Zach Joseph - EP

New review of this awesome folk artist, Zach Joseph. A real treasure that is unappreciated. Let me know what you think!

Changing Things Up!

Hello readers! I've been away for awhile now and am glad to be back. After much thought and consideration, I have decided that I'll be posting simple, straightforward videos for my reviews instead of lengthy written reviews. I'll be posting the videos here and let me know what you all think!
Here are my first two video reviews:

Kesha - Rainbow

Arcade Fire - Everything Now

Despacito (feat. Daddy Yankee) - Luis Fonsi

The Beauty That Is Modern Latin

Seriously, I don't know why it is so hard for white people to make music as infectious and dance inducing. This song is great, and is a powerful culmination of the many songs that have come before it. Luis Fonsi is not the first to create Latin and Reggaeton pieces that flood the radio for months. Enrique Inglesias, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Romeo Santos, Pitbull, Selena, Don Omar and J Balvin have all riddled the radio with fantastic songs, and this is one is not really any better than those before it, it just makes good use of the material that has come before and is the newest hit to come out.

This song is great for a number of reasons. the acoustic guitar tempts the listener from the beginning with sounds of passion and mystery. Fonsi and Yankee come in with great vocals, well put together lyrics and flow that is impossible for a person to not sing along. The rhythm is perfect, it may be exactly like a fair amount of other Latin Pop hits, but its the genre, and that's alright. The bass goes well with it and everything is standard for Latin Pop. 

But there is something that makes this song particularly good, I would call this the balance of sound and silence through the song. Listen for when the vocals stop for the guitar to come or the drums quiet down for the chorus. Here is where the song makes some strong strides, being able to use the quiet moments as well as the louder dance moment, its a good sign of well crafted music. A fantastic song and I'm going to have to up my Latin music game.

Lastly, the song has gained a lot of popularity because a remix has Justin Bieber in it, the remix is just as good as the original actually, but I've focused more on the original for this review. Here is the remix, I recommend checking it out too.

Originality: 6

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 8

Longevity: 8

Red Score: 7.5

The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich

Country Classic On Repeat

I won't give much of a history lesson for this song, but just know that this song hit #1 in the U.S. music chats and was in the top 15 for at least 10 other countries, that is pretty amazing. Let's jump right in this song and why it is so good.

Country/folk/easy listening music has its place in the world, and if every song was done more like "The Most Beautiful Girl," I would listen to a lot more songs in this genre. The songs comes in with smooth strumming and accompanying piano and bass effortlessly and powerfully and the first "hey." The piano is sporadic, but each time it comes in it adds a great emphasis to Charlie Rich's voice. The constant acoustic guitar, well moving bass and background vocals support Rich perfectly, bringing out every syllable of his singing. Also, the added strings in the background is a nice touch, they don't make it into many of his live versions but the song sounds just as good without them.

The main spotlight is really on Charlie Rich and his voice, obviously. He has wonderful control and sounds just as good live 20 years later as he did in his original recording. He is strong, solemn, and spot on every note of the song. He may not be boasting his voice around in this song, but that is the point, it is a heartfelt song that is filled with regret, remorse and the slightest bit of hope of finding his love again.

This is fantastic song and if you don't like country music, listen to this one and it'll find a place in your heart. A great song and sound that needs to be studied and used for future country music.

Originality: 8

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 8

Longevity: 9

Red Score: 8.3

4:44 (Album) - JAY-Z

Back To Basics

When listening to JAY-Z, the hip-hop and rap master, you expect powerful beats and a huge amount of production value. This album takes us to a time and style of simplicity in rap. Relaxed beats on repeat as the artist raps and sings over the beat. Nothing crazy fancy or over produced, only the sublime beats and voice of JAY-Z on each track.

Each track isn't terribly repetitive, I'm just saying that they are simple and straightforward. Some of the songs are pretty mediocre, they sound alright, but the instruments used aren't that innovative and lyrics are just alright. However, there are a few songs that are more fun, more creative and I genuinely will listen to in the future. Overall, I wouldn't say the most impressive thing about the album is the music, it is the idea in general, the concept and the daring move to do relaxing, chill music instead of the modern popular radio hits. 

