I am back this month with some new obsessions. This is the music I find myself constantly listening to this month.
1. Pentatonix - Pentatonix (Deluxe Version)
So in the last couple of months I have become a huge fan of Pentatonix after seeing them open for Kelly Clarkson this past August. I knew of the group and had heard them sing a few times before via The Elvis Duran Morning Show but didn't really take the moment to appreciate and listen to more of their music. Now that I have I absolutely LOVE them. The fact that they perform entirely in Acapella makes me love and appreciate them even more. Their talent is immeasurable. This album is mostly original acapella music which is rarely heard of. What they accomplished with this album still astounds me. It's easy to forget that every sound is made with their voices. The album is fantastic in my opinion. My standout favorites are: Sing, Ref, Water, Rose Gold, Na Na Na, and New Year's Day. They do have a few covers (Where Are U Now, Cheerleader, Lean On...) and do such an amazing job. Their version of If I Ever Fall In Love with Jason Derulo was unbelievable. Definitely worth a listen.
Can't begin to say how excited I am to have new music from Carrie. It's been 3 years since her last album and she did not disappoint. My favorite thing about Carrie's music is how every song paints such an elaborate story you can basically visualize it in your mind as you sing along. So that makes her calling her album Storyteller especially appropriate. Each song on this album is it's own individual story with topics spanning from physical abuse, revenge, possible murder, love, growing up, rebounding, and so on. It's quite a ride. Some of my favorites include Renegade Runaway, Relapse, Clock Don't Stop, Church Bells, Heartbeat and What I Never Knew I Always Wanted.
Special Mentions:
Ben Haenow + Kelly Clarkson - Second Hand Heart
Being the huge Kelly Clarkson fan that I am, It's basically automatic that if Kelly is singing on it, I'm buying it. This song is really good. I was surprised to love it as much as I do. It's a great track to sing along to. I'm of the belief that any song Kelly is on will be fantastic and I was not disappointed. Don't really know about Ben Haenow but I'm I'll be looking into his other stuff now.
Adele - Hello (Single)
What can I say about Adele that hasn't already been expressed in a variety of ways? This woman has an awe inspiring talent that just leaves you blown away. It's been 4 years since Adele released an Album and I couldn't be more excited for 25. Her first single Hello is blows me away. The first time I listened to it I had goosebumps. Adele truly has the power to just leave you in awe. The song is everything we have come to expect and love about Adele. The tome and emotion really throws you. Can't wait to hear what else she has in store for us.
So those are my picks and I would definitely recommend a listen. If it's not your thing that's fine but at least give it a try. You never know what you might enjoy until you give it a try.
So I can proudly say that I am a newly declared Pentaholic as I've learned that's what Pentatonix fans call themselves. While I am a new fan that's not to say I've only just heard of Pentatonix. I've known of them for a couple of years now. Through Elvis Duran and The Morning Show I had come across and heard some of their amazing covers, most notably their Evolution Of covers. While they amazed me with their incredible talents I was more of a passing fan. While I enjoy acappella having performed acappella with my high school choir it wasn't until Pitch Perfect that I got really into it. I enjoyed seeing Pentatonix appear in a cameo in Pitch Perfect 2 and was happy to listen to them again. But it wasn't until I finally saw them perform during Kelly Clarkson's Piece By Piece Tour that I became a big fan. They blew me away with their performance. I was amazed how much fun they make acappella. It was a full blown concert performance. There were times I forgot it was acappella. The energy and personality they put into their shows just energizes you. Of course after the concert I had to have more from the group. I went into my iTunes and bought as much of their music I could afford and watched all of their videos on their YouTube channel. I learned more about the group became hooked.
Pentatonix performing in Chicago 8/1/15 on the Piece By Piece tour.
The members of Pentatonix consist of:
Scott Hoying - Baritone lead and backing vocals
Mitch Grassi - Countertenor lead and backing vocals
Kirstie Maldonando - Soprano lead and backing vocals
Avi Kaplan - Vocal bass, vocal percussion, bass lead and backing vocals
Kevin Olusola - Vocal percussion, beat-boxing, backing vocals and cello
As I began to get to know more about the group I learned that Scott, Mitch, and Kirstie actually grew up together in Arlington, Texas. While in high school the three arranged a performance of the Lady Gaga's song Telephone for a local radio contest. Although they did not win their YouTube video became a sensation and they continued performing. Finally in college Scott heard about the show The Sing Off, an acappella competition show, from a member of the acappella group he was currently in. He convinced Mitch and Kirstie to try out with him but they learned that they would need more members. Enter Avi, who Scott got introduced to through a mutual friend, and Kevin who they found via his viral YouTube video where he was beat-boxing and playing cello.
Piece By Piece tour Chicago 8/1/15
According to wikipedia the group "Pentatonix, as suggested by Scott Hoying, is named after the pentatonic scale, a musical scale or mode with five notes per octave. The group believed that the scale's five notes matched their membership. The group replaced the last letter with an 'x' to make it more appealing. The quintet derives its influences from pop, dubstep, electro, reggae, hip hop, and classical music."
They auditioned for The Sing Off and eventually found themselves being crowned the winners in the season three finale in 2011. In the years since they found much success releasing a string of EPs releasing many videos on their YouTube channel, continue having successful tours, had a successful Christmas album, guested on many television shows, they released a group documentary and have won a Grammy.
One of my favorite shots I got during the Piece By Piece tour Chicago 8/1/15
Each member of Pentatonix brings something really special to the group and their performances which makes them so well rounded. Their personalities are infectious as I've learned watching their documentary On My Way Home. They are such an amazing talent individually and together. They just recently released their first full length album with original music composed by the group and I love it. Still amazes me sometimes that's it's all done with their vocals. I will continue to follow the group and hope to see them live in concert again soon. I look forward to whatever they do next. If you get a chance check them out.
Here are a couple of my favorite Pentatonix covers:
Say Something Cover Save The World/Don't You Worry Child Cover
Why am I here? This is a question I find myself asking today. Things have been a shit storm the last few weeks. Everyday I find myself feeling more and more unimportant and useless. Just when I think I have a day that might seem good it gets shot to hell. So I ask myself why am I here? Honestly, can someone tell me? Despite a few good things, everything just seems to go wrong around me and it's making me doubt.
I want to run away. I want to start over. This can't be the only way to live my life. I know I messed up a lot along the way, but this can't be all I get. Is living even worth it at this point? That's the question.
The thoughts are sneaking in again. Getting hurt, dying. It feels inevitable that my life will end unfulfilled. I still don't see a bright future. Maybe this really is it. Maybe this is what I get. I'm just wasted potential. A girl who made the wrong choices in life and has to live with these dreary consequences. Left to ask myself if this is the way it's gonna be then why am I here? Why bother? I guess we'll have to see.
