Nightmare Revisited

Every few years Tim Burton, Danny Elfman, and team see it fit to re-issue "The Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack, and add a bonus CD with covers of all the song by current artists. This year was one of those years!

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" really is a classic. It was a movie that was ahead of it's time in stop motion animation technology. Not to mention it had an amazing score/soundtrack written and composed by master of movie music Danny Elfman.

The music is really what made the movie so magnificent. More than a decade later people still line up yearly to see the movie in theatres (in 3D), and kids (and adults too) sing along with the great songs.

Nightmare Revisited takes today's artists and gives us the songs we loved from the movie, with a twist.



The Track list
Coupled By My Opinion Of Each Song


1.Overture-DeVotchKa
[This track really got me. It's quite the opening. The style is almost Cirque Du Soleil. Very circus. An absolutely wonderful start to the CD!]

2.Opening-Danny Elfman
[This isn't that different than the original which was narrated by actor Patrick Stewart. I do think that Danny's voice has a very neat sound to it though, especially since he did Jack's vocals in the original]

3.This Is Halloween-Marilyn Manson
[Definitely a Manson track. Creepy as ever. Has some techno undertones, but sticks with the goth sound that Marilyn does so well.]

4.Jack's Lament-The All-American Rejects
[This isn't my favorite track, by any means. Tyson's voice seems a bit whiny for the song...not as good as it could have been.]

5.Doctor Finklestien/In The forest-Amiina
[This was really nice. There's a slightly Asian backbone to the song, and I love the deep strings (Bass I think?) that keep the beat. It also has a music box feel.]

6.What's This?-Flyleaf
[One of my favorite tracks on the CD. Flyleaf did an amazing job. The song is quite a bit slower and more melancholy than the original (and definitely more so than Fall Out Boy's cover from the last special edition!). Lacey's voice really shines in this song.]

7.Town Meeting Song-The Polyphonic Spree
[The beginning of this song was really cool, futuristic! Lol. Almost David Bowie's Space Oddity sounding. Actually, the whole song had a Bowie-esque sound to it. I liked how they changed the vocal melody...it's like a completely new song. Towards the middle it gets a bit Broadway sounding. It's really something new.]

8.Jack and Sally Montage-The Vitamin String Quartet
[Exactly the excellence you'd expect of Vitamin. Beautiful strings. I could listen to this over and over.]

9.Jack's Obsession-Sparklehorse
[Falsetto. That really sums it up lol. I will say though that the acoustic guitar is quite beautiful, as well as the vocal melody, which like in The Town Meeting Song was changed. There's the faint hint of something that could be a lullaby, maybe.]

10.Kidnap The Sandy Claws-Korn
[Classic Korn. Creepy, strange vocalizations, the whole nine yards.]

11.Making Christmas-Rise Against
[Love the electric guitar opening! And being a Rise Against fan, I'm kinda biased, but I'll say that I really liked this. Very hard-core. Love it.]

12.Nabbed-Yoshida Brothers
[Done in a very beautiful classical Japanese style, with a techno/dance twist. Really great.]

13.Oogie Boogie's Song-Bordrigo y Gabriella
[Spanish! It has that wonderful acoustic guitar flair you get from Spanish flamenco music.
This is the first track on the CD that takes a song that originally had vocals and made it instrumental.]

14.Sally's Song-Amy Lee
[What can I say other than gorgeous when describing Amy's voice? She just owned this song. It's haunting. I love the extra Goth she added to the song. Absolutely amazing, brilliant, beautiful!]

15.Christmas Eve Montage-Rjd2
[Electro. Fun. Christmas with it's own neat little spin. All I can say is it's way fun to listen to, and you can definitely dance to it!]

16.Poor Jack-Plain White T's
[I liked this one. Tom's voice really complimented the song, it's not very unlike the original Elfman version. This song really shows a side of Tom's voice I've never heard, he has quite a range. This exceeded my expectations. Really a good song.]

17.To The Rescue-Datarock
[More electro, techno, synth-pop, whatever-you-wanna-call-it. I'm also a Datarock fan, and I can say they did quite the job on this instrumental piece. Fun stuff.]

18.Finale/Reprise-Shiny Toy Guns
[I love how it starts with a almost "broken carousel" version of "Here Comes Santa Clause" with the guys in the band creepily whispering "la-la-la-la". Then it goes hard-core on us. They even through in a few "Phantom" style organ chords. Another curve, it turns into a very pretty ballad, with church style organs. Again, vocal melodies have been changed, but it's all for the better. The song is really great.]

