Jai Ho! And other things.

I've been a bit broke lately as to music I was lusting after. Finally, I decided what the heck, and bought "Jai Ho" from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack and the album Inside Out by our very own Emmy Rossum from The Phantom of the Opera fame.

There's actually not much to say about Jai Ho. We almost unanimously like it, right? Sweet song, driving, inspirational, joyful.

About Inside Out:

1. Her style is VERY different from the classical/opera music she grew up with. And don't be expecting anything similar to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack, because this is its polar opposite.
2. Okay, so what is her style? She said that her songs were pop, but not bubblegum-pop (meaning not Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera stuff), that her songs were similar to Annie Lennox's style. Those who have heard of Enya, raise your hand. Emmy Rossum works the same way, using lots of voice layering. The effect is very much the same, and quite laid-back and relaxing.
3. Anybody who has seen the music for "Slow Me Down" probably noticed she over-pronounces her open-mouth vowels like "ow" and "ai". My educated guess is that she just does that naturally from her classical-voice training. Old habits die hard.
4. Some of her songs lack substance and seem to search in vain for a theme that's deep.
   And there are always those that rock! <3

Four out of five stars.

Songs you MUST get if you're interested:

1. "Been Too Long" [This is THE BEST song on the entire CD. Just beautiful!!]
   
2. "High" [Cute love song, awesome lyrics]
   
3. "Anymore" [Very personal lyrics, no voice layering unlike all the other tracks.]
   
4. "Slow Me Down" [This songs lacks a bridge, which annoys me. Otherwise very good.]
   

Random list

Stuff that is running my life at this very moment

• Vitamin Water: Dragonfruit
  
• The weather
• Music: "The Last Song I'm Wasting on You" by Evanescence
• Phantom of the Opera. Naturally.
• Need for expression
• Drive to make something out of the time I'm given
  

Re: Jared Leto and Co.

How recently did he go blond? Again?? I've gotten so used to seeing pics of him with black hair. Holy cow! ^_^ Back to the days of the "Capricorn (A Brand New Name)" music video. I'm a fan of his band, but apparently I'm a little behind the times.

Update, just in case anybody's been not-following band news like me. 30 STM's been working really hard on their new album, tentatively called "This is War." Includes a song with Kanye West, surprise surprise, and the band also advertised on their Twitter account asking for any nearby fans in their current Los Angeles base to come on down to record crowd sounds. Guess that means yelling your head off in excitement at being that close to the band and those yells being recorded. Album is set for release later this year. Anyone excited? I am =D

Regarding Susan Boyle.

If anybody ever thought that appearance and talent always went hand in hand, you were wrong. There are actresses and actors that are so damn beautiful that you want to swoon on the floor every time you see them on the screen, who act out their scenes with such passion that you're reduced to a tearing lump of matter and who have fan bases made of of everyone from frantic, slightly insane teenage girls to older ever-admiring adults.

Susan Boyle is a bit on the old side. Also a bit on the odd side. She has wild hair, a double chin and isn't very fit for swimsuit modeling. She lives alone in her cottage with her cat. She also has one of the best, most amazing voices on earth. Sensitive, sparklingly brilliant and strong, her voice carries us all to heaven on wings of gold. The moment she stepped onto the stage of BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT, everybody immediately assumed she would be one of the people to be laughed at, mockingly ridiculed and booed off the stage. She was ambitious, she was honest, she was awkward. Simon Cowell looked like he was about to kick her off the stage. The audience's mind was already made up as they sat there with their arms crossed shaking their heads in smug disbelief, convinced she would fail to impress.

The assistants pressed the Play button for the audio track.

And right then and there, my readers, Susan Boyle proved her audience wrong.

Amanda Holden's mouth dropped wider and wider in complete awe as the audience went wild, their beliefs defied in front of their eyes. And not without reason...

I've laid it out, guys. Susan Boyle is the Goddess of Song. My personal Angel of Music, if you will, for all those Phantom of the Opera fans out there. Unlike a goddess, she defied the consensus of beauty even though thousands of people her age are defying their years and looking 30 instead. She's perfectly ordinary: she has that little bit of awkwardness we all have, she feels happiness and hope and rejection, and I think I can safely assume we all shared that crazy feeling of total ecstasy when Susan was cleared for the next round.

It doesn't matter that there are many other strong contestants out there also vying for the number one spot. Susan Boyle is on her way, ladies and gents, and rest assured, she won't be easily forgotten.

Ah, the trials of being a student.

Let's see. AP US History Document-Based Question (Essay) due Monday, along with a persuasive speech that I basically have to memorize cold. omG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Along with math homework and a Spanish chapter test. ¿Ayudame?

Yeah. Help.

Bye Bye to Lovely Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum. See you in a bit, I hope....

Had to return my Phantom of the Opera DVD, on long-term loan from my dad. I'm gonna miss all the Phantom's cape swishes =\

<< Gerard butler in makeup for the Phantom prosthetic. First time the makeup team tried it out on him, it took nine hours straight. Poor guy!

Spring Break

My spring break is here (thank God, I made it through a whole month and a half of solid school!) and I am officially CALIFORNIA-BOUND! That is, tomorrow afternoon. I still have to pack (a daunting task), do some schoolwork and clean my room (even more daunting).

that and if all goes well in 24 hours I'll be doing karaoke! First time. =)