Billboard Review: Rock Top 10

I want you all to know I had to take 10 Ibuprofen just to write this thing.(Note: C-Verse Ratings out of 10)
I am going to pre-warn you kids. I don’t really have anything nice to say this time. Everyone’s taking a beating.

1. Foo Fighters: Walk

Album: Wasting Light

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 16

Other Charts: #83 Hot 100; #65 Radio Songs; #1 Alternative Songs; #51 Canadian hot 100

Fan Love Votes: 71%

C-Verse Love: 6

C-Verse Says: Not too bad. This song was far less annoying about a month ago. It’s starting to sound generic *insert yawn here* I blame the radio stations. They play good songs far too much to the point where you hate them and can’t stand to hear them anymore. It takes a really amazing song to with stand being played so much and people still wanting to hear it. Sorry Foo Fighters but this song SOOO does not qualify. I have nothing more to say except make it stop!

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

Album: I’m With You

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 10

Other Charts: #64 Hot 100; #58 Radio Songs; #2 Alternative Songs; #37 Japan Hot 100; #36 Canadian Hot 100

Fan Love Votes: 81%

C-Verse Love: 9

C-Verse Says: Unlike the previously mentioned this song can take the heat of overplay. It’s groovy and funky. I love this song and don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. Rain Dance Maggie belongs at #1. Number 2 is just a slap in the face, a travesty, a gross injustice. What is the world coming to I ask you!!!

3. Foster The People: Pumped Up Kicks

Album: Torches

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 36

Other Charts: #3 Hot 100; #7 Pop Songs; #8 Radio Songs; #3 Digital Songs; #4 Ringtones

Fan Love Votes: 53%

C-Verse Love: 0

C-Verse Says: Why is this song at number 3? This is definitely one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard in my life and I’ve heard some crappers. Having the nerve to write this song deserves a prison sentence. The band is just terrible as a whole. I’m sick of hearing it. This band needs to just get on a plane. If you don’t get the plane joke ask Buddy Holly and Stevie Ray Vaughn to explain it to you.

4. Bush: The Sound of Winter

Album: The Sea of Memories

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 8

Other Charts: #5 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: None

C-Verse Love: 7

C-Verse Says: Not their best, I’ve got to say. Though it’s a very pretty song it’s still somewhat of a disappointment. The hard rock seems to be on muscle relaxers. Poor shame guys.

5. Staind: Not Again

Album: Staind

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 10

Other Charts: #16 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: None

C-Verse Love: 8

C-Verse Says: Thanks Staind for not letting us down like so many others. I almost love this one more than Mudshovel, yea almost.

6. Blink 182: Up All Night

Album: Neighborhoods

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 10

Other Charts: #3 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: None

C-Verse Love: 5

C-Verse Says: So tired of this. *Raspberry sound* That is all.

7. Seether: Tonight

Album: Holding onto Strings Better Left To Fray

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 10

Other Charts: #50 Dance/ Club Play Songs; #17 Alternative Songs

Fan Love Votes: None

C-Verse Love: 3

C-Verse Says: This is horrible. What in the world. The lyrics alone are simply laughable. I mean come one guys, seriously? SERIOUSLY? “I’m not gonna waste this. This opportunity’s mine. I’m sick of complaining about a beautiful life.”

You’re a post-grunge, hard rock band. Isn’t angry complaining your methodus operandi? Yes it is. I checked on Google and as we know Google is always right. Yes I know what you’re thinking but I woke up this morning planning on abusing sarcasm all freaking day. Deal with it. Shaun Morgan what is this fluffy sunshine crap?

8. Foo Fighters: Rope

Album: Wasting Light

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 30

Other Charts: None

Fan Love Votes: 73%

C-Verse Love: 1

C-Verse Says: Burn this album. Yea, I said it. What?

9. Seether: Country Song

Album: Holding onto Strings Better Left To Fray

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 28

Other Charts: None

Fan Love Votes: 68%

C-Verse Love: 9

C-Verse Says: Why isn’t this song at #3? I’m getting a migraine. This is one of the only songs on this list that’s worth listening to. Turn it up and rock out!

