Telemicommunications - Deadmau5

An Odd Ode To Digital Social Lives

This may be one of the most unique songs that I will ever review to be honest. Deamau5 is so well known for his strong club anthems that this song really stands alone. The song's rhythm is almost non existent, it being filled with and made up of various blips and clicks, little sounds and things to string a difficult beat to follow together. The progressive sounds that float in the background make the song flow and enter a very spacey trance, which make the entire song seem like a long day dream. There are three repeated piano chords which help bring a balanced and smooth transition to the singing. The song's vocalist is nothing special, but it goes really well with the tone and message in the song, which might be the most important part because it seems like the inner thoughts an average person and their daily struggles to convey simple feelings to another person. From what I see, it tells of a story of love that is falling apart because of digital communication complications. It is quite interesting, and a lot of people can relate. Lastly, the song picks up in the last quarter with a little more electronic beats and vocal back up to finish it off. When listening to Telemiscommunications, I recommend to have an open mind and let you imagination wander with your ears or watch the music video, it brings out a lot more of the song. From an audio piece to a full sensory experience.

Originality:9

Instruments:6

Vocals:7

Longevity:6

Red Score:7

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole (with Natalie Cole)

Voices That Can’t Will Never Be Replaced

This amazing song needs no real introduction, explanation or justification, one listen will make anyone adore Nat King Cole’s unmatched voice. Especially if you listen to the 1951 recording, his voice will carry such perfect power and beauty, it is unbelievable. A brief history: the song was written by Irving Gordon and performed by Cole. Then in 1991 is was mixed with his daughter singing creating a duet that reached through the decades. Both versions were exceptionally well praised and loved. I personally love the pure pitch perfection that Nat King Cole has. I love the passion and love you can hear in his voice, and the total simplicity of the song and the lyrics. It becomes a song of love; romantic, paternal or of friendship. The orchestral parts were changed here and there as years went on and a few varying versions were recorded with Nat, but they are all pretty similar. Even the duet version with his daughter, there wasn’t much variation in the instruments. They play as great complements, the starting piano, airy strings, building bass and simple percussion really are just the stage for the voices of Nat King Cole and his daughter. Once again, I don’t have the word to explain how wonderful their voices are, especially Nat King Cole, truly one of a kind and a talented voice that can never be replaced. I posted the 1961 version he re-recorded with improved instrumental parts, and his voice had never sounded richer. May this song bring loads of nostalgia and just warm fuzzy feelings to you wherever you are.

Originality:9

Instruments:7

Vocals:10

Longevity:10

Red Score:9

I Ride At Dawn - Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite

A Ballad That Need More Attention From The World

I hope you have high quality audio to go with this song, or you won’t really be able to appreciate this song as much as it deserves. You don’t need the latest and greatest crazy loud speakers, but something to listen well to the bass, the marching snare and the entrancing guitar riffs. But let me first acknowledge our singer, Ben Harper, he is amazing. I love his voice, and I think his rich deep tones make this song go from good to grand. The lyrics are quite the thought provoker; war, man and his relationship with himself. And the low and every so smooth sounds from his voice are from a time and talent long before this modern garbage on the radio. Now our friend Charlie, one of the best and most soulful harmonica players, fills this song and gives it a huge personality in live versions. It isn’t a strong harmonica in the recorded version, I would recommend listening to the difference between the live and recorded versions to see some awesome differences. and the song isn’t focused on it, but instead implements it perfectly. There is this western/southern/jazz vibe, and it just feel like something that I need to get more into. Moving along with the instruments, the guitar riffs, as they are subtle, they remain powerful and bring that nostalgic feeling from old westerns into your mind. The bass is one that should be turned up as powerful as possible, it will soak you up. This blues ballad with fantastic forms of fluidity is the relaxing tune a person needs after a long day.

