A Quick Apology

I apologize for not posting recently. I know there may be a small number of you out there that look forward to my posts, and I am sorry that I have kept you waiting for so long. My last post was almost three weeks ago, not acceptable in my book, and I RUN the dang site. Sorry I took so long, so here's a special treat. A list of my favorite songs, why that it is so, and a few honorable mentions. Take a look.

My Top Ten Favorite Songs (and why)

I listen to a lot of music. And I mean a LOT of music. So over the years I've gotten a taste of pretty much everything there is to listen to, and here are my favorite songs covering all ages and genres.

10.  Exile Vilify by The National
This one holds a special place in my heart for two reasons. 1.) I learned my love for the art of Cinematography through the application of this song in a movie me and my friends produced. 2.) It is featured in Portal 2, my favorite game of all time (spoiler for a later post). The song is simple, the words are powerful, and it puts me in a very meditative mood. I love this song, and so should you.

9. Sail by AWOLNATION
No, my caps lock was not on, that's really how his name is spelled, I promise. This song is just one of those songs that just about everyone knows. Used in countless jokes about boats and sailing, the song is an easy opportunity to break out in to epic song. My friend Zach Harbaugh described this song in one word, and it has always stuck with me, "Classy". It took me a long time to figure out what it meant, and now I understand. I'm not going to tell you what it is I mean, but that doesn't matter. Sail is a masterpiece in its own right, and it deserves more light than it is given.

8. Someone by Future of Forestry
This song was brought to my attention relatively recently, and Future of Forestry has become my favorite band ever since. This song constantly reminds me of my best friend, and the song describes our relationship down to a tee. It's all about trust, see? It's the fact that you can trust someone with anything, therefore, they become someone you care about indefinitely. Someone is a sentimental song for me, as well as a song my falsetto loves to sing.

7. What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong
Let's be perfectly honest, who doesn't like this song? Truly? This song is the best when I'm driving in my car, whether rain or shine, I can look outside and feel the earth glowing in beautiful harmony. Sometimes my car's blinker will click in time with the track, making my drummer brain in full harmony with what is going on around me. This song brings back my hope for humanity. Way to go Louie, you restored our hope in humanity more than fifty years later.

6. Changing of the Seasons by Two Door Cinema Club
Featured as one of my Tasty Jams of the Day, this song rocks. Two Door's techno-punk feel makes this song come alive, and it's some head bopping, toe-tapping fun. I could listen to this song over and over again, and it won't be boring. This song is in no way a masterpiece, but I love nothing more than an amazing jam to rock out to, and there's not one better in my opinion.

5. Ticking by Elton John
If I asked for an example of an Elton John song at my high school, I would get two answers. 1.) Crocodile Rock or 2.) Who's Elton John? The latter would result in an immediate facepalm, but that doesn't matter. Ticking is about a murderous rampage led by Charles Whitman in a New York bar. Elton John did his research for this song, because he knew that if any part of it was incorrect, it would be his head. It details him as a young child and all of his quiet tendencies, and how well he did in school. The song details him growing older and spiraling out of control, until he finally snaps, gun raised in a New York bar, telling them all to stay on the ground. The seven and a half minute song ends with the police pumping him full of rifle shells. A true masterpiece. If you haven't checked it out, do so now.

4. Car Radio by Twenty-One Pilots
This song is the song I use when I'm having a rough day and I just need to blow out my rage. It reminds me that here is always music, and whenever you need it, it's there. Now, this isn't a heavy sounding song by any means, but it's the true story of the lead singer's stolen car radio. It may sound downright ridiculous to make a song for, or be set as number four on my ten favorites list, but it goes much deeper than what it appears to be. It goes in to the reflections you have when you are in your car in silence, and how there's now no sound to hide behind when there isn't a radio to provide it. It explains the implications that being alone in our car can have on us. I remember a time where I really needed to think, and I decided that music would not be the best thing to help me focus at that time. After a while, my head got to me, and I began to cry. So much so that I had to pull over in to a McDonald's parking lot to be able to pull myself together. I then understood what the song was conveying.
"Because somebody stole my car radio, and now I just sit in silence."

