Here's the fifth and final part of my five part series on reviewing the Best Album category for the Grammy's.This is a straight through review of each track, and then an overall conclusion on the album. So with that, lets begin. Following the review of each track, a mark will appear within ( ), a check-mark "✔" meaning a great track, an "O" meaning an okay track or track that could have been great with a few adjustments, or an "X", meaning a miss. (All rights to any video of the mentioned songs is copyright of Sara Bareilles and Epic).
1) "Brave"
It starts out with a nice drum intro. A big chorus follows. The lyrics are really spot on here, such as "one of these days you can let the light in.........let your words be anything but empty". A big intro to "Blessed Unrest" with the top single. This is an anthem on being yourself, whether its about the LGBT community or otherwise. A song that many can relate to. (✔)
2) "Chasing the Sun"
The intro helps the song really get to the point. There are a lot of powerful lyrics here; "life is not meant to be wasted, we can always be chasing the sun", "my earth is somebody's ceiling". Anthem-like instrumentals are used, giving it a ballad/anthem feel. It has a breakdown, and then builds back up. There's great imagery here. The lyrics just flow naturally. The message of chasing your dream rings true. (✔)
3) "Hercules"
This has a different feel to it. There are some strong lyrics here; "I was meant to be a warrior, please. Make me a hercules", "I'm on the hunt for what I've not yet become". It takes time to settle in, but it finds its pace. There's a cool breakdown with the vocals in the background. This really is a unique track. It eventually finds itself (meaning getting used to the feel), but its a breath of fresh air from most pop songs. On a sidenote, this would have worked well on the soundtrack to Disney's Hercules or Mulan. (✔)
4) "Manhattan"
It starts off with a slow piano intro with a laid back feel. This track has a jazz quality to it. There are some powerful lyrics here; "how about a place to save you some space for somebody new.....you can have Manhattan because I can't have you". A very mellow yet serious track of moving on from a love. The steady use of piano throughout really works, as Bareilles' vocals are flawless. (✔)
5) "Satellite Call"
A steady drum intro starts off, followed by piano. Some meaningful lyrics include; "you may find yourself lost somewhere in the great big beautiful sky". There's too much going on in the background, taking the focus away from the lyrics. Overall, a beautiful sounding track, but it just feels a little scattered at times with too much happening. (O)
6) "Little Black Dress"
It starts off with a steady intro. Some powerful lyrics here are; "I'm finally alone dressed for the show, but going nowhere", "I'm going to dance until you're all gone". This is a fun break-up song. It has that Taylor Swift feel to it, but its not really a telling off. It doesn't delve too deep into the specific relationship, making it work. (✔)
7) "Cassiopeia"
It has a "Satellite Call" - like intro. The lyrics really tell a story. However, this track is the first real miss. The vocals are fine, there's just not much there overall. (X)
8) "1000 Times"
It has a laid back feel. The way Bareilles sings "I will come back 1000 times" just shows the beauty in her voice. There's a key change as it builds. This is a big vocal track. The instrumentals really blend in nicely. Bareilles is flawless here. (✔)
9) "I Choose You"
It starts off with a fast intro. Some powerful lyrics here are; "tell the world we finally got it alright", "this is a beautiful start to a life long love letter". There's a good use of falsetto/upper register in the vocals. This is a nice, fun love song. Simple instrumentals (strings) let Bareilles' vocals shine. (✔)
10) "Eden"
It has a rock-feel in the intro. The biblical messages here really put a focus on the lyrics; "I used to live in Eden, rolled a lucky pair of dice, ended up in paradise, landed on a snake's eyes, took a bite and ended up bleeding", "all these angels started acting the same". This is a brilliant track. The imagery in the lyrics really explains her view of how paradise changed. ( ✔)
11) "Islands"
It has a serious sounding intro. A lyric that stood out to me was; "like I'm standing on the edge of just a telephone wire". The instrumentals don't really compliment the vocals. A similar sounding message of "Eden" of escape, however the vocals seem to fall flat from a lack of strong instrumentals. (X)
12) "December"
It starts off with a slow intro. Some powerful lyrics are; "December you've always been a problem child....I remember when you used to be mine", "to get yourself a new life you have to give the other one away". A fairly solid track with moving lyrics, its just missing that extra factor. (O)
(✔) = 67%
(O) = 17%
(X) = 17%
"Blessed Unrest" is a really solid album from Sara Bareilles. From Brave, to Chasing the Sun and Eden, each track has a powerful message to convey. With so few misses, this is an album that can be listened to easily from start to finish. Bareilles' vocals are at their best here, and the use of pianos, drum and strings throughout really compliment her. A solid album that deserves Grammy recognition.
