Review: Take Me Home

By this point we all know One Direction. Whether you like it or not, you’ve heard at least one of their songs and you’ve found yourself with it stuck in your head. Now, hear me out when I say that that isn’t a bad thing. The 1D boys may produce candy coated pop tracks on a (double) platinum platter, but they do it with a lot of talent. Don’t write them off just because they’re perfectly coiffed, don’t pen their own stuff and spend their time on the Top 40s charts. 

While ‘Up All Night’ was a piece of solid pop dynamite, it left fans wondering about this band’s shelf life. (After all, the boy band life expectancy isn’t exactly the longest in the music industry.) Could they create another album with the right amount of head bobbing pop beats that didn’t sound like UAN 2.0? Or would they find themselves the victims of the sophomore slump?

Well, 1D fans, it is safe to say that the boys managed to pull off a piece of perfectly polished pop perfection. (I do so love alliteration, don’t you?) Boasting the likes of tracks like “I Would,” “Heart Attack,” and “Kiss You,” the boys show just how much they’ve learned from their boy band contemporaries. (Is it just me, or does it feel a helluva lot like the ’90s again?) ‘Take Me Home’ does what any good pop album sets out to do, and that’s make listeners want to dance. But it’s more than that.

With two songs from Ed Sheeran, the album manages to also create downtime for fans to catch a breather from the faster, punchy songs that surround them. They will also end up as fan favorites given it seems the popular consensus that Sheeran is a lyrical genius. 

It’s every bit of catchy as one would expect from 1D, and shows just how much the band has grown. Pulling from the likes of Queen for songs like “Rock Me” and Michael Jackson for “Heart Attack,” they manage to show, for lack of a better word, haters that they are more than just kids who listened to heavily synthesized pop music of the early ’00s. (A common misconception given the artists the boys actually listen to.) 

It does need to be said, however, that the ending track— at least the normal, not deluxe or yearbook edition ending track— isn’t one of the best album closers out there, leaving listeners, at least this listener, like they’re missing something. It’s a nice track, sure, but definitely one that could have been left on the cutting room floor, or at least made into a bonus track.

Maybe it isn’t mature in the fact that they didn’t decide to suddenly change genres, but the album does show that they’ve grown up quite a bit from the doe eyed, long haired teens of “The X Factor.” Fans of the band are undoubtedly going to love it, especially since they could probably release covers of The Wiggles and some listeners would still eat it up. (Okay, maybe not that far.) But what’s best is TMH will— or at least should— gain them respect from those who signed them off as a band with their fame handed to by Simon Cowell. 

‘Take Me Home?’ It’s an accurate title given that’s exactly what you’re going to want to do with this album.

4/5

Standout Tracks: “I Would,” “Kiss You,” “Heart Attack,” and “Over Again.”

‘Take Me Home’ drops November 13 via Syco and Columbia. 

Solo Artist of the Week: Olly Murs

http://www.facebook.com/ollymurs

Welcome my dearest readers to the first official Solo Artist of the Week! And who better to kick off this new branch of promotions than the one and only Olly Murs.

You see, as many of you may know, I have One Direction Infection bad. Like... real bad. If I had it in me to feel ashamed, I probably would be. Luckily enough, I have no shame. But I digress. This confession is necessary because it's thanks to One Direction that I know Olly Murs. Sure, I'd heard the name before and I knew of him, I just hadn't listened to him. Not because I didn't want to, mind you, but because I just never got around to it. So when I finally got around to really listening to Mr. Murs, it was at 1D's Atlanta concert just a few nights ago.

You see, hearing people live is probably one of my favorite ways to discover artists, because really if they're great live then of course they're going to be good on album. It's like the true test. I can love an artist based on performance alone. So when Olly came out and lit that stage on fire, it was needless to say that I needed him on my iPod, and I needed him there ASAP.

For those of you who don't know, Olly was the runner up in the The X Factor UK in 2009. You know, that same X Factor that gave us our beloved British boy band. (I just love alliteration, don't you?) He was slated as the dark horse of the competition, though if I'm being honest, this Joe McElderry must be pretty damn phenomenal because I can't think of any other reason why Olly would have been beat if it weren't for that.