Originality:8

Instruments:9

Vocals:9

Longevity:8

Red Score:8.5

From This Valley - The Civil Wars

Refreshing Voices Mixed With Soul and Talent

I was told this is not country, but folk-music, but for my sake and the general audience, this is mostly country music. From This Valley is something that I have been wanting from the Country/Folk genre for a long time. I know that it doesn’t follow the normal country formula, but that is what I love so much about this song (and The Civil Wars in general). The violins and bouncing bass with strong rich southern vocals are used in such a beautiful way, I found it hard not to fall in love with this song.  Both the male and female's voice are wonderful complements to the song and each other. She has that sweet southern voice with a tiny roughness to give a full range of sound, while his perfectly controlled bold tenor intertwines with her melody creating a fantastic combo of sugar and spice. The acapella parts are just as strong as the parts with full instruments, which is hard for any band to pull off in such an upbeat song. Also, side note, these two singers are just as great in their live music as they are in their recorded album, check it out, they are truly amazing. The rich twang of the first guitar strings and the steady bass drum pull the song along from start to finish. If you want/need a segue into the country/folk type of music, The Civil Wars is a great group to start with.

Originality:8

Instruments:7

Vocals:9

Longevity:8

Red Score:8

Some Minds (XVII Flip) - Flume

Remixing While Staying True

Flume has real talent for making electro-pop music, holding a lot more depth then most music from the genre. His music is defiantly not your normal stuff that you hear on any radio station (which is a good thing). Starting with a progressively growing voice mixed with long synths from the original song, the song builds fantastically for a great drop that can really make you want your volume to unreasonably loud level. I have turned up the sound three times while writing this review, it REALLY is that good. The drops and bridges are fantastic and some how the drop actually improves the second time with some good alterations and added parts. The sounds aren't that unique when compared to other techno, but they are extremely well orchestrated and the bass synths and thumping of the bass drum create a unique blend of electronic music. There are samples of his voice that also echo from left to right in a ping-pong feel, so if you can listen to this song with good headphones too, you won't regret it. Just like an artist will use empty space to emphasize certain things in a painting, this remix uses of pauses and emptier parts to really make the other parts punch with more power. Also many songs fail to use good source material to make something new and or use a addicting or familiar sample/part of a song just to receive nostalgic attention. But his remix does what it is supposed to; take parts of a song and create something new without completely loosing the original in the process. A great remix of a good song that I can't stop replaying.

Originality: 8

Instruments: 8

Vocals: 7

Longevity: 7

Red Score: 7.5

Butterflies and Hurricanes - Muse

The Perfect Blend of Classic Writing with Modern Rock

Muse has been my flagship band for many years, but this song takes everything they are masters in and make my favorite song of all time. First things first, the music. Matthew write incredible pieces of music that are far more complicated than what initial listens to the song will allow. There is a second version of the song, along with live versions where Matthew uses his guitar as the lead instrument through most of it, but for all intensive purposes we are going to focus on the original recording. The primary instrument in this song is the piano, it carries the song from the first chorus and continues into a phenomenal, Mozart and Beethoven level, solo/bridge. I don't know if I can emphasize enough how beautifully the song leads into the piano part with a soft bridge and comes back for a punch of energy in chorus. The bass is solid, supports the song perfectly, though simple, it does it’s job with great pace and makes its mark. The drums are wonderfully creative throughout and match the smart use of the strings used thought it the piece. Speaking of those, the string section from start to finish fills the song with a beautiful ambiance, which is also complemented with the thoughtful back up singing. Matthew is the piano player and writer of the song, but manages to belt out a totally heart filled vocal part, and his energy level is hard to match even compared with his later installments of music. Hitting those high notes with fantastically very well written lyrics, the masterpiece of the song comes full circle from storm, eye of the hurricane and a resolution. I could write for day about this song and each of it's little sections, but I have to stop at some point. With all this, the poetic sound imagery of fluttering wings and harsh storms, Butterflies and Hurricanes fits it's name perfectly.

Originality:10

Instruments:10

Vocals:9

Longevity:10

Red Score: 9.75

Plug In Baby - Muse

Guitar Riffs That You Don't Want to End

Starting up in the late 90’s, Muse was pretty hard rock, with its influences of alternative and indie rock. Their first album had some good reception but their second album Origin of Symmetry really brought them into the light. One of their most memorable guitar riffs came from this album, Plug in Baby is a Muse classic. Between the beginning and the end of the song, the heavy rock level is a 10. The guitar riffs are excellent, very creative and very strong, easily the best part of the song. Drums are complementary to the guitar and much more complex than needed, which is a huge plus. The bass move perfectly with the drums and surprisingly carries the verses along well without a leading guitar. The formula of the song pretty standard for most rock songs, especially of the time the song came out. But this song’s reason for still having importance is the sheer amount of energy and power that flows from Matt’s guitar and voice. It is still played at their concerts after 15 years and 5 albums. A superb rock piece that should be remember and renowned for its strength and creativity. I posted the live version because the instruments are a little clearer to see, but the effects of the solo and beginning and end of the song are still relevant from the original recording. Enjoy a rock classic.

