Turn up the VOLUME!

Currently listening to: Ian Van Dahl

If you are as ignorant as I was about 2 weeks ago you would think that I am listening to just another heavy metal/alternative dude who has just crawled out of the woodwork - but you would be deeply mistaken. Believe it or not, I have  gotten into a dance frenzy.  Not really so much as a dance frenzy as in me doing the dancing but I have really gotten into listening to dance music. No, my husband, Joel, couldn't believe it either. I mean me! The goth type music lovers who wants to listen to all that is morbid and hard n' heavy is now humming to a new beat. Of course, I don't look anything like a goth type person but there is still various shades of darkness within that may have been left over from my suicidal past? Hey, I don't look like a clubber but I have come to see that it doesn't matter what you look like.

Anyway, back to Ian Van Dahl. Well, Ian is not a he, but a them and they are an awesome band right out of Belgium. Don't bother asking me where I heard about them - I really don't know. Every now and then I switched from the 107.7 funky monkey to 89.5 the dance station and for about 8 months I was hearing this one track that I thought was cool but could never find out the artist was. One day I decided to do a search for what I thought could be the song title on Amazon and ended up finding theelusive artist, and many more. This led me on a search through various trance artists and I hit upon Ian Van Dahl. The cd arrived in the mail about 2 weeks ago and I have been playing the same cd in my car since then - that alone is a miracle for me. So if you are a dance fan and are looking for an awesome cd then this is it!

What's on your mp3?

Would you believe that this cd was sitting in Joel's car for a month before I realized that the title track was a song I had been trying to track down for a few weeks? I would hear the song "unwritten" on the radio nearly every time I got in the car, but never knew the artist or song title so I could rush out and buy the cd. I recall hearing a couple of songs on the album but it didn't do much for me. Well, one day when I was bored with all my music I grabbed the c.d and ended up being nicely surprised that this was the one. So after listening to the cd a number of times over I have to admit that I actually love it.

Natasha has a great voice, and the album is really versatile. I love her lyrics - they are clever, and they flow really well while still making sense, which is something that can be said about very few artists nowadays.

Coheed & Cambria

In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3

I have been listening to this cd for about 2 months and still can't get enough of Coheed & Cambria.

I hadn't even heard of the band until I stumbled on to them one night while watching Fuse. I don't even know the name of my favorite song, I do know that it is song number 6 on the cd. I might get a chance to check out the lyrical content one of these days. Later, much later, when I am tired of the songs and am able to transfer the cd into the house; but for now Coheed & Cambria will play on...

ok so I did some research and here is the song list:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

The Ring In Return In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 Cuts Marked In The March of Men Three Evils (Embodied In Love and Shadow) The Crowing >> mp3 Blood Red Summer The Velourium Camper I: Faint of Hearts The Velourium Camper II: Backend of Forever The Velourium Camper III: Al The Killer A Favor House Atlantic >> mp3 The Light & The Glass

So 'Blood Red Summer' is my favorite song on this album but that is not to say it is the only decent song...this is not a Britney Spears cd where you get one good song and the rest is crap? Ok yes I do listen to the odd Britney song once in a while.

I must add that they are also decent musicians, which is also a surprise these days?

Tick Tock Tick Tock, Gwen Stefani rocks!

What an amazing time

What a family

How did the years go by

Now it's only me

Tich tock, tick tock, tick tock......

It was only a couple of weeks ago that I had my first encounter with Gwen Stefani's latest solo project 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby'. The single and video clip released is 'What you waiting for'. What an absolutely cool song! Gwen really does have totally wicked sexy style.

I don't know who produced the video clip for the song but it is totally Gwen. The clip begins with the premise of Gwen suffering from writer's block and seeking help from a poster offering the solution.

She is then pulled into another world where she basically becomes Alice in Wonderland......she really is a cool Alice. She enjoys a tea party and sings her little lungs out with an asian entourage.