He's just a really funny guy, freaking adorable, and SUCH an entertainer. You know when you can just tell that someone was born to perform? Yeah. That's how I feel about him. AND on top of that, his music is quite literally the musical personification  of sunshine and happiness. Wikipedia likes to classify it as pop/reggae fusion/ska/dance/soul, which is kind of a lot of different things to roll into one, but honestly, it's probably how I'd classify it as well. I seriously can't NOT be happy when listening to his tunes. Even his slower stuff is amazing. I'm also quite certain that "I Need You Now" was written from my head, okay. If you can't relate to it, you're cold and heartless.

Of course, he also performed "Superstitious" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and you guys should probably know that I freaking love Stevie Wonder too, so I may be just a tad biased.

But that's why I'm here, to tell you to look people up and decide for yourself if you think they're amazing as well! (Which you should, because right now I'm listening to him sing "Isn't She Lovely" and I just can't even handle it.)

PLEASE America, I BEG OF YOU, love Olly Murs so he can headline in the US and we can all fangirl over him and bask in the sunshiney happiness that is his music. And I mean, did I mention he's like, the cutest thing ever?

Go Download: WELL, first off, you can pick up a free remix of his single "Heart Skips A Beat" if you sign up for his newsletter. You can also pick up the original version of the single over on iTunes. And LASTLY, you should definitely pre-order his album which is released in the US on September 25 for jus $7.99, also on iTunes. Take it from me, it is worth SO much more than $7.99. (But you should know my favorite, hands down, is "I Need You Now.")

And if you have 10 minutes to spare for some Stevie Wonder Medley Goodness, check this out. You won't regret it. I promise.

Zach London

http://zachlondon.tumblr.com/

I've been missing for the past week. I even promised to give you a new artist/band and didn't hold up to that promise. Which makes me feel like a terrible person who should not be allowed to run a promotional blog and have Spanish homework at the same time. With that being said, I've been scratching my head trying to find who to break my mini hiatus with. I've had three solo artists queued for a bit, and I'm ever in the search for more bands, since, well... this is BANDS That Need Love Too. So finally, after much agonizing, I've decided to come back to you all with artist Zach London.

Much like the many that have come before him, Zach London was discovered through on of my various social networks. (Tumblr this time for all those wondering. I'm assuming he followed me due to the One Direction part of my blog, as I don't think the post-hardcore/pop-rock part of it wouldn't call out much to his genre lol.) What intrigued me so much about him is that none of his sites-- well, his Youtube, Tumblr and Facebook anyway-- are more than three months old, which leads me to believe he is seriously THAT brand spanking new.

Now, let's jump into his covers, shall we? That's right, all the guy has up right now are covers. Three on his Youtube and one on his Tumblr to be exact, but don't look anything into it, because each one is stunning. I'm particularly partial to his cover of Usher's "Climax." Maybe it's because I already loved the song to begin with, but Zach London breathes such a rich, smooth feel into it that I can't help but just sit back and feel like I'm rolling around in something completely decadent. (Think chocolate fondue for the ears, yeah?) Not that Usher DOESN'T deliver some rich R&B, but it's Mr. London here who takes it above and beyond, his tone the perfect breathy and light that makes it seem more like a heartbreak song than it sounds when Usher does it. (Let's be real, when Usher sings it, it's baby making music. Is that too far?)

He also covered One Direction's "More Than This," which is actually my least favorite of his covers. Not because I don't like it, because honestly I think this boy is great, but because it's too faithful to the original version. It's almost like I'm listening to 1D's long lost sixth member, and personally, I would like to hear more Zach London, because if I wanted to listen to 1D, I'd throw their album on.

His other two covers, Beyonce and Frank Ocean's "Miss You" and J. Cole's "Work Out" are both great covers. "Work Out" is almost tied with "Climax" as far as favorites go for Zach's covers. It's uptempo and is just fun. It's good stuff AND he made it his own.

I really, sincerely hope that we get new music from him soon, whether it be another cover or if it be something of his own. I think he can breathe some new life into the R&B/Pop scene and would GLADLY buy an album from him. So I think, you should get to liking him too. That way we all can point fingers and say I told you so when he makes it big :)

Go Download: It's a sad, sad day when I can't post a link for you to download anything, but hey, you can give his songs a listen on his Youtube!

