As you can tell by the picture above I am back in New York, New York.
Amanda and Josh are fabulous posters and friends. A big blogosphere round of applause for their awesome work since I left on a jet plane to Italia. Back to posting tomorrow folks and I can’t wait. For now, a catchy tune from one of the new goodies out there today:
“Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
Quick post today on one of my new favorite artists Marina Diamandis (her stage name sounds like shes part of a group but shes a solo artist).
The Catherine Zeta doppelganger is of Greek/Welsh heritage, and shes known for her quirky style, pitch, and lyrics content.
Beneath are two of my favorite Marina and the Diamonds singles, “Hollywood” and “I Am Not A Robot”.
I really love the social commentary of “Hollywood”. Interesting that such an on-point critique of everything considered classical American is drawn by a foreign perspective. A perfect hybrid of cynicism and kitsch.
“I Am Not A Robot” is equal parts beauty and power. The video is artsy and dramatic, and the lyrics are potent with a message of emotional honesty and self-empowerment.
For an added bonus, hears an acoustic version of “Hollywood”
Hello everyone. I apologize for my absence. It started with finals week in school, and continued with MCAT preparation until a few days ago. Without any further ado, I’m back and ready to present to you all Jack White.
Born John Anthony Gillis in 1975, Jack White is an American. His rise to fame came from his work as a guitarist, pianist, and lead vocalist of The White Stripes. While many lists put White a bit higher on the list, I feel this is a very appropriate position for him. Extremely fond of Gretsch guitars, White catapulted himself to stardom with his distinctive sound. One might wonder how John Anthony Gillis came to be Jack White. Well, it begins at a Memphis smoke bar, where Gillis met his future, albeit ephemeral wife, Meg White. In an unorthodox fashion, a trait that adeptly characterizes Jack White, Gillis chose to adopt Meg’s last name. Interestingly, when White remarried, he kept his ex-wife’s last name.
So, why should Jack White be on this list. After all, a Top 25 list is very exclusive given the countless guitarists the world possesses. Firstly, Jack White seemed to have a magical, musical touch which he used to endow his bands with success and wonderful music. Jack White was a part of many bands, including The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs and, naturally, The White Stripes. White is an ingenious musician, a trait evident by one specific concert, in which The White Stripes played a very short concert. It was so short, that the whole concert consisted of one note. Jack White thinks outside the box, and lets his creativity take over. He does this even in his playing, as he uses his little finger to reach high notes, rather than the usual ring finger. Since his brothers would not teach him how, he taught himself. While technique may not always be certain, one thing is for sure. Jack White has certainly taught the music community a great deal.
Check out White’s spin on things…
Hey there guys,
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Have y’all heard Drake’s newest album yet? Its been out for a while now, and his tracks, including non-released singles, have been all over hip hop stations. Seriously, I think that New York’s Hot 97 plays the same handful of Drake songs and re-mixes on a loop.
I love Drake’s “Thank Me Later” because it highlights his full range of skill. Drake (who records his verses by reading them off of his Blackberry) sings and raps, blurring the distinctions between each discipline.
Not to mention some of the songs are really infections. At first “Find Your Love’ struck me as kind of monotone and over-simplified, but after a couple of listens the hook of Drake’s rhythm was downright addictive.
Drake also demonstrates his personality as an artist. You really feel as though, despite the millions of other listeners, Drake is speaking directly to you. His lyrics come out genuine and even charmingly witty (“But do I ever come up in discussion over double pump latte’s
and low fat muffin’s?”)
My fav tracks off of “Thank Me Later” have to be, in no particular order, “Thank Me Now”, “Over”, “Up All Night” (feat Nicki Minaj) and “Light Up” (feat Jay Z)
Overall, Drake’s “Thank Me Later” is definitely great background music to a tough workout or party 🙂
The Music Court 