Legendary // The Summer Set

Two weeks ago, The Summer Set re-released their latest studio album, "Legendary," with some extra b-sides and an alternate version of "Lightning in a Bottle." The first release was debuted on April 13, 2013. Forming in 2007, The Summer Set is an Arizona-native band that features frontman and vocalist Brian Dales, Jess Bowen on drums, John Gomez on piano and guitar, Stephen Gomez on bass, and Joshua Montgomery on guitar. They're a pop band with extremely catchy beats that makes you want to dance and sign along. Starting in September of this year, they announced that they are working on a fourth studio album. I had the pleasure of seeing them during Warped Tour this year and that was the first time I really got into their music. I listened to the album Legendary a few times after that and didn't press play again until this week. I don't think I fully appreciated the album when I first heard it - or maybe it just means more to me right now. Now I can't get the words that make up this great album out of my head.

~

This is the intro to the first song of the album, "Maybe Tonight." I can't recall any memorable album intros that begin like this. I love it. To be honest, this may be my favorite part of the album - or at least one of them. This intro isn't sung, either, it's said. The introduction automatically draws you in. This album is far from some formulaic, autotuned pop album made from greedy "artists." It has a message and the band wants this message told. 

Cause there's gotta be something out there

If I fly high enough I'll find it somewhere

So I'll hold my breath till I float away

Maybe I'll come down someday

(Someday)

One of the slower songs on the album, but it caught my attention. It's hopeful. I won't argue that some of the themes on this album - break ups, make ups, never giving up - is a bit cliche, but that doesn't stop it from being a great song. I really like this song because "it" is never specified. "It" can be whatever you want it to be. Based on the context of the other songs, "it" can be love. Or maybe "it" is adventure, a new opportunity. Maybe "it" means breaking out of an everyday routine so you float away until you find something new to discover. It's really up to the listener to decide what "it" is.

We caffeinate our blood, talk religion and our families

Graduate then separate, throw our caps in the air

(Rescue)

I'll admit it, this songs makes me emotional. It's not that I loved high school - I actually can't wait to get away. But that doesn't erase the fact that in five short months I'm going to be graduating, enjoying my last summer at home, move into my dorm in a city, and begin college. It's a little overwhelming writing that all out, but I'm excited. "Rescue" is more about being there for a friend than the line I pulled from the song. I actually wish this song got more credit because it can be an anthem for any best friends. When you need me I'll be there, a friend in the eye of the storm. 

When I was a kid, I'd fly around and Peter would mention

Don't be afraid to die, 'cause to die would be an awful big adventure

(Legendary)

THIS IS LEGEN - wait for it - DARY. LEGENDARY. Okay, when the chorus is filled with references to "How I Met Your Mother," how can this not be my favorite song from the album? I feel like this song can be taken in a few different ways. Whenever anything mentions Peter Pan, you know there is an element of refusing to grow up. I just need to accept, friends grow up and lovers will lie. Like many of the problems in HIMYM, the song is also about wanting to find your "yellow umbrella" (in other words, finding that special person you eventually want to settle down with). The term 'settle down with' might be a bit strong, but Ted did settle down with his yellow umbrella so... This song can also be simple - everyone wants to be legendary. It's not until the last chorus when he sings, we all wanna be legendary to somebody, that makes you rethink it isn't that simple.  

I wanna fall in love for once

I want to find my place

This big city life ain't the fairy tales I'm told

(One Night)

This is the first bonus song from the deluxe version of the album and it takes quite a turn from the rest of the album. Despite the cheery sounds of the instruments, the lyrics are sad. I know sad is a terrible descriptive word, but I can't think of another word. The lyrics talk about how it only takes one night to mess everything up, yet it also only takes one night to fix things. Then the chorus switches to the scene of friends in the back burning holes in their heads, saying 'This is the good life, wish we were dead." It's ironic, isn't it? If life is good, then why would you wish you were dead? The song suggests that there is more to it than just that. The lyric I quoted above is from the second verse, and the vocals seem to pick up a bit, suggesting some hope. In a way, I can see what it's trying to say. The band went from living in Scottsdale, Arizona to spending most of the time in Los Angeles. Of course the 'big city life' is often overemphasized and many people seem to bite off more than they can chew. Despite the new challenges, it's one foot in front of the other. One night to fix it all.

