I wouldn't have it any other way.

First things first did y'all see Adam Lambert on Capital's Summertime Ball? Oh.My.Gods. You guys! That makeup! I honestly wanted to toss my laptop aside and go draw him ASAP. It's insane and I absolutely will go draw him right after this. I'd draw the same makeup on myself but believe me, my family does not appreciate creativity or independence. Oh my god what will the people say? Jesus fuck the people who cares. Also Adam changing Chers ''Believe'' into ''Do you know the muffin man?'' it's kinda totally hysterical and I'm so here for it. I only saw him with Queen, but he seems like a great preformer on his own, even if I'm not all into his solo stuff. Allergic to pop music and all that. Second thing is that while I'm here rubbing my hair with a towel because it never stops fucking raining and filling out my book wishlist (I am telling you guys book reading and book buying are two separate things) let me just say how desperatelly I'd need a glass of Chardonnay (or make that a bottle od Hamptons Water, got a taste to it now) to finish up this lengthy post that follows. 

Alright I'm really here for a record review for a change. Y'all know I love everything Bruce puts out right? Like there aint his music that I wouldn't like, but what does it say about me, if I say that I absolutely adore this album, and songs aren't even his? I mean...gods. Everything he does is perfect, but guys this is so flawless. It's just...oh my god. Like...I can't. I can't put it into words, from the first second you put that record on...and it starts with him just talking which softly trasits into a song...my god. What the hell is going on with this man? How can each album he puts out top the one before? I tell you what, if you were to look up the definition of music? This is it. He is it. This album is IT. Look no further, it's perfection on a freaking ginger vinyl. 

Alright lets start with this, if you don't like this album we can not be friends. Literally that's it. Game over. Because that's the negativity I don't need in my life. I need friends that understand and appreciate perfection. Second thing not me turning this up, while washing the car outside in my bikinis and howling along (mostly to the dog, nobody else will listen). Yes summer is back in the Balkans and it seems like we're all either melting or drowning. Second is more like it though because in between smothering heat there's  so much rain (or frozen rain) you'd not believe. 

This album is a cover album I already mentioned above, and it's a volume 1. apparently a part two follows. Oh! So exciting! Also side note but the original songs we all know I hope? I mean...nothing but mad respect to the original musicians, writers, singers, etc, but y'all know this is better right? First song I heard was ''Nightshift'' and I knew this is going to be huge. These are soul songs but somehow Boss manages to put even more ''soul'' into them. A whole new meaning, life, vibe...every single smallest detail, in the band, in the music (that guitar in ''When she was my girl''? Lord have mercy I need to fan myself, it's so perfect), and the voice? The voice! Orgasm material. The crooning, the growls, the bluesy sound. The fact that you hear rain in ''I wish it would rain''? Jesus take the wheel I can't take it. 

Here's the deal there's only two ways Boss does things, first it's hours upon hours in the studio, perfectionism and endless nights, doing things over and over till they are perfect (don't I understand that). Or he gets a sudden flash of creativity and basically does an entire album in a week, without going back and doing anything again, like he did ''Letters to you''. Then you got this one ''Only the strong survive''. He created this album in the early days of the lockdown (who said lockdown was useless? I did many times I know but still.), when he had too much time on his hands and went to do covers of his favourite songs. Let me point out that my man has flawless music taste, not that I'd expect anything else. 

I know what y'all are thinking though, that Springsteen just pulled a Rod Stewart with this album but it aint that way. Boss doesn't just do a static cover, he takes a song and makes it his own, stadium song, he shows us how the song makes him feel not just telling us he likes a song by making a cover of it. Also there's been covers on his concerts forever. I remember he did a cover of ''Shout'' on my first concert of his (OH MY GODS! Concert nr. 3 fast approaching and I don't know what to do with myself, about jumping out of my skin from excitement here, lol). 

Maybe what's surprising the most, the begining ''Only the strong survive'', modified a little (I love that little chuckle in between), but else just note per note the same, a wonderful tribute to Jerry Butler. But also the selection of songs on it's own, ever thought about that? Probably you have, but let me tell you how I feel about it regardless, aside from having multiple orgasms while listening of course. Lol. You got some serious classics on here like ''Turn back the hands of time'' but you also have something more ''modern'' like ''Soul days'' which is funny I was just raving about Dobie Gray or better Joe Elliott singing few lines, or better the title of the blog below is Gray's song. Imagine Boss covers that song, my mind might actually explode, or should I say implode? A little submarine joke for y'all. Then there's also 80's gems like ''Nightshift'' and ''When she was my girl'' (fun fact I actually love the Four Tops). And honestly it's not even surprising Boss is drawn to these songs is it? We both love that minor to major uplift, the soft build up, the gospel, the blues, the soul, the hope and the dreams you hear in the songs. God. And songs about lost love, and summer nights, and backroads and tragedy. I get that. I know that. I relate to that. I love that. 

To be honest even if he'd wanna modify the songs to make them his own, what would he even have to do? These songs are him in the end. This is him. Should we also point out how the music sounds like there's a 20 piece orchestra behind him, the entire freaking E Street band at least, but really it's just one man? Mr. Ron Aniello. WHAT?! How?! This is...woah. Mind blown up like that one emoji. You know which one. I mean okay, he's been a collaborator for ''Wrecking ball'' and ''High hopes'' both amazing albums, and it seems to me that with him there's this...how to put it, style? Perhaps that's the word. Style of music, or rather sound, that they've been exploring together. Maybe Ron was a push out of the comfort zone to do more exploring with his sound. A bloody brilliant push out of the comfort zone too.

I heard someone say that this is a very feelgood album about feeling bad. Fair point. Vulnereability is a common streak in this album, but it's presented in a more positive way, instead of everything being doom and gloom. If I understood it right though Rob and Bruce started recording this album and they named themselves the ''Night Shift'', probably working into late nights and that naturally progressed into the song ''Nightshift'' which is and will remain my fave on this album. Though, honestly, picking a favourite is so hard because all songs are fantastic. 

It's been some memory lane type thing if you look at it that way, wasn't it? Like the last couple of years, there's been old classics on tour, which he always shakes up a bit so not many concerts are totally identical. Picture me jealous over how he played ''The River'' the other day but he surely won't on my date. It's going to be GN'R all over again you guys. Then you got his entire life story in a book, which btw audio book in this case is a hell of a lot better, purely because he's reading it ddd. Then this hit Broadway, anothe thing to paint me jealous over. Can y'all imagine the Boss on Broadway? I'd sell my entire family for that. Not that anyone'd wanna buy them. Any of y'all went to see him btw? I'd not be against a full report. There were songs about old friends, songs about lost friends and of course ''Letter to you'' for which they used some old seventies material to make happen. 

Given that this album in many ways is nostalgic to Boss, revisitng his favourites, songs that mean something to him. It's kinda like...the album starts with the words ''I remember''...and it's a Seventies style album tbh, now think in the Seventies Bruce would of been that fiften yearold kid that just started playing, that just got his first electric guitar and started exploring his sound and place in the world. And now add that line he once said to that ''if you played in a bar on the central New Jersey shore in the sixties and seventies, you played soul music'' that's what this is. Soul. But then again if you think about it Bruce has always been a soul musician, he just never let that voice through, except on specially reserved projects, but here that's a different story. I just love how his phrasing draws out that quiet nostalgia of Dobie Gray (Bruce if you ever sing Drift away, I will die at your feet, just sayin). And the falsetto in the Temptations song, I love it, it's not only him celebrating his own favourites but a celebration of soul music in general.

Like, are y'all aware just how difficult creating cover albums is? There's a thin line between making the album sound like a complete copy, or too far fetched from the original sound and song. You need that right balance to make it perfect, and catching that balance sure isn't easy. At least it wouldn't be easy for me. I look at it from my artistic point of view. I constantly worry about originality of my work. Like the world is so full of music and arts and poetry and everything, it's so hard to be completely original. You're constantly inspired by something and it's bound to bleed into your work. But where is that line where something is inspired and something is copied? That's the tough part. With music it's even more difficult, I think it's safe to say people always prefer the original over the cover. I could probably list about 5 songs that I prefer covers of but that's about it, not me recently discovering a cover of ''Girl got rhythm'' by AC DC that is absolutely one hundred percent better than the original. Lol. Anyone got any good Scorpions covers? It's a recent thing that I despise them but also still love their songs and would rather not listen to them them? Does that make sense at all? 

Anyways back to the point, I don't even think this album was set out to be a cover album, I think it was made as a resurrection, as a way to celebrate old classics that we somehow forgotten or just don't hear much of, but to be fair these are some of the strongest vocalists and songwriters of all time and the songs, covers if you will, or better tributes, they're heartfelt, they're not just static songs, you can tell, and you can feel he loves these songs. You know these are his songs. And what an amazing way to bring a new light to these songs, to make sure they survive, to make sure new generations hear them. 

