BRB

Hey melomaniacs, musicophiles, and casual listeners! 

Holidays get the best of us all, and I’ve been slammed. Rest assured that the lists and opinions will return after the new year.

In the meantime, if you’ve got something you think I should hear, let me know in the comments!

Happy New Year, all! 

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

Friday Playlist

Genre:

Absolutely none

Artist & Song

Faber Drive “Mr Good For Nothing”

A song I know many can feel. High school loser turned success story. Great lyrics plus the super catchy melody makes this a must-have for any playlist. Shoving it in someone’s face is just a fringe benefit.

A Rocket To The Moon “Wherever You Go”

ARTTM sadly split a while ago. Amicably, but it was a huge blow to fans worldwide. This particular track has a feel of longing that we all feel every now and then. Great tune, amazing harmonies. All around great song.

Dashboard Confessional “Stolen”

Soft beginning, then a buildup to one of the greatest choruses in this list. Repetitive, but not obnoxiously so. Dramatic, but just up and ends. Zero warning. Ok, then...

BBMAK “Uncivil War”

BBMAK, our favourite Liverpool lads have returned (in case you didn’t know)! Same BB feel, but more modern. Their harmonies are undeniable, and set them apart from anyone else recording today. 

The White Tie Affair “The Enemy”

One album. That’s all we got from WTA. But, oh, it was a great album, for sure. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself! Picking one song from it was super difficult, but it ultimately is my favourite. 

Hanson “Got A Hold On Me”

It’s Hanson, revamped. One of our favourite tunes with an orchestral background. The best thing Hanson has done in the last decade is to use these orchestras to re-record, as well as write new songs, for their String Theory album.

The Ready Set “Killer”

1920’s train rescue? Pop punk? Rock? Who knows? Plunky beats leave room for more imaginative melodies. The Ready Set (aka Jordan Witzigreuter) has abandoned his stage name in favour of Only Child, which I will get to later. 

Before You Exit “Soldier”

Mild, sitting-by-the-fire-with-a-cup-of-coffee vibe. Very little percussion makes it low-key rock/indie. Check these guys out. You won’t be disappointed.

The Sunstreak “Great White Coma”

Ok tune. Very little difference between verse and chorus. If I had to base the entire band on this one song, I wouldn’t give them a second thought. I’ll let you decide for yourself, though, as their other stuff is pretty stellar (even if their last release was in 2009).

Marianas Trench “Echoes Of You”

As a massive fan of MT, I may be a bit biased on this song. It’s everything we know and love from these guys with pounding rhythm that’ll keep you wanting more. That’s perfectly OK. It happens to the best of us.

Songs Worth Adding

A solid 10/10. Every song gets an endorsement from me.

Bed Of Liars

Artist: The Unlikely Candidates

Album: Bed Of Liars

Year Released : 2017

Initial opinion

Not exactly something to pump you up in the morning, but definitely has some good motivational beats for workouts, cleaning, and dancing.

Track-By-Track

“Best Things In Life Aren’t Free”

Plunky intro, followed by some airy guitar/synthesizer backgrounds. It's got a hard-hitting chorus that's impossible to deny or forget. this tune kind of lets up off the beat during verses, but then you reach the bridge. this part is very distinctive and hard-hitting in a whole new way.

“Ringer”

We've all heard songs like this. Your typical “she’s too good for me, but I'm going to try anyhow” thing. It has the vibe of "Uptown Girl" with a 2010's pop-rock sound. An overdone topic, in my opinion. It has a good beat, but all in all, I'm not impressed by this particular track.

“Your Love Could Start A War”

The intro to this track is, quite possibly, the best intro to any song of the decade. I listened to it no less than ten times. The overall feel of the track has hints of old west climax scene. Like, if "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" were made now. This is my favorite track, but I'll let you decide for yourself.

“Violence”

Mostly beat and minimal guitar, it's got a feel all its own. It might just be me but I thought “what did I just listen to?” It's a good idea with poor delivery. Not much to say about this one.

“Call My Name”

You’ll most likely need to look up some of the lyrics. Some parts are fast, some are just unintelligible. The beat/rhythm combo can only be described as "interesting". This track is bound to be on your repeat.

“Reaction”

Not your basic 4/4. Musicians will understand. The best part of this track is that it isn’t overly repetitive. There's an urgency build-up that keeps the song both moving and interesting. The quick cutoff ending is, as always, much appreciated.

Overall Impression

As with every album, some songs are just better than others. Of the six on this album, I would say five are really good. Each song shows a different side of what The Unlikely Candidates is capable of. Great album.

