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.

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''. 

When suddenly, all the sad songs are not sad enough.

What the hell am I supposed to say, when I'm all choked up and you're okay? The Script sing something along those lines. This blog was supposed to be a music blog from the get go, never too personal, never political, never more than, well actually art. All types of it. But more times than not I stray from that. I stray from it because I can't keep silent on things that annoy me, things that hurt me, move me...that's just life isn't it? The problem is finding words to express anything sometimes. Sometimes it hurts too much, sometimes everything is too much. All the words I can't seem to find, in the lyrics of my currently most played ( and in most cases favorite ) songs. It's true what they say aint it? When the world falls silent, the music speaks. I may do this more often. Write down playlists. I guess these are my sad songs, but, like the title says, they don't seem to be sad enough today. 

Nazareth - Love hurts

White Lion - Wait

Def Leppard - When love and hate collide

Lee Brice - One of them girls

Sam Hunt - Break up in a small town

Luke Combs - Hurricane

Jimi Hendrix - The wind cried Mary

Aerosmith - You see me crying

Cheap Trick - The flame

The Doors - The end

Eagles - I can't tell you why

Black Sabbath - Changes

The Rolling stones - Wild horses

Led Zeppelin - All of my love

Motley Crue - You're all I need

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Prince - Nothing compares 2 U

Johnny Cash - Hurt

Florida Georgia Line - May we all

Linkin Park - One more light

My Chemical romance - The light behind your eyes

INXS - Never tear us apart

Chris Isaac - Wicked game

Bruce Springsteen - Miracle

Guns N' Roses - Don't cry

Shinedown - Second chance

Skid Row - I remember you

Elvis Presley - It's now or never

Aerosmith - What it takes

Aerosmith - What could have been love

Roxette - It must have been love

Daughtry - Life after you

INXS - By my side

Scorpions - Wind of change

Ozzy Osbourne - Road to nowhere

Def Leppard - Bringin' on the heartbreak

Journey - Separate ways

Queen - Save me

Bon Jovi - These days

Bon Jovi - Letting you go

Opća Opasnost - Pobjego sam

Leteći Odred - Hajde reci mi

Keith Urban - You'll think of me

Cole Swindell - Break up in the end

Jason Aldean - Who's kissing you tonight

Blake Shelton - Everytime I hear that song

Van Halen - Not enough 

Cinderella - Don't know what you got

Warrant - Sometimes she cries

Wild Cat from Dixie

Oh my god. The last post on here is 14 days old, and can y'all believe how much has changed in these 14 days? If I'm allowed a little joke, can't believe it took a world crisis to finally accept my lifestyle. Don't hate me for laughing at this ''stay at home'' crap, I already am at home all the time, on tumblr 24/7 or binge watching a new obsession, cough Stranger things cough. Anyways, in all seriousness, quarantine / social distancing (says a girl who avoids humans everyday all the time) is needed for our own safety, because a collapse of the entire health system is something we can't afford.  And of course in these turbulent times we get hit twice as hard with new government, led by the spawn of Hitler and Satan. Ugh. This and people throwing punches over toilet paper makes me believe that an apocalypse is upon us.

Taking a break from reading Scooby Doo comics and trying to finish one of the MANY unfinished drawings, I'm going to continiue the thread from the post below and do another similar artist review. This album though might actually be my favourite country album ever created. It's brilliant, first second to last. Brilliant.

I have a ''problem with Kip. Huge one. A huge crush kinda problem. From his personality, face, angel voice, it all fits. Perfect baby angel. He pretty much stormed the music scene in 2012 when his album ''Up all night'' came out. I remember hearing the very song that shares the albums title in a TV show I loved, ''Heart of Dixie''. Y'all be serious, country boys driving Chevelle SS, small town vibe. Y'all know I'm all over that. And having a cute, happy ending didn't harm either. I'm disappointed with tv show endings too often, yes I'm looking at you Game of thrones, and also Vamp diaries, and also The Originals, and also Sons of Anarchy.

