Oops! The Best Singles I Excluded in 2013

For the past couple years I've compiled my list of my favorite singles of the year, and of course, I made one for 2013 last December. It was pretty cute - Top 13 Singles of 2013. There were some other singles I liked last year and considered for the list that didn't make the cut, and later this year, I realized there were a lot of other songs I didn't include because I either forgot about them, but more commonly, I hadn't run in to them yet. There's so much music in the world; it's easy to get caught up in some aspects of the spectrum and kind of lose touch with others. A little more pop music is on this list; I don't listen to much pop music, so when I find something I actually like, the discovery is made long after everyone else knew about it. If I remembered/discovered these songs in a timely manner, my top 13 list would have some songs switched around, and honestly, it probably would've been a top 20 list because I love them all so much.

 

Without further ado, the great songs I left out - countdown style... There are only nine and that isn't a nice number for a countdown, but alas, that's just the way it's going to go: 

 

 

9

"Not Gonna Die" - Skillet

I really got into Skillet when their album Comatose was released x-amount of years ago, and then I bought Awake when it was released... And then last year, their newest album Rise came out. I just wasn't feeling it. It seemed to draw from the elements I enjoy the least about Skillet. However, "Not Gonna Die" is a really solid track; I loved it as soon as I heard it last year... And then I kind of sort of completely forgot about it when I was making my list last year... Oops. Anyhow, I really love the blend of male and female vocals in this song; it reminds me of their single "Hero."

 

 

8

"Rap God" - Eminem

 Um... Did you guys hear that middle eight? How is it even possible to say anything that fast? In all four years of blogging, I think this is the first time I've really expressed any love for rap music. That's because I don't listen to much rap music - except Eminem. I love his style, and "Rap God" shows a lot of the different spins he can put on his voice. I think I may have heard this song once back in 2013 but other than that I just got caught up with other music. I didn't realize how cool this song was until this year - I know, shame on Critica!

 

 

7

"Dark Horse" - Katy Perry ft. Juicy J

 This is definitely my guilty pleasure track... It's so freaking catchy! I can't help it! Once in a while Katy Perry will a release a single that makes me happy, and "Dark Horse" is probably my favorite of all the songs she's released. So what kept this single from making my initial 2013 list? Well, I never heard it. As I've mentioned, I don't listen to that much pop music, which means I don't listen to a lot of pop radio, so that's how I managed to avoid it. 

 

 

6

"Wake Me Up" - Avicii

  I heard parts of this song off and on in 2013, but I never paid too much attention to it until this year. I never expected to love it as much as I do now. It's definitely not what I normally listen to between the guy's voice and some aspects of the instrumentation, but I really came across this track at the perfect time. I got to sing it in choir - the final song of my final high school show. Tears, people. Tears.

 

 

5

"You (Ha Ha Ha)" - Charli XCX
Like many, I discovered "You (Ha Ha Ha)" through the Vampire Academy movie trailer. So, at first I just had the fabulous instrumental in my head before looking it up; I wasn't disappointed. This song reminds me so much of Mean Girls for whatever reason and brings me a lot of nostalgia. Honestly, it never gets old either... And I would know because I've heard it about a million times by now and still love it.

 

 

4

"Dangerous" - Within Temptation ft. Howard Jones
Such heaviness! Within Temptation is my favorite band (along with Evanescence, of course) and their single with Tarja "Paradise (What About Us?)" was at the very top of my 2013 list... Which was posted just before "Dangerous" was released. Honestly, I kept putting off posting the list because I knew "Dangerous" would be out soon and would likely be on the list somewhere, but then I decided I was being ridiculous and put the post up anyway. But, this single is so energetic and fun! (The video, however, does not meet my approval. Just saying.)

 

 

3

"Recover" - Chvrches
CHVRCHES! I've only recently discovered how awesome this electronic-based alternative band is, and "Recover" is certainly a standout track out of all the songs in their discography. The verses are sung in a really cool staccato, making lead singer Lauren Mayberry's high voice sound robotic, but she's very melodic in the first half of the chorus. It kind of reminds me of the band Metric in some ways. I'm also in love with their 2012 single "The Mother We Share."

 

 

2

"The Nexus" - Amaranthe

I'd only heard a couple of Amaranthe's songs before listening to "The Nexus," and while I thought they were a decent band, I wasn't particularly thrilled by those couple songs. But since they're going to be opening for the Within Temptation concert I'm going to attend in October, I figured I should look up some songs that will likely be on their setlist... And let me tell you, "The Nexus" is awesome! Synths blend with heavy guitar riffs to create one of my favorite intros/outros of all time, and that chorus is just so magical with the blend of vocals and beautiful lyrics! "I break with the past / Set the nexus free at last / As the future will be there to save us..."

 

1

"Say Something" - A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera

Tearjerker of the year. Seriously, why didn't I ever run into this song in 2013? It's beautiful and I love it. I love how simplistic the piano is, I love the vocal line, I love how Christina Aguilera shows us the softer side of her voice (I honestly didn't even recognize her when I heard this song for the first time), I love the sad video... "Say Something" is utterly flawless.



End of 2013 Book Survey

I'm participating in the Perpetual Page-Turner's end-of-year survey once again! I've filled out her annual survey each year; it's a lot of fun! If you want to join in, click on the previous link to get to Jamie's original post and link up there.

1. Best book you read in 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

Click here to view my list.

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?

Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

I loved the first two books in this trilogy (Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate), but this one was really lackluster.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?

