tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9253840090990675232024-03-12T23:42:36.476-05:00ABE HARB ║ WRITERUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-40682510761379516172023-03-07T12:25:00.025-06:002023-06-15T12:30:24.304-05:00 From Coast to CoastBy Abrahim Harb<div style="text-align: left;"><br />Trading in subway rides for bike rides –<br />Trading in a 4th floor apartment without an elevator for something more manageable –<br />Trading in life without needing a car for life most likely needing a car –<br />Trading in snow worn concrete for sun soaked concrete –<br />Trading in a short season for sweater weather for a longer season of sweater weather –<br /><i> (Trading their cold weather heavy wardrobe for lighter layers, if you’re asking me…)</i><br /></div><br />Trading Broadway for beaches –<br />Trading in Saturday walks across the Brooklyn Bridge for Saturday hikes in the El Cajon Mountains –<br />Trading in Prospect Park for Balboa Park –<br />Trading in Fort Hamilton for Naval Base San Diego –<br />Trading in the Brooklyn Museum of Art for the San Diego Museum of Art –<br />Trading in bodega’s for markets –<br />Trading in late night $1 slices of New York pizza for California style pizza –<br />Trading in hot dogs, bagels, and deli sandwiches for fish tacos, oysters, and carne asada burritos –<br /><i> (Trading one foodie city for another, if you’re asking me…)<br /></i><br />Trading summer trips to upstate New York for summer trips to Mexico –<br />Trading in Manhattan and Staten Island for Chula Vista and La Mesa –<br />Trading New Jersey and Philadelphia for Arizona and Nevada –<br />Trading in flights clocking in at 2 hours and 30 minutes from LGA for 4 hour flights from SAN –<br />Trading in the city that never sleeps for a city where the sun never stops shining –<br /><i> (Just like the famous saying - if they can make it there, they can make it anywhere…)</i><span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-64291677327474030872023-02-15T12:42:00.005-06:002023-04-25T14:09:49.156-05:00To My Children…By Abrahim Harb<br /><br />I’ll be watching you from somewhere near the sun –<br />Don’t lose your smile –<br />And after a while, go have some fun.<br /><br />You are born – and at some point,<br />your maker converts your mission –<br />It is no longer earthbound –<br /><br />It’s the circle of life.<br />Ashes to ashes.<br />Dust to dust. <br /><br />No matter what earthly success I have accrued –<br />None of it matters, bid it adieu.<br />Because I’ve started brand new.<br />Mourn my transition to guardian angel.<br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><div>It’s your mission now –<br />Keep my memory alive –<br />But most of all, go out and thrive,<br />until your last bow.<br /><br />Remember those summer weekends in the backyard – and those cold winter mornings getting stuck in the snow – and those early summer days preparing the garden. <br /><br />Remember all the laughs – and all the empty tissue boxes – and all the childhood weekend trips to Wisconsin – and all the holidays – and birthdays. <br /><br />Remember all your first times – and all the serious moments – and all the long nights in college – and all the early mornings to come. <br />Remember it all –<br />or as much as you can – <br /><br />Record it –<br />take pictures<br />or videos<br />or voice recordings<br />or simply write it down –<br /><br />Because one day you will be with me again… <br /><br />Watching over loved ones from somewhere near the sun –<br />Hoping they don’t lose their smile –<span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-1453587876501858082022-03-28T13:33:00.007-05:002023-06-15T10:19:46.558-05:00To All the African-American Women of the Past, Present, and Future…By Abrahim Harb<br /><br />I have been daydreaming about history again. <br /><br />Later that night, I found a pen and paper –<br />At first, I go off memory, but quickly expand to web research.<br /><br />To Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Angela Davis, and Marsha P. Johnson…<br />For teaching us that we are not powerless in the face of uncertain political landscape – <br /><br />To Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden…<br />For teaching us about patience and understanding our value because hidden figures are eventually revealed –<br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /><div>To Madame C.J. Walker and Oprah Winfrey…<br />For teaching us about being an entrepreneur with integrity and respect – <br /><br />To Michelle Obama…<br />For teaching us that being your best self means taking care of yourself –<br /><br />To Coretta Scott King…<br />For teaching us about keeping a movement alive by carrying on for Martin Luther King Jr. –<br /><br />To Maya Angelou, Ida B. Wells, Zora Neale Hurston, Shonda Rhimes, and Janet Mock…<br />For teaching us how to write our stories, the stories of our ancestors, and storytelling in general –<br /><br />To Shirley Chisholm…<br />For teaching us about perseverance while being a catalyst of change –<br /><br />To Simon Biles…<br />For teaching us about creating boundaries and sticking to them –<br /><br />To Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion…<br />For teaching us about holding our own in a space where we are the minority and to do it with confidence – <br /><br />To Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross…<br />To Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, and Janelle Monáe…<br />To Hattie McDaniel, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, Josephine Baker, and Diahann Carroll…<br />To Cicely Tyson, Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, and Regina King…<br />For teaching us how to mine our experiences and emotions to harvest them into meaningful art –<br /><br />To Moms Mabley, LaWanda Page, and Marsha Warfield…<br />To Wanda Sykes, Mo’Nique, and Whoopi…<br />To Maya Rudolph, Tiffany Haddish, and Issa Rae…<br />For teaching us laughter is really the best medicine, whether it was a belly laugh, a cackle, giggle or nervous laugh – <br /><br />To the chefs - and vets - and activists - and educators - and stay at home parents - and hidden figures - and IT professionals - and graphic designers - and entrepreneurs - and assistants - and medical professionals - and storytellers - and agriculturists - and anthropologists - and performers - and masonry workers - and mental health professionals - and musicians - and to all the creative types - and behind the scenes production staff - and to all the others I could not mention; you are not forgotten - my notepad has 2 pages left and I will wake the house if I go rummaging for more paper at this hour –</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-20241607834197298362019-09-27T10:05:00.011-05:002023-05-16T01:02:43.272-05:00A house built in 1955 was her childhood homeBy Abrahim Harb<br />
<br />
44 years are uncounted for out of the 64 year history of this building. <br />
<br />There must be some be a box packed away in a storage unit with the history of the unaccounted years.<br />
<br />
From the street, you can see the front door, stairs, porch and 3 front windows;<br />
<br />
(She has a flashback to the one evening where her dog was perched at the top of the stairs like a gargoyle guarding a castle during a summer hangout.)<div><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /></div><div>From the alley, you can see directly through the exposed home to her childhood bedroom;<br />
<br />
(She has a flashback to the one day where for the first time her dad told the story of how her parents met in an office, which years later would become her bedroom.)<br /><br />
The broken promises & the broken dreams & the unbroken promises & the unbroken dreams;<br />
Long days & long nights & early mornings & short evenings;<br />
Hopes & dreams of a child; hopes & dreams of a young adult; hopes & dreams of a new mother;<br />
<br />
They've all turned into a pile of broken bricks after 20 years -<br />
<br />
& the hopes & dreams of a 30-something woman emerge from the broken bits of wood, glass & brick.<br />
<br />
She rises through the dust of her past with her young child trailing behind her.<br />
<br />
A door closes.<br />
<br />
Then I hear a voice behind me.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> "They demolished it yesterday."</i><br />
<br />
I stay silent for a moment & don't turn around to see who it is.<br />
<br />
<i> "I know - </i></div><div><i> My best friend & her dad were the last people to live here. </i><br />
<i> I was going to get them some bricks..."</i><br />
<br />
I trail off & never finish my thoughts.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> "Well, what are you waiting for, they own those bricks."</i><br />
<br />
He walks up to the rubble without hesitation & begins to search.<br />
I spot a perfect brown brick in the pile that isn't broken & silently move straight towards it.<br />
The man notices & departs without exchanging any words, as if it was a brief encounter between friends at a coffin during a funeral.<br />
I return to the same spot in the alley -<br />
& wonder what the pile of mostly broken bricks would say if walls could talk. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-81382279409418189182019-09-16T09:23:00.006-05:002023-04-25T13:25:34.986-05:00Album Review: Charli [3.5/5 stars]<div>
