Lust For Life

  Lately I've been feeling this overwhelming sense of joy, most likely due to the rapid increase in decent weather around where I live. I think this partly also has to do with the fact that I've had Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" stuck in my head for days, and this song seems to narrate my every action whilst it's being done. Either way, I've been happier, and that seems to be making me even happier, if that makes any sense.

  I can feel summer just around the corner, and I guess in turn, I've been feeling heavenly. Now I don't freeze my ass off when I take smoke breaks, and the warm spring air feels incredible in my charcoal lungs. Music seems to be getting better, and my smile seems to be getting wider. This post was intended to be about a specific topic (although now that I think about it, I can't recall it..), but now I'm just going to blabber on for a bit about every little thing that seems to be on my mind at the moment. I got my permit, so that's cool. Because everything is turning green with the sun's energy, I've been taking a lot of photographs. The ones below are rather amateur iPhone ones, as I couldn't figure out how to upload the other ones I've taken on my school laptop. Either way, enjoy the images that seem to persist ever-so-often in my wandering mind. 

The bench where we cool kids sneak out during lunch to smoke. I think it looked especially lovely today. 

See what I mean? We're so cool. So deep, giving ourselves cancer.

These plants looked particularly lovely all clumped together amongst the dirt and dead leaves. 

This isn't near my school, but it's the local spot some of my hooligan friends have composed
out of stolen whatnot from around town. We usually come here to smoke and drink,
and now that it's summer, it's starting to become a really fun place to be. I took
this picture a few weeks ago though, so the trees are still bare.

I love taking pictures of things that don't belong to me.. this is some stranger's
fairy-like front yard near the smoke spot.

This canoe looked rather out of place surrounded by so many pretty flowers.

I tend to spy on other people's properties.

My school actually looked nice for just a second (well, the plants did,
anyway...).

Oh, lonesome mailbox. How cute you do look.

  So that's what's on my mind. It's a bunch of rambling, and I know I probably said 'lovely' a thousand times more than I should have (I've been watching the UK version of Skins a lot lately, don't judge me for my Cassie love), but like I said, it's just rambling. So enjoy, my lovelies, hopefully I'll be back to better blog posts soon! Until then, enjoy the music that's been on my mind. xox

1. "Lust for Life" by Iggy Pop
2. "Baby Blue" by Badfinger
3. "The Magnificent Seven" by the Clash
4. "Working in the Coal Mine" by Devo
5. "Hi, Hi, Hi" by Paul McCartney & Wings
6. "The Fear" by Lily Allen
7. "Does Your Mother Know" by ABBA

I Have to Admit, It's Getting Better

  Hi folks! I must admit that my consistency on this blog is varying quite a bit. One week I'm here twice, and then I'm gone for a month. I must apologize for my lack of order when it comes to blogging. That being said, for the past week or so, I've been feeling fantastic. As some of you dedicated readers might know, I've been diagnosed with depression and have just been absolutely miserable in everything I do. I got a new therapist on Tuesday (my first in two whole years!) and it seemed that talking to her definitely helped. However, there seems to be something else on my mind that I feel as sparked the uprise in my pleasant behavior much more than any therapist ever could. That's right- Sam's found herself a boy. 

  I know that me talking about him here is probably creepy (he might be incredibly scared if he ever read this, oops), but oh well. It's my personal blog, I feel like I can blog.. well, personally here. And boys seem to be a very personal topic. I will spare him the indecency of sharing his name, but this boy has really made me happy. He even surprised me at work the other night by showing up out of the blue when we closed like Jake in Sixteen Candles.

It was so cheesy that I couldn't help but be absolutely swept off of my feet. We're going to dinner and the movies tomorrow, and I am beyond ecstatic. I'm already mentally figuring out what I'm going to wear, isn't that pathetic? For the first time in a very long time (maybe even ever) I feel myself constantly smiling, humming pleasant songs, and acting like how I feel a human being should act. I can't stop being happy, and I'm so, well, happy that I'm this happy. So thank you, nameless boy, for making my life a little less cynical.

Here's a happy little playlist to make you all as happy as I am (unfortunately 8Tracks is blocked so you all will have to look up the songs yourselves). I know these songs have been on a lot of my other playlists, but I love them, so I think they're worth a second listen.

I Have to Admit, It's Getting Better by SamanthaWarhol

1. "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra
2. "She's a Rainbow" by the Rolling Stones
3. "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse
4. "Do You Believe in Magic?" by the Lovin' Spoonful
5. "I Only Want to Be With You" by the Bay City Rollers
6. "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake
7. "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart
8. "Getting Better" by the Beatles

Candy Colored Clouds

  Hi everyone, this is a poor excuse for a blog post, but I thought I'd just show you a few things that I've enjoyed recently. The first is a few images, so enjoy these:

I've also had some songs on my mind that you all might enjoy:

1. "Hope" by Klaatu // when the song kicks in (and believe me, you will know when it kicks in) you're rushed with this overwhelmingly intense rush of power and emotion that to this day blows my mind how the hell they captured it into a song
2. "My Girl" by the Temptations // how can anyone not like this song? Every time I listen to it, I feel so happy inside and nostalgia for a time period I never lived in washes over me
3. "You Get What You Give" by the New Radicals // although this song is a little bit newer than music I typically listen to, I'm a really big fan of this song. Plus it reminds me of my childhood, hearing it on the radio
4. "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson // this song is soft and pretty, yet deep and soulful at the same time, making it an instant favorite in my mind
5. "Village Green" by the Kinks // a lesser known Kinks tune, this personal favorite of mine sounds so different from a lot of other typical songs from the time period that it's hard not to love it, honestly. It sounds like a medieval party to me, which is something I think everyone can groove to
6. "Midnight Confessions" by the Grass Roots // this song was one of my favorites in the eighth grade, and I forgot about it up until now. It's so big yet at the same time so small, as it confuses my mind and makes me feel all warm and bubbly inside. Check it out

AND FINALLY check out some groovy links that've kept me occupied for the past week or so.
Fantastic Elvis art collection from Rookie
Klaus Voormann's artwork from his Hamburg days with the Beatles
Klaatu
Beatles News
Today in Beatles History...

Have a lovely day you lovely people xx

Satisfaction & Stairway: A Review of the Greats. Part One.

  What defines a "great" song? A song that all of us know, hum the guitar solos to, and practically recite the lyrics in our sleep. A song that is just so timeless, so great, and simply incredible to listen to. We all know what I'm talking about: the greats. But who critiques what is already considered so great? Me. The answer is me. Today, I am going to take some of the greatest songs of all time (by Rolling Stone magazine, me, and various internet sources) and give my honest opinions. So sit back, relax, and let nostalgia take over.

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones

Writer: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Producer: Andrew Loog Oldham
Released: May 1965, London
14 weeks; No. 1
  The Rolling Stones are still touring today (in fact, I'm seeing them for my birthday!) after over fifty years of being together as a band. Fifty! Any band that still tours after fifty years, let alone is even together, is definitely considered great. But is what is considered the Stones' most famous songs, often nicknamed "Satisfaction," really as great as it is made out to be? Yes. The answer is yes. In my opinion, this song isn't so much lyrically great as it is musically, but that doesn't knock it down even a tad. Every single time this song comes on the radio, I found myself air-guitaring the opening riff (which EVERYONE seems to know, for some reason) and even singing to it. Singing a riff! You know a song is great when you can sing a guitar riff. It's catchy, danceable, and definitely deserves to be considered a "great."

"Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan
Writer: Dylan 
Producer: Tom Wilson  
Released: July '65, Columbia
12 weeks; No. 2
  Bob Dylan is known as possibly one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Known as the "king" of folk rock, Dylan changed us all with just his acoustic guitar, harmonica, and that strange, strange voice. (It wasn't until the famous Judas!/Electric guitar incident that people began to look at him for things other than folk rock.) "Like a Rolling Stone" is considered one of his best songs, and in actuality- it is. In my opinion, at least. Of course I love millions of other Dylan tunes, like "Ballad of a Thin Man," "Lay Lady Lay," etc- "Like a Rolling Stone" really is a great song. I love everything about it, from how Dylan's voice echoes through stereo when you play it to how jumbled and disorganized it sounds, and yet somehow still works. "Al Kooper, who played organ on the session, remembers today, 'There was no sheet music, it was totally by ear. And it was totally disorganized, totally punk. It just happened.'" (RollingStone.com/) And I think that's why it's so good.. the rambling of Dylan and the crazy instrumentation make this song both enjoyable and fun to listen to.

