Don't Stop Believin' in Your Inner Gleek!

Originally a hit for Journey in 1981, “Don't Stop Believin' was covered by the Glee cast in 2009. Since then, they have infiltrated pop culture and continues to climb up the music ladder to success. According to sales source, Nielsen Soundscan, the Glee cast has sold an incredible 2.8 million albums and 11.5 million downloads. The Glee cast had already scored 25 hits in the top 100!
(Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/oct/07/glee-beats-beatles-chart-record )

Glee's version of “Don't Stop Believin'” can be described as bright, bouncy, cheerful and uplifting. The “da-da-da” backing vocals, awesome guitar solo and powerful vocals from Lea Michele (who plays Rachel) has the power to make you smile from ear to ear. It can be seen quite cheesy to outsiders but to Gleeks (Glee lovers), this is the song that makes one want to go that extra mile and punch the air in triumph! "Don't Stop Believin" is featured in two albums: 

Glee: Volume 1

(Image Source: http://www.socypath.com/2010/02/glee-tv-series-sound-track-list-music-of-glee-tv-series-album-list/)

 AND  Glee: Journey to Regionals

(Image Source: http://teamyeheyblog.yehey.com/?tag=journey-to-regionals)

This shows how fundamental the song is to the Glee series. If you haven't watched Glee yet, Why don't you give it ago?

So if you're looking for a song that will give you an extra lift in getting through the day, I (as well as many Gleeks) highly recommend this song! You can watch it here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9d28q_glee-dont-stop-believe_shortfilms

~Yolanda

Usher made us say "Yeah!" in 2004

Before Usher had us singing “Oh my gosh!”, one mention of a single word: “Yeah!” would instantly create the beginning of what would be the song that we just could not get out of our heads in 2004, whether it be for good or bad reasons. Accompanied by the vocals of Lil Jon and a rap by Ludacris, “Yeah!” was the lead single in Usher's album “Confessions”(2004). The track was placed number one on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks - the longest running in 2004. To top it off, it stayed in the top 10 for 24 weeks! * (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeah!_%28Usher_song%29)

The song has been claimed by critics to have a catchy R&B and crunk beat that would be an easy dance floor pleaser. However, I find that to my personal liking it has a constant beat and rhythm. There is no excitement in the dynamics of sound apart from Lil Jon's occasional “Yeah!” which can be interpreted as too repetitive or just overwhelming.

I think “Yeah!” is a good song to listen to occasionally. Usher has grown significantly since the release of this song. 

 (Image Source: http://everydaymusic.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/)

Can't remember the song? Why don't you listen to it here: "Yeah!" by Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris (Youtube Video)


Got a different opinion? Let us know! We would love to hear it! :)


~ Yolanda 

Number one of 2007: Beyonce's Irreplaceable

"Irreplaceable" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. The song was written by Knowles, Ne-Yo, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles. The song was written for her second solo album  B'Day , which was realeased in 2006. Originally not created for Knowles, she re-arranged the demo presented by the producers from country tune to a pop-contemporary R&B song, which made it so popular.

http://spirit-melody4life.blogspot.com/2008/01/beyonc-irreplaceable.html

So what made this song so popular? What made girls sing it with so much force and power on there way to work in the car, or in their rooms? The lyrics refer to breaking up with an unfaithful man, part of Knowles and Ne-Yo's vision of creating a record that people could relate to, and was considered an anthem to female empowerment. This sense of empowerment captured the female audience and resulted in the high ratings of this song, which eventually lead to its number one rating.

So what else captured such an audience to the song? It most certainly can be said the catchy tune of the song. The tune "to the left, to the left," was stuck in the majority of peoples head, with this opening line making them mesmirized to the whole song. Along with this catchy line, the up beat pop melody of the song was a very important factor that drew people so strongly to this song.

"Irreplaceable" was a worldwide commercial and critical success, becoming Knowles' second best-selling single in her solo career after "Crazy in Love" and B'Day's most successful release. The single performed well on the US Billboard Hot 100, remaining at the top spot for ten consecutive weeks. Certified multi-platinum, "Irreplaceable" is the US' best-selling single in 2007 and the 25th most successful song of the 2000s!!\

Monica :)

Top song of 2005; "Since U been gone."

2005 was filled with music that people could play over and over again OR music that was most people's WORST nightmare OR music that made a person want to punch someone whilst listening it it! 2005 was filled with music from all three areas, however this post wll focus on the BEST HIT of 2005. So what made a particualr song so good ? It is the lyrics? The instruments? Or is it the singer itself?

http://www.sleurink.nl/album/870/lyrics/kelly-clarkson/breakaway-songteksten.html

The BEST song of 2005 was most certainly Kelly Clarkson's "Since U been gone" from her hit album "Breakaway." The song was overplayed on the radio millions and millions of times, with fans learning the catchy lyrics word for word! 2005 was the year that Kelly Clarkson outgrew American Idol and became a major pop star in her own independence. "Since U been gone" reached number two in the U.S. and the top five across the world and also earned Clarkson her first Grammy Award for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance."


So what made the lyrical composition so great that each individual soon had the tune and lyrics stuck in their head? The lyrics are concerned with the relief that Clarkson is feeling after her breakup and how she is feeling a sense of "freedom" and a "new beginning." The lyrics became so successful due to that fact that many teenagers and even adults can listen to it after a breakup as a sense of motivation to move on with their life. The tune is catchy with a playful beat that makes girls want to jump around and forgot the boy that broke their heart and nearly destroyed the person they were! Clarkson's image was simple with a high class of personality which made her singing of this song come from the heart, full of attitude and revenge. It is this built persona that made the song so successul, and made a wide range of audiences worship her!