There's a little detail I love about him, after college he sold what he had told everyone to fuck off and moved to a ''hut'' on the beach in Hawaii, lived there for a year, did surfing and stuff. And here I am thinking how badly I want to do that too. Well I'd probably chose Fiji not Hawaii but you get the point. No worries, no stress, no drama, just you and the beach and the ocean. Must be magical.

Wild Ones was released in August 2015 and actually the start up for this album wasn't too good, in October 2013 ''Young love'' was announced, barely made it to 22 on the charts. Having underpreformed like it did, (which I still don't get, I mean it's a great song, and the video is perfect) it was followed by ''Dirt road'' I can relate to that one, some of my happiest memories happened on dirt roads. But ''Dirt road'' didn't even make it to top 40. I repeat the fuck is wrong with people? After that the album was scraped and new material was written. ''I'm to blame'' (me too Kip, all the time) was the lead single for the album. Maybe rewriting wasn't such a bad thing, it gave us an amazing album but I can't help and wonder, what if the original work was even better? I mean ''Young love'' and ''Dirt road'' are still on Wild ones, and I love both songs.

Of course as per usual I read way too much negativity about this album. The lyrics being vapid? Right okay, I'm sorry but country music never was particulary deep and some of us like to relax with songs about raising hell on the weekends, getting busy in those backseats and drinking moonshine by a bonfire. Sometimes simple is the best because let's be serious, I don't always want to think, and search for higher meaning and purpose, sometimes I just want my windows down, cruising around, lipgloss on and loving life. You're right, wondering when did I ever do that, but close enough.

This album in general is not that much of a country album, it's really more of an easy rock album. Kip is not what you'd really expect when one says ''country artist'' for some reason instantly Willie Nelson pops into my head, and Kip is more…I don't even know, Bon Jovi when he went solo? That's the vibe he's giving me anyways. So really Wild ones? It's a rock album.

It starts with ''Wild ones'', and he's been opening shows with this song as well. And I imagine it must be amazing live, not that I'll ever get the chance to see it. That's the problem of country fans in Europe, these artists just don't play here. Sigh. The song starts off slow, and slowly grows up to a stronger beat which shows clearly that this is not another ''Up all night'' album. I like the lyrics to be fair because we're all a bit ''Wild'' sometimes and we need to blow off some steam.  And the lyrics ''with the ones your mama said to run from, the ones your daddy kept you from'', that's something ironically people say about me too. I guess being constantly dressed in leather, black, and biker boots is paying back.

''Come and get it'' is next. Which is basically about ''Girl what's the matter with you, can't you see it when I'm standing right in front of you?''. Well. Honestly, I ask myself the same question, what is the matter with me? Kip, love, all you have to do is ask, and I'd come ''Running for you''. It's a strong song, great drums, great guitars, and a very Springsteeny voice. I'm telling you this is a rock album.

Album goes on with ''Girl of the summer''. Before I actually heard this song I got the whole Don Henley ''The boys of summer'' vibe, which funny enough is one of my songs. I really like it, that one and in different versions too. This one is not like it at all. It's a bit like the ''old Kip'', from his debut album. The theme is familiar, you know missing a summer romance (Grease much?) but I suppose for me it's more, missing summer time. I get serious seasonal depression when summer ends each time. I am not a cold, wet, winter, autumn being. I'm only ''happy'' or something close to it anyways, during spring and summer. Gray, murky, weather is killing me.

''Magic'' is epic. You close your eyes and listen and you can just imagine a packed stadium, with everyone singing along. Well maybe not these days, concert dates being cancelled left and right. While we're at it, it's so hard to explain to people why this is so hard. Of course I understand why it's being cancelled, and I wouldn't have it any other way, there's no need to risk anyone's health but what's hard is, concerts are something I plan ahead, to have something to look forward to, to have something to ''keep me going''. Some days to keep me sane and breathing, and it's hard when that security is shattered. To some people music is very important, not just noise, not just, something to fill boring, quiet days. ''Magic'' is a magical song, it describes a love like fairy tale. Brings us back to my ramblings of, don't we all want that? A love like fairy tale.

