What in the heaven's name just happened to the last.fm playlists?
On one hand, we now have the ability to create more than 1 playlist. On the other hand, now only the subscribers can actually play those playlists, and that is only if the playlist contains at least 45 tracks and 15 different artists!! As you can imagine I'm not happy about that at all! On top of that, what really ticked me off last night was that I noticed the new 200 track limit, which has already been applied on ALL playlists, even the ones that had been created before the updates. This of course means that large parts of some of my favorite neighborhood playlists have simply been annihilated. No backups, nothing. So now I have 5 playlists which I can do very close to zilch with, and I can no longer go swimming in the mighty playlists created by my friends.
And just to make my mood even darker, obviously the flash playlist player widget no longer works either... it did till 2 days ago... grrrrrrrrrr!!
So, anybody else sharing my mood?
For the past few weeks I was constantly bumping into articles here and there, talking about the new last.fm beta and all it's cool and new features, and of course that it would be available to the website subscribers. Well, I've been using last.fm for the past 2 years and can call myself a pretty serious user, although somehow I never found it necessary to subscribe, and I never have. So I guess you can imagine my sheer surprise when yesterday morning I received an invitation to the beta, regardless of my status. No clue how this happens, but I'm glad I got the chance to have a look inside, cause there really are some very cool changes. =) So let me see, where to start...
That's my new profile, and yes I do have a tendency of sneaking into my friends channels and listening to what they're listening to. As you can see I was stalking amvee.=) Click for larger images.
I guess I better start with the part that is the most important to me, the user profiles. When I first logged into the beta, it took my eyes a couple of seconds to get used to the lack of some of the previous version's eye candy. There's a very plain red strip on the top of the page which I'm not the biggest fan of, but perhaps that's the only part that I'm not a fan of. The first thing that _really_ took my attention and put a smile on my lips, was the answer to my prayers, a perfectly working playlist player on the right column. YAY. YAAAAY. And guess what, my Loved Tracks are now actually good for something as they're playable through the playlist player. This means that I can get much better a view of what my friends really consider loved music and not just frequently played music, and vice versa. [Yes, I can actually see everybody's profile on the beta...] The charts are still there, only with more options to play around with. And now there's something called "Library" that contains information about your listening habits, every artist you ever listened to and the track counts. The Library is customizable, you can have it show whatever you'd like, and it looks great too.
The artist pages also look neat and pretty much the same as user pages. Generally the information is a lot better organized, and it's much easier to use features like tagging or making a recommendation. Both user and artist profiles have an "activity feed" lower in the page which again, is a pretty neat fature.
Not all the features are working as of yet. As you can see in the screenies, Videos, Charts and Events are yet to be added. But from what I've seen on my 1st day, I can say that last.fm did manage to make an even bigger fan of me than I already was. Way to go guys, and thanks for inviting me. =)
When it comes to music, I'd say Mike Oldfield is certainly a God. I've felt the same ever since the first time I heard his music [I was an infant then... my parents were listening to Mike Oldfield]. Mike Oldfield's music has been with me my entire life, and I would even say that in some ways, it has saved my life. The song Shabda is from his latest album called "Music of the Sphere". Don't mind the video as it's not official... just listen to the music.
Terra autem erat inanis Super faciem abyssi Lux æterna dona nobis Terra autem erat in cæli
Terra autem erat inanis Super faciem abyssi Lux æterna dona nobis Terra autem erat in cæli
[Sorry for not translating... my Latin is enough to understand this, but certainly not enough to attempt a legid translation...]
Admittedly, I've never been a fan of the singer Pink. But today, my Mom emailed me the link to this YouTube video that took my attention quite a bit. Have a look...
Yesterday evening, Genox released his new EP by the name "Slowly Fading Colors". The EP includes 5 new tracks:
Aquarius
Proto Z
Trafficlights
Dling Dling
Resurrected Piano
Having listened to these 5 tracks over and over and over again, I believe I can say that this EP is quite a step forward for this artist, and a truly enjoyable one to listen to. The EP includes some nice surprises for the old fans, and also has a lot to offer to a wider range of new listeners. The 5 tracks are an amazing display of the artist's ability to smoothly flow through different genres and mix elements from different styles to create something very new, and yet containing the familiar Genox atmosphere. A very special collection of colors, which in turn brings me to the title of the EP.