3. What Sarah Said by Death Cab for Cutie
Sarah is dying. The song begins with a man in an ambulance, describing the despair around him in the form of medical equipment. The song is mostly describing the scenario he is in, and how much Sarah means to him. The song climaxes with five words. Five words that have forever changed my view on love.
"Love is watching someone die."
Enough said

2. Adam's Song by Blink-182
There are Blink-182 songs, and then there is Adam's Song. The song was written by Mark Hoppus when he was in a state of depression. Though the ending message was that everything was going to be okay, that's not how the basis of the song ended up. The band received an email with an attachment, a letter. The letter was written by a young boy to his parents, the note he wrote to them before he committed suicide. His name was Adam. The song echoes deeply what the letter spoke of, and whenever I listen to it, I can't help but feel joy that there is nothing so bad that suicide is the option. Mark wrote this song in a depression, Adam's Song got me out of a depression. Thank you Blink-182, I owe my personality to you.

1. Deathbed by Relient K
The eleven minute epic that is Deathbed is a story I will never forget, and one I refuse to push from memory. The song details a man dying of lung cancer in a hospital bed, alone. It goes through his life, and all the things he wants to redo, and also remembering the things he never wants to change. It tells a fully despairing story, a story with little hope, little love, and little reason to go one. Until Jesus shows up. All worship songs tell of Jesus' love for us, and they do it well I guess. But I have not ever (nor will I ever) see a better example of Jesus' true love shown through redeeming the irredeemable. The bridge's symbolism about the wolf and the lamb makes me cry every time. The song is truly an epic, and deserves a high place in any music library. If you have not heard the song, I recommend an immediate purchase. There is no other song that should have topped my list.

Honorable Mentions:
We're Going to be Friends by The White Stripes
Tighten Up by The Black Keys
Butterflies and Hurricanes by Muse
Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men

(If you were offended in any way by the Blink-182 album cover, I take no responsibility. That's actual cover of the album and I was going to stick with my album covers)

Awesome Video of the Day: Drop It Like It's Hot President Obama Edition

I've seen plenty of YouTube videos in my day, maybe more than I'd like to admit, but this one takes the cake as my favorite YouTube video ever. The famous Barack Obama impersonator, Alphacat, released this video on December 23 verifying the "Obamacare" Legislation. It's witty, well thought out, and a great, clean take on the original Snoop Dog version. Check out this slice of epicosity. 

Today's Tasty Jam: Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men

This song was featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (and we all know how much I love that movie), and I have searched for it, only knowing that it was by Of Monsters and Men. I finally found the full song, and immediately fell in love with its mythical melody and wonderfully weird story. Here's the video for the song to the right, check it out.

My Top Ten Favorite Video Games of All Time: #7 Super Mario 3D World

(This article also serves as my review for the game)

Super Mario 3D World

This game is "unlike" any other platformer I've ever played. Besides, well, every other 3D Mario game in existence. It's nearly the same as all of its brethren, the only thing different is a new power up and cooperative system. But the fact that it IS the same as it predecessors makes it so enjoyable.

Even if you have never touched a video game in your lifetime, you have most likely heard of the Super Mario Brothers. They are those Italian plumber brothers who wear red and green as well as their signature hats, overalls, and brown loafers. And they jump. A lot. In Super Mario 3D World, Nintendo's latest Mario offering, you and three buddies jump, whip fireballs, throw boomerangs, dodge assortments of enemies (or destroy them), and prance around in crazy cat suits climbing walls.

Sound ridiculous? Be glad that it is exactly that.

Mario and friends each have their own special abilities that puts each at a slight advantage over the others, but they are so well balanced that no character felt substantially better than the others. Mario controls tighter, Luigi jumps higher, Peach can float horizontally for a short period of time, and Toad is the fastest. Roselina, from Super Mario Galaxy, can be unlocked after the main story and has her own special abilities as well. She is slightly slower than the rest of the group, but is the only Mario character that is built in with an attack other than jumping. Each character controls exceptionally well, and only once or twice throughout the whole game did I feel that I was cheated with death by controls that didn't respond properly. Props to Nintendo for keeping Mario as tight as ever, something that many other platformers seem to struggle with.

Each stage is staggeringly varied, and the overall game is much better off for it. In almost every other Mario game, each world has a specific theme of levels. While the first world mostly followed this pattern, the rest proved to be interestingly varied. All of the levels as superbly designed, right down to the very last flower that really has no meaning what so ever. Textures look great as well as the character models that roam each stage. It's about time Mario got a full HD makeover. The only complaint I have about the levels is that the first four worlds are much too easy. It isn't till the later fourth world levels that the game finally challenges you well. I understand that Mario games lean towards a younger demographic, but a bit of a challenge earlier on would have been nice. That being said, when the game turns up the heat...

Prepare to get burned.