There's a moment in a song, I don't know if you're paying that close attention but on the ''Don't play that song'' by Aretha and Ben E. King, Boss goes off the charted teritory. He adds ''I remember those summer nights down by the shore, as the band played, with you in my arms, and we moved across that floor''. I mean these are such SUCH Bruce lines, and such a Bruce thing to do, adding up, making things a bit different than the original, saw him do it live twice, and if you think about it just how freaking genius and perfect he is, he is adding a piece of himself, a piece of who he is, essentially a piece of his own soul into something that's already considered living history. I love that. A couple of the greatest, entertwined in history forever. 

Now a couple of words on the album design. Firstly I love the clean black look. Absolute perfection. The man looks sexy as hell, the hand porn? Yeah I die. Did y'all notice the reoccuring car theme? Chapter and Verse, Western stars (back cover and my favourite photo of him, obvious reasons) and now this one? Let me point out that the man and I have absolutely matching car taste. I LOVE all of his cars, well him as well so it kinda fits. Did you notice how many details are put into his records? The inner sleeves, the whole gatefold, the gatefold actually has a car printed on the inside, the entire car theme bleeding on all components? I abolutely adore it. The picture inside the gatefold? Lord have mercy. I love how they added a poster that's a fun detail and I actually have another one from Born to run but that's that. It's funny in a way I'd love a Bruce poster probably framed on my wall, but it's not like I'd ever take it out of the vinyl. And I LOVE the neon orange and the etching of a speed meter. How freaking clever is that. Do you know any other artists with etched vinyl? Let me know, I'd love to hear it. Also the sound quality on this vinyl? It's actually fantastic, dynamic, rich, you can hear each instrument and you can hear his voice perfectly, a completely different experience than digital. 

Guys! Oh my god! The next post might actually already be the concert review given by how much I actually write lately. I am SO excited you have no idea! It's been far too long from the River tour which was my favourite tour to date. Another local concert tomorrow, we all know how much I love those right? Nothing like drunk kids and being spilled on and walked on. Fun times. But ya know, free tickets that come with a free drink coupon? This girl has her priorities sorted and knows you do NOT turn that down. Now if y'all excuse me I have about 13 drawings to finish up, poor time managing skills and simply putting things off each time there's a little sunshine outside (can ya blame me though?) led to that. Here's to early weekends! Enjoy guys. 

In the end that's all I want, a simple life with you.

Seems like ages have passed since I last wrote an album review. Seriously, any of all y'all know which was the last one? Children of Bodom perhaps? Who the hell knows…anyways I actually have a couple to catch up on. And also about a couple of books I read, and also a couple complaint posts about fucked up society and human insanity. Anytime now, when I bring myself to actually do it. BUT! This one needed no forcing myself to sit down and write. For this one, words came naturally. Flowing like a river. Look at me being poetic as fuck. And this one album I also actually listened to. A ''couple'' of times. I don't know what's going on lately but, I don't listen to much music *gasp*. Or watch Eurovision. I know you guys, I know. Revoke my European citizenship card. I deserve it.  (btw Finland my beloved, cha cha cha ;) I love it) 

So! This album came out on Friday (the 27th), and though this is being posted today (was waiting for the CD to show up in the mail to include pixs), it was written on Saturday (the 28th). Listen, I may have been up all night Friday night to listen to it. On repeat. A ''couple'' of times. Y'all didn't expect me to wait for my physical copy did ya? I mean though it was preordered months ago, and what's another week when you've already been waiting for months, buuuuut I just couldn't wait okay. I am so weak and I couldn't do it. This is the same situation as that ''no, I will not draw Tom Cruise this week'', well guess who has 3 half drawn portraits of him on her desk? Not me, no no, not at all. But it's not as bad as it sounds, I swear I have about 20 other drawings in the works too. Just, priorities.

Before you ask me and before we get into it, this album is a CD version because I love listening to him in the car. Might also get a vinyl version at some other time, if only for the bigger version of the pictures inside. Ha ha. 

This is that thing I keep telling you guys about. How modern times and streaming and youtube are fucking up music. It's all nice and dandy to share music videos on, but it's also taking the magic of getting an album. Like literally holding it, and playing it for the first time, from start to finish. (I know what I wrote in the first paragraph about waiting, shut up). I hardly know how that feels. And yes most of it is my fault, but you really can not dangle Kip Moore in front of me and expect me to take a step back and behave. Hello.

I remember writing the review for two of his other albums (wait two? One is missing! And also missing one of the albums, this is the fifth studio album, I only got four.) and they both started with praise about how much I love him. Hah. That hasn't changed one bit, I still absolutely love him. Or maybe possibly more. Cue in the endless sobbing over the fact that he's playing Cologne early May and I won't be there, even if this is the closest he's ever been to me. Deep sigh. Love is pain. Here I was yapping how I am crazy enough to go all the way to UK for one day for him, and now that he's more reachable, I can't go. IF there is a god above she must hate me. 

As I said for the other album, I will tell you the same for this one, it is perfect, perfect, perfect. Fucking absolute perfection. And even perfection is barely scratching the surface. I think he absolutely outdid himself, lyrically, musically, the voice? THAT VOICE! I don't even know where to start. In reality I hear Springsteen when listening to Kip. Not that they sound the same, but I hear him in that story telling. I hear him in that, you can sit with your eyes closed, listen to the lyrics and it's like an entire film is playing in your head. It's amazing to be able to say so much in a few lines of a song.

I know what you're thinking because I keep listening to the same crap. Oh but he's a country artist, what the hell are you thinking. In theory yes, he is. But really, it's more like his music has country roots and he's exploring elsewhere, a little pop, a little rock, a little bending the rules, a little experiment, and that's probably what is making his songs so good. So honest. So full of life ya know. So different really, the songs are not the same on this album by all means, they're all over the place, they're a freaking journey and my god what a journey it is. Can you guys just imagine if more musicians would just step out of the box, just dare to try something different? Dare to experiment and even if every single song comes out sounding different. So what? If it's good it's good. I don't understand putting out album after album and they basically all sound the same. A musician should be ballsy enough to dare and try something different, dare to still dream, dare to explore and grow. After all don't all of us artist want that? To grow? I know I will always want more, I'll always want to improve my drawings somehow. I know I will never settle. 

Kip especially stands out in the flood of country stars I'd say. Especially those singing about girls, beer and tractors (sorry Luke, you know I love you), just take this one song as an example, it's called Micky's bar (can we take a moment to appreciate that one of my fave bars in Vienna is also called that?) and it tells a story about a small town bar, regular clients and a girl called Jane (of fucking course it's Jane). It says ''Oh my make it a double, sweet Jane shootin' me a smile, oh my, my hearts in trouble, sweet Jane wants to stay a while''. It's an emotional tornado, it takes you on a path of slow burn romance. It's a simple song, with perfect vocals, perfect melody and just my god amazing writing. I am honestly just…amazed with how perfect the lyrics are on this album. I knew he had it in him, never doubted it, but jesus this is just over the freaking top. He is perfection. 

I can't pick a favourite song on this album. Like I can not, each one is special and perfect in it's own way, but really I knew this is gonna be huge ever since I heard the single ''Damn love''. 

Love is a reoccuring theme on this album. Of course. Or more like struggles with it. Relationships. Love. Life. Humans. 13 songs all together but this time there is less of that nostalgia, heartbreak, sadness, there is so much hope this time around. Hope for the future? Hope for…love? Just hope in general? I think hope is something we all need at this point. Just some hope that life can get better, that love can get better, that people can get better. That maybe somehow the world can get better.

Lets make something clear, ''Damn love'' the album titled song, the opener, it's fast paced, energetic, really that one that only needs one listen and you're hooked. But it's also the type of song you put on your fave greatest hits playlist and move on from the rest of them. But the real listeners, those that still appreciate music as art, those that sit down and listen to a song, really listen I mean, those will appreciate the introspective. They will enjoy the journey the album takes them on. They will enjoy exploring with Kip. They will appreciate listening and growing with him. They will appreciate the path and walk along side with him. Every twist and turn it leads you on. You'll know how to cherish that. Y'all know what I mean? It's music as it should be. Raw emotion. A story to tell. 

Guys! Listen to ''Heart on fire'' and tell me you don't hear ''Born in the USA''? Same vibe, same mood, same inspiration, same emotion, same love, same perfection. Same stadium moment, hot summer night, sunset over the stadium, lights, people, music, starry skies above. And nothing but you lost in the moment with thousands of strangers. Yes, in case you can't tell I miss this. Heart on fire is literally this.  Pop rock song, it's not country at all and I am obsessed with it, and yes baby, I would risk it all on you. Just saying, side note. 