19.Closing-Danny Elfman
[Same as opening really. Just the original piece narrated by Elfman instead of Stewart]

20.End Title-The Album Leaf
[A very clam, pretty, instrumental end to the CD. Kinda makes me that warm kind of sleepy when I hear it.]



Anyway, it's a great album with surprises around every corner. Be sure to get a listen! Truly a great album, and definitely the best so-far of the Nightmare remakes.

I'm going to share one of (because there's no possible way to fit all of them!) my favorite tracks, Flyleaf's version of "What's This?.

Enjoy!





What's This?-Flyleaf


Lyrics

What's this? What's this?
There's color everywhere
What's this?
There's white things in the air
What's this?
I can't believe my eyes
I must be dreaming
Wake up, Jack, this isn't fair
What's this?

What's this? What's this?
There's something very wrong
What's this?
There's people singing songs

What's this?
The streets are lined with
Little creatures laughing
Everybody seems so happy
Have I possibly gone daffy?
What is this?
What's this?

There's children throwing snowballs
instead of throwing heads
They're busy building toys
And absolutely no one's dead

There's frost on every window
Oh, I can't believe my eyes
And in my bones I feel the warmth
That's coming from inside

Oh, look
What's this?
They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss
Why that looks so unique, inspired
They're gathering around to hear a story
Roasting chestnuts on a fire
What's this?

What's this?
In here they've got a little tree, how queer
And who would ever think
And why?

They're covering it with tiny little things
They've got electric lights on strings
And there's a smile on everyone
So, now, correct me if I'm wrong
This looks like fun
This looks like fun
Oh, could it be I got my wish?
What's this?

Oh my, what now?
The children are asleep
But look, there's nothing underneath
No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them
Or ensnare them, only little cozy things
Secure them in their dreamland...

What's this?

The monsters are all missing
And the nightmares can't be found
And in their place there seems to be
Good feeling all around

Instead of screams, I swear
I can hear music in the air
The smell of cakes and pies
are absolutely everywhere

The sights, the sounds
They're everywhere and all around
I've never felt this good before
This empty place inside of me has been filling up
I simply cannot get enough

I want it, oh, I want it
Oh, I want it for my own
I've got to know
I've got to know
What is this place that I have found?
What is this?

Metro Station - "Metro Station"

I enjoy listening to Metro Station much more than I would have ever anticipated.
I got a chance to listen to their debut album (Metro Station, released in 2007) for the first time recently and I must say, I am highly impressed. Their songs are made for the dance floor, with an irresistible beat and just the right touch of character. A few passionate lyrics thrown in make the tracks relate-able without losing their memorable charm.
So, maybe Metro Station isn't about making a statement or changing the world. These boys just want to get out and have some fun; and man, they're doing it, in a big way. While they may lack the depth of some other chart-topping artists, this band's free spirit and wild side keep them ahead of the rest.
Here's an album review for Metro Station's first studio effort.

Metro Station - Metro Station (2007)

