman By Underworld: my first introduction to underworld was that song that always played in all the club scenes, in every movie that came out in the 90's. (Yeah you know, that song) later on i discovered dirty epic, and through it Dubno. Dirty Epic is perhaps one of my favorite songs of all time,. The rest of the album is very fluid, and has a very good sound, but to me the rest of the album is overshadowed by Dirty Epic(But perhaps i am biased) i also managed to see Underworld live on my last night in Montreal before i moved to long beach. I would have to say it was the 2nd best concert i have ever been to.
Wiser By Halou: I cant Remember how i found this album, but i do know i love it. I would have to say this is what got me in to trip hop. The melodies are Ethereal as well as beautiful, every song on this is good, and the album flows quite nicely.
The Last Broadcast by the Doves: I discovered the Doves while doing research for my directing scene in my last year of undergrad. the song Pounding was used in the play M.A.D which i was doing a scene from, And so like a good director i decided to check the song out. I liked it, so i got the album. this album sold me on the Doves, and they are one of my favorite bands. This album jumps from Haunting orchestral melodies to Full on Rock, and i think it encompasses the best of what the Doves have to offer. perhaps the only reason this Album is so low on my list is because while every song on this album is Wonderful, there isn't the sense of fluidity from one song to the next for some of them.
Yanqui U.X.O By Godspeed you! Black Emperor: I was Introduced to GYBE by my roommate and perhaps one of my best friends. i had known of their existence, (as all young Montrealers at the turn of the century should) but it wasn't until NIP played this album for me that i was hooked. Although i should really put all of the GYBE albums since they are all fantastic, this one holds a special place in my heart because GYBE toured when this album was released and the concert in Montreal was the first music concert i had ever been to, and to date is still the best.
Fat Of The Land By The Prodigy. I remember when Firestarter came out, i think it mainly appealed to my 16 year old delinquent self, but i still enjoyed it. When i was 17, 99.9 the Buzz was having a contest they were giving away 3 cds to the 9th caller, the CD's were "the fat of the land", "OK computer" and "This is Hardcore" i was the 9th Caller, it was awesome. then i listened to the whole album and was opened up to the world of British Rave techno. Climbatize is perhaps my favorite from this CD. Also their videos Kicked Ass. I the only song i could do with out on this album is diesel power, it just doesnt seem to fit with everything else
Demon Dayz by Gorillaz: This Album flows like a story. I can only expect greatness from a band that was created by the front man of Blur and the guy who invented tank girl. but this album is by far their best, plus Dennis Hopper contributes to this album how could you go wrong?
Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins:
Twilight to starlight or dawn to dusk? every song on this album (Both albums) is Fantastic. I put on the album so i could remind myself of how good it is. To me This album had the songs of my Generation, yeah i know what your gonna say " oh Ronan what about Nirvaaaaaannnaaaaaa?" well to you, i say Nirvana got the ball rolling, and that's good, but the smashing pumpkins took the ball, changed the rules, slam dunked it and went home with all the Trophies. (Well at least on this album,)
If you haven't heard this album in a long time, put it on right now, see how you feel after. that weird felling in the pit of your stomach, that's the nostalgia creeping in (and the baked beans too)
Silent Alarm By Bloc Party I only discovered this album about 2 years ago. This is Bloc party's first album, They have the revolutionary qualities of good British punk mixed with a brit pop/alternative style sound. to me these are songs for my generation, (you know the ones who grew up listening to the pumpkins, Foo fighters and the Clash) every song blends in to the next, if you stop and listen to the lyrics they are both Realistically depressing and uplifting at the same time, and the drummer kicks ass.
O.K Computer By Radiohead. I really don't know how to explain it. this is the music i listened to when i was 17, it has aged very well. by far this is Radioheads best album. It has a surrealist, dreamy quality to it, This album grows on you. like a good scotch it sends shivers down my spine every time i listen to it.
In-Sides By Orbital: My introduction to orbital was that song that played in all the sad parts of those movies in the 90s (Yeah you know what i'm talking about) I discovered In-Sides about a year later (i borrowed it from my brother) Orbital are the Godfathers of techno, and big Doctor Who fans. as you listen to this album its hard to tell were one track begins and the other ends. Orbital (Phill and Paul Hartnoll) have served as a constant inspiration to me, as a lighting designer,as an artist, and as a dreamer (Perhaps i will go more in to detail later) and this was the album that kicked it off.
So there you have it, feel free to throw in your two cents. sorry about some of the videos, apparently big bands don't let you embed their videos (I'm looking at you The Doves)
RMK
I was just thinking...
So i am siting in a cafe writing in my blog... I am so Cool!
I have been preparing for Tosca in Oslo for some time now, and its one week before i fly out
I would be lying if i said i wasn't nervous.
I would love to have the opportunity to establish my self in Europe, especially Norway. I think i sort of fell in love with the country when i was there, i cant quite figure out why, perhaps it reminded me Of lac des pilles, minus the French politics. Perhaps it is because the countryside seems so unspoiled, perhaps because it was the first time i truly traveled on my own.
i suppose we will see how it goes this time. the conditions are different and i will be working this time, who knows. perhaps its best to just let whatever be.
I have been preparing for Tosca in Oslo for some time now, and its one week before i fly out
I would be lying if i said i wasn't nervous.
I would love to have the opportunity to establish my self in Europe, especially Norway. I think i sort of fell in love with the country when i was there, i cant quite figure out why, perhaps it reminded me Of lac des pilles, minus the French politics. Perhaps it is because the countryside seems so unspoiled, perhaps because it was the first time i truly traveled on my own.
i suppose we will see how it goes this time. the conditions are different and i will be working this time, who knows. perhaps its best to just let whatever be.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Return flight
I Admit that my claims of maintaining this Blog have been slightly exaggerated.
For Real this time.
an update! while in an airport no less!
there is much that keeps me busy, but in most recent news i will be traveling to Oslo Norway in August to assist in the production of Tosca at the Oslo opera house. Keen Eh?
recently i have played and Platinumed the Saboteur, it was an enjoyable game. the thing that i think i liked most about the game was the Atmosphere, the game is in black and white until you free areas of occupied France as you free the areas color gradually returns to the world. Also the music was fantastic, although it seemed like an afterthought because you cant change the radio while driving, and there are only like 6 songs that are cycled through when the music is playing. the storyline was good enough to keep me playing the game, but it seemed like all the characters were very one dimensional. the world was well crafted and very fun to goof around in. There is also a bit of re-playability to the game, if just to enjoy the atmosphere.
Also Watching the New Doctor Who latest series, i will reserve my comments until i have seen the last episode, which i will be watching on my flight to long beach in about 30 minutes.
More to come later...
For Real this time.
an update! while in an airport no less!
there is much that keeps me busy, but in most recent news i will be traveling to Oslo Norway in August to assist in the production of Tosca at the Oslo opera house. Keen Eh?
recently i have played and Platinumed the Saboteur, it was an enjoyable game. the thing that i think i liked most about the game was the Atmosphere, the game is in black and white until you free areas of occupied France as you free the areas color gradually returns to the world. Also the music was fantastic, although it seemed like an afterthought because you cant change the radio while driving, and there are only like 6 songs that are cycled through when the music is playing. the storyline was good enough to keep me playing the game, but it seemed like all the characters were very one dimensional. the world was well crafted and very fun to goof around in. There is also a bit of re-playability to the game, if just to enjoy the atmosphere.
Also Watching the New Doctor Who latest series, i will reserve my comments until i have seen the last episode, which i will be watching on my flight to long beach in about 30 minutes.
More to come later...
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