Its 1st & 10 at the Seahawks 18yd line with just 28 seconds left, as Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers are driving down the field looking for the go-ahead score trailing 23-17. Kaepernick drops back, and looks to make a fade pass towards Michael Crabtree in the corner of the endzone. Richard Sherman tips the pass away, and Malcolm Smith grabs it for the interception....game over. Minutes later, sideline reporter Erin Andrews goes to interview Richard Sherman.....and we all know what followed.
What do we expect? It was a tense, exciting moment that had just occurred. Sherman had made a huge play that sent the Seahawks and their sophomore QB Russell Wilson to the Super Bowl. Do we expect the cliches? "It was a tough game", "We just had to make the big play". The typical ho-hum/golly gee gosh response? Too often we grumble and complain how players and coaches all just say the same cliche things in these situations. Yet we hold a double-standard for when moments like this occur. Sherman gives us a real candid/emotional response, and the media/fans rip him for it. Well, what do you want? The same old-same old? Or a real heat of the moment response, a genuine moment? It should also be noted that Sherman didn't go on a profanity-laden rant, he was in control in most regards.
Sherman knows his role. He helps Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and the rest by letting them just do their thing, while Sherman acts as the personality of the team. He knows what he's doing, and knows his brand. Sherman talks the talk, but he also walks the walk as one of, if not the best corner in the game.
Yet following this interview, social media was buzzing, labeling Sherman as a "thug" and "jerk". Take a look around the league. Look at Riley Cooper for instance and this incident that occurred this past summer. During the Eagles/Saints playoff game however, you heard the media and commentators especially talking about his great comeback, how he's really turned around. Where are those same labels for Cooper? Remember, Sherman has never had anything similar happen outside the field. Or what about Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel? He acts similar to Sherman, and while he gets criticized, most of it is just about how he's still young, immature. No "thug" labels. And if we go back in time, what would today's media say about Muhammad Ali? He would go on some real rants, ones that would make Sherman's look positively polite. Reporters so up in arms over Sherman would be fainting.
Most only know Sherman from his on-field antics, but don't what he does off the field. He writes a regular column for MMQB (monday morning quarterback).He had a 4.2gpa in high school, and graduated from Stanford, yes, that Stanford, with a 3.9gpa. The epic video between Richard Sherman and Skip Bayless also shows he knows how to handle a debate.
We demand players to act a certain way. We're uncomfortable when they act outside the norm, whether it be Tim Tebow or Sherman. Too often players put on this facade, say what the media wants to hear, do what the media wants them to do. I wish more players were like Sherman, and stopped hiding themselves. Show us who you really are, your true self.
"Don't judge a person's character by what they do between the lines. Judge a man by what he does off the field, what he does for his community, what he does for his family" - Richard Sherman
Here's the fourth part of my five part series on reviewing the Best Album category for the Grammy's.This is a straight through review of each track, and then an overall conclusion on the album. So with that, lets begin. Following the review of each track, a mark will appear within ( ), a check-mark "✔" meaning a great track, an "O" meaning an okay track or track that could have been great with a few adjustments, or an "X", meaning a miss. (All rights to any video of the mentioned songs is copyright of Daft Punk and Daft Life/Colombia).
1) "Give Life Back to Music"
It starts out with a rock intro, along with a steady beat with a nice guitar rift. The track does get a little repetitive though. Overall, a solid intro to "Random Access Memories". As mentioned, it felt a little repetitive at times, but it works and shows you what to expect next. (✔).
2) "The Game of Love"
It has a nice mellow intro that has a calming effect to it. The various backings blend together. This is a nice change of pace from "Give Life Back to Music". This track has a very relaxing effect to it, while also reflecting the song's message of a "love that just walked away". (✔).
