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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Flyleaf - "Flyleaf"

I purchased Flyleaf's debut, self-titled album yesterday and heard it for the first time just a few hours ago.
... I'm still speechless.
This album was above and beyond what I had expected. I had set out to purchase the album after falling in love with the group's single I'm So Sick, and after hearing that hardcore track, I expected an album with a lot of screaming and not a lot of depth. Boy, was I mistaken! I knew Flyleaf was a Christian crossover band, but the blatant references the lyrics made to Christ surprised and impressed me at the same time. The group's lyrics are not only written extremely well, but they speak a message of hope and courage that one can relate to, no matter their beliefs.
The talent the lead singer of this group has is apparent in every song Flyleaf has recorded. Lacey Mosley heads this band, and this chic can scream! But not only is Lacey powerful in the heavy metal songs, she can come down and sing a beautiful ballad, hitting high notes that give you chills. Lacey's impressive vocal range paired with the band's tasteful combination of complicated guitar riffs and hard-hitting drum lines make for an album full of instant favorites.
So, here's a review for Flyleaf's debut album.


Flyleaf - Flyleaf (2005)

1. I'm So Sick - The song that made me determined to purchase this album in the first place. Lacey had me sold from her blood-curdling scream at the very beginning of the track; from there, the track calms down a bit, becoming more melodic, until the end of the track, when Lacey achieves a truly desperate tone to her voice, hitting high notes that die off as her band mates scream in the background. An angst-filled track that's sure to please.
2. Fully Alive - Sure to get stuck in your head. With lyrics that speak a powerful message, this track moves along at a steady pace, with in-your-face verses and a chorus that immediately catches your attention. A great single, full of impressive vocals as well as instrumentals.
3. Perfect - A very hard-rock track, with crashing symbols and impressive guitar parts. The lyrics - the first on the album which speak an obvious religious message; "I tried to kill you / You tried to save me // You save me...") - are delivered in a punch-y, punk-rock fashion which suits the song while staying within Flyleaf's style.
4. Cassie - Without a doubt Flyleaf's most controversial track to date, it may also be one of their harshest on the album. Often misunderstood as a song about teenage suicide, Cassie's lyrics actually refer to a young woman who was killed because she wasn't afraid to admit that she believed in God ("The question asked in order / To save her life or to take it ..."). This song's deep and painful lyrics are paired with intense guitar parts, crashing drums and plenty of screaming to round off a great track.
5. Sorrow - This track starts out harsher and then softens into an extremely melodic track. Lacey expresses the emotion of this song perfectly, alternating between soft high notes and harsher lower notes in the chorus. This song ends in screaming and impressive guitar parts that wrap up this song of "sorrow" perfectly. A heart wrenching track; simply lovely.
6. I'm Sorry - The album picks up with another fast-paced track with a hard-rock essence. This song starts off strong and doesn't let up, with plenty of high notes on Lacey's part and the fair share of guitar riffs from the band. Not a stand-out track in my opinion, but not a disappointment.
7. All Around Me - This song starts out strong and delivers the whole way through. Another single which is sure to get stuck in your head; the lyrics are powerful, speaking an important message to someone of any belief. A strong drum beat carries the verses and the guitars pick up in the chorus. The emotions in this track are real to the band members, and it makes all the difference in this song.
8. Red Sam - With lyrics that speak of finding comfort in a situation of unbearable pain, this song is emotional and the band delivers it perfectly. Another song with several obvious references to their beliefs; however, on a non-religious aspect, this song's lyrics give hope and courage to the suffering. A beautiful track with such a powerful message, Red Sam is impossible to ignore.
9. There For You - The group really tones down for this soft rock track without compromising any of their talent or passion in their work. Another song packed full of heartbreaking lyrics, the emotion in this track is presented beautifully. This is a fairly simple track - both melodically and lyrically - compare to their others, but it is this song's simplicity that makes it, without a doubt, one of my favorites on the album.
10. Breathe Today - This track opens with more punchy, in-your-face lyrics that lead to a chorus you can't help but headbang to. While you may be too busy rockin' out to this song to notice the lyrics at first, they are for sure not to be ignored. More screaming and a few killer guitar solos keep up the intensity throughout this awesome song.
11. So I Thought - An unbearably powerful final track. The group slows it down again for this one, and it's as if all of the emotion, the passion and the meaning from all the tracks previous are packed into one to make this track what it is. Remorseful, reminiscent lyrics have a painful sting while still radiating hope and courage. Lacey delivers these words beautifully, and when the drums and guitars pick up in the chorus, it nearly breaks your heart. Another of my favorites; I can't imagine a better end to the album.

If you purchase the special addition of this album, as I did, you get all of the above tracks on a CD, plus acoustic recordings of Fully Alive, Red Sam, Cassie, I'm So Sick and All Around Me. All of the acoustic covers are beautiful and worth spending the extra money on the special addition album. The special addition also comes with a DVD with footage of all the acoustic covers, plus the music videos for I'm So Sick, Fully Alive and All Around Me.

I know Flyleaf stands out for me; what about you? Interested in learning more about this group?

Check out Flyleaf's website to learn more about the band.

The lyrics for all the songs on the debut album as well as Flyleaf's newly released Much Like Falling (2007) and more can be found on this website.

It was hard choosing which music video to post here, because I have fallen in love with all of Flyleaf's videos. In the end I decided to post the video I first fell in love with; the video which essentially made me a Flyleaf fan.
Here's I'm So Sick by Flyleaf.