Destined by Aprilynne Pike - I wasn't expecting Destined to be so dark and bittersweet. It was significantly more action-packed than the previous books of the series while keeping elements of the previous books in the spotlight, and I loved it.

 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Like I mentioned in my classics review, I didn't expect to like this book because it's always referred to as some epitome of the American Dream, which made me think of The Grapes of Wrath. Fortunately, The Great Gatsby was fantastic and painted a much better picture than my initial expectations.

 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

 

 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?

None, really. I think I have the potential to really love F. Scott Fitzgerald, but it's too early to tell since I haven't read anything else except The Great Gatsby, his most popular novel.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

Well, I read El Cid by Marcel Charles Andrade, and it's a tiny little Spanish book. I'm a native English speaker, and reading something in a language that isn't your first is always a little out of the comfort bubble.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Sailor Moon 6-12 by: Naoko Takeuchi

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Sailor Moon 12 and Sailor Moon 6-8 by: Naoko Takeuchi

 

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?

Across the Universe by: Beth Revis

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

11. Most memorable character in 2013?

Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn) from the Sailor Moon series by Naoko Takeuchi.

Pi from Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's hard to forget a character so innocently devoted to religion.
 

Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte... I initially felt really bad for him, but my gosh, he became mean with age.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2013?

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

 

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to finally read?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013?

"...we accept the love we think we deserve." - Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth." - Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights

"All right, then, I'll go to hell." - Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

16. Shortest & longest book you read in 2013?

Shortest - El Cid by Marcel Charles Andrade

Longest - Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

PART THREE OF LIFE OF PI. OH. MY GOSH.

Not to mention the end of The Perks of Being a Wallflower! Talk about a slap in the face!

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Friendship: Huck Finn and Jim from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Hotaru Tomeo and Chibiusa from Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon series.

19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you’ve read previously.

Destined by Aprilynne Pike

And, of course, the rest of the Sailor Moon manga.

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else:

I only read one book I picked up due to recommendations, and I wasn't a fan, so I don't have a pick for this category.

21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?

Manga and YA (although I don't consider either a genre as much as a classification).

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

None, actually. How unexciting.

23. Best 2013 debut you read?

I didn't read any. WTH?

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Destined by Aprilynne Pike: Avalon

Life of Pi by Yann Martel: The Pacific Ocean

Sailor Moon 12 by Noako Takeuchi: Travelling through space and the Galaxy Cauldron

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?

Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Hidden by: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Sailor Moon 6-12 by: Naoko Takeuchi

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?

Life of Pi and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. RIVER OF TEARS.

27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?

Destined. Why did people give up on this series?

 

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I'm only going to do a portion of the Book Blogging/Reading Life and Looking Ahead sections.

Best discussion you had on your blog?

There haven't really been a lot of discussion posts on this blog this year, just a lot of unabashed fangirling.

Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?

I really enjoy Jamie's reviews and discussions at her blog, The Perpetual Page-Turner (the blog that hosts these cool surveys).

Most popular post this year on your blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Out of my 40-ish posts this year, here are the top (five) most viewed this year:

1. The Great Gatsby (movie review)

2. Classics: Wuthering Heights

3. Hallelujah! Floor Jansen is Staying in Nightwish

4. Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start but Haven't Yet

5. Requiem for the Indifferent | Epica

The results surprised me! My movie reviews usually never get any attention!

Post you wished got a little more love?

My Favorite Television Shows... It took forever for me to put this together, and then no one looked at it.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Well, I finished the rereleased Sailor Moon series, and I guess that was a goal.

One book you didn’t get to in 2013 but will be your number 1 priority in 2014?

A Million Suns by Beth Revis and The Dark and Hallow Places by Carrie Ryan... you know what? Hold the phone. I have a feeling that I said something very similar last year on the 2012 survey...

Yep, I did. I said The Dark and Hallow Places would be a priority for this past year along with Across the Universe... And I said that Across the Universe would be my number one priority back in the 2011 survey too.

2011 survey: Across the Universe

2012 survey: Across the Universe and The Dark and Hallow Places

2013 survey: A Million Suns and The Dark and Hallow Places

Apparently I can't get my priorities straight; the books I prioritize the most are the ones that take me two years to get to. I'm so logical.

Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014?

Redeemed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. I know a lot of people are 'excited' for this series to end simply for the sake of it being finished, but I actually really love this series. I wasn't the biggest fan of the first three books (and then Hunted and Tempted weren't exactly the best), so I'd understand why people wouldn't like it if the series was still going in that direction, but it isn't. The series has really improved, in my opinion. It's taken a long time for it to end, but it's been a lot of fun for me.

One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?

I didn't post nearly as many book reviews as I wanted to this year. It's not that I wasn't reading, it's that a lot of the books I read weren't really review-able. A lot of them have been out for a while, so I didn't see the point. However, I don't want to read books simply to review them. I don't want to stop delving into thicker books or books that have been out for a while. And I also don't want to refrain from rereading. There are so many books I'd like to reread... The Harry Potter series, The Host, Jane Eyre... But there are just too many books in the world that I need to read. Hopefully I find equilibrium in 2014.

I also plan to put up an About Me page instead of having that little paragraph in my sidebar. (Obviously the page would be a bit more elaborate than the paragraph I've had for about the entire time this blog has existed.) Maybe I'll even put up a cute selfie. I don't know yet.

