Music Review of Modern Guilt by Beck

"Beck" is an American indie/alternative artist from Los Angeles, California. Although born as Bek David Campbell, he is known as Beck or Beck Hansen on stage. Beck is mainly into making indie and alternative music which covers folk rock, hip-hop, electronic, rock and even blues. Beck is also known for being a multi-instrumentalist where he plays guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, harmonica, percussion, banjo, synthesizers and other instruments.

Modern Guilt dives in with folky opener "Orphans". It has a distant bass sound in the beginning. Once the guitar enters and Beck voices out, the track just hits the jackpot like that. It produces a country-like atmosphere to it, folk and country rock altogether. Indie artist Cat Power also known as Chan Marshall is also featured here to lend her vocals to Beck. In the bridge, the additional flute is a thing to watch out for. Very well-harmonized vocals on Orphans towards the end. Very tempting opener that will haunt especially the adults.

"Gamma Ray" is a faster tempo track and i wouldn't mind if I've been hit by Gamma Ray. The music itself speaks for itself. The vocals of Beck just add extra pump and weight to the whole song. The bass and drums keep re-looping themselves until they hit a climax further down into the track. In the verse, the music seems to be taking a break and slowly build itself for a breakthrough in the coming chorus. Every phrase that Beck sings is followed by gospel-like backing vocals. I just love the music on Gamma Ray, infectiously groovy!

"Chemtrails" is a track that suddenly slows down Modern Guilt's momentum. Listening to Chemtrails revokes your imagination, you would like you're dreaming. The piano and the synthesizers just create a soundscape that is so unreal, you be dreaming away listening to Chemtrails. Even Beck's vocals on Chemtrails blends in very well with the music. Full of howls and moans to greatly enhance the atmosphere of Chemtrails. The remaining one minute instrumental, you would enjoy the beautiful violin that plays on just before the track ends and fades into silence. What an experience!

"Modern Guilt" has a steady drum beats once it enters. Beck moans through each phrase with his vocals. Combined with the music, Beck is twisting his vocals here and there to accustom himself to Modern Guilt. Entering the chorus, the guitar just comes plucking itself in and it's really good, Beck just goes on with, "Modern guilt, I'm stranded with nothing... Modern guilt, I'm under lock and key..." In the bridge, the piano and violin speak for themselves. Beck just adds in some vocal effects to complement the music. Until the end, the whole track seems to be saving the best for last. It's very beautiful and i find myself swaying away listening to it.

The bass in the beginning of "Youthless" really revs me up. It's very tight and fast the way the bass is being played on Youthless. Even Beck sings as if he's rapping softly at between intervals. When it comes to the chorus, Beck just sings at a slightly higher pitch that seems to be echoing itself through the chorus, "And they're helpless and forgetting in the background holding nothing, and they're youthless and pretending with their bare hands holding nothing..." The synthesizers also seems to be having fun from here onwards, coming in and out, creating some cute sounds at intervals that delight us. Towards the end, cello enters and give some extra support to the bass. Very smartly composed music, very tight!

"Walls" already surprises me in the beginning. The violin-like sound created by synthesizers is really the core music on Walls. Beck just sings on as the music goes on like that. Approaching the chorus, there's a lady-like sound in the background, sometime i would think that it's Alvin from The Chipmunks which is making those funny sounds. Cat Power is again featured on this track in the chorus, where she would join Beck, "Hey what are you gonna do, when those walls are falling down, falling down on you..." The music on Walls just ends almost the way it started. Weirdly good!

"Replica" is fast and delicate simultaneously. The beats on Replica are tight and light. Due to a distant sound in the music, it makes the whole track sort of delicate. Delicate enough you would also hear Beck singing in a distant voice. Piano can also be heard in this track as Beck sings. Nearing the end, the violin only comes in and the whole track turns into an instrumental adventure before fading itself to night.

"Soul Of A Man" sounds like a rock track for the army. The bass line just follow every lyrics that Beck sings, like a chick following its mother. Handclaps and guitar riffing can also be heard as Beck sings through the track. When the chorus comes, the whole track seems to be floating in mid-air and Beck goes, "Cold was the storm, that covered the night..." Soul Of A Man is at times like a folk rock track that would definitely be appeal to the old ages. It's not loud, but its groovy beat will get onto you quietly.

"Profanity Prayers" is an upbeat track with infectious drum beats and smart vocals that just know how to enter and exit. Beck can be heard singing in a speedy voice in the verse. In the chorus, he just raises his pitch and let go of his vocals that echo back to him, "Who's gonna answer, profanity prayers, who's gonna answer, these profanity prayers..." I also like the guitar that enters in the chorus, it has this special rhythm with it. When Beck is not singing, the music just plays itself out. And i have to say, it's really good!