~

This album proved harder to break down than I thought. It's one thing to listen to the lyrics and try to understand them, and it's a whole other thing to read the lyrics like a poem (something I try to do when I want to figure out what it's trying to say). I feel like I just over-analyzed a great album, but I was dying to blog about something and this album has been on repeat for the last few days. Anyways, after months passed and I picked this album back up along with its new b-sides, I gained a new respect for the album.

It's not all that uncommon to not get attached to an album the first time you here it. Actually, it's probably really common. Sometimes you have to wait for the music to come to you (that sounds cheesy, but just go with me). I think everyone can understand the feeling of hearing an old song and loving the feeling of knowing that you remembered every single word. The rediscovery of an album or artist is almost as great (or maybe even greater) than the first time you pressed play. I can't wait for the deluxe version of Legendary to feature in my amazing roadtrip playlist, it'll fit perfectly.

~

I hate to say it, but I might not blog so much in the next few weeks. In less than 48 hours, I will be picking up my best friend from the airport. The day after Christmas, we roadtrip to California and I know it will be the most amazing vacation ever. Disneyland, Hollywood, Venice, Huntington, San Diego. I can't even explain how much I'm looking forward to this. I'll try to blog, but no promises.

(Side note: I'm still trying to get in the hang of blogging. I like the style I'm using right now, though. Bringing up an album, pulling out some songs and trying my best to explain them. I just hate making something more than it is - it makes me feel like I'm in my AP Lit class - so I'm trying hard not to do that. I know this is far from what you would find in something published, but I don't plan on any of this getting published. Either way, I love that I'm actually putting words to how I feel about some of the music I'm listening to.)

Until next time,

-Nikole xx

The Dream Walker - Angels & Airwaves

It's been three years since we last heard new music from Angels & Airwaves and they have officially broken their silence. AvA released their fourth studio album, "The Dream Walker," today. AvA is most well-known because of frontman Tom DeLonge, who is guitarist/vocalist of Blink 182. The album is only one-fifth of a multimedia project that includes a short film, novel, comic books, and a graphic novel that follows the journeys of a Dream Walker named Poet Anderson. The short film recently won the Best Animated Short Film Award at the Toronto International Short Film Festival and the album is currently #1 in seven countries.

AvA have always been a band driven by spacey synth sounds and DeLonge's recognizable drawl and this album isn't much different. The album opens with a piano and synth introduction in "Teenagers & Rituals." The blur of time and dates, that a drink or 2, or 3 relieve. I'm not sure if I can get into analyzing the lyrics because DeLonge can be a complicated guy. The first time I heard this song (just under 12 hours ago) I was happy and relieved. I didn't want AvA to dive deep into the use of synths that drown out the vocals and guitars (like the singles, "Paralyzed" and "The Wolfpack") and I wasn't disappointed.

"Paralyzed" and "The Wolfpack" were the two singles of the album and, to be honest, they didn't set my expectations very high. I just wasn't a fan of the sound. The lyrics were thoughtful and deep like many AvA songs, but I couldn't hear them because the synths were too overpowering. If I had to pick, I would say "Paralyzed" is my favorite of the two because it has a catchy chorus and beat. The only music video so far is for "The Wolfpack" and it had nothing to do with how I interpreted the song. Full of animal masks and confused looking people, it was just overall hard to follow. The intro definitely emphasizes the spacey feeling. After looking up the lyrics, I gained a greater respect for each song because DeLonge is truly a lyrical genius. I'm not saying that I don't like these songs since you can still find me singing along to every word, they just weren't my favorite.

DeLonge wrote a lengthy interpretation of "Tunnels" on Facebook that greatly helped how I was able to listen and understand the song. He wrote the verses years ago, which explains why the sound resembles something a little older than the rest of the album. DeLonge stated on his Facebook that he wrote the verses based on a paranormal experience where he woke up and felt his late father's presence. Then two years later, he wrote the chorus about how "something beautiful and epic is on the other side." I'd thank God, but then what is he for? Because I left a few calls at his front door, I'll leave more. I love the high guitar motif in the background - it especially stands out when DeLonge takes a breath and transitions into the next verse/chorus. The last few verses that end with "when you die" is kind of chilling, but like DeLonge said, "there is something beautiful and epic" waiting. Bringing in some religious ideas and even mentioning God is a rare moment in the songs DeLonge writes which is how they seem to pack a bigger meaning.

