We are Not the Same; He is a Martian.

Look, I am FULLY aware of the bad words, FULLY aware of the belittling comments about women, FULLY aware of the unwanted scenarios you would not want to imagine, BUT, I am also aware of the man's cleverness. You have to admit it, he is CLEVER, a clever "martian" that is. From my past blog post, I mentioned that I am a huge fan of his album Tha Carter III, but now I'm way past that.

He says he's "Ill, not sick..." Well, you know what, I agree.

 Now, make it rain...

T'was a Green Day!

I love Green Day! I saw them, I believe 3 years in ago in SF during the American Idiot Tour. They were amazing! Last night, I was able to see them at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. My friend and I had floor tickets and the venue was really small. We were there at 6:30p, but the show did not start until 09:00p. Who cares?!? It was worth the wait. I was 10 feet away from the stage! They played their entire new album which remains unreleased (which sounds awesome). Then... they played the old songs... songs I knew!!! The mosh pit was right beside me. My friend and I were pretty much separated throughout the whole show because he was moshing and I was semi-moshing (for self-defense). Though, I must admit, I was pretty hyped when they started playing the songs I knew... head banging, jumping, singing, random flicks of my hand as if I'm playing the drums... yes it all occurred; no shame... it was freakin' fun! I swear, I wasn't the only one and I could have sworn I saw someone doing a modern-river dance in the middle of the pit. Now, that's the shit!Stared at this damn thing for two and a half hours.
We were going crazy at this point...
Rockstars and their appeal... I swear! aylavet!


I luuuuvvv him! 

Him too!
Bought a shirt... 

Free poster! 

One of the best concerts, hands down! Thanks for hooking me up with the tix, Hec!

For a more intimate feel of the experience, here's a short video I took using my phone...

"I am Hip-Hop" Too... Sort of...

My ears are weird; accustomed to many kinds of sounds. From my grandma's naturally loud voice, to songs in different languages I don't understand, to rock and roll, alternative, indie to hip hop... my ears have been graced. However, the people that know me the most will probably categorize my favorite kind of music to be on the alternative side. It's understandable, growing up in the Philippines where alternative/rock and roll pretty much ruled the airwaves, I am definitely more accustomed to that kind of music. 

But hey, I like hip-hop/RnB too! Maybe not as much as when I was in high school, but I still am a fan (especially when it comes to the clubs). However, I rarely find myself being able to listen to a whole hip-hop/RnB album, because most of the time, you just want to skip to the popular singles. But there are those rare albums that really really impressed me that I thought I would share with you. 

Puff Daddy & The Family- NO WAY OUT

Okay, I thought of adding this one out of honesty, after all, it is the best policy. (You like that rhyming there huh? All in the spirit of hip-hop). Anyyywaayys, as I was saying, this I think is my first hip-hop album. I mean who didn't like this album during my high school days? Who does not keep the memory of Puff Daddy flinging his arms like crazy as he twirls non-stop on the VMAs as he gives tribute to Notorious B.I.G.? I don't know about you, but that "performance" is forever scarred on my mind. I mean, almost all the songs in this album was a hit! If you didn't like this album during it's peak, then you were not a cool kid... and I'd like to think that I was cool. One more thing, I knew all the words to "All About the Benjamins." Yeah! I was that cool! 

Jay Z- THE BLACK ALBUM

This was Davis days. I remember getting the album from my roommate "for the heck of it." For some weird reason, I will find myself listening to it constantly and being constantly impressed. I even find myself enjoying its little skits. I loved "December 4th."

Kelis- KELIS WAS HERE

This album is AMAZING. I can't stress that enough. This was released back in 2006, and to this day, I still play it. The only single that probably left a mark on many is "Bossy." Let me tell you, those "many" truly missed out. In all honesty, I didn't expect myself to be such a fan after that earlier "Milkshake" release. It was a random day that I ran into an amazing review of this album. I decided to give it a try, after all I was quite impressed with "Bossy." Every single song in this album had character and I'm not sure how successful this CD came to be, but it is one of my all time favorite albums.

Kanye West- GRADUATION

I liked the album. Then, I saw him in concert and truly saw that the man has the right to be so big-headed. He's talented. His concert was a one man show and yes, he does "talk with so much emphasis." I felt the album empowering. For example singing to "Can't Tell me Nothing" after visiting a high end store and no one willing to help you, because they just know that you're not going to buy crap; or singing to "Goodlife" after passing a test you absolutely thought you will fail at. See what I mean? Empowering! Admit it, the guy's good. 