Beck ends Modern Guilt with slow-driving "Volcano". Beck's voice on this track gives a hint that he might be tired from all the singing that he has done on Modern Guilt. Therefore he's taking it slow with Volcano. When it comes to the first chorus, you would hear some backing vocals helping Beck out when he goes, "I don't know what I've seen, was it all an illusion? Or a mirage gone bad? I'm tired of evil, and all that it feeds, but I don't know..." With the backing vocals, it sounds really great as it adds the definitive weight to Volcano and Beck's voice. Volcano is slow but it's able to gulp you down slowly after listening to it a few times. Once you get the hook of it, you would find it hard to drop it. Sometimes it's just beautiful!

Darren Tan [http://www.indiesurf.com] is a huge avid fan of indie music, indie bands and indie artists. Since he was 17 years old, he started to fall in love with the indie music scene. It was a total turning point in his life for him as he no longer look at the indie music industry the same since.

With Indiesurf.com [http://www.indiesurf.com] he wants to share his thoughts, comments, reviews and opinions on the latest (and past/old) indie music, indie bands and indie artists with the world and you. You are also invited to share your views as well, so he'll see you at Indiesurf.com.

The Music That Forged the Counterculture Revolution of the 1960s

The counterculture revolution of the 1960s is one of the most significant steps in western cultural development of the 20th Century. From the very beginning trickle of its inception, to its height during the Vietnamese war, music was a big source of its driving force, contributing to the achievements that it helped to bring about, but also laying some of the foundations for its downfall.

With a focal point around the United States and the United Kingdom, it's influence spread throughout western civilisation and beyond, but where it all began is hard to say. However, the most important ingredient in its development was the burgeoning distrust of the established order of things, and in particular the senators, congressmen and presidents that pulled the strings. The heightened tension of the cold war, the fear of the bomb, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, racial segregation and voting rights, the persecution of communists and the Cuban communist regime, police brutality, the Vietnamese war and the increased use of psychedelic drugs all coalesced in the 60s and early 70s to fuel the fire for the counterculture movement.

Music was at the heart of it all, from the folk movement led by the likes of Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and Dave Van Ronk to the release of "Revolution 1" on the Beatles' White Album. The music gave the children of the counterculture revolution new sources of inspiration and a centre around which to base their dissatisfaction with the established order of play.

In addition to the songs and bands that talked about protest in one way or another, there were also those that talked about freedom in general, pushing the rules of convention to their outer limits. The Velvet Undergrounds lyrics for example include references to transgender, homosexuality and drug use in a way that had never been seen before, while bands like the Beach Boys are cited as big proponents of peace, love and understanding.

One of the biggest things to develop out of the counter culture of the 60s and early 70s is the large-scale music festival. Folk festivals were well established in the early sixties - Bob Dylan's electric guitar at the 1965 Newport Fold Festival has taken on near legendary status, for example - but it wasn't until the Monterey Pop Festival, which launched Jimi Hendrix to the big stage, the Isle of White Festivals and Woodstock that the idea really took off. The fact that this type of festival has become so widespread in recent years is a testament to the musical legacy of the 60s.

The counterculture movement ground to a halt around '73 & '74 with the end of the Vietnamese War, Nixon's presidential resignation and the implosion, corruption and exploitation of the free love era. Whether it ended with the removal of things to protest for, the move away from psychedelic drugs as the hit of choice or the disenfranchisement with the excessive hedonism that typified the latter parts of the movement it's hard to say for sure, but the impact of everything that occurred during that period is still being felt today, including the music that helped to produce it and that it helped to produce. Civil rights became universal, new forms of expression became acceptable, wars were ended and music was made.

Tuppence Magazine is an online publication for entertainment news in the UK, including restaurant reviews like Spicy Basil Kilburn & film news like Mad Max 4 movie info.

How to Sing High Notes Wthout Straining

Toward the end of the last season of "American Idol", there was a brutal attempt at a high note made by contestant Danny Gokey. Trying to hit the high note at the end of Aerosmith's "Dream On", the note(s) he did hit were excruciating to hear and were actually made fun of incessantly the next day on video sites and on television.

He had to strain so hard to hit the note that he missed it both on the upside and the downside, wavering back and forth. Although he is certainly an accomplished singer, this was not a good example of singing. You need to learn how to sing high notes without straining if you are going to be successful on stage.

Although it would make sense that women would be able to strain less while hitting notes much easier than men, it is not always true. Some women just try to out-sing their own vocal chords and go too high. A singer like Mariah Carey, with her crazy range, can almost never go too high, but for the rest of us mortals, we will eventually get to a note in a song that we can't hit - and we know it when we're there.

Men sometimes try too hard as well, thinking that with force they can get that note out. But sometimes air volume alone will not create a note and if your vocal chords are not trained to hit it, it simply won't happen. The key is to practice expanding your vocal range every single day.

