CD Review - Storms by Hedley

I know this is long overdue but I have a quite a few reviews that will be going up over the next few days that will hopefully get you open to listening to some new music!

Hedley-Storms Deluxe Edition (Universal Music Canada.)
Released Nov 8, 2011

Track Listing:
1. One Life
2. Invincible
3. Heaven's Gonna Wait
4. We are Unbreakable
5. Young
6. Beautiful
7. Bullet for your Dreams
8. Hot Mess
9. Stormy
10. Last Call
11. I Won't Let You Go (Darling)
12. Hiding Place
13. Carry On
14. Heaven's Gonna Wait (Acoustic Remix)

As we all very well know, I can rarely say a bad thing about Hedley. I do realize this makes me a little biased, but I will try my best to show you why this album is one of the best that they've produced since becoming a band in 2005. Even if this isn't your type of music, you'll come to learn why I believe it's a great album.

It is always a great and inspiring thing to see any musician/band grow from humble beginnings to filling arenas with hundreds, if not thousands of fans every night.  It's amazing at how much their music can grow and become apart of anybody's day when just a few years ago they could barely fill a tiny club. Far too often you'll also see bands who get stuck with their music, always sounding the same and always having the same type of lyrics. I can name a top Canadian band (or two) right now who still has the same sound even though they've been around since I've been in high school. Now, they are still great (well, okay ONE of them is) bands but they still have similar lyrics and sounds to when they first came out into the music world.

If I were to listen to all their past albums, it is easy to hear the differences Hedley has made since the beginning. Yes I admit some of their songs sometimes have the same sound as others but over all the difference is remarkable. The lyrics are more cohesive, making sense and creating a story that people can relate to. The music has always been spot on and it continues to be throughout this album. I also enjoy that lead singer Jacob Hoggard also takes on more piano in the songs as well. He plays it rather well and it adds a more melodic feel to the slower songs.

While all of their albums produce catchy and meaningful songs, Storms seems to have the most inspiring. Throughout the album you'll hear songs about heartbreak yes, but you'll also hear lyrics about living to the fullest, finding your dreams and not letting people knock you down. In a world full of hate and bullying, there are songs that people can relate to on multiple levels and songs that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Their most recent singles Invincible and One Life can be heard all over Canadian radio and the band will kick off their tour in British Columbia in the following weeks.

If you're looking for songs to listen to before downloading the album off of itunes, or buying the physical album, my favourites (and since I can't say the ENTIRE album) would have to be I Won't Let You Go (Darling), Hot Mess, and Bullet For Your Dreams.


Happy Listening!
Taryn

Pee...ess...Check out their new video for One Life below!

Welcome to 2012!

A new year always means a new start and this year is no different. I know I've been M.I.A. the last little while but one of my goals this year is to keep this wonderful blog updated to my best ability. There are plenty of ideas floating around in this lovely little head of mine and I hope I will be able to follow through with most if not all of these great ideas over the next 12 (well 11) up-coming months!

First of all, I would love to expand this blog into an actual functioning website. I would definitely need your help though as I need to believe that there are readers out there who enjoy what they are reading (and seeing) on this blog. In the long run it may take awhile but hopefully by the end of the year this can be accomplished! Secondly, I would love to open this blog to a wider variety of topics and include everything from interviews, restaurant reviews, travel recommendations and many more. I am a very crafty and creative person and I want to share things I have tried and love with the rest of you guys! I really need to broaden the horizon if I want to ever make this a career and when people as why? I say why not!

So...I hope you stick with me as these changes take place and be patient. I have a lot of plans but it will take time, courage, and a whole lot of love and tender care! I'm looking forward to some awesome moments in 2012, are you?

Taryn

The Compound Releases Third Album online

The band from Georgetown Ontario The Compound, who have been working super hard on their third album, have released their album online to the fans today!

Check out the website to get a free full download of "Say it Again Now"!

http://www.sayitagainnow.com/

http://youtu.be/yNuuNIJ_Eyw

CMT Music Fest 2011

We all know by now that this is months behind but time got the best of me and I just kept getting further and further behind on EVERYTHING. I'm super sorry as I know how excited you all are to read about my experiences at this year's first annual CMT Music Festival!