Lil' Wayne- THA CARTER III

Out of every single one in this entry, I think this is the most unexpected. Initially, I liked it because it sounded good and the beats are good. But then, I really listened and his lyrics are just insane. He's clever, plain as that, or maybe, he really is a martian. 

Beyonce- I AM SASHA FIERCE

I always say, Beyonce deserves everything she has because she really does have talent. I admit, I like her past songs here and there... and then I hear this album. Now, I can't wait to see her in concert. This album is amazing, but I'm particularly obsessed with "Halo," "Smash Into You," and "Radio." I listen to this album almost "errryday!" Listen to it and I think you'll agree, she is Sasha Fierce. 

"Songstruck"

It's when someone gets so awed by a song that it's on constant play. I'm sure it happens to everyone. I particularly want to think that I am special though. You see, I'm a "phase" person. I have phases when I get so totally obsessed with something and then voila! It just vanishes with no trace of special effects to even make me anticipate the end of it. Here are some songs that made my Songstruck list:

Oasis- Wonderwall-- I remember being 11 and being obsessed with this song. It was a constant argument with me and my cousin who would make it on the number one spot of the daily top ten of our favorite Philippine radio station. She loved "Waterfalls" by TLC. I mean, when did it ever make sense to compare Oasis and TLC?!?


Alanis Morissette- Ironic-- Admit it! You loved it too. At one point, the Jagged Little Pill album was my addiction. This is another of my childhood songs. My aunt and I would always go insane when the radio plays this.


Fra Lippo Lippi- Angel-- I was a huge Fra Lippo Lippi fan at the age of 11. I vividly remember calling pager operators in order to request this song to my favorite radio station in the Philippines; because at that time, pagers are the only way to do this and you have to dictate your message to some operator. The funniest thing is, they always asked me how to spell the group's name and I wouldn't know how. I was insanely obsessed with requesting this song, they rarely played it. Sometimes, I don't even know how I knew about this group, but they are so so awesome!


U2- Original of the Species-- I just love this song. It is so amazing. I love Bono's voice!


David Gray- This Year's Love-- This song floors me everytime. I heard this from the movie, Girl Next Door. I loved the movie, but the song more.


Eraserheads- Pare Ko-- Nothing beats the first single of the greatest rock and roll band of the Philippines. What can I say? This is my first exposure to the "Parental Advisory" sticker. I'm sure not just for me, but the whole Philippines. It was a huge deal! They said "Tang*na!" This was waaaay before my hip-hop phase. Eraserheads=childhood. I'm sure I share this with so many others. Life was simple back then in the PI eh?


Blackstreet- Don't Leave-- If I recall, this is the first song I got obsessed with here in the US. Then came the Puff Daddy songs...


Coldplay- Viva La Vida-- One of the most unbelievable songs that grazed my eardrums, credit to Doug's and Cheska's wedding vid.


Jack Johnson- Constellations-- I love the simplicity the song implies. You can imagine what he's singing about. This song always calms me down. It's my sleeping song.


Itchyworms- Loveteam-- I promise I don't love it just because Kim and Gerald is in the MV. Aren't the beginning chords exceptionally catchy?!? My sister hated me for putting this one on repeat.


Itchyworms- Akin Ka Na Lang-- MS knows about this one. I love this song's message!


Barbie Almalbis- Pag-alis-- This is one of the most beautiful Tagalog songs I've ever heard. It doesn't hurt that her voice is so hauntingly beautiful as well. I saw her live in one of her US shows. She was fantastic. She gave me one of her guitar picks. This video is kind of nice. I found it on youtube and it includes English subs. Coolness!


Lisa Loeb- Stay-- Okay, if you didn't like this song, you are to be diagnosed with absurdity. The Reality Bites Soundtrack was one of the best, hands down.




Wow...this posting is getting incredibly out of control. This is it for now. I enjoyed this though; a nice trip to memory lane. I'm sure I will be posting a Songstruck list part two in the near future. I am a serious music aficionado. From this post, I realized, 11 seems to be quite a significant age for my sense of hearing.