Why is Singing like Playing an Instrument?

Just like playing an instrument, you have to practice singing in order for it to come with more ease. If you are serious about learning how to sing high notes without straining, then you have to regularly practice working your way up to those notes so that your body can get used to it.

Find Out More: Click Here For Free Information and Reviews. How to Sing High Notes Wthout Straining
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Baby Boomers - Just Imagine Growing Up in the 60s

The cold war ushered in the 1960s. Many of us hardly even knew that Russia existed when all of a sudden Russia captured a U.S. spy, Captain Francis Powers, and we heard that Russia had "the bomb" and that we, the citizens of the U.S., were in danger of being attacked and overrun by the communist horde. Those growing up in the 60s took part in air-raid and nuclear bomb exercises in school where you hid under your desk, on your knees, covering your head with your butt in the air and felt assured that that would protect you in the event of a nuclear war. Thank goodness there wasn't one! People also started building air-raid shelters and stockpiling canned goods and water, while some people were accused of sticking their heads in the sand when they refused to be caught up in the horror of this moment in time.

It may have been the uncertainty of life that caught hold of the young people during this time. Rock and roll music was born and the Twist was the newest dance craze. In fact, everything was kind of crazy then. Invented in the 1950s, the transistor radio became available in retail outlets in the mid 1960s and changed the way a lot of people listened to music. FM was for nerds and AM ruled! Most major U.S. cities had 3-4 Rock n' Roll stations that played the same 40-60 hits all day long. Every teen or young adult knew the words to every single top 100 hit, be it the Billboard Magazine list or the local station list that was available at the local radio station or record store. 78 rpm (revolutions per minute) albums were long gone and the era of the 45 rpm single record and the 33 rpm album was born. A single 45 cost just 97 cents, plus tax, while an album of 9-11 songs was about four bucks. Most albums had 5 or 6 hits along with 4 or 5 songs that hadn't been released as singles. Radio stations advertised "All the hits, all the time" and "More music more often" and we listened avidly to whatever AM station we could receive with the least interference. FM was for the 'eggheads' and didn't become popular until the late 60s and earned its place as a radio standard in the mid 70s.

In one of the first presidential elections that a baby boomer will likely remember, the end of Dwight D. Eisenhower's second term saw his Vice President Richard M. Nixon running against John F. Kennedy, the youngest presidential candidate ever. This 1960 presidential race is also the first election that television played a most important part in. The charismatic Kennedy was 'easy to look at' on national television screens, though those that had only radios leaned towards voting for the Republican candidate, Nixon. Lyndon B. Johnson was running with Kennedy and Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. was the running mate for Nixon. Alaska and Hawaii participated in this election for the first time since gaining their statehood the previous year and both candidates were actually born in the 20th century. Historians still debate the issues of this election and if vote theft played a part in Kennedy's win, as well as Joe Kennedy, John F.'s father, possibly playing a not-so-kosher part. Kennedy's margin of victory in the popular vote was the closest ever in U.S. history and the electoral vote was the closest since the presidential election of 1916 between Woodrow Wilson with his running mate Thomas R. Marshall and Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes and his VP candidate Charles W. Fairbanks.

In 1961, further proof that we needed to fear communism came in the form of a coup designed to overthrow Fidel Castro in a small communist country, Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida's borders. The Bay of Pigs plan was under discussion during the Eisenhower administration and Kennedy, who allowed it to proceed, found himself much criticized for the failed debacle. Fidel Castro has outlasted all U.S. Presidents to date and his regime promises to carry on.

1961 is the year that the Berlin Wall came into being. The Russian Premier, Kruschev, decides to construct a huge concrete wall along the Soviet's portion of Berlin, effectively imprisoning her citizens. As in Cuba, East German's citizens were trapped and unable to leave for any reason. Many lost their lives in the attempt, just as many more have lost their lives in the attempt to flee Cuba. Many boomers have lived to see the wall come down.

Along with all of these monumental negatives, the 60s were not without its heroes. Kennedy, despite his shaky beginning became the most loved president in history. His assassination in November of 1963 threw the U.S. and parts of the world into deep mourning.

The space race was underway. On May 5th, 1961, Alan Shepard was the first American to fly into space aboard "Freedom 7". It was an embarrassment that Russia managed to beat us to the punch by a couple of weeks, but this was the start of a race that would see man walk on the moon.

Baseball is still America's favorite pastime and 1961 saw a landmark battle between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris as they competed against each other to break Babe Ruth's home run record. Roger Maris succeeded but Mickey Mantle seems to be the most remembered.

Quickly upon the heels of Alan Shepard, John Glenn orbits the earth three times in the same spaceship, "Friendship 7". Then came the Mercury and Gemini series' flights, followed by the Apollo series. Challenged by President Kennedy's address on May 25th, 1961, to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade, success came in the form of Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the moon while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit. The last moon walk took place in December of 1972, on the last of six Apollo missions and during which time 12 men walked on the moon.