The message of the lyrics is raw and real, it is in your face and the language is something that we should all listen to, even if it makes us a little uncomfortable or awkward, see "The Story of O.J." as an example. My favorite song is "Caught Their Eyes" with Frank Ocean, its sound is the album's best use of simple and well made, repetitive sounds and I'll be listening to it for a while.  

JAY-Z could have written a bunch of garbage with electronic tropes to be played all the time, but this record shows how much he is in the music business to make new and innovative music. This album isn't his best and that's okay, it is the experimentation and strength in creativity that really stick out. I am excited to see what JAY-Z does down the line, and I would want to hear more music like this from him.

Kill Jay Z: 6 --- The Story of O.J.: 7

Smile (feat. Gloria Carter): 6 --- Caught Their Eyes (feat. Frank Ocean): 8

4:44: 6 --- Family Feud (feat. Beyoncé): 6

Bam (feat. Damian Marley): 7 ---  Moonlight: 5

Marcy Me: 6 --- Legacy: 5

Track Average: 6.2

Originality: 7

Longevity: 6

Flow: 8

Red Score: 6.8
(This video does have some inappropriate visuals, warning)

Saturn Barz (feat. Popcaan) - Gorillaz

Those Musical Animals Are Back

If you haven't listened to the new Gorillaz album, Humanz, you need to finish reading this review quick and listen to the whole album because the animated music kings are back. I have really enjoyed a number of songs from Humanz, but "Saturn Barz" really stuck out to me for its more relaxed and reggae influenced sound.

"Saturn Barz," like most Gorillaz' songs, takes some time to really appreciate. The first time I listen to this song, I only enjoyed it more or less. I was happy to hear new music from one of my favorite bands, but this song seemed to be good only because it was something new. However, after a few more tries, I could see the immense power and creative depth of each second of the song.

When I listened the first time to the drums starting with the bass and Popcaan with a small distortion with heavy electronics sounds, it sounded a little too far from the Gorillaz we are all used too. But then I realized that the beauty of Gorillaz is that their songs define them as a entity, not the other way around. Their experimentation and journey into wild and unique sounds and beats is what makes a song a Gorillaz song. The Fall, parts of their D and G Sides and parts of Plastic Beach all show that electro hip-hop is no where near the limit of Gorillaz, they defy genre limitations and create amazing songs that go beyond expectation.

"Saturn Barz" is a song you need to hear to love, the chorus back and forth, the choral voices mixed with chill beats create this ambiance that is a symbol of the unbelievable power of Gorillaz. Also! Check out this super amazing remix (it might actually be better than the original).

Originality: 8

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 7

Longevity: 7

Red Score: 7.5

Piano Man - Billy Joel

Music That Can't be Beat

Good ol' Billy Joel, a man who makes music about anything sound amazing. Going over this song reminds me how much I miss musicians who create music, not just produce it, there is a big difference and Billy Joel's music still surpasses the quality of many musician's today.

"Piano Man" is a powerful song to say the least. From the opening piano to the "la-la-de da" chorus, this song is genius all the way through. Let's break it down like normal. The piano, is amazing, creative and entertaining every moment of the song. I could talk about every transition, solo and chord, but it is safe to say this piano is nothing short of perfection in music. The harmonica accompanying the piano through the song is also so wonderfully done, it is hard not to want to go out and buy one to just learn the part from this song. The song is so full of life, the slower more solemn parts are emotionally engaging and the louder sections are easy goosebump givers. 

Joel's voice is fantastic. His lyrics are perfect. They tell a story, just about any person can sing along and they are complex enough on various layers of meaning and sing-ability that the song never gets boring to listen over and over again. Adding a lot of other instruments in the background during the more boisterous moments really fill the song at the right moments.

Easily one of the best songs ever written, and we'll keep listening to it for generations to come.

