Tag: blog

Liebster Award Nomination

MarcyB0y2 Comments

Wehey, we’ve been nominated for something!

I try and keep The Music Box as professional as possible and generally avoid placing the focus on me but I felt honoured enough to have got one of these, I thought I’d give it a go!

I have to be honest and say I’d never heard of a Liebster Award before receiving one but after researching it, I thought it seemed like a very cool idea!

It’s basically blog chain-mail, but a good type (well I perceive it that way anyway!) You get nominated by somebody who likes what you do and it all goes from there.

I was nominated by the lovely Tammy, who blogs at https://alittlebitalt.wordpress.com/ . It’s a blog I really love anyway and Tammy consistently interacts with this blog which I am incredibly grateful for! It’s brilliant to know people actually read my posts and enjoy what I do, so thank you!

liebster-award-rules

11 Facts About Me

  1. My name is Marc, which I spell with a ‘C’ which seems to throw some people…
  2. My music taste is far more eclectic than most are aware of – a little bit of everything, some credible and others not so much. I hope that comes across in this blog!
  3. I write my own songs and it’s my dream for them to lead me somewhere someday.
  4. I’m a huge bookworm.
  5. I love writing – songs, blogs, poems – I just really love being create with words.
  6. My favourite bands are Take That & The 1975.
  7. I have lots of favourite movies but my all time favourite movie is ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (‘Perks’, The Shawshank Redemption’, ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’, ‘The Green Mile’ & ‘Rent’ follow closely…)
  8. I have lots of favourite songs but my all time favourites are probably Chocolate by The 1975, Higher than Higher by Take That & Edge of Desire by John Mayer.
  9. I have lots of favourite books but my two all time favourites are The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky,  One Day by David Nicholls and Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.
  10. I don’t publicise it much anymore but Michael Jackson is one of my idols.
  11.  I’m a big foodie – there isn’t much I won’t eat! 🙂

And to answer Tammy’s questions:

1) What’s your Hogwarts house?   I am a Gryffindor 🙂

2) Favorite David Bowie song? ‘Where Are We Now’. I do love ‘Heroes’, ‘Under Pressure’ & ‘Let’s Dance’ too though… basically the more commercial stuff!

3) Which fictional couple do you ship?  Dexter & Emma in ‘One Day’.

4) Current favourite music artist? Lots of obsessions at the moment! The main one has been one of my favourites – John Mayer.  Also been listening a lot to some of my other favourites: The 1975, Take That & Troye Sivan.

5) Where do you see yourself in the next five years? This is tricky, I can’t really imagine it! Scary… I think I’ll be back home in Northampton, I’ll have moved out though & probably in a steady job, still single haha!

6) You hit shuffle on your laptop or iPod or phone, what are the first three songs to come up?

  1. The 1975 – What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction Cover in the Radio 1 Live Lounge)
  2. Justin Bieber – Company
  3. Gary Barlow – Jump

7) What book did you read last? I’m currently reading ‘Hector and the search for Happiness’ by Francois Lelord. The last book I finished was the brilliant ‘Let it Snow’ by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle.

8) Favourite social media platform? Twitter.

9) What is your favourite type of YouTube video? Live music performances.

10) Who inspires you? Various people in different ways! My Dad, Gary Barlow & John Mayer are probably the main ones.

11) Favourite TV show? I don’t watch a lot of TV anymore. ‘Miranda’ when it was on and I do love a bit of Strictly Come Dancing too!

My questions for my nominees are:

  1. Favourite book?
  2. Favourite movie?
  3. Favourite band/artist
  4. Biggest achievement?
  5. Best concert you have ever been to? (If not a concert, maybe a festival or something?)
  6. What’s your dream job?
  7. Do you like musicals? What’s your favourite?
  8. Favourite season?
  9. Favourite place to visit?
  10. Any hobbies/interests?
  11. Do you prefer staying in or going out?

My nominees are:

2015 in Music

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

As 2015 comes to a close, we wanted to (as always) look back at the year in music. So with no further ado, here’s The Music Box’s official guide to the best music of 2015.