''That was us''. Oh my god! I love that song so much. Because as much as I love things being fast paced and loud, I love it just as much if not more when things slow down. This is a song where his voice is really on the stand, vocals have the center stage and you just hear the pure talent. Angel voice like I always say. It's amazing. The song it self might be more of a pop song than say a rock ballad or even a country song but it's amazing non the less. Same old story about having a good time with old friends. ''Glory days''. There's a reference also to the friends being on their way to shoot a guy, for in Brantleys words ''putting his hands on a woman''. Violence and murder aside these lyrics always make me restore some faith in humanity, because there's still men who are gentlemen out there, who don't abuse women, who don't threathen and punch, are not sleazy, who don't send you dick pics or think you're flirting with them and leading them on simply because you're being nice.

''Lipstick'' is an 80's anthem type song. Traveling all over the world (well USA in this case) just to get back home to his lady. To ''Kiss her lipstick''.  I mean the point is more focused on where he's been, all places listed and a bit less on the woman, but still, which girl doesn't want that? A man that says he could be anywhere in the world but he choses to be with her instead? Hint. Every girl wants that. The song is probably more a song that shows a glimpse into life on the road.

Next song is ''What ya got on tonight?'' and it's one of my faves too, because it's a fun, upbeat, dancey song. If this song doesn't make you get up and dance nothing will. Song sings about several women which he most likely sees on the road, on tour, but still missing the most beautiful one of all at home. I particulary find myself in the lyric ''I bet you're wearin' that ball cap, Top Gun Ray Ban, lookin' like a star from the 1980's, tell me honey, how did I become your man''. If only, if only, hah, that last part. Else this is a line for me, I love ball caps turned backwards, I love Top Gun, I love aviators especially Ray Bans, and I always tell everyone I'm basically stuck in the 80's. Obviously this is my song. Mostly when I'm alone, in my underwear and actually pink knee high socks like he sings, making food in the kitchen, dancing along to it and a dog looking at me like l lost my marbles. I'd say this is as close to carefree as I know to be.

''Heart's desire'' is a song, well obviously it's a song, hah, a song that makes you feel all the feels. You know when you fuck up bad, and lose the person you love? And how it feels like choking and shaking in cold sweat? Yeah that's what the song is about. But it's maybe also a little hopefull, okay he fucked up, he's sorry but she's still his hearts desire, maybe there's still hope for a happy ending? Yea, I hate Valentines day with a burning passion but yet I'm still a hopeless romantic and hope for happy endings in everything.

''All I know is sometimes you love it, sometimes you hate it, but what good's love if it ain't a little complicated?''. ''Complicated'' describes everything perfectly, about how sometimes love is great and sometimes love is hard, and relationships are hard, and your special someone can drive you crazy, but then when things are good, they are really good and worth all the trouble and heart ache. It's a bit more realistic, comparing it with Magic, because in Magic love is a fairy tale and we all know not many people actually experience that, ever. And here in ''Complicated'' things are as they are, not everything is always perfect and that's okay.

The albums lead song ''I'm to blame'' is perfect okay? Not taking any critique at all because it is perfect. It's more country  than anything on this album because there's a very strong sound of banjo coming through, and it's all about this perfect badass angel that is Kip Moore. I find if awfuly relatable, specially in it's begining ''If it ain't broke, you can bet that I'm gonna break it, if there's a wrong road, I'm damn sure gonna take it. Where there's smoke, my pocket lighter sparked the fire, where there's blue lights, just read me my rights''. Yeah. That. I find myself in it a lot, breaking things mostly relationships, taking a hundred wrong turns and roads just to you know ''be sure'' and never mind them blue lights. We're not on friendly terms. The video for this song is so cool, the wedding crashing, the whole ''we just have to show up in suits not wear them'' thing, the shirt Kip is wearing, and lets not even start with his gorgeous baby blue eyes. Sigh.