By Abrahim Harb<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEKYSBelXPH8y2b8iH19UYgMg0tulBQu672gferNyT2Ew6qpYYsSKw1qaQzjhC0vBuA3tdwiGPv2Sf6k-xJkTSNQ6NRj7Wvv4ZxwCcPh_TEbuFwU0UsLykFP9RM-AYFW9m8t9pK8OYA3b/s1600/Charli+by+Charli+XCX+.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEKYSBelXPH8y2b8iH19UYgMg0tulBQu672gferNyT2Ew6qpYYsSKw1qaQzjhC0vBuA3tdwiGPv2Sf6k-xJkTSNQ6NRj7Wvv4ZxwCcPh_TEbuFwU0UsLykFP9RM-AYFW9m8t9pK8OYA3b/w200-h200/Charli+by+Charli+XCX+.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/386IqvSuljaZsMjwDGGdLj?si=67HnZmpIRjKvwx8mq9W6aA" target="_blank">"Charli"</a> is Charli XCX's third full length studio release, but fifth album. The entire album can be summarized in 3 words: Sci-Fi, gothic, futurism. The album bounces between ballads (tracks like "Warm" or "White Mercedes") and Sci-Fi gothic futurism (tracks like "Shake It") bops. It uses an adventurous production style, but it's not unpleasant either. It merges pop music with Sci-Fi futurism vibe effortlessly with thick, but not heavy echoing vocals and metallic sounding instrumentals. The beat never swallows Charli or her various features vocals. Her music continues to love pop music but still she revolts against pop music. The juxtaposition of the 2 makes this album float, instead of sinking. There are many features, but they are all strategic and it doesn't overwhelm listeners.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first track "Next Level Charli" is a prologue for the album (perhaps intentionally?) with its mix of this metallic beat and quick (and catchy) lyrics that sets the scene for the rest of the album. She wastes no time previewing what is to come. Her taste in collaborators is ripped right out of the top 40 of pop playlist. It keeps things fresh and contributes to the success of this album. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She doesn't hold out on listeners only to reveal her bag of tricks later in the album - the second track on the album is "Gone" and features Christine and the Queens. The track quickly resorts back to standard synth-pop which is how the album reconciles between the Sci-Fi futurism and pure pop sounds. The shallow beat lets the lyrics settle in and the topic is very relatable as she recounts having an anxiety attack and feeling alone in the crowd.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although it's mindless and fun pop music, "1999" featuring Troye Sivan is a standout track. It majestically blends nostalgic (lyrical content) with futurism (beat) to create the epicenter of true pop music - a song that seems hallow on the surface, but has actual meaning. Charli and Troye are pay homage to "those days" that were so much better when they were playing air guitar or watching "All That" or singing to "...Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears. You've got to dig back into the future in order to propel yourself into the future that the year hasn't even come yet. In contrast to "1999," a track later in the album, "2099" trades the smooth and glossy electro-pop production of the early 2000's for this Sci-Fi futuristic punchy sonic vocal and musical production.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Click" (features Kim Petras and Tommy Cash) is bombastic and the filler track each album needs. This is Charli, Kim, and Tommy's chance to brag and be over the top. "Warm" features HAIM and the tropical electro-synth head bopping track blends Charli's pop sensibility with HAIM's pop-rock bass guitar, keyboard, and vocal stylings. It doesn't sound like a song by Charli XCX with HAIM plopped right in the middle. "I Blame It on your Love" is a pure pop offering that melds the 2 artists without one artist carrying more weight than the other. We've all heard those type of songs and thought why did they jump on this track? It services itself for Lizzo and Charli to promote each other since they share a record label. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"White Mercedes" is a ballad where she "I don't deserve you" slips out of her mouth with sincerity as she talks about a relationship that is like a gas guzzling vehicle. It burns gas until there is nothing left, you hate that it does that, but you still drive it. Does "Shake It" even have any vocals from Charli XCX? It features Big Freedia, CupkcakKe, Brooke Candy, and Pabllo Vittar. It sounds like 4 different tracks about the same topic with interludes in between. It throws caution to the wind. What artist is so confident in a track they put on an album that they don't even have vocals on it?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The album production is very frosty and metallic, but never repetitive. Each track provides something new for our ears to enjoy. Charlie XCX, her producers, and the features on this album tell a good story and borrows from all corners of the world of music production. It starts in 1999 and the second last song concludes the story, with the last song being her blast off into the future. The innovative production smears and distorts vocals and instrumentals to create something familiar yet so Sci-Fi futuristic. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Check out all things Charli XCX at <a href="https://charlixcx.com" target="_blank">https://charlixcx.com</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-71129600922893445422019-06-11T09:50:00.000-05:002023-02-15T12:51:44.214-06:00First Day, Last Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFUSwSh_BQ0yN9laEWv5hJm3ywTy6-YbLowpGGHFAENkYOOBZ-Ebvq5KRFOKNCvVhaBJxU0ngP5grjMH-Ohyphenhyphen7THwcqald6TuDXxYidF5gPhNjixBxpGKa9kyH9sZ4yf8aQNUlD-jHUwSc/s1600/First+Day%252C+Last+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFUSwSh_BQ0yN9laEWv5hJm3ywTy6-YbLowpGGHFAENkYOOBZ-Ebvq5KRFOKNCvVhaBJxU0ngP5grjMH-Ohyphenhyphen7THwcqald6TuDXxYidF5gPhNjixBxpGKa9kyH9sZ4yf8aQNUlD-jHUwSc/s400/First+Day%252C+Last+Day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(June 11, 2019 at 9:50 AM - June 17, 2019 at 12:15 PM)</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-45210271237772288482019-05-02T17:56:00.000-05:002023-02-15T12:51:44.211-06:00Wet Flower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH34uyofp0-8VygntgfJCqGXsle7psKp9-4yF7MCe7Qdf3tKY8u137mB5oWAiYZy7zwrsXzDNOQDcCDpzCa-x2wUOCLr8U7nAMmakC4Agj2DDB6FYcHAi3V8fLi6JVo6E3ldM_AXRuGP-/s1600/Wet+Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH34uyofp0-8VygntgfJCqGXsle7psKp9-4yF7MCe7Qdf3tKY8u137mB5oWAiYZy7zwrsXzDNOQDcCDpzCa-x2wUOCLr8U7nAMmakC4Agj2DDB6FYcHAi3V8fLi6JVo6E3ldM_AXRuGP-/s320/Wet+Flower.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-30994189472660997672019-02-18T08:10:00.000-06:002023-02-15T12:54:33.493-06:00Winter Blues from the Chicago Blue Line Train Platform<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPGIStFf0mTC9WKwsxOpegmkLPTD1yfX1-j_8Zuxy1rYJLz8XCZqXdwX3_kXDnO_TPWE8bnUA7URE-LV68baK0UkPYqC4KXpunoXS-pM2i2Y1keMNENJU3xXO4yDnY1VmU52p9F0DfguY/s1600/Winter+Blues+from+the+Chicago+Blue+Line+Platform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPGIStFf0mTC9WKwsxOpegmkLPTD1yfX1-j_8Zuxy1rYJLz8XCZqXdwX3_kXDnO_TPWE8bnUA7URE-LV68baK0UkPYqC4KXpunoXS-pM2i2Y1keMNENJU3xXO4yDnY1VmU52p9F0DfguY/s320/Winter+Blues+from+the+Chicago+Blue+Line+Platform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-4629660887273937672018-07-26T23:26:00.000-05:002023-02-15T12:51:44.208-06:00Guardian Angel (Pt. 2) Version 1, 2, and 3<div style="text-align: center;">
Guardian Angel Pt. 2<br />
Version 1<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyemyp1ojjcbpYdjeiMUJBH2RXwpFCLok-SoS4KEszfUWDNCjOFWAOSvuTmg1xnv4DylL14SJYB7rQROeiM9VTNOK6vjiBPltjwHHBX0YSK2_kkknWOdVlDeSlr2EYdXfofJoNrg2eYwr/s1600/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25281%2529.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyemyp1ojjcbpYdjeiMUJBH2RXwpFCLok-SoS4KEszfUWDNCjOFWAOSvuTmg1xnv4DylL14SJYB7rQROeiM9VTNOK6vjiBPltjwHHBX0YSK2_kkknWOdVlDeSlr2EYdXfofJoNrg2eYwr/s320/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Guardian Angel Pt. 2<br />
Version 2<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kslzIeiW8RUx3Mh4RTNysTCYUa6JF7jynf6bPM9_wcg5hyL-yNFsFnxYEhXu4kgblMgkmogM4BSWpXRbHbLMvO0xhOvS0dhyphenhypheneqdWnk0-xu3Ti9VgZEcpJwR20Ayy5e143HKf-oyoRhmA/s1600/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25282%2529.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kslzIeiW8RUx3Mh4RTNysTCYUa6JF7jynf6bPM9_wcg5hyL-yNFsFnxYEhXu4kgblMgkmogM4BSWpXRbHbLMvO0xhOvS0dhyphenhypheneqdWnk0-xu3Ti9VgZEcpJwR20Ayy5e143HKf-oyoRhmA/s1600/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25282%2529.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kslzIeiW8RUx3Mh4RTNysTCYUa6JF7jynf6bPM9_wcg5hyL-yNFsFnxYEhXu4kgblMgkmogM4BSWpXRbHbLMvO0xhOvS0dhyphenhypheneqdWnk0-xu3Ti9VgZEcpJwR20Ayy5e143HKf-oyoRhmA/s320/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Guardian Angel Pt. 2<br />
Version 3<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ08wOWwyqFqSo2QR7P74oZFaz8F_5tsAb_1C0x-00aLcgNeOEEVBW3dkl23B09dHu2hFx9G7EnM3ktoO386hR4P3KWnH-bylugA7Jf2ncyQv-egJjzvGU3ky5OhRmLdP0aEo-8iULjCS/s1600/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25283%2529.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ08wOWwyqFqSo2QR7P74oZFaz8F_5tsAb_1C0x-00aLcgNeOEEVBW3dkl23B09dHu2hFx9G7EnM3ktoO386hR4P3KWnH-bylugA7Jf2ncyQv-egJjzvGU3ky5OhRmLdP0aEo-8iULjCS/s320/Guardian+Angel+%2528Pt.+1%2529+%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-36475073953024635272018-05-14T13:39:00.003-05:002023-04-25T13:29:12.406-05:00Album Review: Voicenotes [4.5/5]<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpWqygvuZsfd6vq6zJRYLnJM0U7IR03ITjJuVN06LQz_67c5U_aXvlW88kVuUzv7QHXiVPXuUa1tJLBwTjwH-e3QLED3__LQHa818_7V8NqtAPb5lV4S_ZTytG26hgzRwQFahyphenhyphen5Fti8v2/s1600/Charlie+Puth+-+Voicenotes.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpWqygvuZsfd6vq6zJRYLnJM0U7IR03ITjJuVN06LQz_67c5U_aXvlW88kVuUzv7QHXiVPXuUa1tJLBwTjwH-e3QLED3__LQHa818_7V8NqtAPb5lV4S_ZTytG26hgzRwQFahyphenhyphen5Fti8v2/s200/Charlie+Puth+-+Voicenotes.jpg" width="200" /></a>Charlie Puth's second album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0mZIUXje90JtHxPNzWsJNR?si=U0r8LraeQmiwcOJRANV8lg" target="_blank">"Voicenotes"</a> takes an introspective look into the paranoia of being a 20-something in LA, the land of plastic and ego stroking where you can't trust the person to your left or right. This album is a call back to the 80's and 90's R&B scene blended with contemporary pop. The album tells a complete story about lack of trust, shallow action, and fear of being traded for the next best thing - although I don't always believe the emotions are ones he's felt - the vocals are top notch and this is a great step in the right direction of shedding his squeaky-clean reputation. His personality comes out more and he is exploring this dilemma he has trying to find the balance of staying himself and maturing in LA.