Curvy1988’s blog

Ok so I have been lagging a behind in this thing but hey what can I do? So here are artists I have been obsessed with this month:

The Shins:
    I really do love these guys. I remember my friend giving me their "Wincing the Night Away" album and I completely disregarded it for months. Then "Sea Legs" came on shuffle and I fell in love. I have recently gotten their other two albums and they are just as good as their recent album. I don't exactly know how to describe their music. I would say rock with folk/acoustic elements to it. They are just a nice band to chill out to. Definitely check them out if you can.

OLIVIA:
    I think we all know how I didn't like OLIVIA when I first heard her. Since then I have grown to appreciate her music and adore it. I love her older material like "Synchronicity" and "The Lost Lolli" as well as her new material like "The Cloudy Dreamer". Her music is would be best described as rock, electronic, experimental, trip-hop. Her older stuff is a lot darker than her newer material, A LOT darker especially during "The Lost Lolli" era. Most fans didn't really like her material for the anime "NANA". I didn't mind it, although I do prefer her older material. There were some great tracks on their and I always felt that as good as Mika Nakashima and Yuna Ito were in the movie adaptation, their music for the movie sucked ass. Mika's voice was waaaaay too soft for rock and all Yuna Ito do was come out with some sappy ass ballads. OLIVIA and Anna Tsuchiya definitely got it right with the music. I digress...check out her stuff and she should be coming out with a mini album soo.

BONNIE PINK:
    She has to be one of my favorite singer-songwriters out today. I love her every single one of her albums to death. She has a nice acoustic pop sound to her. Her recent releases have led to a more pop sound but they are still awesome. My favorite albums would have to be "Heaven's Kitchen", "Just A Girl", "Even So" and her most recent one "Thinking Out Loud". I love how even though she has changed her sound, she still has songs that are very similar to her older material, especially on her most recent album. Not too mention she speaks English too, although sometimes it's hard to understand due to her heavy accent. Check her out if you can.

This is kinda late but, A Happy New Year to everyone! I have to say 2007 was definitely an interesting year. I finished my first year of college and managed to pass all of my classes. More importantly I learned more about myself as a person and as an artist. My New Years resolution would probably to get out more and hang out with more people. Also, to draw more and to be a lot more bold and brave when it comes to my work. I'm not going to say discover more artists because I am constantly doing that for music and art. Oh and another resolution would to stop being so damn defensive. Anyway, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Here are some albums I though were great but didn't quite make best of 2007. I either didn't really have a chance to listen to them or I did and I wasn't feeling them as much as previous releases.
1. Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight:
I just got into this band at the end of the year after hearing a lot of hype about there latest album. I had also heard a lot of negative comments from long-time fans saying how mainstream it was. I listened to both this album and "More Adventurous" and I like both of them equally. Yeah UTB is a lot more mainstream but it's still a good attempt at them trying to do something different.

2. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace:
As a long-time Foo Fighters fan I have to say that I am a bit disappointed with their latest album. I found it to be a bit boring at times and to be very similar to "One by One" for some reason. That's not to say that there aren't any good tracks on this album. The lead single "The Pretender" is awesome and probably the best track on the album. My personal favorite would have to be "Stranger Things Have Happened". It's probably one of the best acoustic songs they have done in my opinion. I honestly enjoyed their last album "In Your Honor" better than this album. Although I am biased because IYH is my second favorite Foo Fighters album.

3. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away:
I remember my friend giving me this album and I listened to it once and that was it. Then the track "Sea Legs" came up on shuffle on my iTunes and I was hooked. I listened to the entire album and was blown away by it. I also slapped myself for not listening to it sooner. The whole album is awesome from beginning to end. The reason that it's not on my best of list is because I felt, at the time, I hadn't listened to it enough to put it on my list. I highly recommend everyone check these guys out and their other releases, "Oh, Inverted World" and "Chutes Too Narrow".

4. Bjork - Volta:
This album may not have been her best album but it's still a great album. Bjork is one of those artist where even when her material isn't that great, she still rolls out some decent stuff. For example, the first single off of the album (Earth Intruders) is brilliant and not just because Timabaland produced it. I have to say that the Timbaland produced tracks are probably the best on the album. Still as messy and uninspired this album was, it was still hell of a lot better than some of the other crap that came out.

5. OLIVIA - The Cloudy Dreamer:
It took me a loooooong time to get into this chick. I mean, A LONG TIME. I just thought she was trying way too hard to be like her numerous influences and came out with silly ass attempts at Trip-Hop and Rock songs. However after numerous listens I finally caved in. She really does have some good lyrics, a lot better than her fellow NANA buddy, Anna Tsuchiya. Also, when she gets it right, she comes out with some great music. I love how she is willing to experiment with different songs in order to get it right. She's become one of my favorite artists. I feel like with this album she finally got it right with a lot of the tracks. She channeled all of her influences into making her OWN SOUND, not some blatant rip-off. That's not to say her earlier stuff isn't good. "The Lost Lolli" would probably be her best in my opinion. But back to this album, the lyrics and production on this album are top-notch. "If You Only Knew" is probably one of the best songs she has written.

