Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Want a job as a music journalist? Here's your chance. We're looking for a new lead reviewer for Hot! Magazine but we're not interviewing for the job. Instead, write a review of your favourite album ever. We want to know why you love it and why you think everyone should listen to it. Convince us and you've got the job!
I'm certainly not alone with my choice of favourite album. In fact, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA has sold 30 million copies worldwide since its release in 1984. Nearly 30 years later, in 2013, Springsteen performed the complete album in concert to the delight of some of his many die-hard fans.
A fast-paced, foot-tapping rock album, Born in the USA's lyrics nevertheless carry emotional weight. Behind the catchy rock melodies that drive these powerhouse classics are stories of the dark side of the American dream. Many tracks deal with the struggles of hard-working ordinary people and the bitterness and anger they feel as life doesn't bring them riches or glory. The song Glory Days, for example, is about people in a small town looking back at when they were young and had the world at their feet while Downbound Train tells the story of a young man whose life is ruined when he loses his job. It's not hard to imagine that the artist is channelling real people he knew and the life he might have had if he hadn't become a star. The album will leave you in no doubt of the unique and extraordinary talent of the Boss.
Unlike many other best-selling album artists, Springsteen is still releasing chart-topping, stadium-filling new music and remains at the top of his game in his late 60s. It doesn't surprise me at all. This is a man who tells us our most fundamental stories about ourselves and, when you listen to Born in the USA, those stories are as relevant today as they ever were.
Tips
- The first paragraph should be a general introduction to what you're reviewing. Include the title, artist, and an interesting fact about its success or how it was made.
- The main body of the review needs detailed observations. Use specific vocabulary (e.g. lyrics, fast-paced, catchy melodies) to comment on particular songs and parts of the music.
- It is also important to give context. Link the music to the artist's life, or what inspired them, and the political or social context of the album.
- Try to make the review interesting and relevant to the reader. You can relate the artist's work to real-life experience (yours or that of people in general).
- Use compound adjectives (e.g. fast-paced, foot-tapping, best-selling) to make your writing highly descriptive.
- Finish off with a summary of why this album/concert, etc. is important.
Caetano Veloso, 81, released his most important album in 1972 called "Transa" and it's an album made when he was in exile in London due to the dictatorial government Brazil was under at the time, he among other artists were exile due to their active criticism of the political scene at the time.
Transa is an album full of experiments with sounds and instruments and it reflects on Caetano's life away from his family and country.
Yanni is a Greek composer, keyboardist, pianist, and music producer. Yanni's music is composed of jazz, classical period music, soft rock, and world music And most of his songs are made up of musical instruments.
Yanni became famous with his live concert at the Acropolis. The album Live at the Acropolis is the second best-selling concert video of all time with more than 7 million copies. This concert was broadcast in 65 countries and more than half a billion people watched it.
In addition, Yanni is known because he has performed in historical places such as the Taj Mahal in India, the Forbidden City in China, the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, and so on.
The song Acroyali/Standing In Motion was considered by the Royal Society of Medicine Journal (April 2001) because its composition is similar to Mozart's Sonata No. 448 and is thought to be effective in reducing epileptic attacks.
Most of his songs don't have lyrics, so the whole message is delivered through beats, melodies, and sounds. Yanni's artworks are a reflection of his soul, his experiences in life, and his relationships with other people and cultures.
The 10th Studio Album of the singer and compositor artist Taylor Swift is called “Midnights”, it’s, in fact, the best-selling album of 2022 and the most successful in her entire career. During her approximately 15 years of career, this singer has caught many die-hard fans that have been supporting her music during this time, and this was because of the emotional lyrics and melodies she puts into her work.
Taylor Swift’s latest smash hit came from this new album, and it’s called “Anti-Hero” which stayed top-chart up to 4 weeks, and it talks about the feeling she went through during difficult times in her life and career when people made her think that she was the problem, and the magic he puts into her songs it’s the ability to tell us a story of her own life and make people relate to her songs, building up an emotional attachment to her work and becoming fans, we can see this happen on “The Eras Tour” which got sold-out immediately during the pre-sale all around the US, the rationale is the big well-build fanbase she created throughout the years. Also, we can notice the catchy pop melodies on this new album like she did years ago with her successful recording “1989” and experimenting with new songs again as she did on “Labyrinth” and “Midnight Rain”.