SONG OF THE YEAR:

Little Mix – Black Magic

Whilst eventually played to death, this song is easily one of the catchiest pop tracks of 2015. A 21st century of ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, it’s fierce, fun and memorable. The perfect pop hit.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

Carly Rae Jepsen – Emotion

One of the most underrated pop albums from 2015. ‘Emotion’ draws upon 80’s synthpop in a similar way to Taylor Swift on ‘1989’ but with superior production. Every beat is meticulously placed and the focus is more on the songs rather than vocal performance. The entire album contains a naivety lacking from most pop albums and it’s a whole lot of fun from start to finish.

RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE OF THE YEAR:

Rixton – Where are U Now (Justin Bieber Cover)

Boyband Rixton transform this jittery EDM hit into a gentle 90’s R&B track with gorgeous chords, lush harmonies and an element of Soul lacking in the original.

BAND OF THE YEAR:

Circa Waves

British Indie-rock band Circa Waves launched onto the scene this year with brilliant single ‘Fossils’. Their début album ‘Young Chasers’ was released in March to positive response and the band have subsequently been touring the world.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Carly Rae Jepsen

One of the most underrated female pop stars, Carly Rae Jepsen avoids controversy and instead keeps her track record solely focussed on music. Whilst many may be put off by undeniably catchy but somewhat irritating hits ‘Call Me Maybe’ and ‘I Really Like You’, 2015 album ‘Emotion’ demonstrated a new side to Jepsen which resulted in the album’s critical acclaim.

NEW BAND OF THE YEAR:

Nothing But Thieves

Nothing But Thieves have seemingly sprung from no-where this year with singles ‘Itch’, ‘Trip-Switch’ and ‘Wake Up Call’ all receiving extensive airplay on radio. Their self-titled début album is haunting, eerie and bold, resembling some of Jeff Buckley’s best work.

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Shura

Shura has risen to prominence in the last year with huge hit, the Janet Jackson circa 1986 influenced ‘2Shy’ in addition to catchy dance hit ‘White Light’ and the gentle analog driven ‘Touch’. With her highly anticipated début album due in 2016, we are expecting big things from Shura.

UP & COMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

The Japanese House

Amber Bain, better known as The Japanese House has won the admiration of many this year with her spaced-out and hazy material. Aided by The 1975’s Matt Healy & George Daniel in production, The Japanese House’s two EPs have been cinematic, bold and impressive.

ONE TO WATCH:

Troye Sivan

YouTuber Troye Sivan already had a huge profile before entering the music industry this year. Debut album ‘Blue Neighbourhood’ has been critically acclaimed for its bold and unique sound and sincere lyrical themes.

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR:

Take That

Take That proved they’ve still got it in a series of triumphant sold-out shoes in various arenas over the UK this year. Featuring a large ensemble of dancers, an abundance of multi-coloured confetti, walls of flame and a flying bike, 2015’s tour proved to be their best yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmk1gMfYsEI

TOP 10 SINGLE RELEASES OF 2015

THE LONG LIST: RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE COVERS OF THE YEAR

  • Ella Henderson – Hold Back The River [James Bay Cover]

  • Frances – What Do You Mean [Justin Bieber Cover]

  • George Ezra – I Try [Macy Gray Cover]

  • Imagine Dragons – Blank Space [Taylor Swift Cover]

  • James Bay – FourFiveSeconds [Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney Cover]

  • James Bay – Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher [Jackie Wilson Cover]

  • Little Mix – Dance With Somebody [Jason Derulo & Whitney Houston Cover]

  • Mark Ronson – The Giver [Duke Dumont Cover]

  • Nothing But Thieves – Wings [Birdy Cover]

  • Rixton – Where are U Now [Justin Bieber, Skrillex & Diplo Cover]

  • Sam Smith & Disclosure – Hotline Bling [Drake Cover]

THE LONG LIST: ALBUMS OF THE YEAR:

THE LONG LIST: ALBUM TRACKS OF THE YEAR:

