Category: music

Pray for the Wicked Teaser Review

Hello, people of the internet! Hope you’re having a wonderful day and a great life. As some of you may know, Panic! At The Disco, (or Bendon Urie) has finally revealed what they have been working on for almost a year and a half. I know I have been begging for this and having waited for so long for these new songs, it was like becoming a Panic! fan all over again. Their sound is so different and distinct it’s not for everyone, but you’ll know it when you hear it. There’s no other word to describe it but, Alternative.

Before we jump into the review and the songs I want to give you a bit of background about the band. As I mentioned before Brendon Urie is the sole original member of this band. Their career jumpstarted when they were still in high school with their first album ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’. Soon enough their American Alternative Rock music shaped a generation of LA emo rockers. While still in high school and have yet to ever play live Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy caught wind of their music and Panic! At the Disco became the first band ever signed to Pete’s record label (Fueled by Ramen). Then their exclamation point after Panic! became an iconic symbol for their sound. With this label, they have dropped several albums with the future coming of ‘Pray For the Wicked’ as their sixth studio record to be dropped. Without getting into too much detail, people of the band started slowly leaving. Some for mutual reasons, some for more than that. Either way, you could hear a change as Brendon’s ideas came to the forefront, and they’ve never looked back, and never stopped making great music.

‘Pray For the Wicked’:

Panic! At the Disco, having been silent since after their Death of a Batchelor tour left their fans in a shock, or in this case a panic when they noticed two new songs released. March 22, two teaser songs were dropped from the album “(Fuck a) Silver Lining” and “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” Quoting a Tweet I saw somewhere:

“Brendon, putting parenthasis in the title doesn’t make them any less long”

-Unknown

Very true, but it also doesn’t make these songs less iconically Panic!.

The album ‘Pray For the Wicked’ is an eleven track record including:

  1. “(Fuck A) Silver Lining”
  2. “Say Amen (Saturday Night”
  3. “Hey Look Ma, I Made It”
  4. “High Hopes”
  5. “Roaring 20’s”
  6. “Dancing’s Not a Crime”
  7. “One of the Drunks”
  8. “The Overpass”
  9. “King of the Clouds”
  10. “Old Fashioned”
  11. “Dying in LA”

Brendon said that after his tour, and staring in ‘Kinky Boots’ he needed to take some time for himself to work on music and himself, and man was it worth it. Speaking of the tour, along with the new album dropping Panic! also announced the dates for the ‘Pray For the Wicked’ tour up on his website: https://panicatthedisco.com/prayforthewickedtour/ And just so you remember to mark your calendars, ‘Pray For the Wicked’ will be released June 22, 2018.

1.”(Fuck A) Silver Lining”

I personally believe this first song being released with “Say Amen…”  makes this song very misunderstood, and the lyrics are confusing, to begin with. I knew I liked it. With the bazar sounding opening:

To the old, and to the new
We dedicate this song to you

Then to pick up with a full beat shouting “Fuck a silver lining, because only gold is hot enough” I got the concept, but I think the Pop Song Professor on YouTube (who is a professional lyricist and analyzes songs and lyrics for a living) said it best. In the English Language, we have the saying of a ‘silver lining’ to look on the bright side of something or the good points after a storm. Brendon is essentially saying F**k that, only gold is good enough.

No wings of wax or endless mountains
Tragedies with penniless fountains
It’s just cherries, cherries
It’s coming up cherries on top
Sunset shadows through the trophies
I guess it just ain’t big enough
Say it one more, one more, one more

The waxwings referring to the story of the man who flew too close to the sun and his wings of wax melted, and the cherry on top is another term in the English Language referring to that something extra in your life. “Sunset shadows through the trophies” is trying to show that in the end, he wants to look back on all he’s achieved.

For the full analysis go to: https://youtu.be/AGpOED1cQrI It’s incredibly interesting to see all the literally influences Brendon uses in this song to just describe how he wants nothing but a good kick-ass life. He has no time for the negative, and he just won’t stop. Listening to this song you either want to dance or move in some way. You can feel a sort of connection to it, and with the curse word in it, it gives a stronger emphasis. You can only enjoy this song to a certain extent until you figure out the hidden meaning.

