'Rock of Ages' Sountrack: 4 of 5 Stars 2:25 AM

Never had I imagined that I'll be saying this - Tom Cruise in a movie sountrack, along with Mary J. Blige and Diego Boneta, sounded GLEEfully incredible.

Okay, with an ensemble that included Tom Cruise and Julianne Hough, I admit, the soundtrack is nowhere near the R.E.N.T. soundtrack vocally, but still the Rock of Ages soundtrack is something worth listening to - except if you don't fancy remakes.

[I don't understand people who don't fancy remake anyways. I mean, I love Queen but I always like to hear people remaking their songs, I download them, too. That was wholly unnecessary but, whatever.]

A lot of the songs - especially the mash-offs - sounded a lot like a rip-off from Glee [believe me, I watch the show all the time]. The fact that it sounded a lot like Glee is a positive this time. [I mean, ignore Glee's awful cover of the Bee Gees' How Deep is Your Love or its insufferable remake of James Brown's It's A Man's Man's World... Sorry, Dianna Agron.]

As you listen to the sountrack, note that the Executive Music Producer of this movie is the almost legendary Adam Anders - the man behind the glory days of Glee when they had one of their biggest sales weeks to date with 986,000 downloads of tracks (tracks produced by Anders himself). He's also among the people behind the success of various Disney flicks; see: High School Musical 3, Camp Rock, and Hannah Montana: The Movie (things we don't all need to understand why it succeeded in the first place but that's beside the point; I was just trying to give you a picture).

Adam Anders

Moving on, Rock of Ages is a movie adaptation of a classic Broadway musical - of the same name - whose story revolves around Sherrie Christian (played by Julianne Hough, good pick BTW) and Drew Boley (played by Diego Boneta; it's actually Drew Dilinbeck in the original play). Two characters fall in love during the rock and glam metal era of the 80s. That's why you have Tom Cruise's character Stacey Jaxx who is Drew's music idol.

That's basically it but man, a musical set in the 1980s is a rare occurence now.

The sountrack features 20 songs, all of which are songs that were big in the 1980s [and all of which are songs I surprisingly know; I was born on the first year of the 90s, mind you].

”Paradise City”, Tom Cruise

“Sister Christian” / “Just Like Paradise” / “Nothin’ But A Good Time” - Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin

“Juke Box Hero” / “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” - Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” - Catherine Zeta-Jones

“Waiting For A Girl Like You” - Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough

“More Than Words” / “Heaven" - Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta

“Wanted Dead Or Alive" - Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough

“I Want To Know What Love Is” - Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman

“I Wanna Rock” - Diego Boneta

“Pour Some Sugar On Me” - Tom Cruise

“Harden My Heart” - Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige

“Shadows of the Night” / “Harden My Heart” - Mary J. Blige, Julianne Hough

“Here I Go Again” - Diego Boneta, Paul Giamatti, Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige, Tom Cruise

“Can’t Fight This Feeling” - Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin

“Any Way You Want It” – Mary J. Blige, Constantine Maroulis, Julianne Hough

“Undercover Love” – Diego Boneta

“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige

“Rock You Like A Hurricane” – Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise

“We Built This City” / “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Russell Brand / Catherine Zeta-Jones

“Don’t Stop Believin’” - Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Mary J. Blige

Catherine Zeta-Jones' Hit Me With Your Best Shot is actually nice, no major changes in the arrangement but it's pretty decent. Pat Benatar would be proud. Zeta-Jones and Russell Brand's mash-off of We Build This City and We're Not Gonna Take It is also nice, I mean, it practically sounded like a New Directions mash-off (see: Glee) but it's nice nonetheless. It easily found its may to my iPod [yes, I have musical in my iPod].

Cruise's Paradise City is... well, fun - for lack of better word. It's nothing compared to the Guns N' Roses original but I'd listen to it. It's mostly because of the Tom-Cruise-singing-a-Guns-N'-Roses-song factor.

Mary J. Blige, Constantine Maroulis, and Julianne Hough's version of Any Way You Want It is one of my favorites. I mean, Mary J. Blige singing a Journey classic isn't something I'd pass up on.