This album, as well as her entire career, has made an impact on how the feelings can build up a die-hard fanbase and how she creates her success by being listened to here and there and making a mark on the new generation of people becoming the most successful singer of the last decade.
Great, though I am not entirely her fan. I like her songs love story and Hello Newyok.
I’ve heard many songs of Billie Eilish since she debuted but I officially become a huge fan of her after listening to the Happier Than Ever album. This album obviously remark her change of style, taste of music and personality, from such melancholy and spooky vibe to bright and powerful style. With the meaningful lyrics and angelic voice, Billie’s music truly helps people speak out their feelings and overcome the tough time in their life. Billie even add some rock, jazz and electropop melodies to this album, which makes her music more diverse and strongly prove her a really talented singer and songwriter.
After going through a period of depression due to being famous at such a young age, Billie Eilish was back on her feet with her brand new album released in 2021 called Happier Than Ever. This album threw back a long journey about how much she has grown up with every track carry different emotions. I love almost all songs in this collection, I can feel the depth of every word she puts into her songs. Some have a slow and gentle rhythm show nostalgia and a little bit sadness for the past but still happiness for her growth. Among these tunes in the album, I truly appreciate the effort she made to create the song “Happier Than Ever”. This is such a masterpiece because how therapeutic it is. The story behind this song and the lyrics are so relatable that helps many people get over their toxic and abusive relationship. This song starts with a soft and slow melody at the beginning but the transition to make it more energetic then finally become a rock one is just incredible. You can feel the flow of emotion which turns from happiness to sadness and anger in rock and electric guitar theme. The whole album is my favorite but this piece of art “Happier Than Ever” just hits different and even harder everytime I listen. I love how she allows music to inspire her to do these extraordinary forms of art. She breaks the rules and let her creativity define her music in her own unique style.
Some people used to say that Billie’s music is dull and meaningless but I find the beauty in her music and respectfully look up to her. She didn’t try to avoid those negative feelings and wasn’t affraid to sing them out loud. Now Billie comes back with her powerful “Happier Than Ever” album. Upon release, the album received acclaim from music critics, who praised its stylistic, restrained production, and insightful lyrics. This artwork is really worth listening once in your life.
Wonderful writing!
I don't have such a thing as a favorite album but if I could choose I can go with something from Nujabes. His songs are always so catchy and calm.
This kind of music is like a hidden treasure, although it's not the most popular, its fans have a unique taste that appreciates the velvet touch in its context. Silent hill is a series of horror games that are not just used to scare its audience. It used bizarre, but sweet, music to arouse some seldom-felt energy vibes.
Silent hill is a series that has a special set of albums that are carefully designed by "Akira Yamaoka" to address some natural instinct of ecstasy in the human brain; unique sound waves that strike their listeners' hearts to arouse some feelings and states of consciousness nominated by psychology, like "Rapture". The story of the game is associated with heart-breaking drama which is perfectly complemented by this music. Akira Yamaoka understands how sweet salvation is from corruption and the end of an abomination and that is exactly the impression you feel when you listen to the silent hill soundtrack.
Music has a magical effect on the human mood. One masterpiece can change your life and give you new insight and hope; one piece of music can liberate your mindset. This might sound crazy, but music is a form of art, isn't art crazy?
It is no doubt that Queen is one of the most popular band of all time, Their legendary songs captivated hearts and inspired people from their time and even to this day. Bohemian Rhapsody was indeed a masterpiece, It was my late father's favorite song and he used to play their songs every single day. I remeber vividly how my dad's love for their music radiated so much energy and enthusiasm. When I missed my dad so badly I just tune in Queen's songs, its heartwarming and catchy tunes always brings back sweet memories.
One of the best Brazilian rock band, Jota Quest has several songs frequently playing and watched on important channels such as Youtube, for example.
Existing for more than thirty years, Jota Quest has as leader Rogerio Flausino and catchy melodies such as Dias Melhores, Só Hoje and O Sol, among dozen of other songs that marked time. In my personal opinion, Dias Melhores and O Sol are the best because are songs that lead us to reflect on life and transmit hope in a good world.
Although Jota Quest does not use play fast-paced songs, the catchy melodies mixed with the unmistakable Rogério Flausino's voice give the songs an unparalleled softness.
Furthermore, despite existing for more than three decades, it doesn't surprise me at all because Jota Quest's songs have the power to take us on a journey through time.