After a one minute intro of synths, DeLonge breaks out into a fast-paced song, "Mercenaries." The vocals are strained differently which makes the song stand out to me. I feel kind of hypocritical because in a way this song resembles the two singles, yet I really I love this song. When you feel alone, here's a little hand, and a thought 'cause you were on my mind. I've watched countless videos of DeLonge perform (from Blink 182 to AvA to Box Car Racer) and I can tell - if AvA decides to tour - that this will be an amazing song live. I have a picture of what it would look like and I hope it becomes reality one day (even though I'm against the idea of DeLonge performing without a guitar like he usually does with AvA - it just doesn't look natural). Another song that shows a different strain of the vocals and a different energy is "Bullets in the Wind" which I also believe will be a great song to see performed live.

I might have saved the best for last. I don't want to say it's my favorite, because all of the songs are great for their own reasons, but this song I did put on repeat for a few times during the day. "Anomaly" is a very rare kind of AvA song and I'm grateful. The only song I can relate to this is the acoustic version of "The Gift" that is at the end of their first album, "I-Empire." The intro also reminds me of the start of Blink 182's "Boxing Day" - it's a very slowed down, quieter version of the same guitar riffs. I never wanted to say how much I liked you, I never wanted to be one of your sad discoveries. Maybe one of the reasons I love this song is because the lyrics seem relatable. It's a love song, nothing more, nothing less. I never wanted to coast, always wanted to be an anomaly. It's such an unexpected sound from this band. There's no synth whatsoever. It's a perfect ending to the album that parallels the ending of 2007's "I-Empire." My girl, I think I'm in love, it's the scariest place to be alive.

I did leave a few songs out, but I wanted to talk about the few that have stood out to me in the 12 hours that this album has been out. I know I'll probably interpret these songs a bit differently after I see the other adaptions of Poet Anderson's story, but I wanted to get my thoughts about just the album down first. This album only confirmed that DeLonge's voice is possible my favorite voice I have ever heard (which is saying something). There's nothing like it. As much as I love AvA and their current success, I hope DeLonge gets back in the studio with Blink 182 again soon.


xx Nikole

Happy Birthday to The Maine's "Pioneer"

Happy 3rd birthday to a very special album by a very special band: The Maine's Pioneer. I've blogged about The Maine a couple of times before, but I haven't fully dedicated a post to them and it's about time I did. The Maine are a local band based in Tempe who have been active since 2007 but have gained more recognition as they toured during Warped Tour. Bassist Garrett Nickelsen and drummer Pat Kirch started the band while they were in high school and later guitarists Kennedy Brock and Jared Monaco along with vocalist John O'Callaghan would join the team. Their first full-length album, Can't Stop, Won't Stop, was released in December of 2007 and was characterized by pop-y guitar riffs and vocals. Their lyrics got a more serious in 2010 with their second album, Black & White. The band is currently in the studio putting together their fifth album.

Three years ago today, The Maine took a giant step in their career and released their third album, Pioneer. This marked a huge change in the direction this band way going. Ditching the pop sounds that were featured in their first album and played a small role in the second, Pioneer showed the seriousness of this band. The Maine transitioned into their alternative rock/indie tone that carries into Forever Halloween (2013). Reaching number 90 in the Billboard 200 and selling 12,000 copies in the first week, the album was no failure. Good Love (Pioneer the B sides) was later released that included 7 more songs. 8123 (an artist collective that includes The Maine) recognized the album's anniversary on instagram and commented that "this album proves that if you want to do something you can make it happen with a little hard work."

I'm not going to go into detail about each song, but I do want to talk about some of them that really stand out to me (from the first released version of the album). So this is just my rough idea of what each song is intended to mean or why it stands out. I'll try to keep them somewhat short, but it's kind of hard for me to stop writing once I've started.

Some things are out of my hands

I'm what time and consequence have made me

Sit back and watch the world explode

3, 2, 1 here come the fireworks, baby

(Identify)

"Identify" introduces the album with a subtle guitar riff and John's vocals softly singing the first verse. Then after "here come the fireworks, baby," the drums enter and the guitar gets louder. That's the pattern for the rest of the song. Gentle verses, then screaming the chorus. It's a song that stands out and describes the band at the time. They're building their identity. It's not worth "standing in line," it's time to "identify." I also need to point out the lyric "I bought the last plane ticket to the end of the world" because it emphasizes that the time to identify is now.

