Album Review

Album: Back to Black

by Amy Winehouse

     I wanted to review this semi-recent album because i was introduced to it in class. I had never really been exposed to her music for some reason but when i heard it i had to do my research! I was pleasantly surprised! Her style was very much like Ronnie Spector from the Ronnettes. She has this old time tone to her voice that is just so smooth. Two of my favorite songs on her Back to Black album is 'You know I'm No Good' and 'Rehab.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-I2s5zRbHg&ob=av2e

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUmZp8pR1uc&NR=1&feature=endscreen

       It's really hard to find an artist of her kind especially now. It is so sad that she passed away, a talent that great should not be wasted. This particular album led to six Grammy nominations and five wins. Making her the first British female artist to win five Grammys.
       Amy Winehouse was such a powerful singer that she helped revitalized British music and influenced the rise of many other female artists. A couple examples would be Adele and Lady Gaga. They both give Winehouse credit for helping them pave the way for their careers.
      Over all this album is very dynamic. I bought loads of her songs online and each song continues to amaze me. She can bring different tones to each song, she is not one dimensional in any way. In no way is her style or this album mainstream but that doesn't mean its bad. The radios tend to only play the mainstream tunes and i think that's why i initially missed out on such an amazing artist. This class has definitely taught me to expand my horizons when it comes to music!

Sound Track of My Life!

Going into this assignment i didn't think that it would bring about so many memories! There were so many different periods in my life and thinking of just the right songs to express those times came very easily. The first song i wanted to use to expresses a darker time in my life, a song by Evanescence called Hello. This songs describes the difficult times i went through during my parents divorce and other family turmoils.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih61MJ72v1Y

During the next stage of my life, in my earl teens, i felt very alone and found it hard to fit in. I'm pretty sure it's a normal during that time in life to feel lonely and unsure of who you are because it is an awkward stage in life. This is a song that very much described how i was feeling during that time and it helped me get through that period.
Another song by Evanescence: Missing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06d33K1ei6I
I don't know what it is but their music has the ability to touch anyone who listens to it in one way or another. The lyrics are so deep and are easy to relate to especially if your in a darker place.

The next soundtrack of my life describes a much happier and lighter time for me. Things were still hard for me of course but for once in my life i was happy with who i was and much more confident. My attitude made a complete one eighty and i looked at things in a much better light! That is why chose this song to describe how i was feeling.
One Republic: Good Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w&ob=av2e

Right after this i met someone who made me feel really good about my self and became one of my first boyfriends. He was obviously no good for me but when you 16 your naive to many things and he was one of many. Anyways, the point is at that time i thought i was in love and that sparked a whole new feeling in my life, which brings us to this song:
Bruno Mars: Grenade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR6iYWJxHqs

Obviously that relationship didn't last long which led me directly into my care free phase. All i wanted to do was socialize with multiple men and not be held back. It was all completely harmless, innocent flirting and i have to say it was fun! I grew so much  and learned so much during this time in my life but i also had a blast. So to express this feeling i chose this song:
Shania Twain: I Feel Like A Woman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7auzP9RhCY

So for the last soundtrack of my life I chose the song that i danced to at my wedding. It expresses my feelings of uncertainty of how my life is going but of my certainty of how much i loved the one person i had waited for all my life. Your early twenties is a time to find who you are and I'm still trying to figure that out but the feeling of having someone there for you no matter what, makes it that much easier. Everyone needs someone and this song says just that.
Boys Like Girls: Two is Better Than One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW3RspM7v9M&ob=av3e

Chapter 6 and 7 of Fever

      In chapter 6 of Fever the rock icon of choice is Bruce Springsteen. Tim Riley describes him as, "the only American rock star Worthy of comparison to the original Elvis..." After reading this chapter i learned things about Springsteen that i never knew. He was obviously a rock icon of his time and had a huge range when it came to his writing style.
    What i found interesting was that Springsteen sang more songs to his father more than any other writer. His lyrics were fueled by typical father-son tension that most people could relate to. Most songs focused on love, either acquiring it or ending a relationship so a different focus made his songs very popular. Springsteen paints a picture of his father through his songs, "Springsteen is torn between seething resentment for hi father and embittered respect," said Riley.
     In chapter 7 of Fever i found the material written by Tina Turner most interesting. The chapter discusses the fact that most songs during that time were fictional statements of perfect relationships. They wanted listeners to believe everything was like a fairytale and no other couple could compare. It worked very well because we all want that and we all strive to get it. Things were much different than what people assumed and that comes to light with Tina Turners story.
     Few women compared to Tina in any medium and when she broke out from her abusive relationship she shined even brighter. In 1984 she was one of the first artists to sing about such hardships explicitly. It was very inspirational to read about her life and how she used her lyrics to reach out to women that were in the same situation as her. Those trapped by domestic abused could use her as an outlet.
    It's clear that in both chapters music can be a very powerful and inspirational outlet for whatever subject. Love, pain, anger and sadness have a long history of dominating the charts. That's because people want songs they can relate to and they want songs that can relieve some of their everyday tribulations. That is one thing that i think will never change.