<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He starts off the album with "The Way I Am" which kicks off the events that happened in Hollywoodland. He distinguishes himself as someone who isn't into the Hollywood scene of doing things to be seen. Insecurities come out right away and he never tries to hide them. He is differentiating himself from the LA types from the get-go acting like he is trapped on the West Coast. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But before we get the chance to digest those feelings, "Attention" starts to vomit his distain of LA. His falsetto is light and packs a punch. The feelings from the last track spill over into the next track, "LA Girls," where he blanket statement professes his distain for, well, LA girls. Yet, he still continues to show up to parties? He misses the West Coast, but still finds himself trying to enjoy LA. "How Long" chronicles a story that makes you wonder how involved he was in the story he is recounting. Is this a generic feeling he is trying to capture? He is discussing his infidelity and the moment he was confronted by his significant other. The perspective is refreshing because he bounces between her point of view and his - almost like a conversation and shows that even in this moment where he looks insensitive, he is still being very sensitive. "Done for Me" is seductive and features Kehlani. Both their vocals blended are dynamic and danceable. Puth unleashes his soulful side and Boys II Men round out the vocals on the a capella track, "If You Leave Me Now". Lyrically and sonically this song is a classic, you're not sure what era it's from. Is it an homage to the peak of R&B or from the peak of R&B? <br />
<br />
For those younglings who are into dating older people, "BOY" is your anthem. Puth recounts the time he was rejected by an older woman and refuses to accept the rejection reason - "'Cause I was born in the 90's". The vocal layering This track is the perfect cryptic message if this indeed did happen. Either way the sentiment digs its nails into your back flipping a low moment in his romantic life into a standout track. Puth and James use "Change" as a pre-cursor to the conclusion of the album with it's kumbaya, lets sing around the campfire feel with the sparse production of just a guitar and piano. Just when you think things are going well, "Somebody Told Me" pivots to a moment when he trusted his insecurities and gut. This track is the moment when Puth confronts a lover who was only half in love with him. Puth gets over this by talking to a woman who has a boyfriend in "Empty Cups" that he meets at a party and things are clearly pointing towards something sexual. The West Coast has officially consumed Puth. The conclusion to this story is "Through it All" a run of the mill and cliché ending to this intriguing story. His vocals are solid.<br />
<br />
He is homesick and this album helps him get over his problems with the LA vibe he gets. The album isn't a steep departure from his first album, but he has writing and producing credit on every track. The approach is nuanced and vocally consistent. But the album is filled with bops and that is undeniable. The ownership of your creativity is more important than huge strides in musical offerings when it comes to lyrical content growth. <br />
<br />
Check out all things Charlie Puth at <a href="http://www.charlieputh.com/" target="_blank">www.charlieputh.com</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-23093151725516052362016-12-29T13:44:00.000-06:002017-01-12T15:48:47.183-06:00No Light, No LightBy Abrahim Harb<br />
If something feels off,<br />
it is—<br />
<br />
The lamp bulb smashed as I stare off into the distance—<br />
And I walk across the sparsely lit bridge to clean the mess.<br />
<br />
One piece of glass wedges in my big toe.<br />
I lunged forward in pain—<br />
And another piece wedges in my heart.<br />
I fall backwards, grasping my chest, only to have a bigger shard of glass stab my backside.<br />
<br />
Building walls—burning bridges—erasing paths—and unraveling life.<br />
<br />
The color of the pristine carpet is altered by shards of glass dripping tears and blood—the carpet fibers soak the concoction.<br />
And then we never spoke again.<br />
<br />
I burn the bridge to create light—<br />
<br />
Sit by the bank of the river, weep, laugh, cackle, and many other emotions ooze through—<br />
Suddenly, there is illumination to assist in moving onward.<br />
<br />
The axe forgets, but the tree remembers. <br />
The tree is what made the bridge. <br />
The bridge is what connected the two.<br />
And the two are no longer two who walk the same path. <br />
The path required erasure from nonexistence.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-67880264313558246162016-10-16T23:30:00.003-05:002023-04-25T11:31:08.948-05:00Album Review: Mad Love. [4/5 stars]<div style="text-align: justify;">
By Abrahim Harb<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObY946pIaeH6lpNSulu9YlvTW5_jM-oEkNCY6aaPf90rsqmwAsiKYGjUO-VGUxNguLid3JmRJLU-3anSVU8sbaUZ_NOJAo5PJYKY6_bQQcDwotxXbGdYPVM-LwLv5u47_lRG3iiaCD55C/s1600/Jojo.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObY946pIaeH6lpNSulu9YlvTW5_jM-oEkNCY6aaPf90rsqmwAsiKYGjUO-VGUxNguLid3JmRJLU-3anSVU8sbaUZ_NOJAo5PJYKY6_bQQcDwotxXbGdYPVM-LwLv5u47_lRG3iiaCD55C/s200/Jojo.png" width="200" /></a>JoJo is back after more than a decade. After a lengthy <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/jojo-sues-break-free-label-597349" target="_blank">legal battle with her former record label, Blackground Records</a>, she is back. Her professional career was derailed by record label drama. She isn't the first or the last to have it happen. But the length of time JoJo wasn't producing music hasn't opened the door for her to disappear into obscurity. During this time where she was in limbo, JoJo released one-off singles and mixtapes. Nothing was going to stop this artist from doing what she loves and her fans never left her side. In an interview with <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2015/10/jojo-fighting-the-major-label-man-in-her-own-words.html" target="_blank">Vulture</a>, she said, "I still have people who want to hear me, which is a pretty unique position to be in after this journey." She has writing credit on every track. "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/03B7yRw8C4i7Vuxxjy8RJw?si=C7QERrxwTqimk8Hm5kkzSQ" target="_blank">Mad Love.</a>" is a continuation of what JoJo would have been as an artist had she not been derailed.<br />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From an evolution perspective, she was granted time to grow as an artist sonically and experiment, without releasing music that could flop. JoJo is leaping back on a train that she laid rails for years ago. However, this album does lack cohesion. JoJo has much to say, but the theme of no holding back runs rampant across the genre jumping tracks. She is also driven by self-empowerment and self-awareness in each track.<span><a name='more'></a></span><br />
"Mad Love." (the title of the album and each track are stylized with a period on the end) starts with "Music.," a piano and vocal drive ballad chronicling her struggle in the music industry and is an ode to her father who passed away last year. The bare vocals heighten the message of the song. We have all encountered obstacles and encountered death, JoJo uses this opportunity to pull at our heartstrings in this autobiographical track. The love note to music itself isn't hallow, it will give you chills and she doesn't over sing, per the usual. If you aren't brought to the brink of tears with lyrics like, "“Went on the road to make my daddy proud. But I lost him and then I sang to the crowd. My only hope is that he’s looking down thinking, ‘Oh my God, my daughter’s doing it now,’” you have no soul. "I Can Only." features Alessia Cara and falls in the realm between anthem and ballad. Both ladies crank out vocals that are radio ready. "Fuck Apologies." features Wiz Khalifa "FAB." stands for fake ass b*****s and warrants the inclusion of a rapper feature a la Remy Ma. The two ladies take this opportunity to diss fake ass b*****s. The song is ridiculous, but necessary. It happens in every stage of life, snakes come into your life and you must make sure the venom they dig into your body is sucked out rapidly.<br />
<br />
The title track, "Mad Love." is an R&B jam that saunters in what made her famous. JoJo is able to run the full range in her repertoire, with care not to over-sing. This track also kicks off a series of tracks where she is sexually liberating herself. The R&B finger snaps from the last track transfer over to "Vibe." This track paints a true picture of what activities someone of her age would be engaging in. JoJo is digging a guy and she doesn't want him to kill her vibe. In "Honest.," she is just that and will not subject herself to any standards, unless they are set by herself. This track dissects a relationship that brings nothing positive to her life. Her angelic voice soars high as she scoffs in the face of those who don't like her prerogative. This track should have been the first track on this album as an introduction to her unabashed truth. Someone has JoJo a guy all sorts of twisted in "Like This." and she is going to use that to her advantage. The slick production creates an ambiance that speaks for itself. Edibles." begins to wrap up the story and "High Heels." ends the chunk of songs about sexual liberation. JoJo is done with this guy messing with her feelings and has her stuff packed and ready to go. She plans on coming out on top and refuses to be played. The end of the standard version is "I Am.," a track that mirrors the production in the first track—a perfect book end—and a wonderful wrap up. She proclaims unobstructed self-love for her as a human and artist.<br />
<br />
The deluxe version includes 4 tracks. "Clovers" The song gives her fans (especially the ones who shed adolescence alongside her) the language to describe the transition into adulthood. However, the production makes you dizzy and creates a impending headache. Perhaps this is a metaphorical choice? JoJo apologizes for being reckless with someone's heart in "Reckless." with a standard R&B slow track beat that is a vessel for her vocals. "Good Thing." is one step away from being a club ready banger. It shows off her falsetto and was birthed out of the love for late 80's/ early 90's club music. Under the masquerade of "Rise Up.," JoJo is able to address her legal woes with Blackground Records and make it sound like a generic anthem for the masses at the same time. <br />
<br />
Self-empowerment and self liberation allow JoJo to become selfless. The autobiographical content doesn't overwhelm listeners. Overexposure and PR nightmares are currently haunting artists that came out during her era, she is blessed and isn't grasping for something that has long disappeared. Her vocals are consistently produced to near perfection. She does not over sing and never allows the beats to swallow her voice. Although the tracks genre hop, JoJo isn't hopping at free will, her vocals steer the train, because this artist is not allowing anything to derail her artistic efforts. It's sexy, savvy, sexual and smart. Whether your are a JoJo longtime fan or you just discovered her, you will like Mad Love. from beginning to end.<br />
<br />
Check out all things Jojo at <a href="http://www.iamjojoofficial.com/" target="_blank">www.iamjojoofficial.com</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-71586116066987421692016-07-01T09:43:00.000-05:002023-02-15T12:51:44.215-06:00Wood on Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6QDV-SGtNbq0UrhGrDKA68Vm1RPkY1jb5BSarIqwOVd9RPoWmdKZcJlCIwlQ9mKJh1xPcXU12_uY9p7uS1gWD6_FGfb3YOodgQuo1nvSecDUOkBZYkVCOgrLadDvwAx2jjPc-xXMEqcJ/s1600/Wood+on+Wood.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6QDV-SGtNbq0UrhGrDKA68Vm1RPkY1jb5BSarIqwOVd9RPoWmdKZcJlCIwlQ9mKJh1xPcXU12_uY9p7uS1gWD6_FGfb3YOodgQuo1nvSecDUOkBZYkVCOgrLadDvwAx2jjPc-xXMEqcJ/s320/Wood+on+Wood.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-27510199077387749222016-06-11T16:38:00.001-05:002023-02-15T12:54:33.492-06:00Singing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WRYTPd2F-sG1gJsQkoFVF7e9csqTXvIBaiodkR_GnpDr9gTl2kz67CTLdGGcKrqV_G2vERL35hQFg1k9eNnEhKDW1Jnh-1v9LTK4z6JCsRpJezkAT30S6vsmlUMsk-0Z1lYODviIvYG9/s1600/Red+Lips+Singing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WRYTPd2F-sG1gJsQkoFVF7e9csqTXvIBaiodkR_GnpDr9gTl2kz67CTLdGGcKrqV_G2vERL35hQFg1k9eNnEhKDW1Jnh-1v9LTK4z6JCsRpJezkAT30S6vsmlUMsk-0Z1lYODviIvYG9/s320/Red+Lips+Singing.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-29893515391814263032016-06-11T13:07:00.000-05:002023-02-15T12:54:33.493-06:00Contentment <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY4mW5caLRmTjsR_Cm3-UjltPYjiMRAyxk3pPKJ1FkBUwI-aHthAyQqTu2GjG2tD7x8-dh2MA6Oh2B_ujFmS67UH-n_8RPSE7-azMODFhkln9HDpTkcasj40R32UZglLyWw5ikRL-mS_-/s1600/Contentment-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY4mW5caLRmTjsR_Cm3-UjltPYjiMRAyxk3pPKJ1FkBUwI-aHthAyQqTu2GjG2tD7x8-dh2MA6Oh2B_ujFmS67UH-n_8RPSE7-azMODFhkln9HDpTkcasj40R32UZglLyWw5ikRL-mS_-/s320/Contentment-.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-91333026066084238752016-06-10T13:52:00.003-05:002023-03-05T00:25:12.521-06:00Digital Self-Portraits: A Social Media Experiment<div style="text-align: center;">Original Portrait by Haneen on Snapchat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edited by Abe Harb</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMFNSCHUU7G5sUqlZ6TAI6UfuxpUCVY5oCBvKH0DuMtFIQNsFM1VfW_fXn6j_I1bFIKNMgj4xPQ70fyK9F3trwbYcNvhPYLTBIKZaCr8xHOeO8TJWG8u2VhEp4Sy3rkHZVM2zfG2z39Lu/s1600/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Haneen+Habeeb.jpeg"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMFNSCHUU7G5sUqlZ6TAI6UfuxpUCVY5oCBvKH0DuMtFIQNsFM1VfW_fXn6j_I1bFIKNMgj4xPQ70fyK9F3trwbYcNvhPYLTBIKZaCr8xHOeO8TJWG8u2VhEp4Sy3rkHZVM2zfG2z39Lu/s320/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Haneen+Habeeb.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />Original Portrait by Sandra on Snapchat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edited by Abe Harb<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXQqf7NmLttgQhvFTIveLzPCd59WhjtLSkf-S3WD-xx5g74YCVkp0oir2w3YVY5ND6RFug_AigYqxC2HCHBSCL50vh_sIgRDal2YKxV00GHN8-eY_ydRdWW6hVRRQGohl3gAPC4b_xnem/s1600/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Sandra+Avorywoskie.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXQqf7NmLttgQhvFTIveLzPCd59WhjtLSkf-S3WD-xx5g74YCVkp0oir2w3YVY5ND6RFug_AigYqxC2HCHBSCL50vh_sIgRDal2YKxV00GHN8-eY_ydRdWW6hVRRQGohl3gAPC4b_xnem/s320/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Sandra+Avorywoskie.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />Original Portrait by Amanda on Snapchat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edited by Abe Harb</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi4pvDqvOSYIqE9nGhTpN1R-ba_FPf2jhTDX6iNvfc51N_ksGJKjv2RiqPdzxgoxbSJe9Oqw1W3A9WtZVyFNMSh-O7PtuZc1fNf0-IlXMM85Anh62B7D7k-hhtfNKTz18AbqYGyu2iDMo/s1600/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Amanda+Harb.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi4pvDqvOSYIqE9nGhTpN1R-ba_FPf2jhTDX6iNvfc51N_ksGJKjv2RiqPdzxgoxbSJe9Oqw1W3A9WtZVyFNMSh-O7PtuZc1fNf0-IlXMM85Anh62B7D7k-hhtfNKTz18AbqYGyu2iDMo/s320/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Amanda+Harb.jpeg" /></a><br />
<br />Original Portrait by Sam on Snapchat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edited by Abe Harb<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJVRLxIAcYIXBw41esxrCUfBa8FghyphenhyphenJX85DJMLmkpYUDOp3LWb1Av1Htn2QXTlgEvbiIrJvDqdm_Xf4Yejhc9xHMR2RgSf0GooWmjyIrd8_SPYj2Gh83daW2mo4XCVrIDZkieLp2BfkRl/s1600/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Sam+Gill.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJVRLxIAcYIXBw41esxrCUfBa8FghyphenhyphenJX85DJMLmkpYUDOp3LWb1Av1Htn2QXTlgEvbiIrJvDqdm_Xf4Yejhc9xHMR2RgSf0GooWmjyIrd8_SPYj2Gh83daW2mo4XCVrIDZkieLp2BfkRl/s320/Portrait+of+True+Colors+by+Sam+Gill.jpeg" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-29733961159328774192016-04-15T18:08:00.000-05:002019-03-09T22:50:36.058-06:00Raise Your Voice in PoetryBy Abrahim Harb<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 144pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-25174d00-35a7-8f2e-9e5c-9f967e4a8d33" style="font-weight: normal;">Raise your voice in poetry.<br />Within a seed, a shooting tree.<br />A tingling universe you'll see.<br />Verses coursing one, two, three.<br /><br />I wish I may, I wish I might<br />See you shining bright tonight.<br />A shooting tree is infinite.<br />From just a seed—you know, I’m right!<br /><br />Ignite the brilliance from within a seed.<br />Briskly corral the words you’ll need.<br />Change the syntax. Will this word precede<br />that one? Trust the word flow, indeed.</b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b id="docs-internal-guid-25174d00-35a7-8f2e-9e5c-9f967e4a8d33" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Remember: take no decoy,<br />from releasing any pain or joy.<br /><br />Raise your voice in poetry.<br />Within a seed, a shooting tree.<br />A tingling universe you'll see.<br />Verses coursing one, two, three.<br /><br />The tolls of time will delight.<br />The words are airtight.<br />The feelings are not finite,<br />using things discovered in hindsight.<br /><br />You’ll slowly become unbroken.<br />That’s it, it’s great—you’ve spoken<br />about life and being heartbroken.<br />Thank you for being outspoken.<br /><br />Bellow coursing verses to help you cope<br />Or stick them in an envelope.<br /><br />Raise your voice in poetry.<br />Within a seed, a shooting tree.<br />A tingling universe you'll see.<br />Verses coursing one, two, three.</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-18768948039586945822016-03-20T22:44:00.003-05:002023-04-25T13:31:01.624-05:00Album Review: This Is What The Truth Feels Like [3/5 stars]By Abrahim Harb<br />
