The End

As some may have noticed, I didn't post a Top Ten list for October. There are a few reasons for this, and it does point to a bigger announcement as well. While it has been a blast maintaining this blog, I've come to the decision that it is time to close it down.

First of all, this has been an amazing venture. It's been a great hobby, a great past time, an awesome way to research more about music, and learn more about the industry. Really, this whole blog has just been for my own personal fun and enjoyment.

As of this point, however, I've decided to move forward onto new projects. I feel like my efforts will be better directed towards new areas of writing. I still may post through social media my thoughts on recent music industry news or musical equipment, but this definitely won't be as frequent.

Thank you to everyone who supported this blog over the past few years.

Top Ten Songs for September

Almost time to start looking forward to Christmas music! To be honest, I've already started getting into the Christmas tunes, but I know everyone else will catch up soon.

1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
It's so cool that this band is from Ireland. Almost following in the steps of the most famous Irish band ever, U2, they're travelling all over Europe in 3 months. Sometimes it's just crazy how much bands play. You'd think the vocalist's throat would get sore, the guitarist/drummer tired, but no, they keep going night after night.

2. Let Me Love You - DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMs0GnYze34
Bieber just doesn't stop. Another huge hit produced, another collaboration. Again, this one is keeping with Bieber's new sound, and is actually very similar to Cold Water in many ways. The song builds and falls in the same way, utilizes the same kind of transition music after the hook, and uses the same sound.

3. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
Bethel Music is also coming out with a new album, from their new pair Jonathan David and Melissa Helser. They have some samples of their new songs on their website, and the last song is actually a radio edition of No Longer Slaves. I'm not sure how a different rendition of the song is going to sound, as I like the original so much, but we'll have to see.

4. Run Devil Run - David Crowder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ
After the David Crowder Band broke up a few years back, I was afraid that it meant one of my favourite worship artists was retiring. But both David Crowder and his band mates, although going their separate ways, have continued to make music. This is one of Crowder's newer songs, as he just released a new album.

5. This I Believe (The Creed) - Hillsong Worship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtUNQpu2b7Q
I'm absolutely mesmerized by the intro to this song. The quick piano notes in succession and then the eerie pause creates an amazing effect. It really adds to the worship feeling or vibe that the song is going for. The weirdest thing about it is the complete absence of some sort of percussion rhythm helping to get the song started off on the right beat. Of course, when they perform it they have a click track in their ears, but to the listener, it's an unique listen.

6. Dancing on My Own - Calum Scott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY
Kind of weird, but Calum Scott is only now starting to get famous. He just released this song along with different versions of it, he's only now starting to perform on talk shows like Ellen, and only starting to now get his name known in the States. Hopefully this sparks more music from him!

7. Boldly I Approach - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDnVD7gu5Y
So excited! Rend Collective is releasing a new album October 7th. A lot of the songs on the album aren't new exactly, as they rehash some of their most popular hits, but it should still be an exciting record. Titled Campfire 2, as part of their Campfire series, this should be a great album!

8. Yours - The City Harmonic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLtkKJuV0u0
I didn't actually notice this, but The City Harmonic has lost one of their key members. One of the endearing stories behind the band is the fact that they held a spot for their original bassist, while he got treated for some major cancer. Sadly, after rejoining the band, he has decided to leave for personal ministry reasons.

9. Merry Christmas Everyone - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3jn0LnxS5c
Although their Christmas album was actually released two years ago, I was only actually able to listen to it a few months ago. It's an absolutely amazing album, filled with older traditional songs, and newer material as well. A perfect balance.

10. Impossible - James Arthur - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhj15W23IjA
Such a powerful voice. It's so unique, yet absolutely conquers every note possible. James Arthur is also such a character, and an artist. He's struggled since being the most successful X Factor winner in British history, but he's finally started to remerge on the music industry scene.

Drake's Views Album Review

Rating: 8.2/10
Website: http://www.drakeofficial.com/
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/views/id1108737195

A Canadian pioneer in the music industry, Drake only adds to his stellar resume with this amazing addition. Views is the culmination of Drake's musical skill, his life journey, and his experience in the industry. It's great to see such great music being played worldwide with the artist still staying so connected with his home roots.

Even though I'm not a huge fan of this style of music, you can still hear the quality and expertise of Drake's music. This album has some amazing tracks. Drake relies on his smooth vocals to compliment the catchy beats within each song. The highlight of the album is definitely One Dance, a collab with Wizkid and Kyla. Drake seems to do his best when he is collabing with other stars.