Opinionator #2

      Violence through the media is one of the largest issued effecting all demographics. It seems now more than ever that the type of violence being shown has changed. Viewers are experiencing huge increases of violence through every media outlet whether they are aware of it or not.
       There is violence in television shows, the news, video games and movies just to mention a few. It is hard to notice the difference unless you look at a longer timeline. As a society we are being desensitized to the content we are being show. Personally i use to be scared by the some of the least graphic movies but now when i see someone get stabbed in a movie it doesn't even phase me and i think its boring. That's because networks are doing anything they can to get ratings, and one of the ways they do that is their content becomes more and more violent to keep our interest. We watch T.V. and go to movies for the shock value!
     In the 1930's and 1940's audiences were shocked if there was any kind of sexual or violent content and now we wont watch it if it doesn't. The sad part is that since we have been exposed to such violence in the media we can never go back. I see no chance of the media ever going back to the way it use to be. All we can do is try to sensor our children to the violence as much as we can.
     That bring some to another issue with violence and the media. Since we have made so many strides in technological advances, censoring content to the younger generations has become almost impossible. Access to the Internet on not only computers but cell phones and things like the I Pad give parents no way to shield their children.
     The news media is not innocent of it either. News is constantly sensationalized and thrives on violence to get ratings. News networks have no problem showing graphic material to get those ratings and keep viewers. It is an endless cycle that every media outlet is doomed to repeat. Human interest stories will always dominate and so will violence.

Songs that make you dance!

1. No Hands by Waka Flocka Flame
This song is great for the younger crowd at any club. It's not one of the best songs but it gets people in the mood to dance when they go out.
2.Salt Shaker by Ying Yang Twins
The ladies love when this song comes on. I'm pretty sure you can picture how they would dance to this! It wil make you want to move and shake you salt shaker!
3. Wall to Wall by Chris Brown
I like this song because it makes you want to move your entire body in an awsome way. This is a different style song then the others and it does take more talent to dance to tis song but it's so much fun!
4. Like a G6 by Far East Movement
I also like this song because it has more of a techno feel to it instead of just beats. This song is gauranteed to get your blood flowing and get you moving on the dance floor. The songs not that great but it gets you in the mood to dance.
5. Work It by Missy Elliot
What can i say about Missy Elliot except that any song she puts out is gauranteed to make you want to dance!
     I prefer the older songs when i actually want to dance and have a good time! Unfortunately when you go out hese are the songs that dominate the dance floor. Don't get me wrong i love dancing to these songs but sometimes i just want to do the twist!

opinionator #1

        A controversial topic in media right now is over sensationalized news. There is more of a focus on human interest stories and less accuracy in hard news stories. The medias main goal is to make ratings and to make ratings people want to hear about sensationalized news first and then maybe actually important news later if they have time.
      I admit i get wrapped up in The Kardashians from time to time or i laugh at the fact that Lindsey Lohan went to jail again but at the end of the day i want to know what is happening in the real world. If only people put as much effort into protesting against school budget cuts instead of following celebrities on Twitter than our country would be better for it!
       Before media evolved so much people were aware of our countries hardships and they spoke up. Our generation has been blinded by sensationalized media and whether we are aware of it or not, it is going to become a huge problem. It is in our nature to be suaded by such things but how do we change it?
      I'm sure there are plenty of media outlets out there that would love to inform us as well as catch our interest but like any other business, the media is about profit. People that are providing accurate news coverage are sadly not getting as good of ratings as the reality shows are. People are adapting in any way possible and it will be interesting to see how the media will change 20 years from now, if it does.