With all due respect to the artist's truly interesting reasoning for choosing the title "Slowly Fading Colors", I can't help mentioning that the EP brings an image of a "Box of Crayons" to my mind a lot more than fading colors. To elaborate, I basically see the EP as a collection of colors, placed side by side in a so well selected order, that causes each color to stand out in their own turn.
All that being said, I believe it's time for you to listen to the EP, and develop your own opinion! =) So, check out Genox's blog post to download the EP.
Update: Just in case you can't load Genox's blog, you can download the EP directly from here.
The summer sun is fading As the year grows old And darker days are drawing near. The winter winds will be much colder Now you're not here. I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky And one by one they disappear. I wish that I was flying with them Now you're not here. Like the sun through the trees you came to love me Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away. Through autumns golden gown we used to kick our way You always loved this time of year. Those fallen leaves lay undisturbed now Cause you're not here. Cause you're not here. Cause you're not here. Like the sun through the trees you came to love me. Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away. A gentle rain pours softly on my weary eyes. As if to hide a lonely tear. My life will be forever autumn Cause you're not here. Cause you're not here. Cause you're not here....
Attention attention, great news everyone! Genox just released a whole new EP called "Similarities". The new EP includes the already well known "Transatlantic Fiberglass", and 4 completely new tracks [YAY!]: -Ninjagirl [Hehe ;)] -Melobotter -Steamtrain -Orbit So check'em out, and enjoy! =)
Just like a whole lot of other "Moody Blues" tracks, this song means a lot to me. One of those that I've had in my ears ever since I was a kid... and somehow it makes me fly through time.. and space.. and my life... and everything. If you're someone who shares a bit of musical taste with me, [and you can find that out here of course], I recommend you check this out ASAP, that is if you haven't already. =) And here are the lyrics:
The curtain rises on the scene With someone shouting to be free The play unfolds before my eyes There stands the actor who is me
The sleeping hours takes us far From traffic, telephones and fear Put out your problems with the cat Escape until a bell you hear
Our reasons are the same But theres no-one we can blame For theres nowhere we need go And the only truth we know comes so easily
The sound I have heard in your hello Oh, oh, darling, you're almost part of me Oh, oh, darling, you're all Ill ever see
Its such a rainy afternoon No point in going anywhere The sounds just drift across my room I wish this feeling I could share
Its such a rainy afternoon She sits and gazes from her window Her mind tries to recall his face The feeling deep inside her grows
Our reasons are the same But theres no-one we can blame For theres nowhere we need go And the only truth we know comes so easily
The sound I have heard in your hello Oh, oh, darling, you're almost part of me Oh, oh, darling, you're all Ill ever see The sound I have heard in your hello Oh, oh, darling, you're all Ill ever see Oh, oh, darling, you're almost part of me...
"Thank You" by Alanis Morissette.... one of my faves, and the lyrics are just awesome!
How bout getting off of these antibiotics How bout stopping eating when I'm full up How bout them transparent dangling carrots How bout that ever elusive kudo
Thank you India Thank you terror Thank you disillusionment Thank you frailty Thank you consequence Thank you thank you silence
How bout me not blaming you for everything How bout me enjoying the moment for once How bout how good it feels to finally forgive you How bout grieving it all one at a time
Thank you India Thank you terror Thank you disillusionment Thank you frailty Thank you consequence Thank you thank you silence
The moment I let go of it was The moment I got more than I could handle The moment I jumped off of it was The moment I touched down
How bout no longer being masochistic How bout remembering your divinity How bout unabashedly bawling your eyes out How bout not equating death with stopping
Thank you India Thank you providence Thank you disillusionment Thank you nothingness Thank you clarity Thank you thank you silence....
