Luke Bryan

Sorry to all of you country haters out there but I'm gonna have to talk about it again this week.  This time the lucky artist is none other than Luke Bryan.  The 37 year-old singer out of Leesburg, Georgia is probably one of my favorite country artists at the time and most likely ever.  In 2007, Bryan came out with his first album- I'll Stay Me with his hit song "All My Friends Say."  Personally I didn't like the album very much and thought that the songs were a bit too cliche and almost childish.  Yet I've slowly gotten used to his relatively lowish Georgia croon among other things.  Sure his lyrics aren't the most complex but there is emotion behind them and to me there's a sense of comfort in that, one that makes his music very enjoyable to listen to.

His new album, Spring Break...Here To Party having been just released before spring break was surprisingly pretty good.  Although a lot of the songs are up beat and happy, like "If You Ain't Here To Party, some are slow and thoughtful too, like "Buzzkill."  Some of my other favorites, not on that album include: "Been There, Done That," and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye."

 

Can't say I approve of his dancing...but it's a catchy song for sure.

This one of my absolute favorites.  I really like that the song is more acoustic and centered around the lyrics and message, not just the music.

One of the coolest things about country music in my opinion is that people can relate to the songs because although some are a bit too cheesy, they are about real emotions and real things.  Plus who doesn't like a catchy song to relax to?

-Brooks Gonzales 

U2

I'm very excited to be finally getting to U2, especially when listening to The Joshua Tree (their best album by far in my opinion).  This album has elements of classic rock along with more folky tunes.  The most amazing thing about it is that anyone in the world who has ever listened to any form of music knows who this band is, and can at least recognize 4 songs off of the album without listening to more than 30 seconds.  This feat is something that hardly any other band or artist can say about one album. 

Then....

...and now

On the album their songs very musically in a few different ways.  For example the song "Bullet The Blue Sky," has elements that lean more toward the stereotypical classic rock sound with Bono's voice and especially the influence of the guitar.  Yet other songs like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and "With Or Without You," are a little more calm and lean towards the folk side of the musical spectrum.  Regardless, all are still amazing songs, both musically and lyrically. 

(I love the drums in the beginning of this song!)

U2 really is quite an amazing band, coming together in 1976 in Dublin, Ireland.  The really spectacular part about it is that they still are making good music and have been for a good 37ish years.  That takes dedication.

-Brooks Gonzales

Oh the 80's

This week I learned how much music there actually was during the 80's; you had pop greats like Michael Jackson, tons of hair metal bands including Def Leopard and  Quiet Riot, along with the growth of hip-hop with rappers like RUN-DMC and Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick.  

I feel like many people love one of those three groups and absolutely hate the others.  In my opinion I really think that something good can be found in all of them.  For example MJ is the king of pop and his voice and dancing explains exactly why.  The pop scene had never seen anyone that could do both nearly as well as he could.  Hair metal allowed everyone just to let their long golden locks let go and just jam along with the wailing electric guitar and grooving bass and drums.  If they were lucky they'd also get a clap and sing along session.  In the world of hip-hop, rappers began to start writing about more intense issues or topics.  Yet many still allowed their fans to have fun and relax to their hip hoppin beats.

 

Introducing the.....Moonwalk

With cross over videos and songs like this, hip-hop became even more exposed to the public and even more popular.

Overall, I can't say that the 80's were my favorite decade for music in general.  Much of it was made without much thought but one thing is for sure, they definitely had fun playing it.

-Brooks Gonzales

Josh Turner

I had the opportunity to go to the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo this year and see two really good concerts as well: Eli Young Band and Josh Turner.  I have personally always like the Eli Young Band but the Josh Turner show was probably one of the best concerts I've ever been to.  Known by his alter egos: The Tornado of Testosterone and the Bone Shakin' Baritone, Josh Turner knows how to put on a good show.  The quality of his live singing is some of the best I have ever personally heard.  It sounded as if the recordings were playing and he was lip sinking...the only reason I know he was singing is because in the realm of country he could be considered fairly old school and they would never commit such a ridiculous crime, especially not in this state.

Picture of him preforming on stage with his band

He played a great set with many songs that I knew including what seem like everyone's favorites: "Why Don't We Just Dance," and "I Wouldn't Be A Man." He also played some that I had never heard before like: "Punching Bag," and "Find Me A Baby."

Weird video, but still a pretty good song

So maybe his lyrics aren't the most intellectual and deep but everyone can still appreciate his talent and just enjoy listening...not many people can do what he can do. 

-Brooks Gonzales  

Earth, Wind & Fire...And Some Other Disco...

Alright, I'll admit it...I really didn't want to listen to disco music all of today.  I honestly thought my ears would bleed...but fortunately, for everyone, it didn't happen.  I realized that it all wasn't as awful, as I was expecting, and that some of it was even pretty good...for the most part anyway...

My absolute favorite thing we listened to was Earth, Wind & Fire, especially the two songs played: "September," and "Serpentine Fire."  Both songs have beyond amazing vocals, killer bass lines, and trumpet parts that I could only dream about playing.  One of the coolest things about Earth, Wind & Fire in my opinion is the vocal range that is shown-especially the falsetto. 

Not going to lie...this video kinda makes me want to throw up but regardless, it's still an amazing song

Another group who I didn't seem to mind too much was Kool & The Gang.  Their songs also had quite a bit of superb (or at least just catchy) trumpet and overall brass playing.  

And why not throw in a little MJ in his prime.  "Rock With You," is definitely is no Thriller but it still is pretty good as disco goes.

Man oh man..this video just screams cheesy 70's music.  Yet in all honesty, it isn't that bad of a song.

Overall disco wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.  The difference between the music of the time was kind of amazing.  The punk scene- full of rebels lashing out harsh words towards the government, public scene, and about everything in between.  And the disco scene- almost mindless dancing music, that just let people relax and have fun...when they weren't rioting in the streets of course.

-Brooks Gonzales

Feist

I never would've found this artist if a friend hadn't told me about her. Her name is Leslie Feist,  and she plays and sings some of the most relaxing music I have probably ever listened to.  She has a slight edge to her voice which makes the listening all the better.  Many of her songs are played with only the acoustic guitar and some piano, making them really nice to listen to when one (I'm pretty much talking about myself) needs to let a load off and relax.  

My favorite album of her's is also her newest, "Metals."  This album came out in 2011 and has my favorite song on it entitled "The Bad In Each Other."  This song is almost bluesy; the drums and guitar duo (my personal favorite part, especially at the beginning), the bari sax (I think anyway), the horns, and the accompanying orchestra really make the song enjoyable because I think all of those layers blend very well, only emphasizing the quality of her voice even more.  I also really like the backup vocals during the chorus as well.  Another one of my favorite songs is called "Cicadas And Gulls."  The first 30ish seconds contain a really relaxing and calming guitar solo.  When her voice comes in, there is a slight fading effect to it that I really like.  But honestly I just really like the way the melody sounds.  What impresses me the most about her is the many tones that are in her voice, many of which I can't even begin to explain.

This is probably one of the coolest music videos I think I have ever seen...I especially love the guys dancing, it's pretty amazing and very very weird at the same time.

Honestly I'm not sure if I'm ever going to seek out more artists like this, but I am sure that Feist is definitely worth the time.  Her talent level is off the charts, being able to both play the guitar and sing extremely well is rather spectacular.

-Brooks Gonzales