But Cruise's Pour Some Sugar On Me is just... God, help me but Tom Cruise pulling off a Def Leppard is definitely NOT mission impossible. [I can't stop listening to it, I raped the replay button.]

The other songs are also nice, it's a good album overall but the my personal favorites would be the remake of Whitesnake's Here I Go Again. I mean, I never liked the song before but I appreaciate it now (the power of musicals). And definitely, a new Adam Anders arrangement of Journey's Don't Stop Believing? Definitely a must-hear. I don't know how he managed to not make it sound so much like Glee but it turned out to be okay.

Rating:

　

Okay, so Tom Cruise is no Chris Hardwick of the original Broadway cast (because I've watched clips) or Julianne Hough is especially nowhere near Laura Bell Bundy but the Rock of Ages soundtrack is definitely a go. I approve.

Watch the Rock of Ages Trailer Here:

Rainy Season Mixtape: It's Time For Some "Rain" Songs 3:17 AM

Now that summer's officially over, we're down to jackets and blankets.

We are over the sweaty days and so we now resort to hot drinks when we feel cold at night, or even settle for wearing socks when the air conditioning system got a little too cold for our liking. Our time by the beach is over and it's time for us to stare at our indoor surroundings.

In a tropical country like the Philippines, the rainy season is very much appreciated especially after grueling months of summer heat. Of course, there are those inevitable flood incidents and slippery roads; there are also those tragic accidents - but more or less, the rainy season is a time where most of us reflect about our lives.

Whether you're on the road, looking outside the car or train; or you're at home just gazing outside your already moist window. Or you're just probably feeling a little too sentimental to match the weather -- it's always okay to be equipped with music that matches the weather.

So here's a mixtape I prepared for future references.

Again, forgive my 80s antics. (I can't help it!)

The White Stripes, "In The Cold, Cold Night"
Madonna, "Frozen"
Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Snow"
The Decemberists, "January Hymn"
Queen, "A Winter's Tale"
Bruce Springsteen, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"
Mammas & Pappas, "California Dreamin'"
Radiohead, "Morning Bell"
The Rolling Stones, "Winter"
Sarah McLachlan, "Song for a Winter's Night"
Owl City, "The Tip of the Iceberg"
Motion City SoundTrack, "Hold Me Down"

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My personal favorites are Motion City SoundTrack's "Hold Me Down" and Sarah McLachlan's "Song For A Winter's Night". And of course, The White Stripes' "In A Cold, Cold Night".

ZZ Ward's "Eleven Roses": Why You Must Have It 11:25 PM

Whoever said that contemporary hip-hop can never work with alternative blues, they probably haven't heard ZZ Ward.

I was watching the official trailer of Pretty Little Liars two days ago and then, it featured this song that immediately caught my attention. It's probably the authentic beats of contemporary hip-hop or it could be the voice but I found myself searching the artist behind it.

View the Pretty Little Liars trailer here.

Thank God for YouTube [and Pretty Little Liars] because they introduced me to the music of ZZ Ward.

So, I've learned that the track I've heard on the trailer is called "'Till The Casket Drops" and I swear if you listen to it, you'll get captivated as well. (The comments on trailer itself were talking about the song and not the show itself, as awkward as that is.)

Listen to 'Til The Casket Drops

And upon research, I figured that the Roseburg, Oregon native blues singer just made her Eleven Roses mixtape available for free download.

ZZ Ward's debut mixtape features eight tracks of genius music - the raw yet elegant combination of blues and hip-hop plus the undeniably flawless voice of ZZ Ward plus the brutal and beautiful lyrics of every song; it is an overall win. 

The third track "Overdue" made me think that she's actually the love child of Adele and BoB or the second coming of Fiona Apple. This track is brutally honest and it's arrangement made you feel every single bit of it's honesty.

Watch the official music video of Overdue

"Better Off Dead" and "Got It Bad", the first and second single off the mixtape, just showed why ZZ Ward's music deserves an applause. It's the type you'd listen to after a long day because aside from laughter, good music just makes everything okay.

