Coldplay

Coldplay is the perfect band to fall asleep to because the music is so soft and warm. This is one of my favorite slow bands and if you don't like Coldplay, something must be wrong with you. My favorite Coldplay song to fall asleep to is probably fix you.

Bullet train

This new song Bullet Train is sort of techno sounding and I usually don't like dub step/techno but this is really good in my opinion. The girl singing in it makes the song really. Her voice is so soft and easy to sing along with. It's a song that I've had on repeat for about a week now. You should check it out! It's by Stephen Swartz featuring Joni Fatori

Ben Howard

Ben Howard has always and will be one of my favorite artists. He always amazes me with his music. His new album Burgh Island is beautiful. There is a lot of instrumental parts in Burgh Island and I really like that about the song. You should listen to some Ben Howard and it really doesn't matter which song because they all are amazing.

Bon Iver

Recently I've been really into Bon Iver. His song Blood Bank is really mellow and it's one of my favorite songs by him. The tone of his voice is so smooth and I like it because its different. His music always puts me in a good mood and it's so easy to fall asleep to. If you haven't listened to him you should! Also a new artist named "Birdy" redid his song Skinny Love and it's really good! Check it out!

The Band

In History of Rock and Roll we listened to a band called "The Band" and it's really cool because the singer is actually the drummer. They have amazing talent and I feel like they're the definition of musician. We listened to one of their songs on the recording but then when we listened to it live it sounded a lot better. This band is really cool!

All I want for Christmas is youuuuuu

Mariah Carey's single, "All I want for Christmas" is for sure one of my Christmas songs. Her voice is very angelic and overall has a joyful tone. It really put me in the Christmas spirit. If you haven't listened to this song on Christmas you need to. It's an American tradition.

The Civil Wars

These two amazing singers put their voices together harmonizing many songs and they named themselves The Civil Wars. Their voices are elegant but haunting and sound beautiful together. One of their songs they sing is a cover of the song Disarm by the Smashing Pumpkins which is one of my favorite songs by them. I think the girls voice is one of the best I've heard. Not to mention they are amazing live. If you haven't heard them I recommend it.

Cream 2nd album

Creams second album wasn't all that good to me. His voice sounded very faint in Strange Brew and it didn't start off the album well I'm my opinion. Although I do like the second song Sunshine of your love which is pretty well known I think. His voice sounds a little more powerful and it has a good beat to it.

Muse

You know, I've never been a big fan of Muse but lately I've been listening to a few of their songs and they aren't bad! Muse just came out with a new song, that's way too overplayed on the radio now, called "Madness." It's on their new album "The 2nd Law" and is the second single to be released. I would have to say this is my number one favorite song, for right now. Although this new sound is different than their usual rock band sound. It has more digitally tuned vocals and a programmed drum beat. Matt Bellamy wrote the song after he had a fight with his girlfriend with lines like "I need to know is this real love or is it just madness keeping us afloat, when I look back at all the crazy fights we had, like some kind of madness was taking control, I have finally seen the light, I have finally realized what you mean." The singer said it was "probably his favorite song he's written" and I wouldn't argue that statement. You should listen to it.

Coastin

This song is kind of old but isn't very popular and I feel like it should be. Its a very easy going song and I like it when driving in the car "coastin." I really like how they used a piano in the song and you can hear it so distinctly. The girls voice is very soft making the song relaxed and I also like it because anyone can listen to it. It's not directed towards one specific crowd. You should listen to it if you haven't.

Diamonds

Rihanna has always been one of my favorite singers. She has an airy voice with a warm feeling that makes her singing seem so effortless. Thats what I love about her songs. She can jump from high to low without it sounds forced and I give her credit for her amazing voice. This song has been popular recently whether on Twitter, Facebook, or any other site, but everyone seems to love it. Its called Diamonds and Im gonna have to say it's one of my top favorites of hers. I really like this lyrics because its a bunch of similes and metaphors. Check the song out.

