Blog

A

First: A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, & Mahalaxmi Iyer
Last: Augustana
Fav: Amy Winehouse, Anna Nalick, Audra McDonald, Augustana



B

First: Baby Bash
Last: Bryce Ryness & The Tribe
Fav: Barenaked Ladies, Bob Marley, Beyonce


C

First: Caissie Levy
Last: Culver City Dub Collective
Fav: Carrie Underwood, Colbie Caillat



D

First: Daddy Yankee
Last: Duncan Sheik
Fav: Dashboard Confessional



E

First: Eagles
Last: Europe
Fav: Eric Hutchinson, Eagles, Earth Wind & Fire



F

First: Faith Hill
Last: The Fray
Fav: Flight of the Conchords, Fountains of Wayne



G

First: The Game
Last: Gym Class Heroes
Fav: Gavin Creel, Goo Goo Dolls, Gin Blossoms Graham Colton Band


H

First: Heavy Mojo
Last: Huey
Fav: Heavy Mojo, Hootie and the Blowfish, Hot Hot Heat



I

First: Idina Menzel
Last: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Fav: Idina Menzel, India.Arie



J

First: Jack Johnson
Last: Justin Timberlake
Fav: Jack's Mannequin, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Jon McLaughlin


K

First: K'naan
Last: KT Tunstall
Fav: Kelly Clarkson, Kristin Chenoweth, Kanye West, Kings of Leon


L

First: Lady GaGa
Last: Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Fav: Les Miserables Original London Cast, Lady GaGa, Lil' Wayne



M

First: M.Ward
Last: The Moldy Peaches
Fav: Maroon 5


N

First: Nancy LaMott
Last: No Doubt
Fav: Natives Of The New Dawn, No Doubt


O

First: O.A.R.
Last: Original Cast Of Billy Elliot
Fav: O.A.R.


P

First: Parachute
Last: The Pussycat Dolls
Fav: Pearl Jam



Q

First: Queen
Last: Queen
Fav: Queen



R

First: Rascal Flatts
Last: Rolling Stones
Fav: Rascal Flatts, Rihanna


S

First: S Club 7
Last: Sutton Foster
Fav: Sara Bareilles, Something Corporate, Sheryl Crow, Sutton Foster


T

First: T-Pain Feat. Yung Joc
Last: TV on the Radio
Fav: T.I., Taylor Swift


U

First: Unk
Last: Usher
Fav: Usher



V

First: Vanessa Carlton
Last: The Verve Pipe
Fav: The Verve Pipe, Vertical Horizon



W

First: Weezer
Last: WWE Anthology - The Attitude Years
Fav: The Wreckers, Westlife



X

First:
Last:
Fav:



Y

First: Yellowcard
Last: Yung Joc
Fav: Youth Group



Z

First:
Last:
Fav:



#

First: 2PAC featuring DR. DRE & ROGER TROUTMAN
Last: 50 Cent
Fav: 50 Cent


Soundtracks

First: Slumdog Millionaire
Last: WWE Anthology, Vol. 2: The Attitude Years
Fav: Les Miserables Original London Cast, Hair (The Broadway Revival), Spring Awakening, Thoroughly Modern Millie