Originality: 10

Instruments: 10

Vocals: 10

Longevity: 10

Red Score: 10

Evolve (Album) - Imagine Dragons

A Step Forward and Backward

Ooooh Imagine Dragons, how you confuse me. What you could be if only you did what you should. A new Imagine Dragons album is like seeing mystery meat, it probably won't kill you, but don't expect much. I wanted to be able to like Evolve, I enjoyed their first album, but their second was pretty bad and this album is both good and bad in many ways which leaves it mediocre in the end.

Most songs on this album sound just like classic Imagine Dragons, the voice and instruments are totally recognizable. This is good because the style is unique and iconic for them, but it also becomes a little lazy because only in a few songs do they take style risks and challenge themselves. The album in general is better than Smoke and Mirrors, which is progress, and yet, it still lack the creativity and risk to live up or surpass to their first album, Night Visions. 

In their last song "Dancing in the Dark" and "Thunder" were both a little more experimental, I was happy to see some change to their normal sound, however it is pretty similar to most modern alternative and indie music. I want to be able to enjoy their electo-infused rock, but I want more from them, more intensity, more risks and elements to make a real new album. We'll see in a few years, as for now, we have a few "alright" songs from them that get lost in the garble of the rest of their album.

 (a new way to review albums for Red Media Reviews)

I Don't Know Why: 5 ---- Whatever It Takes: 4

Believer: 7 --- Walking the Wire: 5

Rise Up: 6 --- I'll Make It Up to You: 4

Yesterday: 5 --- Mouth of the River: 5

Thunder: 6 --- Start Over: 5

Dancing It the Dark: 6

Track Average: 5.3

Originality: 6

Longevity: 5

Flow: 6

Red Score: 5.6

  

Dig Down - Muse

Getting a New and Familiar Grove

Muse is my favorite band, always has been and will be. Every new album and song so far has made me enjoy them in new ways. "Dig Down" is their newest single leading up to an album down the road. A fun and powerful anthem song that is what I've been wanting all year.

The song starts with the same style bass from the song "Madness" from two albums ago, The 2nd Law. The electronic bass that plays like a synth pad is strong and infectious, and a welcome sound with the EDM influences in most modern music. "Dig Down" is a simple song, not too many different instruments, and even the music is not all that complicated. The drums, the guitar and bass for the most part play the same notes again and again throughout. Eben though this is normally annoying in song, Muse again just makes music that I can't help but enjoy.

Matthew's singing is great as always, the lyrics are a little cheesy to honest, but that would be my only real criticism of the song. I am super cised for the new album in the coming months and am happy to see Muse back in my new music section. 

Originality: 7

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 7

Longevity: 8

Red Score: 7.5

Hungry Like The Wolf - Duran Duran

The Good Hunt

Classic pop and 80s music is something that you can't help but love as soon as they come on Spotify, the radio or your personal playlists. Duran Duran's "Hungry Like The Wolf" is no different, an infectious song that just about everyone loves.

What makes this song really amazing is the combination of excessive 80s sound and instruments. Starting with a laugh and guitar, drums, bass and synth sounds in the background, this song punches with a strong beginning and keeps going for the entire 3 and a half minutes. The guitar riff that continues through verse and changes in chorus to chords is something everyone never gets tired of hearing. The bass is a lot more bouncy and powerful than I remember, which is always a plus to hear. Drums help power the guitar and the pop synth sounds are wonderfully 80s every second of the way.

With all that goodness, possibly the most memorable part of the song is the lyrics that everyone sings along for a few words in the chorus and mumbles nonsense throughout the rest. "I'm on the hunt I'm after you...and I'm hungry like the wolf," are totally unforgettable words, but I can't imagine anyone else really knowing the other lyrics, but that doesn't make the song and vocal work any less totally entertaining.

A seriously fun song that reminds me how much I love 80's music and how much those song are timeless.

Originality: 8

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 8
Instruments: 10

Red Score: 8.5