1. Seventeen Forever - A good, solid track to start off the album. Slower through the verses and picking up in the chorus, this one follows a theme that seems to be a constant through Metro Station's debut; a song about young love and living for the moment ("We won't be seventeen forever, and we can get away with this tonight"). A really pleasant song to listen to; it just has a good vibe about it.
2. Control - The second track starts off with a quiet keyboard part before breaking out into a catchy dance beat. A little faster than the preceding track, this one is sexy and is just begging to be played in a dance club somewhere.
3. Kelsey - Such a soft, sweet track. An ode to one lover from another, it's one of those plain, honest love songs that just makes you feel good. The keyboard dominates this track, but in a simpler form than in others on the album. Everything about this song is just nice; it's simplicity is what makes this song great.
4. Shake It - Everybody's favorite, no? The fourth track on this album hit major mainstream success, topping charts across the country. With such an undeniable beat, it's got people on the dance floor all over the place. This one can't be beat for a bunch of teens - or older, perhaps - who just want to get out and have some fun for a night.
5. Wish We Were Older - Slowing it down a bit for track five, Metro Station puts a little more passion in this track without losing their dance club vibe. Again, seductive lyrics mask a message that may run a little bit deeper. The hook in the chorus makes you want to get up and move, while the bittersweet lyrics and overall vibe of the song keep you digging deeper into this track.
6. Now That We're Done - Again, a softer keyboard supports this track throughout. Like the track previous, Metro Station puts a passionate spin on a catchy dance beat to make a truly interesting listen. The repetitive, techno-style chorus is unforgettable. This track is one of my favorites on the album.
7. True To Me - The guitars pick up to give this track a little more of a pop-rock vibe than the rest of the album. A keyboard, however, still pounds out a catchy theme during the choruses, in which the lyrics and style screams pop. Not the strongest track on the album, but still fun all the same. The lyrics are sweet.
8. Tell Me What To Do - This track opens up strong, with a hook that keeps you tapping your toes all the way through. Again, lover's lyrics flow seamlessly over the staccato beat to produce a song that's really got more to offer than you realize the first time you listen. Another one of my favorites on the album; the bridge may be my favorite part.
9. California - Possibly the weakest track on the album, in my opinion. This song screams "spring break road trip"; not only in the lyrics, but in the pop-y, fast-paced beat and carefree vibe. A fun song to listen to, but definitely not one of my favorites.
10. Disco - Metro Station wraps it up with the third track which I put on my list of album favorites. This track just seems very well composed overall; a perfect use of different instrumental and vocal parts compliment each other beautifully. I like how they break away from the dance beat for a moment in the chorus of this song; it gives the whole track a very special presence. The lyrics tie together a gorgeous song to end the band's debut.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of this style of music, Metro Station has combined the styling of several different genres to create songs - and a debut album! - that really appeals to me. If Metro Station sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to check out the following links.

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

The lyrics for all the songs on the debut album and more can be found on this website.

In an effort to broaden your horizons past the ever-popular Shake It, I'm going to post a music video for another of Metro Station's fun, upbeat tracks. I think the video represents the song perfectly, as well as what this band's music really stands for - all the wacky, crazy times Metro Station thrives on.
Here's Control by Metro Station.

Metro Station - Control Official Music Video

Artist Site

More Videos

Two Weeks In Hawaii

Haha, yes, I'm posting about another Hellogoodbye song.

This song isn't just my favorite Hellogoodbye song, but one of my all-time favorite songs, and has been for years now.

I heard this song for the first time when I bought Hellogoobye's album "Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!" in 2006. It became an instant favorite, and a song I never get tired of hearing.

This varies from HG's consistent techno style, and comes across with a more rock sound. The melody is gorgeous, but what really got me were the lyrics.
I found myself wishing some guy would write a song like this about me lol. The lyrics have this great honest and caring feel to them, and I can never tear myself away from this song. I smile every time I hear the lines:
"I felt so bad when your mom caught us eating ice cream in your room at three in the morning, 'cause I'd hate for her to not want me around her daughter 'cause my heart stops every time."
It's just too honest, from the heart, adorable...I've fallen in love with this song, totally and completely, and hope that you will too.

So take a listen, and read the lyrics, and most of all...enjoy!

Two Weeks In Hawaii-Hellogoodbye


you've got your airplane
and i've got the plain air of here
you're gone and i've gone insane
oh when will you reappear
but i'm just some new kid
who can't get his mind off of you
and i know that it's stupid

'cause you've got hawaii
and i've gotten no letters from you
i should stop whining
'cause it's only been a day or two...
i don't know what you did
but you got me to fall for you
i know that it's stupid

your family's rad and i
wish that they were here today
but they're thousands and thousands of miles away
i felt so bad when your mom
caught us eating ice cream in your
room at three in the morning

'cause i'd hate for her
to not want me around her daughter 'cause my heart stops every time

you've got Polaroid
and you even know how to rhyme
i'd be overjoyed
if we could just hang out sometime
i don't know what you did
but you got me to fall for you
and i know that it's stupid
but you know that i try

your drawing's rad and i
put it on my wall and i made
sure it wouldn't fall 'cause if it did
my straw wrapper might tear
and there would be no knot and i would
feel like i'd been shot right through the heart

and i'd fall apart but i'd remember how
my heart stops every time

you are so special
i just hope that we can be friends
i'll wait forever
but i guess that it all depends
on you and yours
so come on and dance with me
'cause you are so special

i hope this makes you smile
and you might stay that way for a while
'cause you deserve every grin that you get
and you'll get 'em a lot from me
oh oh oh oh

you are so special
i just hope that we can be friends
i'll wait forever
but i guess that it all depends
on you and yours
so come on and dance with me
'cause you are so special

Ladytron

When I was going through my all-Freezepop faze I started looking into similar artists. Bands with synth-pop/techno sounds to them while still keeping a definite rock background. I stumbled across Ladytron in the process, and fell in love with their CD "Witching Hour". Specifically the song "Soft Power".

