Turn Off the Dark

I have always been a bit curious about this musical ever since I caught wind of it. I like musicals, I like U2 and I like Spider-Man. How can this be wrong?

I wish I still lived in New York because I would catch this show as soon as possible. Now I have heard negative reviews and heard bad things about this but after watching this preview, I am really intrigued.

This could be bad. But it could be Flash Gordon bad. And that could be a good thing.

One thing for sure is that the music is really good. I previewed the songs in iTunes and more than likely I will make a purchase shortly.

30 Day Song Challenge: The Conclusion

I'm kinda sad that this is ending. I hate coming up with new topics.

Day 26 - A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument

Vertigo - U2

I love the bass line of this song that I had to learn it. It was a little more complex (and fast!) than I am used to but after much time and practice, I think I have it down. Now if I could just sing the song along with playing the bass which is a lot harder to do than you think.

Day 27 - A Song That You Wish You Could Play

Dragon Attack - Queen

If I could play this on the bass guitar, I could play ANY Queen song on the bass guitar. I was never a huge fan of this song until I heard it live. The bass guitar was just so loud and thumping, you could feel it in your chest. The song was so awesome live that it made me a huge fan of this song.

Day 28 - A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty

Lit Up - Buckcherry

I love, LOVE this song. The guitars, the raspy voice, the pounding drums. This song has everything. The only drawback is it is all about cocaine. And there is a rather large f-bomb smack plum in the middle of the song. I have a copy of the radio edit which does not have the f-bomb in it but I couldn't find one to share here. If you have iTunes you can sample a copy of the radio version there. I know I shouldn't like it (which is why I feel a tiny bit guilty when I listen to it) but I absolutely love it.

Day 29 - A Song From Your Childhood

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

Yeah, I really liked the theatrical feel of this song and I still like it because of that grand, sweeping feeling. The video I remember being a little strange and weird (hey, it was the 80's). Now some very clever people have remade the song so it matches the video in a literal sense. You totally need to see this video. I laugh every time I even think about this video.

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Literal Video Version by BalloDaSballo

Day 30 - Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year

The Other Side - Pendulum

My British friend Tim introduced me to this band awhile ago (it might have been longer than a year) and I really like a few of their songs. It has a driving drum and bass line (see the trend here?) that appeals to me.

30 Day Song Challenge: Part IV

Ugh... I have been under the weather for the last couple of days. I slept through most of yesterday and most of today. I am feeling a bit better but still plenty blah. But I am able to crank out another set of songs.

Day 17 - A Song That You Hear Often On The Radio

Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top

I drive to my dad's for work almost every day and it seems like no matter what the time is I will always hear this song either on the way there or on the way back. It doesn't matter if I leave early or if I am running late. I do think this is ZZ Top's best song so I guess I shouldn't complain!

Day 18 - A Song That You Wish You Heard On The Radio

Waiting for Tonight - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

It is no secret that I love Tom Petty. One of his best songs unfortunately never made it on to an album (except for Anthology; a greatest hits album) and therefore never made it to the radio. This song is typical Tom Petty but he also has the Bangles singing the background lyrics. I really think this could have become one of the Tom Petty's top songs if it would have made it to the radio. Oh well, at least I have it on my iPod.

Day 19 - A Song From Your Favorite Album

Dirty Day - U2

I have a lot of favorite albums but the only one that I will listen to as an album is U2's Zooropa. I rarely just play one track from that album. I usually have to play the whole thing. Dirty Day is one of my favorite tracks but I found that this remix (Bitter Kiss Mix) is so much better than the original. This song has nothing to do with the movie Departed. You don't have to watch the video, just listen to the music.

Day 20 - A Song That You Listen To When You’re Angry

Come Out Swinging - The Offspring

At my last job, when I was having a rough day I would play my Offspring playlist. Usually after listening to them I would be in a better mood. I don't know if it was the clever lyrics or the hard guitar riffs but I would end up smiling. Maybe it was because they are one of my favorite bands. This song was usually the first one that I would listen too. If you are going to fight me you better come out swinging!

Day 21 - A Song That You Listen To When You’re Happy

Paperback Writer - Beatles

I don't think there is a particular song that I listen to when I am happy. But when I am in the mood to sing (and that usually means I am in some sort of good mood) I will always crank out some Beatles. And when I play the Beatles, I always play thier awesome album Revolver. I just love this song, maybe it is because I want to be a paperback writer.

30 Day Song Challenge: Part I

A friend of mine is taking this challenge on Facebook and I thought it would be a good idea for a blog. The rules are pretty simple. All you have to do is post the song of the day on your Facebook for the next 30 days. Instead of doing it on Facebook, I am going to do it here and I am going to do 5 songs at a time. And as you can guess it, it will probably be littered with Queen songs.

