SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

“#1 Crush,” by Garbage. This track was originally released on the B-side of the single “Vow” their debut release in 1995. In 1996, the track was remixed to be featured in the soundtrack of modernized William Shakespeare’s “Romeo + Juliet” which included downplaying the guitars and reworking the percussion and synth elements of the song. The remix of "#1 Crush" peaked at #1 on Hot Modern Rock Tracks for four weeks and was also nominated for Best Song from a Movie in 1997 at the MTV Movie Awards. "#1 Crush" was written and recorded between March, 1994 and May, 1995 during sessions between band members Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig (producer of Nirvana’s Nevermind).

In my opinion the remix was a monumental mistake. Who is the pseudo-intelligent charlatan that thought it would be a good idea to downplay the UMPH of this song? The original version is the only version worth listening to. Super sexy smooth, makes you want to get dizzy, sweaty and lost between the sheets, makes you want to scream and sacrifice virgins. This song could crush you between its thighs. It’s got curves and teeth; a stormy celebration of obsession. Shirley Manson belts out this tune with a voice that can melt the paint off your walls. The percussion and guitar tracks pump out a sultry sound that speeds down hips and rolls off lips. The bass line gives you the sensation that someone’s creeping up behind you. The lyrics are dangerous and enticing. This song is freaking HOT!!! Grind worthy, a devious offering set upon a sacrificial stone to be savored and devoured whole. It’s just an apple, taste it.

So hooray for pain and obsession; that dark little monster inside us all. For what is true love but a form of obsession?

Now regain composer and get back to work!

~C

Soundtrack to Love

“Girl, Interrupted,” A film starring Winona Rider, Angelina Jolie, Brittany Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg, released in 1999 is a drama about a girl’s life-changing, 18 month stay in a mental institution in the late 60’s. Based on the memoir of Susanna Kaysen it is a great movie. Great book too.

This is an enjoyable soundtrack full of beautiful and timeless songs, all fitting to the emotional tone of the movie. There is one thing I take issue with and feel compelled to mention. The first track listed was not released until the 90’s. This one imperfection aside, I must say I love this soundtrack. It is a very sweet and sensitive compilation that lets you crunch on those good, good, good vibrations.

~C

Track Listing:

1. Wilco

“How to Fight Loneliness”

(Released 1999)

2. Them

“It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”

(Released 1966)

3. The Band

“The Weight”

(Released 1968)

4. The Mamas & The Papas

“Got a Feelin’’'"

(Released 1966)

5. The Chambers Brothers

“Time Has Come Today”

(Released 1968)

6. Jefferson Airplane

“Comin’ Back To Me”

(Released 1967)

7.      Merrilee Rush & The Turnabouts

“Angel of the Morning”

(Released 1968)

8. Aretha Franklin

“Night Time Is the Right Time”

(Released 1968)

9. Skeeter Davis

“The End of the World”

(Released 1962)

10.Petula Clark

“Downtown”

(Released 1965)

Movie Score Tracks:

11. “You Need A Rest”

12. “Claymore”

13. “The Ward”

14. “Emergency Room”

15. “Lisa”

16. “Seclusion”

17. “Meds”

18. “The Tunnels”

19. “File Reading”

20. “Toby/My Friends”

21. “Ambivalence”

22. “Escape”

23. “Daddy’s Money”

24. “New Morning”

25. “Driving In The Rain”

26. “Last Night”

27. “So Many Buttons”

28. “Breakdown”

29. “Going Home”

Billboard Review: Rock Top 10

The first Billboard Review of many to come. Argh! Pop culture. This might get bumpy. 

(Note: C-Verse Ratings out of 10)

1. Red Hot Chili Peppers: The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie

Album: I'm With You

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 6

Other Charts: #69 Hot 100; #62 Radio Songs; #1 Alternative Songs; #31 Canadian Hot 100; #35 Adult Pop Songs

Fan Love Votes: 77%

C-Verse Love: 10

C-Verse Says: This song pours out a sweet base line as crunchy and funky as chunky monkey. Alright Flea! This is the sound you want to roll around in.

