Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Preparation
Want a job as a music journalist? Here's your chance. We're looking for a new lead reviewer for Hot! Magazine but we're not interviewing for the job. Instead, write a review of your favourite album ever. We want to know why you love it and why you think everyone should listen to it. Convince us and you've got the job!
I'm certainly not alone with my choice of favourite album. In fact, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA has sold 30 million copies worldwide since its release in 1984. Nearly 30 years later, in 2013, Springsteen performed the complete album in concert to the delight of some of his many die-hard fans.
A fast-paced, foot-tapping rock album, Born in the USA's lyrics nevertheless carry emotional weight. Behind the catchy rock melodies that drive these powerhouse classics are stories of the dark side of the American dream. Many tracks deal with the struggles of hard-working ordinary people and the bitterness and anger they feel as life doesn't bring them riches or glory. The song Glory Days, for example, is about people in a small town looking back at when they were young and had the world at their feet while Downbound Train tells the story of a young man whose life is ruined when he loses his job. It's not hard to imagine that the artist is channelling real people he knew and the life he might have had if he hadn't become a star. The album will leave you in no doubt of the unique and extraordinary talent of the Boss.
Unlike many other best-selling album artists, Springsteen is still releasing chart-topping, stadium-filling new music and remains at the top of his game in his late 60s. It doesn't surprise me at all. This is a man who tells us our most fundamental stories about ourselves and, when you listen to Born in the USA, those stories are as relevant today as they ever were.
Tips
- The first paragraph should be a general introduction to what you're reviewing. Include the title, artist, and an interesting fact about its success or how it was made.
- The main body of the review needs detailed observations. Use specific vocabulary (e.g. lyrics, fast-paced, catchy melodies) to comment on particular songs and parts of the music.
- It is also important to give context. Link the music to the artist's life, or what inspired them, and the political or social context of the album.
- Try to make the review interesting and relevant to the reader. You can relate the artist's work to real-life experience (yours or that of people in general).
- Use compound adjectives (e.g. fast-paced, foot-tapping, best-selling) to make your writing highly descriptive.
- Finish off with a summary of why this album/concert, etc. is important.
I’ve heard many songs of Billie Eilish since she debuted but I officially become a huge fan of her after listening to the Happier Than Ever album. This album obviously remark her change of style, taste of music and personality, from such melancholy and spooky vibe to bright and powerful style. With the meaningful lyrics and angelic voice, Billie’s music truly helps people speak out their feelings and overcome the tough time in their life. Billie even add some rock, jazz and electropop melodies to this album, which makes her music more diverse and strongly prove her a really talented singer and songwriter.
After going through a period of depression due to being famous at such a young age, Billie Eilish was back on her feet with her brand new album released in 2021 called Happier Than Ever. This album threw back a long journey about how much she has grown up with every track carry different emotions. I love almost all songs in this collection, I can feel the depth of every word she puts into her songs. Some have a slow and gentle rhythm show nostalgia and a little bit sadness for the past but still happiness for her growth. Among these tunes in the album, I truly appreciate the effort she made to create the song “Happier Than Ever”. This is such a masterpiece because how therapeutic it is. The story behind this song and the lyrics are so relatable that helps many people get over their toxic and abusive relationship. This song starts with a soft and slow melody at the beginning but the transition to make it more energetic then finally become a rock one is just incredible. You can feel the flow of emotion which turns from happiness to sadness and anger in rock and electric guitar theme. The whole album is my favorite but this piece of art “Happier Than Ever” just hits different and even harder everytime I listen. I love how she allows music to inspire her to do these extraordinary forms of art. She breaks the rules and let her creativity define her music in her own unique style.
Some people used to say that Billie’s music is dull and meaningless but I find the beauty in her music and respectfully look up to her. She didn’t try to avoid those negative feelings and wasn’t affraid to sing them out loud. Now Billie comes back with her powerful “Happier Than Ever” album. Upon release, the album received acclaim from music critics, who praised its stylistic, restrained production, and insightful lyrics. This artwork is really worth listening once in your life.
Wonderful writing!
I don't have such a thing as a favorite album but if I could choose I can go with something from Nujabes. His songs are always so catchy and calm.