''One heartbeat'' is a duet with the magnificent  Ashley McBryde, girl that voice! But let me point out that I was dancing to this song late last night in the headligths of a dirty AF Mercedes SUV, don't give me that look, I'd prefer a Silverado as well, but hey at least my jeans were skin tight and my boots were cowboy style. I fell in love with this song instantly, as soon as I heard the first few lines. They are just about the cutest thing on this planet. And honestly, don't we all need logic and reason in an insane world? I love you Kip okay, thank you for writing this song (whole album really), it's absolutely perfect and for 3:30 minutes in that dust, there was nothing, no worries, just the night, the stars, the headlights and this song. The worries just melted away. Expect me to get drunk at some point and butcher this song at karaoke. I apologise in advance, I really love it. Any volunteers to butcher the song with me? It's a duet after all…it just occured to me, this song is that cheesy romance books type thing that I love to read so much, you know…the fluffy cute things that make your teeth rot? Yep that. Imagine the goth girl with leather pants, black lipstick and a mean glare, reading sappy stories about two idiots in love. What has gone wrong in evolution I wonder? Or just, in my life at least. Maybe just the need for fluffy, cute, sappy, perfect, in a world that is anything but.

Can I just for a second point out that Kip said ''I still crave that companionship deep down in my DNA, and that's where Damn love comes from. There's a reason love and relationships have been written about so much, and why they continiue to get written about. Because at the core of us, that's what we desire the most.'' . Listen sweet cheeks I'm still waiting. Just saying.

You know what? The more I look at the whole album the more I feel like it's a journey on a search for love. A man looking for love and all the places he could be looking for it. Or better the places people go to look for love. Maybe the duet then represents the conclusion, two souls, one heartbeat. 

To conclude the rant with the song, a ballad, ''Mr. Simple''. I love it. You know why? Because it celebrates the simple things in life, the little things, the things that make life worth living but we all take them for granted. I love how the song starts, ''I've never liked the city, there's something 'bout them sounds''. You know what I hate the most about living in the city? Traffic, ambulance cars, railroad sounds, people. I've been craving to move out for a long time now. If only it could be as easy as the song says ''so, if you want the country, a simple life will do, just call me Mr. Simple, livin' simple with you''. That's all I'd want at the end of the day. Though if I stop here and comment on the only thing on this album that I did not like. It's in this song, and it's a line ''well, I've never liked the ocean''.  How dare you Mr. Moore? As part mermaid I am offended. Hah. That aside, I really felt the lines ''A hundred miles to the nearest road, nowhere to be, nowhere to go, just you and me soakin' up that sunset gold, drinkin' that beer ice cold, always got a hand to hold''. I'm either that boring or that old that this right here sounds like heaven to me. 

So that's about it, lets not spiral into long rants that don't make no sense and lets face it none of y'all have the patience to read. Enjoy the picture of my four beauties all together, so pretty, BTW did y'all notice how ''Damn love'' circles right back to ''Wild ones'' with the style and font? I absolutely love that.

''The people are the government, and the people have the power. All we have to do is awaken the power in the people.''

I'm literally sitting here in the middle of the night updating and writing shit posts for two of my blogs in order to keep my breathing (should I say panting?) under control. I watched the Witcher. Binged watched the Witcher and I have a couple of problems. Starting with how dare they cast Henry Cavill as the Witcher. Oh my gawd I'm not okay. That gray hair, yellow eyes and leather does things to me which in turn make me wanna do things to him. Bad bad things. Lol. Second thing they're giving us all these trailers, sneak peaks before the release and my mind the entire time was just ''bard bard bard bard bard''. Literally. No joke. OH MY GOD HAVE YOU HEARD THE SONG?! (Burn Butcher Burn) It came from a broken heart? Please unfollow, stop reading, block my posts because this is all I'm going to be talking about for a long while. Henry's voice in that Witcher mode growl? Lord help me I need Jesus and a confession. So damn sexy. And I would literally sell my soul to the devil twice to have him wrap his hands around my neck and growl into my ear (straight of set, in his Witcher gear still lol). Though my fangirling and freaking out aside, season two is better in every single way than season one was. Also, I need Henry's necklace bad! Anyone knows any good replica shops? Let me know if you do.

In more important news, my fellow Tumblr and Apple users, y'all seen this new tagging bullshit right? I hope every single employee at Apple gets beheaded. Sincerly. I prefered iPhones over Androids always but this? This is seriously crossing any and all lines of good taste. Why the fuck can't I use the tag ''mine'' anymore for my art? What kinda fucking problem can Apple have with that? I get tags for things that may be triggering but here's a wild idea how about banning triggering things all together so no tags are needed? Huh? I mean like look at an example banning the tag ''antisemitism'' is only preventing the discussion about it but not the content itself. The only message they're sending out this way is that creating a bricked up garden with hateful posts is acceptable on social media while pointing out that it's hateful is not. What the fuck for real. Listen to me and listen to me good, I aint censoring myself and fuck them iOS users (yes I know I'm one of them).  If anyone wanna read the idiotism of blocked tags here's the list  (Click me )

My fave gotta be suicide prevention and safe sex. WHAT IN GODS NAME IS BAD ABOUT THAT APPLE?!

Also that aside, I need to focus on the vinyl playing (yes finally after a year, a miracle my player still works after being neglected for so long) music, which was put on the player in order to either prevent me from going into a fit of rage over Apple and our government doing idiotic, fascistic bullshit or getting overly horny over the perfect human being that is Henry Cavill. Clearly wrong choice of music since I'm still both, angry and horny which in normal circumstances aint a bad thing to be honest, aint nothing quite like a little rough, hate sex. But back to the music there aint nothing hateful or rough about this man… 

Y'all know I do not like the Beatles. Really they're not my cup of tea. Over rated in every aspect and why the hell would you listen to the Beatles when you had the Stones? But their solo work I love. Most of it anyways. McCartney and Lennon at least. Lol.

This album came out in 1982 and it was released after John died. As a tribute to his solo career. It was supposed to come out in 81' but I believe it was held back for a year due to some legal bullshit. Isn't there always some legal bullshit? I think this had to do with that some songs were owned by Geffen and some by EMI and they probably couldn't come to an agreement. The album of course includes some of his biggest singles from his solo albums as well as my fave song by him which no is not Imagine but Stand by me. Though of course Imagine has better lyrics and story, aren't we all dreamers after all? I might be into Stand by me far more due to a fond memory tbh. It's not everyday at a karaoke bar where you get a musician who is supposed to be a good singer but had one too many drinks dedicate this song to you in a pink feathery boa, howling like a wounded moose. Good times. Now I don't even know what karaoke or a bar are to be honest.

Over all the selection of songs is alright but a little strange. I mean starting with ''Give peace a chance'' such a John Lennon thing to say. We all should give peace a chance, we all should live in peace but honestly, I don't have John's optimism or dreamer nature so I can't imagine the world giving peace a chance, at least not as long as humans live. It's a great start of the record though. ''Instant Karma''? Yes. I wish daily that Karma whoops some butts of some people that really deserve it. Another one of those, will I ever see it moments? It seems to me that this world is far more prone to favour idiots and assholes than it is to favour good people. I'm not even talking about myself here, I know I'm not perfect, I know I've made many mistakes, pissed off some people, hurt some people. But I know people that are nothing but kind and caring and loving and they seem to be on the receiving end of all bad things, always.

Third song side A is important. ''Power to the people''. I take it if you're here reading this post you know at least a little bit about John Lennon, you know his political stance and his ''rebelious'' nature. So you'll know this song is a Revolutionary statement. He wrote this song as a call to action of sorts, a response to the radical politics in the 60's. Deja Vu these days aint it?

Basically the phrase speaks for itself, obviously indicating that the people need to take control from the governments and institutions, which Lennon himself fought for and advocated. I often think how miserable and disappointed he'd be in the world we live in now. I don't think he'd enjoy watching the governments trampling rights and abusing people, or maybe I'm wrong and he'd be the voice of reason, the person that starts a proper riot. You know the kind that burns cities to the grounds. Metaphorically speaking, we all know John wouldn't hurt a fly. But you know what he said about this song? It was during the time him and Yoko (ugh) were doing the footage for the Imagine documentary, he was asked about the precise meaning of the song. Stupid question because wtf are you an illiterate idiot or…? Anyways what John said was ''The people are the government, and the people have the power. All we have to do is awaken the power in the people.''