l-mid's top albums (overall)
1. The Killers - Day & Age (984) 2. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (687) 3. T.I. - Paper Trail-(Explicit) (643) 4. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (635) 5. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better (609) 6. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night (598) 7. Editors - An End Has a Start (588) 8. White Lies - To Lose My Life (569) 9. Bloc Party - Intimacy (562) 10. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (544) 11. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare (521) 12. The Killers - Sam's Town (464) 13. Kid Cudi - Plain Pat & Emile Presents a KiD named CuDi (449) 14. Editors - In This Light And On This Evening (436) 15. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand (422) 16. The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever (393) 17. The View - Which Bitch? (386) 18. Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend (379) 19. Editors - The Back Room (368) 20. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times (352) 21. Biffy Clyro - Puzzle (350) 22. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement (325) 23. Fighting With Wire - Man Vs Monster (324) 24. The Kooks - Konk (322) 25. The Lonely Island - Incredibad (316) 26. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III (312) 27. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug (Japanese Edition) (294) 28. The Killers - Hot Fuss (291) 29. Glasvegas - Glasvegas (Deluxe Edition) (289) 30. Kanye West - 808's and Heartbreaks (289) 31. 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie (288) 32. Muse - Absolution (284) 33. Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up (283) 34. Paramore - Riot (278) 35. The Fratellis - Costello Music (273) 36. The Fratellis - Here We Stand (271) 37. The Libertines - Up the Bracket (265) 38. We Are Scientists - With Love and Squalor (265) 39. Lil' Wayne - Hottest Nigga Under The Sun (260) 40. Calvin Harris - I Created Disco (260) 41. Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon: The End Of Day (251) 42. The Enemy - We'll Live and Die in These Towns (244) 43. One Night Only - Started A Fire (241) 44. Asher Roth - (2009) Asleep In The Bread Aisle (223) 45. The Automatic - Not Accepted Anywhere (221) 46. The Subways - Young for Eternity (214) 47. Rod Stewart - Some Guys Have All The Luck (206) 48. We Are Scientists - Brain Thrust Mastery (201) 49. Biffy Clyro - Infinity Land (200) 50. The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (196)

Check out more on my BLOG: http://iamchase.wordpress.com

Here is the album review I promised on my twitter yesterday! Before I start, once again I want to thank you all for supporting my blog, both my music reviews and my personal entries. I really appreciate all the views and I hope that you'll keep it locked here because I ain't stoppin'! :) Thankyou.



You already know what I think of Russian Roulette, and the other 3 songs we've heard already from Rated R. Generally, they portray a darker, edgier side to Rihanna, both in the production (deeper, more menacing beats) and lyrical content that includes a bit of cursing, a lot of swagger and references to pain, trials and tribulations. "Russian Roulette", "Wait Your Turn" and "Hard" are more or less indicative of the album as a whole. In contrast to her previous smash Good Girl Gone Bad, it's a lot less uptempo. The songs are mainly midtempos and ballads, which may alienate a lot of fans who want her faster, danceable material (though "Hard" and "Rude Boy" cater to these needs, and do so well with swagger lyrics - the latter seeing Rihanna come on to a 'rude boy' as if she were the guy who is gonna "put it on you"). However, the slower material allows for two major things: one, to prove that Rihanna can actually sing. Okay, she's no Beyoncé, but she holds her own a lot better than many people might expect. "Russian Roulette" and closing standout "The Last Song" don't employ lots of vocal runs, but they emphasise strong, clear vocals that prove Rihanna's got a voice as well as a body - btw. the artwork for this era is immense! - and also go well with the more emotionally searching and vulnerable material. Two, it allows for Rihanna to delve into her pain, and although it's never made explicit that she's referencing her love, abuse and love lost with Chris Brown, songs such as "Stupid In Love" and the epic "Cold Case Love" immediately bring that whole affair to mind.

Not every song is concerned with love lost. "Te Amo" is about a girl who's infatuated with Rihanna, and its undulating beats have been beefed up slightly on the album version to make it more hypnotic and possibly (along with "Rude Boy") the song that would have slotted in nicely on Good Girl Gone Bad. "ROCKSTAR 101" is backed up by Slash's guitar work and like "Hard" and "Wait Your Turn", it demonstrates Rihanna's confidence in herself - something she perhaps wants to emphasise. She is fierce! However, compared to some of the other tracks, "Rockstar 101" falls somewhat flat, as it doesn't have as much depth as the emotionally-charged midtempos, nor does it ring as true as the harder-knocking songs. It does demonstrate that Rihanna is not an urban artist - she's a pop singer who encompasses a range of music. On this album, she combines elements of rock, pop, R&B and melds them together to create a dark album that works for the most part. And credit goes to her for trying to improve on each album - like Good Girl Gone Bad, the amount of filler on the disc is fairly minimal (in contrast to her first two records) and she's tried to do something different that has evolved as she has as a person. So I must applaud that.

