The Used Creates A New World
Goolish figures and demented demons have been the art that has surrounded punk rockers The Used CD’s and videos. Not only will theses figures be a part of the art, it is as if the music grasps onto them and paints a visual in the listeners head.
One of The Used’s previous hits, “All That I Got,” – which was later made into a music video – lead singer Bert McCraken takes the viewer on a story tale adventure… literally. The video plunges into a book with fictional characters and dialog that surrounds the songs lyrics.
The Used released their third album, Lies for the Liars which is their most visually stimulating album yet. Each and every song is packed with the most random musical sounds to create their very own weird world. It also incorporates a much less pop sound. It has a more rock vibe, with the occasional strong ballad.
The Used’s new single, “The Bird and the Worm,” begins with what sounds like a scene out of Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s as if the listener is being pulled into an alternate universe, with sounds of a door that opens and that reveals this illusion.
One of the most intriguing songs on the album is “Find A Way.” It opens with numerous everyday sounds playing in a melody – almost like the famous musical, Stomp. A soda can being popped open is just one example of the random noises that The Used uses in this track. What makes this song so addicting is how the sounds create the melody throughout the entire song.
The Used not only creates thought-provoking and touching lyrics, they create an entire new world, where any listener can create their ideal life.
The Used “All That I Got” Music Video
The Falsetto Range is Taking Over the Charts
When Adam Levine of Maroon 5 opens his beautiful mouth, a twist of Justin Timberlake’s falsetto range, and lead singer of Savage Garden’s Darren Hayes’ passion that pours out in to each and every high pitched note. More and more chart-topping artists are embracing their falsetto range and making memorable hits. This includes the Grammy winning five-some Maroon 5.
It’s been five years since Levine and crew released their album that put them on the map, Songs About Jane. Now, they finally released their greatly anticipated sophomore album, It Wont Be Soon Before Long. This record has already brought Maroon 5 back into the pop scene with the track “Makes Me Wonder” already climbing up the charts.
The hits don’t come to a halt just yet.
Maroon 5 had great success with the track “She Will Be Loved,” in the early 2000’s. Keeping to the formula to success is “Wont Go Home Without You.” It has a familiar sound to that of the soulful ballad, “She Will Be Loved.”
“Back At Your Door,” is a typical love song, which sound takes its listener on a time warp back to the 1960’s, slow dancing at a prom. It’s a very simple song, with very simple lyrics. However, it truly shows off Levine’s vocal range.
Levine may be the missing link of the chain that was needed to fully bring the falsetto range back into the pop world, following his predecessors Timberlake and Hayes.
Maroon 5’s “Makes Me Wonder” Music Video
The Master of Redundancy
There is no doubt that Rufus Wainwright can write meaningful heartfelt ballads that pour out strong emotions. It can almost get to the point where all his music seems redundant. Yet, every song has a little added touch to make a world of differences.
Canadian-American, singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright released his fifth full length album, Release the Stars , which is sure to have the most depressing lyrics on any of his albums.
Wainwright has been most popular for writing songs for movies- so many that it would be too time-consuming to count. One of his most notable songs was the Lennon/McCartney song, “Across the Universe,” which was released on the I Am Sam soundtrack.
“Going to Town” is the single off of Release the Stars, a ballad that is filled with anti-American lines. While it may not be patriotic, it is one of those songs that could start a revolution if the wrong people got a hold of it, simply from the chorus, “I’m tired of America.” Despite these lyrics, Wainwright churns out a pretty thought-provoking hit song – If we lived in another country.
It seems as though America may not be ready for the sounds of Wainwright and other performers like him. However, he may not be open to the American crowd after they listen to his anti-American lyrics.
Rufus Wainwright’s “Going to a Town” Music Video
Rufus Wainwright’s “Across The Universe” Music Video