This statement is exactly what I'm trying to make people see. People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of it's people. The very first second people start being afraid of their leaders it's no longer democracy but totalitarism. And the fact that we let them get away with everything, the fact that we let them use and abuse us, let them decide what they think we should do with our lives, with our bodies, with our beliefs. It's absolutely perverse.

Cute story a month after this song was released the Chi-Lites ''(For God's sake) Give more power to the people'' came out and though they wrote mostly about love and heartbreak they occassionally released a political song as well. Though they wrote about feelings, didn't want to get involved, John Lennon was different, he was up to his balls involved.

And then you got ''Whatever gets you through the night''. Well John, freshly sharpened pencils, couple of sheets of blank paper and gallons of coffee. Most nights. Some nights staring at the nightly starry skies wondering if someone else miles away is looking at the same sky as I am. Some nights simply lost in my head in either scenarios that end up hurting me or fantasies in which someone and I'm not going to lie it's mostly Henry, is attending my deepest, darkest fantasies, making them come true. So there. That's what gets me through the night. What am I saying. Sometimes it's literally chilled JD Honey.

Fun fact. Whatever gets you through the night is Lennons only solo number one single in the US during his life and he was the last member of the Beatles to achieve this. Recording includes Elton John on harmony / back vocals and piano. And another fun fact / cute story. Elton bet John that this song would top the charts but John was so sceptical that he said if it does he'll appear on stage at one of Elton's preformances. So the song hit number one and Lennon appeared at John's Thanksgiving gig at Madison square garden in 1974, which was Lennon's last major concert appearance.

I don't need to specifically go into Imagine and why that song is so important and meaningful right? I think we all know what it means and what the message behind it is aye?

There's of course other songs on this album like; Dream (what are those?), Mind games (aren't we all subjected to those lately?), Love (what is that?), Happy Xmas war is over (is it though?), Jealous guy, (just like) starting over (that's all I really want, a fresh start), Woman (according to new Ios – tumblr tag block a woman no longer exists lol), I'm losing you (sigh), Beautiful boy (darling boy), Watching the wheels (what is he a dog chasing a car?), Dear Yoko (gross. Come on I can't be the only one with a distaste towards Yoko?). But those all aside let's focus on my fave one eh? Yes because it's my fave that's all you're getting.

The blonde singer that sang this to me in a bar. Oh my god. Lol. He butchered the song, if there was ever anyone turning around in their grave then it was John during this ''preformance''. Tho the lyrics were all correct the singing was…well..takes a few tequila shots to ''enjoy'' the howling. I also heard David from Simple plan sing Stand by me, few times. Loved it. But lets go back to the original song. Which is not Lennons at all! This always happens to me I love a song by a certain artist and learn it's not theirs at all but a cover. Sigh. Ok so the original was released in 1961 by Ben E King. And last time I checked there's about 400 versions of this song out there. Can you imagine that? 400 different versions of the same song. I imagine it's the same with Hallelujah though. Apparently King said it was inspired by Sam Cooke's song ''Stand by my father'' could be. And another reason why I like it. Lets be honest everyone knows I love me some Sam Cooke. Oh look another thing on my bucket list, I need like a greatest hits by Cooke vinyl with Cupid and Change is gonna come and most importantly Twistin the night away. Bestie and I would dance to that song on the frozen Lake Bodom being stupid together. Fun times. Imagine how much more fun it would be if that ice cracked under our feet. Lol. Thank god Finland is practially permanetnly frozen.

I love how John covered this song, I love the acoustic guitar and I love the solo in between. I always hate it when someone takes a song and wants to make it 100% the same. If you're a singer, put some of yourself in the song, make it your own nobody wants to hear the same song all over again only sung in a different voice. Like metal singers do with Disney songs? Yeah I love that shit.

Either way I need to wrap this up because there's a sketch of Tommy Shelby from Peaky Blinders on my desk screaming for my attention and if there's one thing I can't resist is fresh new sharpened pencils and a pretty face to sketch. Y'all watched this show btw? Amazing! I love it so much and Cillian Murphy is so good in it. I had a thing about him before, those eyes! But I feel like he was born for this role, clothes, face, hair! All of it fits. It wasn't my thing before till I was persuaded into watching it and since said person doing the persuading has to suffer through my moaning and panting over the Witcher…it was only fair I watch some of his content too. Thank fuck I did. (Also Tom Hardy!).

Right the album! The first posthumous release and it did super well, reaching number one in UK (of course it did) and number thirty three in US where it also went triple platinum but what's more important and also kinda creepy is that the front and back cover pictures (they're awesome aren't they?) were taken by the amazing Annie Leibovitz and just a few hours later John was murdered. Jeesh.

Either way, despite not being a huge fan this is an album I enjoy now and then. For calming your nerves and anger and horniness there's no better cure. Lol. I suggest you give it a spin.

So enjoy your week you guys, last week of 2021, I don't know should I be relieved or terrified? Either way I'm glad this shit year, another shit year actually, is finally ending.

Wasted & wounded

That's how I feel these days wasted and wounded. More wounded than wasted actually. Wounded in a mental state kinda way.  There's only so much one can do to keep busy, distracted and well trying their best not to go crazy in the current state of the world. How's that working for you guys? I gotta admit my facade of sanity is slowly (or actually quickly) crumbling. As we head into yet another (big shocker huh?) week of lockdown, I'm finding it hard not to go absolutely bat shit crazy.

So while I sit here and contemplate life, begging the man upstairs and the man downstairs to let us travel again soon, here's some fun facts about another European country I absolutely love. Here's the deal, Berlin is it for me. No place cooler than Berlin. Also as a country, Italy. Aint nothing better than Italy. If you got the money, if you got the chance to go to Italy and you don't, you're just plain crazy. Italy is as close to heaven as there is on earth. BUT! Another country (and the first one I'm bolting to as soon as lockdowns and all the other bullshit are over) I love, is Finland. There aint nothing quite like Finland either. See Italy is perfect in their ocean, beaches, architecture, culture, history, food, Italians, climate, lakes, nature,…but Finland. God Finland.

Did you know that Finland has the most heavy metal bands in the world? Like when you think of music, I guess we all think of USA and UK first, which is insane because music as such is so much better in Scandinavia. There are literally more than 50 metal bands for every 100 000 people in Finland. Consider that there are about 5 540 000 people living in Finland, now imagine all the bands. Wild. Another thing that one should consider is that Finland is said to be the worlds happiest country. Obviously I need to move asap. Lacking happiness as I am, maybe the happiest country in the world can fix me. A little. Or a lot. The happiness factor depends on life expectancy, freedom of making life choices (all the big ones), economic strength, FREE education even on university level, no corruption, health care taken care of, and most likely just generally them being different more open minded people. Honestly if there's one thing I just can't take is conservative, dumb, hateful people.

Another fun fact which paints you a vivid picture why Finland is literally the country for me is the fact that Finns are the world's biggest coffee drinkers. Which surprised me and also is that a challenge? Because these days I swear I only run on coffee and fake promises of a better time, which means I am literally increasing the average liters of coffee consumed of my entire country. I actually assumed that if not the world, than Europe, biggest drinkers of coffee would be the French or Italians, but no, there go the Finns, probably staying awake all nights, writing metal songs or getting lost in the woods. So in translation that means 12 kg of coffee per person per year. And yet here I am, being called crazy for drinking five plus cups of coffee per day.

Here is another thing that I just LOVE about Finish people. You know me, in some ways this corona crap is actually a gift from god for me, I am enjoying the social distance and people not breathing down my neck in supermarkets…here's the deal, in Finland saying a quick hello and moving on your way when meeting an acquaintance is perfectly okay. Nobody is pushy, nobody is stopping you for a (mostly unwanted) snoopy conversation. I hate that so much here, always the same ''How's work? When are you getting married? How about children? Did you lose weight?'' blah blah blah. It's rude and none of anyone's business. This is probably why Finns are dealing with corona better because they naturally keep their distance from people in public areas. Can I like say god bless them? I mean is there anything more annoying than people literally brushing against you when there's literally meters of space all around that can be used? Ugh. Respect my personal space why don't you?

How about a couple of totally legit sports that exist in Finland? Not joking even a little bit these are real; wife carrying championship, mosquito hunting competition, mobile phone throwing, swamp football, air guitar. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Like how cool is this? I don't like sports at all but this…this is just badass. Sports I could find myself enjoying besides ''catching guitar picks at concerts''. Fun fact, do you know what's the first prize for the winner of the wife carrying championship? The wife's weight in beer. Lol.