My personal favorite would be "Morphine". It has that music video vibe that when you listen to it while walking down the street, you'd feel as badass as the song itself.

The entire mixtape is a consistent mix of honest words and raw beats from track one to track eight.

The two acoustic tracks just showed off ZZ Ward's amazing vocals that will make you think she was standing in front of the line when God showered singing talents to humanity.

Raw, elegant, beautiful - three words to describe this record.

Rating:

Learn more about ZZ Ward through the following links:

ZZ Ward | Official Website

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Passion Pit: They're Back 5:36 AM

Even if you're not a fan of the electropop, you can always find something good in Passion Pit.

I did.

Yours truly is not a big fan of the electropop scene but Passion Pit is my just-dance-to-the-music jam.

Since their debut album "Manners", I have long waited for this band to come back because "Sleepyhead" and "Little Secrets" were just too good to be true. And just when I thought I lost them forever (well, that was exaggerated), they come back with "Take A Walk" - a track that brought me to a new high of admiration for the Boston-native band.

Michael Angelakos (lead vocals, keyboards) revealed on an interview that the next album, Gossamer (to be released on July 23), is going to be an absolutely beautiful record. After hearing "Take A Walk", I sure don't doubt it.

 

The tracks below are personal favorites. You'll know why.

Little Secrets

Sleepyhead

Passion Pit | Official Website

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Songs for Every Day of the Week 11:22 PM

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

- Berthold Auerbach

What if we had a whole list of songs for each day of the week?

During the last phase of stay at my previous work, my seatmate and I had a fun time counting our last days (because we resigned at the same time) that at some point, our counting down turned into a whole galore of picking songs that had the names of the week in the title.

I remember Wednesday being the toughest one to pick a song for, Friday as the easiest one (blame Rebecca Black for everything, even for the issues in Scarborough Shoal) and Monday was the funniest one, simply because The Carpenters has this song called "Rainy Days and Mondays".

It's not funny because the song is horrible but we found it funny because after singing some parts of it, we can't seem to get the melody out of heads anymore. You know what they say about last song syndrome.

Listen to The Carpenters' "Rainy Days and Mondays"

So yeah, since I have been doing a lot of music streaming lately, I decided to take up a whole blog entry with the list of songs that have week days in it.

Shall we?

M O N D A Y

Most people hate Mondays simply because it means going back to work or school (not me, I have always loved Mondays but not as much as I love the weekend).

"Manic Monday" by The Bangles [a classic song with light hating on Mondays; It's just another manic Monday. I wish it was Sunday.]

"Monday, Monday, Monday" by Tegan & Sara [another classic song I don't quite get but the melody is nice]

"Monday Morning "by Fleetwood Mac [my personal favorite Monday song simply because I love  Fleetwood Mac so much that I feel as if I was born in the wrong decade]

Monday Morning, Fleetwood Mac

T U E S D A Y

Second day of the week, a little toned down; not quite as panic-inducing as Mondays. Better than yesterday but still, we all know tomorrow is better.

"Ruby Tuesday" by The Rolling Stones [they have to make this list although the song is so not about Tuesday because they are THE Rolling Stones and this song is written by THE Mick Jagger]

"Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" by The Moody Blues [this could definitely qualify as a summer song]

"Tuesday Heartbreak" by Stevie Wonder [anything that is by the man himself, Stevie Wonder is pure genius, really]

Tuesday Heartbreak, Stevie Wonder

W E D N E S D A Y

The time of the week where the glass both empty and full. Is it just two days away from the weekend or is it still two days away from the weekend? You be the judge.

"It's Already Wednesday" by Freya [pretty much the song of anyone who always feel as if the week just passes them by]

"Wednesday" by Drive By Truckers [a bittersweet one, though]

"Wednesday Morning" by America [from one of my all-time favorite bands, also from a great album]

Wednesday Morning, America

T H U R S D A Y

This is where we're all excited about Friday because Friday means last work/school day. I feel sad about Thursday sometimes, always looking forward to Friday. How about Mr. Thursday?