ATTENTION ATTENTION: Genox just released a new awesome single, called "Transatlantic Fiberglass". =) YAAAAY! A very special track with a very special theme. Check it out right now and enjoy the magical transatlantic trip it takes you on. I know it took me on quite a trip... =)
Great news everyone, another super single was just released by Genox. This time around, it appears that we're going to have a ride through the red deserts of Mars! So enjoy the stunning "Various Shades Of Red". :)
There's music I like, there's music that can make me happy, and then, there's music that can take me to the 7th heaven. Well of course the last category is the most difficult to find. That's why when an artist who can create that certain kind of music, releases a single track after a period of absence, that's definitely the cause for some serious excitement on my side! :) Wonder what I'm talking about? SURPRISE SURPRISE people, Genox just released a new single! YAY! I've been listening to this same track over and over and over again since last night, and I have absolutely no words to describe it. I might have said "incredible", but that just doesn't cut it. So check it out for yourself, and experience the effects of "Various Shades Of Blue". :)
Update: Ok it seems like Genox just uploaded a whole bunch of his tracks, which you can access through his blog. So... check it out! :)
The new James Blunt album, "Back To Bedlam", truly amazes me. There's not a single track in this album that I don't deeply enjoy. I really hope that he keeps up the awesome job. Specially now, with my current mood and..well.. thoughts and mixed feelings and all that, this album has been a life saver. Here are the lyrics for one of my favorite tracks. Fits my feelings so well right now.
"Tears And Rain"
How I wish I could surrender my soul; Shed the clothes that become my skin; See the liar that burns within my needing. How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold. How I wish I had screamed out loud, Instead I've found no meaning.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain, All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble. Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray. I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble. It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.
How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind; Hold memory close at hand, Help me understand the years. How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell. How I wish I would save my soul. I'm so cold from fear.
I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain, All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble. Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray. I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble. Far, far away; find comfort in pain. All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble. It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.
First of all, a note to the guys and gals who asked for the Distillery photos. I've now posted a few of those in my phlog. Just for you. :) With regards to amv's comment on the last post, the Demovibes website seems to be up and about now: www.demovibes.org What else....oh yeah. In my on going scene-music diggage, I finally found...well... let me try to explain to you what I found. The Assembly 2006 freestyle music competition happened on around 7:45 of a Saturday morning [Toronto time]. So I was half asleep when the competition started, and I was watching the web-tv on my notebook in bed. I remember hearing this fantastic song that took my breath away, but somewhere in between my struggle to open my eyes and a silly stream blink, I ended up missing the song info. So now after going through almost all the competition entries, finally I found it. "When Time Stands Still" by PK, check it out. Also, I know that some of you have already discovered this, but if you haven't, make sure you check out "Aufgewacht Und Tee Gemacht" by Genox. [Ummm..."Woke up and made tea"?! I just hope I got the spelling right.] I've been listening to this about 10 times a day recently. One of the best that I've heared from this artist so far. Absolutely brilliant. These 2 tracks speak directly to my heart. <3 <3 :> And that's about it for now......
Update: Umm Guys...there's a new comment on the first part of the display report that you might like to check out. :)
Since this seems to be the topic of the week, I might as well create a new post and share some news with you. A whole bunch of you have been asking for the soundtracks for a couple of Vantage demos. And it seems like some of you are not much for waiting. :D Anyway, I just captured the soundtracks for "A Simple Way" and "3 Cows Ahead" [click to download]. As for how I did it, well "3 Cows Ahead" is an avi so it's a simple matter of an audio extraction. However, I tried a whole bunch of extractors and played around with whatever options available, but the result is never perfect for some reason. Specially the beginning of this one sounds far from what you hear on the avi. Keep in mind the fact that I'm no audio expert anyway. :"> So if you know of an extractor which could do a better job, please let me know. "A Simple Way" was of course a different story. I came across this demo capturing software called "kkapture 0.01" a while ago (on pouet.net BBS). It's an easy to use application which does a pretty darn impressive job capturing both the audio and the video. So I used this to capture an avi of the demo, and then did the same mp3 extraction. The resulting audio quality is rather good. So...enjoy, and I'd certainly appreciate any bits of technical info that you might wanna throw at me. :>
Update: Wheee! Amoivikos [amv] of ASD has just posted a comment containing some very interesting information regarding a number of great scene tracks. Check it out! Always the best info, does this guy rule or what? :)
Update: Sorry guys, there is no full version of the "3 Cows Ahead" soundtrack. It was never finished.
