It only seems like yesterday that this band was just a segment on VH1's "You Oughta Know." Now, they've gotten their big break, and are playing stadiums around the world. This band from Dublin, Ireland knows how to perform, and the lead singer, Danny O'Donoghue, has a voice unlike anything I've ever heard before. The name of the band: The Script. Here are 5 of my favorite songs recorded by the band so far in their success.
1) Breakeven- Come on! It's the song that made them famous! "Breakeven" touched a lot of people, and the lyrics are passionate and powerful as O'Donoghue sings about a lost love that left him "still alive but barely breathing" and "praying to a god that I don't believe in." This is heartbreak at its best and most mainstream.
2) The Man Who Can't Be Moved- The second big hit by The Script, this is a song about standing your ground for the person you love the most. O'Donoghue tells us that rain or shine, he's not moving. It's an absolutely fantastic track.
3) Nothing- Off of their second major album, "Science And Faith," the symphonic guitar riffs, heavy drums, great lyrics, and an insane vocal by O'Donoghue make "Nothing" another flawless tearjerker.
4) For The First Time- O'Donoghue has said that this song is about Ireland's economic depression, but it translates to us as another lovely tune about a failing relationship that used to involve "drinking old cheap bottles of wine, sitting talking up all night, saying things we haven't for a while." People might think I'm crazy for saying this, but I think The Script might be this generation's Beatles.
5) This Is Love- The Script asks the big question: what is love? It certainly isn't the head-bopping club hit from the movie "A Night at the Roxbury." Instead, the band names all of the traits that make love what it is. Awesome lyrics, another killer vocal, and stunning drum work make this one a must-hear.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Album Review: Matt Nathanson's "Modern Love"
After great success with his sixth studio album "Some Mad Hope," Matt Nathanson has proven to be one of the best, most dedicated, and most independent artists in music currently. He has gotten great recognition on VH1, appearing in TV specials like "The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and "The 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s." He also made it big with his hit single from "Some Mad Hope," a ballad called "Come On Get Higher" that also received a lot of praise on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown in 2008.
His seventh album, "Modern Love," will be a smash for Nathanson's fans, but if it were to be recognized by a more mainstream audience, people would find that it is a flawless CD of 11 near-perfect tracks that soothe the soul and get you bopping, and I'm not just saying this because I'm a fan of Nathanson's music.
The first song on the CD, "Faster," is a hip, cool rock 'n' roll tune that inspires the style of classic 80's Bruce Springsteen or George Michael, with Matt singing about a girl that spikes his blood, brings on all-night noise, and makes his heart beat faster and faster. A very catchy song that is a great opener on the album. The same style of "Faster" can be applied to "Mercy" and the title track "Modern Love," which are equally as catchy.
Some of the best songs by Nathanson on the CD are the ballads, and let me tell you, these are the types of ballads that inspire pure emotion and maybe even a tear now and then. The "Come On Get Higher" of the album is "Run," a sexy and raw collaboration with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. The voices of Nettles and Nathanson blend so well together, and their lyrics certainly get the juices flowing. Other highlights include "Kiss Quick," "Love Comes Tumbling Down," a beautiful song with an irresistible melody, and "Room at the End of the World."
One song, "Queen of (K)nots," shows a darker edge to Nathanson that he doesn't show much on the album, singing about a love that was "sweet turned to sour." I prefer the mellow, happy side of Nathanson, but this song is also a stand-out.
The main theme of the album is obviously love. But it also says something about loneliness, and the idea that maybe the relationship that this performer sings about can't last forever, but the time spent together should be embraced. It's time for Matt Nathanson to be lifted away from VH1 fame and into the more mainstream ears. Check out "Faster" and "Run" after the conclusion of this review.
His seventh album, "Modern Love," will be a smash for Nathanson's fans, but if it were to be recognized by a more mainstream audience, people would find that it is a flawless CD of 11 near-perfect tracks that soothe the soul and get you bopping, and I'm not just saying this because I'm a fan of Nathanson's music.
The first song on the CD, "Faster," is a hip, cool rock 'n' roll tune that inspires the style of classic 80's Bruce Springsteen or George Michael, with Matt singing about a girl that spikes his blood, brings on all-night noise, and makes his heart beat faster and faster. A very catchy song that is a great opener on the album. The same style of "Faster" can be applied to "Mercy" and the title track "Modern Love," which are equally as catchy.
Some of the best songs by Nathanson on the CD are the ballads, and let me tell you, these are the types of ballads that inspire pure emotion and maybe even a tear now and then. The "Come On Get Higher" of the album is "Run," a sexy and raw collaboration with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. The voices of Nettles and Nathanson blend so well together, and their lyrics certainly get the juices flowing. Other highlights include "Kiss Quick," "Love Comes Tumbling Down," a beautiful song with an irresistible melody, and "Room at the End of the World."
One song, "Queen of (K)nots," shows a darker edge to Nathanson that he doesn't show much on the album, singing about a love that was "sweet turned to sour." I prefer the mellow, happy side of Nathanson, but this song is also a stand-out.
The main theme of the album is obviously love. But it also says something about loneliness, and the idea that maybe the relationship that this performer sings about can't last forever, but the time spent together should be embraced. It's time for Matt Nathanson to be lifted away from VH1 fame and into the more mainstream ears. Check out "Faster" and "Run" after the conclusion of this review.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Album Review: Gavin DeGraw's "Sweeter"
In a world surrounded by rap wannabes and auto-tune, it's kind of unfair that real artists who enjoy making music period don't get more of the praise. Gavin DeGraw is no exception. With a soulful and nifty tenor voice, DeGraw got my attention immediately after he released his first single off of "Chariot:" "I Don't Want To Be."
On his third big studio album, "Sweeter," DeGraw joins writing forces on some songs with OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. A good majority of the music is great, and shows a more sensitive side to the singer whose first song got famous off of TV's "One Tree Hill."
The title track is a blast of combined funk and rock 'n' roll goodness in which DeGraw wittily belts about stealing another person's woman.
Another song that matches up with the spirit of the title track is "Radiation," a song about getting an invitation from a drunk Gavin when the mood strikes to be with the one person you probably don't want to be with at the moment.
Other highlights of the album include "Candy," a song that reminds me of the style of The Script, "Run Every Time," which is about the inability to commit to a person, and "Soldier," an honest and heartfelt ballad about being there for the person that means the most to you.
But the real highlight of "Sweeter" is the main single, "Not Over You," another aching and deep ballad that is about being sadly isolated after a failed relationship. The lyrics are melancholy as the listener hears DeGraw sing about "staring at a picture of you and listening to the radio."
Overall, not every track is a favorite of mine, but Gavin DeGraw proves again that he is one of the bluesiest and most soulful artists out there at the moment. "Sweeter" left me with a musical craving.
On his third big studio album, "Sweeter," DeGraw joins writing forces on some songs with OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder. A good majority of the music is great, and shows a more sensitive side to the singer whose first song got famous off of TV's "One Tree Hill."
The title track is a blast of combined funk and rock 'n' roll goodness in which DeGraw wittily belts about stealing another person's woman.
Another song that matches up with the spirit of the title track is "Radiation," a song about getting an invitation from a drunk Gavin when the mood strikes to be with the one person you probably don't want to be with at the moment.
Other highlights of the album include "Candy," a song that reminds me of the style of The Script, "Run Every Time," which is about the inability to commit to a person, and "Soldier," an honest and heartfelt ballad about being there for the person that means the most to you.
But the real highlight of "Sweeter" is the main single, "Not Over You," another aching and deep ballad that is about being sadly isolated after a failed relationship. The lyrics are melancholy as the listener hears DeGraw sing about "staring at a picture of you and listening to the radio."
Overall, not every track is a favorite of mine, but Gavin DeGraw proves again that he is one of the bluesiest and most soulful artists out there at the moment. "Sweeter" left me with a musical craving.
The 10 Best Songs of Katy Perry
Katy Perry has easily become one of the best artists of the current generation. So, I decided to make a list of her best songs.
1) I Kissed A Girl- Knowing that Perry grew up in a very religious lifestyle, this song was a big surprise, not only because of its content, but because of the way Perry was introduced. Nobody knew who she was until one day on the radio, you began to hear it. The song is funny, cheeky, and very well-sung for a debut, and it started Perry's career. This one rightfully deserves the #1 spot.
2) Hot N Cold- Super-catchy and extremely enjoyable, Katy belts out about a boyfriend who can't make up his frickin' mind. The song is a blast, but the music video is possibly just as awesome.
3) Firework- The third single off of Perry's sophomore effort "Teenage Dream," "Firework" is a perfect anthem for all outcasts out there. It's a song that says that you can love yourself, that you can achieve anything, no matter what your appearance or sexuality may be, or whatever domestic issues are occurring. "Just own the night like the Fourth of July!" Katy tells you, and the way she sings the song, as well as the way the message of the piece is made across, this one lights up your ears.
