Growing up as a child of the 90s was awesome, as many of you can relate. The 90s generation believed we had the best toys, television shows and of course the best decade of music. It appeared to us that our music would always be cool. Growing up in the first five years of the early thousands, I know I kept up with the popular music. Then it happened. The one thing I always promised myself never would. I fell out of touch with popular music. Suddenly, what was playing on Much Music was no longer appealing to me. I kept asking myself, where has all the good music gone?

I had come to the acceptance that television is changing all the time, and everything quickly becomes retro. But the top 40 music of the 90s?!?! No that could never happen. All of this was simply a stage of denial. While scanning the net I noticed CTV announced that Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees, and New Kids on the Block are doing a tour. Yes, you read that correctly. We now have our old school heart throbs touring around in massive clumps to bring back preteen and teen flash backs to females who are now in their 20s. 90s kids have become retro and we have become our parents.

Scarey thought to think we have become our parents. Seeing the majority of us have fought of that notion since we hit the  hormone raging, angry stages of adolescence. But let’s take a step back and look at this. Every generation has that one decade, which they reminisce upon and truly believe that was the best decade ever in existence. The rest that are passing by are just filler. The music of that time was the best and nothing else can compare to it. Well 90s kids, we are falling into that zone, and if you don’t believe me. Just check out young Selena Gomez covering Britney Spear’s Baby Hit Me One More Time. It has happened, we are now the new retro gang!

So let’s us all walk down memory lane and jam to a little Prozzak! Stay cool 90s gang!

S

 

Hey everyone!

Now I know as listeners we have all come across the classical sounds of an orchestra with the harsh and intense sounds of metal. It is not a new concept at all, and some of you might be wondering why I am even bringing up this already well known topic. Take the the enriching sounds of the orchestra out of the picture, and leave in your mind the hauntingly beautiful tones of the piano. Add with that the deep and guttural sounds of the well recognized Till Lindemann from Rammstein and together you have a creation that speaks and reaches into the darkest regions of your soul.

According to Rammstein‘s official website they released video collection back in December  showcasing their video’s from 1995 to 2012. Included are the making’s of and two new videos for Mein Herz Brennt. One, as mentioned, the eerily  beautiful piano version, and a visually intense, and to some an ominous  second video, that appears to be a continuation of an intense story line.

The music video for the piano version of Mein Herz Brennt is only showcasing Lindemann. The first notes to hit the listeners ears are the soft sounds of the piano. Visually consuming the Saw – like scenery, very dimly lit with an off red colour. In the middle stands Lindemann with his head pointed downwards towards a lit up, capital T shape in the ground. There he stands wearing a black, strapless gown with what could be called fish net gown gloves. Face is painted white with black around his eyes to emphasizes his blue/green eyes, with what appear to be cuts across his chest and arms (fake of course!). On cue, his deep voice chimes in.

What makes this video particularly chilling are the facial expressions that Lindemann was to convey. Through small tilts of his head, small awkward smiles and the intensity he was able to convey through his eyes, Lindemann was able to send shivers down my spine. Yet, as menacing as the video appeared, it did not deter me. It’s a darker form beauty, that not many not understand, but powerful none the less.

Rammstein-Mein Herz Brennt (Piano Version)

Keeping with the intensity of theme, the second video showcases all the member’s of Rammstein. In this blogger’s personal opinion, this version of the video has elements from Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital mixed in with a touch of the 1999 version of The House On Haunted Hill.  It brings to life the lyrics of the music which in themselves are like a dark children’s story. Strange images grace the viewer in the opening scenes with all the of the men standing against the wall, bags over their faces with unusual faces on them. Lindemann takes on two roles, one as a ghoulish character, slightly different from the piano version along side the other members of Rammstein, to what appears to the a wealthy 19th century man with an ominous message to tell.

Rannstein-Mein Herz Brennt (Official)

Peering into the darkness is not always a scarey thing. It shows a different path of creativity which many are not willing or too scared to venture down. Open your minds to the possibilities, and whether you be a Rammstein fan or not, watch and appreciate a hair-raising images that are meant to take you to a place that isn’t so warm and fuzzy.

Enjoy!

S

Last night at, oh, I’d estimate around 7 p.m. EST, several Facebook friends (including some from the band) posted the video below on their walls. GTA-based melodic metal band and past CM cover artists Protest The Hero are crowd funding their fourth full-length album and were after support. When I checked their IndieGoGo page, they’d received just over $30,000 of their $125,000 goal. Today, about 2 minutes prior to me hitting “Publish”, the band was at $144,465 – less than 24 hours from when they’d started. We’ve discussed the effectiveness of such campaigns in our pages over the past few issues, but this… Well, this is really something…

Some food for thought. Happy Friday…

http://chrisledrew.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/open-letter-from-a-bar-owner-to-musicians/