As anyone who reads this blog will know, I am no longer writing at whatlifesoundslike.wordpress.com. I have decided to merge my music blog and my personal blog and just write on both topics at thinkwhatyoulike.wordpress.com, pictured below:

So, if anyone loved my writing here, please drop by my new blog. And leave an aul comment. :) Thanks for reading! xxx

I couldn't control the magnets attached to my limbs.

I always knew there was more too me than jigs and reels though, in fairness.

Growing up, Destiny’s Child were the be all and end all of music. Beyonce was my hero and her silky smooth southern drawl kept me in studio albums all through my teens. Since then, my musical taste has somewhat evolved. But I must admit, nothing gets me going like a good aul hip-hop tune, complete with a good, danceable beat and a bit of quality rapping. Yes, that ‘ho deserved it. No I will not holster my weapon.

Song of the Day for today goes to one Tinie Tempah for the dancefloor stomp-fest Pass Out. And today’s award for Most Ridiculous Music Industry Name goes to…

Enjoy. Don’t be afraid to let your head swing and your hips get loose and really enjoy the way the song gets you moving. If it doesn’t encite any movement whatsoever, go back to the University. The Dean of the School of Boring is about to offer you tenure.

But then… for the first time in my life, someone told me I looked like someone famous. A very excellent DJ called Shona Ryan (from Spin1038 where I interned for a while) told me I looked like Ellie, and started calling me Ellie, and from then on (I’m kinda ashamed to say) I’ve loved her stuff.

I asked my boyfriend for confirmation that I looked like her. He was like “Yeah, course you do.” I asked my sister, who is 16 and opinionated, and she said “Get over yourself, no you don’t.” Cheers, Orls.

Ellie Giggling Goulding

Anyway, I downloaded her entire album and was very pleasantly surprised with the sound. I liked it all, but two tracks stood out to me. Guns and Horses was one of the two, especially the really catchy, memorable chorus. But the one that screamed Song of the Day was Under the Sheets.

An amazing, pop tune with a haunting sound. The sweetness of Ellie’s voice really comes through in this song, and it is the highlight of the album. I’m fairly sure it’s her newest single release. Good choice music execs, it’s a great song. You’ll like it first time, but give it a few listens.

“Like all the boys before, like all the boys, boys, boys…” It’ll have you singing in no time at all. The bit at the start where the really deep drumming happens is a great part. As is the part where her voice goes supersonic and only dogs can hear her. It’s beautiful.

An Irish institution.

It was confirmed by Gardai that the father-of-five was found dead in his Leeson Street apartment today. A suspected heart attack. Foul play not suspected.

It just shows you how fragile life is. I’m sure RTE 2fm weren’t expecting to have to replace their number one presenter next week.

God bless his family. He has little children. I hope the media aren’t ridiculous with them and let them mourn their dad. I know what a state I’d be in in that situation and media intrusion would be the last thing I’d want.

He was kinda love/hate, but no one could deny his excellence in the field of broadcasting, in particular his skills of interview. He used the pregnant pause to perfection and got the most personal details from his interviewees. Fair play to him. He’ll be well remembered.

Just listening to RTE 2fm News there… Larry Gogan is playing Fragile, by Sting, in a poignant tribute to Ryan and started the song with the message “Sleep in peace, my dear friend”. The newscaster who broke the news first on air was on the verge of tears with a shaky voice for the whole announcement.

Kormac. Almost my favourite indian dish. Will have to settle for favourite Irish DJ instead.

…band. Kormac’s Big Band are what I can only describe as exciting. I was excited by their style, by the way they made people move, by their almost magical way of capturing the attention of hundreds of (fairly drunk) twenty-somethings, and keeping it for the duration of their set. Their sound is jazzy, funky, and makes you want to dance.

Astounding would be another word to describe them. DJ Kormac stands behind his decks, and it’s as if the music possesses him. He moves with more vigour than any performer I’ve watched, especially the often static DJs you see in clubs. Not afraid to let the music take him, I was in awe of the man with the big headphones and the even bigger personality. His movements were infectious. It was deadly.

Scattered around him were his Big Band. Musicians with real instruments like double basses, trumpets and saxophones all swaying to their own beats, enjoying the sensation one gets from live music. DJ Kormac played the beats and led his big band along with the song.

It was captivating. I didn’t mind that I was knee deep in mud and was faced with sleeping in a swelteringly hot tent in a field for the night. I didn’t care, for the length of their set.

May I recommend going to iTunes quick fast and giving these guys a listen. It’s super stuff. Start with today’s song of the day, Studio Sorcery. Then try Rainstorm. Check them out. Enjoy. Listen loud. :)

• Michael Jackson died. I was gonna use this as an excuse for why I didn’t blog for a year, but I knew in my heart it wasn’t the real reason so I felt bad. Michael Jackson dying was HUGE news, obviously. The whole music world mourned the loss of a true superstar and someone who inspired many of my favourite artists today, like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and many many more.

• The Verve,  the Violent Femmes and, SHOCK HORROR, The Cheetah Girls all disbanded in 2009. What a loss to music. Particularly the last one there. What a valuable contribution they made. Ahem.

• Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters and Girls Aloud all announce they’re going on hiatus. Fall Out Boy Pete Wentx wants to spend time with his new kid and wife, Foo Fighters are going on a crusade to find the ‘D’ missing from their band name, and Girls Aloud are taking a break to work out what the word ‘hiatus’ actually means.

• Dave Matthews Band released their first studio album since 2005, and first release following the death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore. I went to see them recently in the O2 in Dublin. Wowzers. Love them.

• Whitney Houston released her first studio album since 2003. Apparently, all her crazy drug habits are well and truly behind her. Yeah right. She performed on X Factor off her chops on something, my guess would be cocaine. And has recently cancelled concerts because of “ill health”. Ill health = drug binge gone awry.

• Rage Against the Machine are Christmas number one with Killing in the Name, after a massive campaign on Facebook, against the X Factor contestant, Joe McElderry, who was 2009′s X Factor winner.

• Kesha‘s “Tik Tok” becomes the final number-one single of the decade. It’s such a God damn catchy tune. Deserved number one in my books. Presumably Kesha will be something of a one-hit wonder. Her follow up, Blah Blah, sounded uncannily like Tik Tok, and didn’t hit as ringing a note. Blah? No. Bleh.

• Beyoncé Knowles is named Woman of 2009 by Billboard. Of course she was. She’s Woman Of the Century as far as I’m concerned. My boyfriend thinks my obsession with BK has gone too far. I think NOT.

• The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards is held in New York City at Radio City Music Hall. Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Green Day win three awards. I had a dream that night that I performed live with Beyoncé and was subsequently signed to Def Jam Records. Dream on, Aisling.

• Rihanna postpones her Malaysian concert in The Good Girl Gone Bad Tour amid reports that she accused her boyfriend R&B star Chris Brown of assault. Chris Brown (the little fecker) was charged and found guilty of assault. Pictures of Rihanna’s beaten and bruised face appeared all over the internet. A seed is planted in millions of teenagers heads. The boys seeing Chris Brown’s success and celebrity being maintained through it all and decide domestic violence and violence against women is acceptable. If Rihanna was to take him back, millions of little girls would subconsciously accept being hit by their partners.

Obviously much more happened. Google it and find out what I’m missing. But they were all things I remembered. I’m off to choose which one of the aforementioned topics I’d most like to rant about. Back soonsies.

Oh well. It’s my internet and I can blog if I want to.

Here is a brief re-introduction to my blog and some of it’s new proposed new features:

→ I’ll do the usual stuff, reviews of albums, Song of the Day, any concerts I go to I’ll write a piece about etc. Recent concerts I’m gonna write about are Beyoncé (yes, I went again), Dave Matthews Band and Electric Picnic (yes, last September… worth a blog though). Upcoming concerts include the Black Eyed Peas on Saturday.