music memories #2

     For this assignment i interviewed my mom Gwynne. She as born in 1950 and experienced the great hits of the 60's and 70's. She would kill me if she knew i gave away her age! Anyways, during that time she said that her favorites had to be The Beatles and The Rolling stones. I have a feeling that the majority of the reasoning behind why she liked those bands was because she liked looking at the guys. "All the girls loved them at that time," said Gwynne.
     Rock was a big part of her generation stepping  out and making a statement. She said the music was a way that they could express themselves and their beliefs. Her favorite concerts to go to were Beatles concerts when she was young.
    As she got older her taste did start to change but so did the styles of music. Instead of listening to rock and expressing her rebellious teenage nature she was older and developed more of a refined taste. She started to listen to more female artists like Madonna and Whitney Houston.
    It was around that time that my brother and i were born. I remember her listening to Mariah Carey in the early 90's when i was around five or six. Her tastes have always changed with the times but she has never stopped appreciating classic music. "I can appreciate any artist that has genuine talent, whether that's vocal or instrumental," said Gwynne. Although there are some genres that she claims she cannot get use to, like "hard core screaming music" as she calls it and "hard core rap."
    "Music is changing all the time and it is so cool to have seen how its changed over the past 60 years," says Gwynne. Right now she mostly listens to Katy Perry and other popular female artists. "I have always been a strong supporter of female artists," says Gwynne. When she was growing up it was very difficult for female artists to make it big but now they have just as good a chance to make as any other artists.
    Gwynne doesn't attend concerts anymore but in her youth attending concerts was a way for her and her friends to express themselves and make their voices heard. The music inspired their generation to speak up about the war and change the times.
   
 

Happy songs

1. Bob Marley
2. The Beatles
3. Aaliyah
4. One Republic
5. Bruno Mars

            All five of these artists, no matter what type of music they are expressing have a happy go lucky vibe or positive feel in most of their lyrics. It's easy to write or sing the typical I'm sad break up song that everyone can relate to but to write a genuinely good son that people can feel good listening to is hard to do. These artists are amongst some of my favorites because they do a great job portraying positive messages in their songs.
           For instance, Bruno Mars' new song "Lighters" inspires me to be in a better mood whenever i listen to it. Its message is genuinely something everyone can relate to. There are things in life that will become obstacles to your road to success but this song helps give you hope if you pay attention to the message.
            Another good song is "Try Again" by Aaliyah. It conveys the idea that nothing can stop you from achieving your goals if you get yourself up and try again. It is obvious that in her song she is saying that you should never give  up. She was such a talented artist it is so sad that she past away so young..
             "Good life" by One Republic is a song that can give you chills at time. The title of the song says it all. You can't help but sing along and smile when you listen to it.
      Bob Marley and The Beatles are two of the most famous artists and are known for there catchy, inspirational songs that people continue to listen to and sing to this day!
            I'm sure there are a lot more "happy" songs out there but these are a few that have caught my attention over the years! hope you enjoy them!

music list #3 sex and drugs

1. Neighbors know my name by Trey Songz. The whole song describes every detail of what he is doing with this girl. It's disgusting and the lyrics are even worse! It's more like he is talking not singing. I'm confident when i say there is nothing good about this song.
2. Sexual Eruption by Snoop Dog. On the radio it's known as Sexual seduction but its obvious either way you name it that the subject of the song is sexual. I have to admit that i kind of like this song. It's not really derogatory towards women but not all that great lyrically.
3. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by the Beatles. I personally like this song a lot. it's a classic but most people don't know the secret meaning behind the lyrics. Drugs, specifically LSD is the subject in this song. even today the Beatles deny that the song is about drugs but at the time it came out it was hard to say other wise especially if you listen to the lyrics.
4. I Wanna Fuck You by Akon featuring Snoop Dog. This song is catchy and is fun to dance to when your out but has no class to it what so ever. It's kind of sad that artists can make songs like this with no repercussions. Before if you wanted to write a provocative song it had to be discrete an in no way is this song discrete.
5. Ecstacy by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. This drug based song songs about the drug ecstasy in detail and the effects it has when yo take it. After listening to it again in detail its hard to believe that this kind of material is allowed to be sold especially when it comes to young impressionable teens. It's not completely void of talent just not what you would want you kids to listen to!