2. Foo Fighters: Walk

Album: Wasting Light; #14 Rock Albums; #10 Alternative Albums; #7 Hard Rock Albums; #17 Canadian Albums

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 12

Other Charts: #87 Hot 100; #69 Radio Songs; #2 Alternative Songs; #50 Canadian Hot 100

Fan Love Votes: 58%

C-Verse Love: 7

C-Verse Says: A good song similar to the sound of previous tracks such as “Times Like These.” Can’t really say I’m in love with this one but it is lyrically sound and up-beat in a pop kind of way.

3. Foster the People: Pumped Up Kicks

Album: Torches; #2Rock Albums; #5 Digital Albums; #2 Alternative Albums; #10 Canadian Albums

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 32

Other Charts: #7 Hot 100; # 14 Pop Songs; #16 Radio Songs; #3 Digital Songs; #11 Ringtones

Fan Love Votes: 56%

C-Verse Love: 2.5

C-Verse Says: This song reminds me of “All the Young Dudes” By Mott the Hoople except this song stinks. Sort of like that acrid hot garbage smell you can taste in the back of your throat. The lyrics are arranged in a sort of story-telling fashion and aren’t too bad. Though it’s not the worst song I’ve ever heard I don’t think it’s worth spending money or taking up space on a hard-drive. Boring, awful, makes me want to stick a q-tip in my ear noise. Please keep in mind I’m not referring to the entire album, only this song. Blah.

4. Theory Of A Deadman: Lowlife

Album: The Truth Is…; #13 Rock Albums; #9 Alternative Albums; #6 Hard Rock Albums; #19 Canadian Albums

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 32

Other Charts: #25 Alternative Songs; #79 Canadian Hot 100

Fan Love Votes: 88%

C-Verse Love: 9

C-Verse Says: Snarky! Amusing! Hilarious! Gotta love this song. This is a hot, up-beat, rock star, whiskey pounding, punch-you-in-the-face, on-like-donkey-Kong, butt-kicking party song. This has got to be one of their best songs to date. Kudos!

5. Foo Fighters: Rope

Album: Wasting Light; #14 Rock Albums; #10 Alternative Albums; #7 Hard Rock Albums; #17 Canadian Albums

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 26

Other Charts: #15 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: 72%

C-Verse Love: 6

C-Verse Says: This is a shocking disappointment for me from the Foo Fighters. When the song starts out, it sounds nothing like them. First time I heard it I thought it was someone else playing. Well they can’t all be winners can they ladies and gentlemen? Oh well.

6. Seether: Country Song

Album: Holding On To Strings Better Left to Fray; #23 Rock Albums; #14 Alternative Albums; #9 Hard Rock Albums

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 24

Other Charts: NONE

Fan Love Votes: 68%

C-Verse Love: 9

C-Verse Says: This song just rolls. It pops, flips and keeps it coming. And Shaun Morgan spoke unto them and said “And thy heads shall bob with uncontrollable rhythmic joy. Your rock-n-roll cup shall runneth over and goodness will spread throughout the land with much rejoicing”

7. Coldplay: Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

Album: Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 12

Other Charts: #39 Hot 10; #26 Pop Songs; #35 Radio Songs; #41 Digital Songs; #28 Adult Contemporary

Fan Love Votes: 79%

C-Verse Love: 3

C-Verse Says: I have nothing to say except shut the front door. Bovine Fecal Matter!!!

8. Staind: Not Again

Album: Staind

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 6

Other Charts: #19 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: NONE

C-Verse Love: 8

C-Verse Says: Heavy and raunchy possessing everything we have come to love about Staind. This song will crawl inside your ear and lay eggs in your brain but in a good way. Seriously.

9. Avenged Sevenfold: So Far Away

Album: Nightmare; #32 Rock Albums; #21 Alternative Albums; #12 Hard Rock Albums Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 19

Other Charts: #18 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: NONE

C-Verse Love: 8

C-Verse Says: This is a very beautiful song being both poetic and melodic. I find it relaxing in a way. Though it’s not one of my favorites of theirs I still must say thumbs up are definitely in order.