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...Pretty long survey, eh? These are always a ton of fun to fill out and reflect upon the past year in books. I didn't read as much as I wanted to, but that's alright. My TBR is humungous for 2014, but I guess that isn't surprising. When you want to read everything, the TBR tends to be ridiculous. I hope you all have a great new year... I can't believe it's 2014 already...

And, as always, thanks for reading.

Best Books I Read: 2013

Another year has come and gone. For each year that I've had this blog, I've posted a list of the best books I read within the year. I've succumbed to a sort of end-of-year-blogging schedule. This year, the meme I began to participate in earlier in the year, Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and the Bookish, is using this topic for Tuesday, December 31, so I will link this list there when the time comes.

Across the Universe
by: Beth Revis

This is one of those books that I've wanted to read for years but just never got ahold of in a timely manner, but better late than never. This dually-narrated novel blew me away! I absolutely couldn't be parted from it; my continual anxiety for Amy and Elder just kept skyrocketing as I read. The general scenario of a community on a spaceship in itself intrigued me, and the dystopia woven into it made it so intense, especially with such frightening enemies. Beth Revis' mere ideas for Across the Universe were a perfect recipe for a novel. I will definitely make reading the rest of the books in this trilogy a priority for 2014.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by: Stephen Chbosky

I guess I didn't really believe everybody when they said that The Perks of Being a Wallflower was similar to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. I just didn't think it was possible. Still, both books are different from another nonetheless, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower certainly has a profound effect of its own. It made me so depressed the entire time, but my gosh it's good. Even when I didn't catch the revelation at the end, it cut me deeply... But of course, when I found a discussion of what went over my head... What I found out that I didn't pick up on while reading really overwhelmed me with grief - not just for Charlie, but for anyone else who has been wronged like that.

If you haven't read this book yet, read it. Every quote you've seen on the internet from this book will come alive and mean something so much more.







Life of Pi
by: Yann Martel

It almost feels odd to include Life of Pi on this list considering that even now as I think of it, my stomach hurts from feeling so much, but that was really the point anyway. I analyzed this book in my head for days after finishing it; I thought I was losing my marbles for sure. Let it be known that I am strongly opposed to stories that involve being a castaway, but Life of Pi was different. Pi was an interesting person in terms of his knowledge of animals and his ability to be a Hindu/Christian/Muslim, and putting a tiger on a lifeboat is definitely an interesting toss-up. I felt emotional for Pi and the animals in the Pacific Ocean with him. But then the infamous second story is introduced... If the ending of the movie The Sixth Sense is a slap in the face, Life of Pi's is like a shot in the head. I bawled even before it all was told because like anyone else at the beginning of that part, I knew exactly how unbearable it would be. In the initial story it was already really difficult to read, but this was nearly impossible. I was so racked up that I could hardly continue... I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. But again, that was the point.

 

Sailor Moon Volumes 6-12

by: Naoko Takeuchi

 

This year, I read my way through the Infinity, Dream, and Stars story arcs of the renewal Sailor Moon books. I thoroughly loved all three. Infinity (books 6-8) was just as awesome as I expected with the appearance of Sailor Saturn, a character that always intrigued me when I watched the anime. There were more differences than I expected between the show and the books, but I really appreciated the differences in both. (However, I do wish that Dr. Tomoe could have a happier ending like he did in the anime.) I wasn't sure what to expect from the Dream story arc (books 8-10), but I ended up really liking it. The whole fanbase seems to really love Stars (books 11-12), so I was really excited to begin that story arc with book eleven. I must admit I wasn't the biggest fan of the eleventh book, but it really set the stage for the series' epic conclusion in the twelfth. It was so unique compared to the rest of the series. As always, friendship was a huge theme, but it also gave us insight on forgiveness, redemption, and the largeness of the universe. A very powerful ending to an inspiring series.

The Great Gatsby

by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

An American classic, and rightfully so. I was a bit surprised by how much I ended up liking this 20s-based book. Fitzgerald's writing was very flowy despite the lack of commas, and generally just very pretty. Nick Carraway's perspective showed us a melancholy chaos that surrounded everyone in this big city life, and in terms of plot, I don't think the explosion of drama could've been any bigger. These poor characters dismantled their own dreams within their attempts to live the cliché 'American Dream,' and I felt a sense of sorrow for them (except Tom Buchanan; he was a jerk). The Great Gatsby also had a lot of powerful symbolism; I actually teared up at the "beautiful shirts" part. A fantastic novel even by today's standards.

 

 

Destined

by: Aprilynne Pike

 

Destined is the fourth and final book in Aprilynne Pike's Wings series, which I have been quite fond of. While the entire series has had a generally lighthearted feel with its focus on friendship, Destined still honors this characteristic, but it's much darker. There's a lot of action and more is at stake than ever, and I loved it. Plus, the love triangle was pushed way out of focus (I mean, between all the chaos and the simple fact that Laurel would have to choose between Tamani and David at some point), and that made me quite happy; that particular element probably bugged me out of the middle two books of this series... I'm quite picky when it comes to love triangles. I don't like them easily. Anyway, I became quite emotional at the bittersweet, all-too-realistic ending. Destined took a turn I never expected from this series. Aprilynne Pike did a fabulous job!



Hidden
by: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

I can hear you. "SHE'S GOT TO BE KIDDING!" you exclaimed. But I'm not.  Everyone loves to hate the House of Night series; I realize this fact - but I don't get it (well, I'm theorizing that people want to finish the series despite not liking it that much and are just exasperated considering that Hidden is the tenth book), and I don't care. I freaking love these books. I wasn't the craziest about them at first, but after a while they just kept getting better and better. They're just so much fun! I love how magical and elemental they are, I love how the characters have grown, I love the theme of forgiveness... Hidden was such a cool installment. Quit judging me!