In 1962 the National Guard is on hand as James Meredith becomes the first black person to enroll at the University of Mississippi. This troubled time saw the rise of Dr. Martin Luther King, trying to charm riotous men and women into a more peaceful integration. His famous "I Have a Dream" speech was heard around the world in 1963 before a live audience of an amazing 200,000 people.

...and the beat goes on.... The 60s was a time of turmoil, love, war, hate, drugs, rock n' roll and of villains and heroes. And this was only the first two or three years of this decade!

Along with listening to music, Joseph enjoys working in his flower and vegetable gardens. Garden Harvest Supply is one of his favorite gardening stores which offer perennial flowering plants and memorial garden plaques to add inspiration to any green space.

Love in the Sunny State

Sunshine, the waves and the sand on your honeymoon? The State of Florida provides the perfect honeymoon destination for newly-married couples who would love to bask in the sunlight and sip some cool, refreshing drink under the shade of a palm tree. This problem a tropical island in the United States. You do not need to go abroad or too far to experience the romance of a pleasant and romantic tropical island.

The Sunshine State is one of the lid destinations for weddings and honeymoons. With its stretch of seashores and stunning city attractions, Florida has always something novices at propose newly-weds. Amount of money your list the Caladesi Spring State Park, which offers fishing, scuba diving, swimming and Manatee watching. Visit the Bok Sanctuary and the Coral Castle Gallery which houses the Three Bears' Grotto.

And if you are looking at the final wedding day and honeymoon experience in sunny Florida, this is the place to be: the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. At Walt Disney World, honeymooners are proposed an extensive range of honeymoon packages, or if you want, you can even personalize your individual honeymoon package! There are two main benefits concierge' honeymoon options at Walt Disney's elegant hotels and ultimate honeymoon experience that includes a land and sea vacation package complete with a Disney cruise and a visit at Disney World. Experience the magic and be one of those that have been well-pampered by this magical resort.

Honeymooners are offered with alternatives on dining, special merchandise, exclusive spa remedies for you and your honey. There are likewise photo shoots, outings and almost infinite admission to Disney style parks, carriage rides and cruises.

For starters wholesome entertainment, Disney's MGM Studios stages Fantasmic, a show that showcases dramatic music, dancing water, animation, fireworks and lasers perfect. Truly, grandeur and luxury would be at your beckoning.

If you like to bask in the sun, hit the pristine beaches of Miami! South Beach, Miami is the position to go if you wish some surfing and swimming with your significant other. There are also a number of trendy clubs and bars you can hit for a few night-time entertainment. Bash in South Beach, Miami is a dance club frequented by most famous people. So if you and your spouse would love to go party and wipe elbows with the stars after every day in the sun, go to Bash or the Marlin Hotel on Collins Avenue. Jacksonville's T-birds is a good place to unwind and hear retro music. Two other advantages numerous other themed bars that can render you with all the entertainment you want.

Hotels like Orlando's Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort are five-star resorts with luxurious accommodations and services. For more variety, there's the International Drive and Sea World Orlando, which offers 100 or so restaurants and other attractions. You can check this and more with your travel agent or better yet log on to different internet sites that showcases Florida's many tourist and honeymoon spots

Swim, bask in the sun, be merry and enjoy the business of your loved one. The sunny state of Florida gives you the ultimate hip, trendy places to be on your honeymoon. Whatever comes along to commence the life of marital bliss than to savor the waves, the sunlight, the sun, and more sun.

Brad has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in weight loss,fitness and diet, you can also check out his latest website on Home Standby Generator and Whole House Generators

I Was Just in The Middle of a Dream

I was dreaming. I was eating Carnitas. They were very good Carnitas. The waitress was about to bring me another heaping plate of deliciously fatty, artery-clogging Carnitas when I heard tom-toms. The drums had a driving beat that if you weren't dreaming; the sound would make you want to murder someone to make them stop. You might even devise a hideous homicidal act in your head that, though you would never carry it out, would make you feel immensely better (I need therapy).

I wasn't dreaming anymore.

At 9:00 am, the two teenaged boys across the alley were washing the family's car. They pulled the car out into the middle of the alley so its rear was only, COUNT THEM, inches from our bedroom window. They had the windows rolled up so they could, with much loud merriment and raucous gaiety, wash the car. They also had the car's radio turned up so high I am sure everyone within 4 miles could sing along. The song was something like "Aztec Music Hit Parade To Make a Human Sacrifice By" or "Sharpen Those Obsidian Knives, We're Going To War" or something similar. The music was, and I am sure you get it, so primitively pounding that it even made my wife turn to me in the bed and say, "Are you sure we can't kill them for this?" To which I responded, "No. But, this makes me want to go out and at the very least kill a pig and sacrifice it to appease a Vengeful God."

