Just fiddle diddlin

So, a semi-tragic/foreseen event has recently struck the news. Music artist Amy Winehouse passed away the other day from......an Over-Dose. As if anyone was surprised by this. Any way, I never really gave her music a chance when she was alive because, well, she was a drug addict who's body weight was less than the weight of her head/hair alone. She looked like an alien. But, my friend posted one of Amy's songs on her facebook wall and I must say I was intrigued. She isn't half bad. And her lyrics; HER LYRICS! They hit me like a train. They are fanTAStic!

She has this song called 'Tears Dry on Their Own' and it's about her being the lover of some man (I've found that a few of her songs are) and part of the chorus goes a little something like this: He walks away, the sun goes down. He takes the day. etc., etc., etc.. And I thought, "this is true, but I am an night walker. I come alive when the sun goes down." Ironic? Slightly. When he walked away, every time, I felt like he took my light, ya know, the good part of me. And I became some creature of the night, no one knew the softer side of me. Anyway it has kind of inspired me to write a poem, though I'd be stealing some of her lyrics. Opps. whatever.

I'll let ya know how the poem turns out. =)

That's all for today. I should get back to writing my paper.

If Not Now, When?

Incubus has been and will forever be my favorite band. I first got into them when a boy I was head over heels for told me to check out a few of their songs; Pardon Me (which has become my favorite song of all time), I Miss You, and Stellar. I hadn't got past those three songs for years. It wasn't until they dropped their 'A Crow Left of the Murder' album and my friend Drew brought a copy of it to school for me that I realized there was no going back. I fell in love with the rhythm of their music, the sound and tone of Brandon's voice, the alternative vibe that was Incubus. Since then, Light Grenades and Monuments and Melodies (a 2 disc set comprised mostly of their Greatest Hits with a few new and never before released tracks) have filled my ears with joy. It seemed as though they just couldn't make bad music, as if it were impossible.

It seems I may have gotten ahead of myself.

After what seemed like forever, my pre-ordered copy of  'If Not Now, When?' finally arrived! Coming home to a slim, squared shaped package sitting on the counter made me second guess what time of year it was, "Christmas Already?". I couldn't get that cardboard and plastic unwrapped fast enough. What lay ahead was unbeknown-st to me, but what I DID know, think rather, was it was going to be magical. After hearing the first two singles they let loose I couldn't wait to hear what else they had in store.

I've given the album a couple of listens already, I am still not sure how I feel about it. Of course, Brandons soothing voice has not changed, the level of artistry from any of the band members hasn't weakened at all but something about the new sound of this album doesn't sound all that 'Incubus-y'. I'm not mad at my boys, I understand they can't make the same music over and over again but I just don't know if I am buying the pairing of the lyrics and the music. A lot of the songs sound like they are singing the wrong song with the music or that Brandon isn't exactly sure when to start and how long to hold the lyric. It just sounds awkward. Or maybe, MAYBE, what their singing about just doesn't touch any base of my life right now (there's actually a great chance of this).

All in all, this wouldn't be the album I'd copy for someone who hasn't had the Incubus experience. & it will surely take a few more listens before I find my footing among the new sound they've created. They're still the love of my music life and I will not turn my back just because one album did not wholly and completely blow me away.