Hurt

Hurt is a song by Nine Inch Nails (NIN) NOT Johnny Cash. Cash's version is amazing, powerful stuff, but it was not his song. It narks me that people never know this, Trent Reznor doesn't get half the credit he deserves sometimes.
That said, I love the Cash version too. I am, not entirely secretly, a big Cash fan, ever since my dad played an old album back when I was 10 in my Granma's back garden. (I heard some stuff that even to this day I like in that garden. Practically none of which the world knows I would happily listen to.) Anyways, the Cash version is great, and was a great way to sign off. I challenge any of you to listen (and by that I mean, actually sit down, take time out from every thing to LISTEN to the song and ignore everything else - Headphones will help) and not be moved in any way. If you are living, this is impossible. Anyways, I always thought Reznor hated Cash doing his song, but the point of this was post was that today, I came across this gem...

When Rick Rubin (Producer) asked if Cash could cover his song, Reznor said he was "flattered" but worried that "the idea sounded a bit gimmicky." He became a fan of Cash's version, however, once he saw the music video.
"I pop the video in, and wow… Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps… Wow. [I felt like] I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine anymore… It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form. I wrote some words and music in my bedroom as a way of staying sane, about a bleak and desperate place I was in, totally isolated and alone. [Somehow] that winds up reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning — different, but every bit as pure."

That, is pretty much what I aim to say in this blog over time, it's about, the music, the power of music, the feelings that get attached to it. All off that.

(by the way, I have an awesome Rock covers list on Media Player, once it's a bit fuller, I will post it here, there are some real gems on there, and some quite prolific coverers, some quite unexpected.) For now though, you should all go listen to Hurt, try not to cry, then proceed however you feel you should with your day.

Morning View

So, this morning I decided to have a walk to the shops, which means...the mp3 player, and today, Incubus - Morning View. Now, I am biased, I love Incubus, that's why they're on my mp3 player, they are one of the very few bands who've changed their sound and progressed and grown as a band with every album and I still like each sound (One of the others being Silverchair.) Even A Crow Left of the Murder, which is my least favoured album, when played I still love a number of tracks (talk show on mute, pistola are two that spring to mind alongside the obvious megalomaniac.) So, Morning View...perfect album for just relaxing and enjoying music. There's bits to get you going, and bits to lull you into comfort whatever you're doing. The mixing, mastering and production of the album is great, I love the panning of the guitar on the opening tracks, especially when you get Mike Einziger's guitar in your left ear, and the delay effect panning to your right. Also, as a note, Einziger's guitar sound is always distinctive, at some points sounding like he's got his muffled distorted sound and an acoustic sound at the same time. The fact you can pick out the guitar at all times without it just being noise shows just how good the production is, and without it, the album would've sounded just like a noisey mess.
It picks up with Nice to Know You, the guitar riff sending life through your ears ito your brain, with Brandon Boyd's background cry of Hey, kick-starting me at least into movement. Circles keeps you going, then Wish You Were Here provides a melodic chorus that you'll find yourself struggling not to sing along to. After that, one of my personal favourite Incubus tracks, Just a Phase. With it's slow build, Kilmore's DJ skills bring in a backing track scratched to perfection, Einziger's guitar and Boyd's use of his voice in oos and ahhs to build up the song into the first verse, the song builds and builds to a release on a chorus and they release everything at it yet still holding the clarity and tone of the whole song.
Other highlights Include Blood on the Ground. (I just love some of the lyrics)
Mexico slows the whole thing down for a few minutes for an acoustic warning to selfishness.
Warning is my other favourite track. Just listen to it. It's great. lol.
Are you in is the track released as a single in the UK and got a fair amount of radio play from my recollection. A chilled, jass room, swing, social evening type song.
and the album ends with Aqueous Transmissions. The mandolin only adds to the imagery in the lyrics, and if you close your eyes lean back and don't imagine you're lying on your back in the sun, floating down a river then you are dead inside!

I love this album. :)

Music. It affects me.

So everyone, how on earth do we have music? This weird construct made up of groups of frequencies that we somehow find to be acceptable to listen to? Let's face it, we've all heard something off key and gone "unghh" and all heard noises that we dislike in music. Yet, most of us like music, some of us weirdos actually love music, and some even go so far as to "live" it.
Who put together and formulated chords? Progressions? Determined the chords in keys? Why? And instruments! How did we as a people come up with different instruments and make these noises for our own enjoyment? These noises that can make us happy, sad, angry, joyous, hype you up, break you down. I find it amazing that these happen and appreciate everyday that music can make a difference to people.
Certain bands and types of music carry a certain message, and this I feel should be the message of music the world over...the message is, it doesn't matter who you are, or where you're from, you can make more out of this life if you want to and want to try, you can pull people together, take a stand, make a change, start something amazing, send a message. Music has this weird power to unite people. You go to a gig, you are part of a small social gathering, you all have something in common, this, could be, if needed, your new family, your new group of like minded kin.
I remember Tom Delonge (playing with Angels and Airwaves at the time) declaring that he was going to take his new band and steam roll the whole world with the band, taking the message of you can do whatever it is you want to do in life, pull together, show the world what you can do as a group of people.
Billy Talent and Green Day have had the whole of Brixton Academy shouting to George W. Bush.
Rage Against the Machine have pulled off several political acts and appearances, whilst other bands and genres have political persuasions apparent when you listen to them. (Think System of a down, Rise Against, Anti-Flag.)
I suppose what I am trying to say is Music is amazing, I listen to it as much as I can. I can get annoyed when people don't pay it as much attention as I do, I play music, I make music, I relate to it. I love hearing that killer riff, that intricate bass line, that uber technical, insane, crazy drumming, and so on. Everyday I find it just incredible that we have made this creation, and all the creations that come with it. (I'll not touch on the commercial and fame side here.)
So, here's to the blog and hopefully not sounding too pretentious! (And to some reviews etc.)

Opening Post

Well, what's all this then? Music Musings? Well, to explain, this is just a place for me to expel my thoughts on music in general and in particular about anything I've just heard/encountered/made.
Hopefully, it'll keep some of thoughts off of facebook annoying all the music-less people! (Heretics!)