Adele-21

1. Rolling In The Deep

2. Rumour Has It

3. Turning Tables

4. Don’t You Remember

5. Set Fire To The Rain

6. He Won’t Go

7. Take It All

8. I’ll Be Waiting

9. One And Only

10. Lovesong

11. Someone Like You

Ok, so I'm just gonna dive right into this blog today. Basically the only way you haven't heard of Adele at this point is if you live under a rock, which is really no excuse because her music is so rocking (ok horrible pun I know) that it would transcend all layers of the earth. 

The beautiful and talented Adele first arrived on the US scene in 2009 with her debut album 19. With her soulful lyrics and strong voice Adele won our attentions. Three years later she brings us her sophomore album, appropriately titled 21.

The first single was released in November 2010 to bring attention to the album, and boy did it work. 

Rolling in the Deep is by far one of the best songs I have heard in a long time. The lyrics, written by Adele, tell the story of a romance gone sour and though it may seem as if Adele is lamenting, truth be heard, she is telling the boy what an opportunity he missed out on. It's always great to hear a chick sing about a lost love and not sound like a wimpy, weepy female. Adele is not a damsel in distress and some of my favorite lyrics really show that she isn't messing around. 

Example:

Baby I have no story to be told

But I’ve heard one of you

And I’m gonna make your head burn

Think of me in the depths of your despair

Making a home down there

Cause mine sure won't be shared. 

That's just a little glimpse into the lyrical genius of Adele. What really makes this song shine though is her soulful voice with one hell of a beat adding to the power. The strength in this song sets up the rest of the album, and while I could talk about Rolling in the deep forever (I know I repeat it enough) it is just a prelude to a great album. 

Rumor Has it is the second song on the album and the perfect follow up to Rolling in the deep. Like most of her songs it tells a story about the power of rumors and how what we hear may not always be true. The song, much like it's predecessor, has a very strong beat to it that has you tapping your feet in time with the music. Her voice sound fantastic, and the slight rasp gives this song a 1950's rocking oldies feel to it. The song starts off with a perfectly timed bass drum before humming vocals add to the power of the song, and then her voice starts and it helps kick the song into gear. 

This song is great, it maintains the power of Rolling in the deep while still being different enough to stand on it's own. The only downside to the song is at about 2:18 when the song all of a sudden slows down to piano and her own haunting vocals. Now I know many people may like this breakdown in a song, but to me it feels unnecessary. The breakdown has no real significance and just takes down from the power that is Adele. 

With that being said though, it's still a great song. 

Now, number 3 Turning Tables, is a much slower but beautiful ballad. The piano and violin give this song such a unique feel it's wonderful to hear the violin being used on a mainstream song. As I said, it is slower but just as powerful as the two before it and though I do enjoy the song, it is not one I find myself listening to as much as Rolling in the deep and Rumor has it. 

Gonna jump a round a little bit here now. Something I found truly interesting was Adele's desire to cover The Cure's 1989 "Lovesong". To be honest I thought it was a good cover, I know a lot of people hate covers, especially when it comes to bands like The Cure but for a soulful female british singer (I added femlare cause The Cure's lead singer was british as well) I thought it was a good cover. It kept that mellow, seductive vibe that the original contained and she still added her own flavor to it. You be the judge ont hat cover though. Adele's LoveSong and The Cure's LoveSong

Some of the other stand out songs was the beautiful Someone Like You. With the mellow piano and her haunting lyrics you can feel her heartbreak in this song. And since just about everyone has experienced their own heartbreaks it is nice to have some words to it. 

The whole album is chock full of great songs. Really there doesn't feel like a weak song on the album, but in my opinion the coup-de-gras of this album is track number 5.

Set Fire To the Rain is almost indescribable. While considered a "slow" song compared to Rolling in the Deep, there is just as much power to it. Her voice touches to the core of your being as she varies from raw and intense in the chorus to almost gentle like in the verses. What is so great is how she is able to transition so smoothly that you don't really realize it is happening. The verses bring a slow build up to her strong chorus. And of course the lyrics are phenom. In my heart of hearts I am obsessed with imagery, and there is nothing more beautiful than when a talented lyricist is able to paint an image with her words. 

The image that Adele portrays is one of heartbreak, pain, suffering and that of a woman scorned. Now, normally that is not a beautiful picture but with her lyrical paintings and powerful voice you realize you are listening to a masterpiece. 

Overall, I rate this album as a must have. There is not a song you will regret owning, but if you are not a fan of the album ownage then above all the other songs you must have Rolling in the Deep and Set Fire to the Rain. I promise you won't regret those!

Purchase 21 Through Itunes

The Civil Wars- Barton Hollow

 The Civil Wars- Barton Hollow.

20 Years - 3:02

I've Got This Friend - 3:24

C'est la mort - 2:30

To Whom It May Concern - 3:32

Poison & Wine - 3:42

My Father's Father - 3:21

Barton Hollow - 3:26

The Violet Hour - 3:26 

Girl with the Red Balloon - 3:50

Falling - 3:59

Forget Me Not - 2:57

Birds of a Feather - 3:06

Bonus Tracks:

 I Want You Back - 3:16

Dance Me to the End of Love - 3:08

Quick history, "The Civil Wars is is an indie folk duo composed of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. The duo met during Nashville songwriting session and formed The Civil Wars," (1). John plays the guitar and the harmonica, and Joy plays the piano and the organ, both sharing duties of the vocals. 