Music Memories #1

        Thinking back, over the years my taste of music has changed pretty dramatically. Age definitely had an influence over what i listened to but so did the people that i surrounded myself with. At the age of five, i honestly don't remember much about what i listened to but embarrassingly enough i remember making up dances with my kindergarten friends to country songs by Reba Mcentire! I vaguely remember a song of hers called, "It's your call." Not sure why she was one of my favorites back then but I'm pretty sure i remember her having a lot of hits during that time. Another song i remember from my early childhood is, "I saw the sign," by Ace of Base. Another obviously embarrassing song i admit to listening to but hey i was five people!
       Around the age of ten (late 90's) music started to change and so did my taste in music. TLC was probably one of my favorites then and though i hate to admit, that's the age when i started to like the boy band Backstreet Boys. Boy bands and pop songs dominated the industry during my middle school years so it was hard to avoid the pressure of listening to something that everyone else was.
      Eventually as i hit high school, my brother got me into listening to alternative rock. I pretty much liked all of the bands he liked, which i think is pretty common with siblings. Nirvana and Green day were amongst my favorites. After that period of time i met my Ex-boyfriend who influenced my taste in music dramatically. So around 16 i jumped into my hip hop and Rap stage.
     Looking back at my changing taste in music i realized that my tastes haven't completely change because now i listen to a little of every genre. Kind of like i picked out the styles and songs i have like best over the years and kept listening. I can appreciate so many different styles of music today and of course my taste changes slightly as the industry evolves but when it comes down to it i appreciate the same qualities in music that i did, 15,10 or even five years ago. I also realized that friends and family have a greatly influence what music your introduced to and what you end up listening to. What's funny though is, my husband listen to alot of the old school rock songs and some of them i will like but a lot of times we disagree on what we consider a good song. So even though I'm around him constantly i think because I'm older i listen less to what others tell me they think i should listen to and just go with what i like. Not as young and impressionable as i use to be i guess.

Music List #2 TOP 5 Songs I hate

1. Who Let the Dogs out by Baja men. I mean come on! Half the song is barking! This song some how became catchy and popular! People still quote it today...so sad.
2. I'm Real by Jennifer Lopez. The sheer screeching of her vioces makes me want to turn off the radio when this song comes on. It is overall poorly written and even poorly sang.
3. My Humps by Black Eyed Peas. When i heard this song all i could picture is fergy sitting down thinking about how hot she thinks she is. It's obvious that they ran out of ideas as far as lyrics go and after this song came out, all the other ones after it were about how conceited she is...so not impressed.
4. Sunshine by Jay Z. I can't stand listening to any of his music but this song is known for being one of his worst. It was Lyrically criticized by anyone who took the time to listen to the whole song
5. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (kanye West Remix). I have no idea why he even tried to attempt this but it was an insult to M.J. Kanye is one of the worst rappers i have ever heard and his stuck up demeanor does not help hi already bad reputation. He has no artistic talent because all of his songs sound the same. What has music come to!

MUSIC LIST #1-TOP 5 SONGS

1. Motivation-Kelly Rowland
2. Goodbye to You-Michelle Branch
3. Secrets-One Republic
4. Girl Fight-Brooke Valentine
5. No Hands-Waka Flocka Flame

My taste in music is constantly changing but for now these are a few of the songs that seem to catch my attention. I love old school music and i believe the older artists have the most musical talents, don't get me wrong there are some musical gems out there today but media has changed the way music is made. Because most beats are computer generated now, it takes less musical talent, as far as instruments, to make it in the music industry. Each one of these songs catches my interest in a different way. #1 has a great vibe that almost forces you to keep listening. #2 touches everyone because it reaches out to everyone in some form or fashion through emotions. not to mention she has a beautiful voice. #3 the chorus on this song is amazing and the beats can give you chills at times. #4 Is a song that gets me pumped up to start my day and keeps me motivated in my work outs. I wouldn't necessarily say its a master piece or contains to much talent musically but it serves its purpose. #5 This is a song that gets me ready to go out dancing at night, very catchy rhythm and beats.

About me

My name is Rayna, im 24 and grew up in San Jose. I graduted from Westvalley with a degree in liberal arts and am currently working on my Bachelors in Public Relations at San Jose State University. I love to listen to any music that makes me want to dance or contains any kind of musical talent. Alternative rock had to be my favorite when i was younger but now that they have all these catchy songs that you can't help but listen to, hip hop consumes most of my listening time.