Saturday, December 6, 2008

Lukas Rossi - So this is Christmas

Photobucket Photobucket

Lukas Rossi has released a brand new EP, titled "So This Is Christmas". You can purchase this EP on amazon.com as a digital download, or search for Lukas Rossi on iTunes (both Canada and USA) and purchase it there. It's only 1.98$! You'll find two original, beautiful songs; "War Is Over" and "Revolving Doors". Believe me, you won't be disappointed.


And while you are at it, why not get his newest Stars Down EP, also available at amazon.com for 3.96$. It is also available as a digital download on iTunes.

All that Lukas produces is amazing, unique, something you won't regret listening to. Come see his live shows, too; he is so riveting on stage, he'll make you a fan for life!

David Cook - Making of "Light On"

Canadian Top 7 Idol performs at TWU.

http://www.twu.ca/about/news/general/2008/canadian-idol-top-7-at-twu.html

In one of the most shocking episodes of Canadian Idol's Season 5, Abbotsford native Greg Neufeld was eliminated from the top seven on the popular CTV program, after his rendition of Queen's "We are the Champions" just didn't ring victory with Canadian audiences. But while his hopes of being the top idol fell away, his passion for performing and songwriting have risen steadily like a star since that summer of 2007.

"I was doing music for about five years before Canadian Idol, so on Idol I chose songs that I was a fan of and that people liked to hear," says Neufeld. Influenced by these songs and popular recording artists like John Mayer and Dave Mathews, Neufeld has carved out his own unique sound and composing style that is a true blend of rock and pop, and his audiences are following faithfully.

Since Idol, Neufeld has gone on to share stages with Matthew Good, Stabilo, The Trews and even joined Lukas Rossi of Rock Star Supernova on an acoustic Canadian tour. This November Neufeld will take to the stage once again performing at the free Great West Life Spirit of Christmas celebration at Trinity Western University in Langley.

The 24-year-old Neufeld first felt the passion for music while he was a student at Langley Fundamental School where he initially picked up a ukulele. This exposure to music grew when one Christmas morning he was given his first guitar - a gift from his father. Neufeld hasn't put it down since and has been constantly composing and playing since the day he began to strum.

He recalls how he used to write songs but was often embarrassed to sing them. When on occasion he would try them out on audiences composed of friends and family they would all say they liked them. With that in mind he offers some advice for those pursuing a career in music. Says Neufeld, "Don't be shy about your craft and keep working on it everyday. It's a long road but it's a road worth taking."

Neufeld is continuing to dream and aim high. His goals are big but because of his immense talent, they are most likely attainable. In five years time he sees himself touring, continuing to write music, and having three albums under his belt.

In the immediate future however Neufeld and his full band will hit the Spirit of Christmas main stage on November 29th at 7:00pm giving audiences a taste of what this talented performer can really do. "I'll also be doing an acoustic set by myself - breaking up the concert a bit," says Neufeld. "It's going to be a good night of music."

Audiences will also be able to purchase a limited edition album - the first seven songs of a larger album currently under production. The album called The Music is being recorded at Room and Board Studios in Abbotsford and produced by Ryan McAllister who Neufeld calls an "unbelievable producer and engineer." McAllister and Neufeld co-wrote some of the songs on the LP. The full length album is due to be released before 2009.

When asked what he is currently working on, Neufeld hints at some exciting projects. "We are working on a music video to the song "Map of the Stars," working on getting some radio play, and potentially embarking on a national tour in the New Year."

For more information including schedule and bios on performers appearing at the Great West Life Spirit of Christmas check out the website at www.twu.ca/christmas or call the information line at 604-513-2006.

Trinity Western University, in Langley, B.C., is an independent Christian liberal arts and sciences university enrolling approximately 4000 students. TWU offers 41undergraduate majors, ranging from biotechnology, education, nursing, theatre and music, to psychology, communications and biblical studies. TWU's 17 graduate degree programs include counseling psychology, business, theology, linguistics, and leadership, and interdisciplinary degrees in English, philosophy and history. TWU holds Canada Research Chairs in Dead Sea Scroll Studies, Developmental Genetics and Disease, and Interpretation, Religion & Culture.