  • Adele: When We Were Young, Water Under the Bridge, Love in the Dark, Million Years Ago
  • Ben Haenow: Testify
  • Carly Rae Jepsen: All That, Emotion, Let’s Get Lost, Boy Problems
  • Circa Waves: Deserve This, Good For Me, Stuck in My Teeth,
  • Coldplay: Up & Up, Kaleidoscope
  • Ellie Goulding: Codes, Something in the Way You Move.
  • James Bay: If You Ever Want to be in Love, Scars, Need The Sun To Break
  • James Morrison: Stay Like This
  • Janet Jackson: Broken Hearts Heal, Great Forever, Take Me Away, Shoulda Known Better
  • Justin Bieber: I’ll Show You, Company, No Pressure
  • Markus Feehily: Back To Yours, Love Me Or Leave Me, Only You
  • Matthew Morrison & Laura Michelle Kelly: What You Mean to Me
  • Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: The Right Stuff
  • Nothing But Thieves: Graveyard Whistling, Honey Whiskey, If I Get High, Lover Please Stay.
  • One Direction: Hey Angel, Love You Goodbye, Long Way Down, Olivia, What A Feeling, I Want to Write…
  • Seal: Love, Padded Cell
  • Tame Impala: Yes I’m Changing
  • Take That: Bird in Your Hand, Will You Be There For Me
  • The 1975: Ugh!, Somebody Else (Live)
  • The Weeknd: Tell Your Friends, Shameless, As You Are
  • Troye Sivan: Youth, Heaven, Fools, Ease
  • Wolf Alice: Your Loves Whore, Swallowtail
  • Years and Years: Memo, Eyes Shut, Ties

THE LONG LIST: SONGS OF THE YEAR:

  • Aqualung ft Lianna La Havas: Eggshells
  • Babyface: We’ve Got Love
  • Birdy & Rhodes: Let It All Go
  • Blonde ft Alex Newell: All Cried Out
  • Carly Rae Jepson: I really like you, Run Away With Me
  • Circa Waves: Fossils, My Love, T-Shirt Weather
  • Coldplay: Adventure of a Lifetime
  • Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike & NeYo: Higher Place
  • Drake: Hotline Bling
  • Ellie Goulding: Army, Love Me Like You Do
  • Fleur East: Sax
  • Flo Rida & Robin Thicke: I Don’t Like It, I Love it
  • Frances: Grow, When It Comes to Us (with Ritual)
  • Galantis:  Peanut Butter Jelly
  • George Ezra: Barcelona
  • Grimes & Bleaches: Entropy
  • James Morrison: Demons
  • Jess Glynne: Hold My Hand
  • Justin Bieber: What Do You Mean?, Where are U Now? (ft Skrillex & Diplo)
  • Iggy Azalea & Jennifer Hudson: Trouble
  • Joe Stone & Montell Jordan: The Party (This is how we do)
  • Lianne La Havas: Unstoppable
  • Little Mix: Black Magic
  • Major Lazer, DJ Snake and MO: Lean on
  • Markus Feehily: Love is a Drug
  • Maroon 5: Sugar
  • Miguel: Coffee
  • Nathan Sykes: Kiss Me Quick
  • Nick Jonas: Jealous, Levels.
  • Nicki Minaj: The Night is Still Young
  • Nothing But Thieves: Trip Switch, Wake Up Call
  • Olly Murs: Beautiful to Me, Kiss Me
  • OMI: Cheerleader
  • Philip George: Wish You Were Mine
  • Rita Ora and Chris Brown: Body On Me
  • Rixton: We All Want The Same Thing
  • Ryan O’Shaughnessy: Fingertips
  • Sam Smith: Lay Me Down
  • Seal: Every Time I’m With You
  • Selena Gomez & A$AP Rocky: Good For You
  • Shura: 2Shy, Love for That (with Mura Masa) White Light.
  • Sigala: Easy Love
  • Snakehips, Tinashe & Chance The Rapper: All My Friends
  • Tame Impala: Cause I’m a Man
  • Take That: Higher than Higher, Let in the Sun
  • Taylor Swift: Style, Wildest Dreams
  • The 1975: Love Me
  • The Japanese House: Cool Blue, Still
  • The Weeknd: I Can’t Feel My Face
  • Tinie Tempah & Jess Glynne:  No Letting Go
  • Tori Kelly: Should’ve Been Us
  • Tove Lo: Moments, Talking Body
  • Troye Sivan: Wild
  • Usher: I Don’t Mind
  • Walk The Moon: Shut up & Dance
  • Wretch 32 ft Anne Marie and PRGRSHN: Alright With Me
  • WSTRN: In2
  • Wolf Alice: Bros, Freazy
  • Years & Years: King
  • Zayn Malik/One Direction: I won’t Mind

Christmas Crackers – Day 31

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

Happy New Year!