Recommended?

Definitely

Check Out Their Youtube

Acoustic Hits (or not)

Genre

Acoustic

Artists & Songs

Liam Payne “Stack it up”

It's super catchy. You'll be singing along in no time. On that note, it's overly repetitive. I found myself thinking, "OK, we get it. Move on already!"  It does have a good sound (if you can get past the repetitiveness). Liam has a style all his own, and it definitely shows here. 7/10

Cole Rolland, Annie Case “Circles”

Not to be the unimaginative millennial who has a 5-word vocabulary, but this song is very relatable. It hits hard with emotions and thoughts that many of us deal with daily. If you're looking for a good cry song, look no further. Something that this tune does that I love, is that it resolves at the end. It doesn't have a minute of the same words and chords repeating until I want to scream. It has an actual ending. 8/10

Parachute “What Side of Love”

I'm not a fan of acoustic songs. I need the electric vibe. this song may have changed my views. The basic background chords leave us with a more pure tone of his voice, unobstructed by a bombastic backtrack.This song is your typical love ultimatum, "Don’t give up on me" kind of thing. The thing that keeps this from being a Taylor Swift copycat, is that the singer asks but doesn't whine. It's not the "poor me, you left me, please tell me you love me even though I know you don't mean it" type thing. 9/10

Hailee Steinfeld “Most Girls”

This actress-gone-singer actually works. Decent voice, not bad style. The problem I have with her it that every song of hers sounds like shes trying to sell herself the validation that she wants you to accept for yourself. Not to mention the predictable lyrics. First time through, you'll be a pro. If you're looking for something geared at 15-year-olds fighting their way through high school, check her out. 4/10

Ryan Corn “The Pressure”

This low-key artist has a fair following. Good sound, good voice. Sometimes I feel that he's reaching a bit too much for high notes, but every one of them is pitch perfect. Singles released here and there, but we're still waiting on a full-length. I think everyone will take what they need from this particular song. No two the same. 9/10

One Direction “Steal My Girl”

Although we can hear the harmonies better, it was not re-recorded for this acoustic version. It was obviously just remixed with the original vocals. Not going to lie, I honestly doubt the guys knew this existed. 1/10

Ed Sheeran “Castle on the Hill”

Ed comes in with a bulldozer with this acoustic version of one his most popular songs. Unlike the One Direction song above, Ed definitely recorded this in addition to his original. It's poignant. The upbeat music doesn’t match the rather depressing verses. Great version. 10/10

Annabel Jones “Asking for a Friend”

This single, released in 2016, was her 6th single. No full lengths yet. She's got a light, airy voice and slides into notes with her own brand and style. Not a big fan of this song. It's good in theory but not the best execution. Good lyrics, not the best melody or timing. 5/10

Rita Ora “Your Song”

Unusual because it's an acoustic you can actually dance to. Great beat without electricity can, in fact, be achieved. However, I wouldn’t let your kids listen to it. A bit risque. Rita has a good sound and voice. Small wonder why she's got a massive following. 8/10

Fifth Harmony “Who Are You”

This one comes from a 2013 acoustic EP. Fifth Harmony is your typical girl band. I'm sure they're big with the junior high crowd. This song is the basic "I want you back and I’m desperate so I'll do anything" type song. Catchy, but it won't make my playlist. 3/10

Songs Worth Adding

My recommendations would be:

 

Liam Payne- Stack it Up

Cole Rolland, Annie Case- Circles

Parachute- What Side is Love

Hailee Steinfeld- Most Girls

Ryan Corn- The Pressure

Ed Sheeran- Castle on the Hill

Rita Ora- Your Song

Introduction

For those of you wondering, the title of this blog combines my name with what this blog will be. My name is Rie, and these are my views. I tried to name it "Rieviews", but that was taken. I may have cried a little at that.

My intention with this blog is to, hopefully, introduce you to some music you may not have found on your own.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why do i need to follow yet another music blog?" The answer is simple: Everyone's views and opinions on music are different. What one likes, may annoy the crap out of someone else. Should you choose to follow me, great. If I'm not your cuppa, that's perfectly fine. You do you, your way.

Comments are encouraged, but let's keep things friendly. If you find a post you really like, share it everywhere you can and tag the artist. They like that kind of thing.

I'll be covering anything from The Andrews Sisters to Billie Eilish. Who knows? You may find something you like!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for extra content>>> @rie_views

*Opinions are always my own*
*I'm not paid for this*

See you on the B-sides!
Rie