Mexicans have got to be genetically different from Gringos. I mean that in the nicest sort of way.

The only possible way of explaining the obsession with the volume at which they can tolerate music has got to be in their genetic makeup. It has just got to be so.

I've written about this before. You are walking down the narrow, built-for-burros streets in Guanajuato when you happen upon a small boutique or store that is just opening or having a sale. In either case, the Mexicans always think they have to find absolutely the largest amplifying speakers on the face of the earth--and they do--to announce their sale or store opening with music so loud, coming out of speakers the size of mini-SUV's, you can repel tank fire with the sound waves. And, here is the deal: If you wanted to walk into their store, you couldn't! The music creates a force field of Starship Enterprise magnitude. You would simply bounce off the invisible sonic shield that fills the doorway. At the very least, you would get a cacophony-induced brain tumor trying to get into the store.

When I say, "speakers the size of a small car," I am not joking. The only other time in my life I've ever seen amplifiers of this size was in Dallas, Texas, at an outdoor concert. These, of course, were used to saturate a concert field the size of the Orange Bowl, but I have seen these size speakers in small Mexican Barrios that have got the be the direct cause of building collapses.

Many years ago there was house here that fell off a mountain. Now, I don't have any proof, and it was officially blamed on the rainy season, but did anyone, I want to know, check out the loudspeakers in the Barrio to see if they all had the volume on "Kill Setting?"

That's all I am saying!

Living in Guanajuato Blog

Facebook Game - Guitar God

Guitar games are a type of genre that was made famous in console platform, especially with the entire external controller made to look like musical instruments. Facebook has a few musical games, but this one is one of the few that really catch my attention. In this review, Mabel Games will take a quick look at Guitar God (Do not mistaken this game with the PS2 platform version with the same name), developed by Metrogames, the same company that brought you the addictive game Typing Maniac.

Gameplay
The game starts off with a very simple character creation screen. Once you have done the necessary, players will then be taken to the main screen.

On the main screen, players will have a couple of options to choose upon. (Play game, Shops, Challenge and Invites) First we will look into the Main Game. In Guitar God, the game is relatively easy to pick up by anyone as the game only utilize 5 keys on your keyboard (A, S, D, F and G). I said it is easy to pick up, but to really master the game; players will have to be fast on their eye and fingers reflexes.

The game works by providing the player with a guitar platform where color disc will drop down as the music plays. Players will then have to quickly hit the correct keys on the keyboard to score and to pass the level. This is where the game really put the player's reflexes to the challenge. During the beginning of the game it may look very easy to play this game, but due to how the developers design the game, the keys are really sensitive. Even a slightest touch, the game will detect it as a move, causing the missed or mistake thus making the player lose valuable points. Furthermore, the game moves rather fast depending on the type of songs you choose. It took me and my friend both a few tries before both of us was able to get the hang of the game, however till then we still make mistake as we go by.

The special thing about this game is that during the gameplay, player will notice 2 load screens. One will be for the game, while the other one will connect directly to YouTube. Once the loading completed, player will notice a screen in front of the platform. This is like a life telecast from YouTube on the songs that you will be playing. The streaming is rather smooth and players will feel like they are playing with the live bands as they do their performance. Most of the songs are very nice and easy while some are very hard to follow.

The game also comes in 4 different types of difficulties and this will put player wits to the test. Each of the difficulties will have different songs to play and different keys to use. Easy will only release 3 keys for user to play with while on Hard more all keys will be unlock and the music it plays will be fast and requires players to be super accurate with the keyboard. Advisable to start with easy for all new players as it took us sometime before we actually move to the more difficult settings.

Now after you are done with the main game, we look into challenge mode. Nothing much about this part of the gameplay it is still the same except you will be going head to head with your friends.

Players can also choose how their avatar looks like in the game. This is just like an eye candy to the game as the players can only customize a few items like cloths and the music instruments they use. This version had yet to allow player to customize their player's physical look just yet.

Graphic
The game graphic is done very well and very pretty to look at. Although the character themselves represent the Japanese Chibi like, but players will be too busy bashing the buttons on their keyboard to notice the graphic. Addition to that the implementation of YouTube video into the game is a brilliant move, too bad that only your friends will have time to look at it while you will have to focus all your attention to the color discs.

Sound
Very clear and sharp sound as the music is actually played over via Youtube. If player makes a mistake, the guitar will make a horrible shrieking noise that will hurt your eardrums if you make too many mistakes. Something I do notice is that at times the music will just soften while playing, this may just be because of the timing you hit the keyboard and while you miss a shot.

Conclusion
Any guitar lover will really love this game as this is a miniature version that is made for Facebook.