6. NANA BEST - OLIVIA inspi' REIRA (TRAPNEST and ANNA TSUCHIYA inspi' NANA（BLACK STONES):
I have to say that after watching the anime and then listening to this album, Anna and Olivia did a damn good job with the music. Both singers fit their characters very well. You could say that Anna may have been a better fit for NANA than Mika Nakashima. All the songs on here are highly addictive and contain some of their best work. My personal favorite has to be "LUCY" by Anna Tsuchiya. It goes so well with NANA. I think this song shows how much potential Anna has as a singer-songwriter. Now if she would stop with the silly pop tunes, coughBUBBLETRIPcough, and improve her English lyrics, she could be a great songwriter.

7. Tokyo Jihen - Variety:
Let me just say how much I love both the singles off of this album, especially "OSCA". This has to be the strangest yet most addictive rock song I have heard in years. It's also the song that got me into them. Also, "Killer Tune" is awesome and shows how much the band has grown musically in the past couple of years. With that said, as much as I loved the singles I have to say I was a bit disappointed with "Variety". To some it up, it doesn't leave a lasting impression like their first two albums did with me. It's a good album and has the most variety out of all there albums, hence the title and the fact that the Shiina's band was more heavily involved in it than in the past two albums. However, after listening to it I found myself wanting more and not satisfied.

8. Mika Nakashima - Yes:
Mika is another artist that took a bit to get into. "Yes" is EXTREMELY different from her other material. While still Jazz inspired it's more of southern/soul album. I think this through a lot of fans, including me, off. But once you get past it, it really is a great album. It may not be as great as say "Love" or "Music" but there are still some great tracks on here. My favorites would have to be "Going Back Home", "The Dividing Line", and "Cry No More". She is just a nice artist to listen to when you wanna chill out.

9. Alicia Keys - As I Am:
This album was good but definitely not as good as her Unplugged album and "Diary of Alicia Keys". There are some great tracks on here, "Go Ahead", "Like You'll Never See Me Again", "Lessons Learned feat. John Mayer, and "I Need You". But the one track that irked me was "Teenage Love Affair". I just thought the lyrics were a bit too cheesy for me and it stuck out like a sore thumb on this album. Also, I'm still not too crazy about "No One". I think she sounds, for lack of a better word, bad on the track. Besides that this album was pretty good. It's a lot more laid-back than her previous albums.

Here are some songs that I thought kicked ass as singles this year. There is no real need for explanation for a majority of them. Some of them are from the Best of 2007 post but some are from a post I will be doing soon.

1. M.I.A. - Boyz
2. Nine Inch Nails - Survivalism
3. LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum
4. M.I.A. - Paper Planes
5. Arcade Fire - Keep the Cars Running
6. The Bravery - Believe
7. Mark Ronson feat. Lily Allen - Oh My God
8. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
9. Clazziqaui Project - Lover Boy
10. Namie Amuro - Hide & Seek
11. Anna Tsuchiya inspi'  NANA (Black Stones) - LUCY
12. OLIVIA inspi' REIRA (TRAPNEST) - a little pain
13. Foo Fighters - The Pretender
14. Bjork - Earth Intruders
15. Rilo Kiley - The Moneymaker
16. Common feat. Lily Allen - Drivin' Me Wild
17. Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
18. The Shins - Australia
19. Amy Winehouse - Rehab
20. Tokyo Jihen - OSCA

Well seeing as 2007 is almost to a close it's time to look back on this year's best releases. From the return of a globe-trotting MC to a concept album about the end of the world. This year definitely had some good ones. Here we go saving the best for last of course;) :

15. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is Ep - The band returned to their original sound on this EP and I love it seeing as I wasn't big on their last album. "Down Boy" has to become one of my favorite Yeah Yeah Yeah songs ever. It was nice to hear a more raw, edgier sound from them this year.

14. Clazziquai Project - Love Child of the Century I really do love this band and this album made me love them even more. It's a lot more mature than their last couple of albums and is well produced. It displays how much they have changed over the years and is probably their best produced album. From the catchy "Prayers" to the smooth "Romeo N Juliet" this album really got me to respect this band musically even more, not that I didn't already.

13. The Bravery - The Sun and the Moon - They went from being a guilty pleasure band to a genuinely good band to me this year. Everything from the lyrics to the production on this albums was 10 times better than their first album. They have certainly grown a lot since since their first album and it shows on this album. One standout track has to be "Believe" closely followed by "The Ocean". Both have some of the best lyrics the band has produced to date. Not to mention I have seen them live twice and they kick ass.

12. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Great Destroyer - What can I say about this album that hasn't been said, absolutely brilliant. Almost everyone knows that the lead singer went through a lot of shit before and during the recording this album so her brilliantly turned his pain into the masterpiece that is this album. I haven't got much of their previous material but from what I hear it's just as good as this album.

11. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - This album brought a lot of comparisons to Bruce Springsteen's earlier material and for good reason. It's definitely more political than "Funeral" and a lot darker. With that said a lot of fans tend to favor "Funeral" more than this album. I happen to think that both are fucking amazing. "My Body Is A Cage", "Windowsill", and "Black Mirror" were my personal favorite tracks.

10. LCD Sound System - Sound of Silver - After following up their dance-rock debut this band came back with full force on this album. I'll admit I wasn't too crazy about this album at first but after the second listen I was hooked. My favorite has to be the political spoof "North American Scum". Every track on here is awesome and James Murphy can do no wrong. An excellent sophomore effort.

9. Mark Ronson - Version - Mark Ronson took various songs from artists such as Kaiser Chiefs, Radiohead, and The Smiths and turned them into modern soul masterpieces. With guests including Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, and Robbie Williams this album became a hit. Ronson's skills as a DJ and producer definitely shine through in this album.
There has been a lot of controversy with his cover of The Smith's classic "Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before". Basically Smiths fans hated it but oh well I thought it was good and I have hear the original too.

8. BONNIE PINK - Thinking Out Loud - Continuing with her new pop sound Bonnie produced her most cohesive album since "Even So". The new version of "A Perfect Sky" made me appreciate that song even more. I used to not be a big fan of "A Perfect Sky" but this version definitely made me change my mind. I honestly love all the tracks on this album. Definitely a must have for BONNIE PINK fans.

7. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black - I can't remember if this was released late last year or early this year but oh well... Her personal life may be in turmoil but you can't deny this girl's got it. From the catchy "Rehab" to the somber "Wake Up Alone" this album was a soulful look into a woman's troubles. Mark Ronson produced it so you know it's gonna kick some sort of ass. Also can we just talk about her voice? Amazing...

6. Namie Amuro - PLAY -  Best pop album of this year BY FAR. It took awhile for Name to find the perfect sound for her new R&B/Hip-hop style and she finally got it with PLAY. Every tracks rocks, even the slow songs. This has to be her most consistent album she's put out.

5. Saul Williams - The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! - Following Radiohead's example, Saul decided to released this album online for a free download or 5$ in a format that you chose. This album was produced by Trent Reznor and you can definitely tell on some tracks but for the most part the two of them create a unique sound. Not to mention the "Sunday Bloody Sunday" cover is sick.

4. Radiohead - In Rainbows - Not since Kid A have I been blown away by a Radiohead album. Not just because I could pay whatever I wanted for it but because it brings Radiohead back to the basics. From the brilliant opening track "15 Step" to the melancholic "Nude" this album easily became a must have for Radiohead fans.

3. EL-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead - Probably one of the best hip-hop albums to come out in years. Trent Reznor, Cat Power, and The Mars Volta make appearances on this album making it not your typical hip-hop album but still awesome. Everything from the intelligent lyrics to the production make it El-P's best album to date.

2.Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero/ Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D - This has to be Trent's best material since "The Fragile". I love that he decided to not put out another album about his personal demons but rather an album that talked about what's going on today. It wasn't preachy or cheesy in anyway. Also, the ARG used with the release of this was mind-blowing. The remix album is probably the best they came out with too.
And the number 1 album of the year goes to.....

M.I.A. - KALA

Mia-kala

Why is it number 1 you ask? Well because quite simply this woman is a genius. I remember when she first came on to the scene with her first album "Arular". I remember thinking what a breath of fresh air she was to the Gwen Stefanis and Fergies. I loved how her songs were club bangers but had messages pertaining to real worldwide issues. "Kala" was no different, only better. For some reason the U.S. immigration decided to not let Maya, her real name, in the country so instead "Kala" was recorded all around the world and eventually the U.S.. Like one review said about this album, "It's a bloc party from all around the world". From beginning to end this album rocks. "Bamboo Banga" has to be one of the best opening tracks I have heard on an album and "Boyz" is just killer. The production on this album blows me away. This woman is one of the few artists I respect as a female artist myself. She's not afraid to take chances and speak her mind. She does what she feels is right and says what she feels needs to be said with no shame whatsoever. For that I gotta give her props.

What are your irrational fears? 
Submitted by Dan Culhane.  

Ok this is really wierd but I kinda have a fear of birds. I don't mind a single bird but a whole group of them just scares the hell outta me. I'm so afraid that they will just randomly decide to peck the hell outta me. I never really had nightmares about them or anything, it's just a thing. I honestly don't get it myself either. All I know is that everytime a group of birds are near me I get a little twinge of fear. So hear I am admitting my fear of a flock of birds. Feel free to make fun all ya want:).