I never once played this game without my younger brother Jake, and we had an absolute blast. Usually when we play video games with each other, some sort of argument breaks out. The only thing that broke out when we played was laughter, at each other, and the silly things we were doing. Super Mario 3D World is an exceptional game. This game beats other platformers of the same vein by leaps and bounds, and finally took the spot as my favorite Mario game, trumping Super Mario Sunshine. I never thought I would have a Mario game in my top ten, but Nintendo's latest offering of the dynamic duo made me think differently. Thanks for making Mario finally mean something to me again. 

Score: 10/10 (out of ten)

TWEET IT UP

I just reactivated my Twitter today, and I thought it would be fun to try out somethig new. I'm going to make an account for this blog. 

@theblckbrdjrnl

Follow the page for updates on posts on this site, and random tibbits of information and insight on life. I will also retweet things I find exceptionally funny, so don't be alarmed if the page follows you back. Also, if you want MY Twitter, it's @jonjonjovi223 

Don't judge.

I'll see you all in the Twitter-space. 

Tasty Jam of the Day Option 2: Chainsaw by Family Force Five (featuring Tedashii)

Our second option today is for the house/dubstep crowd out there. Chainsaw features some wonky beats and some grinding bass to pump the speakers in any subwoofer. Now I will admit, it's a tad odd, but I personally love it's crazy lumberjack bass style. Who knows, maybe Lumberjack will be a new style of music one day? The official video is down below. Warning: it's even weirder than the song alone.

Tasty Jam of the Day Option 1: Changing of the Seasons by Two Door Cinema Club

Today I give you two options on which tasty jam you would like to take a gander at today. This is for all of you Indie Band junkies out there, Two Door Cinema Club's single Changing of the Seasons. It has a natural paced electronic punk beat with mixed voice modulators and varied arcade synths. My favorite by TWCC, this song provides a hearty listen to get your blood pumping on this chilly day. Take a look at the music video below.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Review

I've seen hundreds of movies in my lifetime, and almost all of which I have truly liked, save a few. I also have an odd love for movies, and especially the ones that others don't have a taste for. Example: Scott Pilgrim VS. The World is one of my favorite movies, and you may be looking at this thinking, "I have never even heard of that." I've seen stories of redemption, and stories of defeat. Stories that aren't really have no real meaning whatsoever, and I've followed plots to great lengths to figure out what it all means. My top five movies include, in no real order; Dead Poets Society, The Godfather, Scott Pilgrim VS. The World, Forest Gump, and my newest addition: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Ben Stiller shines in this adaptation of the beloved short story by James Thurber. I walked in doubting his directing skills, as I have only seen him in decent comedies and lackluster children's movies. I walked out wishing he had directed even more movies. Everywhere you turn, there is a little prize waiting for you. In video games, we call these things "easter eggs", and they are something that you wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't gone looking for it. My favorite of the movie (no spoilers) is a large cardboard poster of Ringo Star's head on the cover of LIFE Magazine, promoting the Beatles newly released album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". In the next scene, Walter is seen walking across the street, and behind him is a little chalk drawing of a sun with the words, "Here Comes The Sun" surrounding it. Here Comes the Sun is one of the more popular songs within SPLHCB. I leapt for joy in my seat when my eyes feasted on this delight of allusion.

Walter Mitty is incredibly likable, and you can't help but root for him and his quest throughout the whole movie. He's an incredibly relatable character, more so than I've seen in most movies of this vein. You smile when he smiles, you laugh when he laughs, you are encapsulated in his daydreams as if you were having them yourself.  Walter is beautifully realistic, and I find many of his qualities inside myself. Ben Stiller was excellent, and I wish he had received more credit than he has. Kristen Wiig was also excellent. I'm used to seeing her on Saturday Night Live, and she's incredibly funny there. I'm elated to see her brought in to a dramatic light, and can now be considered as a serious actress. She was an incredibly well thought out love interest for Walter as well, and I don't think I would have liked her better played by anyone else. That includes Jennifer Lawrence, and I LOVE her.

The cinematography and sound quality is also something to be noted. Each scene is displayed in glorious detail, with artistic camera work every where you turn. It made the film feel less like a movie, and more like an experience. The soundtrack is a brilliant blend of modern and old-school pop songs, and the major theme of the movie, David Bowie's "Space Oddity", is the perfect medium for portraying is overall message. They display the songs message in two different lights, each with it's respective arguments. I hadn't ever thought about the song more than just being a great tune. I was delighted to have learned something about a classic which I thought I had known plenty about.

Go see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's the best movie of 2013, and one of the best I've ever seen.


Score: 10 (out of 10)