2012: The Year In Review

January

In January I got real excited about the music of 2011, which was kind of a start to the album reviews I would do later in the year. I also went and checked out Parachute which was pretty fantastic. It was also the month where I had to break by far the most meaningful and difficult news to the 29 or so followers: The impending breakup of my former band (which was also what this blog used to be about). As well as leaving me feeling more than a little lost musically, I had to also wonder: just what was I going to do with this blog? What was there to write about anymore? Should I even keep at it?

February

February was an interesting month - it was all about endings and beginnings for me. As I ended my 3-month stint working and prepared for the changes of university I got a little bit retrospective with this post. On top of that I moved into the hostel, and had a deep and meaningful revelation about giving.

March

This was a sweet month I spent meeting everyone in the Hostel and making plans for the year. I also finally reached 30 followers! Ok for everyone out there with blog followers in their hundreds, that's not too much of an achievement, but I was pretty stoked about it! I also got a bit of attention with a sweet post about justice, which was unfortunately linked with the Kony craze going on at the moment. But despite being slightly misinformed on that fact, I don't regret anything I said. I also wrote my first song of the year "I Can't Say".

April

Chilled out in the holidays, tried to learn blues, bought a new guitar, blogged about Saturdays and about my favorite guitar models. That was pretty much April for me...

 May 

In May I blogged some more about guitar models and went to watch The Avengers (such a good movie!!!). Unfortunately I got a little bit gutted about life & my musical direction - which was kind of ironic seeing as May was when I also got my second song for the year - "Breathe". This song out of any I've written highlighted my desire to want to make something new and "blaze a new trail", as well as musically telling of my experimentation and growing fascination with ambient music.

June

In June I finally took the first steps in re-creating my musical direction with a change of blog address and launching my Youtube channel (which unfortunately has been shamefully neglected of late). On top of that I was in the thick of it at Ucol spending long days practicing for our rock gig (Cream & Tool are not the easiest bands to cover!!!) and recording/mixing music. This was an important month for me too, as I discovered a band which now rank up in my top 5 artists - Imagine Dragons. I also went a bit nuts reviewing their incredible EP.  

July

We had our mid-year performance at the Globe in July, which was were I took this photo. Somehow, despite being spectacularly busy, I managed to blog the most this month, with a grand total of 14 posts. Some of my the best from July were my musings about My Favorite Guitarists, Life being awesome and my review of Sigur Ros' Valtari. 

August

I didn't post much in August (probably because I was worn out from July!) but it was still a pretty good month. I went up to Mt Ruhapahu with some friends and pretty much had the best day ever. I also was hugely surprised when the reggae song I'd written,"We Are Still One", won the best song award at our gig and we got to record it the next day. 

Oh and I got a year older...

September

In September I blogged about two topics which have had a large impact on me: Love and Insomnia.  I also got a physical copy of Night Visions by Imagine Dragons and went on a bit of a rave in my review.

October

October found me rekindling my love with lists in this post. I also found out that writing about 31 things takes up a whole lot of time! I also wrote another list, this one on things you can get up to in the holidays, and had a bit of fun at Ucol jamming everyone's favorite style of music - country. 

November

November was a good month. I wrote one of the coolest songs of my life with "Prodigal" and had fun performing it at Murpheys Brewery, despite tuning problems (a guitarist's worst nightmare!). Despite having problems with writers block, I managed to blog a bit. I somehow managed to create a post that was retrospective, tinged with sadness and yet hopeful for the future with "I spent all November saying goodbyes". We also had our final performance for the year at the Regent, which despite epically failing this one intro, was the best night of my life and some of the finest stage work/musicianship I've been privileged to be a part of.

December

Well the last month of the year is well and truly upon us - in fact in one day it will be over! It hasn't been without it's share of adventures though, what with moving into a flat, working long days, surviving the end of the world and Christmas. I also managed to find the time to start my current feature "19 Things I Like About..." with this post.

There's so much I could say about it, but it's late and I'm mega tired so everything from now on will probably be a blur as I zone out and my fingers keep typing random words.... hgahghahg9aiidz;dkakznvoanga 0jgoaerkzg[a p[jga[jga gja-

Ok that was a joke but seriously I've always wanted to do that on my blog. Haha.

What I shall briefly say before we part ways is thank you so much for following/ reading my adventures through 2012. Your support really means a lot, and I hope you've enjoyed reading my posts as much as I have writing them!

Catch you on the flipside,

Jordan

19 Things I Like About.... Intros!

As I contemplate the fact that this could quite possibly be my worst blog title yet, I have to remind myself that the post content is more than cover my misgivings over the name: "19 Things I like about Intros". Ah well, it could be worse I guess. At least I haven't delved into pun territory yet!

Before I dive into it, I should probably explain the title: by "Intros" I am referring to an introduction. While this could be from a book, film or a piece of music, the one thing all of these have in common is how it is begun. Some things start off simply, while others the beginning is more like an assault on the senses. Yet all these introductions listed have touched me in some way. And in the next nineteen paragraphs, I shall attempt to explain why.

19. The Opening Scene of Inception.

Despite being one of the last people to watch this movie (for some reason it had been out on dvd for a couple of months before I got around to seeing it), I absolutely loved this movie. The first couple of minutes are incredible film-making at it's very best: I was completely hooked and also slightly confused before the title had even came onscreen.


18. "Perth"















This track from Bon Iver's self-titled second album is the perfect introduction to one of my favorite records. It has all the little touches and flourishes that make Justin Vernon's music such a joy to listen to: ambient textures, incredible vocals, and great instrumental lines. With it's quiet soundscape, meandering melodic guitar line, a few light vocals, and some percussion near the end of it, listening to the first 52 seconds of this song can only be compared to viewing a work of art.


17. The first paragraph of "Gone"

"One minute the teacher was talking about the civil war. 
And the next minute he was gone.
There.
Gone.
No "poof". No flash of light. No explosion."

- Michael Grant

This is one of my favorite books out there. With it's simple opening it just pulls you headfirst into the story, and from there on it's practically impossible to put down.


16. "Little Talks"

This song is my new favorite! It's an uplifting-yet-thoughtful anthem from relative newcomers to the music scene Of Monsters And Men, and it's probably one of the coolest songs you've heard all year. The intro to this song sets the mood, with three guitars and a bass pounding out the chord structure while some sort of accordion plays a catchy tune over the top, and everyone can't stop themselves joining in on the "Hey!"'s which accompany it. Even though it's more of a dance-y type song, it's still got a haunting, epic feel to it - yet another reason for me to love Icelandic music!


15. Slash on "Sweet Child Of Mine"

That guitar intro...


14. The opening scene of "Up"

Ok, it's kind of weird me saying this, but I'm a sucker for little kids films. Especially the ones from Pixar - they somehow manage to be funny, meaningful and awesome all at the same time which is lacking from a lot of real-life movies these days. Up is definitely one of my favorites, with it's fantastic tale of a grumpy old man, a rare bird, a boy scout and a whole lot of balloons.
As for describing the opening scene, I think this quote sums it up best: "5 minutes long and with not very many words - and it's still a better love story than Twilight!"


13. The intro to "Babe I'm Going To Leave You"

This was the first Led Zeppelin song I truly liked on it's own standing. Jimmy Page's acoustic guitar playing in this is nothing short of furious, with it's Spanish-sounding licks and a classical twang. I love the songs opening for it's simplicity: just that beautiful sounding guitar playing on it's own until Robert Plant's voice comes on. And then it's a straight soul from there - until it busts out one of the coolest rock choruses ever. Who thought an acoustic song could have so much to it?!


12. "It's Time" 

This song was what introduced me to one of my best discoveries of the year: Imagine Dragons. The intro to this song is ALL about that beat: in fact the lead singer said when he wrote this song the only thing he started out with was the beat. Love it! On top of that though, the mandolin line played over the top is pretty darn cool, and would have to be one of the catchiest little tunes out there!


11. "Heart Of Gold"












Simplicity at it's finest. I dream of being able to play this on the guitar and the harmonica (actually the whole reason I bought a harmonica in the key of G was so I could learn this harmonica solo haha).


10. The opening of "Motion Picture Soundtrack"

Every time I listen to this amazing intro from Radiohead, it's just like I'm watching the most incredible motion picture ever.


9. "Jump"





















Van Halen clearly knows how to rock better than a lot of bands around in the 80's, and they proved it with this hit of theirs. Quite coincidentally it has one of the sweetest synth lines ever. Man I love 80's synths!!!


8. The title sequence of "The Walking Dead" 

I gave my brother the first season of this for Christmas, seeing as we're both addicted to this incredible tv program. Now I know zombies and gore aren't everyone's thing, but this is actually such a fantastic series. I managed to convince a few people at the hostel this, despite their misgivings.
Now I'm no expert on videography but from what I remember in Year 12 English, this opening sequence has quite a few great points which make it stand out. The photography is absolutely stunning, as you can see in the above image. Love the use of shadows, and how whatever filter they have on makes it seem almost dusty. The music is awesome too, it's real dramatic and suspenseful and slightly creepy - puts you on edge just like the show does! The director, good old Frank Darabont, clearly pulled out all the stops with this one.


7. "Money For Nothing" 

This is one of the finest intros to a rock song I've ever heard. The first time listener would hear it like this: the first minute where Mark Knofler is singing "I want my MTV" - "What on earth is this?". Then when the drums kick in - "Those fills are sick!". Then the guitar riff starts - "That is such a sweet riff! This song rules!" 


6. The Harmonics of "Horizons" (Genesis).

Those first four notes are the sweetest thing ever, and probably helped me more than any other song to be inspired to use harmonics more in my guitar playing. They also inspired me to to learn this classically-inspired piece for my solo performance this year.


5. "Grace" by U2.

The start of this song is so chilled out, it practically makes me fall asleep. Not really a good thing to happen considering it's already quarter to one in the morning.....


4. Opening paragraph of "The Hobbit".

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

Love the descriptive language used in that - one of the reason this was, and still is one of my favorite books ever. Still have to go check out the movie! 


3. "Therapy" 
















This piano-driven opening, backed by a delayed guitar line and a tight rhythm section, leads the way perfectly into what is surely one of Relient K's finest songs. I was pretty gutted they didn't play this one at Parachute!!!


2. "Ny Batteri" by Sigur Ros.

Before the out-of-this world vocals even come in, the 2 and a half minute intro of this song has just about reduced you to a wreck with how hauntingly beautiful it is. The trumpets lead it all in, blowing softly away and introducing a bass riff that grooves out an incredible melody while the synth, bowed guitar and drums all just work in behind it.

Words really don't describe how awesome this introduction is... hit play on that video!!

1. "Where The Streets Have No Name"















This is quite possibly my favorite song intro EVER. Unlike most bands in the 80's who just dived straight into a rock anthem, U2 decided to go the opposite way with this one, despite the stadium rocker this song is by the time it reaches the chorus. The first time I heard this song I remember standing still in shock with how different and incredible it was. The way that guitar works it's way out from underneath the synth line causes hairs to rise on my back every single time I hear it.


What's some of your favorite openings/introductions? Let me know in the comments below! You never know, your one might be so awesome that I might have just have to expand this post to "20 Things I like about Intros"!!!