Tag: Music

  • Striking The Right Chord

    When the wonderful folks at the Writer’s Retreat asked if I would like to do a guest blog here, I jumped at the chance. I’ve been a reader for a little while now and no matter which of them posts, or on what subject, I always come away with something that makes me think or stirs my imagination. I hope to continue this.

    I am P.M.Rousseau, and I write in a variety of genres. Paranormal is my favorite, followed closely by science fiction, horror, and historical. That said, I am in the homestretch of completing the first draft of a contemporary novel that includes none of the above. Such is life, and those of us who are storytellers will understand when I say that we write the story that is in us waiting to get out. Some stories are pushier than others, and those necessarily get the most attention at any given point.

    This one was very insistent and has taken up much of my time this year. It’s been very opinionated on what should happen within it, and what the characters are like. As for opinionated, the characters have been even more so. They know exactly who they are, what they want, and what they intend to do. My only hope is to type fast enough to keep up with them.

    One area where their preferences have been the most pronounced is music. Each of them has distinct musical tastes and can get persnickety when I try to change their soundtrack. When I give in and cooperate, however, they will sing the story to me very willingly. Let me give you an idea. Here’s the list of current characters and what they like:

    Jake: Stevie Nicks
    Gabe: Southern rock all the way
    Jackson: Trisha Yearwood
    Lila: Sting
    Austin: Clint Black, Garth Brooks
    Lincoln: George Strait

    See what I mean? Talk about a varied bunch! What’s even stranger is that the couple in this story apparently really likes 80’s funk such as Zapp & Roger, Shalamar, and Rick’s James’ slow stuff for sex scenes. So yes, my play list is a kaleidoscopic study in contrasts. Whatever it is, it gets the job done.

    This got me thinking, however. I am as much a creature of musical moods as my characters. I bet you are too. How often do we put on something lively when cleaning, something relaxing when cooking, something more inspiring when a tough jobs needs doing? More often than not, I’m betting. A good beat can make any task go faster and seem like less work. When that endeavor is something creative, it seems to work even better. It stirs the imagination, moves it beyond the ordinary, allowing us to see more than we might otherwise see. It stretches, energizes and expands us. It takes us places we might not otherwise go.

    I firmly believe that stretching one creative muscle helps strengthen the rest. My characters know this. Back in my professional dancing days, I knew this too. I’m glad to get back to it, to see the words and the ideas flow. Happy listening!

  • At what point is an obsession unhealthy?

    Did you guys know that I have the spot for blog posts the first Saturday of every month? I certainly didn’t.

    My attempt at sarcasm and humor aside, I was actually thinking that my first post would be due next week. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the first Saturday of the month was actually today.

    Anyway, I have no real idea what to do for this one, so I’m just going to talk about what has been on my mind for the past several weeks.

    Jesus Christ Superstar.

    I suppose it all began when I stumbled across a post on the Highlander Message Boards talking about a Phantom of the Opera sequel that mentioned JC Superstar (which features music by Andrew Llyod-Webber, as well). I had seen it three or four times before, but it never really made that much of an impression on me, but I recalled really liking the first song of the show (called “Heaven on their Minds”).

    A quick Youtube search later and I immediately fell in love with the song. That is when the obsession started. I put it on my iPod and listened to it, on repeat, for the couple of hours I spent cleaning the apartment (all by myself, but that is a totally different rant) the next day. I’ve been rather obsessed with songs before, but not that much.

    When I went home for Spring Break, I decided to watch my father’s VHS copy of the original 1973 film adaption of the show (there’s also a 2000 film adaption, which I don’t care much for) and realized that there are some damn good songs on the soundtrack.

    I decided to record my father’s vinyl record of the original recording (which came out before the stage show) and basically listened only to that on my entire five hour drive back to campus. I only changed the CD once to a different mixed album that I only put in because it had the recording of Heaven on their Minds from the first film version (I prefer that Judas to the one on the original recording).

    Since then, I don’t really think I’ve deviated from the JC Superstar playlist that I have on my iPod and am even now listening to it.

    So, I guess the whole point of this is to raise the question: at what point does an obsession become unhealthy?

  • “Who We Are” by Lifehouse

    Review of the album “Who We Are” by Lifehouse

    Everyone knows what a ‘chick flick’ is, right? Well this album, “Who We Are” by Lifehouse is the musical equivalent of that ‘girls’ night out’ staple. Lifehouse’s third album offers more of their signature style—upbeat, romantic, pop ballads full of jangling guitars and soulful lyrics.

    These guys specialize in poetry set to music. For example, the track ‘Broken’:

    ‘I’m fallin’ apart, I’m barely breathing,
    With a broken heart, that’s still beating,
    In the pain there is healing,
    In your name, I find healing,
    So I’m holding on, holding on,
    I’m barely holding on to you.”

    This is the kind of music your mother would approve of, no sexual references, no drugs or suicidal thoughts. Just talk about relationships and being true to yourself and others. On ‘Easier to Be’ they sing:

    “You make it easier to be,
    Easier to be me, it’s hard to believe,
    You didn’t give up on me, I let myself go,
    You were still there, like coming up for air, yeah, yeah.”

    I know, sappy and sweet. Almost too much so. My children refuse to listen to this CD with me, they find it boring. But it is a guilty pleasure of mine, soothing in a way previously only Enya could be. It makes a great contrast to my emo AFI music and the loud Linkin Park and NIckelback albums. It’s great stuff to listen to when I’m writing about Requiem, I can see him saying these kind of things to Regina.

    By far, the best song of the batch is ‘First Time’. It’s already being used for a car commercial on television; it’s got a great hook and a catchy tune. I bet you’d recognize it if you heard it, even if you’re not familiar with Lifehouse.

    “We’re both lookin’ for something, we’ve been afraid to find.
    It’s easier to be broken, it’s easier to hide.
    Lookin’ at you, holding my breath,
    For once in my life, I’m scared to death,
    I’m taking a chance, letting you inside.”

    The lyrics in this song remind me of some of the things Julia Cameron says in her ‘Artist’s Way’ essays.

    So there you have it. Would I recommend this album? Yes, as long as you know what you’re getting; you’re gonna love the sugar rush.