"Jersey Thursday" by Donovan [warning you: this is really vintage, but just as timelessly charming]

"Thursday Morning" by Giles Giles and Fripp [another classic but man, it never gets old... as old as it is]

"Thursday's Child" by David Bowie [simply because he is David Bowie]

Thursday's Child, David Bowie

F R I D A Y

This is where we all say, "Cheers to the freakin' weekend!" And no, Rebecca Black won't make this list.

"Good Friday" by The Black Crowes [a song that will always be in my library]

"Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry [contrary to the what you have in my mind, I'm 22 and despite my love for classics, I'll love me some Katy Perry]

"Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure [awesome song, period]

Friday I'm in Love, The Cure

S A T U R D A Y

Now, who's guilty of waking up late on Saturdays? No worries. You're certainly not alone. If I didn't have the pattern of putting songs with the week names in the titles, I would certainly list the whole sountrack of Saturday Night Fever here. I win at life.

"Saturday Nite" by Earth, Wind & Fire [I admit up until this day, I still dance to this song and I was born in the 90s this song was in the 70s]

"Saturday in the Park" by Chicago [everybody loves a Chicago from time to time]

"Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" by Elton John [because he is THE Elton John; one my all-time faves, too]

Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, Elton John

 S U N D A Y

The most bittersweet day of the week, it's the weekend, yet tomorrow's Monday and we all know Monday is not sweet. Bring on the whining kids.





"A Sunday Kind of Love" by Etta James [have you heard her voice? like really heard it? it's awesome.]

"Sunday Morning" by The Velvet Underground [this song ties Queen's Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon; I just love Sunday mornings more than afternoons)

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2 [I know, I know... of course!]

Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2

So, there goes your entire week! I know by now it's clear to you that my music ranges up back to the 70s, there are a few 60s here (the ones I found on research) but yeah, I was born in the 90s. Don't blame me for the age old songs, though. There aren't many songs like that these days. Thank you! *curtsy*

Play On: Summer Mixtape 9:38 PM

 They say summer is a fleeting feeling. It's that time of the year to relax, soak under the sun, enjoy life for a while and then go back to reality afterwards. Others say summer lasts whole year long, being okay and feeling free doesn't have to feel tentative.

Whatever summer is for you, make sure you enjoy this time of the year because whether it is fleeting or all-year long, summer is filled with breaking the rules and standing apart; ignoring your head and following your heart.

Be it by the beach or by the pool, make sure you back yourself up with music that spices up the mood. Forget the heartbreaks, forget the stress, for one second, take a moment for your self.

Summer's a time for Afrobeat-fused indie rock, reggae-tinged, synth-heavy dream pop, and contemplative R&B music. So, from the summer of '87 to current mainstream music - let me share my summer mixtape. Hit the road!

1. "Battery Kinzie", Fleet Foxes

2. "My Mistakes", Eleanor Friedberger

3. "Down By the Seaside", Led Zeppelin

4. "Up, Up, Up", Givers

5. "Swim Good", Frank Ocean

6. "Something Good Can Work", Two Door Cinema Club (The Twelves Remix)
7. "Pieces of You", Wolf Gang (Baby Monster Remix) 

8. "Sun of a Gun", Oh Land

9. "Rumor Has It", Adele

10. "Roll With The Punches", Lenka

11. "Crave You", Flight Facilities ft. Giselle

12. "Borderline", Madonna

Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Play On: The Coachella Playlist 9:06 AM

Even from across the globe, I celebrate the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival!

From The Black Keys to Radiohead to Bon Iver, I have it all in my Coachella playlist. Just thought I'd share this one. x

Back to Back- Wolf Gang

Deadbeat Summer- Neon Indian

Burial – Miike Snow

Albatross- Wild Beasts

Acceptable in the 80s - Calvin Harris

 Romance- Wild Flag

David Guetta - Turn Me On ft. Nicki Minaj

Set You Free – The Black Keys

Nothing but a G Thang – Dr. Dre

Skinny Love – Bon Iver

Staircase – Radiohead

We Own the Sky – M83

Swedish House Mafia - One (Your Name)

Tommy & The High Pilots 8:00 AM

I'm not usually a fan of bands that play slow songs. I have an undying passion for rock music (in fact, I sleep with my rock playlist on). But Tommy & The High Pilots easily won a place in my heart through their laid back music, somewhat angsty music.