Flyleaf - I'm So Sick Music Video

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Panic! At The Disco - A Flair For The Dramatic

I know this is a music blog; but Panic! At The Disco may be recieving most praises from me about their music videos!
Like so many others, I've heard I Write Sins Not Tragedies more times than I could possibly count, thanks to its huge mainstream success. Along with the release of their latest album (Pretty. Odd. - 2008), Panic! has come along with another mainstream hit; I'm sure we've all heard Nine In The Afternoon?
While both these tracks were huge mainstream successes, they were not quite enough to sell me on Panic!'s sound. What was it about these guys, exactly, that had Panic! fans so dedicated? What made these guys so like-able?
That's when I watched the music video for Nine In The Afternoon; the first Panic! video I'd ever seen. I fell in love instantly. Their creativity, their artistry ... Brendon Urie, lead vocalist, has a flair for the dramatic that made this video a total stand-out. After watching the video for I Write Sins Not Tragedies - and being blown away by it as well - I realized that this ability to be unique, to stand out ... this was what made Panic! so well adored. I'm not sure I, myself, would like the group as much as I do if it weren't for their stellar videos!
I have taken it upon myself to watch several Panic! music videos and I must say I have yet to be disappointed; the group's stylistic approach to the videos has left me astonished time and again. Currently I have seen the videos for the above mentioned songs, as well as But It's Better If You Do and That Green Gentleman. However, the one that has left me breathless is the music video for Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Off Her Clothes. Simply beautiful; a true work of creative genius.
I admit it; I'm a Panic! fan in the making. As soon as I get my hands on some of their albums, I'll let you know what I think of their lesser-known tracks. But until then, rest assured; they've got me sold on their music videos.
Here's Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Off Her Clothes, by Panic! At The Disco.

Panic! At The Disco - Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Off Her Clothes Music Video



Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Off Her Clothes
Panic! At The Disco

Is it still me that makes you sweat?
Am I who you think about in bed?
When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you're sliding off your dress?
Then think of what you did
And how I hope to God he was worth it
When the lights are dim and your heart is racing as your fingers touch his skin
I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better f***
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie you had me
Girl I was it, look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat?
No, no, no, you know it will always just be me

Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster, faster
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls,
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close

So I guess we're back to us, oh cameraman, swing the focus
In case I lost my train of thought, where was it that we last left off?
(Let's pick up, pick up)

Oh now I do recall, we were just getting to the part
Where the shock sets in, and the stomach acid finds a new way to make you get sick
I hope you didn't expect that you'd get all of the attention
Now let's not get selfish
Did you really think I'd let you kill this chorus?

Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster, faster
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls,
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls,
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?

Dance to this beat
Dance to this beat
Dance to this beat

Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster

I've got more wit, a better kiss, a hotter touch, a better f***
Than any boy you'll ever meet, sweetie you had me
Girl I was it, look past the sweat, a better love deserving of
Exchanging body heat in the passenger seat?
No, no, no, you know it will always just be me

Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster, faster
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls,
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls,
Will you dance to this beat, and hold a lover close?

So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Dance to this beat
So testosterone boys and harlequin girls
Dance to this beat
And hold a lover close
Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster, faster
Let's get these teen hearts beating, faster

Friday, May 9, 2008

When I'm Gone

Sorry, guys - long time, no post.
I havn't ever really taken a listen to Simple Plan, but, like many other artists, I have always wanted to and never really gotten around to it. Recentlly I heard this track by the group, and I immediantly hooked by the catchy beat and awesome lyrics.
When I'm Gone is really a cool song; like I said, I am not a Simple Plan fan, per se ... so maybe this mix of techno and pop-punk is typical for the group. If so, rock on; these guys pull it off well. If not, and it's something they simply adopted for this track ... hey, that works too. Either way, they've come up with a catchy, upbeat song that's caught my attention, at least.

The song itself may not be one that seems too deep when you first listen to it - it's basically just another breakup song - but if you take a minute to really pay attention, these guys have come up with some pretty great lyrics.
So, here's When I'm Gone by Simple Plan. Enjoy!

Simple Plan - When I'm Gone Music Video



When I'm Gone
Simple Plan

We're doing it

I look around me
But all I seem to see
Is people going no where
Expecting sympathy

It's like we're going through the motions
Of a scripted destiny
Tell me where's our inspiration
If life wont wait
I guess it's up to me

Woah!
No, we're not gonna waste another moment in this town
Woah!
And we won't come back, your world is calling out
Woah!
We'll leave the past in the past
Gonna find the future
If misery loves company, well
So long, you'll miss me when I'm gone

Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Procrastination, running circles in my head
While you sit there contemplating
You wound up left for dead (left for dead)
Life is what happens while you're busy making your excuses
Another day, another casualty
And that won't happen to me

Woah!
No, we're not gonna waste another moment in this town
Woah!
And we won't come back, your world is calling out
Woah!
We'll leave the past in the past
Gonna find the future
If misery loves company, well
So long, you'll miss me when I'm gone

Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone-

Let's go!

Won't look back
When I say goodbye
I'm gonna leave this a hole behind me
Gonna take what's mine tonight
Because every wasted day becomes a wasted chance
You're gonna wake up feeling sorry
Because life wont wait
I guess it's up to you

Woah!
No, we're not gonna waste another moment in this town
Woah!
And we won't come back, your world is calling out
Woah!
We'll leave the past in the past
Gonna find the future
If misery loves company, well
So long, you'll miss me when I'm gone

Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Ooh, ooh, ooh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone