ALBUM REVIEW: Modern Vampires of the City by Vampire Weekend

THE NUTSHELL:

Vampire Weekend's 3rd full length LP since their brilliant 'Contra'. Is this any better?

TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. Obvious Bicycle Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: From the starting few seconds of this song, I have alredy knew this is a far run away from 'Contra'. As bad as that sounds, it is actually brilliant. This track in particular really shows Vampire Weekend's growth of maturity since their last LP and it is a well pu together piece that really draws you in to the album. 

2. Unbelievers Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: This track is really inspiring actually, with a twist of really good music. Ezra sings about equality amongst the people that is religous and not and how both are sinners but one is not more superior than the other. Great piece.

3. Step Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: The second single that was dropped by Vampire Weekend in March and has been one of my favourite songs of this year since then. Great ballad, really. Nothing like what the band has done before. It's new. It's enlightening  It's conventional. It's good.

4. Diane Young Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: Di-ane Young, dying young. I didn't really get the song till I actually got that. Great feel good song with a particularly fierce execution. A bit witty with a slight taste of snobbiness. Exhilarating.

5. Don't Lie Track Rating: 5/5 *ALBUM'S TRACK TO REMEMBER

Remarks: Seriously, this is pure magic to me when I listened to it. The moment when Ezra reached his lower register in the second verse, I actually felt how far Vampire Weekend has pushed themselves in this track. Sounds crazy, but I got a weird taste of The Beatles from this and I am loving every second of this 3 minute and a half piece.

6. Hannah Hunt Track Rating: 5/5

Remarks: "Though we live on the US dollar, You and me, we got our own sense of time." This song probably carries the most signifigance to Ezra having trying to perfect this song since the production of Vampire Weekend's first LP. Lyrically condensed. One of the tear jerkers of the album alongside 'Step'.

7. Everlasting Arms Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: A hint of 'Contra'. Could easily be the B-side of 'Bryn'. Sounds like a tamer well put together of Fun.'s 'Some Nights'. 

8. Finger Back Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: The attitude of 'A-Punk' is back in a more sophisticated manner. Like what Vampire Weekend do best, use the most positive sound to the most negative meaning. This is the embodiment of exactly that.

9. Worship You Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: The verse got me stunned, the progression drew me in, the climax rejuvenated me. That might be an over-exaggeration, but nevertheless, a real great accessible alternative to modern day music.

10. Ya Hey Track Rating: 3.5/5

Remarks: Wasn't really jumping about for this track. Reminded me a lot of 'The Kids Don't Stand a Chance' but not as good. Quite depressing really. Just decent.

11. Hudson Track Rating: 3.5/5

Remarks: I really love the haunting sound to this track. Sound very much unlike anything Vampire Weekend has done. However, it gets boring towards the end.

12. Young Lion Track Rating: 4.5/5

Remarks: This track gave me a good farewell to the album. Love the harmonies and that quirky piano playing. Just pretty. Vampire Weekend chose simplicity as their outro and executed it to perfection. 

ALBUM SCORE:

OVERALL: 4.5/5

So guys, let me know what you think. Feedback! And what should I review next. Thanks =)

ALBUM REVIEW: Save Rock and Roll by Fall Out Boy

As you may know if you are following my blog, I have decided to do this new segment where I review albums and its tracks. So my first album I would review is *drum rolls for 10 seconds* FALL OUT BOY'S SAVE ROCK AND ROLL (damn. its written in the title) So yeah, I would be doing a track by track review. Hope you guys find it interesting =P

THE NUTSHELL:

Fall Out Boy comes out from their 5 year hiatus to complete their 5th full length LP about saving rock and roll with a flavour of pop. *oops* 

TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. The Phoenix Track Rating: 3.5/5

Remarks: This track is an in your face anthem that would basically provoke teen spirit; thus the 'young blood' reference.

2. My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: Didn't like this track at all when it first dropped. Sounding like a wannabe crossover punk band to a mediocre rock band. However, this made me change my perspective in believing that Fall Out Boy wants to experiment with their style and make a bold move with their direction of music (somewhat like Linkin Park in Minutes To Midnight). Kudos!

3. Alone Together Track Rating: 3/5

Remarks: It's a decent listen. Patrick brought out his inner demons that he left in From Under The Cork Tree to a more alternative sound.

4. Where Did The Party Go Track Rating: 2/5

Remarks: One of that feel good tunes with not so memorable lyrics. Skip.

5. Just One Yesterday feat. Foxes Track Rating: 2.5/5

Remarks: It's just 'Rolling In The Deep' Fall Out Boy version. Many said this is the best track of the album. I can't comprehend the similarity of this song to Adele's hit. Sorry.

6. The Mighty Fall feat. Big Sean Track Rating: 3/5

Remarks: This is straight up beat versus lyrics. This has such a thumping badass beat with such sugary lyrics that don't mix together well. I really like this track. There are certain tones of this song where a more darker gesture would be so much more commendable. But it is what it is. A mismatch.