Across the Universe

So I recently watched the movie Across the Universe and I loved it. There is something about musicals that I love. The fact that its my favorite Beatles songs in the movie makes me like it so much more. I think its really cool how they switch off with different peoples lives and how they fit the songs in so well. If you love The Beatles and haven't seen this movie I recommend watching it. Even if you don't like them still watch it.

The Beatles

Today in History of Rock we listened to The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper and I kind of liked it. I knew a few songs from that album so I feel like thats one contribution to why I enjoyed listening to it but also, the songs on it were very catchy. One of my favorite songs by The Beatles is "A little help from my friends" just because I love the melody. I also realized how weird the lyrics to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is. One part it says "Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain
Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies
Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers
That grow so incredibly high" 

How weird is that? Pretty weird. 

Cream

This week in class we listened to a few songs by Cream. I think they're songs are very mellow and low key which isn't a bad thing! I don't really have that much criticism about them. I feel like they're just kind of there and they weren't that big of a Rock band. I could be wrong though, I didn't know about that band until class! Overall they're pretty good.

Taylor swift

Taylor Swift is one of my favorite artists. Im sure thats predictable because almost every teenage girl is. I think its because a lot of people can relate to her songs so it makes it seem like an amazing song even though I honestly think her voice is a little pitchy at points. I just love to jam out in the car and scream/sing the song. Its so enjoyable. Her writing though is amazing. She rights all of her songs, or so I think, and that is what makes her such an idol to me because thats true talent. Her new album Red came out and most of the songs are more pop then they used to be which can be good for some and bad for some. I still love her either way.

ACL Big Gigantic

One of the best shows I saw at ACL was a band called Big Gigantic. I had only heard a few songs, not enough to say they're my favorite, but enough to know it would have been a good show. They mix electronic beats with live saxophone and drum instrumentals. Its really amazing and mind blowing that he can play the saxophone, for a straight hour, without any breaks in between songs. About half way through the concert the beat drops, and as that happened it started pouring rain. It seriously was the coolest thing watching the rain fall and him rock out on stage. Not only that, I was with all of my friends which made it even better.

90's on 9

My mom was more into the 90's type of music because thats what she grew up with so of course we would be listening to something in the car and it was her favorite song so later on the songs just grew on me. I've always been into the 90's pandora radio station and even my friends joke about it. I can name every song, including singing all of the lyrics, that comes on. I definitely should have grown up in the 90's. Personally, sometimes  I think 90's music is better than present day music.

Help

The past week in History of Rock we watched the Beatles movie Help. The week before we watched A Hard Days Night and then we compared to see which we liked better. In my opinion, Help was the better of the two. I liked how it was more scripted and easier to follow. A Hard Days Night took me a while to be entertained, although, The Beatles themselves are a humorous group of guys so both movies were pretty good. I enjoy scripted shows better than reality shows and I feel as though A Hard Days Night was more of a reality movie and Help was more plotted out.

Melophobia is real. Makeup Blog

Over the summer I started this cheer gym in Dallas known for winning every competition world wide. I was really excited to start off the year with being on one of the top teams at their gym. Since I lived in Austin the drive up to Dallas was approximately 4 hours. I car pulled with this other girl my age and her mom and then my mom would switch off driving too. I didn't like riding with Anne, the mom, because I thought she was really strange. She told me that she didn't like music at all, not even classical music. Immediately I was in shock. This wasn't possible. How could someone NOT like music? We would have silent car rides up to Dallas and when we asked to play quiet music she was like in fear and wouldn't let us. Melophobia is a fear of music and she for sure has that disease. I don't see how someone could last a day without music, especially driving in the car. I know that I could never not listen to music. Some people these days....

Spotify VS Pandora Makeup Blog

So im sure a lot of people have heard of this new online way of listening to music, Spotify. If you don't have a Spotify I recommend getting one. Its the only way I listen to music these days. Pandora has been around much longer than Spotify has but the thing I don't like about Pandora is you can't listen to all of the songs from one certain artist. Sometimes it isn't very accurate with the type of songs related in that category and you can't make your own playlists! Spotify has all the above. Don't get me wrong though, Pandora is good and I still use it all the time. I like it because even if you do want to listen to only a few songs, and the ones you know that you can sing along to, it forces you in way to hear something new. Another thing about Spotify is you can see what you're friends are listening to and if you like it, you can subscribe to their playlist! In the end I would have to say, SPOTIFY WINS.

