Song of the Week - Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional - Vindicated
Album: Spider-Man II Soundtrack







After all the press given to Spider-Man in recent months (including myself last week), I thought it unfair that music from past Spider-Man movies might go unforgotten. Thank goodness I am such a big fan of Dashboard Confessional. After attending multiple concerts, I have found that I am older than the target age market for this music. No one told me this personally, but the lack of alcohol being served at the event, instead replaced by lemonade stands and a 'parent-waiting area,' has led me to this conclusion.


Nonetheless, a loyal fan I will remain. Dashboard Confessional, led by lead singer-songwriter Chris Carraba (a 'boyfriend shopping' inductee [January 21, 2011]), have been around for over 10 years now and released several amazing albums. Their emo roots have found a loyal fan base in the punk scene, though their music is more alternative in nature. Nothing seems more enjoyable than singing along and trying to hit those high notes, along with Chris Carraba, in vain. I encourage everyone to buy all of their CDs and sing along.

aa.

Song of the Week - Turn Off the Dark

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark - Rise Above (peformed on Late Night with David Letterman)
(written by Bono and The Edge)

The events surrounding the world's most expensive broadway show in history has been well documented. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark has cost over $65 Million dollars and has been delayed many times over. Director Julie Taylor has recently been relieved of her duties as the producers try to revamp the show again for an early summer release. The show's initial debut was supposed to be this past week (after initial delays), but poor reviews and multiple safety concerns involving the set have made Spider-Man more of a news piece in it's problems rather than its successes.

Despite all this, the only piece of the set not subject to injuries are the songs, written and composed by Bono and The Edge of U2. While some of the music has been criticized by some critics, the music has that U2 feel despite Bono himself not singing.

Here's another song from the performance: Boy Falls From the Sky.

Song of the Week - Bobby Bazini

Bobby Bazini - I Wonder
Album: Better in Time

With the Juno's only a few weeks away, many Quebecois will have their TV sets ready for Bobby Bazini. The young 20-year old Mont-Laurier native has topped the charts in Quebec for multiple weeks for his hit album Better in Time and the single I Wonder. This popularity has lead him to two Juno nominations for New Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year, the winners being announced this March 27th. The label of 'pop album' may be misleading as his music has a stronger soul feel, thanks in part to his love of the late Otis Redding. His style also hints at country, due to his family's affinity for artists such as Garth Brooks and Johnny Cash, perhaps explaining his black wardrobe. Whatever label or genre you classify this music as, one must sit back and listen to the talent coming from this young Canadian.

Song of the Week - Never Too Late To Thank Drake

Drake - Over 
Album: Thank Me Later

I found an iPod on a plane the other day just lying around with no owner in sight. As the music device had been burried well into a seat pocket, I was told that it was unneccessary to leave the iPod at the lost & found because these items are too commonly forgotten and the owner could be anywhere in the world. So, I checked out to see what kind of music was on it, and it featured a lot of rap and hip-hop music, two genres I am not so well versed in. While scrolling through the artists, I noticed there was one song by Drake, on of the fastest growing names in music and also a Toronto native. It might sound crazy to not know any of Drake's songs by this point, but it's not as though I didn't know who Drake is. It something I liken to knowing who Justin Bieber and Katy Perry are, but I would not recognize any of their songs if I were to hear them on the radio. With my introduction to Drake at my fingertips, I played the only available song to me, Over. And the thing is, it's actually a pretty decent song. Drake was nominated this past year for Best New Artist at the Grammy's and has won several Juno's. From his CD "Thank Me Later" released back in 2009, maybe I'm late little late to learning about Drake. But, as his album title says, I'm thanking him, a lot later.