Tich

http://www.youtube.com/user/Iamtichmusic

I'm a firm believer in checking out music that artists I like talk about. I mean, since I like them, it only stands to reason that I'd like what they listen to, at least a little, right? So when Louis Tomlinson tweeted about Tich's cover of "More Than This", I had to look into it, if not only for the fact that I love the song. What I ended up finding was a wonderful female vocalist who not only makes gorgeous covers of the songs I love, but who also makes amazing original songs.

If we're being honest, I was so excited to write the post about her, I almost double posted yesterday. But I exercised my self restraint and waited until this morning to post. Because of this remarkable self restraint I have (haha) I was able to become quite familiar with the songs she has on her youtube channel (I think I let her channel autoplay like.... four times in a row).

You see, Tich is the stage name of Rachel Furner, who started playing piano and writing music at quite a young age, so though she's only 20, she has the musicality of someone much older. Her voice is so clear and strong and I can't help but feel it's the voice that most female artists shoot to emulate, but never can. And because of that, I can't help but wonder how it is this girl isn't making radio rounds yet. Of course, I can only imagine it's a matter of time now before people pick up on how amazing she is as she has performed with artists such as Paolo Nutini, Pixie Lott, Justin Beiber and written music with Nick Jonas. (Oh, and in 2010 she performed at the iTunes Festival. Yeah.)

On top of all that, she just seems like such a genuine person. As we speak-- er... type-- her song "What I Meant To Say" is playing and the video consists of several clips of her and her friends just goofing off. Now, I like to pride myself in the fact that I'm an excellent judge of character, and this girl has the best kind of character. She not only captivates you with her music, but her personality.

Have I said enough about her to make you intrigued? No? Well, good, cuz I wasn't done yet anyway. You see, I was already pretty sold on Tich after the "More Than This" cover. I became completely sold upon hearing her cover of Queen's "No One But You." But the song that made Tich leap to the top of my favorite female vocalist list? Her own song "Breathe In, Breathe Out" that she wrote with Nick Jonas. The song is about the moment you realize you've fallen in love with someone, and who HASN'T been there before, right? But anyway, aside from the fact that it's so freaking relatable, she sings it SO passionately. I was completely blown away when I heard it. So much so in fact that I had to replay it just to make sure that I had heard what I thought I had. (If you were wondering, yes, I did. It still blows me away even though I'm sure I've added 100 views to the video.)

So yeah, I don't know if you guys get it at this point, but I think Tich is phenomenal. A lot of the comments on her youtube videos call for her to try out for X Factor, but if we're being honest, I don't think she needs it. She is wonderful on her own and I can't imagine she'll stay unknown for much longer. And if she does, than I have lost faith in the industry.

Go Download: Aside from the free download on her Facebook (which is also the Official Anti Bullying Ambassadors Campaign Song), we unfortunately don't have anything else to add to our iPods. Luckily, technology allows us to access youtube on just about anything now.

Have I mentioned that she's amazing yet? Thank you Louis!

All Night Affair

http://www.facebook.com/allnightaffair

It was pretty late last night/this morning when I decided it was time to go to sleep. I was drifting off when my email alert on my phone sounded. Now, normally, I would have ignored it and continued on my path to blissful coma but for some reason I was like "Let me just take a look at that." The email in question was none other than a Twitter follow from All Night Affair. Again, I probably would have ignored it until morning, but something kept me pressing forward and I found myself on All Night Affair's youtube channel. I clicked on the first video that had popped up-- a cover of The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)"-- and that was when I decided staying up had been an excellent decision. Then his cover of "One Thing" by One Direction caught my eye and that was when I decided on my next Band That Needs Love Too.

All Night Affair consists of Dylan Ronan, who hails from Boston, MA and one of the things that I find most interesting about Mr. Ronan upon going through his Facebook were his influences. How many people do YOU know cite The Maine, The Summer Set and Lady Antebellum under their influences? Not many.

His covers are spot on and I think they're a great way for reaching out to a larger audience but I think where the magic happens is on his own tracks. Currently I'm listening to "Long Way Home" and it's taking all I have not to air guitar to this solo and keep typing. Ronan's vocals are reminiscent of Bryce Avary in my opinion, and I love it. It's like he took all the best bits of the bands I love (The Rocket Summer, The Summer Set, etc) and shoved them all together to create lighthearted, happy, pop-rock. Quite fitting if I do say so myself, ya know, since it's summer and all.