This kind of music is like a hidden treasure, although it's not the most popular, its fans have a unique taste that appreciates the velvet touch in its context. Silent hill is a series of horror games that are not just used to scare its audience. It used bizarre, but sweet, music to arouse some seldom-felt energy vibes.
Silent hill is a series that has a special set of albums that are carefully designed by "Akira Yamaoka" to address some natural instinct of ecstasy in the human brain; unique sound waves that strike their listeners' hearts to arouse some feelings and states of consciousness nominated by psychology, like "Rapture". The story of the game is associated with heart-breaking drama which is perfectly complemented by this music. Akira Yamaoka understands how sweet salvation is from corruption and the end of an abomination and that is exactly the impression you feel when you listen to the silent hill soundtrack.
Music has a magical effect on the human mood. One masterpiece can change your life and give you new insight and hope; one piece of music can liberate your mindset. This might sound crazy, but music is a form of art, isn't art crazy?
It is no doubt that Queen is one of the most popular band of all time, Their legendary songs captivated hearts and inspired people from their time and even to this day. Bohemian Rhapsody was indeed a masterpiece, It was my late father's favorite song and he used to play their songs every single day. I remeber vividly how my dad's love for their music radiated so much energy and enthusiasm. When I missed my dad so badly I just tune in Queen's songs, its heartwarming and catchy tunes always brings back sweet memories.
One of the best Brazilian rock band, Jota Quest has several songs frequently playing and watched on important channels such as Youtube, for example.
Existing for more than thirty years, Jota Quest has as leader Rogerio Flausino and catchy melodies such as Dias Melhores, Só Hoje and O Sol, among dozen of other songs that marked time. In my personal opinion, Dias Melhores and O Sol are the best because are songs that lead us to reflect on life and transmit hope in a good world.
Although Jota Quest does not use play fast-paced songs, the catchy melodies mixed with the unmistakable Rogério Flausino's voice give the songs an unparalleled softness.
Furthermore, despite existing for more than three decades, it doesn't surprise me at all because Jota Quest's songs have the power to take us on a journey through time.
Karnivool-Themata-( The best depiction of post-prog )
Karnivool is a five-piece band that originated from Perth, Western Australia has contributed highly to bringing post-prog into the mainstream around the globe. ‘Themata’ was the debut album by Karnivool which was released in 2005 and put Karnivool on the map getting them recognition from all around Australia. Their second album ‘Sound Awake’ brought their name up all around the globe. The second album was appreciated worldwide. Their third album ‘Asymmetry’ was awarded the #1 album in Australia in 2013.
Being a 17-year-old album, ‘Themata’ still gives you chills down your spine. The level of work put into each track can be felt with every click. As the album starts, you come to know right away that this is going to be an adventurous journey. I would not hesitate a bit before saying that this is one of the greatest albums that this genre has seen. Karnivool went all out with their tracks taking the listeners on a sine wave trip with peakiest highs and extra-soothing lows. The interplay of rhythms might blow your mind while the rich texture of the vocals pulls you right back into place.
The album starts with the song ‘Cote’ which singlehandedly gives a tough competition to any alternative rock music ever created followed by the title track which is a masterpiece in itself. The first two tracks are tight and intricately composed with complex rhythms and appealing melodies. The way all this is woven into a mesh using the drums just leaves me spellbound. These two tracks set a bar so high that even the upcoming songs of the same album do not do justice to it.
Even though the next songs do not hold up to the level of intricacy shown by the first two, the quality of the songs doesn't drop down yet. The third song, ‘Shutterspeed’ has some amazing melodies on guitar with heart-touching bass. The song doesn't drop you right off the edge after the first two tracks but gently brings you down and lays you into the fourth track ‘Fear of sky’ toward the end. The fourth track of the album lacks behind in terms of musicality compared to other tracks from the album yet has one of the catchiest choruses and projects some powerful drum rolls.
The fifth track ‘Roquefort’ has some heavy lyrics incorporated into highly potent guitar patterns. The song has some parts that will leave you shook.
