2015 is Insane So Far

Drake - If You're Reading This It's Too Late
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Action Bronson - Mr Wonderful
Dance Gavin Dance - Instant Gratification
Earl Sweatshirt- I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside
Tyler the Creator- Cherry Bomb

Man This Song is So Good

For real, even though Jonny Craig does/ did drugs, he's a great singer. He just kills it. Good thing he's off the heroin.

I Wanna Point Out

One man is largely responsible for most of the post-hardcore/screamo/metalcore music we hear today. It's this guy: Kris Crummett.

I'd be able to tell you the numerous albums he's produced including:
All Alesana CDs
Catherine
Dance Gavin Dance
Emarosa
The Devil Wears Prada
Fear Before the March of Flames

but wikipedia is down

Album of the Year 2011

I think it's an easy choice.

Runner up:

Downtown Battle Mountain 2

Ok soooo.

When it was announced that Jonny Craig would be coming back to DGD, I wasn't sure what to expect. Teaming back up after all that time apart? Downtown Battle Mountain was one of my favorite CDs of all time and that had been 4 years ago. They had some high expectations to live up to, especially after Self Titled and Happiness were so good. As soon as I got my hands on DBM2, I played it. I was nervous. But then the first song "Spooks" came on. And my fears were immediately laid to rest. The arpeggio guitar intro followed by Jonny's "Foo--ool your word means shit"came out of the gate and told us that they were back. They were going to take no prisoners and just go for it. If there was ever a question about whether or not they would be able to follow up DBM, it was answered within the first 5 seconds of the CD.

This CD blows my mind. Every song, amazing. Even the songs I didn't like, I love now.

Highlight of this CD is obviously Jonny Craig. He is so good. There is a part in every song where I will listen to the song just to hear Jonny. Beginning of Spooks. "Riiiise abboove!" in Pounce Bounce. "And I swear this won't end soon" in Robot with Human Hair. Beginning of Thug City. "give it up" in Need Money. All of Elder Goose. "Feel the cracks of my skin, feel the souls of my feet now go" from Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you" in Blue Dream. "I won't let it break my self esteem" in Privilously Poncheezied. "My words are cheap, my thoughts are deep, cutting right through your soul" in Swan Soup. Everything in Purple Reign. He has swag, soul, sadness and passion in every note he sings. He is not a technical musician, but he knows melody like no one else that I can think of.

And that's not to say he's the only good part. Matt Mingus is incredible on the kit. He's been good forever. I especially love his use of double bass. His whole style is really tight and controlled, providing the perfect backing, but also being very talented once examined. Will Swan on the guitar is amazing, providing so many varied types of riffs, perfectly executed.

It sits on this weird boundary of art that's suppose to make sense but the thing itself actually does not make a whole lot of sense. Jon Mess has said in the past that lots of his lyrics are dreams he's had, and Jonny Craig's lyrics are mostly about sleeping with girls; none of them really fit that cohesively together. However, they fit melodically. They interrupt each other enough to not let the other get boring. The two bonus tracks, while decent, are not on the same level as the cd. The reason: only one singer on each of them. So, were stuck. If they can't write a piece of music that makes sense, and have it work, what do you do? You feel the music. There's a soul in there that comes out like it does in post rock. There are no words in postrock, yet it is emotionally impacting. It doesn't matter what mess is yelling about and its almost irrelevent what jonny is singing (unless you are obsessed with girls. Then its spot on swag).

To set the record straight

I guess people are finding this blog, so I want to take some time and say this. I like Jonny Craig. His actions regarding the macbooks were unquestionably immoral and wrong. However, those actions were spurred on by drugs and drugs make you do that kinda wacked up shit. He's clean now and seems to want to be a better person and I wholly support that. I love his voice and I really like his style. He's not the nicest person in the world (cmon he is not Vic Fuentes) but I'm not either. I think he's hilarious. His twitter is so funny. And he's handling everything that's happening actually pretty well.

The new DGD cd is incredible. Jonny kills it in every song and I can't wait for him to do more. I wish I could sing like him. And I wish I could pull off the mullet like he does.

And I Told Them I Sent the Mac Book

So I've spent the better part of yesterday and some of today simply reading about Jonny Craig's scandal. So I should at least show part of what I found.

Also, this makes him a fucked up person and all. But fuck he just kills at from 2:30 - 2:55 on "The Robot with Human Hair Pt. 2 1/2".

Also, Jon Mess is a really funny and intelligent guy. He doesn't give a fuck almost as much as Jonny. Except he's not a scumbag who scams his own fans out of money for drugs. If it was for rent or food, then maybe. Not heroin.

Dude

This guy is a douche bag. I can understand just being a prick. I give people the benefit of the doubt in that case. But scamming? No sympathy. I hope he goes to jail. If it's the drug's fault, maybe he'll get clean and become a better person. I hope so. His voice is so lovely.

DGD/Architects

Good

Single is good.

I Think It's Official

I'm Obsessed With Dance Gavin Dance
All Their Stages
Are Things I Want To Listen To!

The Timbre of a Voice

I do have many things to talk about in music. Though I don't really know how to connect them all. Firsssst.
Well, let's take the best voices in music (save maybe Anthony Green) and make them all do harmonies together. Yes, Jonny Craig, Craig Owens and Vic Fuentas all sound fantastic together. I want a fully produced and finished E.P. I demand it.
Jonny Craig. Jonny Jonny Jonny. What an amazing vocalist. He's emphatic and passionate. His solo project's CD should be good. I'm really digging the song Istillfeelher Part III. Let's hope the rest is just as good. It's also too bad he messes up bands.
This CD is amazing. Jonny here isn't the main focus, rather an intricate part of the entire package. He's so amazing. Yet Jonathon Mess's screaming is also standout and incredible here. So good.
Speaking of Isles and Glaciers, this CD is also very good. I can't wait for the new one.
Speaking of really good CDs, this one is fucking amazing as well. The lyrics are happily insightfully angsty. The music is fast and fun. I need to listen to more things like this. Let's talk about the stuff I'm listening that's bad.
Bad Romance is a catchy song, what can I say?

Jonny Craig

Ha, since I haven't been working, I spend a lot less time writing about music now....Anyway. I've been listening to a lot of Jonny Craig lately. Emarosa, old Dance Gavin Dance, and his apperence in that MikeyWhiskyHands track, which really sparked this whole thing.
He just delivers so much emotion through every word he sings. It's pretty incredible. The song "Set It Off Like Napalm" is a real highlight of his vocal abilities, as well as a good outing from his supporting band members.