10. Blink-182: Up all Night

Album: Neighborhoods

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 6

Other Charts: #3 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: NONE

C-Verse Love: 6

C-Verse Says: I’ve got to say this is kind of boring. Blink Boys, poor shame. You can do better. Despite that fact, I’m glad they came back to the music fold anyway.

Click here to know more. Entire tracks available for free play!

http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/rock-songs

~C

Classic Quotes

A pearl from Reba McEntire:

“For me, singing sad songs often has a way of healing a situation. It gets the hurt out in the open into the light, out of the darkness."

Reba Nell McEntire

Born: March 28, 1955
American country music artist and actress

"Exorcising Your Demons" By: C-VERSE

What is exorcism but therapy’s eccentric cousin? We all need an internal exorcism every now and then. Whether it is mental or emotional, we all have our ways of cutting around the rotten fruit putrefying in our souls. We all have our own method of disposal to keep us sane.

It is sad how the past has its way of keeping such a tight hold on us. Every now and then it creeps out of the inner sanctums of our minds and knocks us down, jabs at us. The bad memories, the ones that hurt us, the ones that left us, let us go, the upsets, upstarts, let downs, got you down, down and out, keeping you down trodden. Screaming or singing it out allows the raw toxins within us to flow out, healing the wounds. When you get it out in the open and expose it to air it can heal quicker.

Things kept in the darkness, hidden away to be forgotten only seem to make things worse. In the darkness grows only fear of the unknown and unseen allowing everything kept there to grow bigger, scarier and stronger giving them more power over us. Open up that dark little room and let in the light. Choke your monsters with the sun. Expose it to the air and let it heal. The music will surely set you free. 

~C

SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

“The Future” by Leonard Cohen. This is a track off the album “The Future” released in 1992. Leonard Cohen is a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet and novelist. Made popular by the 1994 film “Natural Born Killers” starring Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis, “The Future” is the end credits song. If you like this song and plan to purchase it, especially if you plan to download it, you should make sure you are getting the full version which is over 6 minutes long. The watered down version is only 4 minutes and some change long with a voice clip of Robert Downey Jr. from “Natural Born Killers” at the end of the track.

Cohen's vocals are kind of raspy and low only giving further effect to the tone of this song. It is utterly priceless and loved by all committed cynics across the land. This song is pure poetry. It has a very serious tone with a hint of dark and tragic comedy. You can’t help but love this painfully honest and lyrically sardonic gem.

So here it is. The full version. Drink it in.

~C

Video Pick of the Week

Covering Seether’s “Fake It” we have 7Envy. This track is off Seether’s album “Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces” (released October 19, 2007) and also as a single which was released August 28, 2007. “Fake It” also held the #1 spot U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 14 consecutive weeks. The original song is hot and heavy with a razor sharp bite of sarcasm. In this audibly delicious rendition there is a slow, mellow, less aggressive temperament throughout. Adding their own spin with intricate string plucking, courtesy of Jose Valencia, and moody/melodic vocals provided by the talented Kelly Bennett this acoustic version somehow works surprisingly well. The sound is both beautiful and strong giving you the best of both worlds. Check it out won’t you?

~C



You loved it didn’t you?

MONTHLY MUSIC PICK

Introducing the monthly music pick. Unlike it's quiet little cousin "Feature of the Month" which is as a rule always an Indie artist, the monthly music pick will be a major artist of random choosing. Here is the first so lets kick this mother off with a bang!

