Don't Cry - Guns & Roses

My favourite song of all time is Don't Cry - Guns & Roses. I've never been tired of listening to this track, on loop even. For sometime I had to figure out which was more of a favourite, High Hopes [Pink Floyd] or Don't Cry. And despite the difficult choice, Don't Cry always wins. I guess it is pretty cliched to pick a power ballad, but what most people fail to realise is that it is by far the only break-up song that still sounds like love. Ironically I remember crying the first time I listened to it when I was about 15 [no, it had no personal significance ;)] and ever since it has been personal :) Listening to it now for the 3rd time as I write this post, it is just as good every time. Some songs are just meant to last. For me its Dont Cry; I guess everyone has their song and the best part about this one is that because of Axl's unique voice, there isn't another vocalist who can replicate this wonder of a track [yet one of my friends tries very hard and is trying still!] So the rick of covers is low! And have you seen the video??

Woodstock 08-08-08

So everyone’s talking about the ‘3 days of peace and music’ festival that is likely to happen in Goa, India this year on 08-08-08. Is it true? We’re yet to find out.

Woodstock in 1969 (New York) was a movement that used the medium of music to stand up against war & discrimination that was prevalent then and to spread the message of love; hence the tag ‘3 days of peace and music’. The event became a huge success and its purpose was served. Life literally stopped and the only thing people spoke about was Woodstock. And as for the people who were there, it was a musical haven no doubt. Sigh how sad it is that I missed it.

Anyway coming back to the point, hugely popular artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Santana, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplance, Ravi Shankar, Joan Baez, Mountain, Janis Joplin, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker etc performed and the show was free. Anyone could be a part of the show. Now THAT’S what I call respect.

I have 2 points to make-

1. The rumour that Goa is likely to be witness to a music festival like Woodstock is overwhelming and gives me goosebumps! I can barely wait and I’m tingling with excitement. I will so be there! But the whole point of Woodstock can never be relived. ’69 was all about the movement and music. The artists sang about revolution and freedom. The entire generation & culture was centred around that feel. In present times, it isn’t like that. Yes, they might throw in a cause or two and use ticket proceeds for it or something but it won’t be the same. Money cannot be the fuel for a cause. Ideally I’d appreciate it if the festival was promoted to Free Tibet; get people from different countries to spread awareness and unite to fight for the freedom of Tibetans. But that won’t happen since every country is a little too wary about political stability; even if people scream & protest, governments won’t. Or will they?

2. The concept of free music. Being a die-hard fan of music, I feel the need to listen to my music for at least 2 hours everyday. I admit I don’t go right out and stock up on original cds for every artist I like [although I plan on doing that sooner than later for some artists] which about 85% of my music collection is downloaded off the Internet. I believe music should not have a price. Music is meant to be free. There are contemporary artists who support that view [Bryan Adams for instance] and those that don’t [Sheryl Crow]. Crow believes its disrespectful and that we don’t recognise the effort that is put into the album when we download singles [or albums] off the net. To her I say, it is because we love an artist that we get the song. What more can an artist ask for than millions of people listening? Organise a concert, and I’ll pay the price but listening to music at home should not be subject to affordability & such. It reins in a whole new divide. What happens if an ardent music lover cannot listen because he cannot afford to spend Rs. 300/- or higher on a cd? Additionally, what if we only like one song? Like Westlife such big time. But their remake of ‘flying without wings’ [many people don’t know it’s a remake :p] is really really nice. I don’t want any of their stinking albums but I do want that song. So download I shall!

Radiohead came up with this brilliant idea of paying ANY price for their new album ‘In Rainbows’ online. That was the only way you could buy the album. You could even pay nothing [except shipping charges of course which amounted to $50 so never mind]

Music isn’t like it used to be but we do have some pretty awesome stuff going on. Like Coldplay & Dave Matthews Band & The Shins & Jet &… Ahhh :)

Will Woodstock really happen right here in India, that too just 2 days after my birthday? I sure hope so; a perfect gift from the Music Industry that would be for one of their biggest fans!! There’s nothing else I’d ever want for the rest of my life! [That’s a lie. I’m greedier than Daffy Duck for presents!]

So here’s to a Goan Woodstock, or at least the hopes of having one!

The Shins

I’m reviving this place with The Shins.

They are my latest favourite. With 3 albums out, this band is making some outrageously sensible music. Here’s a band that balances the importance of lyrics, rhythm, melody and … well everything else.

The first track I listened to was New Slang. I fell in love with the song. And then Caring Is Creepy made its way into my playlist. At first, I thought it was an odd sounding song. But one look at the lyrics made everything perfect. How can someone come up with a line like ‘this is way beyond my remote concern of being condescending’???? To put to words that feeling is something else!

The band is an indie rock group from the US, and they have 3 albums to their credit – Oh, Inverted World, Chutes Too Narrow and Wincing The Night Away. Of these, I truly cannot pick a favourite. I can however recommend a few songs for the first time listeners [in no particular order] –

1. New Slang
2. Caring is creepy
3. Gone for good
4. A comet appears
5. Past and Pending
6. Saint Simon
7. Red Rabbits
8. Pink Bullets
9. Those to come
10. Kissing the lipless

Happy listening!