This is the final entry of Christmas Crackers. We hope you’ve enjoyed following this throughout December 🙂

1) Dina Carroll – The Perfect Year

2) Sugababes – New Year

 3) Rod Stewart – Auld Lang Syne

 

Check back everyday this month for more festive hits!

Changes to The Music Box in 2016

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

collage

Hello all!

I set The Music Box up in 2013 after numerous other failed attempts at blogging. This year, we became solely a music blog with all other posts exported to an additional personal blog.

2015 has seen The Music Box go from strength to strength. We have received hundreds of likes and shares and our review of Markus Feehily’s ‘Fire’ album was tweeted by the man himself . We are hoping for this success to continue throughout 2016 and wanted to share some of our new developments with you for the next year.

Music Monday

To date, Music Monday has involved a selection of ten songs, both old and new that we have been enjoying immensely in the past week. They are usually accompanied by a short excerpt on why we love them here at the Music Box.

From 2016 onwards, this will be changed to ten new or current songs which we consider to be the hottest records in the world.

*NEW!* Feel Good Friday

Every Friday, we will be adding five tracks to our Feel Good Friday Spotify Playlist. There will be opportunities for suggestions too.

*NEW!* Artist Feature

Artist Features will be pieces dedicated to an artist. Generally to promote little-known or up and coming acts, these are to raise the profile of genuinely talented artists.

Themed Playlists

These will continue as usual.

Album Reviews and Live Gig Reviews

These will continue as usual.

Thank you so much for all of the follows, likes and shares of our posts and for the support this year. Please continue to share our posts and blog to help us out!

We don’t earn any money from this and do it purely for our love of music.

Thanks for every read, like, follow & share.

Love.

Adele – 25 Album Review

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

adele-25-cover

It’s been a long time since an album has been as highly anticipated as Adele’s ’25’. Her comeback after a three year hiatus (excluding the release of James Bond theme ‘Skyfall’) has exceeded the expectations of all; lead single ‘Hello’ smashed Vevo records for the most views in one day and launched straight to the top of singles charts all around the world. In the UK, it became the biggest selling Number One in three years. It’s fair to say Adele has become something of a global superstar since the release of previous album ’21’ and with the release of ’25’, it seems that she will remain that way.

’25’ is a conventional Adele album; a collection of emotive ballads which mourn the loss of ex-lovers, a carefree life and old friends. It doesn’t attempt anything too audacious and isn’t particularly innovative but it remains loyal to Adele’s signature sound and for that, it should be commended.

For the large part, Adele sticks rigidly to the formula of ’21’. ‘Hello’ is arguably the most dramatic track on the album and was wisely chosen as the lead single. As the album’s opening track, it’s well-placed and reintroduces Adkins back into the homes of the public. Similarly, ‘Remedy’ co-written by familiar collaborator Ryan Tedder, is a pretty and melodic ballad featuring nothing more than an exquisite piano riff and Adele’s soulful vocals. It’s a reinforcement that sometimes leaving a song in its most raw, organic form delivers the best results. ‘Love in the Dark’, one of the album’s stand-out moments, is also left well alone and is comprised of nothing but piano chords, sweeping strings and Adele’s vocals aching with sincerity. The powerful chorus is lush with orchestration and it’s a concrete reminder of what Adele does best. ‘All I Ask’ follows the same formula utilising pretty piano riffs as Adele begs her lover to leave her with a lasting memory before they officially end their relationship. Co-written by Bruno Mars and his frequent collaborators, Mars’ influence is clear – it doesn’t require much imagination to picture his vocals on it but Adele inevitably glistens on the track.