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrRzqy2A1nNjjTzstT4qtzwpIZuVz7jJ360ksX0twnOajsGYM40Kbr3J6m2ZtSzuFeVUSWKXZsSkKsgWlwdFpAFq0bRv8-m43PBu_nIBmEr7VSZyygPYeweqthFTPlymSIrBzoiWEyzWj/s1600/Gwen+Stefani+.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrRzqy2A1nNjjTzstT4qtzwpIZuVz7jJ360ksX0twnOajsGYM40Kbr3J6m2ZtSzuFeVUSWKXZsSkKsgWlwdFpAFq0bRv8-m43PBu_nIBmEr7VSZyygPYeweqthFTPlymSIrBzoiWEyzWj/s200/Gwen+Stefani+.jpg" width="200" /></a>Gwen Stefani's third studio album marks her first return to a recording studio for something other than two tracks released in early 2014. Sadly, "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5K4QKGKXZWNhjQiGOzkKLb?si=E2hPTX2qTG-TLUBowj56ww" target="_blank">This Is What The Truth Feels Like</a>" is not profound or groundbreaking in any way. Stefani is making it clear that she didn't set out to write an album, but she needed to write to overcome her personal woes. Music isn't always about being groundbreaking; and for someone who will make sure that all of the 90's babies will never forget how to spell banana, you don't expect the worst or the best from her. It has been nearly a decade since she has released an album. Stefani is great at producing a mixed bag of tracks, but in a good way. She is great at producing pop tracks and is equally great at paying homage to the rock/ska music that allowed Stefani to secure her spot in music history. Each track has meaning to Stefani and it is speaking her truth, whether we accept it or not. Stefani has endured her fair share of betrayal in the past year, but she has also allowed herself to release it all via music and come out on the other end happier. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For context: Gavin Rossdale betrayed Stefani (his wife), in an irreconcilable way. The public will never know the entire truth, but we don't need to know for two reasons - she has moved on from it, so should we and Stefani found someone to remedy her betrayal, fellow The Voice judge and now beau, Blake Sheldon. This album is stream of consciousness-like. It feels like Stefani took the feelings from her journal and used that to create an album. <span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24.88px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Misery" starts the album off on a reggae flavored pop track using a "you're my drug" anecdote as a plea for someone to come save her from the misery she is currently in. Practically begging for a rebound relationship. The electro pop vibe on "You're My Favorite" makes the track a head bobbing, finger snapping, feel good song. "Where Would I Be?" has a tropical beat that continues Stefani's sentiment from the first two tracks about her new beau. "Make Me Like You" is cleverly titled and perfectly crafted pop track. At first, you think it is a anger filled song meant for her ex-husband, but within the first 30 seconds it's clear it isn't. Instead it is an ode to her new beau, with lyrics like, "Why'd you have to go and make me like you? Yeah this is a feeling I'm not used to." She is also isn't drowning in a pool of her sorrow and claims, "I was broken but fine. I was lost and uncertain, but my heart was still mine." It is worth checking out her live music video for the track as well. Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uljUDtv1Kw" target="_blank">here</a> to give the video a view. It was performed as a live commercial break during 58th Annual Grammy's telecast as part of the deal with Target, which also doubled as warranted and one of a kind advertisement for this album.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With its snapping snares and guitar backing, "Truth" is a thank you to her new beau for showing her the grass is greener, even though she knew she'd seen the green grass, she never thought it would be from her co-worker. She is enjoying the uncertainty in dating for the first time in a long time, but still must navigate motherhood. This sweet moment is followed by a flashback to the moment when Stefani cried for the first time over her divorce. "Used To Love You" includes lyrics such as "I don't know why I cry. But I think it's cause I remembered for the first time since I hated you, that I used to love you" that pack a great punch and execute the jab leaving the opponent on the floor, breathless. You can't help but want to cheer on Stefani. She is spilling the beans about her life in the ballad, without giving away too much. She is showing off her scars to the world, but most importantly sending an open letter to her ex-husband. Nothing is more powerful and inspirational than a person who is broken, but free. I wonder why "Baby Don't Lie" was not included before this track. Despite being released long ago, it is without a doubt the other half of the story.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The mid-tempo track "Send Me a Picture" shifts focus back to her new beau. She is on one side of the world and he most likely is on the opposite. The sentiment is cute, in that high school way. But it packs in this adult adult agenda behind wanting a picture. Clearly the love fest doesn't last long, in "Red Flags" Stefani is mad at herself for letting her ex-husband get away with whatever he got away with, despite the red flags. "Asking 4 It" features Fetty Wap is filler material, sorry y'all. The sentiment is there, but that's about it. Stefani saves all of her sarcasm and courage for the weebly-wobbly "Naughty" that is a finger snapper. Obviously this track is tailor straight for the inbox of her ex-husband. The orchestration of sounds is a standout as well. It starts off as a finger snapper (literally and sonically) synth track and tumbles into warping together those sounds with piano notes and strings instruments, but keeping the synth pop predominate. "Me Without You" is throwing a punch at her ex-husband and empowering to anyone. She is not allowing him to creep back into her life without any exceptions and she is swooning over the new guy (and maybe the rebound guy) in "Rare" with a cliche of sentiment. </div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The deluxe version, featuring four extra tracks is only available at Target. "Rocketship" has an experimental orchestration of synth pop loveliness as first, but doesn't go too overboard, only to be met with finger snaps. "Getting Warmer" addresses her new love with a new man. She is playing a metaphorical game of hide-and-go-seek with her feelings. There is some uncertainty if she is actually in love or if he is a rebound. "Obsessed" is playful track that uses her nah-nah-nahs and voiceover section to keep it afloat. "Splash" is her last proclamation about jump into love and not caring about aimlessly splashing around, she wants to make a huge splash. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happiness is the only thing that matters in the end. This Is What The Truth Feels Like is definitely not a breakup album, what Stefani went through was much more jarring than that. Her marriage of 13 years fell apart and she was left to pick up the ruins. She is still the same ageless California beauty on the other end. During her her decade long hiatus from solo music, she released an album with No Doubt and had three children, Kingston, Zuma, Apollo with her now ex-husband and one (of the two reasons) this album came to fruition. Stefani spends the entire album between spitting disses towards her ex-husband in the classiest of way and throwing herself at the new beau, without doing it in a spiteful way. She effortlessly corrals the many sonic influences into what I am calling ska - dancepop - electronica perfection.<br />
<br />
Check out all things Gwen Stefani at <a href="http://www.gwenstefani.com/" target="_blank">www.gwenstefani.com</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-61946447191239732992016-02-01T17:16:00.002-06:002023-04-25T13:33:49.282-05:00Album Review: Nine Track Mind [2/5 stars]<div style="text-align: justify;">
By Abrahim Harb</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDvUHiu9MOV-6mI7Ud9tQ155eWLLlHy_nmggZ3LCqStLjFUHW1Wwk_WEtMSorCIKMS_JoA0yOo65VrlJ20p4CejzaJgXT5kYCNeSJd9l8vMsUOqLehO1GPEYBiROqO4dpGcwIkn-iaWKX/s1600/Charlie+Puth+-+Nine+Track+Mind.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDvUHiu9MOV-6mI7Ud9tQ155eWLLlHy_nmggZ3LCqStLjFUHW1Wwk_WEtMSorCIKMS_JoA0yOo65VrlJ20p4CejzaJgXT5kYCNeSJd9l8vMsUOqLehO1GPEYBiROqO4dpGcwIkn-iaWKX/s200/Charlie+Puth+-+Nine+Track+Mind.jpg" /></a>You may not know who Charlie Puth is, but you have definitely recognize the vocals. The Wiz Kahlifa track, "See You Again," features the singer who released his album debut, "Nine Track Mind." The elegy that introduced the world to Puth appeared on the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/furious-7-original-motion/id966411595" target="_blank">Furious 7</a> soundtrack and it certainly grabbed the attention of all America mourning the death of Paul Walker. But not solely for Kahlifa's efforts, everyone wanted to know who provided the crystal clear hook on the track. The is pop & old school R&B and so is Puth at his core. "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3kndSWeE2IYOrZEToZrHEV?si=PfBA8iHZS_qhGT7Y1hyFYg" target="_blank">Nine Track Mind</a>" is filled with G-rated/ PG-rated material and for someone of his age (he was born in 1991), at least a few PG-13, if not R-rated tracks are essential. I am not by any means insinuating that he must do that, but all of the source material for the tracks border boring. Yet his tenor vocals always soar high above the songs. It's not pop perfection, but it is perfect. Puth without a doubt has talent. He can't be chastised for his first album, Puth is still figuring out how to use his falsetto voice and songwriting abilities.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On "One Call Away," Puth uses the sweet spot in his falsetto to extend an arm to a crush or friend who are in that crucial make-it-or-break-it stage of the relationship. There is a tint of cliche in this track, however it is a great album opener. Puth shows off his vocals (accompanied by a piano and drum, as many of the tracks are) and songwriting ability, even if the material is cliche. Each singer is entitled to deploying cliches (or be borderline cliche) every once in a while. "Dangerously" flips the sentiment from new relationship to doomed relationship. The ode to a legend, appropriately titled,"Marvin Gaye," features Meaghan Trainor. The track is about getting it on, without making it hot and heavy, it unceremoniously simmers with sexy appeal and shows off both singers pipes. It is a throwback track musically and lyrically, with the drum and piano led track. You can't help but admire the amount of puns one can cram into a track using Marvin Gaye as the inspiration. The next track, "Losing My Mind" is the most promising on the album, besides the first single. Puth really dug deep with this track to mine some personal fears. The track is about not being able to write a song. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We Don't Talk Anymore" features Selena Gomez. YES! I said it. How did he snag that? Puth easily slides into the upper register in his voice and Gomez's breezy whisper compliments him in this flirty way. The duet turns into a thematic back and forth between the two singers discussing a lost love. This is the closest listener's will get to PG-13 material this albums yearns for. This is one of the most relatable break-up songs, let alone duets I've heard recently. Both singer's vocals engulf the sections they don't sing in as back up vocals, adding to the emotion of the lyrically intent. "My Gospel" is crammed with claps, bass and Puth creeps from sing-rap to singing without any effort. It is a shame the song doesn't do much. "Up All Night" recounts the journey of a bruised lover, longing for companionship. It only wipes the dust off the surface and doesn't dig deeper for any emotion. This is such a relatable topic, it's truly a tragedy that he didn't dig deeper. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Left Right Left" picks up after his bruised ego begins recovery from heartbreak. Another ballad, what! "Then There's You" floats as a love song and listeners hope it doesn't sink with his obvious pickup line, "There's beautiful, then there's you." Then it transitions to the next track, a ballad titled, "Suffer" is slick and soulful with its finger claps and echoing ohhhs and ahhs. The story line arc from "Then There's You" continues, perhaps? Or it could be another love. "As You Are" brings the album full circle with sentiments reflected in "One Call Away" and features a rap section by Shy Carter that isn't rough and crude. The immediate harmonizing of "Some Type of Love" sets the tone for a cheesy mid-tempo track. Puth shows off his ability to play with tempo, lyrical content and sonic with ease. This song shows much promise, perhaps the next single? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Puth treads over topics with light feet, not in a cautious, but an underwhelming manner. Sadly most of these songs are not memorable, but his voice is unforgettable. There isn't much here to bop your head to or something to wallow in. I commend the album for having a story arc of heartbreak that starts with budding love ("One Call Away") and circles around to heartbreak ("Up All Night"), picking up with new love ("Then There's You"). He keeps himself afloat with PG material that softly burns in romantic obsession.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Check out all things Charlie Puth at <a href="http://www.charlieputh.com/" target="_blank">www.charlieputh.com</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-84201583886834930682016-02-01T14:04:00.004-06:002023-04-25T13:34:07.505-05:00Album Review: ANTI [4.5/5 stars]By Abrahim Harb<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMApGey1lqS-SwYf-gd_ZbyO5Uj8D5exjfVuCkgeH2JuX503FiZY0VNZ2pEDt-0-BNI-pwyHGmrAb0Q6biVPhSghkk1YZWzf2KS5zt5Hlmyhl1GTX9XTgCrO1yRAxuoeR2R4t2FlfUiCB/s1600/Rihanna-Anti.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMApGey1lqS-SwYf-gd_ZbyO5Uj8D5exjfVuCkgeH2JuX503FiZY0VNZ2pEDt-0-BNI-pwyHGmrAb0Q6biVPhSghkk1YZWzf2KS5zt5Hlmyhl1GTX9XTgCrO1yRAxuoeR2R4t2FlfUiCB/s200/Rihanna-Anti.png" width="200" /></a>Rihanna doesn't care whether you like her music or not. She is not in the business of apologizing or being modest. Her eighth album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/19O3rXe4nDu9YDcc2tOQVn?si=O8TzUuUJQGC88Ny5bnWs3A" target="_blank">"ANTI"</a> (deluxe version) doesn't lack in her assertive way of grabbing life, even though she is carefree human. There is a theme to this album: disappointment and coping with it. Rihanna is relishing in her fame. She can be caught making faces at the paparazzi; on a yacht; smoking a blunt with a cocktail in hand; rocking her latest fashion acquisition or any combination of the aforementioned. In the year up to the album release, Rihanna cranked out three superb singles, (Bitch Better Have My Money, FourFiveSeconds and American Oxygen) that ultimately did not make the cut for this album. This psychedelic rock/ soul sound has turned her into an album artist that can still crank out singles - leaving listeners without any choice but to give the album a listen without skipping tracks. </div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Israeli artist, <a href="http://www.roynachum.com/about" target="_blank">Roy Nachum</a> created the "ANTI" cover that features a photo of Rihanna on the first day of day care. She is holding a black balloon and rocking a gold crown that covers her eyes, there is a dripping smear of red from the top to mid-point. The image of Rihanna is blurry and there is a poem by <a href="http://imchloemitchell.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Chloe Mitchell</a> in Braille. The album contents don't include any text, except for the text translation of the front cover poem on the poster inside. According to an interview with Billboard, the singer said, "Sometimes the ones who have sight are the blindest." The poem is a statement about the vision of the album. The album booklet offers more art and poetry by Nachum or Mitchell respectively. Thanks to <a href="https://mic.com/articles/126474/rihanna-s-new-album-hid-5-beautiful-poems-in-braille-read-them-now#.3ZVan9dWs" target="_blank">Mic.com</a>, you can read the 5 poems. The statement these two concepts make elevate her album above the rest. Music is not always meant to be heard, but felt and Braille can only be felt. Appreciate the little things in life, before they are gone and you are left feeling your way through life. To read more about the artwork, click <a href="http://www.digitalspy.com/music/feature/a672676/8-secrets-uncovered-in-rihannas-new-anti-album-artwork-from-a-mystery-poem-to-what-the-crown-means/" target="_blank">here</a> and to view the artwork courtesy of Amazon.com and VanityFair.com, <a href="http://portfolio.abeharb.com/2016/02/album-review-anti-album-art.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The album starts off with the Reggae tinged duet "Consideration" with SZA; Rihanna uses her native Bajan accent to croon on this song. The pop mentality of Rihanna and sonic of SZA's alternative/ soul make this track a perfect collab to start the album and swing right into the next track, "James Joint." This interlude is the aftereffect of a marijuana and effortlessly brings listeners to "Kiss It Better," a ballad that recounts the tail of an ex-lover trying to get back into Rihanna's life. She knows it's wrong, but loves it. This song is catchy, from the first electric guitar riff to the sing-a-long hook. This track is the sad song we want to blast on a sweltering summer day. We've all heard and twerked to "Work" featuring Drake. This song is going to undoubtedly be on every summer playlist. The song is relatable and not because it is a club hit. The jam is discussing being let down by a lover with lyrics like "I believed all of your dreams are fruition. You took my heart and my keys and my vision. You took my heart off my sleeve a decoration." And Drake swoops in to remind Rihanna that patience is the key. No matter how many tweets about how Rihanna was speaking gibberish, this track is fun and serious.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Desperado" follows the same Americana themes as "American Oxygen," and "FourFiveSeconds. " The sexy and synth bedazzled "Desperado" is pleading for companionship. The abrupt nature of jazz inspiration in this track is the perfect vessel for lyrics such as "Desperado, Sitting in a old Monte Carlo, A man whose heart is hollow." "Woo" continues the thought started in "Kiss It Better" and Rihanna is relentlessly chasing her ex-lover who still loves her proclaiming thoughts such as, "Let me know when you're ready to plea." The track is supported by two jarring atonal guitars and features Rihanna vocals with some distortion reminiscent of 70's rock. The song gives me a headache, but Rihanna is doing this so you can get into the mindset of the track. "Needed Me" is a kiss-off, downtempo track with heavy bass with a diss to a hook-up. She takes the chance to show off how bad-ass she is with lyrics like "You was just another n***a on the hit list. Tryna fix your inner issues with a bad bitch? Didn't they tell you that I was a savage." Her rough and raw nature translates to sweet and raw in the sex craving ballad "Yeah, I Said It."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Same ol' Mistakes" is a dreamy cover of a Tame Impala song, "Same Person, Same Old Mistakes." It uses the same production elements of the original track inspired by a psychedelic, hip-hop and rock sonic. The track is a slow track that takes the time to let it all sink it. The artist played it safe by covering the song that is less than 6 months old, she beat the rest to the punch. "Never Ending" is a sad Country fused ballad with an honest confession by the unapologetic singer, she wants to be in love . The production is sparse and meant to mimic a live performance. Plucked from the 50's, "Love on the Brain" is led by sweet vocals and a guitar. She is singing about her feelings about a lover while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. This doo-wop track allows Rihanna's vocals to swim with ease to this sweet spot. The sentiment in the last track spills over to "Higher," an unsophisticated and simple ballad where she is pleading for companionship. The slow sizzle of "Close to You" layers vocals and piano notes to craft a perfectly somber ballad and softly fades into oblivion with this calming feeling after the thunderstorm of emotions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The deluxe version of "ANTI" includes three tracks. "Goodnight Gotham" contains a sample of "Only If for a Night" by Florence and the Machine. This song is not, well, a song, but a interlude and I could see how it landed on the deluxe version. Rihanna takes a moment to cherish in her riches and badassness on "Pose," without any care of subtly or modesty. The wobbly song "Sex with Me" could have been juxtaposed with the statements of "Desperado." She is crudely drawing in a man with sex and then asking for companionship as well and brilliantly ending the album with a experimental sound. Both the deluxe and standard version of the album make sense. Most times, the deluxe version is either composed of random tracks or tracks that do not deserve bonus track treatment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"ANTI" doesn't need flashy production because Rihanna's vocals shine brighter than diamonds in the sky. She sways from the rock to pop jungle with ease. She doesn't take any of the vines used to switch between both for granted. There is a story arc; Rihanna's vulnerability is clear, even when she is gritty. The self-reflection is relatable and at the same time she is able to leave her signature attitude on each track. This album is the result of leaving the life style of the rich and famous behind momentarily to check your emotions and well being. The swagger she has isn't fake or half-assed, she is going to display all of her colors and let the vultures dissect the album as she smokes a blunt and gives two fucks.