William Martin "Billy" Joel, born May 9, 1949 (62 years old). Billy Joel is a classical composer, songwriter, singer, and pianist of the pop/rock persuasion quite high in caliber. I know, I know. Referring to an individual in the pop genre as being not only capable but deeply gifted in the realm of playing an instrument? Crazy you say? Yes, I must admit I would usually concur. It is a fact that you cannot deny. Pop artists, even those in the sub-genres such as pop/rock are in alien territory when it comes to using anything aside from a microphone and even then sometimes they're on shaky ground. And no children, Avril Lavigne playing a few chords on the guitar DOES NOT count just so we're clear. Getting back to the point, Billy Joel is one the those rare, to-be-treasured exceptions. If you're one of those weirdos that doesn't rock out to Joel, Oh! poor shame. You have no idea what you have been missing. Spanning several musical styles within pop/rock and utilizing many different breeds of lyrical expression I can say to you all with full confidence of conviction that Billy Joel is one of the greatest singers/songwriters in history. With a career spanning approximately forty years and countless successes, if you are still uncertain, allow me to enlighten you dear reader.

Ever since his first hit "Piano Man" in 1973 this man has been rolling out the gold or platinum to be more accurate. When it comes to music he is truly a master of his craft, a musical force to be reckoned with, selling a total of 150 million records worldwide. Billy Joel is a 23-time Grammy nominee and a 6-time Grammy Award winner. He was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1992 along with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 among other prestigious recognitions. Joel has released 13 studio albums, 5 live albums, 11 compilation albums, and 59 singles accumulating to the staggering figure of 88. Whew. All songs written and composed by Billy Joel with the exception of just a hand full of co-credited tracks along with some cover songs. Co-authors include artists such as Cyndi Lauper and credits to Ludwig Van Beethoven's music while covers range from rock hits such as The Beetles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." to more mellow sounds like his rendition of Bob Dylan's "Times They Are A-Changing". He has had continuous Top 40 hits throughout the first three decades of his career being the 1970's, 80's and 90's, 33 of these in the United States alone. Joel is also recognized as the 6th best-selling artist in the U.S. according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Studio Albums Discography:
1971- Cold Spring Harbor
1973- Piano Man
1974- Streetlife Serenade
1976- The Turnstiles
1977- The Stranger
1978- 52ns Street
1980- Glass Houses
1982- The Nylon Curtain
1983- An Innocent Man
1986- The Bridge
1989- Storm Front
1993- River of Dreams
2001- Fantasies & Delusions

OFFICIAL  WEBSITE:
www.billyjoel.com

Other sites:
http://www.last.fm/music/Billy+Joel
www.youtube.com/user/billyjoel
www.myspace.com/billyjoel
http://www.allmusic.com/arist/billy-joel-p4615

Additional biographical information, albums, mp3’s and vinyl records are available for purchase. Videos and tracks are also available for your listening pleasure.
Check out Vienna, one of my top 5 all-time-favorites songs coming off his album “The Stranger” *GREAT LISTEN*

And the most shocking bit of all? I've barely even scratched the surface. I know, blows your mind doesn't it?
Thanks for tuning in!

~C

Classic Quotes

A pearl from Aldous Huxley:
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”

Aldous Leonard Huxley
Born: July 26, 1894 Died: November 22, 1963
English novelist, poet, and editor of magazine: Oxford Poetry
Best known for his science fiction novel Brave New World

“Music is my Silence” By: C-VERSE
The precious gift of silence, being so scarce a commodity, the small doses we are fortunate enough to stumble upon should be treasured as such. In these rare jewels of silence we hear all the things that have never been said, in most cases seeming to be in another language. We say everything when we say nothing. The unknown and indescribable emerges from the still quiet like a flower from the murky depths and in this action a sort of enlightenment falls upon us.

Music is my silence. Only in the midst of silence do we hear even the most obvious of truths, the poetry of it all. A poem heard in silence wiggles its way to the inner most depths of our consciousness and hits every chord it was intended to strike in its creation. It weaves a delicate and intricate image inside of our minds taking us somewhere we have never seen before. If a picture is worth a thousand words then it must be said that poetry and music are filled with more pearls than there are in the vastness of the ocean.

Within the immense universe of music, only in the uncompromised and purest forms, every chord struck streams an echo straight into our souls without the dimmest touch of reservation. The unyielding and undeniable understanding reached within the most modest of tunes hands to us all, without discrimination, the ability to clearly decipher and comprehend the distinct messages sealed within. Being one of the few great beauties left in this world, our precious music is one of the greatest gifts that we can treasure for the entirety of our lifespan to keep safely tucked away among the tapestries inside the mind.