''That's alright with me'' is another typical country anthem, about loving whiskey and women. Hey I get it who doesn't? I love Tennesse whiskey, and tight denim clad women? Hey don't judge, if it's a pretty girl, I'll turn around to admire in the streets any day of the week. I love the message that shines through here, about being who and what you are and making no apologies for that. I respect that, too few people are bold and brave enough to be who they are these days. Stay just as you are babe, ''country, hippie, a wildcat from Dixie'' that's how we love you most.

Oh my gosh ''Running for you'' is the same thing as ''That was us''. Slow song with powerful, beautiful vocals. You can clearly see growth in his voice since the first album. This is a love song. Saying he would never stop you or stand in between your dreams, but if things go wrong, if it turns out those ''big city lights'' are not what you thought, kinda like in Poisons Fallen angel, all you have to do is call his name and he'll come running for you. Romantic. That Disney happy, perfect, forever ending. The type of ending that in real life just doesn't exist no more. I guess that's why we need music, art, poetry, we're desperate to know that these things still exist, or desperate to know that we're not the only ones feeling like we do.

Album closes with ''Comeback kid'', which for a change has a piano intro and a voice that sounds a bit different than it does on most songs.  It's more emotional and raw and that's exactly what makes it a perfect closure for this album. ''Comeback kid'' is a theme that we all can relate to at some point in our lives. It's about a man struggling to get back on his feet after going through some hard times and asking his lady not to give up on him. True love doesn't give up right? True love is patient and kind. I don't know if it's true or not, he never said, but the piano and the emotional way this song is presented with raw vocals, it feels personal, like there's some deeper meaning to him than just a song with a story.

There is also a deluxe version of this album that has a couple more songs. It's not a country album, Dolly Parton is country, Johnny Cash is country, this is more rock than anything. It's modern, it's fun, it's upbeat, makes you sing and dance along. The type of music that lifts your spirits, and if that doesn't help, then hell Kip's smile sure will. I loved every single second of this album and if you're ever interested in trying something new then pick it up, maybe you'll be surprised.

Else the quarantine, lockdowns, avoiding social contact (basically everything I've been doing all my life) here's a little advice where you can run off to these days; Asgard, Narnia, Middle-Earth, Hogwarts, A galaxy far, far away, Alicante or possibly Arendelle. Stay kind and safe out there you guys, we're all in this crap together. Keep an eye on your neighbours and family and mostly stay healthy.

Oh baby, let me love it gone.

I'm sitting here thinking how much I'm missing concerts. Last time I saw a good rock show was last year June 20th when I saw Def Leppard and Whitesnake in Milano. Then of course Cher on my birthday and lastly a more or not local band which is a Beatles tribute band on December 7th. But really I'm missing the ''thrill and the action''. How do people live not going to shows at all is beyond me. I miss it so much. But concerts these days are just crazy expensive (what the actual fuck ticketmaster?!) and also the bands I want so bad (except GN'R) not touring EU properly (I'm looking at you All time low and My chemical romance). Funny concerts were my ultimate happy place, the only good things in my life. And then when I put the darkness aside I can actually see that there are other happy parts of my life still. Little rays of sunshine in a sky that seems permanently dark.

A lot has happened in the past two weeks. Well actually these past two months. It's been a rough start of the year in many views. But actually, it's been a very good start of the year in many other views. There were a lot of small personal victories that may seem completely unimportant or ''no big deal'' to outsiders but honestly, for me? They mean the world. I'm too bothered by the society and what it thinks is important and a milestone and blah blah blah. And that gets in the way of me enjoying what really matters. To me anyways. To be fair some days even getting out of bed can be an achievement on its own.