"Hey Jude" by The Beatles
Writers: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Released: Aug. '68, Apple 
19 weeks; No. 1

  *Takes a deep breath, clearing my throat and preparing for a ton of hate from Beatlemaniacs alike* I DON'T LIKE LISTENING TO THIS SONG ON MY OWN TIME! Whoo. There, it's finally been said. Worshipping The Beatles as much as I do, I must have listened each song dozens of times. Of course, their more popular songs, like "Blackbird," "Yellow Submarine," "Let it Be" and "Hey Jude" receive more airplay and mention than some of my personal favorites, like "Happiness is a Warm Gun," "Lovely Rita," and "Long, Long, Long." Don't get me wrong; I very much enjoy "Hey Jude." I just don't like listening to it in my own free time, because of how much airplay it receives. When it comes onto the radio, I of course sing along, jam out, and obsess over the song. But it's just so overplayed that I become sick of it. While "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Satisfaction" are both very famous, I find they don't get as much radio play as "Hey Jude," and therefore, I'm not as "sick" of them. I do love "Hey Jude," but I feel like it's just been played over and over to the point of tiring me out.

"My Generation" by The Who
Writer: Pete Townshend
Producer: Shel Talmy
Released: Nov. '65, Decca
5 weeks; No. 74

  I used to love the Who. But after I saw their concert in November I realized that in my opinion, the band was a bit overrated. (PLEASE, I NEED TO POINT OUT THAT THESE ARE ALL MY OPINION) I do enjoy a lot of their songs, but from listening to and obsessing over them so much in the previous year to seeing their concert, seeing them live was just.. well, a let-down. That being said, I am somewhat bias to review a Who song because of my current opinion on them. But let's get this straight; I love Roger Daltrey's stuttering, Entwistle's quick bass solos, and basically the whole song. Although I don't consider this the GREATEST SONG OF ALL TIME I do like it well enough to put it on this list, and give it a mention. It's not the Who's best song in my opinion, but I do like it and consider it one of their few songs I don't find overrated.

"Stairway to Heaven" by Led ZeppelinWriters: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Producer: Page 
Released: Nov. '71, Atlantic
Non-single, no chart information
  NO! NO NO NO NO NOOOOOO. I love Zeppelin, but Stairway is NOT their only song! They have plenty of other songs that are just as great, and maybe even better! I am beyond sick of people saying Stairway is their best song (as well as "Kashmir," which I don't like at all, actually) and I'd appreciate it if people looked into the band before adding their input on Stairway's greatness. Yes, the solo is amazing. Yes, Plant's vocals are both beautiful and haunting. But no, it is not my favorite Zeppelin song, and not their best in my opinion.

"Light My Fire" by The Doors
Writers: Robby Krieger, John Densmore, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek 
Producer: Paul Rothchild
Released: June '67, Elektra 
17 weeks; No. 1  The position I have on "Light My Fire" is similar to how I feel about "Hey Jude." I love the band, and thoroughly enjoy the song- it's just that hearing this song over and over has started to bore me. I absolutely love the Doors, and they're even one of my favorite bands. I love Morrison as a singer, Densmore as a drummer, Krieger as a guitarist, and Manzarek as a keyboardist. I even saw them live in October of 2012. (Well, minus Densmore because he doesn't tour anymore and obviously Morrison.) It's just that hearing this song constantly has started to annoy me. Especially because this song, like Stairway, is lengthy. Don't get me wrong- I like this song. But the instrumental part of it just.. bores me to pieces. 