Plus, I'm also a sucker for well-written songs (and good-looking front men HAHAHA).

Lonely Place

Maybe I'm as crazy as I sound
Since there's something no one's ever found
Pick me up, I've to get my head up off the ground
And I won't rest till I know you

Where To Start

I'm takin' my bike
Right out of the Big Apple in my every day
Where everyone's an asshole
In the kindest way
'Cause they don't know where to start

http://thehighpilots.com/
@thehighpilots

Play On: Move Forward 2:35 AM

“It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you've known forever don't see things the way you do. So you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on."

- Nicholas Sparks

Whether you're from a bitter breakup or about to face a new chapter of your life, I dare say one thing: MOVING is important.

We all face it at one point - closing a chapter of your life because turning the page is necessary to get on with the rest of the story.

Words are so inadequate right now and I can't put everything to words no matter how good I am at it. So I depended on music, something that works when all other else fail.

As silly as it is, I created a playlist composed of the songs that sing about my life and my state of mind. As of late, I can also see that others may use it, too.

“Sooner or later we've all got to let go of our past.” 

- Dan Brown, 'Deception Point'

Forgive my choice of music, though, I'm all for the words right now.

1. 'Starts with Goodbye', Carrie Underwood

"It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life, starts with goodbye."

2. 'Are You Happy Now', Michelle Branch

"I’ve had all that I can take, I'm not about to break 'cause I’m happy now." 

 3. 'Behind These Hazel Eyes', Kelly Clarkson

"No, I don't cry on the outside anymore."

4. 'Go Your Own Way', Fleetwood Mac

"You can go your own way, you can call it another lonely day."

5. 'Gonna Get Over You', Sara Bareilles

"I'll be alright, just not tonight. Someday."

6. 'Better in Time', Leona Lewis

"I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to. It'll all get better in time."

7. 'It Ends Tonight", The All-American Rejects

"Just a little insight won't make this right. It's too late to fight. It ends tonight."

8. 'Shake It Out', Florence + The Machine

"I am done with my graceless heart, so tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart."

9. 'Sometimes You Leave', Carrie Underwood

"Sometimes you stick around trying to change them, ,make them someone that they'll never be and sometimes you leave."

10. 'The War Is Over', Kelly Clarkson

"I'm right here. I know you see me but your words no longer defeat me."

11. 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)', Kelly Clarkson

"You didn't think that I'd come back. I'd come back swinging. You tried to break me, but you see, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

You see, aside from being a huge Kelly Clarkson fan, she's the queen of breakup songs, really. I have around six more songs in this playlist but I chose to post only the best ones. (And also removed the Aerosmith and Queen classics that I have)

“Lots of things can be fixed. Things can be fixed. But many times, relationships between people cannot be fixed, because they should not be fixed. You're aboard a ship setting sail, and the other person has joined the inland circus, or is boarding a different ship, and you just can't be with each other anymore. Because you shouldn't be.”

                                                       - C. JoyBell C.

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone 6:21 PM

If it wasn't for Lea Michele's tweet, I wouldn't have found out that Kelly Clarkson has released her album. Yeah, and I call myself a fan of KC. Anyway, so yesterday, as eager as I was, I listened to all of Kelly's new songs in her latest album.

 And, for crying out loud, I was so jumpy when I heard this song.

What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)

Kelly Clarkson

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby, you don't know me, 'cause you're dead wrong

[chorus]
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

[bridge]
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself, and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, over you
You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You tried to break me, but you see

[repeat chorus]

[repeat bridge]

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me
You know in the end the day you left is just my beginning
In the end

[repeat chorus]

[repeat bridge x2]

I'm not alone

Renegade (Paramore) 6:03 AM

I'm so excited for this.


Seriously.


Paramore.