2.”Say Amen (Saturday Night)”

Out of the teaser songs, this one takes the cake with not only an audio-video but a music video too. This music video could be linked to those of “Emperor’s New Clothes” and “This is Gospel”, but before we get into theories it’s time to break down the song. For this analysis, I had my own theories, but I watched another video made by the Pop Song Professor, be sure to go see him on YouTube.

Been traveling in packs that I can’t carry any more
Been waiting for somebody else to carry me
There’s nothing else there for me at my door
All the people I know aren’t who they used to be
And if I try to change my life one more day
There would be nobody else to save
And I can’t change into a person I don’t wanna be, so
Oh, it’s Saturday night, yeah

This first verse is about how Brendon is trying to be himself. He mentions that his friends aren’t who he thinks they are and he’s been carrying them, but they don’t do the same for him. In the end, he doesn’t want to lose who he is so he says well it’s Saturday night.

This song has an interesting concept. I think everyone can relate to having two-faced people in their lives, but saying it’s Saturday night is a different way of bringing out who you really are. Whether you’re going out to get over something or binge-watching Netflix I guess it’s one way show a pure version of yourself.

Swear to God, I ain’t ever gonna repent

He doesn’t care, he’s not gonna apologize for who he really is, as this line is repeated in every chorus.

Brendon makes it so he almost sounds sorry for himself in the first verse but by the chorus, he shows his true self, and his true vocals as he takes over singing that this is who he is and if you don’t like it, deal with it. What a great way to go through life? But finally in the true fashion of Panic! At the Disco Brendon whips out a high note to end all high notes. It could probably shatter glass, but then again Brendon can do that with his good looks too.

Music videos:

In “Say Amen…” An artifact called the Devils Key is stolen by Brendon. People sneak into his place and he starts killing them when he defeats all the bad guys (it’s pretty intense, but that’s Panic! for ya), his girlfriend comes in. They start kissing, and as Brendon takes his shirt as she sees the Devil’s Key, and ironically kicks him in the crotch right as he hits the high note. She eventually takes the key and his heart starts beating like the opening of “This is Gospel”. Everyone thinks the storyline goes “Say Amen (Saturday Night)”, “This is Gospel”, “Emperors New Clothes”. But I think “Emperors New Clothes came first, and that’s where the Devil’s Key was formed, then moving to “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” To finish off with “This is Gospel”.’

I hope you enjoyed the background of these songs. I’m excited for the release of the new album, and this is just what I’ve been waiting for. Comment on your music video theories, and like and follow for more.

-Issie

 

 

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Out of Hybernation

There is finally a break from all the rain! Sunshine is here and in a pleasant amount! (Generally, in the Central Valley of California it’s either one extreme of wet and cold to the other of triple number degree temperatures.) I have been waiting for spring to finally, well, spring up from the earth. I always find when the temperature gets cold I always find reasons to have the blues, even if it is from external forces that are out of my control. Spring means school is almost over, I can wear flip flops and run more. Even better it means that summer is almost here! But I am not mentally or physically prepared for heatwaves that feel like they last from infinity.

As March is winding to an and it felt like it wasn’t quite my month. I was very busy with school, and I ignored the things that I want to manifest into my life or some things I should do to take care of myself. Not a single panic attack and I never stopped hustling.

Some of the biggest things I’ve wanted to manifest into my life include:

  • New blog logo- I want to create a logo that goes at the top of my website for the tab and a logo that represents me and I can put on everything.
  • Lions- Follow up post on the reasoning for Lions next week, follow to hear about it when it goes up.
  • Plants- It’s spring! I want more plants, and I want to work hard not to kill them.
  • Better outfits- Because California has been in a drought since I was a baby child my wardrobe is mainly equipped with warmer climates. Despite how much I love my sweater that I wear every single day of my life, I want to change things up now that it’s warmer to boost my confidence a bit.
  • My driver’s test!- I forgot to study a lot this month for it.
  • Acoustic electric guitar- I’ve wanted one for a half a year now and my playing has gotten much better.