Last Updated: 2008-11-25
Author: Erin Mussolum
Email: erin.mussolum@twu.ca

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

David Cook on Z100, Dec 3rd 08

Part 1, where the dj says that "you can never watch porn and eat cheetos at the same time"


Part 2, where David and the dj laugh at the HUGE COOK fan... ;)


Part 3, where there is more fun blah blah

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

David Cook - Analog Heart and David Cook The Album (DCTA) comparison

I went to my itunes player and created a playlist with Analog Heart and DCTA (David Cook The Album), then listened to the songs on shuffle. I wanted to see how the old and new songs compared to one another, as if they were all put in one big giant album.

To be quite honest, the only ones that really, really stood out from the mix as being out of place are Light On and Time of My Life. Light On seems much more commercial than anything else David as done, including the rest of his new album. And Time of My Life is much sweeter, much cheesier than anything else he's done as well. Not to say I don't like those two songs - I actually really, really love them (yes, even the Magic Rainbow! It makes me smile), but I feel they don't really mix in with the rest of the songs. It's not too surprising, really, seeing as David was not involved in the writing of those. Curiously, Come Back To Me was another song that David had no hands in writing, but it feels more like "him" than Light On and Time of My Life, somehow.

Both albums have the same beautiful vocals from David. There are a few more bells and whistles in DCTA than in AH, and I could do without them, but all in all it really is not that bad. Both albums feature those typical glory notse, growly voice, softer, deeper voice... But one big difference on DCTA is that David explores even more his vocal capacities and talents. We find on the new album some really low tones, velvety whispers, gorgeous falsettos, straight up gravely rock voice and plain, unaffected tones, all of which are absent from AH. It also seems that David has perfected his vocal techniques for the new album. His voice is more on point, clearer, more elaborate. Could be due to the mixing and producing, but I suspect David worked on his voice in the last year and has discovered some new found talents. And I for one couldn't be happier! I absolutely adore all sides of David's voice.

I feel that there are a few new songs that carry the "THAT is David Cook!" stamps - Declaration, Mr. Sensitive, Lie, Avalanche, A Daily AntheM, Breath Tonight and Kiss On The Neck. All of them remind me of AH, except for Kiss On The Neck, which is totally reminiscent of the kind of music he did with Axium and even MWK. Lie is another "The Truth", full of passion, hurt, raw feelings that just need to come out. I feel so much on this one. I have not gotten as much into Permanent as some out there, and it is a conscious choice. That song is so full of angst, anger, raw emotions, sadness and I fear that if I let myself get into it I'll just completely loose it. So this might be another The Truth in the making for me. Or rather this is reminiscent of "AC" from DC's Axium days.

I've read many places that people are complaining about so many mid-tempo songs on the new album. I am not all that surprised. Yes, sure, David is a rocker, and he loves the gritty, raw power of his rock vocals and the electric guitar and all that. Analog is not all fast tempo rock songs, nor are his previous albums with Axium. So I am not really surprised he's got lots of mid-tempo songs on his new album. But I was happy to see the faster tempo, more rock based songs such as Bar-ba-sol, and Declaration and Heroes, A Daily AntheM even to an extend. They just plain ROCK!!!

A note on the music - I can really hear Neal's influence all over this album. There are a few songs that remind me of MWK, others of AH. Knowing how involved Neal was in those albums, it only makes sense that I can hear him on DCTA. Also, the production and mix is much better on DCTA - not that AH was bad.... Whoever did it did a great, great job. But the better studio and better equipment can be heard in the production on DCTA, and that is a huge plus. Although I have to be honest and say that I love this raw aspect of AH - I wouldn't want that album to be re-recorded in a better studio and better produced. It would take away so much for me.

So to me, this new album really is David Cook, much more than the first single Light On led us to believe. I cannot for the life of me say which album I prefer - I love them both for different reasons. One thing is for sure, those new songs ARE David Cook. I love all the songs, old and new!