‘When We Were Young’ is another of the album’s highlights, a track so profound, it completely blows ‘Hello’ out of the water. The chord progression of the chorus rather bizarrely mirrors Razorlight’s ‘America’ in places but it’s a substantial, soulful ballad glowing with sincerity. Sombre but captivating ballad ‘Million Years Ago’ is another of the album’s highlights, utilising nothing but Spanish-sounding acoustic guitars and Adele pining for a return to simpler times. ‘I Miss You’ is darker in tone and is an eerie soul ballad featuring a jazz organ, echoing broken acapella vocals, Phil Collins styled drumming and moody piano chords.

At times, the album does attempt to break out of the mould Adele has created for herself. The sassy ‘Send My Love (To Your New Lover)’ refreshingly introduces funky acoustic guitar riffs into the fold and is relatively jovial compared to the rest of the album. Likewise, ‘Water Under the Bridge’ is a breezy pop track on which Greg Kurstin stamps his signature synthpop sound. It’s different to anything Adkins has ever released before, comprised of funky guitar riffs, reverberating vocals and crashing percussion but it remains loyal to her sound through its utilisation of rich gospel harmonies and unequivocal piano chords. It’s one of the best tracks of Adele’s career and is crying out for a single release. Gospel music is also the primary influence on ‘River Lea’, a soulful track featuring hand-clap percussion, rich layered vocals and jazzy organ chords. Closing track ‘Sweetest Devotion’ also attempts to lift spirits high and finishes the album on a more positive note. Weeping guitars, a piano riff and gentle guitar strums open the track before it evolves into an uplifting soul track. It’s clear the track has been written with loved ones in mind, most probably her son Angelo and it’s a fitting finale.

A safe but pleasing album which remains loyal to her much-loved sound.

  • Rating: 4/5.
  • Highlights: Hello, When We Were Young, Water Under The Bridge, Love in the Dark, A Million Years Ago, All I Ask.

’25’ is available now on XL Records.

Take That – III (2015 Edition) Album Review

MarcyB0yLeave a comment

CRX5O-XUcAA2YKw

Upon its original release in December last year, ‘III’ was a pivotal moment in Take That’s career. Now a three-piece following the shock departure of Jason Orange and Robbie Williams returning to his solo career, the band and general public were somewhat apprehensive of the band’s future. They needn’t have worried. ‘III’ flew straight into Number One, breaking the record for the most pre-ordered album in Amazon’s history and was later certified platinum. A sold out UK arena tour followed and Take That validated their persistent presence as one of the UK’s most successful bands.

Almost one year later, ‘III’ is still as bold and buoyant as it was upon release. ‘These Days’ remains a piece of pop perfection with its Nile Rodgers Chic-like guitar riffs, disco stomping percussion and tight harmonies. 2015 addition ‘Hey Boy’ follows the same formula, mirroring camp 80’s disco. Lyrically, it’s rather lazy in comparison to the rest of the album and Owen’s rap-like vocals are questionable but the track is incessantly funky,  glimmering with Greg Kurstin’s polished production. Kurstin also steers the ship on other golden pop moments on the album. ‘If You Want It’ is a sleek pop track featuring gorgeous shimmering synths, euphonious layers of harmony and a kick-ass beat whilst the poignant ‘Freeze’ mourns the departure of Jason Orange through a dramatic ’80’s synth-pop track.

‘Progress’ producer Stuart Price returns on the more electro moments. ‘Let in the Sun’, one of the album’s highlights, is reminiscent of material by the likes of Calvin Harris; an EDM influenced track featuring gorgeous moments of falsetto by Barlow, rousing lyrics and an energised chorus. Lead vocal duties are generously handed to Owen on ‘Lovelife’, an effervescent electro track with a Parisian-sounding melody, acoustic guitar strums and stomping percussion. ‘Into The Wild’ is a dramatic and powerful track on which Take That channel The Killers, featuring eerie electro sounds, tribal drums and Owen’s distinctive bass vocals. A bizarre union of ‘Shine’ and ‘Underground Machine’ is found on ‘I Like It’, a bouncy and mechanical track which features synthesised bass, funky guitar riffs, Bee-Gee-like falsetto harmonies and as many production effects as Price can possibly toss into the mix.