If anything, this is the type of music you pop in when you're planning on being out in the sun. At a beach? All Night Affair. Roadtrippin'? All Night Affair. Chillin' in my backyard because the beach is too far and I don't have the money to roadtrip? All Night Affair.

I think you get the point. I also think you get that I'm really pushing for you to go listen to him. So what are you doing still here?!

Go Download: You can get "Long Way Home" for free on Facebook!

(I couldn't resist, okay.)

Emeli Sandé

http://www.facebook.com/emelisande

 Now, I know it has been a while. But for good reason. Not only have I been away trying to be a good student so that I can one day do this for a living, but I've also been away trying to find someone that I would be excited to talk about. I've come across so many acts that sound just like each other, and while I can appreciate them all, I was looking for something new and exciting. That new and exciting something came to me in the form of Emeli Sandé.

 My love for the Scottish soul and R&B singer is all due to tumblr. While perusing the One Direction tag (Yeah yeah, I know. I'm a fangirl. What can I say.) I saw a post about a song called "Read All About It Pt III." Now, I don't know what it was that pulled me to it, because it obviously was NOT One Direction-- though it did tie in and belong in the tag after I found out the reasoning-- but I just had to listen to it. Maybe it was because of the couple of lines of lyrics attached, or maybe it was because I was on this search for something to add to my iPod. Whatever it was, it led me to some of the most beautiful music I have listened to.

 You see, Sandé started as a songwriter, writing for acts like Tinie Tempah, Cheryl Cole, Professor Green and several others. Soon after she tried to break into the singing business as well, and eventually landed a record deal in 2011 with EMI Records. Now, not only has she boosted her writing resume to include Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle she's released her album 'Our Version Of Events.' And by released I mean she's released it in the UK already, where it entered the charts at #1. We here in the US have to wait until June 5 to own it (Or, you know, legally own it.) Can I also mention that she won the Brit for Critics' Choice at this year's Brit Awards? So she's already got the UK with her charm, and with the latest wave of British artists hopping the pond and trying to dominate the US (One Direction, The Wanted, Ed Sheeran, etc) I wouldn't be shocked if she puts us under her spell as well. (Fun Fact: She made her US television debut on April 19 on Conan! Check it out here!!)

 Now that we've talked all the fun background stuff, let's talk about the facts. The girl is fabulous. She has a gorgeous voice, she can play the piano and her lyrics are just downright beautiful. Her music is the stuff you pop in while sipping on a glass of wine and winding down after a long day or while your soaking in a nice long bath. It's the kind of music you pop in to get yourself focused. It's the kind of music that you listen to when you need a good cry. Most importantly, it's the type of music you put on when you just need to feel understood, because let's face it, Ms. Sandé is saying everything we have always wanted to say, just could never say it as eloquently.

 Not only that, but I believe that what she writes isn't written with the intention of making it a radio hit. She writes about are themes that people SHOULD be hearing about. In the description of her latest music video, "My Kind of Love," she wrote

During my time studying medicine, I found it hard to write, but one of the things that inspired me were the patients and the interaction that they had with their loved ones during their time of illness. When people arrived at the hospital, money and status became irrelevant and only health mattered, which sparked an honesty between people which was amazing. This interaction, declaration of support and love, was the inspiration for "My Kind Of Love" and something I wanted to try and portray in this video.

So yeah, I firmly believe that what she writes is art. It has surpassed the point of music and become something infinitely more beautiful. (Wow how many times can I say beautiful in one post?)

 Anyway, I think at this point you can tell that I'm completely in love with Emeli Sandé. Her album is amazing. Her videos are amazing. She's amazing. Signed, sealed, delivered. She's bringing something back to the music scene that I think has been sorely lacking, and I personally cannot wait to see more of her.

Go Download: You can preorder 'Our Version of Events' on iTunes for just $7.99, which is practically stealing. You also get her song "Next To Me" as soon as you do :)However, my personal favorites are "River" and "Read All About It Pt III." (Though "Read All About It Pt III" doesn't seem to be on the US version of the album.)