Hmmm...for some odd reason it appears that a whole lot of my friends have never heard this one, which happens to be one of my favorites. The video clip for this track is also one of those which is always running at some corner of my mind. Reminds me a great deal of "The City Of Angels". So why not share it with you? I'd be happy to know what you think of it. :)
And the lyrics: Green light, Seven Eleven You stop in for a pack of cigarettes You don't smoke, don't even want to Hey now, check your change Dressed up like a car crash Your wheels are turning but you're upside down You say when he hits you, you don't mind Because when he hurts you, you feel alive Oh no, is that what it is?
Red lights, grey morning You stumble out of a hole in the ground A vampire or a victim It depends on who's around You used to stay in to watch the adverts You could lip synch to the talk shows
And if you look, you look through me And when you talk, you talk at me And when I touch you, you don't feel a thing
If I could stay... then the night would give you up Stay, and the day would keep its trust Stay, and the night would be enough
Faraway, so close Up with the static and the radio With satellite television You can go anywhere Miami, New Orleans, London, Belfast, and Berlin
And if you listen I can't call And if you jump, you just might fall And if you shout I'll only hear you
If I could stay... then the night would give you up. Stay then the day would keep its trust Stay with the demons you drowned Stay with the spirit I found Stay and the night would be enough
Three o'clock in the morning It's quiet and there's no one around Just the bang and the clatter As an angel runs to ground Just the bang and the clatter As an angel hits the ground
Ah...I really do love this song.
Also, on a completely unrelated topic, Amoivikos/ASD had posted a link to this very interesting video clip in the comments for the last part of my report. I'm going to post it here, since I believe not many people will get the chance to see it over there. The video offers some good information about the Demoscene. [Thanks amv :)] And by the way, if [like me] you're not a German speaker, don't freak out, there's English subtitles. :)
Update: Ok peeps, looks like another discussion thread just opened up on the comments for the part 6 of the report (Vantage related), you might wanna check it out.
I just watched Nickelback's latest video for "Savin' Me" and I enjoyed it immensely. An interesting idea indeed.
Savin' Me - Nickelback
Prison gates won't open up for me On these hands and knees I'm crawlin' Oh, I reach for you Well I'm terrified of these four walls These iron bars can't hold my soul in All I need is you Come please I'm callin' And oh I scream for you Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
Show me what it's like To be the last one standing And teach me wrong from right And I'll show you what I can be Say it for me Say it to me And I'll leave this life behind me Say it if it's worth saving me
Heaven's gates won't open up for me With these broken wings I'm fallin' And all I see is you These city walls ain't got no love for me I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth storey And oh I scream for you Come please I'm callin' And all I need from you Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
Show me what it's like To be the last one standing And teach me wrong from right And I'll show you what I can be Say it for me Say it to me And I'll leave this life behind me Say it if it's worth saving me Hurry I'm fallin'
And all I need is you Come please I'm callin' And oh I scream for you Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
Show me what it's like To be the last one standing And teach me wrong from right And I'll show you what I can be Say it for me Say it to me And I'll leave this life behind me Say it if it's worth saving me Hurry I'm fallin'
Say it for me Say it to me And I'll leave this life behind me Say it if it's worth saving me
Yeah ok...here iz the complete lyricz 4 "Out Of The Woodz" az some friendz had requested. And about the artist, actually both Nickel Creek and Sinead Lohan have their own versionz of the song; I have absolutely no idea which one iz the original and which one iz recycled though. Here goez: I wish you out of the woods And into a picture with me I wish you over the moon Come out of the question and be If this is gonna run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming Run 'round in my head I roller coaster for you Time out of mind must be heavenly It's all enchanted and wild Just like my heart said it was gonna be If this is gonna run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming Run 'round in my head I wish you out of the woods And into the picture with me I wish you over the moon Come out of the question and be If this is gonna run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming Run 'round in my head If this is gonna run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming Run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming Run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming Run 'round in my head If this is gonna run 'round in my head I might as well be dreaming
Out Of The Woodz "If this iz gonna run ... round ... in my head ... I might as well be dreaming run ... round ... in my head ..." Have u heared the song? It'z been going round my head 4 quite some time now... I think it sort of describez my current situation! By the way, the song iz called "Out of The Woodz" by "Nickel Creek".
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
