Sonntag, 13. Feb 2011, 11:20

A taste of honey, tasting much sweeter than wine.
I will return, yes I will return.
I'll come back for the honey and you.

"A Taste of Honey", by The Beatles

I am even daring to say that taste actually does not matter here, that practically everyone around here - from hardcore punker to narrowminded linedancer, from death metal fanatic to shy folk lover - should be able to understand the greatness and musical geniousness of the musicians discussed further on in this journal.

Now before you'll start writing posts accusing me from narrowmindedness myself: I personally quite like the concept of exaggeration and deadpan. Therefore I strongly advice you to never take me really seriously - if you even intented to do so - but to take note of the leading thread running through my stories, since those are neat summaries of my humble opinions.

Let's get started!

At first, current leader in my charts, there is KT Tunstall. She's a fairly young Scottish folk singer, having released a total of three studio albums so far. The fresh, almost poppy sound, combined with the most amazing poem-like lyrics make you feel like being in a music paradise!
Recommended songs: "Miniature Disasters", "Suddenly I See" and "Under the Weather".

Secondly, I'd like to introduce The Kills. An indie-duo consisting of Jamie Hince and Allison Mosshart (also known from The Dead Weather). Over the past couple of years, they have gained lots of respect in the indie world, creating some of the finest raw music you can imagine.
Recommended songs: "U.R.A. Fever", "Last Day of Magic" and "Dead Road 7".

Third in are the Grateful Dead, probably the most amazing hippie-band that ever existed. With a sound as fresh as feeling like being high all the time, with lyrics interpretable in so many different ways, it is a true joy to listen to some of the most genious musicians of all time!
Recommended songs: "St. Stephen", "Truckin'" and "Sugar Magnolia".

Next is one of the biggest legends of the past century: Janis Joplin. A girl who, after a terrible childhood, placed her everlasting mark in music's history in just four years time - between '67 and '70 - before she unfortunately died of an overdose. Woodstock '69 was without doubt the peak of her career!
Recommended songs: "Cry Baby", "Piece of My Heart" and "Mercedes Benz".

Almost halfway through the list, I'm introducing a rock band which absolutely does not need any introduction at all, Led Zeppelin. Together with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones one of the best known bands ever? Most probably! Therefore it is also practically impossible for me to write something interesting, or a new insight, or something similar about them. They are legends, without a doubt.
Recommended songs: "The Rover", "Stairway to Heaven" and "Trampled Under Foot".

Sixth in line is one legendary guitarist who is fairly less known than the previous three artists, but not any less great. Rory Gallagher is an Irish blues-rocker who passionately worked on his music for many decades, before also dying at an age too young. Nevertheless his music lives on, having multiple artists still playing his repertoire nowadays.
Recommended songs: "They Don't Make Them Like You Anymore", "Philby" and "A Million Miles Away".

Lucky seven is someone who has been so incredibly popular lately, that even Google collapsed around the time of his death. I guess everybody knows that I'm talking about Michael Jackson: although loved by many, also hated by enough others to make his life pretty miserable, starting from his earliest childhood. But a musical genious he is, the King of Pop, and never will there be anyone to replace him, so you'd better get used to his sound!
Recommended songs: "Man in the Mirror", "Bad" and "Billie Jean".

From my top eleven, here is the last 'oldie', being Simon & Garfunkel. This musical duo - definitely the bridge to Paul Simon's solo career - cannot be compared to whatever other artist imaginable. Their soft folk sound is so unique, but also so easy to listen to, that everyone being the slightest bit openminded, will be able to enjoy their songs.
Recommended songs: "I Am a Rock", "The Boxer" and "A Hazy Shade of Winter".

Coming in at nine, psychadelic rockers Muse. Introducing completely new material every so many years - first shocking the fans with their slightly new style, but in the end always ending up with a much larger group than before. Also, even though being a commercial success, still completely theirselves, as one can see in the recording of the Italian television (a link is on my profile page).
Recommended songs: "Butterflies & Hurricanes", "Stockholm Syndrome" and "Map of Your Head".

Almost there, but first welcome the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This is probably the best known funk band in the world, having many, many hits during the past two decades, and still going strong with new material every couple of years. Some like their early stuff, and some their newer songs more. The only fact is that guitarist John Frusciante played a leading role in the band's high times.
Recommended songs: "Californication", "Snow (Hey Oh)" and "Hard to Concentrate".

Last but not least, an artist for which you have to be in the right mood to listen to: Rammstein. It is alternative metal, not to be taken too seriously, but about the musical quality cannot be argued, but about taste you can (I admit). When I feel like it - or when it is really important that I get up in time in the morning - I can definitely appreciate some of these tough German sounds!
Recommended songs: "Los", "Ohne Dich" and "Amour".

Well, that was sure quite a lot of work, so it'll probably last a while before I'll write another journal again. Who knows, maybe it was not such a complete waste of time as I first thought…

…

Who am I kidding, of course it is!

Have a nice day, all people bored enough that they actually read the whole bit!