Metropolitan Jams in the Shadows of the District

You'd think the name says it all, but you'd be wrong. Metropolitan, an Indie/Rock band, and residents of Alexandria, Virginia are anything but what you'd expect. Channeling the lovable sounds of early 90s garage bands and 80s punk bands most of us fail to remember; they give you true insight to what a real rock and roll band sounds like. " All of the members of Metropolitan bring their own independent and unique influences to the table that help create our sound," says John Masters, the lead singer. Their ingenious blend of guitar, keyboard, drums, and the quirky sounds of lead singer, John Masters' voice makes the band anything but a carbon copy of the latest pop sensation. When asked about the supply and demand aspect of being in a band, they seem to be set on making music that they're happy with. Which is somewhat of a rarity for today's artists." For the most part we just like to make the songs we want to, instead of pandering for a particular audience," says Miguel Lacsamana, guitarist and keyboard player of the band. "We like what we're doing and if that garners us attention, then cool. But if not, we won't lose any sleep over it."
However this does not mean that the band is completely cut off from today's music scene. In fact, they're modern sound is a part of their charm, well that and you can tell that they truly enjoy what they’re doing. " We've played with a lot of bands over the years that we've seen move on to bigger and better things and it's always been well deserved. The attention that we consistently get has always been pretty positive from press, fans, other bands we're friends with and that's pretty satisfying to me. The best part is certainly making our own music and playing live. It's all about being creative and being able to share the experience," says Shyam Telikicherla, the bass player. On such tracks as "Letterbox," off of the "The Lines They Get Broken" album, you might find yourself comparing them to bands like "Hot Hot Heat". Let’s face it, in a time of fluff Emo lyrics and overdone hip hop beats, they're a true breath of fresh air. Well worth the $12 ticket.

Letterbox

Soulless Singing Divas

Am I the only person who notices the lack of personality and soul in the voices in today's most successful singers? Everyone sounds so polished and manufactured, with the exception of a select few (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Macy Gray, Jill Scott, as a small sample).

Back-in-the-day singers like Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and Janis Joplin dominated the music of their times with their quirky voices and unusual styles. They were praised for their innovation and and distinct sounds, not for blending in. Today it seems like there is a vocal cookie-cutter and the Beyonce' and Ciaras are just parts of the assembly line. It;s not that they lack talent, it's that they have come to the point where there are no longer separate styles, just separate artists, and even that line begins to blur. 

As much as I hate to admit it, even Christina Aguilera -- while doesn't lack the vocal range -- lacks the ability to convey the personality like the old school greats. When you listen to her music, it's clear that she draws inspiration frim the great singers of the past like Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and Minnie Riperton. However, it seems like she only takes what she thinks we can handle and leaves the personality behind. 

Aguilera's songs, though emotional, are only one-dimensional. They lack the pain and hurt she attempts to emulate, and while she knows how to express the 'yell and scream' type of pain, her interpretation of the 'silently cry pain is lacking. Listen to her single Hurt and then listen to Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit and it will be obvious. 

This a constant issue with the vast majority of young singers. They spend so much time investing in a flawless sound that they forget about the emotion of the song. When someone sings about pain and hurt and you can't feel it, it kills the song. It's easy to sound happy but to get your audience to want to break down and cry with you takes talent, passion, and soul.  

Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday

Hurt by Christina Aguilera

Relient K is All About The Music; Not MTV

While musical artists left and right reach for more and more power and control when it comes to the music business, the Christian rock band, Relient K is taking an alternate route. It seems almost too good to be true to have found this Diamond in the rough. While other bands claim it's all about the music and turn around and turn their success into a franchise (cough, Good Charlotte, cough) for Relient K, it isn't a lie told just to keep the 'hardcore' fans. "We don't try to be a band that's on MTV," says Jon Schneck, the guitarist. Despite their lack of trying, the success of their 2004 smash hit Be My Escape earned them a spot on the popular television network's video countdowns and into the conscious of teens everywhere. Most people probably didn't catch by first (or second or even tenth) listen that the song wasn't about a girl, but someone more divine. If you were one of them, don't worry; you're not alone. It might have been the overly emphasized picture of a girl from the music video. It's "the staple girl of the video," Schneck told me. 

Despite the band's sudden success after the release of the single, nothing has changed. "There's never been a point where it felt like all of a sudden we were getting popular," Dave Douglass (the drummer) recalls. Though they recognize the talent of their fellow MTV darlings, they have noticed something that most of America has most likely also caught on to. No it isn't that the famed Musical Television oddly enough plays more reality shows than music videos. "It's unfortunate," Douglass says. "Wether it's hip-hop, or pop music in general, or rock and roll, or metal, or punk, or whatever you're talking about, I think people have gotten a point when a lot of people are writing, they just want a catchy song. It's like, however many millions of songs and bands out there, very few of them actually attempt to say anything worthwhile. I think it's just the cheapness of music."

Be My Escape by Relient K

Wishing For A Beautiful Beginning

With most beginnings, there is usually the thought of an end...while sometimes not lengthly, the thought enters most peoples minds. I am no exception to this observation as I begin this music blog. I have absolutely no idea how successful this will be but I can only hope that this satisfies my burning desire to make myself heard. As the year comes to a slow (and for some, painful) end, so begins yet another year full of resolutions yet to be neglected and the supposed "omg" and "wtf" moments of 2008. With these moments also comes a slew of "what a stroke of genius" and "what were they thinking" albums yet to be released. Below, I will post a list of albums that will be released in this year to come and will take suggestions on which of them to review. Also, If the album you wanted to see isn't on the list, fill free to send me a comment and I will add it to the list. At the end of the month, the top 3 albums (as chosen by you...or my friends if no one responds to this post) will be reviewed and I will provide a track from the record that I believe to be the best track on the album.

Upcoming CD Releases of January 2008 (so far)

Dates Subject To Change

January

First: 

In Rainbows by Radiohead

Eighth: 

Angels Of Destruction by Marah

Made Of Bricks by Kate Nash

Some People Have Real Problems by Sia

The Red Sea by The Shondes

Fifteenth:

Pocket Full Of Sunshine by Natasha Beddingfield

Distortion by Magnetic Fields

Without Warning by Thomas Ian Nicholas (Kevin from the American Pie Franchise)

Liverpool 8 by Ringo Starr

Popular by Van Hunt

Twenty-Second:

Covers II by Cat Power

Let Your Tape Rock by Damemas

Venus On Earth by Dengue Fever

Sunshine, Joy, and Happiness: A Tragic Tale of Death, Despair and Other Silly Nonsense by Get Set Go

Hello, Blue Roses by Hello, Blue Roses

P.D.A. by Hey Willpower

Hey Venus by Super Furry Animals

Mission Control by Whigs

Twenty-Ninth:

Another Sound Is Dying by Dub Trio

Let's Get Physical by Elephant Man

Keep Your Eyes Open by Hello Sequence

Rain by Joe Jackson

Slick Dogs and Ponies by Louis XIV

The Bedlam in Goliath by The Mars Volta

Field Manual by Chris Walla

Women As Lovers by Xiu Xiu

As stated previously...these CD release dates re subject to change as people change their minds and grow anxious awaiting the impending mauling of their work done but people like me ^_^. Haha, actually I don't think I'm too terrible and like to say that I judge fairly, and will most likely not judge if I feel that my opinion may be biased. I suppose that  that's just my naiveté as a young critique.  If I am missing anything worth having, please send me a comment and I will add the CD to the list.