The way they fall...
No bang or whimper
No sound at all.
The one thing I am most passionate about is music. Music is a huge inspiration for me, and is what I aspire to venture into as a career choice when I am older. For this reason, a lot of my blogs will probably be about music. I decided that through my blogs I would talk about my top ten favourite albums, and WHY they are my top ten favourite albums. So in no particular order, here I go...
Just over a year ago, I was counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until September 16th... the release date of Amanda Palmer's CD 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer'.
I was beyond just excited for this album, words can't begin to describe how excruciatingly horrible the wait for this release was, but when I finally got the CD it was definitely worth it. The spunky musician (who is currently dating Neil Gaimon, author of books such as Coraline) has always combined many different musical tastes. Her cabaret and theatrical influences are much more pronounced in her live performances which are where she's truly at her forte. This album dives into a new sort of territory for Amanda, as previously her work with others has had more of a punk / pop-rock feel, where this album takes on a darker, sadder tone using her signature piano accompanied with layered strings and orchestral arrangements. Still though, the raw emotion is beautiful. Amanda's husky voice is perfect for capturing emotional, intimate moments; every time her voice cracks you can feel your heart break just a little bit more.
Strength Through Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-WXhw1KLwk
This heart wrenching track and video are inspired by the Columbine, as well as any similar incidents. In this song the simplistic piano helps build intensity to the point where every piano note begins to feel like a gunshot. When she cracks on the high notes, in her allusion to T.S. Eliot at the end, it sends shivers down my spine every time.
Astronaut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O6GqCwjh-k&feature=channel
The opening track to the album is definitely a strong starter. There's something about the power in the notes she pounds out on her keyboard that draws you in. The lyrics, in my opinion, are absolutely genius (as Amanda's usually are) and for me that's a large part of what really makes the song so good. This was one of the first songs I heard off of the album a few years back when she was playing it live with her old band 'The Dresden Dolls' (who will be getting their own post later). Hearing it live with the passion she played it made it stick out in my head, the melody haunting me everywhere I went after the concert for days.When I heard it was going to come out on her solo record a couple years later, I was ecstatic.
And that is Amanda Palmer, one of my greatest musical inspirations. For me I am all about the theatrical side to music (as you heard in my post about Lady GaGa). If an artist can't perform and play live, I find them harder to respect and appreciate. While I know her sound and style isn't for everyone, this frenetic, dark, punk cabaret queen will continue to be one of the most played musicians on my iPod for a long time.
I liked your use of descrition of some of the songs. You can tell that you are very passionate about Amanada Palmer and her music.
ReplyDeletegood job