I give Guitar God game 4 out of 5 ratings! ROCK ON!

To view more PC and online game reviews for casual games, visit MabelGames. Playing PC and online games have many advantages and keeps an active and healthy mind. Visit the collection of the downloadable PC and online games' review site. The games are free to download and have fun!

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Diana Ross - Truly the Boss

When Motown celebrates its 50th anniversary, one of the names that will be talked about as synonymous with the shaping of Motown history will be Diana Ross. Diana Ross is not just the singer of The Boss, she could figuratively be called one of the first bosses of Motown as far as the impact she had on the label. As the lead singer of The Supremes who started out as the Primettes, Ross hit the rhythm and blues scene with a power and force that can be felt right up until today.

With The Supremes Diana Ross helped make Motown in the 1960's. They were arguably the top female group at the time and went far beyond what they ever dreamed of when they formed The Primettes in 1958. America loved Diana Ross and the Supremes and Motown loved the success they brought in. Indeed, this all female R&B group rivaled the Beatles in international popularity. This is a popularity which has always been attributed to Ross's incredible lead vocals. She was indeed the power behind the group's success. So much so that Motown's Barry Gordy decided to re-name the group Diana Ross & The Supremes.

Capitalizing on her success Diana Ross began her solo career towards the end of the '60's and began a whirlwind career of success as a solo artist. With the production team behind her of Ashford and Simpson, Diana Ross went on to become the most successful female singers in the rock genre. She was one of the few female vocalists to successfully cross over into film winning a Golden Globe and garnering nominations throughout the 70's and 80's. Her hit The Boss has been covered by many prominent artists including Ashford and Simpson who wrote the song for Ross. In her career she has sold over 100 million records and was the first female artist to have six number one hits.

Diana Ross is a staple of American R&B success stories and was instrumental in helping spring Motown as a label onto the American Music scene. With The Supremes as well as her successful solo career, Ross has become a symbol of Motown and an icon of American music. Ms Ross has delivered over 5 decades of hits and has become a cultural behemoth to her fans as well as aspiring female musicians. Diana Ross is an American treasure and Motown is an American success story.

For the opportunity to shop for books, music, videos, apparel or for the opportunity to learn more about Diana Ross or Motown, check out http://motown.ws. You can also watch YouTube videos, view the latest Motown news and comment on our blog.

Pakistani Pop Music

Pakistan is blessed with talent and when we talk about Pakistani Music, you can never stop picking up one of the best Pakistani pop song uptill now because there are number of such hit songs nobody can judge the best one in past decades such as "Dil Dil Pakistan" , "Huwa Huwa", "Mehndi ki Raat", "Na Kaho", "Dil Haray", "Ankhain Milanay Walay", "Wakt", "Neeli Neeli Ankhain", "Jaisay Chao Jeo", "Garuj Burus", "No More", "Ankhoun ki Sagar", "Na Tu Aigi", "Addat" left the audience agape and many more. Our artists' are popular all over the world. Many new talented artists in Pakistan are still working hard to bring quality Pakistani music.

We can easily judge Alamgir as the pioneer of music industry who's first big hit was "DEKHA NA THA KABHI HUM NAY YEH SUMMA", and remains the song he is still most identified with, though later songs such as "Yeh Shaam Aur Tera Naam" and "Mein Ne Tumhare Gagar Se Kabhi Pani" continued to add to his composition. Alamgir, it must be said, laid the groundwork that countless others used to break into the music industry. He not only sang well, he was a performer in the true sense of the word. There is no denying Alamgir's contribution to the evolution of the pop music genre in Pakistan.

NAZIA HASSAN was the first one to cross the forbidden Pakistan-India border to sing in an Indian film called "Qurbani" which was "APP JAISA KOI". And later this song became a youth anthem in both India and Pakistan. And next NAZIA, ZOHAIB and BIDDU (an Indian composer) teamed up to release "DISCO DEEWANE" which became the biggest pop selling album till then in Pakistan. The Hasan siblings released one more album, "Boom Boom", in 1984. This second collaboration with Biddu, the undisputed king of Indian filmi disco music, was also a huge success. Their success marked a turning point in the pop history.

And later Vital Sign ventured on to Pakistani television screens with their guitars and a catchy, patriotic song named "Dil Dil Pakistan" in 1986. Their album released in 1987 with gems like "Yeh Shaam" and funky "Goray Rung Ka Zamana".

Then came Jupitars with their evergreen hit songs "Yaroun Yehi Dosti Hai", continued with Hassan Jehangir's "Hawa Hawa" in 1990, "Sanwali Saloni" by Vital Signs in 1991, "Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar" in 1992 by the Strings, Sajjad Ali's "Didi" ripoff "Babia" in 1993, Najam Shiraz's "In Se Nain" in 1995, Junoon's "Saeein" in 1996 or Awaz's "Mr. Fraudiye" in 1997. Junoon came into the race with their World Cup Hit song "Jazaba-e-Junoon Tou Himat na Har". This is only to be expected in a growing industry.