"Since U Been Gone" is one of the most brilliant slices of pop-rock in this decade so far and became the most successful release from Clarkson's album "Breakaway."
Want to listen..CLICK HERE
Want to watch...CLICK HERE


Monica :)

AWESOME MUSIC at Macquarie University's Conception Day!

Macquarie University’s Conception Day is GOING TO BE HUGE  and we’re sure all of you are eager to party hard and party good after a semester of uni! Conception Day is going to ROCK with the awesome bands that will bring this event to life! There are so many bands playing today, however the highlights of the day are most certainly going to be Butterfly Effect, Passengers, Gyroscope and Tame Impala. Macquarie University students and visitors are going to be amazed with the superiority within each group of performers, and most certainly will be dancing all day long!

THIS IS A NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT!

Monica’s review on Gyroscope and Tame Impala

So they say they save the best till last and in this case its true…Gyroscope will be the second last band performing on the “Gotalk Prepaid Mobile Stage” from 5.50 - 6.40pm!! So some of you are probably wondering who Gyroscope is…or should I see them over one of the other bands, artists or DJ’s! Well I assure you Gyroscope is going to go off tomorrow…well most of the time!


GYROSCOPE
Gyroscope is an Australian rock band from Perth, Western Australia.Over Gyroscope’s thirteen year career they have produced four studio albums, with their most recent being “Cohesion.” Gyroscope’s second album “Breed Obsession” which was released in 2008 was one of their most successful albums, and in fact peaked at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. Although, in comparison to Gyroscope’s other albums, its new album seems to be a downfall, with the lead singer sounding like he being “strangled,” which isn’t really pleasant music to the ear. The album seems to be going in the wrong direction with an extremely disappointing follow up. However, Gyroscope will most certainly be changing this “negative mood” with songs such as “Are you involved?” and “Fast girl/Beware of wolf,” which is sure to get all of you excited and filled with enthusiasm! The tune to these songs is catchy, and can be played over and over again! So all those who were hesitant to see Gyroscope...I assure you the some-like “strangling” noise at the start will be compensated by the catch tunes they will perform after!!


TAME IMPALA
So followed by a completely mind blasting performance from Gyroscope will be Tame Impala, who will be the last performer of the night…and will leave you asking for more! Tame Impala are a four piece psychedelic rock band from Perth, Western Australia. Tame Impala will keep you dancing with their great performance skills, with experience from a variety of levels such as Splendour in the Grass, Big Day Out and the Reading festival! Tame Impala's debut album, “Innerspeaker,” was released on 21 May 2010, and has been a great success so far! Tame Impala will most certainly perform there hit songs "Desire Be Desire Go" and "The Bold Arrow of Time,” which represent late-60s American psychedelic. The words and tunes are so catchy, that you can get truly lost with the music and transform into another world! Tame Impala is sure to end the night with a bang, keeping students already thinking about Conception Day 2011!!

             http://www.cme.mq.edu.au/cmeonline/file.php/1/Site_News/ConceptionDayLogo.jpg

Yolanda's review on The Butterfly Effect and Passenger

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT:

Rock on! (and Rock on you shall … at Macquarie University’s Conception Day!)

Expect to have high standards for The Butterfly Effect as their previous album “Imago” reached as high as 2 on the Aria charts and it was their second gold record after the success of their 2003 album “Begins Here” They have received local and international recognition for their “epic soundscapes and incendiary live shows.”
The band’s tour at the end of 2008 was a success as it was sold out! In 2009, they played for the Big Day Out tour with Neil Young, Bullet for My Valentine and The Ting Tings.
However their last album, “Final Conversation of Kings” has been described to be lacking something compared to “Imago” and “Begins Here”. In their previous albums, there was an existence of balance of power in the vocals, the rise and fall of notes and the different dynamics in sounds.
Before you be the judge, from my point of view, the songs from “Imago”; especially “Gone” allowed me to float into another world. As one blogger has said, “The vocal lines take me away and let me float while the guitars bring me straight back down with beautiful force.”

The Butterfly Effect will be performing on the Gotalk Prepaid Mobile Stage: 4:30-5:20pm. 

PASSENGER

Passenger’s previous album reviews were described as "Captivating" (Q Magazine), "Intensely Beautiful" (The Sun, a UK national daily) and "Style and Intelligence" (New Musical Express) it tends to attract your attention”.  This does provide an impressive image of the band! I haven’t heard any of their stuff but it has me interested! Straight from England’s South Coast Resort of Brighton, Passenger reflects on the journey of funding himself through busking in the new album, “Flight of the Crow”. Along the way, they have collaborated with Australian artists such as Josh Pyke, Katie Noonan, Matt Corby and Kate Miller Heidke. So if you like any of these artists’ sounds then perhaps Passenger will also make it to your Ipod! Passenger describes their music as it is meant to be, “unvarnished and honest”. Through powerful tunes and sincerity of lyrics they are meant to strike a chord with the heart. It truly portrays dedication to a "grass roots style of craftsmanship and collaboration…(and) evoking the humble, hardworking creativity of the troubadours of old”.
As uni students, we could probably relate to the hard work he is trying to express!
Passenger will be performing at the Macquarie University Village Stage – 2pm -3pm.

Got an opinion? Do you agree or disagree? You’re more than welcome to post up any thoughts or comments about how you think these bands performed at Conception Day or any other information about the other bands!
Enjoy Conception Day ALL!! Have fun, stay safe! ROCK ON! :)