A couple of the ballads such as "Stupid In Love" and "Photographs" (which benefits from will.i.am's synthed beats that kick in midway) are perfectly solid, but pale in comparison to the best tracks. These are, in a nutshell, first single "Russian Roulette", "Fire Bomb", "G4L", "Cold Case Love" and "The Last Song". These all work because Rihanna is putting herself out there vocally and emotionally. The producers do a fantastic job (praise must go in particular to Justin Timberlake and The Ys' work on "Cold Case Love", which shows a gradual building of beatboxing, standard beats, guitars and strings to an epic climax that fades out by itself and underline Rihanna's pain at a love misfired - "Release me now 'cause I did my time") more or less throughout, but Rihanna herself carries the songs. "Fire Bomb" has been compared to something by Kelly Clarkson, but in my opinion it knocks much harder and is a compelling contrast to expectations - most people would expect a club banger from the title, when in fact it's a slow pop/rock ballad which essentially says "if I'm going down in flames, you're coming with me". "G4L" is one of the darkest songs which shows Rihanna pledging to be "down 4 life", ride or die until the end. The off-key tweaks at the beginning signal something mysterious, and the lyric "I lick the gun when I'm done 'cause I know that revenge is sweet" is one of the best opening salvos I can remember. The track brings to mind the tiny gun tattoos on the sides of Rihanna's breasts, demonstrating that even if she may be a sweet person on the surface, she's also a strong and determined one - her attitude is reflected in her music as much as her body art.

"The Last Song" was the track that stood out to me most from listening to the 30-second snippets, and it doesn't disappoint - it's a perfect closer to the album, not only in name but in texture also. It employs a soaring guitar and heartwrenching lyrics, chronicling the realisation of a breakup. "The sad song ends up being the last song you'll ever hear." Rihanna's spare vocals almost seem to cry the lyrics throughout the track, and the buildup throughout the song until near the end where all the instruments fade out is done perfectly. Rihanna said that she wanted Lil' Wayne and Kings of Leon to like her album, demonstrating her desired blend of urban and rock. The album is definitely a mélange of styles, but apart from "Hard", I don't see enough hip-hop for Weezy to connect with, and the rock elements are nowhere near as indie-pop as Kings Of Leon. However, the soaring guitars provide something edgier and deeper within the context of a pop album, and the hard-hitting beats and synths knock plenty - the combination of which provide something quite extraordinary and special within itself. Rihanna should be proud of this record.

Rated R has a focused aggression to it that rings truer than it did on Good Girl Gone Bad. Despite the lack of uptempo smashes, it's a fantastic record that hopefully will have as much repeat-play value as her previous record. Whether it's because of her personal struggles, maturity as a young woman or desire to experiment musically (probably a combination of all three), Rated R shows growth. I pray that her label doesn't re-release the album, since it's perfect as it is and comes across as something sincere, rather than designed to make money as a light pop confection. Why I'm impressed with Rated R, beyond the simple fact that most of the songs are solid or better, is because it's cohesive. All the songs work together to make the album more than the sum of its parts. It has a big emotional impact, and it sets a musical mood (dark, edgy and yet heartfelt) that doesn't let up throughout - in her own words, from "Hard", "that Rihanna rain/reign". I didn't know if she had it in her to best Good Girl Gone Bad, but even if it doesn't have as many number 1 smashes and addictive beats, Rated R is a musical step forward that I personally value that little bit more.

Check out more on my BLOG: http://iamchase.wordpress.com

1. How did you get into 29? (Natasha Bedingfield)
Unwritten was in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and I looovedddd that movie.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? (Jordin Sparks)
This Is My Now

3. What's your favorite lyric by 33? (Ke$ha)
"The party don't start till I walk in..."

4. What is your favorite album by 49? (Lady Antebellum)
They only have one out.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Michael Jackson)
None.