How about them Northern lights? Is there anything, anything more beautiful than them? I mean yeah truth that during winter there are weeks where the sun just doesn't rise and me being me loving the sun, a southern girl, that's rough, but isn't there something so comforting about the dark? And then those beautiful lights that light up the dark sky. Amazing. Opposite to dark days you also got days during the summer when the sun never sets, also called ''midnight sun'' (I see what you did here Meyer) which to me is far worse than dark days. I mean how do you function, how does your brain function when it's midnight and it's bright as day? Crazy.

All my feministic readers you'll dig this ''Finland is the most gender equal country in the world'' or one of at least. Okay, today that might not mean that much, we like to think that Europe is changing and women have more equal rights etc…BUT Finland was actually the first country in the world that gave women the right to vote. Today living in this privilege of never not having a voting right, we don't even see it as a big deal, but they gave women the right to vote in 1906 and that is definatelly a big deal.

But alright lets get back to music, which is after all the point of this post. Heavy metal actually has cultural significance in Finland. If you think about it, metal as a genre of music is completely misunderstood all over the world. People tend to have snarky comments, look down on metal heads, call them names, call the music ''noise'' etc. That's different in Finland. It's actually one of the most popular types of music and it's played on mainstream radio stations. Here we are force fed Pink, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Justin Beaver and the closest to metal we get is Bon Jovi's Bed of roses, not even joking. Cute story the cultural significance of heavy metal in Finland was also noted and pointed out by the US president Barack Obama (don't you dare correct me, I don't count psychopatic clowns as presidents) back in 2016 at the Nordic Summit. Take that haters. And my neighbors, and actually parents, and just about everyone that ever sat in my car with me. Sigh.

Surely one of the most significant names of Finish metal we all know are ''Lordi''. They literally made history when winning the Eurovision song contest in May 2006. It doesn't even matter if you watch the event of how you feel about it, the point is that they were both the first Finish band to win and the first hard rock / heavy metal band to win. That was a breath of fresh air that hasn't repeated yet. It drives me nuts, metal and hard rock being over looked like it is, the Grammys? All the dumb looking for talent shows? Why does a pop star / Bieber wannabe / always win? I mean I know why, but WHY? What's funny here though is that Lordi gained some controversy because people interpreted their music as encouraging Satanism. Lol. Someone from here had to do it I'm sure. In fact it's funny because one of their members is actually a very ''up tight'' Christian (why do I hear Ivar Lothbrok spitting ''Christian'' in my head just now?) who writes church music and their song ''The devil is a loser'' is actually against Satanism. Kinda like that bitching over Motley Crue's ''Shout at the devil'' I imagine at the end of album promo Nikki's eyes were permanently stuck in his skull from rolling them at just about every reporter ''listen it's shouting AT the devil NOT with the devil''.

Some other bands that are from Finland that you just have to check out (but probably already know) are; Amorphis, Children of Bodom, Nightwish, Apocalyptica, HIM (obviously one of my fave though no longer together, also first Finnish band to release an album that becomes golden in US), The 69 eyes, Los Bastardos Finlandeses (my fave name haha), and a ton more, though I tend to be more into less known bands. Smaller bands which are every bit as good.

Which brings us to the (long awaited) point of this post. Weekend music recommendation. 

A band from Finland named after a city in California with the prettiest beaches. Santa Cruz. This ''self titled'' album isn't the first one btw, first one was ''Anthems for the Young 'n Restless'' EP with 6 songs back in 2011, then ''Screaming for Adrenaline'' in 2013, after which ''self titled'' came out in 2015, followed by two more albums. My favourite ''Bad blood rising'' in 2017 and ''Katharsis'' in 2019, more on those on another occassion.

This is a solid hard rock band that formed in 2007 inspired by all of the best bands out there, you know GN'R, Skid Row, Def Leppard, Van Halen,…a band which in 2012 landed a worldwide record deal with Spinefarm records. The same Spinefarm that has Airbourne, Anti flag, Black label society, and Rammstein. Though they're not their artist anymore, this I think is still pretty impressive as was their stage pressence at the time. A year later the band signed with TKO agency which gave them the chance of touring in the UK, Germany and Belgium and they got to tour with Skid Row. Oh my god! You guys! Can you imagine growing up with the posters of your heroes on your walls and then you're suddenly one of them, supporting one of the biggest bands on tour. They opened for a lot of other impressive names such as Sebastian Bach, Lemmy and Bon Jovi. Though since then the band went through several lineup changes I can't lie and say that I prefer anyone over the original one (I'm sorry Pav, I love you).

Alright the record starts with ''Bonafide Heroes'' which is one of the coolest album openings in general. It captures that raw early Skid Row sound, the ''youth gone wild'', the rebellion, the anger. I'm always a fan of songs that start slowly and gently then suddenly deliever a punch, even if this kinda ''punch'' might make you throw your car off the road if you listen to it in the car. Hey! Maybe this wanna be safety is why our mainstream radios only play easy rock and pop. The soft subtle choir type begining and the sudden kick into a furious ''noise'' is exactly what makes this a kickass opening. Imagine not knowing a band and this is the first album you get, first impression? Uh I think fuck yes!

Second song ''Velvet Rope'' continiues with the same angry energy and guitars that litreally melt your face off. What's so unique for me in this band is the incredible gift in the guitar playing area. We're so lacking that lately. More bands that sound (and look) like this. There wouldn't be a happier person than me out there if the 80's as they were came back. Men in tight jeans, leather pants, big hair, hair and glam metal. I'd sell my soul to the devil to see that.

Song three is my favourite on this album ''My Remedy''. I love the line ''I need to flee baby set me free''. I guess we all feel that way sometimes, now more than ever. It's actually the lyrics to this entire song that I love (check it out here click me ). This is like a total stadium anthem kinda song for me, warm summer night, drink in one hand, and the crowd singing this chorus back to the band. Yeah, not that I'll see this scenario any time soon. But this is how it feels, that hair raising moment. I mean I love everything about concerts but you gotta admit there aint nothing like the singer going quiet and the crowd picking up the song. It's amazing. Y'all seen the video for ''My Remedy''? Lol I love it.  All the hair! Also how cute is that priest? Lol.

''6 (66) feet under''. Also the number of feet down I'd like to bury certain people. Do you know I had the number 666 on my old car? Like metalic numbers stuck on the back of the trunk. I miss that car all the time tbh. The song! I love it so much the vibe, the lyrics, the melody, another stadium anthem right there. It's an addictive song and honey I'm on a diet of opiates. No joke. I love this song so much. The drums in it? Bitchin! And that guitar solo? Makes your underwear wet not to be explicit but really, it does. So do the vocals tbh. Man, Archie Cruz can sing.

''Bye Bye Babylon'' that line ''I will paint your fantasies to memories'' please do, anytime, anyday, I'm game. This song is less angry but perfect non the less. As the rest it has great lyrics and just perfect guitars and drums and bass and vocals, obviously all of it is perfect. Those high notes too? My god.

''We are the ones to fall'' follows, probably a more known song, amongst fans anyways. And that ''bloody'' video. Brilliant song. Straight from the get go the scream of ''we are the ones to fall'' the hair flipping the whole setting of the song. Hits just right. I'd literally write more about how great this song is but here I am stuck on the music video repeating for the third time because all that pretty hair, even if they end up beating each other up. I mean, I guess all bands have disagreements sometimes….

''Wasted & wounded''  with a music video made in Tavastia in Helsinki. Tavastia is only the coolest rock music club in Helsinki. Or one of the coolest in Europe tbh. I mean it's not a huge concert hall or anything it's a club for what less than 1000 people but guys it has it's charm. In the 70's the club was rented for weekly jazz, rock and disco gigs. And later in the 80's when it got it's legendary status as a rock club (basically the Viper room) there's been bands such as Dead Kennedys, Nick Cave and Hanoi Rocks. It is also one of the oldest European rock music clubs that are still in use. Right point here, Wasted and wounded is a dope song regardless of where the music video was made.

As it goes on with the ''Let them burn'' which has a live music video which gives you a glimpse of the bands great pressence on stage, nevermind who they want to burn. Lol. Song that follows the vibe of the album, the rest of the songs, angry, rebellious, passionate, perfect. Y'all caught that adorable Archies laughter in this song? At this point my sister would be like ''you have a thing about their singer don't you?''. Not at all. Lol. Not even my type. Lol.

''Vagabonds (sing with me)'' can you say no when they ask so nicely? It's a song that definatelly brings fans together. The ''fireeeee''? I died okay. I just love his voice so much. Another fast paced and loud song. Another one that's obviously pure perfection.