7. Miss Missing You Track Rating: 2/5

Remarks: Sappy. Didn't feel as authentic 'Grand Theft Autumn' which carries probably the same meaning as this. Somehow I feel Weezer would do a very good job with this. Overall, didn't care much for it.

8. Death Valley Track Rating: 3/5

Remarks: Un-witty verse meets a decent chorus that combine to be quite okay. I don't really like the semi-distorted alteration to Patrick's voice during the verse. But quite a decent piece.

9. Young Volcanoes Track Rating: 4/5

Remarks: Feels a lot like home, a lot like the Fall Out Boy we are used to. I like the positive tone and feel to a somewhat dark meaning. The contradiction is extremely intriguing  Not particularly the best Fall Out Boy song, but a progressive one.

10. Rat a Tat feat. Courtney Love Track Rating: 2.5/5

Remarks: The moment Courtney Love starts her first sylabble, there is so much frustration going through my veins. Love the message she's trying to put out, hate the manner she did it. Not cutting her some slack knowing the huge amount of potential she had to make this epic. Patrick's verse was extremely exhilarating but not enough to save the track.

11. Save Rock and Roll feat Elton John Track Rating: 4.5/5 *ALBUM'S TRACK TO REMEMBER

Remarks: Inspiring. Everything about this track is just the way it is supposed to be. Wouldn't change a thing. The best way you could probably ask to end the album. This one struck me close. Something we could all just put on and remember what that certain things are worth fighting for. The instrumental and strings are just beautiful. Highlight of this album for sure. 

ALBUM SCORE:

OVERALL: 3/5

So give me some feedback of what I should review next, guys and what you think about this review or album. Thanks =)

Monthly: Top 15 Songs of April (10 was too mainstream =P)

Hey there Earthlings!!! -that was lame- It's that time of the month where I recap the songs that were favorable to me this past 30 days. Been really into The Weeknd's music lately. Kinda dark and touches topics on infidelity and paranoia (my kinda stuff) . So yea, this is the top 15. :)

1. Twenty Eight by The Weeknd
2. Neon Cathedral by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Allen Stone
3. Montreal by The Weeknd
4. Wicked Games by The Weeknd
5. Wing$ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
6. Wallcott by Vampire Weekend
7. Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
8. Step by Vampire Weekend
9. Can't Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
10. We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke
11. My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy
12. Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
13. Wild by Royal Teeth
14. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
15. Sugar Rush by Cash Cash

Album Reviews, More Creative Writing and Other Shit I Wanna Do!!

Guyssssss!!!!! I'm not sure how many of you actually follow my blog (not many I suppose), BUT to be more precise, my blog was supposed to be about creative writing and stuff like that. However since the starting of this, I have problems having photos that goes along with my writing and most importantly NOT ENOUGH TIME!!! Since I'm having my semester break, I've been wanting to catch up on that. A lot of plans will be blocking this determination of mine but I shall try my utter best. Basically, my blog has been much about the music I fancy and YES!! I wanna start a segment on album reviews. So, I hope you guys will give me feedback and tell me which album should I review TRACK-BY FREAKING-TRACK! See you beautiful little faces soon!!! Peace! ;)))

Monthly: Top 10 Favourite Songs of March

So, I haven't been most active on Blogger lately. Been kinda busy with college and having a bit of a writer's block certainly does not give me any sense of comfort. Feeling less inspired as days goes by due to a hectic schedule. Hopefully some sense of clarity will come back to me after this semester ends. Anyway, here is a late list of my pick of March's top 10 =D

The Weeknd

1. Twenty Eight by The Weeknd
2. Neon Cathedral by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Allen Stone
3. Step by Vampire Weekend
4. Wicked Games by The Weeknd
5. Wing$ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
6. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
7. Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
8. Walcott by Vampire Weekend
9. M79 by Vampire Weekend
10. Sugar Rush by Cash Cash 

Monthly: Top 10 Favourite Songs of February

Macklemore

1.Young Girls by Bruno Mars
2.Wing$ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
3.Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
4.When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars
5.Neon Cathedral by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Allen Stone
6.Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift & Ed Sheeran
7.Illuminated by Hurts
8.Awooga by Calvin Harris
9.Tonight (Best You Ever Had) by John Legend feat. Ludacris
10.Million Voices by Otto Knows 

Inertia of Time

Remember when days were nothing but sheer joy,

Before time stripped away innocence,

When we were lost in the heartbeat of happiness,

How distant are those moments now,

Being eclipsed by the current days of debris.

Remember how we promised consistency,

In the indecence of sudden alteration,

Now we can only dream of a constant life,

In the absence of each other.

Remember how we were limitless,

When your arms,

Were my sanctuary. 

Written by Mervyn Richard