Awaiting My Own Summer of Love

  Although it's not quite summer yet, I can only dream. I work at an ice cream place and we've just recently opened up for the season after closing in December. This can only signal the start of both spring and summer, as well as a much warmer season. Yesterday it was 62°F here (which is pretty fucking warm for MA), the warmest it's been since probably September. This season had been ridiculously cold; I've had six snow days. Thankfully the snow is all melting and the air is becoming less crisp.

From Rookie; I can only wish I could go on a road trip as beautiful as this during the summer.

  For me, summer reminds me of psychedelia. I long to live in a place like San Francisco where every day is summer. I know San Francisco isn't the same as it was c. 1967, but I'm sure it's a much better place to live than the dark and gloomy state of Massachusetts. It's always freezing here. In winter, the average is about 10° (which isn't all that cold, I'm just a wuss), in spring around 40-50° (although it's been much colder due to the SIX SNOW DAYS), and in summer, it can be anywhere from 65 to 100°. It really depends on the air's mood, I guess.

Screencap from Harold and Maude, 1970. Seeing Harold playing banjo in the warm summer air only makes me miss it more!

  But yes, for me, summer represents psychedelia, and vice versa. If you think about it, summer is when all the concerts are, all those fun vacations with friends and families, all the fun memories (well, for me at least.) I remember last summer I went to more concerts than I'd ever been to before, ranging from Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band to Aerosmith. This summer I'm planning on seeing The Beach Boys and if I can afford it, Paul McCartney. But enough about me. Summer = psychedelia in my mind.

I'm sorry, I forgot the source; Anyways, this image is a perfect example of trippy photography from the late sixties. And just check out their pants! Fashion inspirations.

  If you look at psychedelic posters and photographs from the late sixties, you'll see they often have one common theme; usually bright-colored, chunky font, and groovy clothing. Oh, how I wish I could be a 1967 poster! Just take a look at them and see, I guarantee you'll fall in love with the summer of love.

1970 Music Connection poster

Spock! Check out those groovy colors.

Source Unknown, Swimming Pool c. late sixties, future home inspiration

Found on Google Images; I seriously NEED these shoes. I have a soft spot for red, yellow, and blue together in basic yet bold patterns.

From Rookie. Gotta love the trippy font!

There's Something Happening Here. from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

Songs in bold are my personal favorites from this playlist. (Although I must admit this playlist was hard to pick just five from, I love them all!)

1. "For What it's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield
2. "Strange Brew" by Cream
3. "Season of the Witch" by Donovan
4. "2000 Light Years From Home" by The Rolling Stones
5. "She Just Satisfies" by Jimmy Page
6. "Do You Believe in Magic?" by The Lovin' Spoonful
7. "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie
8. "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
9. "Technicolour Dreams" by Status Quo
10. "Beck's Bolero" by Jeff Beck

Those Were the Days - Music Review #1

Illustration by Kendra

  Unfortunately with today's vast musical library, many songs, especially songs from the past, have been overlooked. But fear not! For I have come today to give you an inside look at a few very overlooked songs that I personally love.

"Picture Book" by The Kinks
The Village Green Preservation Society, 1969
 The Kinks have forever been an overlooked and underrated band in the world of classic rock. In the early to mid-1960's, the British Invasion propelled many bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who over to America. However, since The Kinks were slightly more British sounding, their popularity in the United States never quite rose like other popular bands at the time. The Kinks' lead singer Ray Davies mainly focused on the British class system, (which I have based many of my posts about) which meant that many Kinks songs did, too. An album that particularly highlights this is 1968's The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album telling tales of the British class system and its supposedly preserved and safe society. One of my favorite songs on this album has to be "Picture Book," telling about looking through an old book of photographs and remembering times of past. With the usual Kinks twist, this song gives off heartfelt memories with a sixties rock n' roll feel. If you're a Kinks fan, a nostalgia fan, a UK fan, or just a fan of the sixties at all, "Picture Book" is definitely a song worth listening to.

