By: Z. Mehrbach "Zach"

Z. Mehrbach "Zach" — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 16:02:09 +0000

Memories grammy style The great thing about the Grammy album each year is that no matter who you are, or what taste of music you have this music will forever help you define whatever type of year you had. Music is such a large part of our culture, that unless you never turn on the radio or TV you will have heard many of these songs. I am a bit partial to this year’s album as I do love much of the music on it, but the memories that run through my mind when listening to this music is undeniable. Yes it’s a bit nostalgic, and yes in that sappy, oh how time passes kind of way.If you’re like me you’ll remember that terrible ad with Chris Berman trying to look cool in that Toyota ad every time you hear Kelly Clarkson’s “stronger.” You’ll remember when you first heard the black keys over five years ago and thought it was neat that you liked a band nobody else knew about. You remember watching a youtube video with five people who play a guitar and sing “Somebody that I used to l know.” You’ll feel slight anger that Mumford and Sons has become more popular than the Avett Brothers. You might remember how weird it was watching Jack White try to be funny on the Colbert Report, and you might even remember hearing Carly Rae Jepson sing live for the first time on the Jimmy Fallon show and realize she doesn’t sound all that great live…then hearing the same thing on new year’s eve…I absolutely adore a lot of this music (Lumineers) and I absolutely hate some of it (come on Taylor Swift is your time up yet?) But I’ll happily add this album to my collection of other Grammy Albums because each one of them brings back different memories.

By: E. Klosterman "music connoisseur"

E. Klosterman "music connoisseur" — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:32:02 +0000

Excellent except for Taylor Swift I really feel all these artists (except TS) deserve the grammy nomination, love the CD. Baffles me how Swift gets any recognition-unless her fan group is 10 year olds…how many times can she sing about her BF’s that continually dump her……….BORING.

By: Peggy A

Peggy A — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:18:35 +0000

Musical History, Version 2013 I consider the annual release of the Grammy Nominees an essential part of my music collection, and own all of the CDs, back to the first in the series (1995). Cutting across genres, the “best of the best” are presented under this format each year. To me, they are a form of musical history. It seems there is always good-quality music included in the collection that I haven’t heard before, and that I would have missed out on without this CD, so I rely on the this CD to ensure I don’t miss out on award-winning music.This year’s version of the CD includes 22 songs. I loved so many of them that I’d be hard-pressed to select a favorite. Even though many of the songs include themes about relationships that went wrong, the CD never becomes depressing. Instead, quite the opposite happens, and the music charges you up. A quick overview for each song follows. If you decide to buy this year’s version, I’m sure you’ll find many songs you’ll enjoy.1. The Black Keys, “Lonely Boy,” has strong drum lines overlaid with rockin’ electric guitar lines. The vocals are accented by simple female back-up. There is a blues-style message. He thinks he’s too good for her, and she hurts him, but he’s in love, so he sings, “I got a love that keeps me waiting.” WINNER! Best Rock Performance WINNER! Best Rock Song WINNER! Best Rock Album for “El Camino”2. Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” is an energetic pop song with very strong vocals and a great message. She is singing about recovering from the breakup of a relationship, becoming stronger, moving on, and relying on herself (“just me, myself and I”) to be happy. WINNER! Best Pop Vocal Album3. Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” contains interesting stylistic variations. The song starts out as an acoustic guitar piece with vocals, comparable to a telephone conversation. Then as she starts to get mad, the intensity of the song increases, and it rocks out. Included in the song are several spoken comments that blend seamlessly with the rhythm and flow of the song.4. Gotye, “Somebody That I Used To Know,” is a soft song, recalling a failed love. It contains plucky string accents and an echoing xylophone counter-melody. The song starts out with his side of the story, and he is mad because she completely cut off contact with him. Then you get her side of the story. WINNER! Record of the Year WINNER! Best Pop Duo/Group Performance WINNER! Best Alternative Music Album for “Making Mirrors”5. Katy Perry, “Wide Awake,” is about being madly in love with someone, and then moving on when she opens her eyes to the reality of the situation, realizes the relationship wasn’t all that it seemed, and was hurt. It’s a nice pop track with a spirited vibe.6. Fun, “We Are Young,” has energy that soars. The lyrics are about a man who is at a bar with his current lover when he runs into his former lover, and wants to leave with his former lover. He wants to seize the day, and “set the world on fire.” WINNER! Song of the Year WINNER! Best New Artist7. Florence and the Machine, “Shake It Out,” sounds a bit otherworldly in the beginning, beginning with keyboards (organ). Then the tambourine and drums are added, adding a spirited rhythm. Between the combination of the rhythm, the lyrics, and the repeated “whoas,” the song reminds me of a spirited horse, prancing across the prairie, trying to shake an unwanted rider off of its back.8. Pink, “Try,” is another song about moving on past a broken heart. It has a message of hope, telling you that, even if you get burned, you have to try again. It’s a soft pop song, and the drums help to drive the message forward.9. Maroon 5, “Payphone,” continues the broken-relationship theme. After a couple of verses of a rocking and catchy song, it changes over to a rap verse, and then back to the catchy song. By the way, this is the radio version of the song. I think I like the explicit version better, but maybe they just sing the explicit version with more genuine feeling in the original version. 10. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe,” is a fantastic dance song. Listening to it, you’re likely to want to get up on your feet and move. It’s a great song, and the shoe is on the other foot for the girl who is used to being pursued. Sexy and driving, it has a repeating accent line that sounds like a string orchestra, and that adds another layer of depth to the song.11. Miguel, “Adorn,” is very creative. The music reminds me of an old Motown song, with a couple of modern accents added in, for good measure. There is a faint, distorted electronic echo in the background, for example. WINNER! Best R&B Song12. Ed Sheeran, “The A Team,” takes acoustic guitar music performed in the singer-songwriter style of the 1970′s, and sets it against a harsh and paradoxical…

Comments on: 2013 GRAMMY Nominees

By: Z. Mehrbach "Zach"

By: E. Klosterman "music connoisseur"

By: Peggy A