6. What is your favorite song by 50? (Meaghan Martin)
Too Cool

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? (Lady GaGa)
No, actually.

8. What is your favorite song by 15? (Demi Lovato)
La La Landor Here We Go Again

9. What is your favorite song by 5? (Sugarland)
It Happens

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? (David Cook)
A lot.

11. What is your favorite album by 40? (Jason Aldean)
His first one.

12. What is your favorite song by 10? (Kellie Pickler)
Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? (Shania Twain)
I saw her in concert when I was 5. I sat on my dad's shoulders and she waved at me.

14. What is your favorite song by 38? (Colbie Caillat)
Bubbly

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? (Michael Buble)
Everything
16. How many times have you seen 25 live? (Jennifer Hudson)
Never.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (Lonestar)
What About Now

18. What is your favorite album by 11? (Miley Cyrus)
I'm not sure.

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Taylor Swift)
Taylor Swift...

20. Have you ever seen 14 live? (Maroon 5)
No.

21. What is a good memory involving 27? (Tone-Lōc)
16th birthday party :D

22. What is your favorite song by 16? (Katy Perry)
Waking Up In Vegas

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? (Kelly Clarkson)
I can't remember.

24. What is your favorite album by 18? (Keith Urban)
His newest one.

25. What is your favorite song by 21? (Allison Iraheta)
Don't Speak

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? (Rod Stewart)
Missing You

27. What is your favorite album by 3? (Elvis Presley)
ALL. OF. THEM. It's Elvis.

28. What is your favorite song by 2? (Adam Lambert)
For Your Entertainment. And Music Again when I hear the whole version :D

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? (David Archuleta)
Crush.

30. What is you favorite song by 8? (Carrie Underwood)
Cowboy Casanova

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (Rascal Flatts)
None. :[

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (Kris Allen)
Alright With Me

33. What is you favorite album by 12? (Jesse McCartney)
I dunno.

34. What is the worst song by 45? (Elliott Yamin)
The only song I've listened to by him is Wait For You. And I like it. So I have no clue.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? (Fergie)
Glamorous

36. What is you favorite album by 48? (Whitney Houston)
...

37. How many times have you seen 42 live? (Beyonce)
None. :[

38. What is you favorite song by 36? (Ben's Brother)
Stuttering

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? (Megan Joy)
I don't remember.

40. What is you favorite album by 7? (Britney Spears)
Her first one.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (Celine Dion)
Because You Loved Me

42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Vanessa Carlton)
Be Not Nobody

43. What is your favorite song by 24? (Leona Lewis)
Bleeding Love

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (Lil' Wayne)
Dancing to Got Money at lunch with Michelle.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? (Alison Krauss)
When You Say Nothing At All

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Regina Spektor)
That Time

47. What is your favorite album by 4? (Rihanna)
Good Girl Gone Bad

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? (Timbaland)
I don't like them much anymore.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? (Daughtry)
Home

50. How many albums do you own by 20? (Gwen Stefani)
One.

Total number of tracks: 2,979 and climbing.

Sort by song title :
First Song: A.D.D. by System of a Down.
Last Song: 9MM by Lil' Wayne.

Sort by time :
Shortest Song: I Hate Doing Laundry by Psychostick. (0:28)
Longest Song: At the End of it All by Combichrist. (26:02)

Sort by album :
First Song: Silver and Cold by A.F.I..
Last Song: Time is Running out by Muse.