4) Teenage Dream- The second single off of the album in which the song gets its name from, Perry sings about that one amazing relationship that takes her from drunken beach hangouts to passionate motel affairs. "Teenage Dream" has a wonderfully 80's feel to it, like most of the album does, and it makes for a definite crowd-pleaser that allows you to jam out in your car with the windows down, and not care who's staring at you.
5) Waking Up In Vegas- Another single off of her first album, "One of the Boys," this entertaining party hit lets Katy sing about all of the worst things that could happen to you in Vegas overnight, ranging from going dead-ass broke to getting married to a random stranger. Typical Katy equals another awesome song!
6) Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)- Perry's specialties are mostly party songs and dance hits, and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" is an absolute blast, not to mention the video is seriously epic, thanks to appearances by cast members of "Glee," Kenny G, Hanson, Debbie Gibson, and Corey Feldman!
7) Thinking of You- Surprise, surprise! Katy Perry knows her ballads. One of the lesser known songs off of "One of the Boys," this is a sweet and emotional solo about the true love a person once had and regrets letting go. "He kissed my lips, I taste your mouth," sings Perry. "He pulled me in, I was disgusted with myself." Certainly a song that deserves more attention.
8) Not Like The Movies- Obviously singing about her marriage to funny man Russell Brand, Katy performs a passionate love song about the relationship that you hope to find one day that is extraordinary, that is "not like the movies." Raw emotion makes this song work, in my book.
9) E.T.- Another delightfully 80's piece of pop music about a lover that is out of this world, an "extraterrestrial" kind of relationship. Once this one gets stuck in your head, it's not getting out. And you know what? You don't want it to.
10) California Gurls featuring Snoop Dogg- Everyone's favorite song of summer 2009-2010! When Perry sings to us about the hot beach babes of California, and we get a funny rap solo from Snoop Doggy Dogg, it's kind of hard not to fall in love with this song.
1) I Kissed A Girl- Knowing that Perry grew up in a very religious lifestyle, this song was a big surprise, not only because of its content, but because of the way Perry was introduced. Nobody knew who she was until one day on the radio, you began to hear it. The song is funny, cheeky, and very well-sung for a debut, and it started Perry's career. This one rightfully deserves the #1 spot.
2) Hot N Cold- Super-catchy and extremely enjoyable, Katy belts out about a boyfriend who can't make up his frickin' mind. The song is a blast, but the music video is possibly just as awesome.
3) Firework- The third single off of Perry's sophomore effort "Teenage Dream," "Firework" is a perfect anthem for all outcasts out there. It's a song that says that you can love yourself, that you can achieve anything, no matter what your appearance or sexuality may be, or whatever domestic issues are occurring. "Just own the night like the Fourth of July!" Katy tells you, and the way she sings the song, as well as the way the message of the piece is made across, this one lights up your ears.
4) Teenage Dream- The second single off of the album in which the song gets its name from, Perry sings about that one amazing relationship that takes her from drunken beach hangouts to passionate motel affairs. "Teenage Dream" has a wonderfully 80's feel to it, like most of the album does, and it makes for a definite crowd-pleaser that allows you to jam out in your car with the windows down, and not care who's staring at you.
5) Waking Up In Vegas- Another single off of her first album, "One of the Boys," this entertaining party hit lets Katy sing about all of the worst things that could happen to you in Vegas overnight, ranging from going dead-ass broke to getting married to a random stranger. Typical Katy equals another awesome song!
6) Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)- Perry's specialties are mostly party songs and dance hits, and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" is an absolute blast, not to mention the video is seriously epic, thanks to appearances by cast members of "Glee," Kenny G, Hanson, Debbie Gibson, and Corey Feldman!
7) Thinking of You- Surprise, surprise! Katy Perry knows her ballads. One of the lesser known songs off of "One of the Boys," this is a sweet and emotional solo about the true love a person once had and regrets letting go. "He kissed my lips, I taste your mouth," sings Perry. "He pulled me in, I was disgusted with myself." Certainly a song that deserves more attention.
8) Not Like The Movies- Obviously singing about her marriage to funny man Russell Brand, Katy performs a passionate love song about the relationship that you hope to find one day that is extraordinary, that is "not like the movies." Raw emotion makes this song work, in my book.
9) E.T.- Another delightfully 80's piece of pop music about a lover that is out of this world, an "extraterrestrial" kind of relationship. Once this one gets stuck in your head, it's not getting out. And you know what? You don't want it to.
10) California Gurls featuring Snoop Dogg- Everyone's favorite song of summer 2009-2010! When Perry sings to us about the hot beach babes of California, and we get a funny rap solo from Snoop Doggy Dogg, it's kind of hard not to fall in love with this song.
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