There's something about their sound, haunting, calming, beautiful. I loved Helen Marnie's vocals from the get-go. Very quiet, yet strong and elegant at the same time.
This album is incredibly easy to listen to, at any time. It's music that can be the background to anything, or can be intently listened to.

There's something about what they've done with the synth/electro genre that transcends genres, making the band simply "Ladytron" and harder to describe in words than just that. You really have to listen to them to get the full effect.

What I found so compelling about "Soft Power" was the whole downplay of the electro sound. It's there, and it's the whole backbone of the song, but it's hard to pinpoint. They've developed this sound that doesn't sound real. Something mythical it's quite great. The song really peaks at Helen's vocalization in the middle. That same calming/haunting sound I described earlier.

Really a wonderful band. Below is Ladytron performing "Soft Power" live in the studio.


Soft Power:

Freezepop

Most people (including myself) that have heard of Freezepop have heard of them through games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
When I first played "Less Talk More Rokk" on guitar hero two (other than thinking about how hard the song was to beat lol) I thought it was one of the happiest poppy songs I'd heard in the longest time, and I really wanted to find more out about Freezepop. So I went to my library, which has every CD imaginable, and yes they had Freezepop!
I immediately checked out "Fancy Ultra Fresh" and "Freezepop Forever", falling even more in love with the up tempo synth-pop. I don't think it's possible to listen to these guys and keep a bad mood.
Liz Enthusiasm's vocals are nice and low-key but add such a sweet sound to the energetic keyboard and synth boards of The Other Sean T. Drinkwater and The Duke Of Candied Apples. Lol yes those are the names the members of Freezepop go by. Fun huh?

I encourage the purchase of any and all of their albums/EPs/re-mixes. They all have their own feel, yet are still distinctly Freezepop.

Freezepop is two parts Synth-pop, one part Popsicle, and all the neon colored soda in the world.

Songs you should check out:
Vacation
Duct Tape My Heart
Tenisu No Boifurendo
Plastic Stars
Bike Thief
I Am Not Your Gameboy

I can assure you that Freezepop will make any day a summer day, and that from the moment you press "play" you'll feel like you're at a beach party with a frozen lemonade.

Enjoy!

Less Talk More Rokk:

Here (In Your Arms)

I have to say that I'm madly in love with Hellogoodbye's song Here (In Your Arms).
Like usual, it's the lyrics. Another sweet, honest love song that completely melts my heart. That, matched with the techno/dance beat of this track make it more or less irresistable. An extremelly fun song to listen to that makes you feel good, too.
I encourage fans of this type of music to check out the rest of the Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! album. Almost all the tracks on that album, which is Hellogoodbye's latest, are very techno style and tons of fun to listen to. However, Here (In Your Arms) is the obvious standout, in my opinion; it has won me over in the same way it has fans of Hellogoodbye and otherwise.
Personally, I think the music video is ridiculous, and extremelly distracting from what I think is the message behind the song. I think Hellogoodbye could have done much better with the video ... but that's just me.
Anyway, here it is; Here (In Your Arms) by Hellogoodbye.

Hellogoodbye - Here (In Your Arms) Music Video

Here (In Your Arms)
Hellogoodbye

I like, where we are
When we drive, in your car
I like, where we are... here

Cause our lips, can touch
And our cheeks, can brush
Our lips can touch... here

Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me
Whispers "Hello, I miss you quite terribly"
I fell in love, in love with you suddenly
Now there's no place else I could be, but here in your arms

I like, where you sleep
When you sleep, next to me
I like, where you sleep... here

Cause our lips, can touch
And our cheeks, can brush
Our lips can touch... here

Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me
Whispers "Hello, I miss you quite terribly"
I fell in love, in love with you suddenly
Now there's no place else I could be, but here in your arms

Our lips, can touch
Our lips, can touch...here

Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me
Whispers "Hello, I miss you quite terribly"
I fell in love, in love with you suddenly
Now there's no place else I could be, but here in your arms

Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me
Whispers "Hello, I miss you quite terribly"
I fell in love, in love with you suddenly
Now there's no place else I could be, but here in your arms

Here in your arms
Here in your arms