The album closes with ''Can you feel the rain'' which actually starts with sound effects of rain, storm, etc. Very ''Riders on the storm'' by the Doors. Who may as well be another influence for this band. If the rest of the album is angry and fast paced this is calm and gentle, while still a rock song. It's more…curious, soft. It picks up a bit towards the end with the just right ammount of power. Beautiful. I'd love a music video of the band playing it the rain, actually I'd like to be stuck in the rain with the singer. No, I don't have a thing for him at all.

You know what? Actually fuck everything I just said, this album is perfect from the first second to the last. Everything fits, the guitars, the drums, the bass lines and those angelic vocals. Their influences shine through so well, you can hear all those bands in their music, but still this fresh sound for newer generations to love and appreciate. And most definatelly they're a band whos sound is something we need more of. Whatever the future holds for the band as a band and individual members, I'm sure it's nothing but bright. With their talent and their sound? Stadiums and number ones no doubt.

I didn't need another version of 2020 to hate but here we are.

It's record release day today! That's right people, Bruce Springsteens ''Letter to you'' comes out today. Well came out today. It's evening here. And though I don't have it yet, (living in a country where tap water and color tv are a bloody miracle) I am beyond excited. Only heard one song and I am completely and totally in love. I know the rest of the record is going to be amazing, though I refuse to listen to it before I hold it in my hands. Internet and streaming completely destroys the pleasure of listening to the record for the first time when you actually get it. I envy everyone in the 80's that had that full effect. Vinyl on, playing an album from start to finish. Fucking amazing. I only listened to the title track ''Letter to you'' and those lyrics you guys, that voice, the emotions which the song is sang in. Holy hell. If the rest of the album is anything like it (and I'm sure it is) it's going to be a fucking masterpiece. Not that he can do a bad album to be honest. Well. I wasn't a big fan of the ''Devils & Dust'' but that's a topic for another day. Make sure you come back for an album review. Soon. To be honest, I already know this, for me, is the only thing that's going to save 2020.

And for now I'll do something I've never done before. I'll write a review on an album I don't actually own. Why? Because I don't plan on buying it, yet I've been asked to share my opinion by a couple of my friends and also readers that are still not fed up with me. Cheers guys, I love you. So here's a few more lines other than just ''I hate it''. Spoiler alert? It's not going to be a nice opinion. It gives me no pleasure to write these lines believe me. It's a band I love, band I always loved, but hell lately? I can't stomach them. Yes we're here again, yes this is about Bon Jovi. Again. And yes I am sobbing over the vinyl I own (Slippery when wet, New Jersey, fucking selftitled album,…), thinking how the fuck did a band that was this good fall this low?

Are y'all following these recent rumors? Richie Sambora actually left because his kid needed him and Jon was a bitch who didn't understand that? Rumors are rumors yes but if there's even a tiny bit of truth in that? That really, really clouds my opinion on the man. And the plagiarism rumors? That would be…a really low hit for a big star. Omg don't even get me started on that recent ''I wish Richie Sambora had his life together'' and that ''inability to put his life together is the reason for ''This house is not for sale'' ''bullshit. Jon you egocentric son of a bitch. Is this some sort of a joke? Does the universe revolve only around you? Like are you trying to be funny? Are you fucking trying to undermine all he accomplished WITHOUT you? Are you trying to make him look like a low class ''has been'' while you're the one who really is turning into a ''has been''? Richie finally looks happy and healthy and more importantly sober. His music still sounds like music, which honestly can't be said for Bon Jovi no more. (Sorry Phil).

It seems to me that people forget that musicians after all are still musicians. And touring 18 plus months must be a nightmare. You know how much ''normal'' life you miss out on? We have this illusion it's all booze, drugs, women and parties, when in reality it's drugs to cope with a pretty lonely existance. It's beyond bizarre to me how come a musician doesn't understand a fellow musician then? Aren't they going through the same struggles? Or hey are your wife and kids that bad that you enjoy being away from them for so long? What? Someone had to ask. Here's the deal Richie knew when it's time to stand back, to take a break, to rethink about his life and career, which is something Bon Jovi should have done years back.

I guess this is on me…I was putting too much faith into this new album, I don't know why, I should know better. ''This house is not for sale'' was already a shitty album. And 2020 being a shitty year, why should an album wearing 2020 as a title be any better? I'm going to borrow a line I read online ''this aint your momma's Bon Jovi'' and it really isn't. Sigh. Long gone are the days of ''New Jersey''. Only thing I can really say is thank fuck that my preorder didn't go through when I wanted the album because that would of been money thrown out the fucking window.

It's not even that much about the voice. Even if all I can say is ''what the fuck is going on Jon?''. Y'all seen the youtube clips right? From the live shows (which I barely remember at this point) It sounds like him, but it doesn't sound like him, I swear I sound better in the shower while waxing my bikini areas. No joke. It's a nightmare. It's hard to listen to. More than my ears it hurts my heart. Seriously. I worry about him, about his voice permanently damaged, about not being able to sing at all at some point. The fuck? Why is everyone sticking their heads in the sand? Why won't someone tell him ''that's it get help''?  have y'all noticed how it all went downhill since Richie left? I'm sorry but like this is not the same band ever since HE walked out. It is what it is. Sometimes it feels like he just stopped trying after Sambora walked out. Stopped trying lyrically wise too. I'm sorry but ''This house is not for sale''? I have a hard time believing that after everything that followed concerning the band. Or am I wrong and the ''house'' aint the band and this was a clever way to tell us he's got a career in realestate? Well fucking get to it then, everything's better than recent music.

As a starter…what the fuck were you thinking calling the album 2020? Seriously. I don't get it. It makes absolutely zero sense. Album was set to be released in May and it was done by then obviously, only Corona held it back untill what 2 or so weeks ago. So during quarantine he wrote two songs that replaced two original songs on the album and thank fuck you guys because these two songs are the only good songs on the record. One about George Floyd, the protests, the black lives movment, a ballad. The other one a ''Corona anthem'' with this country vibe and sound? Perfect. I love everything about it. Music and lyrics, even the voice (when polished on the album) is not so bad. See these two songs, that weren't supposed to be on the album are the only thing that reflect the year 2020 and make the album title have a little sense. The rest? What the fuck?

I listened through the songs on youtube. More like listened to under 30 seconds and pressed skip because it's just hard man. Hard to listen to. Freaking torture. ''American Reckoning'' which is the song about George Floyd and the racist violence in America is a great song. It's actually got this ''Springsteenish vibe'' , kinda reminds me of something you'd hear on Nebraska. It's not too surprising because we all know Jon looks up to him (who doesn't?). The thing is I really like the song, I do, no joke, but it's still, I don't know. It kinda doesn't sound like him, it doesn't sound ''honest''? Maybe that's closest to the emotion I feel. You know when Bon Jovi would write ''Always'' and ''Bed of roses'' and god damn ''I'll be there for you'', we all know they're about his wife, and these are honest, these are beautiful, they're packed with so much emotion, hell you fell in love with his wife too just listening to them and now? While ''American Reckoning'' is beautiful and I'm not going to deny that there are emotions in this song you can hear them, it feels sorta forced to me. Feels like trying to make a statement. Feels like wanting to be a stadium band when you're barely fit to fill up a bar. Am I making sense?  Something is not right. The song with the potential to pull at your heart strings, passes through as background noise.

The thing is that lyrically most of 2020 is great. I read through the lyrics not listen to them because that's just impossible. The lyrics are political, they paint a picture of so many things going on in the past couple of years, not just 2020 (except Limitless, jesus christ how many fucking times can you repeat limitless in one song, feels like a broken record to me at some point), but the problem is you can't listen to it. You just can't. I could just about understand that they went for this ''whiny'' type of music so the lyrics are more prominent ….but like…? No thank you. I can't. All I keep thinking about is the vibe and the feeling this album gives me. You know when Tommy and Gina were young ''living on a prayer'', living on love and life and promise. Everything was okay then and now? This album is the worst ending to that illusion. Tommy and Gina grew up. Their dreams died a painful death and all there's left is pain and sadness and tragedy that this album illustrates. And I'll be damned if I stay around for it. Sometimes holding on to some dreams, some fake illusions is much better. Happier.

Jon when talking about retirement said something along the lines ''no one loved the fat Elvis'', I'd punch his smug face for that. ''Fat'' Elvis could still sing. So this ''mockery''? Ridiculous. You're over there howling like a wounded moose making fun of Elvis? It's time. Time to retire. I'm not stuck in the 80's I'm all about experimenting and growth. I LOVED Springsteens ''Western stars'' that was completely different. But this is not growth, this is not experiment, and it's not trying out different things…this is just…a hot mess. Sometimes you don't go about fixing what doesn't need to be fixed. A good rock album was all that was needed, nobody asked for a wanna be pop rock fake ''uplifting'' bullshit, and in the end it's not uplifting at all but depressing and to be honest, I don't think anyone can handle any more depression in this already fucked up year.