3) "Giorgio by Mordor"
It starts off with a talk intro backed later by instrumentals. Giorgio talks about his discovery/development of synth/EDM music. It finally picks up about 2 minutes. The varying themes/beats blend. It then goes into a nice jazz-feel breakdown. Giorgio briefly returns introducing the new section essentially (followed by a big strings section). This grows, with all of the themes merging. A record-scratching sound carries the initial theme towards the end, with an almost hard-rock sound carrying over the theme to the conclusion. This track has some hits and misses. Giorgio's intro tends to drag on, but then it really hits its groove. (O)
4) "Within"
It has a jazz piano-feel intro. The track possesses some similar elements from "Game of Love". Compared to "Game of Love", this feels kind of bland and rather simple. Not really a bad track, but a forgettable one. (X)
5) "Instant Crush" ft/ Julian Casablancas
This starts out with a steady intro, with solid vocals and a nice hook with the instrumentals. There's a nice breakdown midway through. A catchy track that really works, from the solid vocals to the accompanying instrumentals. Casablancas brings a lot to this track. (✔)
6) "Lose Yourself to Dance" ft/ Pharrell Williams
It begins with a slow groove intro. Just crystal vocals from Pharrell here. It has a laid back, half-time feel. A simple message, but it works. This laid back feel may not work as well in other tracks, but with strong vocals from Pharrell, everything just clicks here. (✔)
7) "Touch" ft/ Paul Williams
A different change of pace feel. There's an "outer space/sci fi" feel to it that sounds rather creepy/eery. It settles in around 2 minutes in. It then goes to a sudden ragtime-jazz feel (going to half-time with elements from the intro). It then transitions to a frantic feel, leading to a clearer sounding version of the intro. While there are some good moments here, it feels a bit all over the place. From the sudden transitions, it just feels off. It may just be me, but I didn't really get it. (X)
8) "Get Lucky" ft/ Pharrell Williams
Starts off with a disco-feel intro. A solid chorus from Pharrell. This song really focuses on the lyrics (which are used as background in some of the other tracks). The instrumentals really accompany Pharrell well here. Another solid collaboration with Pharrell, this track is deserving of the hype. Pharrell is really given a chance to shine and be the focal point for this track. (✔)
9) "Beyond"
It starts out with a big opening. The pace then settles in. There's nice backing instrumentals here playing off the varying themes. A solid track, but it could have used more to allow it to really set itself apart. (O)
10) "Motherboard"
It starts out with a solid beat intro. There's a soundscape-feel to it, with varying instrumentals. It then goes into a breakdown and change of pace (with a sci-fi/dramatic feel). A nice track, but not one that really stands out (although it does have some nice elements to it). (O)
11) "Fragments of Time" ft/ Todd Edwards
It has a jazz-retro feel to it. Smooth vocals really elevate this track, especially with the line "turning our days into melodies". There's a cool retro breakdown (like an old feel with a new groove). A very unique track that really works. Everything just settles in. (✔).
12) "Doin' It Right" ft/ Panda Bear
It starts off with a more typical Daft Punk feel. The beat grows and develop in the beginning. The vocals are rather repetitive (and aren't the focal point). This track feels just rather blase. There's not much to it. (X)
13) "Contact"
There's a nice transition into this track. A narrative then starts out, describing an object in space, accompanied by a solid background. The beat then really settles in, and builds throughout (with a hard-rock feel). You can sense the imagery of a rocket soaring, with the album literally lifting off. What a conclusion to "Random Access Memories". This track really gives a sense of finality, and feels like a proper ending. ( ✔).
(✔) = 54%
(O) = 23%
(X) = 23%
"Random Access Memories" is a solid effort from Daft Punk. There's that typical feel that you can expect from them, along with its own uniqueness. Collaborations from Pharrell Williams and Julian Casablancas really stand out on this album. While some tracks are kind of out there, most should be able to appreciate this album for what it is. This is an album that is very deserving of recognition and is one of the better EDM/Synth albums of the past year.
The awards season is now upon us with the 71st annual Golden Globes happening on Sunday. Here I'll make my predictions, and provide some analysis on the 25 categories, including who I think will win, some other nominees to look at, etc. So with that, dim down the lights, and here we go (random Ryan Seacrest line....just disregard that...)
Best Actor In a Supporting Role For Television:
Josh Charles - The Good Wife
Rob Lowe - Behind The Candelabra Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad
Corey Stoll - House of Cards
Jon Voight - Ray Donovan
Breaking Bad seems poised to take in a lot of awards coming off its series finale (and justly so). Aaron Paul seems to be frequently underrated for his performance on Breaking Bad, but I think he gets recognized here, especially for his role towards the end. Another name to watch out for here is Josh Charles, who recently won a People's Choice Award for his work in The Good Wife, which has been possibly the best its ever been.
Best Actress In A Supporting Role For Television:
Jacqueline Bisset - Dancing On The Edge
Janet McTeer - White Queen
Hayden Panettiere - Nashville Monica Potter - Parenthood
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family
Monica Potter deserves this Golden Globe for her work on Parenthood over the last year, from her character going through Breast Cancer to fighting back and (unsuccessfully) running for mayor. The realism that she brought to that storyline last season was unforgettable and featured some of the best TV acting you'll see. Some other names to watch for are Jacqueline Bisset for Dancing On The Edge and Janet McTeer for The White Queen.