Day 1 - Your Favorite Song

Fat Bottomed Girls - Queen

I am sure I have covered this song before. When I was doing the 365 Day Blogging Challenge, I considered doing a Top 100 Favorite song blog. Each week I would post 10 songs. That fun idea turned out to be a nightmare since it was a lot of work and I really couldn't decide on the order. But I knew what my favorite song of all-time is though. I just love this song. The fun lyrics, the awesome guitar lick and driving bass and drum. Just a fun rock and roll song.

Day 2 - Your Least Favorite Song

Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones

This is a tricky question. Does this mean a song that I absolutely hate? Or is it a song that I still like, but I like the least? Well, since it is my blog, I am going to go with a song that I just absolutely despise. I am not a huge fan of the Rolling Stones anyway but I just cannot stand this song. I don't like the stupid train lyrics (Woo! Woo!) and I don't like the sounds of the drums and the jungle feel. This is definitely one of those songs that I quickly turn the radio to another station when it comes on. I cannot even sit through it.

Day 3 - A Song That Makes You Happy

Beautiful Day - U2

I am sure that there are many other songs that make me happy but this one came to my mind first. This song has a wonderful message. It is a beautiful day, there are many things in this world that are great and we should enjoy it as much as we can. I appreciate the world and I think about how thankful I am for all that I have when this song comes on.

Day 4 - A Song That Makes You Sad

Everyday is Exactly the Same - Nine Inch Nails

There are a ton of songs that make me feel sad and that I listen to when I feel a little blue but I wanted to choose a song that was a bit different. This song takes me back to the last few months when I worked at my last job. This song captures my feelings perfectly, my feelings of hopelessness and my feelings of being inadequate. Every time I hear this song it brings me down since it reminds me of that horrible time. I do love this song but I hardly listen to it because it evokes such hopelessness. I don't even listen to this song when I am down.

Day 5 - A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

Summer Rain - Belinda Carlisle

The month before I left for my LDS mission to New York was one of the most memorable. I had a lot of great experiences that I will never forget. I think what makes me think of this song is that I was listening to it at the this time. Belinda Carlisle's Greatest CD got major play before I left on my mission and I hung around someone at this time. I just love this beautiful song and the beautiful arrangement. So who is this person? Well, I am just not comfortable divulging that identity without that person's permission. And besides, that was many, many years ago.  :)

Next week I'll do another five set.

Tag! 15 Albums

Day 317

A friend recently tagged me in a note on Facebook. She was inviting me to name 15 albums that I have listened to that will always stick with me and then she listed her 15 albums. I have done something like this before only with 15 movies.

Since I have no idea what I want to blog about today I thought I will steal this idea and post my list of albums. If you want to participate the rules are very simple. Take fifteen minutes and list the first fifteen albums you think of. Don't take too long to think about it.

Now before you judge me and poke fun or laugh, remember, these albums are NOT necessarily my favorite movies (although there are a few), these are albums that stuck with me; ones that I cannot shake and easily forget. They are not in any order.

Men at Work: Business as Usual

I have fond memories listening to this album when my sister and mom drove down from Canada down to Utah. I still listen to these guys, Colin Hay has such a unique voice.

Honeymoon Suite: Honeymoon Suite

This was the first album that I bought. Ah.... hair metal.

Alien 3 Original Score: Eliot Goldenthal

This must be one of my favorite scores since it was the first one that came to mind. I listen to this whenever I write. It has a unique blend of orchestration along with a set of interesting organic noises.

Queen: A Night of the Opera

One of the first Queen albums I bought. I cannot listen to just a song of this album by itself, I have to play the whole album.

Led Zepplien: Led Zepplin 4

This takes me back to my high school days when I first discovered them. Another album I like to listen the whole way through.

Fleetwood Mac: Tango in the Night

This was my gateway drug to the rest of Fleetwood Mac. I ended up knowing a lot of Fleetwood Mac. Who knew that my parents at the time were cool enough to listen to them?

U2: Zooropa

I still think this is the best U2 album. Definitely their most underrated album. And it has Johnny Cash singing on it.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Growing up my parents introduced me to a ton of different music. They would often play classical music and "A Night at Bald Mountain" quickly became a favorite of my sister and I.

Pink Floyd: The Wall

I discovered Pink Floyd much later in life and I was blown away by this album. This one sticks with me.

Queen: The Miracle

It seems like Queen is split into two different bands. The earlier Queen sound and the later stuff. I am a fan of both but this is my favorite "later" stuff.

Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe

I think the only reason this came to mind is that I am preparing myself to go see his show next month. This was his first album that I took from my sister and never gave back. Oops.

Men Without Hats: Pop Goes the World

I must be thinking of albums that I listen to the whole way through because this one came to mind too. A very well put together album that can fit any mood.