So, those were the highlights of my year in reading. I think it's a pretty interesting bunch, if I may say so myself. I didn't get to read nearly as much as I wanted this year since some of these masterpieces (particularly Life of Pi and The Perks of Being a Wallflower) required post-reading recovery time, so my reading list for next year is a bit large. Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season and all the end-of-year blogging wrap-ups that many of us are reading and writing. There's more to come from my end! And make sure you guys share your lists with me too and let me know what you thought of mine. Yay!

Top 13 Singles of 2013 Countdown

Today marks the beginning of my craze of lists for the end of the year, starting with music. Fun, fun, fun! Last year, I put up a few different posts of my favorite singles from the year because I was just experiencing too much difficulty in compiling them in an organized manner, but be proud: This year I did it countdown style. I definitely got some new favorite songs in 2013, a combination of the meaningful and the playful. I hope you did too.

 

For those reading this list later, please keep in mind that this list was compiled before "Dangerous" by Within Temptation and Howard Jones was officially released. We got to hear a snippet when Sharon den Adel visited Rock Antenne, and from what we could hear, it definitely sounds like that song would've been on this list, and likely within the top five.

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

 

 

13

"I Love It" - Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX

I don't care. I love it.

'Nuff said. A catchy, freaking awesome pop song that makes me hyper. Sure, it's repetitive and has a lot of sing-yelling, but it works. "I Love It" comes on the radio, and suddenly, zero craps are given.

12

"Out of Sight" - The Bloody Beetroots ft. Paul McCartney and Youth

If you haven't seen the Bloody Beetroots before, you're probably looking at this YouTube thingy wondering "Is this Spiderman? Why is Paul McCartney hanging out with Spiderman?" This song is just as different as you may expect, combining elements of rock with modern pop with grungy vocals, bluesy piano, and a cool synth line with prominent drums. Sound like a clustersnub? Well, there's also a children's choir contributing, which may be one of the song's best elements. I took only a short time to grow on me after seeing this video on VH1. Really, what's not to like?

11

"My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light 'em Up)" - Fall Out Boy

I didn't realize how much I missed Fall Out Boy's music until they came back with "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light 'em Up)," which found a spot on both rock radio and pop radio in typical Fall Out Boy fashion. The sound has more electronic elements than I'm used to hearing from Fall Out Boy, but the change certainly doesn't make the band unrecognizable.

 

10

"Get Lucky" - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams

If you would've told me that this song would be on my best-of countdown when it first came out, I would've called you an idiot. I saw absolutely nothing special about "Get Lucky," just like I never saw anything special about Daft Punk's earlier work (other than their intriguing image). I didn't understand the hype at all. But one day, it just clicked, and now I think of it as one of the catchiest songs of the year - especially that awesome middle eight.


 

9

"Do What U Want" - Lady Gaga ft. R. Kelly

"Do What U Want" pop song that went in an atypical direction. For one thing, the driving instrumental reminds me quite a bit of Depeche Mode, and I love it. While it may lyrically seem like a regular sexed-up pop song at times, most Gaga fans would know that Gaga is actually taking a swing at the haters writing negative things about her. At least she got a good collaboration with R. Kelly out of her irritation. Haters gonna hate... But maybe not after hearing this song.

 

8

"Adrenalize" - In This Moment
In This Moment has been putting out heavy albums since 2007, but they've just now been getting the recognition they deserve. "Adrenalize" was always bound to catch the attention of American metal fans, but the general badass intensity of it is what sets it apart along with Maria Brink's edgy and unique vocals. This single was made to get people pumped.

I put up the official lyric video because I simply do not like the direction of this band's music videos in this era of their last album, Blood.

 

7

"Trying to be Cool" - Phoenix

I must say, I feel pretty cool when I hear this single. It definitely helped theme my summer with its chilled-out alternative feel. For whatever reason, "Trying to be Cool" brings back a wave of nostalgia. I listen to this, and I am somehow transported to about 2007.

 

6

"There Goes Our Love Again" - White Lies

So incredibly infectious! "There Goes Our Love Again" gets stuck in my head and makes me want to burst into song and dance (like the girl in the cute music video). I'm just so happy when I listen to it! I've gushed over White Lies quite a bit in a couple of reviews, the most recent being the review of their album Big TV, which featured this particular single. These guys just know how to make really good music, and "There Goes Our Love Again" is exemplary. Anybody could like this song.

 

5

"Venus" - Lady Gaga
Gaga has always been a smidge spacey, but now we get to love her spaciness in a more literal way with "Venus." I know I mentioned feeling a Depeche Mode vibe from the instrumentation of "Do What U Want," but I can feel it a little bit here too. If I'm comparing Lady Gaga to Depeche Mode, I think we can all agree that she's doing something right. "Venus" is a fantastic explosion of electronic music with a killer chorus... OMG THE CHORUS.

4
"Come a Little Closer" - Cage the Elephant
"Come a Little Closer" is one of the last singles I heard this year that I really loved. While I've heard Cage the Elephant before, it must not have been too memorable in my opinion because I was very surprised that they made this song. It has such a throwback feel, and it's kind of deep in its own way. Very relaxing and cool. So, "Come a Little Closer" is definitely a favorite of mine.