Top 10 Most Played Songs :
1.) Jesus by Brand New. (94 plays)
2.) You're a Jerk by New Boys. (81)
3.) One More Drink by Ludacris. (65)
4.) Soundtrack 2 My Life by Kid Cudi. (62)
5.) The First Rain and You by The Flashbulb. (59)
6.) Set it Off by Lil' Boosie. (56)
7.) Dreams by Kingspade. (55)
8.) Hip-Hop Saved My Life by Lupe Fiasco. (55)
9.) Make Me Bad by Korn. (54)
10.) Alive by Daft Punk. (53)

First five songs that comes up on Shuffle :
1.) Johnny Carson Didn't Have to Die by Emmure.
2.) Our Own Grave by All Shall Perish.
3.) Tainted Love by Marylin Manson.
4.) Rough Rider's Anthem by DMX.
5.) Gorilla Orchestra by Celph Titled.

Search :
"Sex", how many songs come up?: 8.
"Love", how many songs come up?: 53.
"You", how many songs come up?: 292.
"Death", how many songs come up?: 99.
"Hate", how many songs come up?: 58.
"Wish", how many songs come up?: 4.

Hey, Weezer, fuck you! You think just because you made some chill albums ten years ago, you're STILL RELEVANT? Get the fuck off my MuchMusic, I go on there to stare at moderately attractive veejays who I think would 'get me' in real life, not to listen to your shitty new material! 'Raditude?' WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Just because your white ass went to Harvard or some other shit school, doesn't mean, the laws of the dictionary don't apply to you.

Also, you're fucking 35 or something. Stop writing lyrics like you're 13. Whatever happened to those awesome and slightly twisted lyrics in 'No One Else'? You know, where you sounded like a creepy stalker guy? THAT'S BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE A FUCKING CREEPY STALKER PIECE OF SHIT. YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A 15 YEAR OLD WHO GETS LAID. STOP SPREADING YOUR HORMONES ALL OVER MY FACE. I'd say go back to writing shit that was actually ranging from boiler-plate to good, but YOU'D PROBABLY FUCK THAT UP, TOO.

Fuck you, Rivers Cuomo -- What the fuck kind of last name is that anyways? That's some sort of contrast: A rarely-seen last name for a musician who makes the same mistakes over and over again. Also, Weezer? I think that shit died in the 90s. Get a new name so that my Weezer collection doesn't have to be tainted by your next album which will probably have a title like 'Gnarly' or 'King Tubular'. Something so cliche 90s that you'd think it would be funny, but it isn't.

Also, what was with the Red Album? That shit was trying to like, give a shout out to Youtube in one video? Youtube is bigger than you now. People discover you through Youtube. That's how weak you are. You're not even worthy of shining in the light you make for other people?

And another thing -- What's with this collab with Lil' Wayne? Wheezy? Weezer and Wheezy? Two negatives do have a habit of making a positive, but that's just in scientific pursuits. This is some odd branch of the musical tree that probably resembles a twig with no leaves to produce glucose through photosynthesis which will be stored in the roots until sent up the stem to provide nutrients for the plant -- FUCKING GRADE 11 BIOLOGY KNOWLEDGE DROPPED ON YOUR ASS, WEEZER. Anywho, as I was saying, there is no fucking WAY that could ever be a good combination. You'd actually literally just HAVE to have some sort of mental disorder or illness to think otherwise.

I want a Weezer who won't play for MTV.
When I'm away they don't try to be the next Miley.
When I'm away they never do sell out.
I want a Weezer who only released two albums.

-----

I was not in my right mind when I made this, take into account.

Ok so I reset my plays this week. So my charts are kind of off..I'm gonna review my top 5 artists, weekly. This week it looks like its

1. Eric Roberson
2. Donnie
3. Sean Price
4. Georgia Anne Muldrow
5. Little Dragon

Eric Roberson comin in number one this week. I have been on Pave A New Road HEAVY lately.. It should be on the radio in my opinion. I don't know why that little metronome shit is in the background though. I think we all can live without that.