Les Miserables: The Complete Symphonic Recording

This 3 CD set is the complete show. I don't know why this came to mind but it did. One of my favorite Broadway shows that I was lucky enough to see in person.

Sweeney Todd: Highlights

My sister raved about this show and she gave me the CD to listen to it. I had no idea what the crap I was listening to but I remember listening to it when I was alone and it was stormy outside and I almost peed my pants when that whistle went off.

Black Sabbath: Masters of Reality

Apparently my sister made an impact on what I listen to. Surprisingly this album is not as dark as people think. There are some very beautiful instrumentals and a very tender song. All around one of my favorite albums.

 

So what are yours?

List-Mania: U2 Songs

Day 181

About a month or two ago I put together a List-Mania entry listing my favorite Queen songs and that was a lot of fun so I thought I would take a stab at my second favorite band, U2.
I started to listen to U2 around the same time everyone else did when they released the Joshua Tree. But I have to admit that I was not totally into the album. It was good and it had some good songs but it didn't make an impact on me. I bought Rattle and Hum and liked it quite a bit but at that time I wouldn't call U2 one of my favorite bands.

It wasn't until Actung Baby was released that I paid attention. I do admit that when I heard thier first single The Fly, I didn't like it at all. In fact I remember commenting that whoever this band was they were horrible. But then the more I heard the song, the more I loved it and finally I bought the album and LOVED it.

But Zooropa is what really won me over as a fan. That album is my all-time favorite U2 album. And from that point on, I was a major fan and picked up every album since.

So here are my Top 5 U2 songs. I love these songs not for the videos.

5) Electrical Storm (William Orbit Mix)

Everytime this song pops up on my iTunes/iPod, I stop and listen. One of the few songs that I cannot do anything else but listen. Such a beautiful and haunting song.

4) The Wanderer (U2 and Johnny Cash)

This song was the last one on the Zooropa album and really summed up what I love about U2. I can't imagine anyone but Johnny Cash singing this. This showed me how diversive U2's work is. Such a fitting end to a great album. Johnny Cash is such a perfect fit for this song, it is like he lived this song himself.

3) Discotheque

Pop was another album that I didn't like at first but it certainly grew on me. But it didn't take me long at all to love this song. The thumping bass and drums along with one of the catchiest guitar riffs really drive me. I can listen to this song anytime and it makes me want to boogie.

2) Dirty Day (Bitter Kiss)

The 2nd song from the album Zooropa. I prefer this mix to the original even though I love that one just the same. I don't know why this song gets me but there is something about the beat and radio frequency-like main chord (I just can't describe it) combined with the lyrics.

1) With or Without You

I own a bass guitar but I don't play it very often but this is one of the songs that I made myself learn. Even though I didn't like the Joshua Tree as much as the other albums, this song was definitely my favorite.

There are a ton of other U2 songs that I think are fantastic but these are the ones that get the most play on my iPod.

An Evening with U2

Day 110

U2 recently announced that they are coming back to Salt Lake City on June 3rd at Rice Eccles Stadium and I am pretty excited. I was sad that they were not coming during the first leg of their 360 Tour and I didn't think they were going to come back. I missed the Vertigo Tour and I have regretted it.

I have enjoyed their new album No Line on the Horizon immensely and I am looking forward to catching this show live. I don't look forward to scraping up some cash to buy tickets. I don't care where I sit, I am fine in the cheap nosebleed seats, I am only there to hear the music.


This would mark the second time I have seen U2 live. Back on November 9, 2001 I took my sister Jennifer and her boyfriend Justin to the concert along with me and my wife. We first went to the mall by the Delta Center (now Energy Solutions Arena) and got some food and we walked over to see the concert. We were clear in the upper bowl but we still had a good view of the stage. We first stopped by a booth to get some shirts. I bought a shirt for Jennifer for her birthday and I got a cool baseball jersey shirt.


The opening act was pretty solid. It was No Doubt and they were pimping their new album Rock Steady but unfortunately the sound was not that great and we could barely hear Gwen sing. But as far as opening acts go it was a lot of fun.

And then the lights went out and U2 took the stage! Here is the setlist:

Elevation
Beautiful Day
Until The End Of The World
New Year’s Day
I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
Kite
Wild Honey
People Get Ready
Please
Bad
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Pride (In The Name Of Love)

ENCORE:
Bullet The Blue Sky
What’s Going On
New York
One
Walk On

I was so happy that they included my favorite song of their new album in New York. That was something that I will not forget. During the song they had two bright spotlights shine from the stage to the ceiling representing the World Trade Centers. And then they showed all the names of the people that tragically died on 9/11.


It was such a fantastic concert. One of the highlights included people watching. Jennifer and I had to laugh at the guy sitting to our right on the row in front of us. He just couldn't clap to the beat if his life depended on it!

I cannot wait to see U2 again and I am excited that it will be an outdoor concert.