 

3

"And the World was Gone" - Snow Ghosts
I heard this song on a Teen Wolf episode last summer and fell in love. "And the World was Gone" is beautiful and eerie; that guitar line is bound to leave a lasting impression along with the hovering, soothing vocals. In a way, "And the World Was Gone" is the opposite of "There Goes Our Love Again." While White Lies captured the essence of a great summer day, Snow Ghosts depicted a haunting summer night, even with a bit of thunder at the end.

 

2

"Youth" - Daughter
"Youth" is a melancholy indie song, just the way I like them. It isn't too drawn out as some indie music can be, so if that's a turn-off for someone, I don't think this would be a problem. The music has spots that pick up in a great blend of guitar and piano that makes me think of travel in some way, shape, or form. I absolutely love this song.

It totally didn't take me five months to figure out there was a music video for this song. That didn't happen at all.

1 

"Paradise (What About Us?)" - Within Temptation ft. Tarja
It's no secret that Within Temptation is one of my top two favorite bands (along with Evanescence), and "Paradise (What About Us?)" is a pretty decent demonstration of why I rank them so highly. Normally, singles aren't really my favorite songs, but this collaboration with former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen is amazing. The string line creates a sense of urgency throughout the song as Within Temptation's lead singer Sharon den Adel merge in one of the coolest duets ever. Even the video is a masterpiece. If this is how good their singles are going to sound like, I can't even begin to imagine what the rest of their upcoming album, Hydra, will be like.

If I were to post every non-single of 2013 I loved, we'd be here for another full year watching YouTube videos. I tend to love non-singles way more than singles; there's no way I'd be able to choose. But, there's another song that I absolutely fell in love with that isn't a single and I really feel the need to share it. This is a beautiful, perfect song from the Catching Fire film score: "Arena Crumbles" by James Newton Howard. (This was a breathtaking scene as well, perhaps one of my favorite scenes of all time.)

Hopefully you found something likeable from this list. These songs helped define my year in many ways; I really love them all... But now that the year is said and done and I look back through this list, I must say that I'm quite partial to "Paradise (What About Us?)" and "Arena Crumbles."

ARTPOP | Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga caught my attention during The Fame Monster's (her sophomore album) era. I was quite fed-up with pop music at the time (and I suppose, in many ways, still am), but her music was the only thing that could keep me checking pop radio stations. I could proudly declare myself a fan when she released Born This Way, which has been my favorite Gaga album for the entirety of its existence. I've listened to it so many times to the point I've kind of burnt myself out on it, so I'm definitely due for some new material.

 

But now, she has released ARTPOP, and I have a new favorite pop record. To be honest, I wasn't so sure how I'd respond to ARTPOP no matter how good it is since I've been so engulfed in the symphonic metal realm as of late, but Lady Gaga just has an undeniable quality in her pop music that even I cannot degrade.

 

"Aura" opens the album with a peculiar, almost western-esque beginning before the song explodes with laughter into, well, madness. From then on, it's Electronic City, and I love it. Gaga seems to be singing with some sort of accent in the verses, and lyrically, "Aura" has a combination of meaningful and playful lyrics. Eventually, her voice is synthed-up in a bridge-like portion before the second, which can easily be seen as one of the song's highlights. This new heavily-electronic direction is certainly appealing, and it's something I hoped would stick around for the rest of the album in some form or another.

"Venus" comes right after "Aura," and my pop music prayers are answered. While "Venus" isn't as electronically intense as "Aura," it still has that heavier electronic vibe that I love so much. More people would be able to appreciate "Venus" since the chorus is a little calmed down with catchiness, but it still has a quality that rises above a vast majority of modern pop music. The chorus might actually be my favorite part, but I still love the verses. The middle eight of this song escalates as Gaga pays homage to the rest of the planets, and I'll admit, it's a bit corny, but it would take a lot to ruin the song. Altogether, "Venus" puts me in the mind of older electronic groups with its spacey vibe, almost like Depeche Mode, but not quite.

Next, we have "G.U.Y." (which stands for "girl under you"). It begins with a narration that references mythology before picking up to a very danceable first verse. Obviously, this song is sexed-up, but it also talks about taking control and breaking what could be considered a female cliché, going against what listeners may initially expect. "G.U.Y." is very catchy, and I imagine it'll be widely well-liked. But the fourth track isn't shy about sex references even in its title. It's called "Sexxx Dreams" - I'm sure you all can figure out what it's about. This track takes a different turn from the first few since it's more mellow and dark during the verses, but it picks up during the chorus. It's not one of my favorites.

The flavor of the album completely changes with "Jewels N' Drugs," which is a collaboration with T.I., Too $hort, and Twista. I'm not the biggest hip-hop fan, but there have always been exceptions. "Jewels N' Drugs," for the most part, is one of them. The instrumental is really badass and Gaga's harmonies in the chorus sound great, but I think I'll have to be in a certain mood to fully appreciate this one. Like I said, hip-hop isn't really my forte.

Yet another change is upon us within the split-second that "MANiCURE" begins. (No, it isn't actually about getting Gaga's nails done.) First and foremost, it is a pop song, but some rock elements are thrown in as well. My best friend Nickster mentioned in his review that Gaga's vocals (particularly in the verses) can remind one a bit of Joan Jett, and I definitely agree. She really belts it! Plus, we get some guitar action, a little bit within the chorus, but a more significant amount at the end. "MANiCURE" is such a fun song; I can already tell that I'll be listening to this when I'm having a good day.