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Check out all things Rihanna at <a href="http://www.rihannanow.com/" target="_blank">www.rihannanow.com</a>.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-12669284062071480852016-02-01T13:04:00.003-06:002023-04-25T13:34:48.758-05:00Album Review: ANTI Album Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
These are the poems in Braille on the "ANTI" cover. Rihanna teamed up with <a href="http://www.roynachum.com/about" target="_blank">Roy Nachum</a> (for the artwork) and <a href="http://imchloemitchell.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Chloe Mitchell</a> (for the poetry). Read my <a href="http://portfolio.abeharb.com/2016/02/album-review-anti-45-stars.html#more" target="_blank">"ANTI"</a> review and click below to read the poems.<br />
<br />
Front & back cover image courtesy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Deluxe-Rihanna/dp/B01B6HIPWK" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>.<br />
All other artwork is courtesy of <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/10/rihanna-anti-cover-what-it-means-roy-nachum#5" target="_blank">VanityFair.com</a>.<br />
Poetry translation is courtesy of <a href="https://mic.com/articles/126474/rihanna-s-new-album-hid-5-beautiful-poems-in-braille-read-them-now#.pw31FM3by" target="_blank">Mic.com</a>.<br />
<div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i6f38J3D3bmfHYSeaCh-MQ4PX-9KUgZ4Iva8vW2hA0AMQ5o0gJQnr2HQhxM7qCfd3ZLoiRiOWu1QpRlvKkxNO3KsQHeTpP9WK0L2fTYrdQ_myhqfuqZvgML3eMSelq0_Xq43J1v7SSk2/s1600/ANTI+Front+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i6f38J3D3bmfHYSeaCh-MQ4PX-9KUgZ4Iva8vW2hA0AMQ5o0gJQnr2HQhxM7qCfd3ZLoiRiOWu1QpRlvKkxNO3KsQHeTpP9WK0L2fTYrdQ_myhqfuqZvgML3eMSelq0_Xq43J1v7SSk2/s320/ANTI+Front+Cover.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>"If They Let Us Part 1"</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I sometimes fear that I am misunderstood.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is simply because what I want to say, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
what I need to say, won't be heard. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heard in a way I so rightfully deserve.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I choose to say is of so much substance </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That people just won't understand the depth of my message.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So my voice is not my weakness, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is the opposite of what others are afraid of. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ8sNZEx4ZEczq8cfay64TNXb2x3w_bfrp1foIV5CAj-45DbmO1jY-1_GxFRjqXohpZlvII55xFqFe5PlzjcEu05CjR_N9qpVOZfTVshbcfxQNKANkvgh2aOrraM0EMS5cRetKAsq0B9k/s1600/ANTI+Back+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ8sNZEx4ZEczq8cfay64TNXb2x3w_bfrp1foIV5CAj-45DbmO1jY-1_GxFRjqXohpZlvII55xFqFe5PlzjcEu05CjR_N9qpVOZfTVshbcfxQNKANkvgh2aOrraM0EMS5cRetKAsq0B9k/s320/ANTI+Back+Cover.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>"If They Let Us Part 2"</b></u><br />
My voice is my suit and armor, <br />
My shield, and all that I am. <br />
I will comfortably breath in it, until I find the moment to be silent.<br />
I live loudly in my mind, so many hours of the day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The world is pin drop sound compared to the boom </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That thumps and bumps against the walls of my cranium.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I live it and love it and despise it and I am entrapped in it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So being misunderstood, I am not offended by the gesture, but honored. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If they let us...</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulXVZnn-1zheXHHm_3LJnoHPkegIoGmuxwfEcGtW5gSTJyohpqGEH8E6eJgWZsFTfI1arrC56xDEa36BDfvORCJMYd_U8uni_k7d96JnwJSF8oSHp2G2HzEjfDbyzmMYZouckE11kfQXd/s1600/Fire+Part+I.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulXVZnn-1zheXHHm_3LJnoHPkegIoGmuxwfEcGtW5gSTJyohpqGEH8E6eJgWZsFTfI1arrC56xDEa36BDfvORCJMYd_U8uni_k7d96JnwJSF8oSHp2G2HzEjfDbyzmMYZouckE11kfQXd/s320/Fire+Part+I.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>"FIRE Part I"</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Falling fast backwards into deep water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As my eyes opened I knew that I was naked.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Floating on the waters surface.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alone with the reflections of myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only then am I whole.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-xKgvsq8rgZpZmL7yybiEj4582U56TJLU-15V07fbn7UfGaavbB_iiHWn2CvWBl7PvNcqLiCpUvzyT3dTPGr_M6fZ7r0QvWTQL5hWrALt8Z1FBNT43RjbyaX9ooS2A-z9XUAp4RSb6p8/s1600/Fire+Part+II.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-xKgvsq8rgZpZmL7yybiEj4582U56TJLU-15V07fbn7UfGaavbB_iiHWn2CvWBl7PvNcqLiCpUvzyT3dTPGr_M6fZ7r0QvWTQL5hWrALt8Z1FBNT43RjbyaX9ooS2A-z9XUAp4RSb6p8/s320/Fire+Part+II.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u>"FIRE Part II"</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My face in deep shadows.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dreams and ideas beyond limits.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The future is all I have to look forward to.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I turn myself inside out.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyF5CjhyphenhyphenbEKpNUSc9R_XoAXnwYxnruDNpphjpkDVPIo_3oI2QKvmuLQiBamgUUTvT0TOVgdGO6q2_1J1EIZ1YTXfgEYjdnfVQe85mvXwoI4g_nUb0V4cyI4xOYgC9chreBC4hRnMlVn_l/s1600/Fire+Part+III.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyF5CjhyphenhyphenbEKpNUSc9R_XoAXnwYxnruDNpphjpkDVPIo_3oI2QKvmuLQiBamgUUTvT0TOVgdGO6q2_1J1EIZ1YTXfgEYjdnfVQe85mvXwoI4g_nUb0V4cyI4xOYgC9chreBC4hRnMlVn_l/s320/Fire+Part+III.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>"FIRE Part III"</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Clouds replace the sunlight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Expanding into the darkness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The shoreline covered with night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Backward strokes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Deep breaths, salt air.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-40608676469978743822016-01-31T23:45:00.002-06:002023-04-25T13:35:34.963-05:00Album Review: This is Acting [4/5 stars]By Abrahim Harb<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mzRJWomdH8_LGjKx9McHu-xvGlYh46oYxwUieXU2pb99GJexDcmSnAcmdeXNxHt16s0waNqOYVnonezslP-xn2kskju3xpmm2oNX7SIP78zUhtRidTZNg7EAt0lh81MLzyR1CqU9nf74/s1600/Sia+-+This+is+Acting.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mzRJWomdH8_LGjKx9McHu-xvGlYh46oYxwUieXU2pb99GJexDcmSnAcmdeXNxHt16s0waNqOYVnonezslP-xn2kskju3xpmm2oNX7SIP78zUhtRidTZNg7EAt0lh81MLzyR1CqU9nf74/s200/Sia+-+This+is+Acting.jpeg" width="200" /></a>With her seventh studio album, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2eV6DIPDnGl1idcjww6xyX?si=aWCDy2tvRM6yVRPVKKz-Hw" target="_blank">"This is Acting,"</a> Sia captivates fans and continues to garner new fans. The concept of this album is simple: the singer-songwriter had a pile of songs that were written for other artists, but they did not want them for a variety of reasons. But don't think these are bad songs. They are just songs that Sia is emotionally detached from because she gets inside the mind and skin of the artist the track is for. Sia ends up grabbing more attention, as she strives for privacy. During the tour for her fifth studio album, she made it clear that fame was giving her anxiety, mentioning stage fright and a demand for privacy as the reason for her indefinite break from being an artist. Her focus shifted to cranking out songs for others well known artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Jessie J and Kelly Clarkson. With her sixth studio album "1,000 Forms of Fear" she conquered her fear and found a fix for some of the anxiety she had surround fame, making her one of the most celebrated artists of 2014-2015.