Project Paradox » Music

Saliva – Ladies and Gentlemen

Stephen Ward — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:30:24 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, America’s culture of rampant consumerism has an official theme song. No, I don’t think that’s the song’s original intent, but that’s definitely how it’s being used. Seriously, I first heard it the other day on a PS3 commercial. Sorry, Sony; no matter what music you use, I’m still not shelling out $400 for a console.

Other than that minor quibble (and perhaps the fact that the video features emaciated women beating each other to a bloody pulp), this song absolutely rocks. It’ll definitely be finding its way onto my work out mix.

Ladies and Gentlemen by Saliva

Ladies and gentlemen please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe

Like nothing youâ€™ve ever seen before
Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor
After this youâ€™ll be begging for more

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Whoa
Do you want it?
Whoa
Do you need it?
Whoa
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Ladies and gentlemen good evening
Youâ€™ve seen that seeing is believing
Your ears and your eyes will be bleeding
Please check to see if youâ€™re still breathing

Hold tight cause the show is not over
If you will please move in closer
You’re about to be bowled over
By the wonders youâ€™re about to behold here

Welcome to the show (welcome to the show)
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it

Welcome to the show
We’re glad you came along
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Foo Fighters – The Pretender

Stephen Ward — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:30:39 +0000

Whenever I watch the Pretender video, I can’t help but think, “Tough crowd.” It’s not just a great song, but a beautiful piece of artistry as well. The song flows between mellow and intense, adding emphasis to the internal conflict alluded by the lyrics and the symbolism. It reminds me of Freud’s id and superego, with the authoritarians/riot cops trying to keep the instinct/band in check. But who is the true self, and who is the pretender?

The Pretender by Foo Fighters

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend
Keep you in the dark
And so it all began

Send in your skeletons
Sing as their bones go marching in…again
The need you buried deep
The secrets that you keep are at the ready
Are you ready?
I’m finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance
That whole…defense

Spinning infinity, boy
The wheel is spinning me
It’s never-ending, never-ending
Same old story

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say that I’ll never surrender?

In time our soul untold
I’m just another soul for sale… oh, well
The page is out of print
We are not permanent
We’re temporary, temporary
Same old story

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say that I’ll never surrender?

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

I’m the voice inside your head
You refuse to hear
I’m the face that you have to face
Mirrored in your stare
I’m what’s left, I’m what’s right
I’m the enemy
I’m the hand that will take you down
Bring you to your knees

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend

What if I say I’m not like the others?
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
You’re the pretender
What if I say that I’ll never surrender?

What if I say I’m not like the others?
(Keep you in the dark)
What if I say I’m not just another one of your plays
(You know they all… pretend)
You’re the pretender
What if I say I will never surrender?

So who are you?
Yeah, who are you?
Yeah, who are you?

Jack Johnson – Upside Down

Stephen Ward — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:30:12 +0000

For the most part, I find children’s programming to be insufferable. Watch a few episodes of Barney or Dora the Explorer and you’ll understand what I mean. The mindlessly repetitive music, while no doubt entertaining for my three-year-old son, grates on my sanity.

There are exceptions, though. My son’s very fond of Curious George, for example, and I was surprised to discover that the music for the movie was actually quite enjoyable. It’s hardly mainstream, but I found the opening song, Upside Down by Jack Johnson, to be a pleasant departure from the standard intolerability of children’s music. Now, if only kids’ shows would follow the same, “Make it bearable for adults, too,” approach…

Upside Down by Jack Johnson

Who’s to say
What’s impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There’s no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I’ll find the things they say just can’t be found
I’ll share this love I find with everyone
We’ll sing and dance to Mother Nature’s songs
I don’t want this feeling to go away

Who’s to say
I can’t do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren’t always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I’ll find the things they say just can’t be found
I’ll share this love I find with everyone
We’ll sing and dance to Mother Nature’s songs
This world keeps spinning and there’s no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who’s to say what’s impossible and can’t be found
I don’t want this feeling to go away

Please don’t go away
Please don’t go away
Please don’t go away
Is this how it’s supposed to be
Is this how it’s supposed to be

Kanye West – Stronger

Stephen Ward — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:30:11 +0000

I’ll come right out and say it; I don’t like Kanye West. I couldn’t stand Gold Digger. I thought the whole “George Bush hates black people” stunt was ridiculous. And while I’m not religious, I found the comparison between himself and Jesus Christ to be more than a little arrogant.

