Music Bender

Some “older” songs, that I’ve recently rediscovered. By older I mean anything that I haven’t heard in more than about a year, so all of you old people don’t get all offended if some of these are relatively new. I’m not going to label these because really none of them need it.

I wanted to explore the world of music as it pertains to animated films. Indeed it has a huge effect on the overall perception of many of them, and so I thought I might show you some of the ones I found to be truly amazing.

Plaza of the Musicians


Tyger


Gopher Broke

I’m still not entirely convinced that these were meant to be as hilarious as they are.

This one made me laugh. And want to dance. Da, da, da! Yay for foreign singers, no?

Hahahaha, oh, I didn’t even realize that guy in the background was alive until he started moving. Geez. Yay for.. dinosaur power ballads.

Wrong, on so many levels. But SO DAMN FUNNY. Hahahahaha. Oh God. Bananas and Melonas. I think I just died a little bit on the inside. Curse you, Gunther, and your hilarious videos.

As a long time flute player (I played for about 8 years) I’ve always enjoyed seeing new ways of playing an instrument that I’ve dedicated so much time to. In Anchorman, I found Ron Burgandy’s Jazz Flute scene hilarious, and I’ve always like Jethro Tull. But herein lies something that I had honestly never seen before. Check this out!

The Impossible Quiz has as little to with music as possible, but seeing as how I spent a good hour today playing it, I’m gonna write about the little music that’s in it, dammit.

Firstly, to the man who made this quiz, may I convey the sentiments of the great majority who have taken this quiz: “GOD DAMN YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!”

Now, I’ll take a little time to talk about the music of the Impossible Quiz (up to the point which I have reached).

First up is the Rocky Theme, an inspiring background to really encourage you on your way. Second in the background comes… something that is rather catchy, yet indescribable. I kind of loathe it in a way. It sounds very Gorillaz-esque.

Within the quiz itself are several musically inclined questions, so here are some clues…

And for the record, I’ve only gotten to question 75 or so. I’m so sorry for having shown this to you.

My “A” List - literally.

Total songs- 170

Sort by song-

First Song: “Abandon Your Friends” - From Autumn to Ashes
Last Song: “Away From the Sun” - 3 Doors Down

Sort by artist-

First Artist: 3 Doors Down
Last Artist: The White Stripes

Sort by album-

First Album: 2005 Warped Tour Compilation - Various
Last Album: Young For Eternity - The Subways

Do The Shuffle! First ten songs to appear on shuffle!

1) “At the Stars” - Better Than Ezra
2) “Aluminum” - Barenaked Ladies
3) “Another Boredom Movement” - Project 86
4) “Adalae” - The Pink Spiders
5) “American Woman” - The Guess Who
6) “Always, All Ways (Apologies, Glances and Messed Up Chances) - Lostprophets
7) “Angels With Dirty Faces” - Sum 41
“All My Life” - Foo Fighters
9) “Amy Hit the Atmosphere” - Counting Crows
10) “All This Time” - Jonathan Peters

The Goo Goo Dolls have to be one of my most favored bands. Their videos range from good to not so much, but the music is most definitely what speaks to me and so many of their fans. My favorites include “Big Machine”, “Here is Gone”, and “Give a Little Bit”, but I can never settle on just one. Here are a few videos that I’ll share with you, because these songs rock too! Enjoy!

Slide

Iris

Black Balloon

Big Machine

My brother is obsessed with Stepmania. A little while ago, I told y’all about music related games that I knew about. Well, this, as compared with FFR, is truly DDR for the fingers.

While both FFR and Stepmania have their pros and cons, Stepmania stays truer to the central theme of DDR, utilizing a similar game engine, as well as a similar look that DDR fans will find rather homey. The coolest part about Stepmania is all of the fan made step-files, almost any song has a step-file for it on Stepmania. You can also get a USB Dance Pad and play Stepmanie just like DDR on your computer. And the best part is, it’s completely free.