They released their album Barton Hollow on Feburary 1, 2011, so like I said fairly recent.  


Ok enough blabbing, time for music. The album as a whole is simply brilliant. The album falls into the indie folk genre but I feel like it can have a bit of bluegrass in there. It is very similar to an older album called Raising Sand, a collaboration album between Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, frontwoman for Alison Krauss and the Union Station. One of my favorite albums of all time, which would be why I was interested in Barton Hollow. 


 The combination of Joy's voice and John's is a great contrast to each others. Both are very folksy and soft, but her higher more gentle voice comes across as haunting compared to his lower baritone (? don't know the technical term for his voices' type, forgive me if I'm wrong).      The way their voices play off each other just entices the listener to a mellow mood and you find yourself wanting to do nothing but listen to their music. Each Song is just as beautiful as the last, and if you read my introduction blog you'd know what a fan I am of lyrics and their lyrics are amazing. 


In the first song of the album 20 years, it seems to tell the story of a lost love, perhaps waiting for him/her to return and unable to let go of the fact that is has been 20 years since they have heard from the lover. John's guitar playing on this song is so simple but so beautiful, the song starts with him playing chords that seem to draw you in right away, and then the vocals start with both Joy and John and instantly you know that you're gonna be hooked and if the rest of the album is anything like this song, you know you're in for some great music. 


The theme for the album is about lovers, which is set by 20 years and followed throughout the rest of the songs. It is a sad tale of love, evident in songs such as I've got this friend and Falling. And there seems to be some tie in between songs.


In C'est la mort (french for "such is death") both the guitar and the piano are being played for the introduction and the sound makes one think of an old music box, the kind you opened up and a ballerina or some figurine would spin in front of the mirror. 

Like this one

The words tell the story of two lovers and one of them has committed suicide, evident by the opening lyrics (Swan dive down eleven stories high). As the story continues the lover still alive is shown to be telling the story and tells his lover to not continue on to the "other side" with out them. The lyrics are beautiful and the musical composition makes the song haunting, but it is so beautiful it is definitely not one to be missed. 


Another favorite is Poison and Wine.  If you didn't hear the words, the melodies between the two voices and their separate instruments makes the song carry a romantic feel, and makes you just want to cry at how beautiful it is. Once reading the words though you realize how f***ed up their relationship truly is and that just makes the song even more beautiful. The building crescendo in the repetition gives the song an amazing quality that will truly stick with you after it has finished, and if you're anything like me you'll repeat it more than once. 
Side Note: This song had been recently featured on Grey's Anatomy and, I haven't seen the episode, give the heartbreaks of the show you can definitely see this song fitting perfectly into the theme of the show. 


 Barton Hollow the namesake of the album. From the minute the song starts with the vocalization of John and Joy I'm hooked. It has a western feel to it, and you can just picture a small Western town of the Tombstone era with a man wandering the desert knowing his fate ahead of him. He is an outlaw and nothing good came from what he left behind the titular Barton Hollow. Joy and John are able to paint such a vivid picture with their words that you can almost see an entire movie being made out of this one song. (Hmm....) The song ends after an amazing build up to the simplicity of just John and Joy's voices stating the chorus and it leaves you with a feeling I can't even describe. Good, bad...ugly? Either way it leads right into The Violet Hour.


The Violet Hour is entirely instrumental, something rarely heard on albums anymore and is absolutely gorgeous. The guitar and piano is breathtaking and it makes me want close my eyes and let it lull me into a deep slumber. These two have serious talent! It also seems fitting given the "story" they just painted with Barton Hollow. 


All right, so I'm gonna stop there and let you guys all tell me your own opinions. I'm obsessed but what are your thoughts?




 Lyrics to Barton Hollow
Buy Barton Hollow off Itunes




1. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Civil_Wars)

Introduction...welcome to my world

So this is my first entry, this is more of an introduction to what this blog is gonna be about then any reviews or what not. Basically, I am just a huge fan of music, all sorts of music. I believe that music is an essential part of living and with out it life would be miserable. In my opinion sometimes all it takes is a lyric, not even a full song, just a single lyric than can change your whole outlook on things. You can be having the worst day of your life and all you heard was that one lyrics and suddenly things don't seem so grim. Music defines lives, it's powerful and beautiful. It is is art in the simplest, purist form of the the word. We interpret it, we discuss it. We try and figure out it's meaning and we believe in it. If nothing else music, the words, the melodies, they become apart of us. Everyone has their opinions on songs, albums and artists, I'm just choosing to voice mine. Like I said, I'm not a professional so I might have spelling errors and what not, but if you can look past it then you might find yourself enjoying this blog. It's more for my own entertainment, and the entertainment of my friends and family and you might find yourself disagreeing with some of my statements. Feel free to post your own responses in the comment section, I am always open to others' opinions, however let's keep it civil. There is seriously no need to belittle someone cause they don't agree with you. 


With that said, I hope you enjoy this experience with me and we'll see how it goes? Looking forward to hearing every one else's' thoughts.