Distancing yourself from the ''normal'' and what you ''should be'' and ''should do'' is probably the only way to be happy. I lived my life in the past two years only going three steps forward and two steps back. Nothing really worked out right. And to be fair I think my negative energy and approach contributed to it. I think it really is true that you attract what you give out. Anyway point of this is that last week something I was so afraid of was happening. I was dead scared of failure and this time I literally gave myself a stern talking to, ''you got this'' ''there's no reason to be afraid''. Which is both true and also false. I had a lot to be afraid of. But then, looking at it back now, what the hell was I so afraid of in the first place? Failure? Yeah it sucks but you pick yourself up and you try again, and again, untill you make it. Fear will pass, meet it head on and get the fuck over it. It's hard I know, believe me I do. But, the things we're most afraid of end up being the best things in our lives.

Fear almost stopped me from doing a lot of things in my life and looking back now I am so glad it didn't. So glad that I was brave, so glad that I pushed through because it really paid off. It wasn't easy but it was worth it. And you're gonna think I'm either drunk or crazy or suffered a severe brain injury when I share this with you. In moments like these, fear, anxiety, tension, it's actually not hard rock or heavy metal what I ''run to''. It's different kind of music. Easy, simple, fun…I can just repeat my friends horrofied words ''who ruined you'' I guess living in the country side for so long ruined me and being stuck in the city makes me appreciate things I miss now a lot more.

I guess you figured out what kinda music I have in mind by now but in case you don't. Country music. Looking it up online you see the definition of it being ''western'' or ''hillbily music''. But did you know that it actually originated from folk music and blues in the early 1920's in the southern USA. It's actually the kinda music that consists of ballads and dancy songs with simple lyrics mostly about trucks, dogs, girls, beer which trust me is better than Anaconda and Yummy every day of the week (seriously Justin Bieber? What the fuck was that?). But seriously today, the genre evolved so much that it doesn't even sound country anymore, more like easy rock, easy pop. I mean you got Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton (all amazing artists) and you got new artists like Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Brantley Gilbert, who sound nothing like them and yet amazing in their own way.

I have a lot of country artists I love, some even more than rock musicians (enter horrofied gasps). My best friend used to say that country music can teach women how their men should treat them. True story. Southern gentlemen type. And to this day I still believe that every bad day can be fixed by getting out of the city, driving down country roads, windows down, country music up and there's that. Nothing more I need.

So here we are for one of such cowboy angels with a beautiful voice, whos CD was quite overplayed in my car. I really like this album as a whole. It's Luke Bryan's fifth studio album and it's all about working hard, playing hard, loving hard, drinking hard and I love it. The album wasn't overly popular with the critics, I mean I keep saying they're assholes don't I? But really that's how it is with country music, you either love it or hate it no gray area in between.

The album starts with ''Kick the dust up'' which was a huge hit, his 2015 tour was called ''Kick the dust up tour'' and actually it produced rave reviews from the fans and three sold out shows in NH. It's such a fun song, catchy, and it does make you want to dance. Possibly dance with Luke, y'all seen him dance? No joke strippers and pole dancers should take notes. Hot.

Album goes on with ''Kill the lights'' which is both kinky and romantic and it's hard to actually strike that perfect combo and make a song that can be both and this one is, you know, a boy and a girl and a truck parked on a country road or a farmers field, and you ''Kill the lights'' and you know how it goes from that point on…I got to say it brings out quite a lot of memories, fun ones, in trucks and dirt roads after dark.  ''We can feel all the way through, let me just hold on to you, baby trust my hands, live it up while we still can.''

The mood continiues with ''Strip it down''. I'm seeing a pattern here, stripping, sexy dancing, making out in cars,…Luke you bad boy! Hah. but well I wouldn't mind him stripping for me. Possibly with some sexy dancing, on the hood of that pickup. Shut up and let a fan girl dream will you? I actually love the video as well, just naughty enough and creative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2BWyY4B36Y

Y'all know which of the two would win with me don't you? Hah.