→ I’ll accept Song of the Day suggestions from anyone who wants to write one. about 300 words or so, one good image, send it to my email and I’ll post the good ones.

→ Anyone interested in writing a blog and having it posted can just let me know. If the topic is deadly, and not done to death (and suits my particular blog) I’ll post it.

→ My upcoming posts will include:

- Black Eyed Peas and Cheryl Cole on Saturday

- Youngblood Brass Band

- DJ Kormac and his Big Band

- Something wonderful on Santana

- Girl Talk, The Raconteurs, The Police and loads more.

→ I’ll make sure to do at least 5 posts weekly. Hold me to it, please.

→ I’m sure I’ll come up with some other ideas as I go on.

So yeah, consider this blog revived. I’ve got several posts in the pipeline now so I’ll post some later on. I have also given the page a SLIGHTLY new look. I don’t like too much change. Hopefully my view counts will be as impressive *cough* as they were previously. :)

By Susan Barron

Britney Spears: The new poster girl for the wonders of Photoshop

But she made it to the emerald shores, all hot-panted up no doubt. But was it worth her time? Or better still, was it worth the fans’ time? The verdict on this depends on who you talk to. Critics and sceptics alike weren’t exactly setting the newspaper and magazine pages alight with their glowing reviews. The all singing (sorry, miming) all dancing star apparently disappointed with her lacklustre dancing and lack of connection with the audience.

However, there will always be the devoted Britney followers. The ones who still picture her in her virginal/ slutty schoolgirl with pigtails. These are the same people who still believe Justin is sporting a ’fro and refuse to believe the very existence of the dancing ‘wigga’ that is K-Fed. What a nice little fake world they have made for themselves.

Britney, who has no doubt kept the psychology business booming in the States, was meant to have stayed in the Morrison hotel during her visit, but when they refused to accommodate her request for a stripper pole in her bedroom, she moved to the Four Seasons. If that girl gets any classier, she will soon be giving Audrey Hepburn a run for her money. Someone just give her directions to Leeson Street and get it over with. If she doesn’t find a pole there, then at least she can bond with the prossies about their similar morals and taste in clothing.

For a true reflection of just how “talented” Ms. Spears really is, follow this link. Thanks to Robert Wallace for drawing my attention to this.

Muse: Cleverly, they named themselves their own muse. No need for interviews then.

I’m ashamed to say it, but I fell in love with today’s song of the day as a result of an unhealthy obsession with Guitar Hero.

If you know me, you’ll probably know of my slightly obscure three year stint in GameStop. I managed to escape the games retail sector with only a few Guitar Hero shaped cuts and bruises, I haven’t become a Call of Duty die-hard fan just yet.

But this song, if I do say so myself, I seriously rock at playing on the good aul plastic guitar with buttons instead of strings. Hysteria does to me what a cold shower would do for a marathon runner on a hot day. Gives me shivers, refreshes me and makes me feel invincible. It’s a great feeling, if a little odd that a song can have that profound an effect.

To me, this song is 3 minutes and 47 seconds of ear pleasure.

Occasionally I’ll take a notion and listen to it on repeat for hours. It’s probably odd that I don’t know the lyrics considering the amount I’ve listened to it, but I concentrate so hard on the music that I forget to notice the words.

Please give Muse and Hysteria a go even if they’re not your thing. I made a teenage, Miley loving, Fall Out Boy obsessive (my sister) love Muse, I can do the same to you.

Inspired by Aisling’s wonderful choices, I went home and promptly ransacked my CD tower to find the tunes that I can’t live without. It’s a mix of old and very new, of credibility and not so much, but whatever; you can’t help what you like. So, here it goes…

JT Dancing: A master at work. Marry me?