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This take on an album is very interesting; as a songwriter, one expects to have duds or songs that end up unused—Sia decided to embrace that by taking those songs, giving them her twist and releasing them on an album, ironically called "This is Acting." She is using her fear of fame to create art. "Bird Set Free" is a simple track—as most of her songs are—with a message of hope for anyone who feels like a caged bird. The production allows her voice to become shrill without piercing your ears. "Alive" has this soft rock, drum led beat and just when you think there is going to be a roaring chorus, there isn't. This was written with and for Adele; Sia shows off her talent in twisting words to fit a song in this track. The rasp and hiccuping in her voice draws listeners further into Sia's world. In "One Million Bullets" she trades the rasp in her voice for subdued, smoother vocals and a great orchestration of drum, guitar and piano notes as she promises complete fidelity to her partner. This is the only track she wrote solely for her use.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Move Your Body" was obviously written for Rihanna or Shakira. You can hear it in the percussion led beat and they way she beautifully contorts her vocals to sound like the singer. The somewhat bombastic, but honest song about pedigree and current status in the world makes you wonder. Who was "Unstoppable" meant for? Who inspired the song? Was this a figment of Sia's imagination? Was this inspired by the thought of fame hungry artists? "Cheap Thrills" reverses the sentiment from fame hungry to fame rejecting gal in this head bobbing ode. The echo of a choir in the chorus and this weird squealing voice add flavor to a song that could have easily gone into cliche territory. Her voice is effervescent when Sia sings a track originally meant for Rihanna. "Move Your Body" and "Cheap Thrills" attempt to lighten the load from the heavier tracks on the album.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Reaper" is built with a clap and beeping beat, literally. It sounds like a basic drum is being drive my clapping sounds and a random beeping appears, fading in and out as necessary. This song feels and sounds like it was written for Sia and not Rihanna, who has rejected several tracks. "House on Fire" features a synth-y, Christmas-like arrangement of keyboard sounds intensifies the reverb on Sia's vocals. For a serious song, the sound is too cheery as she proclaims, "Baby I'm a house on fire. I want to keep burning." And then "Footprints" draws us back in as she returns to a somber tone. It is anchored by her vocals and utilizing various string instruments all arranged with a 90's sensibility, that fits in the music world of 2015. Whereas the orchestration of music in "Sweet Design" gives listener's a headache and Sia's vocals are buried under all this noise.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Broken Glass" has a Middle Eastern flare to the beat at the beginning, but it soon delves into a drum led track where her vocals soar high and the vocal layering is impeccable. This song can easily be inserted into any episode of Grey's Anatomy or romantic flick to intensify that super serious moment. "Space Between" is haunting both in vocals and sound. The chords quiver and reverb over these sad vocals.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She pours her all into the tracks, despite the emotional detachment because they were originally written for other artists. She clutches your heart and helps a hurting psyche find solace. The hiccups and cracking in her voice make each track big, but not hallow. Sia will never change her cinematic ways of creating music. She has promised to keep coming out with pop albums, but what does that mean? We will never know, because the new standard for pop music is no standard. This album is superb, but I am left with one lingering question: which artist were these songs meant for?<br />
<br />
Check out all things Sia at <a href="https://www.siamusic.net/" target="_blank">https://www.siamusic.net/</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-87031420379911952502016-01-20T17:11:00.000-06:002016-06-28T16:38:27.874-05:00New Year Poem with No TitleBy Abrahim Harb<br /><br />The day began<br />with no joy; <br />Aha! Joy, <br />it's sucked clean. <br />Again;<br />"How joyous,"<br />says my sarcasm.<br /><br />It is re-gifted to me,<br />by mid-day; <br />and stolen,<br />from my pocket<br />a few hours later;<br />he tore my pocket<br />& subsequently my smile.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-56323389807821139732016-01-10T21:38:00.000-06:002019-07-09T10:36:45.922-05:00Album Review: Blackstar [5/5 stars]<span style="text-align: justify;">By Abrahim Harb</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WyohHvHg-FewxzZca-IBMtqTaCBGNPRv1RT_kiPpGayaehqMuCIAu1QDFkcxInXzwurjopXPoqtsStVqN9UmqqG6DR6bn4hnPgxDhCYXC1BCUSBtt8LsFIk9-h1pm8wPpxVPZZOWF_7C/s1600/Blackstar-David+Bowie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WyohHvHg-FewxzZca-IBMtqTaCBGNPRv1RT_kiPpGayaehqMuCIAu1QDFkcxInXzwurjopXPoqtsStVqN9UmqqG6DR6bn4hnPgxDhCYXC1BCUSBtt8LsFIk9-h1pm8wPpxVPZZOWF_7C/s200/Blackstar-David+Bowie.jpg" width="200" /></a>During his nearly 5 decades in the music industry, David Bowie never failed to impress. His style was ever-changing, along with his music. He was an innovator and will continue to influence people for all eternity. Sadly, two days after the release of his 25th album (and his birthday), on January 10, 2016, Bowie left earth for other ventures. His curtain call: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/2w1YJXWMIco6EBf0CovvVN?si=Vz69t_-DSKKvgwF4vwIkYA" target="_blank">"Blackstar."</a> The album is riddled with lyrics written by a man who knew his death would cause the world to weep and Bowie wanted to go out with a bang. Unbeknownst to the public, Bowie had spent the last 18 months of his life (not so) silently suffering from cancer. His lyrical theme of violence and doom remain in his death march and so does Bowie's mystery. His introspective demeanor on this album pairs well with his usually style of whimsy. If you stop for a moment, even the album cover is whimsical and mysterious. The smaller stars spell out B-O-W-I-E. The album is art rock and experimental, with influences from many other styles, per the usual.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first track, titled after the album is an experimental sounding track tinged with a rock sound. Bowie's voice is warped and hauntingly calm in the nearly 10 minute track. The sound is bold, dense and lush, just when you think it can't get any better, it does with a sprinkle of pop-electronica. "Blackstar" ends off with the drum and bass/violins that led the track as Bowie's voice fades out, indicating the conclusion of a song. Or so I thought—I went to see the name of the next track on my phone and the song was only halfway through. The fade out was a segway to the other half of the track.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Tis a Pity She Was a Whore" features sadomasochist lyrics, such as, "Man, she punched me like a dude." The teetering from soft to hard rock in "Sue (Or a Season of Crime)" entices the listener. Both tracks are-orchestrated versions of songs released in 2014. "Lazarus" was written by Bowie for his off-broadway show of the same name. This track is the man, the legend, the innovator writing about his death, soaking it with dread and backing it with a warbled jazz orchestration.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Girl Loves Me" immediately has this pop-rock sensibility, but Bowie's warped vocals bring it back to experimental. It was written using <a href="http://soomka.com/nadsat.html" target="_blank">Nadsat</a> (the language used in Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange) and <a href="http://chris-d.net/polari/" target="_blank">Polari</a> (a slang language from gay clubs in 70s London). He vocal is calm, but the song is hectic with thoughts. The echo of Bowie's vocal is pair perfectly with the loose sounds of drums and strings.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "whitney" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span>"Dollar Days" is a radio ready ballad is a self referential track where Bowie contemplates his regrets and successes and acknowledges the current state of the music industry in one breath. "I Can't Give Everything Away" starts with a harmonica that makes his finale a lasting stamp on your heart with this beautiful farewell. Bowie is discussing moving on and illustrates this by orchestrating a chilling collision of rock and jazz with a send off meant for the last song of a concert.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The 40 minute, 7 track album is hypnotic, as Bowie was his entire life. Absolutely brilliant! Shedding persona's faster than the cloths can be made for them. His experimental curtain call skips between electronica, pop, art rock and jazz with this ever present cinematic style making the album stellar. He genre-bends music to its breaking point as usual and evocatively tells the world about his last few months on earth. Such a public declaration via music for a private person is inspirational and not-so-groundbreaking, but then his abrupt death gave it new meaning. Almost as if Bowie planned for it to occur this way. Bowie has died and reincarnated himself, but this time, he is gone...and gone for good. What a poignant way for an enigma to bid the world farewell. Bravo, Bowie! Bravo!<br />
<br />
Check out all things David Bowie at <a href="http://www.davidbowie.com/" target="_blank">http://www.davidbowie.com/</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-925384009099067523.post-64139940335318965492015-12-11T16:44:00.000-06:002016-06-28T16:36:25.339-05:00Your LoveBy Abrahim Harb<br />
<br />
The devotion you gave me no longer arrives.<br />
<br />
<div>
Those words you whispered to me are being re-gifted.<br />
<br />
The memories we shared—thrown in a box.<br />
<br />
Do you want it? Cuz I don’t—<br />
<br />
You never respond—<br />
& I’m greeting at the front door not by a barking dog,<br />
but a box shoved in the corner under the coat rack, labeled with your name.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com