As you all know by now (and if not, browse through my blog and you will know) that I tend to listen to a variety of music that doesn't stick to a specific genre. Growing up I was primarily exposed to country. My first "celebrity" crush was Billy Ray Cyrus (there must have been something about that mullet...) and I definitely had an "Achy-Breaky Heart". Nowadays I tend to stick towards top 40 and indie rock music but being a true country girl at heart, I always end up tuning into the country stations every now and then and get a taste of the new and the comfort of the songs I grew up with. And despite what most people think, today's country isn't as "twangy" and "whiny" as it may have been in the past and it has actually become quite popular with younger generations.

The CMT Music Festival, hosted at Burl's Creek Park in Oro Station Ontario this past August was a perfect cushion to fall back on. The three day festical was packed full of top country talent, thousands of campers and sunny skies. Country Music  Television, better known as CMT, along with major sponsors (e.g. Budweiser, Nashville North,  and Best Buy) threw together an incredible weekend for all who attended. Well organized, professional and with very few flaws, they pulled off an event that is going to keep people coming back year after year. While it's only in it's infancy (this was their FIRST festival after all), the entire weekend went rather smooth from all levels.  The stage was sturdy, the beer tent and food vendors were plentiful and the the weather was beyond anything anyone could have asked for. The even staff, volunteers and security were friendly and knowledgeble without being cocky and forceful (trust me, I've met my fair share). Overall, as a lover of music and a guest to the event as a reviewer, I had a great time and look forward to next year's extravaganza.

...

I do have to admit though, if I had ANYTHING to complain about, and I ANYTHING, it would have to be the Porta-Potties. I know I know, it's a festival, what do I expect? Let's just say I was happy to see a real toilet (with toilet paper!) by the end of the weekend!

-Taryn and Dianne

Listen to Me: Buddy Holly

Although I'm sure a lot of you have no idea who Buddy Holly is, I am 100 per cent sure you've more than likely listened to his music or a cover of his music at one time or another. Holly  may have only  been successful for a short time before his untimely death in a plane crash in 1959, it has been said that he was pioneer of rock and roll.

Listen to Me: Buddy Holly is a compilation CD with a variety of musicians coming together to sing tribute to one of the great musicians of the past. From Lyle Lovett, Jeff Lynne and Ringo Starr, to The Fray, Zooey Deschanel and Cobra Starship. If you think about it, most of these artists would be an odd combination when it comes to most situations but as they are coming together to celebrate the life and music of a singer it almost seems fitting.

These artists manage to capture the essence of Buddy Holly while adding their own unique touch and making it their own. It's interesting and enjoyable to listen too even though I was unfortunate enough not to be around in the 50s when he made his debut and met his tragic end. CDs like this are a great way to introduce music from the past to people in the present. It's hard to get kids and even people my age to listen to music that was not from their generation (or in some cases even their parents generation). Using popular artists from today and mixing them with artists from the past generation allows people to get a taste of what music was like in the past while listening to artists they know from today!

Would you be a Mermaid or Whale?

This poem with the photo attached has been going around Facebook today and it's inspiring so I thought I would share with you so more people can read.

Reading through the comments though, it's a little bit controversial because nobody ever fails to bring up the fact that "obesity is bad". Yes I know that, you know that...the whole WORLD knows that. There is an epidemic happening and it's the fat syndrome. I'm not condoning that being fat is the best thing in the world because yes there are health issues to consider, but what I am supporting is loving yourself. I can relate to being the "fat" girl all throughout elementary, middle and high school. I was the one guys would talk to briefly but would never look at as girlfriend material and the one the popular girls gave the "pity" look to (oh yes, I saw those looks girls, I'm hard of hearing, not blind). I struggled (and still do now) with self-image and self-esteem issues and that's why this poem really got to me. It's about loving who you are. It's about accepting yourself the way you were made and accepting that it's okay to be you.

