Music and why we love it (Part 1)

I haven't been posting regularly. Once every few weeks isn't as often as I'd like, but most times I haven't the time. Eventually, I'll get around to it.

Today, we're talking about music. I love music of all kinds... well, except gospel and new country. I can't get into any of the new country artists. It all sounds so cheap! No disrespect intended, but it does. And gospel is... well, gospel. My aunt is a gospel artist and has several albums out. I own none of them.

I love everything else. Old country-- like Marty Robbins and Ernie Ford, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr., and of course, Johnny Horton. Rock--anything. I'll listen to it all.

My favorite artists are few and far between, though. I admire musicians with musical genius. I myself play guitar and sing, but I'm not a musician. I don't compose or write lyrics, I just enjoy the hobby of playing. I know music isn't where my true talent lies so I leave it to the ones who have that talent.

To me, musicians who make it an art form are rare. There are just so few that go beyond what sells albums and make it truly amazing. Today, I'm going to talk about those.

First and foremost--Elton John. I swear, I think that man was born to play a piano. His music ranges from polka to pop, and it's all stellar stuff. I could listen to him for hours and hours. He has a soothing voice, even in songs like "Saturday Night's All Right (for fighting)" or "Crocodile Rock". "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" are my favorites from him. He's just wonderful.

Second, the Finnish band, HIM. I can't get enough of these guys. Ville Valo has the best vocals in the industry, period. I could stand a new album from them twice a year. Valo composes for the band, and his musical composition blows my mind. Soft melodies blend with that hard, rock my socks off guitar playing of super sexy guitarist, Linde. And Valo's vocals? They touch the soul, baby. How could people not listen to these guys? They are incredible. No bones about it--buy their albums.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about Metallica, at least a little bit. You can't be 26 years old (yes, I told my age. So sue me) and not be a fan of Metallica. I grew up on Metallica and Nirvana (I'll talk about them in a minute). I've heard the dulcet tones of this band since I was a kid. The last album wasn't all I hoped, but every band has that one album, right? I love the rest of them, especially Master of Puppets. These guys will always be on my playlists. Always.

Nirvana... damn I wish there could have been more from them. It's a bit nostalgiac, yes, but I love their music too. I can sing just about any one of their songs at any given time, without Kurt Cobain backing my vocals (you know... singing along with the cd). Nirvana was another that fed me musically when I was a kid. I still love them, to this day. And still listen to them.

Nevermore; not such a mainstream band, but still genius. Warrel Dane is amazing. I can't even begin to describe their music, but progressive metal would be about as close as I could get. Dane's vocals aren't the greatest--he sounds a bit like an American Version of Boris Karloff-- but his voice is very dramatic and sets the right tone. The music behind his vocals is perfect and it just... works. You'll have to hear them to understand.

I'm stopping there, as I don't have the time to finish right now. I have some work to do, stories to edit and so on.

Oh! And before I forget, I have another two pieces coming out. In October, a short piece titled, "TEDDY" will be available from the Piker Press. In November, a piece titled "TERRIBLE BEAUTY" will be available from Emerald Tales. I have another piece coming out in November from Piker as well, so be sure to keep a check back. I'll link you up as soon as the pieces are out.

But for now, and as always...

Peace & Love, y'all
~E.