Since we’re talking about playing guitar. I’ve been playing for three years. I am a pretty solid rhythm guitarist. I want to get better at playing lead electric guitar solos and improvising. But now, I am playing acoustic guitar at my church every month. I play three songs and strictly rhythm. I can sing, but I can’t carry a tune in a bucket in the keys that the church plays in (G and B).

I have three guitars now, two electric and one acoustic. My electric’s name is Jay Fender, he is a Fender Stratocaster, the new electric guitar was given to me by my boyfriend that plays blacksaphone and got this guitar when he was a kid. He no desires to learn guitar so this is the newest member of our family. His name is Tiny Tim, being that he is a Stratocaster Mini. Finally, my very first guitar is a red acoustic Jhonson guitar, his name is Martin. I can’t use Martin on stage because he’s not electric, and he’s getting too small being that I got him 5 years ago when I was small.

This month for me has been an amazing transition from all the problems I was having to kicking ass. If you would like to hear me play guitar, or just hear more about guitar let me know in the comments. As I am coming out of hibernation I will continue to learn and make myself better, as well as take care of myself and do some things to make myself happy. I hope you all will do the same and continue to grow into some amazing human beings.

-Issie

 

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M A N I A

Hey peoples. I decided to actually do a post for Friday. Monday was a bit downing, but I feel a lot better now. I hope anyone who was feeling crappy then too is feeling better.

But today we have something better, and more important to talk about. Fall Out Boy released a new album! M A N I A! I swear this album might have made purple my color for 2018. It’s so good. To most people F.O.B. is a very bazar taste. They’re a very unique sound with some strange lyrics that make sense at the same time. The fans understand. I love the new album. Let me tell you about my top songs on the album and why.

I’m not going to review all the songs, but I’m going to first put them in order in which I like them.

  1. “Heaven’s Gate”
  2. “Wilson (Expensive mistakes)”
  3. “Church”
  4. “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T”
  5. “Champion”
  6. “Young and Menace”
  7. “Sunshine Riptide”
  8. “Bishops Knife Trick”
  9. “Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea”

This album is close to the same length of songs as American Psycho. Their last album (11 songs) which is pretty good, because it takes a lot to make an album, especially these F.O.B. albums with so much fire.

“Heaven’s Gate”- Let’s talk about this song. It is so beautiful. The words are so beautiful. Some of the lyrics are once again bazar but make perfect sense. I love Patrick’s vocals in the chorus, it’s a little raspy, but sometimes they sing like they’re a heavy metal band not pop, but that’s just how diverse their sound is. It’s 5 chords, making it more interesting than a basic 4 chord song.

The song talks about maybe not making it to heaven, and having a friend boost you over the gate, and how you want to be with your significant other forever.

“HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T”- I’d rather talk about this song more than the two above it just because the other two I love and have a meaningful impact on me, but this song, but this song is just so cool.

The music video for this song was shot trying to represent Dia de los Muertos 2016. I think this beat I just don’t know how to describe it it’s so cool!. It just makes you want to get up and dance and move your ass! It’s so rock, and fun. I am apparently bad with words now… I will be honest the song is a bit autotuned. Especially towards the end bridge. If you listen to him sing this song live on I think it is the Today Show, Patrick’s voice totally cracks. It’s a hard note he’s trying to hit.

“Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea”- This song I wanted to mention I put last because personally I wasn’t into it, and I couldn’t get into it, and I felt like some of the transitions from verse to bridge to chorus were too clashing for my taste. But this song is still on my playlists, and I like to listen to it before games for a little extra to pump me up.

Fall Out Boy did a great job on this new album, and I feel like they grew a bit but their music is still continuously true to who they are as a band. F.O.B. is definitely not for everyone… but I know I’m addicted. If you want to hear some of their stuff on my personal playlists ispat1000 on Spotify. It’s been awhile since I’ve talked about music, and I am definitely band trash. Comment below if you’d like to hear me do some guitar stuff. If you find me tolerable, like and follow for more.

Rock on people.