Follwing "MANiCURE" is "Do What U Want," which is a mellowed-out track that features R. Kelly. This is definitely one of my favorite songs from ARTPOP. The instrumental puts me in the mind of Depeche mode, and even though I've never really heard much from R. Kelly other than that comical "Trapped in the Closet" song, I ended up liking his contribution to this track. An excellent collaboration and an excellent song in general.

The next song is the title track, right in the middle of the album. "ARTPOP" is probably the funkiest gem of all, and I absolutely love it! It's creative and classy, not to mention catchy. A string line is prominent through much of the song, tying the groovy synths together in a very smooth fashion. "Swine," however, might have the weirdest instrumentation. I swear, I'm hearing hiccups! Anyway, Gaga's vocals get sassy in this song; if voices could do a Z-snap, this is what it would sound like. I like the instrumental breakdown after the first chorus, but like I said, I keep hearing this hiccup-like sound throughout, and I don't think I like it. Maybe the general sound will grow on me, but for now... Eh.

But Gaga's sassiness comes full force in "Donatella," particularly with all the mention of size, fashion, and wealth. I really love every moment of this fun, fashion-oriented song, and the chord progression in the chorus gave me chills somehow. I must memorize the lyrics to the half sung, half yelled pre-chorus soon, because I'm already ready to start yelling it along with the music. I'm dancing in my chair as I type this and listen to it, actually... Typing and dancing isn't as easy as I thought it'd be.

The subject of fashion is still prominent on the next track, "Fashion!" (Pretty self-explanatory, eh?) This track opens with a pretty piano part before the chilled verse comes in with a very noticeable bass line. Gaga's voice is especially jazzy in the verses, but I'm really not a fan of all the "lookin' good and feelin' fine" bits. "Fashion!" doesn't really float my boat, but the next track, "Mary Jane Holland," gets better. It turned out quite nicely in terms of electronic structure.

Nearing the end of ARTPOP, we run into a very heartfelt piano ballad bound to tug at heart strings called "Dope." Electronic elements add in throughout the song, but they don't take away from the primary piano line. "Gypsy" starts out in a way that might make us think that we're in for another piano ballad, but electronic elements take precedence rather quickly and carry on for the whole song. It's a great song; almost like a combination of "Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)" and "Marry the Night" in some musical senses. Another home run for Gaga; another favorite Gaga song for me.
 

The album ends with "Applause," which was the first single and could be seen on cute Kia commercials. It seems appropriate for this song to be the final track so we can all applaud her at the end of the album, and it certainly isn't a bad song. It was a perfect single choice, but I'm just generally not too enthused about it, probably because it's the most mainstream and I'm always looking for something more experimental. Lyrically, I've never really been able to understand the need for this wording: "Give me that thing that I love/ Put your hands up, make 'em touch." But, I digress. It's not my favorite, but it isn't bad, and I suppose it was the best way to end ARTPOP.

Even though there were a few songs here and there I wasn't quiet as crazy about, I'm crazy about ARTPOP as a whole. This is a truly fantastic album. It's so cool to see how much better Gaga has gotten since her debut album, The Fame. Her musicianship just keeps expanding and evolving with each and every album, as does her voice; she doesn't hesitate to sound as jazzy as her voice naturally is, and I've always loved her voice because of that aspect.

So, how is it possible for a superfan of symphonic metal who enjoys musical complexities and abnormalities to love Lady Gaga so much? There's a reason why she stands out so much to me; go listen to ARTPOP and you'll find out. 

Paradise (What About Us?) EP | Within Temptation

After postponing the release of their upcoming LP to January of 2014, Within Temptation has given us the Paradise (What About Us?) EP, which is titled after the future album's first single. In addition to the single, three demos of songs that will be included on the full-length album are featured, giving fans a taste of what to expect from the future LP and easing the pain of waiting.

 

The lead single is the first track on this little EP. "Paradise (What About Us?)" is a duet with former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen, and it's a heavier single than one may expect, especially since the singles from their last album, The Unforgiving, were a bit  more mainstream than usual. Still, it's a great single choice with its catchy string line and high-profile collaborator. It's hard to stop listening, and it's hard to keep from singing along. Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel and Tarja may be very different singers, but they sound great together on this powerful track. Tarja's vocalizing seemed to morph into the general instrumentation; vocalization in that sense has been one of my favorite elements of Within Temptation, and it's what I missed most on The Unforgiving. I truly hope that the extra vocal line written for Tarja is a sign that den Adel will get plenty of opportunities to do so on the upcoming LP.

The first of the demos we've been privileged to hear on this EP is called "Let Us Burn," and it sounds amazing in this unfinished form. The opening riffs are so dark and epic, and much like during Within Temptation's first album Enter, that cool part is repeated a few times, as if the band actually realizes that it'd be the best part. That part is the basis of the chorus, and Sharon den Adel's voice hits some impressive notes considering she's using her chest voice. (She typically switches to the upper register.) The verses are interesting enough with a subtly dark feel, and the middle eight is very prominent; den Adel's voice is distorted amid driving guitars and a male choir, but then the whole thing just explodes. "Let Us Burn" is fantastic; it's like a combination of The Heart of Everything and The Unforgiving.

But there are more throwbacks on this EP. "Silver Moonlight" brings back Robert Westerholt's grunts, which haven't been heard in Within Temptation's music since the song "Jane Doe" nearly ten years ago. I never thought I'd say this, but it sounds like a combination of Enter and The Unforgiving... Weird combination, I know. Though it starts out mellow, it's a fast-paced, heavy track, and den Adel pushes her vocal limit in the pre-chorus, practically yelling "NO!"