10. Theory Of  A Deadman: Lowlife

Album: The Truth Is…

Song’s Weeks on the Charts: 1

Other Charts: #30 Alternative Songs; #90 Canadian Hot 100

Fan Love Votes: 88%

C-Verse Love: 8

C-Verse Says: This song is awesome!!! Talk about balls-out. Theory of a Deadman is THE party song band and they more than live up to that reputation with this track. A hard heavy hitter; if you weren’t a hang banger before this song will totally change your tune. Way to go guys. Convert the non-believers. And while you’re at it put this song at no less than number 4 on this chart.

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

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

~C

SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

“Amerika” by Rammstein. Comprised of Till Lindemann: vocals, Richard Krupse and Paul Landers: guitarists, Flake Lorenz: keyboard, Oliver Riedel: bass, and Christopher Schneider: drummer. Rammstein is a German band of the “Neue Deutsche Harte” (new German hardness) musical persuasion which is a genre of industrial metal. Released in 2004, “Amerika” is the second single off their album Reise, Reise which translates to Travel, Travel. Though mostly sung in German, the chorus’ of the song are sung in English. It peaked in Germany at a number 2 position on the Media Control Charts and only 40 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs charts.

Though it possesses misleadingly satanic sounding vocals the lyrics quite hysterically poke fun at American culture making satirical references to Mickey Mouse and Wonderbras. It talks about the influences of America and though being negative they are worldwide such as saying “Coca-Cola, sometimes war”. This could possibly lead one to follow the implication of the opinion that America is full of narcissistic pricks who can’t keep their noses out of other countries business because clearly we know everything and are infallible (and yes that was sarcasm just so we’re clear). Uh-oh, I hope they don’t hit me with the Patriot Act for saying that! And as we all know anything with the word “patriot” in it can’t possibly be bad. Wow, there’s that sarcasm again. It’s like I can’t control it. Well if the government drops by my house one day for a surprise Lobotomy I guess I won’t really have to be surprised but I digress. So back to the point about how America’s condescending interventionism is not offensive and is clearly the best policy for us all which is resolutely supported in the following quote from this song:

(Sung in German)
I know moves that are very useful
and I will protect you from missteps
And whoever doesn't want to dance at the end

Doesn't know yet that they must

What a revelation! How deliciously sardonicsh. That’s German for sardonic fool!

~C

So check this out. It’s WUNDERBAR!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yydlX7c8HbY

You can check them out on their website:

www.rammstein.de

Or if you want it in English

www.rammstein.de/en

Also available on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Last Fm.

www.facebook.com/Rammstein

www.myspace.com/rammstein

http://twitter.com/#!/latestrammstein

www.last.fm/music/rammstein

More music on YouTube and Squidoo

www.youtube.com/user/RammsteinTheBand
http://www.squidoo.com/Rammsteinband

WARNING: LYRICS MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES!!!

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SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

"If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. Written by Kimberly Perry "If I Die Young" was released as their second single in June 2010 off of the group's self-titled debut album, which was released on October 12, 2010. Told as a story, a female narrator tells how she has lived a regret-free life and fulfilling life even though she dies at a young age. This song debuted at number 57 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and 92 on the Hot 100. Early in 2011 the song was remixed for Pop Radio and debuted at number 36 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart. The song has sold over 2,000,000 digital copies in the U.S. and won Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards nominations for 7 others while going 2 times Platinum.
This soft-tempo song is beautifully arranged with lightly pensive lyrics. With delicate vocals and string accompaniments of acoustic guitar, banjo, accordion, mandolin, and fiddle it carries a lovely tune. Aside from the very serious and somewhat dark subject matter of the song the message of the song entwined with the poetic lyrics it manages to be uplifting. Though the lyrics are generically descriptive and sugarcoated, it is a pleasant listening experience with a joyfully uplifting message. You can’t help but sing along.

~C

Monthly Music Pick

Here is our second feature of the month. A timeless and remarkably talented beauty with a voice that can only be described as deeply expressive and eternal; every note produced echoed with intense emotion and conviction. So let’s show some love.