Nevertheless, I do like Stronger. It’s got a vibe that makes it great for working out. That’s not to say I’m expecting much else out of Kanye, but at least he made one halfway decent song.

Kanye West – Stronger

Work it harder make it better,
do it faster makes us stronger,
more than ever, hour after
hour work is never over

Th-th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can’t get much wronger
Man I been waitin’ all night now
That’s how long I’ve been on ya

I need ya right now
I need ya right now

Let’s get lost tonight
You could be my black Kate Moss tonight
Play secretary, I’m the boss tonight.
And you don’t give a f**k what they all say, right?
Awesome, the Christian in Christian Dior
Damn they don’t make ‘em like this anymore
I ask, cause I’m not sure
Do anybody make real shit anymore?
Bow in the presence of greatness
Cause right now thou has forsaken us
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit
So go ahead go nuts, go ape shit
Especially in my pastel, all my bape shit
Act like you can’t tell who made this
New gospel homey take six, and take this, haters

N-n-now th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can’t get much wronger
Man I been waitin’ all night now
That’s how long I’ve been on ya

I need ya right now
I need ya right now

I don’t know if you got a man or not
If you made plans or not

If God put me in your plans or not
I’m trippin’, this drink got me sayin’ alot
But I know that God put you in front of me
So how the hell could you front on me
There’s a thousand yous
And only one of me
I’m trippin’, I’m caught up in the moment right?
‘Cause it’s Louis Vuitton Don night
So we goin’ do everything that Kan like
Heard they’d do anything for a Klondike
Well I’d do anything for a blonde dyke
And she’ll do anything for the limelight
And we’ll do anything when the time’s right
Uh, baby you’re makin’ it
Harder, better, faster, stronger

Th-that that don’t kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now
Cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
Cause I can’t get much wronger
Man I been waitin’ all night now
That’s how long I’ve been on ya

I need ya right now
I need ya right now

You know how long I’ve been on ya?
Since prince was on Apollonia
Since OJ had Isotoners
Don’t act like I never told ya
Uh, baby you’re makin’ it

Harder, better, faster, stronger

I need ya right now
I need ya right now
I need ya right now
I need ya right now

Absent Element – Man of Constant Sorrow

Stephen Ward — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:30:13 +0000

You know that song from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Well, here’s a band that liked it so much, they decided to rock it up a notch. The result is actually a lot cooler than you might expect.

Of course, that’s not the real story here. The real story is that two of the members of Absent Element are my coworkers. That’s right; I literally sit feet from Ryan on a daily basis, and Mark came on board at our company not too long ago. Who cares about Chris Daughtry? Everyone should bask in my vicarious fame.

Absent Element – Man of Constant Sorrow

I am a man of constant sorrow
I have seen trouble all my days
I bid farewell to old Kentucky
The state where I was born and raised

For six long years I’ve been in trouble
No pleasure here on earth I’ve found
For in this world I’m bound to travel
I have no friends to help me now

You may bury me in some deep valley
For many years where I may lay
Then you may learn to love another
While I am sleeping in my grave

Maybe your friends think I’m just a stranger
My face you’ll never see no more
But there is one promise that is given
I’ll meet you on God’s golden shore

Korn – Evolution

Stephen Ward — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 11:30:37 +0000

Evolution is a fact. To those who take offense at the idea that we evolved from primates, get over it. You have 99.4% of your genes in common with a chimpanzee. It is an irrefutable, scientific fact. If you don’t believe me, this Korn video does a very good job of highlighting the similarities. If, after you’ve seen it, you still don’t think you’re related to monkies, I suggest you seek professional help. Be sure to mention the word “denial.” That should get you the treatment you need.