''Home alone tonight'' is a duet with Karen Fairchild, great song, parts of it really show that he's not just some ''hillbilly singer'' but has some serious vocals, strong, powerfull and yet a ballad can melt your heart. Lyrics are a cliche sorta, breakup, drowning misery in booze and meeting someone new while doing so. We've all been there weren't we? Hell, I was drowning a breakup, met someone while doing that and caused myself another heartbreak years later. Funny how life changes huh?  But this has a happier ending, two people meet and nobody goes home alone. And really, their voices compliment eachother so nice, which makes this a great song.

''Razor blade'' is my song. '' You're blindfolded walking south down the whiskey tracks,…''. Yeah. I get a Bruce Springsteen vibe with this song. The story telling, the walking into a dark part of the town. It's obviously a song with strong emotion written and preformed very emotionally, that's probably why people can relate. Why I can relate.

How about ''Fast'' though? Life goes by too fast kinda thing. Yes, it does. The good things you're looking forward to, counting down to, they end up too fast. You're hating every day of high school and then bam it's over with a blink of an eye. We all find ourselves wishing we'd be back in Bruce's ''Glory days'', back when things were simple and easy and fun. This song was written by Luke, because you know, he doesn't write all his music himself, but it's songs like this one that show that he could, should, write all his music.

I also love ''Move'' even if the video was disappointing. I mean Luke, if you can dance like THAT, then why on earth are you such a good boy in the video? I mean sure the lyrics aren't too deep, just a guy probably staring a girls while she's dancing, but you know what? I get it, I get a bit lost watching him dance too, so really, it's a fun song, I enjoy over playing it, dancing along to it. Actually there was an occassion when I danced to it and clothes were coming off. Uh oh.

And then there's ''Love it gone'' which may be one of my favourite songs by Luke. He didn't write it though but you know it still screams Luke. We all know how amazing his marriage is and I can just imagine that things this song sings about play a part in it. I know he is like that. I often say it's all I want. What this song is about. There's not much more a woman wants from her man, so boys pay attention, play the song, and learn a thing or two. Ladies do the same but maybe with ''Strip it down'' instead. Hah. Seriously though if this song doesn't just make you melt into a puddle of unicorn glitter then please move to Jötunheimr because that's where your cold heart belongs.

Other songs on this album are ''Just over'', ''Way way back'', ''To the moon and back'' and ''Huntin', Fishin', and Lovin' every day''. I love all except that last one. Cons of loving country music, it's creators are usually hunters and we all know how I feel about that. But you know, I'm not a raging vegan I respect other peoples way of life even if it goes against everything I believe in.

Album closes with ''Scarecrow''. OH! Like MCR. Kinda. Hah. Another very typical song, small towns, country life, dirt roads, no matter where you go, your heart will always belong home kinda thing you know? And I get that, I miss that too. I miss long warm summer nights out in the bed of my daddys truck, watching the stars with no place to go. I miss that ''freedom'' we had, I miss sneaking out booze and bonfires. I miss the music, the laughter, the happiness. It feels so far away when you're stuck in a cold, dark city. Which is perhaps why I love this album, it's a mix of everything the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. It can make you dance and it can make you bleed on the inside. I loved every single moment of listening to it for the first time and still enjoy it now.

Won't tell you to play it because you'll love it this time, we know how it goes right. You either love it or you don't hah. So if you're into this type of music then you already know this album and love it as much as I do. And if you're not, then, seriously, what the hell are you still doing here?

Alright, here's to new small victories, hope you all manage to overcome a fear or two, believe me it feels amazing and one day when you look back, you'll laugh at how silly being afraid was in the first place.

Moonlight, moon bright, where's my lucky star tonight?

I think I always feel most inspired or say motivated to write a post about albums and bands that I love most. Which is not that often, bands don't produce new albums each month no matter how much I may want it. Lets face it, a new album by the Boss each month? I'd be spoiled rotten. And I suppose after a while it would get boring. No more anticipation or looking forward to something. Where's the fun in that? 

You probably put two and two together and know already who I'm writing about today. The only real love of my life. The most amazing man on the planet. The kindest soul. The Boss himself.