I am still a bigger girl and while I try and eat healthy it doesn't always happen. I am also somewhat active Most people judge before they know the circumstances and that creates friction. The girls (and guys!) end up feeling like outcasts because they aren't "normal", society pokes fun at them instead of helping them find a solution, and in the end the situation usually goes from bad to worse in a matter of minutes.

Embrace yourself and embrace who you are and you'll be able to achieve anything you want. If that means losing 50 lbs or giving yourself a makeover, so be it. Do what YOU feel is right, now what society makes it to be.

]

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.

They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.

They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?

They would have no sex life and could not bear children.

Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.

And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.

We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.

Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn)

Suicide - My Thoughts on Recent Events

I realize I have multiple posts (they're coming!) to catch up on and am falling a little behind, but there's something that I need to discuss with you guys as I feel that it's become super important in light of recent events. A week ago now the city of Mississauga, and more specifically my community was struck with a huge tragedy. On the morning of September 16th, the police were called to the scene of an apparent suicide attempt by a 16-year-old boy who jumped over the Mavis-401 overpass and was then struck by an oncoming car. Not even two hours later they discovered the body of a 17-year-old girl in a near by park, strangled to death. The boy died two days later; They were best friends.

Although nothing has been confirmed by officials, it's been said that this had been a murder-suicide. The boy had been struggling for months with depression and was at an all time low. His best friend was trying to help him by telling her parents and school officials at Mississauga Secondary, but in the end it cost her her life. It was said he loved her as more than friends, but she didn't feel the same (only as friends), and maybe that's what pushed him over the edge.

I may not have known these two students of Mississauga Secondary School, it was tough finding out what had happened and having it happen so close to where I live, work and walk every day. It saddened me completely that this young teen felt that he had no escape from his life and therefore decided to end  his life and that of his best friend's.  I can't say I personally know what he felt, but I do understand bullying was a part of his life and it was most definitely a part of mine. It's crazy at how other people can justify bullying as a part of kids growing up, but never do they realize the implications of what these kids are going through. Yes, most grow up, have kids and have a normal life, but then there are some who don't want to live to see another day.

I realize this post is a little morbid but I want whatever readers I have out there to understand that there are others who have gone through what they're going through now. There are people out there who want to listen to you and help you in whatever way they can. Go to your best friend, your best friend's parent, even a stranger. Heck, I'll listen and lend a shoulder if you need somebody to talk to. Life sucks a lot of the time but you just have to make do with what you got, hold your head high and take the high road. Life is precious, YOUR life is precious and I don't want to see more kids end it because they don't think it will get better. It will, your childhood is just a moment in time. A time to look back and say to yourself "I overcame that".

I woke up this morning to find that an 11-year-old in Pickering took his life a few weeks ago (Sept 6). All because he was bullied and mugged last year while at school. A child, not even a teenager, who felt that it was better to give up than to face people who bullied him at school every day. On top of other tragedies in his life and suffering from Muscle Dystrophy. Two days later a 17-year-old boy killed himself in Hamilton also due to being bullied. I'm at a loss for words right now. I guess the only thing I can say is this: To the bullies, are you happy now? Are you satisfied that the kid you picked on so often felt so low that the only choice he felt he had was to kill himself?

So I ask you this, if you or someone you know is being bullied, PLEASE seek help. Talk to somebody, school officials, the parents, other friends etc. If your a kid or teen and feel that there is nobody who can understand you, call the Kids help line, they're there to listen.

This happens more than you think. Teen suicide isn't preventable but it can be avoided. First thing to do is stop the bullying.

If you're feeling sad, depressed, thinking about ending it, call. There are people out there who will listen to you without conviction. They want to help you.

Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868

Toronto Distress Line: 416-408-4357

Survivor Support Program: 416-595-1716

Taryn


**The information about the murder-suicide, and the 11-year-old from Pickering came from The Toronto Star articles as well as the the two phone numbers**

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1059479--disabled-pickering-boy-took-his-own-life-after-he-was-mugged-and-bullied?bn=1

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1056471--the-other-student-in-mississauga-murder-suicide