~C

SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

"Grenade" by Bruno Mars. The second single off his debut album "Doo-Wops and Hooligans" (released 2010) "Grenade" is a beautiful ballad using a fusion of Pop and R&B; a bit of kick back to the 1950's. With his soulful, falsetto voice and a wide vocal range at his side Bruno Mars expresses the full spectrum of human emotion with great conviction. Debuting on the charts in October 2010, "Grenade" remained on the "Hot 100" for a consecutive 36 weeks. Lyrically powerful and instrumentally soothing, it is a song that truly strikes to the core; depicting the typical but classic tale of unrequited love in a new way. Written by Bruno Mars and his production team: The Smeexingtons, Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, and Andrew Wyatt; this is a melodic and passionate song that will perpetually tug on those most crucial strings.

~C

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

Introducing the first of what I hope is to become a much enjoyed weekly event: FEATURE OF THE MONTH! Each month a new indie artist will be feature and a performance or song posted. There will eventually be a set day of the month where this topic will be regularly featured which is currently undecided. But here we go anyway.

An acronym for "I love you and I miss you" ilyAimy is a folk rock music group from Baltimore, MD. The band formed in 1999 and represents their genre with loyalty while adding a modern spin. Their combination of beautiful harmonies, unique guitar styling’s and pensive lyrics make folk rock poetry.  This musical arrangement consists of Rob Hinkal: vocals, acoustic guitar, and tom foolery; Heather Lloyd: vocals, djembe, and acoustic guitar; Sharif Kellogg: bass guitar and keyboard; Rowan Corbett: djembe, bones, cajon, other percussion, and backing vocals; Kristen Jones: cello and backing vocals. This ensemble creates a truly unique sound unlike any other which will surely be loved by any fan of the folk music tradition. This instrumental arrangement is a delight to the ears and is even more enjoyable live. Performances are played as a duo including only Rob Hinkal and Heather Lloyd to the full group. On stage shenanigans and comedic play only amplify the already outstanding entertainment provided by these talented individuals. They have 14 previously released CD's, most of which are available for purchase at:
http://www.amazon.com/
http://www.cduniverse.com/
http://www.ilyaimy.com/
Mp3’s also available.

The official band website is a must see (also available on Twitter and Facebook). Show dates, merchandise such as CD's and t-shirts, and other information are available on their site. You can also listen to full tracks on their MySpace page:
www.myspace.com/ilyaimy


More videos on YouTube and live open mic performances available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ilyaimy

~C

SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

"Where Did Sleep Last Night" by Lead Belly. This is a perfect example of a true-by-definition folk song. The definition of a folk song is a song passed down through generations by word of mouth with unknown composers and date of origin though it has evolved into a playing and lyrical style. This song is believed to date back all the way to at least the 1870's from the Southern Appalachian region. Lead Belly recorded several versions of this song in the 1940's. Other artists covered this song under other titles including "In the Pines", "Black Girl", "Black Gal", "Pine Grove Blues", and "Where did you Sleep Last Night", "Rolling Mill Blues", and "Brown Skin Blues". This is a truly wonderful version of this song by a blues legend with a voice full of feeling.

~C

A Formal Introduction

Greetings and welcome to THE C-VERSE. I will be reviewing music from all genres and decades from a neutral point of view while adding my own opinion. Venues and and indie artists will be discussed and reviewed along with Billboard charts (top 10 only) and other popular artists. I am a musician myself. I research and study music of all kinds. I would like the opportunity to inform people about the musical world around them and to encourage a more open minded approach to the music they choose. Feel free to comment and ask questions. If you are an artist and want a review posted to promote your music, please send emails to cversemusic@gmail.com. I will post your website, links to your music, videos, upcoming shows, and merchendice you have available. Readers posting comments: vulgar and angry language will not be tolerated and will get you kicked out. Other then that I hope you enjoy and find the reviews useful.

~C