Trace Bundy - Adapt

Trace Bundy - Adapt

On November 12th, this was my first time to see Trace Bundy's live performane. I didn't know him before the previous day of the show. Until my friend, he showed Trace's songs for me. That was very impressive. So I decided to go to watch the show with him. And I found that I had made one of the best decisions in my life to spend 5 dollars to enjoy such an amazing show.
Trace Bundy is an acoustic guitarist. He was born in Austin, MN. He started to learn guitar at about 11, 12 years old. Even he was not a heavy metal fan. But he had learned to play Metallica’s songs at the beginning. And now, Trace's playing is truly innovative, using a variety of techniques - harmonics, right-hand tapping, and slapping, percussive, upside-down, looping, multiple capos, lightning fast picking... This is very impressive and kind of unbelievable. You've really got to see it to completely understand.
Adapt is a double discs album, which contains a music CD and video DVD. Normally, I will think double discs are the way of the producer to make more money. But for ‘Adapt’, the video disc is needed for the people who want to know how good Trace is playing. ‘Bristlecone’ is the first song of the album. This song features lots of harmonics of various types and some backwards subliminal messages at the beginning. ‘Dueling Ninjas’, a song which Trace played using his both hands to do both the melody (with left hand) and the bass line (with right hand). He played this song in the show too. It is one of my favorite songs in the album. The 5th track is ‘Stone’s Serenade’, a lovely, emotion song. The distinctive arrangement and the violin part is what I like most in this song. ‘Patanga’, this song is the hottest when he played it in the show. No doubt that it is a very impressive song. All percussion in this song is played on the body of the guitar with Trace’s right hand while playing the melody with his left hand. Finally, there are 2 songs in the DVD you must watch them. They are ‘Urban Challenge’ and ‘Hot Capo Stew’. ‘Urban Challenge’ is a very fun song. He played it using a live loop sampling technique. First he play a drum beat with some echo effect .Then he record to and start adding on different layers. After that, he speeds up the whole thing to double speed. ‘Hot Capo Stew’ is the last song he playing in the show and it is the last track in the DVD. For this song, it is a challenge for him to deal with 5 capos because the capos become the obstacles which require some tricky strategy to get around.
If you think you like acoustic instrument, you should try out Trace Bundy. You won’t be disappointed about his music.

King Of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street (2004)

Kings of Convenience, a band which came from Norway. It brought it's songs of love, heartache and life to the world beyond. Kings of Convenience contains two soft voices and two acoustic guitars. Their names are Eirik Glambek Boe and Erlend Oye, who'd met at an inter-schools geography contest as children (which Erlend won by drawing a map of the world freehand from memory) that had later reunited in song, in a gloomy rock band that did Joy Division covers called Skog (Norwegian for Tree). And because of the disbanding of Skog, the Kings of Convenience were born.
Their first album "Quiet Is The New Loud" released on 2001. It was quickly adopted as their motto and they became one of the important artists for what the British music press had dubbed the "New Acoustic Movement". Moreover, they were also the leaders of Norway's musical revival. 'Quiet Is The New Loud' was one of the most important albums of the year; it let people know that simple music could be this awesome. Also, it is one of the most exciting discover for me on 2001.
‘Riot on an Empty Street’ was released on 2004. It picks up where 'Quiet Is The New Loud' left off. Recorded over the last six months in Bergen, Riot contains more complex arrangements this time around. The acoustic sound is still very much the leading edge. From the familiar harmonics on it’s opener ‘Homesick,’ ‘Gold In The Air Of Summer’ and ‘Surprise Ice’, to the new-pop swing of live favorite ‘I’d Rather Dance With You’, ‘Know How,’ ‘Love Is No Big Truth’ or first single ‘Misread’, every track sounds like an old friend coming home to you. The Kings were joined in the studio by Canadian songstress Feist, who appears on two of the albums twelve tracks, ‘Know How’ where she assists Eirik, and the album’s closing track ‘The Build Up’- where she duets with Erlend in what is one of the Kings's most beautifully emotive tracks. ‘Riot On An Empty Street,’ an all time favor for the people who love simple, beautiful and emotive songs like me.