Eleanora Fagan, “Billie Holiday” also known as Lady Day, born April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Billie Holiday is known as one the most talented and influential jazz/blues singers of all time with a greatly thriving career spanning 24 years until her battles with substance abuse sadly got the best of her. She died in Metropolitan Hospital in New York City on July 17, 1959 (age 44) due to “congestion of the lungs complicated by heart failure.” She was put under arrest while in the hospital for illegal possession of drugs. She made her final public appearance at the Phoenix Theatre in New York City on May 25, 1959. Many years after her death (41 if anyone’s counting) Billie Holiday was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their Early Influences category. Though her career predates the birth of Rock and Roll she and other similar artist had a strong effect on the genre that was to become Rock and Roll.

 Starting very early in life Billie found her comfort in music. In the late 1920’s she and her mother moved to New York City and around the 1930’s Billie began singing in local clubs. She was discovered at the age of 18 by producer John Hammond while performing in a jazz club in Harlem. “Your Mother’s Son-In-Law” was her first commercial release in 1934. Holiday was known for her distinctive and unique lyrical phrasing and her like-wise distinctive and expressive voice sometimes described as melancholy. In 1935 she began recording with jazz pianist Teddy Wilson making several singles such as “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” and “Miss Brown to You”. It was around this time when she met tenor sax player Lester Young who gave her the nickname “Lady Day” in 1937. The following year she broke new ground with Artie Shaw and his orchestra becoming one of the first female African American singers to work with a white orchestra. Due to the mind-state of the times Holiday lived in promoters objected to her because of her race and vocal style causing her to become frustrated and leave the orchestra.

In 1939 Holiday debuted what would quickly become two of her most famous songs, “God Bless the Child” and “Strange Fruit” which is considered one of her signature ballads. “Strange Fruit” is based on a poem by teacher Abel Meeropol which condemns racism and specifically the lynching of African Americans. Meeropol put his poem to music and performed it as a protest song accompanied by his wife in New York. “Strange Fruit” produced great controversy due to the lyrical subject matter including graphic details and was banned from some radio stations which seemed to help make it a hit. It was released by a smaller record company due to Columbia Records’ refusal to release it deeming the song inflammatory. Though many covers were produced by various artists, Holiday's rendition was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1978.

She signed with Decca Records in 1944 and recorded her hit “Lover Man”. Due to a drug conviction and habitual narcotic abuse she was blacklisted which made her unable to be licensed to play anywhere else that served alcohol. She still performed at concert hall and had a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall and later with help was able to perform at New York’s Club Ebony. Her autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues was published in 1956. In 1972 it was made into a film starring Diana Ross.

She recorded her last album in 1958, Lady in Satin with the Ray Ellis Orchestra featuring her rougher sounding voice as a result of her drug habits. Her final performance was on May 25, 1959 in New York City. Shortly after this performance she was admitted to the hospital for the heart and liver problems that would sadly claim her. Over 3,000 people turned out to her funeral to say good-bye at St. Paul Apostle Roman Catholic Church held on July 21, 1959.

~C 

Classic Quotes

A pearl from Jimi Hendrix:
“Music is my religion.”

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix)

Born: November 27, 1942 Died: September 18, 1970
American guitarist and singer-songwriter

“Convert the Non-believers” By: C-VERSE

The dictionary defines religion as:
A collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe which derive morality and ethics.

Music the universal language and speaks to us all on multiple levels, valued by many as a “religious” experience. Like religion it has devout followers and practitioners. It can preach emotion, opinions, beliefs and thoughts. It can empathize with your pain, need, sadness, anger, and loss. Music can even perform exorcisms. It lets you purge. It lets you feel free, vindicated and understood. It won’t ever leave you. There is music that can give you something to believe in again, tell you not to give up and believe in you. It does not discriminate. It won’t refuse to play for you, soothe you or comfort you. Gotta love how that music rolls. That sweet talkin’ sound to soothe our souls.