Originality:8

Instruments:9

Vocals:8

Longevity:9

Red Score:8.5

Explorers - Muse

A Loving Lullaby Filled with Fantastic Feeling

Being known for their hard rock, experimental sides and strong style, people miss a lot of Muses slower, and sometimes more beautiful pieces. When I hear this song I see a beautiful yearning from a trapped being. The emotion is very well played though the various instruments, beautiful lyrics with almost lullaby styled singing. Matthew really knows his instruments, and how to use sound to convey such strong feelings of desperation, longing and calling out. From wood block instruments and wind chimes to strong leading piano and a creative bass line, this song really makes a massively beautiful blend of sound. The percussion section and drums make a great pace for the song's constant and infrequent parts. The bass guitar played by Chris is fantastic and some of his best work since Absolution. Matt plays the piano with enough power that the goose bumps roll as he sings. The vocals are solid and really strong, they aren't really the focus, but become immersed in the song as a whole experience, which is mostly good. Live versions of this song are great to hear, the back-up singing is spot on and the song sound like it should be really played by a full orchestra in a master concert hall. A empowering piece that comes from the alternative apocalyptic rock band that is Muse.

Originality:9

Instruments:9

Vocals:9

Longevity:8

Red Score:8.5

The Handler - Muse

Classical Style In A Rock Shell

Coming from six albums of rock and experimentation between three musically gifted people, it's no surprise we see an intelligently designed rock powered album like Drones. With their inde, almost punk, alternative roots mixed with years of songwriting experience and Matthew Bellamy's pure music genius, a gem like the Handler is easily born. I am going to focus more on the impressive nature of the writing of this song in this review, the instruments and singing is great, but it really comes from the way each instrument and vocal part plays off each other. From the beginning, guitar and drum parts are bouncing backing back and forth with strong unique sounds. Then the bass and vocals take turns in the chorus and verses in melodic and long held parts. And that solo, oh man, OH MAN, that solo is SO FREAKING GOOD. If you know your classical organ piece, you can tell that Matt must pulled this solo’s style from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, but in the best way possible. It is such a smoothly strung solo, I often will listen to the song over and over again just for the solo. But breaking after the solo and the bridge the song ends with a hard bang. It is difficult not to want to turn up the volume more and more as the song progresses. Getting back to what I was saying about the writing, the drums, bass and guitar parts are so well written that you could easily listen to these parts individually and be impressed. This is one of the reasons the song is so good too, song is made primarily of those three key instruments, it could be played with a drum set, bass and electric guitar. There is no added synths or other samples that many bands rely on to make this song great. This is one of Muse’s strongest points and what makes their music so amazing, it is their power to create increasingly impressive music using the same instruments they started with years ago.

Originality:9

Instruments:10

Vocals:9

Longevity:9

Red Score:9.25

Knights of Cydonia - Muse

A Timeless Space Cowboy Theme Song

This was my first song ever heard by Muse, Guitar Hero 3, and It immediately became of my most memorable songs in my music listening lifetime. The song starts with song great horse sound, along with 80’s later effects, immediately setting the one for the song. The vocals and guitar’s metallic twang mixed with the fast paced galloping drums create an ambiance only described with a high volume level. The vocals are easy to pick up and mirror the songs sound wonderfully. Watching Matt hit those amazing high notes is a feat in its own, so check out a live version, it's well worth the 8 minutes. In their live versions they have incorporated openings into the song, one is from the song Man with the Harmonica (the one I have linked here at the bottom). The the start of this song is the guitar riff mixed with the drum which establishes a standard for real rock music for this millennium. There is a quiet and constant synth part which continually goes up and down, but makes for a fluid wave of ambiance which meld the songs layers well. The strong. I could keep going on about each piece, but I want to talk about the structure of the song too.It is hard to pin a chorus, and verse down on it in any pattern, it is more like a short movie with a beginning middle and climatic end scene to blow the audience away. (This song is a rock song for the ages, and should be in your top 50 rock songs of all time. No questions asked.

Originality:9

Instruments:10

Vocals:9

Longevity:10

Red Score: 9.5