30-Day Album Challenge: Day 11

Day 11: Favorite Pop Album
The Fame Monster
Lady Gaga



This album is the best part of Lady Gaga so far. I used to really hate her when all she had was The Fame under her belt, and I don't really like her videos, and I don't really like her outfits. But I REALLY like this album. Lady Gaga has a way of taking something very musically ordinary and making it awesome and her own thing. You can see and hear the convention that was put into producing the album, and you can see how Lady Gaga twisted it to match her very own vision. My favorite part about her is that she's an actual icon of our generation, and we have very, very few of those. She's more talented than most pop singers; she can actually sing - better than Madonna, her biggest comparison. And The Fame Monster delves into a number of relatable topics through its nine short tracks.

I just love that an artist can put out something as horrible as The Fame, and then realize "Hey, that really sucked. Maybe fame fucked it up for me." And then create a response truly timeless and breathtaking. It's a real act of humanity.

Favorite tracks: Bad Romance, Dance in the Dark, So Happy I Could Die

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 10

Day 10: Favorite Rock Album
Elephant
The White Stripes



I had no idea how to answer this one. I obviously thought, The Beatles? Way too easy. But I thought eventually throughout this challenge I absolutely have to pay my respects to The White Stripes so here we are. And they are definitely a band I can label simply "rock."

My very favorite White Stripes album by far, it blows my mind every time I listen. It never, ever, ever gets old. The stripped-down idea of the White Stripes makes them completely timeless, and I'll be listening to them when I'm 80. The whole world will. Jack White's rhyming and rhythmic skills are so perfect, meshed with screeching guitars and riffs that feel like they could be from any of the last few decades or the future.

I. Fucking. Love. The White Stripes.

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 9

Day 7: Worst Album Cover
Congratulations
MGMT



I know there is some pretty hideous album artwork out there, from low-budget rappers and whatnot... but I'm only going to take from my own music collection.

Sometimes I'm down with the whole hipsters-trying-to-be-ironic-with-ugly-things thing... but this is just so horrendous. As an aspiring graphic designer, it just makes me cringe a little. It also doesn't depict the sound or idea of the album (not that that's the greatest thing either.)

30-Day Music Challenge: Day 8

Day 8: Favorite Album Cover
Many

I decided I'd go through my music collection A-Z and pick out my favorites. Turns out, I have way too many! I got to D and I already have way too many. Here's just a few. Maybe I'll come back and add more.

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 7

Day 7: Least Favorite Album of Your Favorite Artist
The Black Parade
My Chemical Romance



Whenever I feel the urge to listen to my favorite band, this is close to never the album I choose. I love theatricality and I love concept albums, but The Black Parade is just a little too much, almost on the cheesy side, and lyrically the weakest. On their other albums, there's maybe two or three tracks that I'm not that fond of. On this one, there's maybe two or three tracks that I actually like. So, they kind of missed the mark. I feel like it was probably just a strange time for them to be making music; they had just made something so true to themselves and went over so well with their fans, that they had to think, "What do we do now?" And this is what came out. And the reason Danger Days is so good is because they're now out of that funk completely and have grown up as musicians and people. Still love 'em though. Three out of four aint bad.
Favorite tracks: Welcome to the Black Parade, Teenagers, and Famous Last Words

30-Day Music Challenge: Day 6

Day 6: Favorite Album As A Child
No Strings Attached
NSYNC



YEP THAT'S RIGHT. I'm taking "as a child" as say, age 7. I effing loved this CD. I miss the days of synchronized dancing and when every man's hair looked like a briar patch. Am I totally listening to them on youtube right now? Perhaps...



I remember seeing this video all the time on Disney Channel! I think it totally foreshadows an Oscar-worthy film in Justin Timberlake's future, don't you think?

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 5

Day 5: Last Album You Bought
Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
My Chemical Romance



I don't buy music... ever. I know, I'm horrible. This is the only tangible copy of an album I've bought in a very long time, and this was back in November. But seeing as this is the first new album in four years from my favorite band, I had this shit pre-ordered.

And I've already given all my thoughts on this wonderful little album. It's fantastic. It's fabulous.
Favorite tracks: The Kids From Yesterday, DESTROYA, Na Na Na, and Bulletproof Heart

I will be seeing these boys for the first time in 5 years in exactly one month and one day YESSS

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 4

Fell behind, oops!

Day 4: First Album You Ever Bought
The Used
The Used



The first albums I remember buying were a set of a few different ones. I asked for about 5-10 CDs for Christmas, and this was one of them. I also got Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, some Atreyu album, Gwen Stefani's Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and a few others. (Pretty eclectic, I know.) But if I recall, this is the one I was most excited about getting, and I listened to it the most. To this day it's still the best Used album; I think it's always pretty awesome when a band's first album is their best by far. (But also sad in a way, to have to watch them just go downhill after that. In the last few years I haven't taken a second glance at The Used.)

I guess this album introduced me to music, in a way. And for being 13 years old it's not the worst place to start. The lyrics are obviously relatable to an angsty 13-year-old, and when I moved to Utah I felt even more connected to them. And even recently, I'm learning more about my connection to this band by living right by the town they grew up in and sing about. I think their blend of catchy tracks and more metal-influenced songs on this album is near perfect. For the 2000's teenager, it's an essential.
Favorite tracks: On My Own, Pieces Mended, and The Taste of Ink

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 3

Day 3: Last Album You Listened To
Sigh No More
Mumford & Sons



I was just wondering why this band suddenly became SO popular. Sorority girls like it. Moms like it. It's on the Top Albums on iTunes. And now I understand why I never liked it much. I'd always heard the name around the hipster community but had never heard them, so I downloaded this album and listened. Wasn't impressed. Oh well. I'll let the majority have it.

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Worst Album
The People's Key
Bright Eyes



I can't really say I've listen to any albums that could qualify as "worst album ever," so I'm going to rename this "biggest disappointment."

I'm not even sure what Conor was going for with this. I couldn't even get through the whole thing. Just so bad :(

30-Day Album Challenge: Day 1

Stole this from some silly Facebook thing :) But I thought it would be a fun thing to do on my blog. So!

Day 1: Favorite Album
Funeral
Arcade Fire



I'm bad at explaining the hows and whys of why I like certain music. Especially music like this, where it is just simply beyond me and our world. But then I remember that real people created it, and that's what helps me relate and blows my mind away.

Beautifully constructed without being too structured, full of heart and anguish and a great sense of longing. The Suburbs won a Grammy, yes, but that one was definitely on bottom below Funeral and Neon Bible. Funeral deserves all the recognition in the world. Everybody should hear it. From the mesmorizing intro (fills me up with joy whenever I hear it) to Regine's incredible vocal finish, it's just...simply...a masterpiece.
Favorite track: Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) or Rebellion (Lies)