"Intuition" by John Lennon
Mind Games, 1973
  Of course, John Lennon is one of the most respectful and well-known musicians from the 20th century. Unfortunately many of us do not know his music outside of the Beatles or his famed solo song, "Imagine." On the well put together 1973 album Mind Games, Intuition kicks off side two with a calm, cool, somewhat tropical beat. For anyone wanting to take a break from Lennon's sometimes harsh and rough vocals and cynical lyrics, "Intuition" will definitely calm your musical taste buds. Every time I listen to this song I imagine floating down a river as a gentle breeze blows through the tropical air. This is the perfect song for both summer and just days where you'd like to relax and take a break from life.

"Pisces Apple Lady" by Leon Russell
Leon Russell, 1970
  I had first heard about Leon Russell while reading Chris O'Dell's wonderful autobiography Miss O'Dell. (which I highly recommend to everyone!) Chris had dated Leon in the late sixties, and he had written this raunchy, bluesy, soulful all-in-one tune, "Pisces Apple Lady" for her. Leon, known as an excellent piano player throughout the sixties and seventies, was known for his unique style. "Pisces Apple Lady" starts off with a somewhat-calm piano riff, booming into a wonderful piece that is, well, quite difficult to explain. I guess you could say its one of those songs you just have to listen to for yourself in order to fully understand. This is also one of those songs that by just listening to you can't define into a decade, because both Leon's soulful, raspy voice and intense piano playing just don't fit anywhere else. Even if you aren't a fan of blues or soul, I recommend this song for anyone looking for a new song that wants to have a good time.

"Go All the Way" by The Raspberries
Raspberries, 1972
  This song is probably the song that got me into the seventies. Before I heard this song, I had been mainly focused in the eighties (a fifth and sixth grade stage I quickly wanted to forget) and had been listening to one of those decades musical channels on TV with my dad. As soon as 1972's "Go All the Way" came on, my eyes instantly darted to the TV to find out where the hell such a wonderful song was coming from. Starting off with an intense and raunch-filled (I know I've used raunchy many times before during these reviews, but each song I describe it with really is raunchy!) guitar riff, this song is the definition of kick-ass. It starts off very intense, slowing down for the verses and chorus, then booming back up again. Although The Raspberries were slight one-hit-wonders, this song is definitely a gem and if I had to pick one song to be known for, I would definitely pick this one. (Note to all of you who saw the 2012 movie Dark Shadows, this song was covered by The Killers for the ending credits.)

"Listen to Me" by The Hollies
A 1968 single
  I hadn't used Pandora radio much until this year, and before I did, I knew who The Hollies were due to my obsessive interest in the British Invasion. I had put The Kinks in as my artist for this playlist, but when 1968's "Listen to Me" came on, I had forgotten to write it down and had this song stuck in my head for days. It's wonderful use of repetitive lyrics and smooth vocals (not to mention the chirpy backing vocals) made this song virtually impossible to get out of my head, and I searched long and hard trying to find this song again. When I finally found it again I realized I was in love with it, and it still remains a favorite of mine to this day. The Hollies themselves are like a one-of-a-kind crossbreed between The Beatles and The Kinks, taking on a very British yet poppy personality. If you haven't heard this song, as well as haven't heard of The Hollies, I think you should definitely take a listen.

"Eight Miles High" by The Byrds
Fifth Dimension, 1966
  When everyone thinks "The Byrds," they automatically think of 1967 acid-infused surf rock. Although with many later Byrds hits, 1966's "Eight Miles High" was just as rough and heavy as their latest hits. "Eight Miles High" is often overlooked for more popular and later hits such as "Turn! Turn! Turn! (There is a Season)" and "Mr. Tambourine Man." However, if you're ever in a groovy summer pre-summer of love mood, "Eight Miles High" is the song for you. This song combines psychedelia, heavy guitars, and haunting vocals. Although I don't have much to say about this song, I would definitely recommend you give this song a listen.

"Those Were the Days" by Mary Hopkin
A 1968 single
  Oh, how do I declare my love for Mary Hopkin? She started off her career on The Beatle's infamous Apple Corps, and I believe she was the label's first (and only) female artist to produce any success from them. Unfortunately Mary Hopkin isn't a household name today, which I find a shame. Her raw talent and stunning vocals make her an instantly likable musician, and what better way to showcase her talent than her first single, 1968's "Those Were the Days"? When I first heard this song, I went gaga over the Balalaika, a unique instrument that's so hard to explain, I'd rather you listen to the song itself in order to understand. The song gives off a klezmer feel, making it seem like you're in the clucky countryside rather than your own home listening to it. It is by far the prettiest and most calming song on this list, so I suggest you take a listen.