Gnarls Barkley has to be one of my favorite R&B performances ever. They’re apparently at the top of a lot of other people’s lists too, because this duo refuses to leave the charts. In fact, they went straight to the #1 on the UK charts based solely on downloaded songs, the first single to do that, ever. Here is the video for “Gone Daddy Gone”, and one of the recent performance at the Grammys of “Crazy”

Gone Daddy Gone

“Crazy” Live at the Grammys

I was first introduced to The Decemberists last year, in a mix CD a good friend of mine gave me. The song was “16 Military Wives” and I found it rather surprising that I’d never heard of a band that I liked so much. To my delight, the next song that I came across in my travels, “Engine Driver” was at least equally good. Recently, I’ve been listening to that old mix CD more and more, and The Decemberists refuse to go away as one of my favorite bands on that CD. So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite Decemberists videos. Absolutely worth watching.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stronger line-up of videos.

16 Military Wives

The Soldiering Life

Los Angeles, I’m Yours

And for all you budding film-makers, here’s your chance. The Decemberists filmed their music video “O, Valencia!” in front of a green screen, and want a fan made film for it!

In light of Valentine’s Day I figured I’d go ahead and make my playlist center somewhat around love songs.

Total songs- 354

Sort by song-

First Song: “4:AM Forever” - Lostprophets
Last Song: “Zero Friction” - The Presidents of the United States

Sort by artist-

First Artist: 10cc
Last Artist: Young Jibbs

Sort by album-

First Album: 12 Memories - Travis
Last Album: What’s the Story Morning Glory - Oasis=

Do The Shuffle! First ten songs to appear on shuffle!

1) “Lifestyle” - Joe Satriani
2) “Lonely As You” - Foo Fighters
3) “Faithful” - Common
4) “Beautiful Love” - The Afters
5) “The Breakup Song” - American Hi-Fi
6) “Love On My Mind” - Freemasons
7) “Real Love” - The Beatles
“Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy” - Queen
9) “Somebody To Love” - Chris Isaak
10) “Stay With You” - The Goo Goo Dolls

The Fray actually defied my expectations with their debut album “How to Save a Life”. From their singles “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head” I thought their album would be a lot more laid back and centered explicitly around the piano. However, I was pleasantly surprised by a sound somewhat more upbeat and well rounded than either of their singles.

Don’t take my comments there as criticism, I loved the singles, but the CD is much better fleshed out like it is. The musicianship is superb throughout, with generally mellow piano and withdrawn drums complimented by melodic guitar. “Look After You” and “Dead Wrong” really show The Fray epitomized.

Vocals are undoubtedly what makes this band. The lead singer Isaac Slade, who also plays the piano, is, while not the best vocalist I’ve ever heard, most definitely unique in his style. The lyrics composed by the band compliment his voice (or vice versa) in a rather sublime way.

Over all the album is very well done. However, a little bit more variety would have been welcome. “Little House” and “She Is” had far too little company as standout pieces.

All of these bands have members in common, so I figured I’d show some of my favorite tunes and videos from all three. Blink 182 was formed way back in the day, in the early nineties. Recently they split, and the singer, Tom DeLonge went on to form Angels and Airwaves, while the bassist, Mark Hoppus, and drummer, Travis Barker, founded +44.

Since I have a huge amount of respect for all three members of one of the most definitive punk rock bands of the 90’s and early 00’s, I’ll feature all three bands, right here.

First Date - Blink 182

One of my favorite songs. Ever.

What’s My Age Again - Blink 182

Awesome video. Bet they had fun making it.

The Adventure - Angels and Airwaves

Their single, for obvious reasons. It’s goood.

When Your Heart Stops Beating - +44

Good song, definitely memorable enough to make +44 its own band.

This is one of the most incredible songs I’ve ever heard performed on an acoustic guitar. Andy McKee is awesome! The whole drumming on the guitar while playing the melody is amazing. I’ve yet to see anything else like it. Here are two of his performances of the song, one in a studio, and one live.

And McKee - Drifting

And McKee - Drifting (Live)

Holy crap, I just realized how much I like stop motion music videos. Here are a couple that just rocked my socks off.

I’ve tried stop motion with legos before and it is not easy. Plus the sheer amount of frames that you have to deal with, gah.

Woo, stop motion again! I like this video even more, because of the music predominantly. I prefer subtle indie tunes to fake rap.

And now for something completely different…

Now how about this song! I’ve liked Relient K, but this video really means something to me right now. The whole “Working hard at a relationship revolving around soccer and it finally working out in the end” theme fits my mood perfectly.