The next two songs of the album that act as a bridge for the album are ‘L1FEL1KE’ and ‘Scrabs’. ‘L1FEL1KE’ is a song that was released 2 years ago as a single named ‘LifeLike’, this track is packed with heavily processed vocals with high-distortion guitars. This song is one of the most disliked songs from the album but I don't see a point why. I truly enjoyed the song though it lacks a strong chorus but compensates for it through the modern touch of djent. The seventh track ‘Scrabs’ i an instrumental full of distorted guitar and heavy drums with light whistling in the background. The way this track comes in the middle of the album and ends too powerfully into the next song that picks up soothingly bugs me. This track might be a treat for the listeners who are into heavy metal instrumentals, but I feel that this track disrupts the flow of the album and could’ve been skipped.
The next track in the album ‘Sewn And Silent’ is one of my favorites from the album. The track starts gently and progresses into an even smoother ending. The smooth vocal texture throughout the rack is phenomenal and according to me is a must-hear for the listeners of every genre.
‘Mauseum’ is the most unique track on the whole album. The song is filled with lyrics that will run chills down your spine and leave you mesmerized. Entering into the final part of the album couldn't have been any better. The next track ‘Synoops’ is one of the most power-packed tracks on the album. The calm yet so powerful music elevates your soul while the smooth vocals and deep lyrics make your mind numb. ‘Omitted For Clarity’ has no sound and is a blank track of 20 seconds which plays an important role at the beginning of the last song. The first half of the last track creates a sense of drama before the soothing vocals kick in. This song is a riser for their next album ‘Sound Awake’.
After listening to this album, I can say out loud with clarity that Karnivool is one of the best bands of the 21st century. The album is a work of art and is a must-listen for anyone who is into rock music in general.
As for my fav musical album it’s Brother in Arms by British rock band Dire Straits. It’s released on 1985. The album was sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.
Interesting to mention that Mark Knopfler (guitarist) was interested in technology as a means of improving his music. So, he was always willing to spend on high-quality equipment. That’s why the album was recorded on new Sony digital tape machine.
Sure, I’m saying about the top-charted pop-rock song Brother in Arms. The melody is low-paced. It’s lyrically focused on militarism likewise The Man’s Too Strong. Brother in Arms deals with the senselessness of war. Written during 1982 Falklands War.
This tune echoes with today’s situation in Ukraine. It’s a dept for men to protect land from russian occupants. But where was the government last time? So, Ukrainians have sad experience dealing with russia and it teaches nothing at all as far as I can see. So there is a question is it necessary to take part in war which was admitted by government?
Thoughts like that appears in my mind when I listen to this song. I hope war soon end up with peace.
I absolutely can’t tell which is my favourite album of all times since music was what drove half of my life and there are so many excellent albums in all the different genres I listen to so I decided to go local and tell you about a Portuguese metal band called Sarcastic and their only album “Inside”.
In the Portuguese boom of alternative music bands in 1998 emerges this nine song long album that is very complete. It has fast-paced and slow-paced songs and the lyrics of each song were carefully weaved so they will strongly connect to the darkest pits of your soul. This songs will take you back in time in a “Journey” to the different fases of your live. The melodious guitar riffs and delicious solos have a tendency to warm you all up Inside.
Once you listen to it, songs like “Chameleon”, ”Fearing nothing”, “Perfect Isolation” and “So far from the sun” they will roam around in your playlist for the rest of your life.
I'm certainly not alone with my choice of favourite album. Undoubtedly "Crossroads" by Bon Jovi is the best album I have ever listened to, heard and sung. It has sold so many copies that it is hard to guess the exact amount since its release in 1993. Most songs have a foot-tapping rhythm that makes you dance and sing till losing your voice, remaining breathless. "Bed of Roses", "Never Say Goodbye" and "In These Arms" are only a few example of the chart-topping successes by Bon Jovi. Moreover, it is not possible to forget the catchy lyrics in "Living on a Prayer" or "Runaway": the artist is channelling real lovers (in the first one) and rebellious teenagers who try to walk their paths without their parents. It's stunning and energetic watching thousands of people waving and shaking hands during neverending concerts of the band, in fact, every fan cannot help but dancing and singing along with the frontman. Unlike many other artists, Bon Jovi is a very hard-working band that always needs to keep in touch not only with its die-hard fans but also with people in general. To be honest and to tell the truth, there are other Bon Jovi albums I like, but since "Crossroads" is a collection of the band's major hits, I firmly believe that this is my favourite.