The way we Listen

Today, the french company Netvibes launched its new (beta) version of “web 2.0″ service. Since then Netvibes has enabled users to create their own personal homepage, where widgets can be added : RSS feeds, search boxes, calendars, weather, clock, notepads … Very similar to the Apple Mac Dashboard, or to iGoogle. Here is the second version, titled “Ginger”, where homepage are not only personal but also public!

A public homepage is called a universe, where its owner can display anything he wants, with the same wonderful tools than its private page.

We decided to give it a try and create our “The Way We Listen” universe!

We tried to gather all sources of information we use to provide you with the best news. Have a look at them…

Let me talk about an album I’ve been listening to for the last few weeks : Liquid Tension Experiment. In 1997, the progressive metal band Dream Theater was touring to support their last album titled Falling into infinity. Mike Portnoy, DT’s drummer and leader, began to form a progressive “supergroup” in which he invited keyboardist Jordan Rudess (who was in the band Dixie Dregs at the time, but then joined DT full-time), bassist Tony Levin (John Lennon’s band and Peter Gabriel’s band) and fellow DT guitarist John Petrucci. They decided to name the band “Liquid Tension Experiment”.

The result of the collaboration of these four extremely talented musicians is a really intense and wonderful instrumental album. This record is a mix between progressive metal and metal fusion.

1. Paradigm Shift. The first time I played the CD I was like… WOW!! A very original way to start an album and introduce a band : a very heavy and fast way! A great tune, one of their most famous song. Each musician introduces his talent. 8/10

2. Osmosis is a slower and smoother song. It begins with a drum & bass duet, followed by some piano. It throws you in kind of an exotic atmosphere, very relaxing. 7/10

3. Kindred Spirits is, to me, the masterpiece of this record. Heavy tune, but not so full of notes. The guitar and keyboard solos are very precise and bring an incredibly catchy melody, introduced by a small piano at 1:30. My favorite instrumental piece so far with “The Dance Of Eternity” by DT. 9.5/10

4. The Stretch is a short jazzy tune, based on a bass & brass riff. On top of this, Jordan Rudess improvises a melody with a lead sound. Not the best one. 5/10

5. Freedom of Speech is typically a DT-like song, built on catchy harmonies and a fast and crazy middle part. It’s a powerful song but something is missing to make it magical. 7.5/10

6. Chris and Kevin’s Excellent Adventure is not really a song, it’s a jam. Mike Portnoy and Tony Levin improvising on their instruments. It has no structure, no real intro no real outtro, but it’s still a fun song to listen to. 6.5/10

7. State Of Grace is a beautiful ballad, driven by a piano melody that continues with a guitar melody. John Petrucci really shows another talent, less technical and full of notes but more harmonious. 8/10

8. Universal Mind is another heavy great song, very similar to Paradigm Shift. The introduction makes a thrilling transition with State of Grace. And the crazy honky tonk piano part at the end is really classic Jordan 8.5/10

9. Three Minute Warning is a piece split in five parts. Another jam improvisation that has a fun history. Tony Levin always prefered to jam, as opposed to Petrucci and Portnoy who like to write songs precisely. The “3 minutes” referes to an ultimatum given by Levin “if we don’t jam in 3 minutes, I leave”… This piece is just what followed, and was recorded just as it is.

Since Jordan Rudess joined DT soon after the success of this record (and a second one, which followed up a year later), this album may sound very very similar to DT instrumental work. However I find it more relaxed, mainly because it was just a side-project, done without pressure. And above all it contains some gems. My final mark would be 8/10.

I’d like to introduce to you Andy McKee… I discovered this man on YouTube recently. He’s an incredible guitar player : not only he plays some tune, but he plays it entirely, with bass, chords and melody (even some times with drum beat)… And of course he does this with only one acoustic guitar and two hands

Check out his version of Africa by Toto :

Here are the rock winners for the 2008 Grammy Awards, that took place Sunday, February 10. Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen is the major rock winner of this evening, with a total of 3 awards.The Foo Fighters, who were nominated in 5 categories, including Song and Album of the Year, only got 2.

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
Bruce Springsteen - “Radio Nowhere”

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
The White Stripes - “Icky Thump”

Best Hard Rock Performance
Foo Fighters - “The Pretender”

Best Metal Performance
Slayer - “Final Six”

Best Rock Song
Bruce Springsteen - “Radio Nowhere”

Best Rock Instrumental Performance
Bruce Springsteen - “Once Upon A Time In The West” (from We All Love Ennio Morricone)

Best Rock Album
Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace

Best Alternative Music Album
The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
Maroon 5 - “Makes Me Wonder”

In other categories, pop singer Amy Winehouse is the big winner of the night with 5 grammies, including  3 major categories (Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist). The Album of the Year award goes to a Jazz artist Herbie Hancock. Full winners list here.

Today, on this Super Tuesday, everybody here in France talks about the US primary elections, and about USA in general. This situation gave me a simple idea… I started to look for rock songs which contains the word “USA”, or any US city/state in their title.

So here is my list so far :

• Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen
• Surfin’ U.S.A. - The Beach Boys
• Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
• California Dreamin’ - The Mamas and the papas
• New York - U2
• Miami - U2
• Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley/ZZ Top
• Hotel California - The Eagles
• Englishman in New York - Sting

I’m quite sure I’m missing a lot… Feel free to complete this list