Why not get a little Passionate?

Passion Pit. I've mentioned them a few times in previous posts- I believe we discussed the song they sing with Chiddy Bang earlier, 'Truth'. This band deserves their own post, though, so here we are-


Passion Pit. The words almost never make sense in a way that makes you feel like they might just be more profound than you, the music makes you want to get up and dance in the street, and the the voice makes you want to sing along in your head only- for both the enticement of listening to it and the sheet range it covers. This is the perfect clean your room and jive music, the perfect drive down the highway and belt it out music... but decidedly not for those sad days. Regardless- sometimes, it's pouring rain and you just want to hear nonsensical rhymes about little secrets and being judged when you walk down the street. I recommend 'Cuddle Fuddle' for anyone who's in love, and the tickets to see them live are usually adorably cheap.


'Let this be our little secret, no one needs to know

We're feeling higher and higher and higher.....'

Stepping away from the Norm... An Introduction

Normally, all my posts are about music. They'll continue to be, don't worry. But per necessity, I've decided to post my autobiography on here for multimedia-


I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in January of 1993. Since then, I've lived most of my life in Houston, Texas- somewhere I don't plan to return to very often now that I've graduated high school and moved out. I spent most of my childhood loving to run, talk, read, and dance ballet. Until I was about 16, I wanted to grow up to become an author-slash-lawyer. I still might become a lawyer- I'm taking the LSATs in about a month, and we'll see how well I do.

I come from a small-ish family- I have a mom, a dad, and younger twin brothers named Andrew and Phillip. They're about as different as twins can be- as freshmen this year, Phil's class president and on drumline; Andy's on varsity soccer, cross country, and debates. I used to play soccer with Andy but go to concerts with Phil, but as much as I miss them, I come from a family that doesn't have many problems being apart. That might have something to do with how often they text me, though. It's like they're always there.

When I grow up.... well, when I graduate, I'm not quite sure what I want to be. I love languages- I speak English, Spanish, and French, and am working on Russian- but I'm not sure if I want to use my language skills in diplomacy, marketing relations, or law. I want to live in New York City- hopefully either in Chelsea or near 2nd and 77th, eventually. I love the cold, I love the north, and I love public transportation. I know, I'm a little odd.

What's the Word on Weezer?

Beverly Hills... for all those kids who feel like they're broke and lost and confused and won't ever fit in. Pork and Beans... for everyone who just doesn't want to throw out last season's outfits and go to the gym day after day. I Want You To... the ultimate 'I'm cool, you're cool, let's hang!' song. Rivers Cuomos, at 43, has been connecting to the chill, eccentric, offbeat punks and outcasts in all of us since the mid nineties. With the Buddy Holly glasses and the swing-style rhythms and the lyrics that make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs about those days you just didn't fit in, Weezer is the band with the universal connection. Even in recent years, the band has collaborated with artists like B.O.B. and topped the charts. Just be careful- listening to too much Weezer has been known to make people dance in odd ways and pull out the old Phish t-shirts, so listen sparingly.

Hallelujah

My roommate and I are both rather drugged at the moment, and so I feel justified in changing up the perspective of my entry. As per the last five entries, I've been focused on specific artists and songs they recorded originally. Sitting at my computer at midnight editing my roommmate's speech, though, I realized that part of music education isn't looking at the way an artist can make you feel, but looking at the way a single song can portray a million different emotions. The song 'Hallelujah', originally written by Canadian folk artist Leonard Cohen (who, quite frankly, I'll probably introduce everyone to soon enough), has been covered by seven major artists and countless others. The words have the power to move you from sadness to indignance to a religious revelation. It's been featured in movies like Shrek, and played at places like my high school prom. Christians hear stories they've known since childhood, and everyone else hears snippets of familiarity to folk tales and memories. It's told in a storytelling fashion rather than as specific verses, with rhyming where it fits and free verse where it doesn't.


I heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this- the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift,
The baffled king composing Hallelujah.

Isn't that beautiful? I have yet to listen to it and not have it move me, whether to tears or to become productive and accomplished.

This artist, Jeff Buckley, sung arguably the most commonly known rendition of Hallelujah, recorded and released in 1994.