Western Stars is the nineteenth studio album by the Boss. Sigh. Which means I'm only missing about 10 albums on vinyl. I got everything on CD but I only got about 13 records, 9 studio albums and the rest live or single editions. I need to change that. Like those Pokemon fans say ''gotta catch them all'. Still more likely to happen, having all Boss albums than having all Presley albums. I could probably cover my entire house in his albums and still have some left over.

So! The album came out on June 14th (and I have it already!) and this one is different because it's a new studio album and the first one after Devils and Dust with all original material. And you know what? He will already start recording a new album with the E Street Band in the fall. EXCITED!

I paced myself with this one. I only listened to ''Hello Sunshine'' when it was released in April but the rest I wanted to wait, to experience that whole 80's vibe when you had to wait for the album, put it on, spin it, play it from the first song to the last, no skipping, getting lost in it, and letting it blow your mind. And you know what? It was bloody well worth it. Because it did blow my mind.

I was obsessed with Wrecking ball for the longest time (still am) but I think this album tops it. It has to be Bosses best work in years. If not the best album of all albums in years. It's not that it's amazing, it's that it's mindblowing, perfect, out of this world, orgasmic, insane, beautiful, soulful, touching, inspiring,…there are really not enough words to describe it.

Get ready for a cowboy album. It's a fusion of pop and rock and country music. Almost like creating a completly new style of music. Seriously guys, he is not a musician, he is the Boss. Only he could pull off such a twist in musical genre and make it as perfect as he did. 

Going solo in Springsteens world though means something completely different than it meant say for Queen. We all saw Bohemian Rhapsody right? And what happens after Freddie went solo and ''killed'' Queen? If you read the book Born to run you can read all the details about Bruces relationship with his E Street Band. It's not just a band, not just a couple of hired musicians + his wife. It's obvious that they're family, and apart from that, a family that's been writing and recording with him since 1970's. Now that's not a small thing.

I gotta say though, I despise the term ''real fan'' but lets use it here for a second, a real fan will admit that not everything their ''babies'' do and put out is the most perfect thing after the invention of fire. I am not a fan of the album Devils and Dust it's not my favourite thing at all. Maybe Nebraska put the bar too high but honestly D&D was a bit of disappointment.

And I'm happy to say that Western stars is galaxies away from D&D. Not only it's fresh, and different and something completely new, it's majestic, it's wonderful and it's a journey. A journey which I heard, shocked some fans so much that he had to assure them that he'll be back to ''normal'', recording with the E Street Band ''as soon as possible''. People get upset so easy. Don't they want their favourite musicians to grow and evolve and try different routes? Explore something new? Nobody wants album after album sounding exactly the same without any imagination at all.

It doesn't sound like Springsteen at all but on the other hand if you could expect such a brilliant album from anyone then it's most definatelly going to be him. A brilliant mind, like Bosses is, a brilliant mind that can take you million miles away from his New Jersey beginings and yet make you feel right at home at the same time.

This album brings back memories to more innocent and turbulent times. It has a light tone, gentle, soulful voices, and this peaceful vibe that goes in a strong contrast with the world outside. Horrible, harsh, dark world. The album makes you calm yet troubled as soon as you let yourself get lost in the lyrics.

Boss dusted off a new style and voice he hasn't used in years, some of it sounds like it did on Nebraska and some of it we never heard before. Western stars channels the sound of songs such as Galveston and By the time I get to Phoenix by Webb. The lyrics are light, even though some darkness creeps in from time to time too. About people who's lives aren't really what they expected them to be. But then these songs aren't songs you turn up as loud as it goes and have an entire stadium scream along to, like Born in the USA or Dancing in the dark, these songs….you take a 65' Mustang on top of a hill, put the album on, sit on the hood on a long summer night with an ice cold beer and enjoy the sunset.