Donnie.. Just Heard The Daily News for the first time this week.. I have had Colored Section for a while and love it.. But I must say, that I like TDN much more.. The first time I heard China Doll, I played it about 8 times.. That has to be why this dude made it to the top this week, lol

Sean P! Becoming one of my favorite rappers.. Dude can flow and has some funny lines. I have been on his album Monkey Bars. I like just about every song on here. I'm lovin peep my words

I am also falling in love with this Georgia Anne Muldrow album Olesi Fragments Of An Earth. Her sound isn't like anything I have heard before.. Wrong Way and Lovelight blew me away. Been jammin to this alot

I'm still bumpin that first Little Dragon album. I love Machine Dreams, but it seems like the self entitled one is like a fine wine.. it gets better with time.

In other news,

Lil' Wayne has a new mixtape out that everybody is going crazy about.. I mean dude is rapping nice on it, but lets all face it.. Wayne don't be talkin about shit.. Why listen to Wayne when we have Drake. Drake can not only just rhyme and make punchlines, but make sense and tell stories. Not everybody is gonna continue to be amazed by Wayne stringing together a bunch of random nonsense that rhymes.

PanHuan's top albums (overall)
1. O.S.T.R. - O.C.B. (3956) 2. O.S.T.R. - Ja tu tylko sprzątam [Edycja specjalna] (1013) 3. O.S.T.R. - Jazz W Wolnych Chwilach (698) 4. Madlib - Beat Konducta Vol. 5-6: A Tribute To Dilla (698) 5. Termanology - 50 Bodies Bootleg (489) 6. Huasko - Heksakosjoiheksekontaheksafobia (403) 7. Grand Agent - Adult Contemporary (390) 8. Torae - Daily Conversation (387) 9. O.S.T.R. - Tabasko (380) 10. AfroGaua/PanHuan - Mics się! (347) 11. Lil Wayne - Prebirth [Deluxe Edition] (336) 12. Bob Marley - Gold (333) 13. De la Huan - I am De la Huan (313) 14. Lil' Wanye - The Empire & Lil' Wayne-The Drought Is Over 2 - Tha Carter 3 Sessions (309) 15. O.S.T.R. - HollyŁódź (280) 16. Sadat X - Black October (274) 17. O.S.T.R. - Masz To Jak W Banku (263) 18. Zeus - co nie ma sobie rownych (258) 19. Ortega Cartel - Lavorama (255) 20. Elvis Presley - The Essential Elvis Presley (253) 21. O.S.T.R. - 7 (242) 22. AfroGaua/PanHuan - Heksakosjoiheksekontaheksafobia (241) 23. Royce da 5'9" - Independent's Day (Retail) (224) 24. Lil' Wayne - The Empire & Lil' Wayne-Tha Carter 3 Sessions (220) 25. Indo G - Purple Drank (203) 26. De la Huan - Do psy! (196) 27. The Jonesz - Season One (189) 28. O.S.T.R. - Galerianki (OST) (185) 29. Afront - Coraz Gorzej (178) 30. Straho - DynamoL (178) 31. Lil Wayne - New Year Crack 09 (168) 32. Nas - Hip Hop Is Dead (Proper) (166) 33. Cadillac Dale - So Fly (165) 34. Witchdoctor Wise - trapped in the asylum (157) 35. Abradab - Ostatni Poziom Kontroli (152) 36. Fisz Emade - Heavi Metal (151) 37. Afront - A Mialo Byc Tak Pieknie (149) 38. Waglewski Fisz Emade - Męska Muzyka (148) 39. El Da Sensei & Returners - Global Takeover (148) 40. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III (146) 41. Łona - Absurd i Nonsens! (146) 42. O.S.T.R. - 1980 (141) 43. Fokus - Alfa i Omega (139) 44. Tapemasters Inc & Kanye West - Air Yeezy (139) 45. J Dilla - Jay Stay Paid (136) 46. Molesta Ewenement - Molesta i Kumple (136) 47. The Game - Doctor's Advocate (135) 48. DonGURALesko & Matheo - Inwazja Porywaczy Cial (133) 49. Paktofonika - Kinematografia (131) 50. Dilated Peoples - Neighborhood Watch (127)