Our small preview of what to expect of the LP coming in January ends with "Dog Days," which is basically the ballad of EP, but it isn't particularly a slow song per se. It's very atmospheric in the verses, but guitars come in during the chorus. I was a bit caught off-guard by the vocals in the chorus; we run into yet another throwback. In their earlier music, I always thought Sharon den Adel's voice was so eerie and shrill, and I haven't heard her quite like this since Mother Earth. I must say, I'm quite happy we get to hear her sing in that way again, though her voice sounds good no matter what she's doing with it. The song itself sounds very emotional, and I really like the chord progression at the end of the chorus. I'm especially excited to hear what this will sound like on the LP since I imagine the instrumentation will definitely change up a bit.

So, that's it from Within Temptation for now, and I must say I'm very pleased with the direction they're headed musically. Just about any fan can find something they like on this sample EP, for Within Temptation are creating something completely new while paying homage to their past sounds. I was definitely not disappointed in what this EP had in store; it's making me even more excited for the new album. Since the demos and lead single sound great, I can confidently predict that this new album is going to blow everyone away. I can't wait to hear it!

Until then, we all must enjoy this EP. It is, after all, very solid material.

Within Temptation and Tarja Release "Paradise (What About Us?)" Music Video

"Paradise (What About Us?)" is the first single from Within Temptation's upcoming album, which features Tarja Turunen, another highly popular force of symphonic metal. For many fans of the genre, the two doing a song together is a dream come true, and this finally brings an end to the constant teasing by the band, for they've released a few snippets of the song and video off and on for what seems like eternity.

 

In a few days, I will review the digital EP of the same name that "Paradise (What About Us?)" will be part of, which will include demos of a few songs that will appear on the January LP. But for now, I ask everyone to just enjoy the song and video. It's a bit heavier than the singles from their previous album, The Unforgiving, and I haven't heard anything too negative about it thus far. I honestly believe that anyone who wasn't a fan of The Unforgiving will see this as an improvement - even I do, and I really loved The Unforgiving. The video is definitely one of my favorites; it's very epic and we get a little twist at the end. Truthfully, it's possibly their best music video.

 

So, here it is. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books at the Top of My Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a lovely meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish, and this week our topic is:

Top Ten Thirteen Books at the Top of My Summer TBR List

1-4

Sailor Moon Volumes 6-9 by: Naoko Takeuchi

I've fallen quite behind while reading the ever-wonderful Sailor Moon manga, primarily because Sailor Moon 5 was a good place to stop and finding a good place to stop in this series is rare. (Cliff-hangers galore!) Volumes 6-8 are quite a priority for me to read since those are the books in which the Infinity story arc span, and as I mentioned in my Sailor Moon appreciation post, the Infinity arc is very special to me because I became a bit attached to Sailor Saturn's character in the anime. I can't wait to read these.


5-7

Sailor Moon Volumes 10-12 by: Naoko Takeuchi

These volumes of the Sailor Moon manga contain parts of the Dream story arc, which I know virtually nothing about, as well as the Stars story arc, which seems to be a fan favorite. I must admit, I'm not sure if I'll love any of the story arcs more than Infinity due to the impact it has had on me and the nostalgia it brings since I watched that portion of the anime the most, but from what I heard, Stars is absolutely spectacular, so I'm quite eager to get to it.


8

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by: Stephen Chbosky

 

I've had this book on my TBR ever since I saw the trailer for its film adaptation. Though I know that basically everyone praises it and I've even memorized some of its quotes despite never reading it, I fear it may be depressing, and that's part of the reason I've held off on it. However, I must get to it this summer so I can finally be subject to the greatness everyone promises.

 

 

9

Life of Pi by: Yann Martel

 

Life of Pi has been everywhere for the past year, but I first discovered it while overhearing a conversation about how mind-blowing this book is. I recognized their description as I saw TV spots for the film adaptation, and since then, I've felt a dire need to read this interesting-looking book. From what I've heard, it's a rather one-of-a-kind reading experience.

 

 

10

The Dark and Hollow Places by: Carrie Ryan

 

I loved Carrie Ryan's other two books that take place in the same dystopian world, The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed Waves, and I'm sure I'll enjoy The Dark and Hollow Places just as much. Seriously, Carrie Ryan has done no wrong in these books, and I don't even like zombies very much. I can't wait to see how this continuation of The Dead-Tossed Waves plays out with Annah, who we've only heard of before, and how her story crosses paths with Catcher.

 

 

11

Marcelo in the Real World by: Francisco X. Stork

 

This looks like a lovely contemporary; the summary definitely sounds intriguing. I've never heard of Francisco X. Stork before seeing this book around in the local bookstore, and I'm curious to see what he'll have in store for readers pursuing Marcelo in the Real World.

 

 

12

Villette by: Charlotte Brontë

 

Since I love Jane Eyre so much, I'm embarking on a quest to read a ton of novels by the Brontë sisters. When I first began looking them up, Villette was the first one to catch my attention. Everywhere I look, people are saying that Villette is actually better than Jane Eyre, and while I'm not so sure that's possible, I'd say it's certainly safe to assume that Villette must be really good.

 

 

13

Angels and Demons by: Dan Brown

From what I've heard, Angels and Demons is a relatively awesome piece of work. Though I don't know that much about it, I can already tell it concerns topics I'm interested in but never read that much about. (Yes, I know that there are apparently flaws in Dan Brown's research; the entire Internet seems to unanimously agree on that.) Anyway, one of my best friends was talking to me about it some time ago, and she spoke highly of it. So, I'm finally going to try and get around to it this summer.