Best Actor In A Miniseries or Motion Picture Made For TV:
Matt Damon - Behind The Candelabra Michael Douglas - Behind The Candelabra
Chitwetel Eijofor - Dancing On The Edge
Idris Elba - Luther
Al Pacino - Phil Spector
Michael Douglas seems poised to take this for his well reviewed role in Behind The Candelabra. He took home the Emmy for the same role. Other names to look for are Douglas's co-star Matt Damon, and Luther's Idris Elba.
Best Actress In A Miniseries Or Motion Picture Made For TV:
Helena Bonham Carter - Burton and Taylor
Rebecca Ferguson - The White Queen
Jessica Lange - American Horror Story: Coven
Helen Mirren - Phil Spector Elisabeth Moss - Top Of The Lake
I'll admit, this is a bit of a wild-card, but I'm going with Elisabeth Moss for her well regarded role in Top Of The Lake. She won a critic's choice television award for this role, and I think she takes home the Golden Globe as well. Other names to watch for are Helena Bonham Carter and Rebecca Ferguson.
Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made For Television: American Horror Story: Coven Behind The Candelabra The White Queen Dancing On The Edge Top Of The Lake
Behind The Candelabra seems poised to keep up hauling in awards. It took home 3 emmy awards and a handful of creative arts emmy's. I don't foresee an upset happening here.
Best Actor In A Television Series: Comedy or Musical:
Jason Bateman - Arrested Development
Don Cheadle - House of Lies
Michael J. Fox - The Michael J Fox Show Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory
Andy Sambereg - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
He took home the Emmy this year and I think Parsons will continue at the Golden Globes here. The development and evolution of the character Sheldon over the past few years has been incredible from Parsons. Another name to watch for here is Don Cheadle.
Best Actress In A Television Series: Comedy Or Musical:
Zooey Deschanel - New Girl
Lena Dunham - Girls
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie Julia Louis - Dreyfus - Veep
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation
She took home an emmy award this year, and I think the success continues for Veep's Julia Louis Dreyfus. The way she portrays Selina Meyer is just brilliant. Other name to watch for is Lena Dunham, as Girls has been finally getting noticed.
Best Actor In A Television Series: Drama: Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad
Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan
Michael Sheen - Masters of Sex
Kevin Spacey - House of Cards
James Spader - The Blacklist
Some of the most brilliant dramatic TV acting, Bryan Cranston deserves this recognition and I think he gets it. The evolution of Walter White's character was just astounding. A couple of dark horse candidates her though could be Kevin Spacey or James Spader (whose portrayal of Red somewhat mirrors Walter White one could argue).
Best Actress In A Television Series: Drama:
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
Tatiana Maslany - Orphan Black Taylor Schilling - Orange is the New Black
Kerry Washington - Scandal
Robin Wright - House of Cards
This is another wide-open field it seems. With that, I'm going with the buzz and picking Taylor Schilling for her breakout role in Netflix's Orange Is The New Black. Other names to look for is the Emmy-snubbed Tatiana Maslany and of course Juliana Margulies.
Best Television Series: Comedy Or Musical:
The Big Bang Theory
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Girls
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation
The Big Bang Theory just keeps growing and growing, and I think it finally gets recognized here. While Modern Family has been the "critics darling", The Big Bang Theory is just pure comedy at its finest. Of course Modern Family is a nominee to watch for here, along with Girls, which is starting to get recognized.
Best Television Series: Drama:
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
The Good Wife
House of Cards
Masters of Sex
Breaking Bad seems poised to win big, coming off its final season. Just groundbreaking work and a spectacular drama that deserves anything and everything it gets. If there is any dark horse here, watch for the Netflix series House of Cards.
Best Original Score:
Hans Zimmer - 12 Years A Slave
Alex Ebert - All Is Lost
Steven Price - Gravity
Alex Heffes - Mandela:Long Walk to Freedom
John Williams - The Book Thief
This could be a big night for 12 Years A Slave, and it could start with the score. While Zimmer has had some amazing original scores (Inception), he hasn't won a Golden Globe since 2001 with Gladiator. His wonderful work here with 12 Years A Slave could get him recognized. However, you can never count out John Williams.
Best Original Song:
"Atlas" (Coldplay) - Hunger Games: Catching Fire
"Let It Go" (Kristin Anderson - Lopez & Robert Lopez) - Frozen
"Ordinary Love" (U2 and Danger Mouse) - Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
"Please Mr. Kennedy" (Ed Rush, George Cromarty, T Bone Burnett, Justin Timberlake, Joel & Ethan Coen) - Inside Llewyn Davis
"Sweeter Than Fiction" (Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff) - One Chance
A tough field to predict from, but I'm going with Frozen's "Let It Go". In terms of Disney songs, "Let It Go" is right up there among the best. For the video I chose the original movie version performed by Idinia Menzel. Both the Menzel and Demi Lovato versions have been charting well. Another nominee to watch for is "Sweeter Than Fiction".