I'm feeling pretty dirty, baby

Forgive my sins.

I got the feeling you can save me honey,

My heroine.

(My Heroine)

This song has a very recognizable opening and the first verse (above) draws you into the song. It's pretty self-explanatory. This girl is his heroine - his drug - something he is addicted to and could never get enough of. I like the double meaning of heroine. While in the song, it is mostly intended to be the drug, but heroine is also defined as a "woman admired for her noble qualities." Both definitions make this heroine an irresistible person.

Some days, they taste like lemonade

Some days can feel like razor blades

I wish I could float away, some days

(Some Days)

A little more cheery sound than the first three songs on the album, however it is serious just like the rest. The chorus (above) is powerful and is definitely packed with a lot of emotion. It says what is true for everyone - some days we feel on top of the world, some days can feel agonizingly painful. Then there are days where you wish you could float away, leave it all behind. The line "I hate to say I told you so" makes me think that he has been trying to make a point and it's finally coming across. 

I am selfless, I am selfish,

I'm anything that I want to be.

This is violent, this is honest, 

It's the anthem for a dying breed.

(Don't You Give Up On "Us")

There's a list of ideas of what this could mean in my head and I think every one has a bit of truth in it. Since there are quotations around "us," it makes me think that this song is meant to have multiple meanings. First, I thought of "us" as in a relationship. He doesn't want to break up and this is his plea for her to stick around. I don't really think that is it, although there are some lines that back that idea up. I also thought it could mean "us" as in the band. The song starts with "I am anything you want me to be" then it transitions into "anything I want to be." The band started off as any other pop band, which is probably what many people wanted. It would definitely be something the radio would play. However, the band realized that they will be what they want to be, even if they won't get the same attention. The dying breed could be the genre of music which is definitely different from the "mainstream" music found on the popular radio stations these days.

Looking for misery, but she found me

Lying naked on the floor

(Stay away, sweet misery)

I was headed insane, the devil told me his name

But he's not welcome here, anymore

(Misery)

Possibly my favorite song on the album for many, many reasons. The first time the lyrics really sunk in for me was when I watched the music video. It left me speechless. There's so much emotion that goes into this song, probably more than any other song on this album. Misery is a very intense emotion - it's something deeper than just being sad. Misery is personified in the song and is able to view the speaker at his lowest. I have a lot of questions about the some of the meanings in this song so it's hard for me to go into detail. For instance, why was he looking for misery? And then once "she" finds him, he tells her to stay away? I have some ideas but too difficult and wordy to type it all out now. I love how with every succeeding chorus, John sings louder until the point where he is desperately calling out to Misery.

Turn it up, it's my song

I can't sing, but I'll sing along

I can feel it in my bones

A little rock, a little roll

(While Listening to Rock & Roll)

Finally a more cheery song. Well, I don't think I would call it cheery, but I love message of the song which is crystal clear - don't stop listening to rock 'n' roll. The guitar reflects the old feeling of real rock n roll (although I don't think you can define "real" rock n roll - it's something you feel in your bones like the song says). It's a song that can be related to as well. I love those songs that you can feel. The lyrics and vocals, the drums, the guitar, the bass, the piano/keyboards - everything fits together and rolls along. I can definitely relate to the line "I can't sing but I'll sing along." I know I can't sing, but that will never stop me from singing along.

Oh my gorgeous Arizona

Here's to gettin' caught with you

I was runnin' with the wolves

I was howlin' at the moon

(Waiting for My Sun to Shine)

I'm not going to go really into this song because, well, there's a lot to say about about a 15 minute song. Right now as I'm writing this I'm enjoying the incredible guitar solo that really picks up at 2:38. I like that this song is at the end of the album. It feels like the final toast. All I know is I'm still waiting for my sun to shine. There's a lull that is broken at about the 8 minute mark. It's soft. It kind of feels like a giant sigh. 

Happy birthday, Pioneer.

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I feel like I haven't updated my blog in a long time. Acdec competitions were all last week and I find out if I make the team on Monday. Then I have to deal with the ACT and finals coming up in the next two weeks. I promise I'll write as often as I can. I really enjoyed writing this post so I'll probably something like this again. :)

Until next time,

Nikole xx