Suede - Dog Man Star

In mid 1990's, if you called yourself a typically Brit pop fans. Don't tell me that you didn't know their name or you had never heard of the name of their albums. Suede was a band which helped to revolutionize the music industry in the mid 1990. Suede was Brett Anderson (voice), Richard Oakes (guitar), Mat Osman (bass), Simon Gilbert (drums) and Neil Codling (keyboards). This was their lineup until they were disbanded. Yes, they are disbanded, but all of their songs still playing by my laptop everyday. Because I can't find many albums which can compare with them or let me have a reason to get rid of their songs.
'Dog Man Star' released on 1994, this album was featuring the vocals of Brett Anderson, guitars from Bernard Butler, Simon Gilbert on drums, and Mat Osman on bass. The lineup is different from the one I mentioned before. Because Butler left Suede before the album was fully recorded. But I still think Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler is the best partner. 'Dog Man Star' was the proof. It is the best album of Suede. The lyrics are beautiful, the music is innovative. It is in essence a masterpiece of Brit pop.
In this album, every song is just as good as perfect that you couldn’t choose a favorite one. The songs in the album feel comfortable and well worn from the first moment you listen to them. Like ‘This Hollywood Life’, ‘Introducing the Band’, and ‘The Wild Ones’ are the best examples. The aching desirous of ‘Heroine’ is lovely. Anderson’s voice is strong, beautiful, and depressed and the distinctive, hip guitars are amazingly effective. So many different musical elements are added to present and make up the view of the song. The diversity of this album is one of its highlight. Also, you can find that Suede refused to stick to one music style. Instead, Suede carefully assembles everything from acoustic folk to rock music and everything in between. Finally, ‘the 2 of us’ is the last song which I feel it is necessary to talk about. The song is moody, dark, with great lyrics. This is the song which made for Anderson. When accompanied just by a piano and orchestra. There was no more sounded luminous like that. You will see what is good music and good lyrics combined together.
By listening to ‘Dog Man Star’, you will find that their songs don’t come as a surprise. They are representative of the best of Brit pop. So if you call yourself a fan of Brit pop, get this album. You won’t be disappointed by this classic album.

Rhapsody - Symphony of Enchated Land (1998)

Rhapsody is a band that I must introduce to everyone because they perfectly show me that neo-classical, speed metal and orchestra can totally compound up. Their music also overcame every neo classical/speed metal album that I had ever known .
Rhapsody is an Italy band. It formed in 1993 which led by guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboard Alex Staropoli , both of them were influenced gradually by classical music. Their aim of forming this band was trying to create a metal music which included classical, symphony and beautiful melody. And their effort didn't waste, because of their inflexible on music. After 4 years of hardworking, their first epic album - "Legendary Tales" was born. This album gave a shock to entire Europe; they gave a surprise to the metal fans all over the world, too. If I say this album was a notice that Rhapsody was going to announce to the public that they are coming to change our view of metal music. Then "Symphony of Enchanted Land" was the album that made Rhapsody becomes one of the most famous bands in Europe.
In the album, the prelude "Epicus Furor" was started by the concerto of violin and it's continued by a grand, stately Germanic chorus. Since, the symphonic and epic story had started .Secondly, "Emerald Sword" is a typical of Rhapsody's song, starting with a rave and rapid guitar riff，following up was a beautiful violin's phrase, plus the double bass drums which played by their drummer - Daniele. This is the typical of Rhapsody. Moreover, after the graceful orchestra music, the distinctive guitar solo of Luca Turilli was performing with the orchestra music. What a fantastic song! The third song "Wisdom of The Kings" started by an ensemble of flute, Acoustic guitar and cello, it was a elegant melody with distinctive national features. This song included the folk music element of the mid- century of Europe. At the middle of the song, the solo was presented with mandolin and bandore (pandore) which had brought a vivace to the melody .Another classic!! Finally, the eighth song "The Dark Tower of Abyss" , this is the most baroque song in this album，it started with a violin concerto which has a heavy baroque style，and the rhythmic section after the concerto, you may thought that you seem to have heard before. Because the inspiration of this part was come from the genius Vivaldi 's "The Four Seasons". Actually, most of the stringed music in this album was similar to "The Four Seasons" .
Rhapsody showed me that metal music could be this "Bright", this symphonic and beautiful. Beautiful, you can't imagine how a metal band can praise as beautiful. Listening to Rhapsody, you will know what I am talking about.

Smashing Pumpkins - Adore

Smashing Pumpkins - Adore


Smashing Pumpkins , a legendary hard rock band for me. I love their every singles and every songs.I missed their live performance. With the lineup: D'Arcy playing bass, James Iha on guitar and Billy Corgan singing and playing the piano, this band made me crazy. You Couldn't ever imagine how this band used to just plug in and explode and how dramatic had they changed.
"Adore" is the best album of Smashing Pumpkins for me.It is a gentle and experimental album. Corgan doesn't speak ton of foul language in it. Also, comparing with their previous album. Their music were less rock but more melodic and emotional."For Martha", a depressing song, it talked about Billy Corgan's mother, with whom he was reconciled before she died of cancer. "Tear" and "Crestfallen" all have peaceful melodic meditations. "Ava Adore", a traditional pumpkins's style music.They played the music as heavy as they can. Showing that they were still rock!!.
Smashing Pumpkins had been disbanded for a long time, but their music are still one of my all time favourite, this is what classic mean. And the reason for writing this review is to let more people know Smashing Pumpkins. Listening to their music and feeling their passionate