Price knows how to induce softer moments in the album too. ‘Portrait’ begins tentatively with Barlow’s falseto fluttering over gentle guitar strums and timorous synthesisers before before Donald and Owen join the fold in a catchy Barber-shop-styled ‘ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba’ chorus. The lush layers of harmony and giggling synthesisers are a lovely touch in Price’s production and it’s a gorgeous, uplifting track. Howard Donald lends his lead vocal to ‘Give You My Love’, a mellow pop track which is reminiscent of Barlow’s keyboard frolicking on 1993’s ‘Everything Changes’.

John Shanks, producer of the band’s ‘Beautiful World’ and ‘The Circus’ albums brings a more organic sound to the album. ‘Flaws’ is a raw, classic Barlow-ballad which sounds as if it could have been an outtake from Barlow’s ‘Since I Saw You Last’ solo album. It’s a welcome break from the intensity of the album and a lovely track. Original album finale ‘Get Ready For It’ is a euphoric pop-rock stadium anthem abundant with ‘woah’ hooks, crashing percussion and fierce guitar strums. Shanks is also responsible for producing the bonus tracks: invigorating anthem ‘Believe’, Beatles-esque ‘Amazing’ and the spectacular power ballad ‘Do It all For Love’.

Elsewhere, Take That allow lesser-known producers to experiment with their sound. In-demand but still largely unknown producers Mattman and Robin sprinkle their magic on conventional Take That ballad ‘Higher than Higher’, another of ‘III’s’ highlights. Precarious percussion, a mesh of broken vocals and jittery synthesisers open the track before it stabilizes into a steady marching beat. Barlow delivers perfect, tender vocals whilst Donald and Owen provide gorgeous harmonies which reverberate endlessly into the spaced-out, meticulously programmed R&B track. Their ‘higher, higher than higher’ harmonies in the track’s finale somewhat bizarrely emulate an African choir but is one of many lovely touches in its arrangement and production.

Profound power-ballad ‘Will You Be There for Me?’ is comprised of descending percussion, soft plucked acoustic guitars and lavish layers of harmony. Produced by unknown producers AFSHeeN and Josh Cumbee alongside German hitmaker Toby Gad, it’s a moody R&B styled ballad with a brilliant vocal performance by Barlow. It’s yet another change in sound for Take That but one which works perfectly and is without a doubt the best of the new tracks from the 2015 edition.

WTNSS, a duo consisting of Charlie Russell and Bradley Spence, lend their production expertise to final two tracks ‘Carry Me Home’ and ‘Bird in Your Hand’. Evidently Owen’s choice of producers (the duo worked on his 2013 ‘The Art of Doing Nothing’ solo album), they bring another dimension to the album. ‘Carry Me Home’ is a folk-styled pop track featuring tribal drums in the same vein as ‘Into The Wild’, metallic guitars and an epic chorus. Once again, harmonies are diligently layered to great effect and Owen’s distinctive falsetto vocals are particularly lovely. Final track ‘Bird in Your Hand’ is a delicate piano-synth ballad on which the band’s vocals reverberate infinitely. It’s a gorgeous song which mirrors hidden Progress track ‘Flowerbed’. The track is noteworthy for featuring the song-writing credit of the late Michael C. Corson, husband of a Thatter. His lyrics found their way to team Take That and elements were used in the final product.

‘III’ has maintained its ability to impress. Whilst the new tracks don’t necessarily contain the sturdiness required to be single-release material, they are a hugely enjoyable addition to the album.

A triumphant album featuring an eclectic amalgamation of material.

  • Rating: 5/5 [Both original album and 2015 updated version.]
  • Highlights: These Days, Let in the Sun, Portrait, Higher than Higher, Freeze, Flaws, Do it all for Love, Will You Be There For Me, Bird in Your Hand.

‘III (2015 Edition)’ is available now on Polydor Records.

[You can read my original review of ‘III’ here.]