LCD Soundsystem (Shut Up and Play the Hits)

I don't really know what to think of this group. The music is more of an electronic based thing that I'm usually not all that into, but I don't mind it. They have a nice sound, and I can definitely see the overall appeal. It's very fun music, while also very chill. It makes me feel like I'm at a club just having a nice time rather then a major party.
But then we have the thing that makes me confused. The singer. From what I saw in the movie, I can't say whether or not he was just not having a very good day, or if he has these "problems" on the record too.
I put "problems" in quotes, because there are things that he did with his voice that I freaking hated just on a personal level. Things that just me think, "Don't ever sing like that again." But there were other times where I thought his voice was great. Amazing, almost. He was a very mixed bag, and I rarely feel that way in terms of singers. Not to this extent anyway. You try explaining how someone sucks real hard, yet is really awesome at something at the same time. You can't because it makes no sense, but taken into account of this dude, and it makes perfect sense.
In conclusion, the best part of the movie was the singer's dog. Watch the movie just for the dog. She's adorable.

Dio

Next to Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Ronnie James Dio is probably my biggest inspiration in music and singing. A lot of his songwriting has to do with almost midevil styles, and it works. I like it. Kinda reminds me of Led Zeppelin, sorta. In Dio's case, it's a ton more heavy, and more emphasis is probably put into vocals rather than instruments. No offense to Zeppelin at all, I think they're fantastic.
Dio's voice is something else. When he's really belting it, and rocking it, it makes me get a burst of energy like, "Holy F*ck, lets break something and scream." Bu then there's moments like in Children of the Sea, Sign of the Southern Cross, or Falling off the Edge of the World, where he's singing more softly at moments. He sounds beautiful. On top of him having one of the greatest voices in all of metal, he's an amazing performer. Like Ozzy, he refused to have a concert where not everyone in the audience was screaming as loud as they could. Makes sense. The audience has to get into it in order for most metal to be really fun.

Live performance of Children of the Sea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNJ0fMdeWEc&noredirect=1

The video I just linked was the last concert he ever played. Dio died of stomach cancer in May of 2010. Many, especially myself, were devastated. I share this with you, so you may know what I truly respect. May he rest in peace.

Smokey Robinson

A few days back we learned a good bit about Motown, and how many freakin awesome artists were involved in it. My favorite out of all of them would have to be Smokey Robinson. Smokey was interesting to me in a performance standpoint, but I mainly loved him in a musical standpoint. He has a total girl voice, and it's awesome. That, added with the harmonies heard from the other members just sounds almost heavenly to me.

Iron Maiden and Megadeth concert

You read the title, probably, so I'll just get to the point. It was probably the greatest concert/show I've ever been to. Iron Maiden is my most favorite band of all time, as I've probably stated before (at least on my first post in this blog)
Megadeth has started playing everything a whole step down from standard tuning because I think that Dave's just losing his voice, that and it's just heavier. They opened with Hangar 18, which was a little unexpected, then went into Wake Up Dead, which was pretty typical, did some other songs which were flawless, and ended with Holy Wars which is what's always expected. As soon as I can find the concert, or clips of it on youtube, I'll post it. Maybe I'll find something with me moshing.
Before I talk about Iron Maiden, I'd like to address the audience and location. Audience: they were all so freaking drunk, at least the adults were. I got a lot of beer thrown on me as the show went on. Everyone was smoking, whether it was cigarettes and/or weed. Saying that, breathing was a little hard. I got really tired in the mosh pit probably because there was so little oxygen. The Amphitheater was a really really nice venue. Very open, and I loved the overall sound quality.
Now to Iron Maiden: the main reason I went. Let alone the fact that Iron Maiden is and was so tight, they're also just great performers.
Here's a live video of them in Canada I think. A few years back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBtLMLQfiRo
Funny thing, Bruce Dickinson (the singer) is a trained pilot, and he flies the plane that they use for their tours. Hardcore. I hope you all enjoy that video, and if you like it, that song is off their 3rd album Number Of The Beast which is also the first album Bruce Dickinson sang on. Check it out, if you like it. And if you do like it, check out their other albums. All 15 of them are truly spectacular.
As soon as I can, I'll try to post some links here from the concert I went to. I promise. <3

Beatles movie and The Beatles in general

Musically, is there anything anyone can say is wrong with The Beatles? I can't really think of anything, and this isn't new, because I've never been able to in my entire life. Everything they wrote and did was full of personality and honesty, and that's why they were such a success. From what was shown in the movie, they were practically brothers. Not to say brothers always get along, but when they do, it's the closest kind of love that can be expressed. People went absolutely nuts for them, especially young, teenage girls. Based on what I've heard from Mr. A., there was a show they played in New York, and all the seats in the theater were ruined because of the girls pissing themselves. Holy shit. I've never heard of any other band that has that kind of power of people.
However that power leads to the main downside of any Beatles concert you can look up ever, and this is a dumb, nitpicky thing... but it's freaking loud. The collection of all the girls screaming is beyond nails on a chalkboard. It's like a Banshee raping your eardrums.
But, this just shows how freaking awesome The Beatles were, are, and always will be.

Here's a crazy ass music video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axb2sHpGwHQ

On a bit of a different topic, Ringo Starr has a website for artwork he makes using Microsoft Paint, and it's amazing. Check it out here: http://ringostarrart.com/starr_artwork.htm

Pantera

Pantera. One of my favorite bands of all time. It's hard to find things about the band I don't like. Dimebag Darrel was an amazing guitarist (may he rest in peace), Vinnie Paul is a total monster on the drums, Rex is my dream bass player for metal bands this freaking heavy, and Phil Anselmo has a sick voice. The thing about Pantera I really like is the attitude they give off. Texas Heavy Metal at it's finest: They're tough mofos, and if you piss them off, you won't be a problem for much longer. Here's the song I just happen to be listening to as I'm writing this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m7njvwB-Ks

If I had to pick one thing "wrong" with the band as the years for them went on, it's that Phil Anselmo's vocals got more on the screaming side and less classic metal vocals, which makes me sad. I love singers with that style. If you wanna hear some of what I'm talking about from Phil, check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4bMEP1iTso

If you like those vocals more, it's off their album Cowboys From Hell. Give it a listen.