Best Screenplay:
Spike Jonze - Her
Bob Nelson - Nebraska
Jeff Pope and Steve Coogan - Philomena
John Ridley - 12 Years a Slave Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell - American Hustle
A tough field to judge here for Screenplay, but I'm going to go with American Hustle here. Its the dialogue and writing from Singer and Russell that makes American Hustle really work. Also, watch for the buzzworthy Spike Jonze (Her) and of course John Ridley (12 Years a Slave).
Best Animated Feature Film:
The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Frozen
This could be a runaway all awards season here. Frozen was far and away the most critically acclaimed animated film of the year, another hit for Disney. I'd be shocked if Frozen doesn't win here.
Best Foreign Language Film:
Blue Is The Warmest Color
The Great Beauty
The Hunt
The Past
The Wind Rises
Foreign Language Films are always a toss-up to predict, so I'm going with the one generating the most buzz in Blue Is The Warmest Color. Its received critical acclaim and has been one of the most talked about foreign films. It won big at the Cannes Film Festival. Another movie to watch for is The Wind Rises, another great work from Miyazaki.
Best Supporting Actor:
Barkhad Abdi - Captain Phillips
Daniel Bruhl - Rush
Bradley Cooper - American Hustle
Michael Fassbender - 12 Years a Slave
Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club
Leto has been emerging as somewhat of a favorite here over the past few weeks, and I think he takes the Golden Globe here. His work here and what he did for it is just astounding and deserves to be recognized. Michael Fassbender is another name to watch for (initial favorite).
Best Supporting Actress:
Sally Hawkins - Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle
Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts - August: Osage County
June Squibb - Nebraska
This could come down to two nominees, but I'm going with Lupita Nyong'o here. As evidenced by the clip, just powerful work from her in 12 Years a Slave. The other name to watch for is of course Jennifer Lawrence, who at a young age, is starting to reel in awards and nominations like crazy.
Best Actor: Comedy or Musical:
Christian Bale - American Hustle
Bruce Dern - Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf of Wall Street
Oscar Isaac - Inside Llewyn Davis
Joaquin Phoenix - Her
An illustrious career from Bruce Dern will pay off here in a wide open field. He took the Cannes Film Festival award for Best Actor. Other names to watch for here are Oscar Isaac and Joaquin Phoenix.
Best Actress: Comedy or Musical:
Amy Adams - American Hustle
Julie Delpy - Before Midnight
Greta Gerwig - Frances Ha
Julia Louis - Dreyfus - Enough Said
Meryl Streep - August: Osage County
I think this is going to go to Amy Adams. This is a fairly wide-open field where she should take it. Of course, you can never count out Meryl Streep.
Best Actor: Drama:
Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave
Idris Elba - Mandela:Long Walk to Freedom
Tom Hanks - Captain Phillips
Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club
Robert Redford - All is Lost
Writing seems to be on the wall here for Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance in 12 Years a Slave. He'll likely head into the Oscars as the lead-on favorite. If there is a dark-horse here, watch for Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (an equally powerful role for what he did to prepare for it).
Best Actress: Drama:
Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock - Gravity
Judi Dench - Philomena
Emma Thompson - Saving Mr. Banks
Kate Winslet - Labor Day
Cate Blanchett should take this one. She'll also likely be the leading contender heading into the Oscars. Watch out for Sandra Bullock and Emma Thompson here as well.
Best Director:
Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity
Paul Greengrass - Captain Phillips
Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne - Nebraska
David O. Russell - American Hustle
A very competitive field here. While its tough to predict, I'm going with Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave. It took Mcqueen's exact direction to make 12 Years a Slave what it was. Someone else to look for here is David O. Russell for American Hustle.
Best Picture: Comedy or Musical:
American Hustle
Her
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska
The Wolf of Wall Street
American Hustle should and will take this. An elite cast, along with brilliant writing and directing from David O. Russell, American Hustle could be a leading contender heading into the Oscars. If there's a dark-horse here, watch for Inside Llewyn Davis and Her.
Best Picture: Drama:
12 Years a Slave
Captain Phillips
Gravity
Philomena
Rush
Long billed as a race between 12 Years a Slave and Gravity, 12 Years a Slave should take this. Such a powerful movie showing a dark past in our nation's history. Along with American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave should be a leading contender at the Oscar's.
There you have it. Feel free to make your own predictions. And come Sunday Night, sit back, relax, get a drink, and let the awards season begin.