Who ever designed the costumes really knew what she (he) was doing. Both, the costume and make-up are awesome and really capture the personality of Gwen Stefani (aka Alice). This one song is now my current favorite for work out music. I just can't do a half-arsed workout while listening to this song - it totally pumps me up. The first time I listened to it at the gym I managed to do 7 miles on the treadmill! Yeh I did use the repeat button a number of times.

Well of course as soon as the cd was released I rushed out to buy it. I must admit that I was a little disappointed. There are a couple of good songs but nothing beats 'What you waiting for'! I, personally, think that Gwen should have done the cd solo and not invited any other guests to appear? But thats only my opinion.

What You Waiting For?

What an amazing time
What a family
How did the years go by?
Now it's only me

Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
(La la la la la)

Like a cat in heat stuck in a moving car
A scary conversations,
Shut my eyes, can't find the brake
What if they say that you're a climber?

Naturally i'm worried if i do it alone
Who really cares cuz it's your life
You never know, it could be great
Take a chance cuz you might grow
Oh... oh ohhh

What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for!?

What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for!?

Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock
Tick tock

Take a chance you stupid Ho

Like an echo pedal, you're repeating yourself
You know it all by heart
Why are you standing in one place?
Born to blossom, bloom to perish

Your moment will run out
Cuz of your sex chromosome
I know it's so messed up how our society all thinks (for sure)
Life is short, you're capable (uh huh)
Oh... oh ohhh

LOOK AT YOUR WATCH NOW!
YOU'RE STILL A SUPER HOT FEMALE!
YOU GOT YOUR MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT!
AND THEY'RE ALL WAITING FOR YOUR HOT TRACK!

What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for!?

What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for!?

I can't wait to go
Back into Japan
Get me lots of brand new fans
Osaka, Tokyo
You Harajuku girls
Damn, you've got some wicked style...

GO!
LOOK AT YOUR WATCH NOW!
YOU'RE STILL A SUPER HOT FEMALE!
YOU GOT YOUR MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT!
AND THEY'RE ALL WAITING FOR YOUR HOT TRACK!

What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for!?

What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting
What you waiting for!?

What you waiting for?
What you waiting for?
Take a chance, you stupid ho

Take a chance, you stupid ho
What you waiting for?
What you waiting for?
Take a chance, you stupid ho
Take a chance, you stupid ho

Tidal by Fiona Apple

CD Review

Tidal by Fiona Apple

This is a great c.d. I love her voice, it has a warmth, a soulful quality, that seems to be lacking from most of the female artist today.

My favorite song on this album has to be Criminal. Excellent video clip, although it did cause quite a stir when it was released. Fiona appears to be overly sexual for such a young girl, though she was around 18 yrs old and not 13 yrs (which is how old she looks). She has the most hauntingly fine features.

Rating: ***

Extreme Aggression by Kreator

CD Review

Extreme Aggression by Kreator

Kreator formed in the early 80's and are still going strong. Of course if you are not into thrash music it is most likely that you have never heard of them...your loss. They are awesome! Still one of my favorite thrash metal bands, even now as a mature woman! Though I do remember the first time I heard them and I thought they were a little mellow, compared to some of the music I was listening to at the time (Carcass, Entombed, Death). Maybe it was a nice change to understand some of the lyrics? This is a great cd to work out to, it really gets you moving.

Favorite song: Extreme Aggression (of course)

Rating ****

Frustration Plantation by Rasputina

CD Review

Frustration Plantation by Rasputina

This is another rave-worthy c.d from the wonderful women (and guy) from Rasputina. Totally awesome! They came to Seattle last month, and of course I had to see them. What a fantastic band! I am, yet again, lost for words - listen to the c.d or visit their website.

Rating ****

Drive by Bic Runga

CD Review

Drive by Bic Runga

Bic is one of a kind, with a voice that will captivate you and keep you wanting for more. A short bio for those of you who have never heard Bic. She is a 26 year old, of Chinese and Maori heritage, born and raised in Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island. Bic now lives between Auckland (near her parents and two sisters) and wherever else in the world she needs to be.

Rating ****