Hello Music + Picture of The Day

Hi there, all you blog readers!

Unfortunately, today wasn't much of an active day for me. I got quite sick over the weekend, and therefore spent most of today lounging about the house listening to loud, delicious music, reading, and looking through old pictures of mine. Due to such hours, I didn't explore the city enough to take a picture. Hope you won't mind a picture from my trip to Oregon over the summer. This particular one was taken while I was on the coast with my relatives.

On a different note, did listen to and criticize quite a bit of music today. Here are some of the results:

On Lissie's Catching A Tiger: 

Lissie’s voice is incredible. There’s no denying it. This self-proclaimed“smart and gutsy and tough”  Midwestern singer has something amazing. Her songs, however, often don’t. Her debut cd, Catching A Tiger, starts out strong with three rocking songs that are sure to quickly plant themselves in your head. Ah, but then—the lyrics and melodies take a nosedive for those looking for good indie rock. A sudden departure from the broad, vague country of indie music leaves her stranded in the land of Appalachian Folk—dangerous territory indeed for such a new artist with promising beginnings. It’s hard not to lose interest when percussion dies away and you’re left with lyrics like, “momma’s here, and your papa too, we are so darn proud of you.” Lissie’s efforts to sound as an aged Appalachian folk singer fail due to her obviously youthful appearance and first three songs. Keep those three, and perhaps Worried About, and you’ve got an EP, Lissie. Leave the rest for b-sides. Or just throw them out altogether.

On Sia's We Are Born: 

Oh, Sia, I love you. It’s impossible not to. Your songs are always infectious, no matter which cd they’re from, and you’re brimming with personality. Who is this Sia, some may ask, and what does her newest cd, We Are Born, bring? Definitely rebirth for this incredible bubbly yet subtle Australian singer, is the answer. While past songs such as the well-known Breathe Me delve into atmospheric alternative indie, We Are Born includes such poppy tracks such as Clap Your Hands (which, yes, does include the automated sound of clapping sounds. I’m surprised, aren’t you?). And yet Sia pulls it off. Her fantastic rich voice is still apparent even through the automated drumbeats, and she manages to keep her many unique qualities. Though many old fans may be unhappy with the style in which she’s heading, I merely think she’s trying to broaden her (and our) horizons. Good on you, girl.

I'm out! 

Sara