Evolution by Korn

I’m digging with my fingertips,
I’m gripping at the ground I stand upon.
I’m searching for fragile bones.
(Evolution)

I’m never gonna be refined;
keep trying but I won’t assimilate.
Sure, we have come far in time…
(Watch the bough break)

And I’m sorry I don’t believe,
by the evidence that I see,
that there’s any hope left for me…
It’s evolution!
Just evolution!

And I, I do not dare deny
the basic beast inside;
it’s right here,
it’s controlling my mind!
And why do I deserve to die?
I’m dominated by
this animal that’s locked up inside!

Close up to get a real good view,
I’m betting that the species will survive.
Hold tight, I’m getting inside you…
(Evolution)

And when we’re gonna find these bones,
they’re gonna want to keep them in a jar.
The number one virus,
caused by procreation.

And the planet may go astray;
in a million years they’ll say:
“Those mother fuckers were all deranged!”
It’s evolution!
Just evolution!

And I, I do not dare deny
the basic beast inside;
it’s right here,
it’s controlling my mind!
And why do I deserve to die?
I’m dominated by
this animal that’s locked up inside!

Take a look around… (take a look around…)
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around… (take a look around…)
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!
Take a look around!
Nothing much has changed!
Take a look around!

I, I do not dare deny
the basic beast inside;
it’s right here,
it’s controlling my mind!
And why do I deserve to die?
I’m dominated by
this animal that’s locked up inside

Why? (why…)
Why do I deserve to die? (do i deserve to die)
(Why? Why?)

Linkin Park – What I’ve Done

Stephen Ward — Thu, 10 May 2007 11:30:53 +0000

I heard this song on the radio the other day and knew right away that it would be a favorite. I’m really excited to hear the rest of the songs on Minutes to Midnight now; if they’re half as good as “What I’ve Done,” it’s bound to be as good as, if not better than, the rest of their CDs.

Seriously, though, this song’s lyrics are deep. I got chills the first time I listened to it. It makes me wonder what kind of regrets inspired the person who wrote it. Whatever they were, I think anyone listening to the song can empathize. After all, is there anyone who can honestly say they aren’t ashamed of something they’ve done? Don’t we all want forgiveness from the only ones who really matter… ourselves?

What I’ve Done by Linkin Park

In this farewell
Thereâ€™s no blood
Thereâ€™s no alibi
â€˜Cause Iâ€™ve drawn regret
From the truth
Of a thousand lies

So let mercy come
And wash away

What Iâ€™ve done
Iâ€™ll face myself
To cross out what Iâ€™ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what Iâ€™ve done

Put to rest
What you thought of me
While I clean this slate
With the hands
Of uncertainty

So let mercy come
And wash away

What Iâ€™ve done
Iâ€™ll face myself
To cross out what Iâ€™ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what Iâ€™ve done

For what Iâ€™ve done

I’ll start again
And whatever pain may come
Today this ends
Iâ€™m forgiving what Iâ€™ve done

Iâ€™ll face myself
To cross out what Iâ€™ve become
Erase myself
And let go of what Iâ€™ve done
What Iâ€™ve done

Forgiving what Iâ€™ve done

Three Days Grace – Pain

Stephen Ward — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:33:36 +0000

Whenever I hear this song, I think back to my high school days. I was in a pretty intensive pre-college program and my personal motto had become, “More weight.” This was an allusion to Giles Corey, a man who got crushed to death during the Salem Witch Trials. It’s pretty bad when your schoolwork is intense enough to make you feel like a masochist.

Yeah, it’s rock and roll for angsty teens, but I think we’ve all got some angst to express. Life is dramatic and occassionally painful no matter who you are. Sometimes the best we can do is welcome the pain as the only evidence that we’re still alive. Just my overly poetic two cents.