Muse - Absolution

Muse - Absolution


Muse is a wonderful band which comes from England. The members are average age 20 - with eighty songs and four record deals around the world. They are a great band who will make you have natural high once u listen to their music. With guitarist/vocalist Matthew Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenhome and drummer Dominic Howard. The group's emotive sound and live dates drew critical acclaim and an amazing feedback around the world.
But why can Muse get such a brilliant fame as the members are still around twenties? Because of their music!!! You cant describe Muse as a certain type of band. Because they are changing in anytime, they play rock,punk,electronic etc....... But whatever they are going to play,they can make you surrender and be one of their fans.By listening "Absolution" , you will realize that it is clearly the product of three mid twenties musicians at the height of their powers, and how great that they are playing. "Apocalypse Please" is the first song, it sets the scene for what could have been the most dramatic album of the year. "Time is Running out", a single song. a good song but not my favourite, maybe i had heard too many times from radio,music channel. "Butterflies & Hurricanes", I like this song the most of this album, it showed the piano skill of guitarist/vocalist Matthew Bellamy, and the amazing arrangement of the song.
"Absolution" is a incredible album. When you are listening to this album, u will think that it is the music of next generation and it is one of the best album of 2004 for me. It let me know that music can be so mysterious and exciting while i was bored on listening some kind of the "mainstream" music

Keane - Hopes and Fears

Keane formed in 1997 at a Hastings Secondary School. Vocals: Tom Chaplin / Piano: Tim Rice-Oxley / Drums: Richard Hughes. But I knew them in 2002 while i was hanging out in a cd shop of a plaza. First, I didnt expect any surprise from the music that it was going to play. But when the music began to play, I was shocked. The vocal was singing at pretty high notes with his sorrowful, impressive voice, under his voice there was emotional and beautiful music background which enhanced the effect of the vocal's voice. After I had listened to the song, I picked up and bought the cd which included the song i just heard. Eversince, Keane has been one of my highlighted band. They doesn't look like most of the bands, they dont have guitarist. But this factor doesn't hinder them. You will agree with me after u listened to their music.
"Hopes and Fears" is a album of emotionally charged songs, including "This Is The Last Time", "Bend And Break" and the massive single "Everybody's Changing". In this album, you will know how good that Keane are , their ability to compose tracks with strong melodies and killer choruses which have universal appeal and the potential for longevity.
Keane show exactly why they've been crowned as the next big thing on the British music scene. As each song begins, it is a deceptively bog standard indie track until, the chorus kicks in and it suddenly becomes an instant classic.

Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002)

Coldplay , after they released their #1 debut album, Parachutes, in England, they were hailed as Band of the Year 2000 in the music press, since, they are still the one of most famous brit - pop bands. Coldplay secured a permanent position in Britain's music elite by writing beautiful, simple songs that gently pulled at the heartstrings of a nation. And this is also the first impression of Coldplay for me. As a matter of fact,every song of Coldplay is great, you can't find a songs of them which you will think it is a poor product. Coldplay's first album Parachutes helped them to get some amazing reviews and good feedback from audiences around the world (including this particular one right here!) Their second release is no different and in fact it takes Coldplay to another level.
About the album, the single " The Scienist" and "In my Place" are the regular "Coldplay's" songs. The distinctive piano arrangment and the fantastic voice of Chris Martin touch everyone beyond words. Also the rest of songs of the album are also wonderful. Actually, "Amsterdam" is the song that I like most.
"A Rush of Blood to the Head"is the most beauitful album that I have ever heard. And I must say that I have listened to different types of music. There are not more than 5 bands for me which can compare with Coldplay as a alternative band. They touch my soul when I listen to their songs. I can feel the pain of this man's heart through his music, and I must say that's What the great talent do they have to write these touching songs.

Radiohead - OK Computer

Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)

One of the Best albums of UK in 1997, it rushed to the top of the charts and spent 71 consecutive weeks on the UK Chart, harvesting amazing reviews. MTV played the Paranoid Android single regularly, and Radiohead became superstars, winning several awards. OK Computer sold to platinum, and it has gained reputation as one of the 90s most significant albums.

This is the first "Alternative rock" band 's album that I bought.Since then, I have bought many albums which are described as "Alternative rock", "OK Computer" is still the best one for me. It is not because of its fame but it broadened my horizon of music.

When I first heard of this album, "Airbag" brought me to a vacuum medium, I couldnt hear anything except the music that they were playing and the voice of the vocal. At the end of this song, the beginning of the seond song "Paranoid Android" is a six-minute-plus epic song with alternating time signatures, wild dynamic shifts. It was the highlighted song of the album but it isn't the best song for me in this album."Exit Music ( for a film)" and "Climbing Up the Walls" are the best songs on this album. I love them because the atmosphere of these songs is depressed , lonely( I enjoy the silence when being alone) and the presentation of the vocal -- Thom Yorke, he is the soul of Rahiohead. His voice has the characteristic that he can hit and hold fairly high notes, so he is a competent vocalist and he is one of the reasons why I do like Radiohead.

After "OK Computer", Radiohead have released several albums, such as, Kid A (2000),Amnesiac (2001) and " Hail to the Thief (2003). By listening these albums, u can find that they are trying to make some new sound. Everytime i listen to their new albums, they surprise me a lot.Radiohead is going to release their new album with a possible date of February or March 2006, because this album will be completed by December,2005