Avant-Garde

  Lately I've been thinking a lot about art. What exactly is art? I've found that everybody likes some form of art, even if they don't notice. One of the main forms of art all of us know is visual art, such as paintings, drawings, or sculptures. When we think "art museum," these pieces immediately come to mind. Music is also an art form, and from my experience, I've never heard anyone say "I don't like music." Therefore, all of us have something in common, which is the common interest in experimental sound known as music.
  Being an avid arts fan myself, I'd have to say my two main focuses are in fact visuals and music. As much as I like interpretive experimental art (like much of Yoko Ono's works, read my post on her protests and art with John Lennon here), I don't tend to focus on it as heavily as I do with drawings and music.
  A few of my favorite visual artists include Andy Warhol, Klaus Voormann, and Stuart Sutcliffe (who my popular music teacher oddly looks like). As most of you know, my favorite musicians would have to be The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, and The Runaways.
  There are, however, quite a few musicians in the experimental world that I like as well. Experimental music is music made not to impress others and result in a profit, but rather to, well, experiment with sound and emotion in order to create a truly unique piece. Unfortunately today, there are few experimental musicians left. But back in the day, mainly the late 60's and early 70's, experimentalists like Frank Zappa, the GTO's, (if you wanna learn about the GTO's, click here for my post on them) and The Velvet Underground. Back in his early days, Andy Warhol was considered an avant-garde artist, before he rose to fame. Even though he is a household name in modern times, in the mid-1960's, he was known for his almost risky and experimental works of art.

Klaus Voormann in 1966 holding one of his most famous works of art, the cover to the Beatles' 1966 album, Revolver (Source unknown)

Chess Set

Designed for Ringo Starr in 1972

Klaus designed this chess set for Ringo Starr, using all different types of hands for the various figures.  There are only five of these original sets in existence.  They were cast in sterling silver with one side gold plated.  Notice the rings on the bishop, king, and queen.

(Source)

Klaus donated the car to the Biodiversity Project: Ancient Trees and Endangered Beetles. This project is a collaboration between Christina and Klaus Voormann, Volkswagen AG, State Ministry for Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and Center of Environment/Wiesenfelden Castle. The car will be auctioned or sold to the best offer.
More than 8,000 people visited the 6-day event. Plans are being made to continue this successful exhibition in other countries.

(Source for all Klaus Voormann car images)

Plastic Ono Band, 1969, Toronto Music Festival,
L-R: Klaus Voormann, Alan White, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Eric Clapton

Hamburg Series #13 by Stuart Sutcliffe
Mixed media, collage with ink and oil on buff paper
24/26 x 34 in. image / 32 x 40 in. overall mounted
Circa 1961-62; (Source)

Stuart Sutcliffe c. 1960-61, Source Unknown

When I visited the Liverpool Museum of Art this October I was fortunate enough to see an actual work of art by Stuart Sutcliffe in person.

My new Fender Squier Strat, hopefully I can make my own avant-garde music!

If you're interested in seeing more of Klaus Voormann's works, click here
If you're interested in seeing more of Stuart Sutcliffe's works, click here

Avant-Garde Delight from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

1. "Sunday Morning" by The Velvet Underground
2. "Muffin Man" by Frank Zappa
3. "The Captain's Fat Theresa Shoes" by The GTO's
4. "Technicolour Dreams" by Status Quo
5. "Beck's Bolero" by Jeff Beck (and friends)
6. "I'm in Love With the Ooo-Ooo Man" by The GTO's
7. "Give Peace a Chance" by The Plastic Ono Band
8. "Heroin" by The Velvet Underground
9. "The Nitty Gritty" by Manfred Mann (ft. Klaus Voormann)
10. "Jamiroquai" by Canned Heat