~C

SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

“Running up that Hill” by Placebo. This is actually a song of British singer/songwriter Kate Bush originally titled this track “A Deal with God” from her album Hounds of Love released in 1985. The song has a more techno dance club sound including synthesized instrumentals and her vocal track running through a great deal of filterings and effects but what else can you except from the 80's. Kate Bush was quoted saying:

“I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman can't understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other's roles, if we could actually be in each other's place for a while, I think we'd both be very surprised! And I think it would lead to a greater understanding. And really the only way I could think it could be done was either... you know, I thought a deal with the devil, you know. And I thought, 'well, no, why not a deal with God!' You know, because in a way it's so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you. You see, for me it is still called "Deal with God", that was its title. But we were told that if we kept this title that it would not be played in any of the religious countries, Italy wouldn't play it, France wouldn't play it, and Australia wouldn't play it! Ireland wouldn't play it, and that generally we might get it blacked purely because it had God in the title” 
Here is the original version:

Placebo debuted their cover of this song on their album Sleeping with Ghosts in 2003 and also on Meds in 2006.  Their cover of this song also made an appearance on The Vampire Diaries Soundtrack along with other TV shows and movies including From Paris with Love. “Q” magazine described their version as ‘sounding more like a deal with the Devil than the original ‘deal with God’.

Soothing and haunting. It really does sound like a deal with the Devil. It grooves, slides and gives you a sensation you won’t soon forget like someone is creeping up behind you lurking in the shadows. The lyrics are powerful, slamming and sleek while being somewhat philosophical and spiritual. This is the tune hummed by the monster under your bed. Awesomely devastating and eerie vocal line swim in your ears manipulating and maneuvering itself into your soul, a raucous and deliciously twisted groove that you can sink your teeth into. Rooted in the great human truth that “You’ll never know what it’s like to be me.”

~C

FEATURE OF THE MONTH!!!

Installment number two in the category of the MONTHLY FEATURE. Are you excited? Well you should be. This month we have 7ENVY. Hailing from New Jersey, this grunge rock powerhouse has an original sound reminiscent of Nirvana and Breaking Benjamin. The band line-up consists of Kelly Bennett: lead vocals, Jose Valencia: guitar, Dan Bulich: bass; and John Curcio: drums. Influences of the band include Nirvana, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Seether and Tool. Vocals range from a delicate falsetto to a moderate scream similar to Linda Perry of 4 Non Blondes and Sandra Nasic of the Guano Apes. Mind-blowing guitar licks are melodic while carrying a hard hitting UMPH!!! Drumming style is a cross between Chad Channing and Dave Grohl; both Nirvana drummers, carrying a controlled rhythm with a tasty growl. Hard hitting bass lines can be most accurately compared to Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu of Korn. This eclectic collection of sounds and styles produce all those good-feeling, face-melting vibrations that will surely perk up the ears of all those holding on to their hopes of a grunge come-back. As those hopes shall indefinitely be dashed; at the very least may the hard-rockers ROCK ON!!!
~C

Official site:

http://www.7envytheband.com
Band bio, upcoming shows, videos, links, and blog.
Tracks available for your listening pleasure including a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s infamous song “White Rabbit” A MUST HEAR!


YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/7Envy

MySpace:

http://myspace.com/7envy

You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Reverbnation.

 7ENVY performing “LOST’ at The Saint:

Music available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and Napster.

*ATTENTION- Some songs and video performances contain adult content/ lyrics

Classic Quotes

A pearl from Billy Joel:“I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.”











William Martin "Billy" Joel

Born: May 9, 1949

American singer, songwriter, composer, pianist

“Ameliorate” By: C-VERSE

Beautiful music, the world’s universal Neosporin. Tones, rhythm, melody, tempo all create a miraculous medicine. It can pick you up, be on your side, let you know you’re not alone and wash away your fears. A free-for-all ear buffet for the masses of the world. There’s something for everyone. No matter what you do, where you’re from, what you believe, who you are music is the one thing that speaks to us all. Music is priceless. Show some love.

~C