And lastly…y'all are aware that aside from Bon Jovi there's also Jon's solo projects? So giving a Bon Jovi album the cover that he did with 2020…his fucking face like he's Blake Shelton or some shit like that and the band just happens to be there, bystanders, completely forgotten, same with the music video ''Do what you can'', where the hell is the band?…doesn't that speak, no actually doesn't that shout volumes of where his head is at?

Here's the deal Jon was worried about the tone of the album, receiving critisism because it's too political. Listen to me, political is good, the lyrics are good, it's everything else that's shit. I wonder how the rest of the band feels about this music. Not that I will find out, they feel like hired help at this point anyways.

That's that, it's like I said, I don't like it, I can't stomach it, I wont buy it, I won't listen to it. Now excuse me while I play a couple of videos from concerts, especially the one in Milano and cry. First of because I pretty much forgot what a concert is (fukn se na tilnik korona) and second because that thing in Milano, that, THAT was an out of body experience, just thinking about it makes me shiver all over. It's like ''sex is great you guys but have you seen Bon Jovi in Milano?''. It was the best Bon Jovi concert and honestly? I feel blessed that I saw it. I feel blessed that despite never going to a show again (I refuse to) at least this perfect memory remains. A memory in which, life was perfect and so were Bon Jovi.  

P.S. Chances are slim to none, but Jon, should you ever read this, I apologize for the rude words, name calling, swearing but not album opinion and please for the love of everything holy get your shit together because I don't really like a world in which I hate one of my favorite bands.

You're my red white blue jean American dream.

I started this post a little differently originally, but deleted it and started over. Sadly you'll never know what the original begining had, sometimes I get carried away, write about things that should remain private, locked in a silly diary with a lock. I had one of those when I was in middle school. Got ruined because my family doesn't respect boundaries and they decided to read what I was writing. I don't know if there's anything that could scream private more than a diary. Ironically now, when I write a public blog none of them reads it. The fuck? 

Either way, it's the 4th of July tomorrow. No, I don't care about American Independence day (y'all seen what happens if you type 4th of july into google?), what I care about is the fact that I was supposed to be in Bologna, Italy tomorrow at Sonic Park Fest. Ticking off one of my biggest dreams of the list. Seeing My Chemical Romance live. Something I dreamed about since 2005. Then they broke my heart by breaking up, now they're back together and I feel like the man upstairs saw me almost happy and decided to intervene with this fucking pandemic. Y'all music lovers feel my pain right? I swear no concerts feels like my therapist has died. Yes I'm aware that dates have been postponed to next year, but believe me that doesn't do much for me right now.

But instead of moping and crying into my FIFTH cup of coffee today, I'll write a quick review of an album that came out last Friday. Still hot from the press. It was a surprise in the mail for me, I didn't know it's coming, and a signed copy non the less. Literally full on sobbing. Y'all know how much I love this man…

I know bad pictures. It's mission impossible to take good pictures of a CD without the reflection, but you get the point. Also ALSO y'all should see the gorgeous smiley photo inside the booklet, but for that I'd have to take it out and smear his fingerprints that are most likely on it. Don't argue with the crazy fangirl right now. Hah. But really, gorgeous smile. 

Alright, here's the deal, y'all know I'm a metal / rock child all the way. But also a total country girl and I enjoy this type of music so much. Don't be fooled though, not all artists. This one just happens to be my favourite. Well top five favourite. Not just his voice and music but also his kind nature. All in all a good man, great artist, amazing voice, beautiful lyrics, what more do you want? 

OH MY GOD, can I just say I'm in love with this album? It's so perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect. And I think he just may be the reason I finally go to the UK. Yes, yes I hear myself guys I do, but UK is the closest (as if it's close lol) that he tours to me. I mean everything is cancelled right now obviously (we should cancel life too ugh) but when things settle…it seems like a completely logical, rational decision and I can just see my family tearing my head off if I tell them I'm going to UK for a concert. Lol. Dad would understand I'm sure, but he'd tell me he's embarrassed that I'd go that far for anything that's not Rolling Stones. Well shit. 

So the album has 13 songs all together and the first single came out in August titled ''She's mine'' and honestly you guys it was love at first play. Y'all seen the video? If not the link is HERE, go check it out. I'm so in love, it's simple, it's cute, it's fun and most importantly the song is so catchy and I just love it. Scared to check iTunes how many times was it played. Too many probably. Lol. 

So the album opens with a song called ''Janie Blu''. Oh my god what a song! Like, his voice, all icicle and cotton candy, sand paper and cotton, leather and lace. You know what I mean? It's raspy, it's gritty, it's powerful and yet it's soft and it's gentle and it gives you the idea of his entire range and how he sounds live. Well how I imagine he sounds live, wasn't lucky enough to see if I'm right yet. But obviously I am. I just know. I have this hunch that Kip is a much better artist live than on the album. Sure album sounds amazing but all those growls, and grooves and things that make someone's voice special sorta get lost on a recording. There is nothing like listening to your favourite artists live as is, but sometimes things get lost in translation. 

Second song is called ''Southpaw'' total outlaw anthem. Something I'd imagine myself whistling while running from the law. Yes, it wouldn't be the first time and if the last time it was Pitbull and Sheltons ''Get ready'' then Southpaw might be more on point. Guys! Imagine this song live! It's a Bon Jovi type stadium anthem. Well, better, since Jon's preforming standards these days are rather low.  The song ''Southpaw'' feels like it's about that kinda life, you know, the outlaw life, there's a line ''wanted by the law and every woman''. But that's not what the song is about at all. He recently in an interview explained that this song talks more about his disgust with modernity than his desire to be a bad boy. He told the ''American Songwriter'';

''I get a little frustrated with the way I see society shaping up and the way everything’s become a little vanity-ridden. Social media to me has gotten out of hand. At times I just feel like I was born at the wrong time and I feel kind of isolated in those thoughts. And then it makes me feel like maybe I’m crusty and jaded. I’m not sure. I’m still trying to process the way I feel sometimes about the way I see everything going.'' (full interview HERE) 

Can I just say I completely agree? I feel the same way about society, about social media, about these standards and ''normality'' being forced upon us and definatelly about being born in the wrong time and being isolated with my own thoughts. Not so much thoughts maybe as I am in this place. People are different than I am, and their ''normal'' isn't my ''normal''. It's rough. I get you Kip. 

This album is a bit different because sure these are in a way love songs but not the whole rot your teeth sweet, like Bon Jovi will (please for the love of everything holy write something political Jon) but honest. They aren't looking trough heart shapped glasses but real songs, rugged. Love isn't always pretty and it's not always happy. The people in his songs are real people, flawed people. People who are trying to fit in in a place they don't feel they belong. People trying to find their place under the sun.  He says that he's a private person and that the only real open and honest are his songs, which I think what the last song ''Payin' hard'' is about. Personal. Raw. Honest. 

Don't you just love how country music can make you love the little things? The dirt roads, barefoot walking on the grass, the small towns, country life, skinny dipping in the lake, the sound a truck makes driving over the railroads, Friday nights, bonfires, something to sip on and not a care in the world, tailgate down watching the stars, no hurry, nothing but time to spend. Easy times, easy life. Gotta love that vibe. I miss it everyday. Living in the city. It aint easy. It's not a big city, but it's far from the free, open, country life I had when I was younger. 

Right back to the album. It goes on with ''Fire and flame''. Another one to sing along to on a stadium. I wish. I love the line in this song ''When I was desperate and I lost my faith, I found an angel is a broken place''. And I love the voice he sings this in, that perfect raspy voice that literally gives me shivers and goosebumps all over my body.

The story goes on with the album title song ''Wild world''. Another nice one although with maybe a bit over used phrases. ''Mama said'' and ''life is short, some days are long''. Nothing wrong with that though and I love how he simply but straightforward makes a point with ''be proud of the blue around your collar''. 

Next song is ''Red white blue jean American dream'' and oh my god I am obsessed. This is probably my new favourite song, which is super ironic because it's the only song on the album not written by Kip Moore. Lol. It was written by Jimi Beil, Barton Davies, Phillip Lammonds and Luke Dick, listing them here to thank them because I do love the song so much, and also for my family, if they ever venture here to know who to ''thank'' for being tortured with this song on reply. I love it so much did I say? Starts with a ''Well it's a great big world, with a lot of little things to see, so what you say, girl, do you wanna see 'em all with me?'' uh, yes! You don't even need to ask, anyday, anytime. On a serious note this is a fast pace, fun song, easy to listen, easy to sing along, easy to play real loud in a pickup while driving around with no destination. And I just love the chorus ''Well, Dylan went to New York, Cash went to Nashville, Mark Twain floated on the Mississippi queen. Daddy planted roots in Dixon county, mama's mama never left the front porch swing. We can climb the Eiffel tower in Paris Texas, Rock rock city in Tennessee, rollin' down the road, you and me just chasin' that red white blue jean American dream''. Perfection right there. 