XX Makeup Blog

This english, Indie, pop band called XX has an electronic edged sound and I recently just bought their latest CD. Its very low key and has really good Guitar Solos with electronic kind of sounds. The band has two singers, one of which is a girl with a high pitched airy sound and the other, a boy with low tones. They both sing softly and fit so well together. The album begins with a song called "The Intro" which is just an instrumental song. It almost sounds like lyrics are about to start and then they never do so it keeps you listening. The rest of the songs on this album make you want to keep listening and are surprisingly hypnotic when driving in the car singing along.

Ho Hey Makeup Blog

This new and upcoming band from Denver has really got me listening to their song Ho Hey. People started to learn about them after they came to Austin for South by Southwest. Their sound is a mix between folk, rock, and gospel but it's a really good mix. I like this song because its catchy and the lyrics are just cute! I actually have it set to my ringtone. The chorus of the song is "I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart" and its uplifting when singing to it. The band will be attending ACL this year and I can't wait! You should check them out if you're interested.

Pearl Jam Makeup Blog

I was first introduced to Pearl Jam by my mom because it's her favorite band. I was sort of forced to listen to their music in the car at times but the band soon grew on me the more I heard them. Now i can almost sing the words to many of their songs. One of my favorites by them is Black. The lyrics in Black is what I really love. In the first few lines of the song, Eddie Vedder makes an analogy singing "Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me as her body once did." He compares the girl to a work of art which really is a way of him saying she's beautiful. I think that analogy was an amazing way to portray what he was trying to say. Pearl Jam is definitely one of my favorites.

Sideways Makeup Blog

I first heard the song Sideways by Citizen Cope after watching a movie called the Fountain starring Hugh Jackman. I was later introduced to Citizen Cope again by my sister. She saw them at ACL a couple of years back and listened to them constantly after that. Since I was already familiar with the song sideways it just captured my attention. There's two versions of the song. The version i like most is the version with special guest guitarist, Santana. the guitar part that santana plays just adds to the tone of the song, which is very intense and passionate. I also like a few of their other songs as well.

Lady Gaga Makeup blog

A while back I attended a Lady Gaga concert with a few friends. I never really had interest in her music and never cared to go to a concert but when I was invited to go I thought "why not?" I will say that her concert was amazing. Her voice in most songs are more in the alto zone but occasionally she can sing soprano. Her voice is almost warm sounding and even though her style is strange just the fact that she can sing so amazingly makes me like her. I think going to her concert was a one time thing for me and I probably wouldn't go again but if you have the slightest interest in seeing a concert of hers you should.

ACL Makeup blog

ACL's lineup this year, in my opinion, is really good. There is definitely a good mix of genres and if you have a good music taste there will be many bands you would want to see. I'm really looking forward to going. One of my all time favorite Rock bands is Red Hot Chili Peppers and they play on Sunday. They're music to me is easy to sing a long to and it never gets old! It fits any mood. Another I'm looking forward to is Weezer. I love Weezer and know the words to almost all of their songs. Although they are playing at the same time as Florence and The Machine which I also enjoy listening to. I feel since Florence is semi new and Weezer is older it would be better to see Weezer because they aren't around as much as Florence will be, but it is a tough choice. Other bands going that I'm planning to see are: Jack White, M83, Ben Howard, Avicii or The Black Keys (I can't decide), Bassnectar, Two Door Cinema Club, The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, Crystal Castles, Dev, A-Trak, The Shins, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Childish Gambino. This year at ACL is going to be one to remember.

Rolling Stones

This week in History of Rock we listened to the first album by the Rolling Stones. I honestly didn't like it very much. The Beatles I feel, are way better songwriters and artists. I felt like the Rolling Stones were bland with a lot of repetition, but who knows it could get better in the next few albums.