I'm so excited to finally get to all these books! Please let me know if you've read any of these as well as what's on your summer TBR! Happy reading!

"Paramore" | Paramore

Female-fronted alternative rock band Paramore has recently released a self-titled album, giving listeners something a bit different than their past three albums.

Throughout their history, Paramore has been a bit on the fence for me. Most of my favorite bands are ever-changing, and Paramore hasn’t changed much at all since they first began - with the exception of this new album. Though I still cannot consider myself a fan, they’ve put out some interesting songs here and there that have made me happy, and unfortunately, their positives didn’t take precedence on this CD.

But what everyone really wants to know is how they’ve changed. A few new electronic elements can be found off and on within the general flow of the album, though it’s still undeniably alternative rock. It’s not so much that they’re converting to a different genre; the songs were just written and executed in more of a lighthearted way than their older music.

This new vibe can be found on the first track, “Fast in My Car,” which is one of the best songs from the album. It’s a very fun song, very laid back yet so upbeat. Overall, I prefer it over their lead single “Now,” (what kind of title is that anyway?) of which I loved the chorus despite its repetitiveness. The main issue I have with it is Hayley Williams’ technique of talk-singing in the verses. Other highlights include short indie interludes entitled “Moving On” and “I’m Not Angry Anymore,” and they sound as if they could’ve been on the Juno soundtrack.

These tracks were especially refreshing because I have issues with interludes. More often than not, interludes in modern music tend to be uninteresting and simply attempt to set the mood for the next full-length song. Once in a while, an outstanding one will come along (most notably Linkin Park’s “Wisdom, Justice, and Love” and Epica’s “Anima”), but I never expect much from interludes in general. Kudos to Paramore!

Other than those few songs, this new album did very little to entertain me with the exception of “Last Hope,” a slower-paced song that stood out among the other tracks. A secondary song I enjoyed is called “Part II,” which had a great chorus and middle eight.

Fortunately for Paramore, there were only three songs I completely disliked: The ever-corny “Grow Up,” the ever-bubbly “Still into You,” and the vocally-obnoxious “Anklebiters.” As far as the rest… Well, they weren’t necessarily bad songs, but the problem is that they weren’t exactly good either. They were boring and disappointing, especially “Future,” a nearly eight minute monster of a track. I was hoping for a long masterpiece, but I really just didn’t understand the musical purpose of this song; it dragged on repetitively without doing much for the ears other than one change midway, and I wasn’t a fan of either half.

So, will Paramore fans like this self-titled album’s new adjustment? Much like with any other band that’s undergone change, it all depends on what a specific fan liked about the band and the other music they listen to. But, the change still isn’t all that big. Just because it's different than their other albums doesn't mean it's innovative, for the seventeen tracks of this albums sound a bit too similar.

All things considered, this CD has a few songs that shine, but it isn’t impressive overall. There simply aren’t enough standout tracks. Some diehard Paramore fans that really connect with their music may like it, some may not, but I would only recommend a few of its songs to music lovers in general. Listen with caution.

World Evanescence Day: Happy 10th Anniversary to 'Fallen'

Well, it's March fourth, World Evanescence Day. But this year is most important, for it marks the tenth anniversery of their first big album released by Wind-Up Records, Fallen.

Fallen is one of my favorite (if not, my single favorite) albums ever crafted. I got my hands on it in 2005, and it changed my life. It introduced me to different types of music that I'd never listened to before and helped discover some of my secondary favorite bands. That album showed me what a great voice really sounded like, but more importantly, that it's okay to express any of life's negativity through art.

Sometimes on forums, I'll be asked to make a list of my top ten favorite bands, and the top two are always the same:

1. Evanescence
2. Within Temptation

There are some times when I feel like Evanescence and Within Temptation may be tied for first place, but Within Temptation never exceeds Evanescence in my mind. There's something about that band, something wonderful, that has kept them in my heart for the past seven (going on eight) years. No, not something, but many things that have made me love this band and their music so much.

In general, Evanescence is my go-to band whenever I need to feel better. Not only do I rely on Fallen, but also their other albums, The Open Door, Evanescence, and even their early EPs. Sure, their music isn't the happiest, but it's the most relatable music I've ever come across. Amy Lee's lyrics have described some of my life situations ever-so perfectly, and the music has pulled on my heart strings, conveying the emotion even more realistically.

Not to mention the band members themselves. Amy Lee is the definition of a role model, and she maintains this simply by being her (very artistic) self. She's such a great person, always gracious for her fans, and she's never lost her femminist-edge. (Of course, I mean the real definition of femminist; that word has been thrown around and changed too much lately.)

Even though the line-up changes have been a bit frequent in the past ten years, I must say, I love the line-up that they've had since The Open Door Tour, which includes Terry Balsamo on lead guitar, Troy McLawhorn on guitar, Tim McCord on bass, Will Hunt on drums, and of course Amy Lee on vocals/piano. I finally saw Evanescence live for the first time last summer, and they all rocked. The songs from Fallen have improved live, particularly potence of the drums.

Naturally, ten years has brought a lot of change in their sound as well; no two albums sound too similar. But it all started with Fallen and a hit single entitled "Bring Me to Life" (which is still played on the radio regularly after all this time) to make them known in the world.

Happy anniversery, Fallen. The world is lucky to have you for all this time; the world is lucky to have Evanescence for all this time.