Perhaps the biggest unexpected success of an experimental song, however, was Sajjad Ali's street-wise 1995 hit "Chief Saab". Full of Karachi slang and tough imagery, "Chief Saab", perhaps more than anything else signified the coming age of pop music. It showed that one did not necessarily have to remain within pre-determined saccharine-sweet boundaries to be popular, and that people liked hearing of issues other than puppy love. Partly, as a result of this expansion of the pop market, established musicians from non-pop genres such as qawwali maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan were also drawn towards experimenting within it. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan gave numerous hit one after another and he gave the music for Hollywood movies and as well as for many Bollywood movies too.

The pop band that most successfully seized upon this idea was, of course, Junoon, which used its success with the haunting "Saeein" to recast itself as a completely different sort of band. Here we saw pop again intersecting with folk and vice versa.

In 1994, FM radio brought about another mini-revolution in Pakistani music. From Landhi in Karachi to Krishan Nagar in Lahore, names like female vocalist Hadiqa Kiyani and young Shehzad Roy suddenly became household names. Even iconoclastic recluse virtuosos like guitarist Amir Zaki (whose almost purely instrumental album "Signature" did well in the market) were receiving the kind of airplay the big bands of the '80s could only have dreamed of.

Pop industry had big turnaround when private channels came into the scene, Like IM which became the medium to introduce young talents in the pop industry names like Fuzon, Aaroh, noori, Aks, Ahmad Jehanzaib, Mizraab, Karavan, Ali Zafar, Jal which not only rock the Pakistani pop music but also made their names worldwide. The new arrivals made their presence felt through remarkable individual songs, even though full albums for now seemed beyond most new acts. Ahmad Jehanzaib's Ek Bar Kaho, Fuzon's Ankhon Ke Saagar and Schehzad Mughal's Bas Yunheen were each excellent. The first two were carried by soulful, ardent vocals and the last shone through affecting lyrics. Hot on their heels, honourable mentions must also go to Aks stunningly understated Neela Aasman, noori's jangle-pop perfection Tum Hans Diyae, Junoon's excellent Garaj Baras, Sajjad Ali with Teri Yaad, Aamir Zaki's insightful and incisive People Are People, EP's piledriving Hum Ko Aazma, Najam's infinitely catchy !

Jaisay Chaho Jiyo and Aao Wahan Chalain, Ali Zafar's startling Chanoo ki Ankh, Jal's splendid addat and yes even Ali Haider's insipid but still memorably melodic Chandi Ratain. Abrar's Preeto was the novelty hit of the year. The Pepsi Battle of the Bands did a great job in throwing up a wealth of talent. EP, Aaroh, Brain Massala, Messiah, Schahzad Hameed and others all have Pepsi to thank. The Pepsi Battle of the Bands got all these fledgling bands great exposure.

Recently, a team of talented Pakistani musicians and artists took the long road to Mumbai, via Dubai, possibly to make history, for this was the first time in recent memory that Pakistanis had gone to India to create the background score for a Bollywood film. The film in question is Pooja Bhatt's Paap, and former Vital Sign Shehzad 'Shahi' Hasan, cinematographer Faisal Rafi, singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and studio session player and keyboardist Faiz Ali Naqvi, were the foursome representing the world of Pakistani music in India.

Strings enjoyed considerable success with Dhaani. Probably the most hyped album of the year, with lead single Chaaye Chaaye being the standout favourite. String gave the soundtrack for Spiderman 2 which was a remarkable effort.

Junaid Jamshed's Dil Ki Baat was understated but assured and notwithstanding JJ's quite public and tortured ruminations over religion and music, the album showed that JJ is still competent at middle of the road pop and that Shoaib Mansoor still has the magic touch. Shahzad Roy's Rab Jane was hobbled by his illness and yet catches the fire while Karavan's Gardish seems to have suddenly picked up and was sold like hot-cakes. Schahzad Mughal's Jhoom Lay was one of the most pleasant of surprises of the year.

So this proves that our music industry has dared to move forward with hope rather than skepticism.

About The Author

Faiza Kamal

Hi, i am a student of BS Software Engineering in first year from Karachi University and i am 19 years old.

siddiqi_fai@hotmail.com

Too Fly - Rappers You Should Know

With a 3rd of 2010 gone by already and plenty of music put out, one can only look for what is next to come. Three MCs in my mind are truly prepared to make a splash in the game for the remainder of 2010 and those fellows are Lupe Fiasco, B.O.B, and Charles Hamilton. The 3 are also rumoured to possibly co-operate in a 'super group' known as 'The All town Chess Club.' First off B.O.B just released his debut-hit album on Apr 27, 2010. While he has already quickly establishing himself in the game with hits like 'Nothin On You' and 'Airplanes', don't look for the rapper to stop soon. B.o.B's album 'Adventures of Bobby Ray' is one of the most well put together, thought out albums I have heard lately.