What I always did and always will admire most about the Boss is his way of making music. Storytelling. The way he writes his lyrics. In a way where a 3+ minute song could write up an entire movie script, with original characters and real peoples lives. His voice is soft, gentle, intimate, like he's singing to a small theater audience and yet his lyrics are so alive that what he sings can actually play like a movie in your head. Assuming you have at least a bit of imagination. But where Wrecking ball and High Hopes (which really was just a collection of covers and unreleased songs) were angry and a response to the political issues going on in the world right now, this one is a 360 turn away from that. It starts with a song titled ''Hitch Hikin''' which sounds almost like a folk song, sung by a lost man with nowhere to go, someone drifting with the wind wherever the road takes him.  It's a great introduction to a record that brings a new sound and a new look on things.

Most of the songs talk about men who try to numb themselves or lose themselves in work, so they don't think about lost love ''Hard work'll clear your mind and body, the hard sun will burn out the pain''. That's what he sings in Tuscon train and it's one of the few songs on this record where you can actually anticipate a happy ending. Basically, every single song is a story on it's own, and together they're an epic novel.

A press release stated that the album contained a “range of American themes, of highways and desert spaces, of isolation and community and the permanence of home and hope”. Which is the perfect way to describe it. I suppose it hits home to Springsteen too if you consider his struggle with mental health.

The song that I can relate to most, the song that I love most on this album is ''There goes my miracle''. It was the second single released and when you listen to it you can hear a heavy 60's and 70's California pop influence. It's different, it's emotional, it tugs at your every heart string, I mean if you don't feel something listening to it then you might as well be heartless. ''Heartache, heartbreak, love gives, love takes, the book of love holds its rules, disobeyed by fools'' and ''there goes my miracle, walking away''. Don't you think it paints a perfect picture? We all lost someone we loved at some point, we all walked away from our very own miracles not even aware of what we're losing.

And you see the plot twist? Where Tuscon train gives you hope, hope of running away, getting lost in a whole new town, whole new world, starting a new life and making it work, by the end of the album these dreams just float away, like a piece of paper in the wind, or a soap bubble exploding into thin air. He sings about endless roads ahead ''miles to go is miles away'' and you wonder what's the point? Maybe we're all just destined to drift around, never really finding that right place to settle and find our own happiness. The funny part is that the songs are extremly soothing, the voice is soothing and calm but deep down you know, the stories these songs sing about, they're not enough to make things right, they're not happy stories, they're not going to fill you with a warm happy fuzzy feeling. But what they'll give you is probably more important, a sense of understanding and in a way realising that things rarely turn out as you plan them and sometimes it's okay if you're not okay. You pick yourself up and move on like the drifters in Hitch Hikin do. 

It's a record you'll love on the first listen, but it's also an album that grows on you, the more you listen to it the more you'll love it. It's an experience not just a record and I promise you, you'll love all 50 minutes of the ride.

And P.S. can we just point out how brilliant the whole album design is? The front and back covers alone are gorgeous but then there's the inner sleeves and not to mention the inner inner sleves, even they got pictures. How amazing is that? And Boss just looks badass as a cowboy. Don't fight me on that.

Enjoy your week y'all, and go listen to this album. At least on youtube if you're not convinced enough to buy it just yet. Cheers.

Your lips should come with a warning.

Midnight knock, on the front door let you in, we don't talk, kiss for kiss, we trade this rush again, We can't stop.

Yea there's something so narcotic about how bad I want it, forget about the price of the pain, I'm just a junky for the fix, even though it hits like a gun shot the next day.

Your lips should come with a warnin', your touch should have a red light, there's a hard crash comin' in the mornin' on the bright side of this high, yea that's the side effects of trying to mix love and what we do, that's the side effects of me and you.

Last goodbye, was so damn good, I need it one last time, yea that's the thing about addicted, you swear you're gunna kick it, till the kiss pulls you back in the flame.

Your lips should come with a warnin', your touch should have a red light, there's a hard crash comin' in the mornin' on the bright side of this high, yea that's the side effects of trying to mix Love and what we do, thats the side effects of me and you.

Your lips should come with a warnin', by now you'd think that I would know your touch should have a red light, but I still want it every night.

Dallas Smith - Side effects