Next song, ''She's mine'' just seriously go watch the video. And that smile. Ugh the cutness is killing me. If you love Tom Petty and Heartbreakers (and I do obviously) then go listen to this song, you'll love it. Did I say my friend and I added a line to that song and filmed a ridiculous remake of the video, in which I may have danced in booty shorts on the hood of his ancient Mercedes? Good times. Shoulda been a pickup though, I keep telling him that. I aint a Merc girl, I'm a pickup, redneck hick all the way. 

''Hey old lover'' that's about a booty call right? I mean ''hey old lover, won't you come on over? Heard you're in between boyfriends from your mother, I always thoguht we'd end up together'' okay maybe not just a booty call but more of a…I don't know a potential for a happy end. You know? When you're dating someone and things are perfect and then they don't work out but maybe years later you find eachother again, and try again and everything is perfect? I know I know…when did that ever happen? Well it did for Brantley Gilbert, but how many Brantley's are there? I guess it's rare, but isn't that exactly what makes it that much more special? 

After old lovers there's ''Grow on you'' and if that's not the cutest song than I don't know what is. Okay it's a bit cocky not going to lie but oh my god so cute! The ''Like ivy up a hickory, down in muddy Mississippi, I'm puttin' down roots and I'ma gonna grow on you'', for the love of everything holy stop promising and just do it already, I'm still waiting. Lol. I guess he declared his love and his dedication to make things work to a girl who's not yet sold on him in this song. Or say not completely convinced yet (crazy or…?). Guitar parts in this one are just fun, the whole song is fun, edgy, more rock n roll vibe. It's just a cool song. 

Then you got ''More than enough'' which is the perfect example of that leather and lace, icicle and cotton candy thing that I described ealier. It demands your attention from the first note because it's different. It's so soft, delicate, tender, soothing. It's the type of love song that any girl would want to hear. Someone pouring their heart out to them, promising forever, in better or worse, sickness and health, rich or poor, all those things people promise each other on their wedding day but forget about in a years time. Under the cold facade and the (as my friends love to say) serial killer glare I'm actually all gooey for romance and love songs (sorry but classic rockers going for love ballads? That shit makes a bitch hot under her collar).  This song though ''If Uncle Sam goes and steals my money, I'm good with a spoonful of your sweet honey, and I'll be sittin' pretty and rich on love, love, love. If the rain won't stop and the sun don't shine, hit a tough spot, baby, we'll be fine, you in my arms is all I need, just a little bit of your love is more than enough for me''. Perfect isn't it? And isn't that what we all want? I don't need a big house, expensive cars, things that society makes us think we need, I just need that. My person. That one person who's there through good and bad and who's demons play well with mine. Don't get me wrong material things like a Harley outside are nice, but in the end of the day, nothing will make you as happy as wrapping your arms around someone you love and someone that loves you and makes you feel like home. Home is not a place after all, home is a person. Family, partner, children, people that love you, they make up a home not four walls. 

''Sweet Virginia'' is another fun track. I wasn't sure when looking at the title does he mean a woman or the state. Lol kinda like that Nelly thing ''Hey lil' Porsha''. If that's about a car then I'm a pitbull. Hah. This is a cool song with this energetic, funky guitar rhytm which is just in perfect harmony with his sweet voice. 

Next song is ''South'' which you know is more relatable. I live in the south of my part of the world. Well just on the begining of the southern part but still. People tend to behave more southern than most. In a bad way. Like the ones the meme's are about you know? This song had quite a few co-writers and just confirmes what he said in the interview I mentioned earlier. That he was born in the wrong era (me too carino me too) because it has this cool 80's vibe. Listening to it I could easily imagine it's a much older song than it is. And it has that heartbreak, pining, endless love feel to it that 80's love songs have ''my love will still be hangin' around, when the birds fly south''. The end of the summer illusion too which brings us back to his album ''Slowheart'' and the song ''Sunburn''. A lot of country songs sing about the end of summer really. I feel that on a deep personal level, to me too it feels almost like life is ending when the summer is over. I hate rain, I hate cold, god forbid snow. And lets not even get into the gray, murky, depressed weather. 

Next before last is ''Crazy for you tonight'', which gets me like, fuck tonight, I'm crazy for you always. Hah, seriously, ignore the crazy fangirl, hopped up on caffeine and broken dreams of tomorrows cancelled concert and the fact that I'm writing a Kip Moore album review while Backstreet Boys play on the loop in the back. Don't judge, we all have our guilty pleasures and I can't focus with new music playing, I get too distracted listening to it, I forget to write. Which, as you see is a problem, I can barely keep on track while writing these. I keep getting carried away. I love ''Crazy for you tonight'' because I feel like it's a song I can relate to. I'm a little crazy too, people call me dangerous all the time, in a world of squares I am definatelly a circle that doesn't fit in so yes, I feel this song. The whole point of the song, being in love and ready to ignore all the doubters and haters, I get that too. I've been there, in love with someone for who the entire world told me is not right for me or I for him but fuck it, we were happy despite it all.  ''you may think I'm a littly crazy, but I'm only crazy for you tonight''. Always. 

Last song just might be the most important song. It's titled ''Payin' hard'' and like I said above that one most personal, most emotional, most honest song. Y'all heard ''Guitar man'' right? This is that same vibe. The song is the shortest one on the album, with just 2:48, while others (except Hey old lover) are all around 3 or 4 min. But we get it, shorter to get over it quicker. The song reflects his feelings, his doubts, fears if maybe he did some things he shouldn't have done. There are verses in it about lost love, his late father and the future. The future one is maybe a bit scary to be honest. But I love how he does a full circle and Janie is mentioned in this song again. It's poetic, starting the album with Janie and ending it. She's a real person too I hear. Not just an idea. His dad Stanley died in 2011 but I think this song is the first song where he let his emotions flow more obvious. I don't think he dealt with his pain in any other song. ''And now he's gone, the kind of gone that don't come back. I only see him now in dreams that I have, I gotta live with that, lose sleep with that, when I close my eyes I'll die with that''. Another one that hits home. I understand his loss. I've been there and I felt just what he feels. 

The future part though, that one kinda scares me there's a line ''So long my friends, I guess this is my farewell, damn all these pennies swimming in my wishing well, told every single story that I have to tell, I'll live with that, sleep with that, make my peace and I'll die with that''. It's kinda…you know, it rubs you the wrong way, especially if you know that he's the person to not announce a retirement but just disappear. And though it's not on me of course, or any of us fans, I'd be extremely sad in a world without his music. 

Either way, this album is nothing but perfection, don't let the whole ''country artist'' fool you though, Kip is a rocker and nothing but. This is nothing like Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson type country music. This is more a fuse of country and rock which goes more to the rock side than it does country. What stands out to me most is the moments on this album that give us little glimpses of a different Kip. The contrasts I talked about, sweet and edgy. Sugar and spice kinda thing. You know why I love him? Because I love Bruce Springsteen and Kip, and this album especially is a country rock version of Bruce Springsteen. All of it. The lyrics, the music, the vibe. All of it. I've seen him preform live on youtube (please God, make him tour somewhere closer than UK, I am literally begging) and I feel like he stands out from all those country stars just there. As a preformer. He's fun, his production is polished to perfection, musicians are all amazing and his voice just has no competition. 

Maybe the songs are a bit too ''safe'' you know, familiar, like the old songs are, which personally for me is perfect, I love him just as he is, but I wonder what would happen if he'd explore different types or music as well. Or different sounds. Could be interesting. Though lets be honest, a singer that came on the scene singing about beer, girls and pickup trucks (basically every other country star then eh? Lol but still better than twerking and all that gross crap that makes you take birth control just to listen to, yuck) he obviously grew a lot, and really evolved, both musically and especially lyrically. This is not just another modern, country, rock album, it's a Kip Moore album and that's rather obvious in his style and sound, which is unique to him and him alone. 

If you're looking for something different to listen to, something new, something fun and exciting, or you're just curious, give this one a listen, I'm certain you'll love it. Probably not as much as I do (obsessed I swear) but that's probably not possible anyways. 

Alright, let me put the record back on from the start while I get ready. Another Friday, another protest, this time hopefully I can say ''I fought the law and I won'' not ''I fought the law and the law won''.