B.O.B's production shines incredibly across the entire album. His ability to mix spacy melodies, with slightly down to earth raps is really revolutionary and cannot be denied.

I only pass on a couple songs ( Bet I Bust, and celebrity ) all of the others have been played on repeat numerous times and will continue to see such treatment. This is an album you need listen to all the way through, over & over. There's something for everyone the way B.o.B balances hip-hop, rock, pop & R&B. Don't sleep on this album go out and support good music.

Next up is Lupe Fiasco who is alleged to be retiring shortly. His upcoming album will be titled Lasers and is getting a lot of hype, deservingly so. While his last album is supposed to be LupEND, this may be the last we hear from Lupe or atleast real close to it. Lupe has always brought such original flow and such a great vibe to the game that it is almost certain nobody wants to see him go.

Last but not least, is imminent rapper Charles Hamilton. While he has definitely had his share of negative limelight ( i.e. Getting punched by his ex-girlfriend and the Interscope drop ), he is now more determined than ever to go round again and prove people who doubted him wrong. Drake's producer Omen has said that,'Charles' focus at this time is putting out truly clever records, but joints that can bump in the club. As far as his pen game, Charles is a genius in his very own right. His full vibe is left-field and he's's one of the quickest artists I ever worked with. We did like 14 songs in 2 days. This could be the first time where he doesn't actually produce the majority of the album. I suspect people will be actually surprised... That dude has a large amount of good joints lined up.' Look for Charles to make a big splash in the tail end of 2010. Such a creative and unique talent will very definitely bring something special to the game.

I'm pretty chill if you're not a clown. I got a child that's my world. Lys I adore you. You and my family have done a lot for me. Brae your my baby. Father will always be here through everything. And further more... Alik MFM, you're my only true brother. I got your back for anything. You know me. I like you man. I'm into sports and anything that will bring an adrenaline hit. Explains my record.

Songwriting Help - The Secret of Making People Like Your Music

So you need Songwriting help? Just what is the foolproof formula to writing a hit song every time? There seems to be none, as our hits range from the very mundane to the very profound. We've heard songs that ask how much a doggie in a window costs to very poetic ones that speak of over joy and over love. So, while the secret formula to that sure hit is yet to be discovered, here are some songwriting tips that might help you capture your target market.

Songwriting Help - Get the Theme my Friend

First, establish the theme of your song; there are a lot, and there is no limit to what you can write about so you are really faced with one tough challenge right away. The theme that is probably the most popular when it comes to songs is love. But even love as a theme will have many subthemes. Do you want to talk about unrequited love, unconditional love, a new found love or a broken heart? Many songs are based on true emotions if not true stories, meant for one particular person by the artist, and this usually is very interesting to the audience and also very truthful as well this helps draw the audience even more. Love, after all, is a universal theme and the more heartfelt the song is, the better it will be accepted by the public. Even songs filled with angst make it to the billboard 100 simply because they contain raw emotions which immediately connect to the listening public.

Songwriting Help - Pick a Title Baby!

Of course, you should strive to be remembered and you can do this by coming up with a catchy title that will be easy to remember. Admittedly this is another toughie as there are a lot of songs out there already. Some songwriters capitalize on the latest news in the entertainment, political, environmental scene. Others even invent their own word and hope that it catches on like "bootylicious."

Songwriting Help - Be a Lyric Master

Next comes the lyrics and again there is no limit, no rules to lyrics-writing. You can be grammatically wrong and have the spelling all jumbled or you can be poetic. Be creative and free in your songwriting, the important thing is to convey your message to your audience. Remember that you are not bound by any rule. You can rhyme and you can't, no one will say that you've got it wrong except the public. Be prepared to do several revisions to your song lyrics too. Sometimes it looks quite good when you have written it down but once you sing it, it doesn't sound too good so you will have to revise.

Songwriting Help - Melody

Other things you should consider to finish the songwriting process is the melody and the arrangement. The melody is what is usually most remembered so make it a catchy one. Don't make it too boring or monotonous, and try to make some combinations in the chords to add a little flavor every now and then. Lastly, the arrangement should add value to everything you have done, not kill the song. You should decide on how long you want your song to be and you should keep it interesting enough to hold the attention of your fickle-minded public.

Go now and start songwriting, soon enough when you hear it on the radio you will say proudly, "this is my song."

Ed Byrd is a Songwriting and Home Recording enthusiast. You can find Songwriting Help and more great Home Studio advice at http://www.homerecordingcenter.com