-Issie

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Music Monday #6

Imagine Dragons: Evolve

Hello people of the internet. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a nice rant about some good music. Now I know this album was released over the summer but I think I’m finally ready to review this album.

Imagine Dragons dished out 10 unique songs on their album. They definitely have more of a unique remixed sound (as usual) while also giving the taste of some pretty good guitar solos.

Each song has it’s own theme, and the lyrics are actually pretty good, but even just listening to progressions in the song makes me even more motivated and focused.

My top three songs:

  1. “Walking the Wire”- This song has a nice subtle intro, and I like the uplifting chorus. It’s very calming and motivating to me and definitely one to check out.
  2. “Whatever It Takes”- I absolutely love this song! It’s very modavating, and such a cool song. Wow I’m so bad with words, why do I have a blog? But honestly though there’s something “Whip whip run me like a race horse, pull me like a rip cord.” every time I hear it that makes me feel like a badass, and there’s nothing better than that feeling.
  3. “Dancing in the Dark”- This song is so autotuned, bud it doesn’t matter. It’s so peaceful, and to put on noise canceling headphones and work while listening to this song is amazing. It honestly calms my anxiety and my mind and that’s why I really love this song.

Honorable mentions:

  • “I don’t know why”
  • “Believer”
  • “Rise up”

I love Imagine Dragons, and I absolutely love their new album. I honestly like it MUCH more than Smoke and Mirrors. I hope you enjoy it.

If you find me to leave like, and subscribe for more.

-Issie

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Music Monday #5

How to survive high school: Playlists

I don’t know about anyone else but I really don’t survive without music. During the summer I spend a lot of time by myself, but when school starts I am constantly surrounded by people. Music is how I push myself, how I wake up in the morning, how I keep myself up at night trying to finish the last bit of homework for tomorrow. So this playlists to survive high school.

When I wake up in the morning I listen to some good old rock. Like some classic rock, punk rock, and pop rock, to get the blood pumping, and to start off my morning.

I actually don’t have very bad time management, but if you needed to fom waking up with rock, you can then make your own playlists with a list of songs that add up to the amount of time you need to get ready.

Once school actually starts, in all honesty I’m still not awake. But that’s when the variety of genres comes into play. By the time I’m in school I start listening to more of a pop playlist. It normally boosts my mood more (well needed because school sucks.)

I am talking Algebra 2 this year, and normally I’m good at math but I’m having to focus a lot more to make sure I understand what the teacher is saying, and for that I use indie music. The indie music opens my mind, and keeps me in focus. Soft classical music like Mozart can also be good.

But when it comes to English or Honors History, you’re doing a lot of writing, and to get the creative juices going, or just to help me on the information, I listen to Beethoven. Beethoven has a very violent tone when playing, unlike Mozart, Beethoven plays with passion.

As you guys also know, I’m on the cross country team, so I normally listen to pop music or rock pop when I run. Like Hey Violet, a lot of All Time Low, and the stuff that’s on the radio.

After a long hard day, I still have Algebra 2, and Spanish homework. By now it’s about 7:30. It’s killer to have to to homework that late honestly. So for that I go back to my rock music, and I take breaks in between every page of homework, (and playing a little electric guitar because guitar homework is the most important homework, duh).

Finally, when I wash my face and brush my teeth listening to my indie tunes. To be honest I really don’t know many indie artists, but I really do like indie music, it’s closer to poetry set to music. SO I listen to it, and get those peaceful vibes, then I wake up and do it all over again.

Spotify: ispat100

Rock Playlist: I was born in the wrong generation

Pop Playlist: Pump up pop

Indie: Crisp leaves and lattes

Mozart and Beethoven artist playlists

If you enjoyed this, like, comment, and subscribe, and comment bellow if you wat to see some poetry that I wrote for kicks on Friday. Idk.

Catch ya on the flip side, good vibes=good life.

-Issie

 

 

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Quote Wednesday #22

“Because I’m feeling some kind of shake without you / Uh huh I think you’re moving in too close / but I think that it’s my body wanting it the most like / uh huh I don’t kow what it is I feel / but I know it’s my emotions going in for the kill like uh huh.”

“Uh huh” by Julia Michaels

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