February 24, 2010
New Music From Shout Out Louds
After taking a break from their sophomore album, the Swedish indie-musicians that make up the Shout Out Louds released their third album, Work, today. This band unfolds 80′s post-punk with a modern edge.
As the lyrics go in the song “1999,” “this is who I am or was and always be.” I hope that for the sake of this band that is true. The high energy and captivating sound that comes from this band is like no other.
I found this album to be their best and flawless. A+ in my book.
February 16, 2010
“We Are The World” Remake Review
The remake of “We Are The World” premiered during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics Friday night. The 25th anniversary of the song includes over 70 artists, including Adam Levine, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and many more. Behind the scene footage can been seen on the song’s official YouTube channel.
The original song, co-written by late Michael Jackson, was inspired to help Africa in a desperate time. The remake has now been a big help toward the cause to aid Haiti in their time of need. The song is written well and calls for all of us to come together and help those in need.
The remake takes the same lyrics and makes the song a mainstream song incorporating pop, rock, and rap. The original song featured top grade “A” artists who could sell out concerts alone. The remake is led by Justin Beiber. Out of all the talented singers that came together to create an epic, thoughtful song, Justin Beiber leads? It did not make sense to me, but hearing Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson was enough to save the song from being a complete disaster.
Compare with the 1985 version:
February 9, 2010
Almost Alice
Hello all, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland looks exciting and to fit popular culture. I think that many qualities of the movie can relate to Across the Universe, a love story set to the music of The Beatles. The film is about an adventurous girl in a mysterious new world.
The film’s soundtrack, Almost Alice, is due to hit stores in early March. The track list was revealed on myspace a few weeks ago with “Alice (Underground),” an original song written by Avril Lavigne, as the first on the track list and the first single to be released from the album. Many top groups of pop, rock and punk genres have contributed their style to the eccentric imaging of the film.
The song “Alice (Underground)” is Avril’s first single since “The Best Damn Thing” in 2008. The song starts slow and dark then rises in to a whimsical wonderland imagery. Her lyrics may be seen as inspiring for her teenage fans. There is a sense of relatability of a teenager going through the hardships of adolescence. “When the world’s crashing down, when I fall and hit the ground, I will turn myself around, don’t you try to stop me, I won’t cry,” Avril sings, or screams rather. Listening to the song was difficult because for Avril to hit the high notes she needed to scream in an Amy Lee fashion. I am anxiously awaiting to hear what the other artists have to offer in the soundtrack.
Video of \”Alice (Underground)\”
Here is the entire track listing for Almost Alice:
1. “Alice (Underground)” performed by Avril Lavigne
2. “The Poison” performed by The All-American Rejects
3. “The Technicolor Phase” performed by Owl City
4. “Her Name Is Alice” performed by Shinedown
5. “Painting Flowers” performed by All Time Low
6. “Where’s My Angel” performed by Metro Station
7. “Strange” performed by Tokio Hotel and Kerli
8. “Follow Me Down” performed by 3OH!3 featuring Neon Hitch
9. “Very Good Advice” performed by Robert Smith
10. “In Transit” performed by Mark Hoppus with Pete Wentz
11. “Welcome to Mystery” performed by Plain White T’s
12. “Tea Party” performed by Kerli
13. “The Lobster Quadrille” performed by Franz Ferdinand
14. “Running Out of Time” performed by Motion City Soundtrack
15. “Fell Down a Hole” performed by Wolfmother
16. “White Rabbit” performed by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
February 2, 2010
Setting Stage
On The Alternative Track is a music based blog that gives insight to both new and old songs. I am pursuing a possible career path in music journalism. I am a music enthusiast with a passion for writing and sharing my thoughts on bands, albums, songs and lyrics of many genres and styles of music. I mainly enjoy alternative and rock, but I’m always open to listen to something new.
This blog will open discussion for reviews, opinions, news, and a step inside what I’m listening to. I hope to introduce valuable and helpful information to those looking for music advice, knowledge or just a little something different to add to their music collection and interest.
A huge music event just past Sunday, the 52nd annual Grammy Awards! I was very excited, to say the least, to see Kings of Leon take the Grammy for Record of the Year for “Use Somebody.”
In the mainstream music world where it is impossible to turn on the radio and not hear a Nickelback or Daughtry song, it is so refreshing to hear the sound of rock band Kings of Leon. With a lyrical dynamic similar to that of Coldplay and amazing guitar work and throaty vocals, much like The Silversun Pickups, Kings of Leon definitely shows a classic rock edge. The simple lyrics and organic guitar of “Use Somebody,” among the many over-synth worked pop music, stands unique and something different from the norm of mainstream music. It took a while but the US has finally opened up and embraced this extraordinary band.