Hoodie

So there's this new rapper named Hoodie Allen and I have been kind of obsessing over him lately. He grew up in New York and worked for google in high school and rapping was just a hobby. A producer heard him messing around singing and then decided he wanted to sign him. Im going to his concert on Tuesday night and I'm SO excited. Hoodie, in my opinion, wont last very long but for now he's got me hooked. His catchy tune just gets me and has me constantly humming it throughout the day. You should check him out.

Norah Jones Makeup blog

Norah Jones has a sultry voice which tends to stay in the alto zone. Her latest song, “Happy Pills” has an upbeat tempo, with a catchy tune. The lyrics don’t match the catchiness of the song and you almost wouldn’t realize that it’s melodramatic. The lyrics are compelling enough for you to have some emotion when listening to it. 

Norah Jones’ voice is definitely distinct. You would never mistake her for someone else. She sings as though she has an old soul. And, her style appeals to mostly people who like easy listening. I wouldn’t say that she has many young male fans, but she does have women fans of all ages. Since her range isn’t very high or low it’s easy to sing along to and is very feel good music. 

It's Time

Imagine Dragons is the name of this cool Alternative/Indie Rock band that I've been really hooked to. The way they put out their music really intrigues me. I like it because it really fits any type of audience. Whether its parents, kids, boys or girls anyone can like listening to them. One of their songs, that i'm listening to on repeat at the moment, called "One Time" is one of my favorite songs right now. I think its so unique how they make clapping sounds with their hands and stomp their feet to make a beat. They have two versions of it on youtube, one of which is him singing lower and the other is the original recorded one.

Another thing I like about this song is its one that doesn't really explain the meaning to it. The video is very abstract and almost like a puzzle trying to see how it fits the song. Here's the chorus:
I don't ever want to let you down
I don't ever want to leave this town
'Cause after all
This city never sleeps at night...

It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger, but then, 
I'll admit, I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am?

I think what he means in the lyrics is he was trying his all to be what someone else wanted him to be, but after trying to change he realizes he's never going to change who he really is and learns to be proud of it and also a message to be true to who you are.You have to go into deep thought and think about it but everyone can interpret it in many different ways which is really amazing to me. Of course I enjoy their other songs "Radioactive" and "On Top of the World" but if you haven't heard this band you should really check them out.

The Beatles

We currently have been listening to The Beatles in class. The album Please Please Me I thought was pretty good even though I feel like some of their later songs recorded definitely improved. I haven't always been a big fan of them but listening to them in class has made me realize how good of artists they all are.

Make up blog Elvis Presley

This week in History of Rock we listened to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly. I really enjoyed watching Jerry Lee Lewis because his energy when performing really was interesting to watch. His facial expressions are very wild and the audience cane easily be drawn in through the way he presents himself.

Ben Howard- Makeup blog 1

This past few weeks I've been listening to the artist Ben Howard. His music, in my opinion, is amazing and I really like it because I feel automatically uplifted when I listen to it. It's very relaxing to me and I like listening to his Pandora station as I'm laying down in bed beginning to fall asleep. One of his songs called "Old Pine" really stood out to me. I believe he's singing about his young teenage years mentioning of 'bony backs' 'memories' 'careless and young' as he makes references of growing old. It sounds as though he went for a camping trip and fell in love with someone or the experience itself. It's such an beautiful song and I really like how he chose to sing about something that other people can relate to rather than some more popular type of subject. If you haven't listened to him, you should. He's an amazing artist and a true song writer. He's also going to ACL and Im ecstatic about that.

Home by Phillip Phillips

I have recently been really catched on this song by Phillip Phillips called "Home". I feel like this song is the type you can listen to in any mood you happen to be in. It could easily fit any situation. The lyrics are very gentle and i have been noticing this song has caught a lot of peoples attention becoming the theme song to tons of adds. He recently was the winner to American Idol and I'm glad because from the very beginning of the show I knew there was something about him that i loved.  The instruments in this song are very uplifting and with lyrics like that im sure he can continue to "make this place your home."