Pain by Three Days Grace

Pain, without love
Pain, I can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

You’re sick of feeling numb
You’re not the only one
I’ll take you by the hand
And I’ll show you a world that you can understand
This life is filled with hurt
When happiness doesn’t work
Trust me and take my hand
When the lights go out you will understand

Pain, without love
Pain, I can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain, without love
Pain, I can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all

Anger and agony
Are better than misery
Trust me I’ve got a plan
When the lights go off you will understand

I know (I know I know I know I know)
That you’re wounded
You know (You know you know you know you know)
That I’m here to save you
You know (You know you know you know you know)
I’m always here for you
I know (I know I know I know I know)
That you’ll thank me later

Pain, without love
Pain, can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain, without love
Pain, I can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain, without love
Pain, I can’t get enough
Pain, I like it rough
‘Cause I’d rather feel pain than nothing at all
Rather feel pain than nothing at all
Rather feel pain

OK Go – Here it Goes Again

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:19:31 +0000

Well, after about three months (he would say more) my dear husband finally convinced me to blog again. He asked this morning, “Wasn’t there a video you wanted to blog about a while ago… I can’t remember… Yeah, that’s the one.” He knows how to push my buttons.

The video is the one you hear on half a dozen commercials. Every time I do, I get excieted because I think the song is actually coming on and am dissapointed when I realize it’s only a shoe/Ipod commercial. :S

I suppose it’s too soon to call them a one hit wonder, but there are actually a few songs out by them and an album or two. And I also found that the lead singer of this song isn’t actually the
regular lead singer. But hey, whatever works.

Now back to the song itself. I love this song. It makes me want to work out, ironically. And every time I see the video I think, “Man, this was the lowest budget video. I mean all they needed was a dance coordinator, a couple of tread mills and a big sheet of silver paper for the backdrop. Wow it’s great!”

Here it Goes Again by OK Go

It could be ten, but then again, I can’t remember half an hour since a quarter to four.
Throw on your clothes, the second side of Surfer Rosa, and you leave me with my jaw on the floor.
Just when you think you’re in control,
just when you think you’ve got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.
Oh, here it goes again.
I should have known,
should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.
Oh, here it goes again.
It starts out easy, something simple, something sleazy, something inching past the edge of the reserve.
Now through lines of the cheap venetian blinds your car is pulling off of the curb.
Just when you think you’re in control,
just when you think you’ve got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.
Oh, here it goes again.
I should have known, should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.
Oh, here it goes again.
I guess there’s got to be a break in the monotony, but Jesus, when it rains how it pours.
Throw on your clothes, the second side of Surfer Rosa, and you leave me, yeah, you leave me.
Oh, here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.
Oh here it goes again.
I should have known, should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.
Oh, here it goes again.

Disturbed – Land of Confusion

Stephen Ward — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:58:12 +0000

I first heard Disturbed’s Land of Confusion this morning and I was completely blown away. I’ve always liked Down with the Sickness and a few of their other hits. Still, I never realized they had such a strong political voice. Heck, the original song by Genesis pales in comparison.

Yes, I realize they have the same lyrics. The difference here is the video. Disturbed’s Land of Confusion has enough symbolism to fill a book. Look for yourself. Swastikas shaped like dollar signs, suicide bombings by little girls, a giant businessman made of money controlling the United Nations… the list goes on.

I’m honestly not sure if it’s meant as a criticism of the current state of affairs in general or the Iraq civil war in particular. It doesn’t matter, really; the message is clear. Reform by any means necessary.

Land of Confusion by Disturbed

I must have dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They’re moving into the street

Now, did you read the news today?
They say the danger has gone away
But I can see the fire’s still alight
They’re burning into the night

There’s too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there’s not much love to go around
Can’t you see this is a land of confusion?

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in

Oh, superman, where are you now?
When everything’s gone wrong somehow?
The men of steel, these men of power
Are losing control by the hour

This is the time, this is the place
So we look for the future
But there’s not much love to go around
Tell me why this is a land of confusion

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in

I remember long ago
When the sun was shining
And all the stars were bright all through the night
In the wake of this madness, as I held you tight
So long ago

I won’t be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
We’re not just making promises
That we know we’ll never keep

There’s too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there’s not much love to go round
Can’t you see this is a land of confusion?

Now, this is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in
And these are the names we’re given
Stand up and let’s start showing
Just where our lives are going to