Timbaland – Timbaland presents Shock Value: Speaking of the producer extraordinaire, his own album is just as good as anything he has produced for anyone else. While not possessing the typical music industry looks, he has firmly plonked himself in front of the camera and no ones complaining. The guest appearances read like he showed up to the Grammy’s, lured every act into a minivan (so gangsta) and brought them straight to his studio. Special mention must got to Release ft. JT and Bounce ft. JT (I’m seeing a love affair here) and Missy “I’m obsessed with Adidas” Elliot.

Panic! At The Disco – Fever You Can’t Sweat Out: This sticks out like a whore in the tax office from my collection – but I can’t get enough of the lead singer (and my future husband) and his sexy voice. Don’t worry, I’m not going to start dying my hair black and slitting my wrists, but I welcome this slightly emo gem into my life. Given to me as a lend from my friend Eoghan three or so years ago (no, I have not given it back – I now have squatters rights on it), it became highly overplayed in the Barron household. My fave is Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking her Clothes Off. Editing clearly isn’t their forté.

TQ – They Never Saw Me Coming: Remember this guy, singing about the Westside and the like. Turns out the rest of his album is also full of killers, not fillers. When I Get Out may actually make you cry and The Comeback will make you want to seek revenge and hope that he catches those fools who shot his baby mama – some people have no manners when it comes to gun play. Sheesh! I’ve heard from the Homies Hotline that he has been living under a rock since his short-lived success, but let’s hope he crawls out from under it soon to produce more tunes like these.

Girls Aloud – Sound of Girls Aloud: Love these girls! I couldn’t pick an album so I went with the greatest hits (can you believe they’ve been around long enough to actually have one?). When Nicola isn’t bleaching her body or Nadine’s not busy talking in an accent that is yet to be understood by anyone (you ever get the feeling people just nod and smile when she talks while quietly leafing through a dictionary), they are in the studio making one hit after the other and they all feature here. Personal faves include Something Kinda Ooooh (have no idea what it means but it’s damn catchy) and the under-rated Whole Lotta History.

Girls Aloud: Insert Girls Aloud/Girls Allowed pun here.

Pussycat Dolls – PCD: This debut from the burlesque beauties is still their best work. It won’t earn you any cool points but it will make you sing, wiggle, cavort and if you watch the videos, chain your fridge shut and join the gym. Nicole’s stomach is legendary. She must be half human/ half whippet or maybe her mother’s womb had a built in Ab-Roller. My fave, Buttons, is hot stuff while they get all sentimental on Stickwitu – they clearly swapped basic English classes for pole-dancing lessons – how else can you explain such brutal spelling? Oh, it’s meant to look cool and hip. Now I get it. Those clever Dolls.

DMX – And Then There Was X…: Warning: do not listen to this if you have a headache. He loves his shouting, barking and general angry behaviour. I’d love to meet him one day but he’s probably put me in a headlock and then a hospital bed…
Doctor: “What provoked such an attack?”
Me: “Well Doc, I told him I liked his album.”
Doctor: “And why is that?”
Me: “Well, I’m glad you asked. If you haven’t already noticed, being angry helps when you’re a rapper. You get some of the rage out while raking in the dough. This album is mad “that fool tried to bust a cap in my ass” anger and it’s a good sound for him.”
Doctor: “And what is your favourite song from said album?”
Me: “What These Bitches Want featuring Sisqo.”
Doctor: “Ah, story of my life.”
Me: “I hear dat.”

Westlife – Back Home: Moving about ten gazillion light years away in terms of music type, this would be another choice. I can hear mumbles of judgement, but I’m not listening. This is their latest album and the best in my opinion. The lads from the ‘wesht’ (and Nicky) make great, easy-listening pop records that I know more than a few of you actually like. Lovin’ the tracks I’m Already There and When I’m With You. While they should now technically be called a man-band as they start hitting 30, the genre of the boyband is making a comeback and if you’re gonna jump on board you might as well support the best

Slicker than your average maths nerd with acne and a walking stick

Thanks for that Susan. Anyone else that would like their Desert Island Discs displayed for the world to see, leave a comment!