Why You Should Just Give In to Boy Band Era 3.0

If you're my age-- 20 for all those wondering-- chances are you remember *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys (I mean, my age group kind of grew up with them). And if you were anything like me, they were one of your very first band obsessions (if not the first). Some of you may even have the honor of calling one of them your first concert (I got to see *NSYNC for my 10th birthday). So obviously, if you were like me, when Boy Band Era 2.0 came to an end you were distraught. Sure a few popped up here and there, but none with the same gumption that captured our hearts like *NSYNC and BSB. That all changed when Big Time Rush hit the scene. You may argue with me on that, but I promise you, the Return of the Boy Band started with them. Unfortunately, I think they got the proverbial short stick as upon opening the gateway to this new era of boy band, they unleashed the likes of One Direction and The Wanted. That, however, is another blog all together. You see, if you're like me, you're relishing this resurgence of boy bands. You also have friends or know people who are NOT as enthusiastic as you are about this return. But why does it have to be that way? How can people blatantly hate such fun, happy music? Maybe it's because it's the cool thing to hate things that are popular, or maybe they just dislike adorable boys that sing adorable things. But I'd be willing to put my money on the fact that they are just worried about being judged for openly appreciating these groups and therefore make up for their secret shrines by drinking some haterade. (Am I allowed to say that still? Is my age showing?) That being said, here is a list of reasons why you SHOULDN'T feel guilty about nodding along to the catchy songs of Boy Band Era 3.0, because let's face it, you're probably gonna be hearing these songs for awhile.

1. These Aren't The Goody Two Shoe Boy Bands That You Grew Up With
Sure, maybe they look like it, and maybe their songs might show a bit of lighthearted nature (EX- "Every time you come around you put a lightning bolt on my face"), and their fangirls certainly do not help but do NOT get it twisted. These are boys ranging from 18-23 and two of the three aforementioned bands are from the UK where they aren't as uptight as those of us in the US. Maybe it's because I was like 7 when *NSYNC happened, but I don't think they ever did interviews like this. Nor do I remember them making music videos like this. (Dost mine eyes spy stomach licking?) So really, the argument that they are "too young" is a load of crock.

2. Like Any Boy Band, They Have The Looks


(Also, chances are if you're a red blooded female, you've already seen the new Ponystep photos, but just in case you missed them

(Also, I spy with my little eye a wet boy band)
Okay, maybe this was just so I could go through pages and pages of Google image results. I'm back on task now.

3. They Really Can Sing
Not that I am claiming my boys in *NSYNC and BSB can't. That would be the most blatant of all lies. However, let's take a second to listen to some of the trademark harmonies that come with boy bandom.



So, really, the "They can't sing and people only like them for their looks" argument is pretty invalid too.

4. They Have Impeccable Taste In Music
What does this have to do with anything you ask? Well, if they like good music, they are influenced by good music. You want a list of the artists that they appreciate?
One Direction: Two Door Cinema Club, The Fray, Queen, The Beatles, John Mayer and The Script.
Big Time Rush: Taking Back Sunday, Incubus, Donna Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Radiohead and even some broadway (Shout out to Carlos for his love of Rent!)
The Wanted: Oasis, Switchfoot, Queen, Coldplay and Boyz II Men.
So now I've just made your "They aren't 'real music' and don't know what 'real music' is" argument invalid. (And quite frankly this argument just makes me angry so before I go off on a tangent, I'm gonna move on.)

5. How Can You Hate Fun Music?
We all need a little happy from time to time, don't we? I'd be lying if I said that my iPod wasn't full of deep, meaningful songs that tug at the heartstrings or that make you think. But sometimes you just don't want to think. You just want to listen to something that blatantly lays it out there for you and has a catchy beat. And since when has that ever been a bad thing? Seriously. If you don't find yourself bobbing your head at least once to any of the following songs, you probably just don't have much of a sense of fun.



Yeah. Happy music. If you have an argument against happy music, you obviously just need more of it in your life.

6. They Can Also Tug Heartstrings
On the flipside of that, everyone loves a good ballad. Everyone. Especially one that makes you feel like YOU are the person your boy band of choice is singing to.



So there goes your "They only make stupid pop music" argument.

I could probably keep going, but let's be real, at this point I'm beating a dead horse. An extra dead horse. The main point of this is to point out that the majority of people who act like they dislike boy bands so much do so because they don't realize that there is no reason to hide a true like for them. of course, if you genuinely STILL don't like them, then you legit don't like them. And cool for you because that means you probably aren't 1) A female, 2) Between the ages of 12 and 25 or 3) A "hipster" that dislikes anything that is part of the "mainstream."