Independent

How To: Change Guitar Strings Part Two

This is part two of the how to series on changing guitar strings. This post with include some visual examples with short explanations. For more in depth details, check out the first post in this series.

Step One

Step Two

Step One - Loosen the existing string. Make sure to remember where the string has previously been pulled through the tuning knob.

Step Two - Cut the loosened existing string. I tend to cut closer to the head of the guitar.

Step Three - Remove the cut string from both ends of the guitar. Clean the neck, the body, and the bridge.

Step Four - Add the new string starting by putting it into place on the bridge, and then stringing it through the tuning knob. Make sure to string it through exactly how the previous one was done. Leave the string a little loose to utilize while stringing it around the knob.

Step Three

Step Four

Step Five - Start to tighten it. Start by wrapping the string around the top of where it goes into the tuning knob, and then continue to tighten underneath. This locks the string into place.

Step Six - Tune.

Step Five

Top Ten Songs for August

Song of the summer definitely goes to Drake with One Dance. Justin Bieber made a very strong late run with new collaborations with Major Lazer and DJ Snake, which are two very good tracks, but Drake has remained on top. Dance music was definitely the genre that dominated throughout the summer.

1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
Kodaline is a very interesting band. This one song jumps out at me every time I listen to it, but I've been trying to get into their other stuff, and to me, it's just ok. Nothing else even comes close to the success of this song in my eyes. They have a sound which is great, but it's just too bland for me.

2. Cold Water - Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber and MO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a59gmGkq_pw
Scooter Braun is an absolutely amazing manager. He has helped turn Justin Bieber back into the musical dominant force that he once was, while maturing his sound, and expanding his audience at the same time. Bieber's new album was the launch of the project, and these single releases are even better. Sure, Bieber will still make a mistake here and there, but Scooter Braun has him on the pathway to future success.

3. One Dance - Drake - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IIspaicSnY
I don't really have a huge understanding or knowledge base of Drake's style of music, but even I can tell that he is extremely skilled at what he does. He continually churns out hits that have absolutely contagious beats and tracks.

4. Bummin - Relient K - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NLgFvOKrqI
Another band that has been extremely popular without me paying much attention is Relient K. They were one of the pioneers of the new sound of Christian rock. I actually really really enjoy listening to this song. Musically, the melody is set up in a simple but perfect and catchy way.

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
One thing that I've also really liked looking into is online worship training material. A lot of people that lead worship only have training in the form of mentorship or experience. Having someone like Bethel Music, trusted professionals, share their knowledge, and biblically teach on the artform of worship is an amazing resource. Bethel Music actually has an online School of Worship, which looks amazing!

6. Boldly I Approach - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDnVD7gu5Y
I really love the lyrics from this song. They're so eloquent, so worship filled. It's like a song from the heart right to God. I love listening to the song, and singing it, it almost feels like I wrote the words myself, that's how connected I feel to the lyrics.

7. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
Kind of a fun fact; Chris Stapleton defined his own album as an adult album, not for kids. He clearly has a deep connection with this album, and all of the songs on it. He describes his work with such love, and understanding of what he has done.

8. Dancing on My Own - Calum Scott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY
I really really hope that this guy isn't a one hit wonder. It seems that this version of the song was tailor made, so I really hope that he can find or write a very similar song. He has an amazing voice, and seems like an amazing character, so I really am hoping he becomes a big hit.

9. Cleopatra - The Lumineers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN5s9N_pTUs
Interestingly, a lot of websites list the Lumineers under the rock genre. I really believe that they are more folk then rock. They tend to rely on the instruments that are more so folk then rock, their songs sound a lot more folk then rock, everything seems to point to them being a folk band.

10. The Wolf - Mumford and Sons - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD3iXpv4h-o
Last month I drew similarities between the Lumineers and Rend Collective. This month I'm adding a third part  to that comparison. Mumford and Sons are a little more hyped up then the other two, and tend to enjoy more upbeat material, but they also rely on the folk genre.

How To: Change Guitar Strings

Seems like something extremely simple and basic, but in reality, this isn't always the easiest procedure. It's nice to have the knowledge of how to do it before actually going through with it. To start, I usually change my strings as soon as they start to sound off, or lose their shine. To prolong this, it's important to keep your guitars in the right atmosphere, and use string cleaner. Professionals will actually change their strings before every gig, while others I know follow the strict procedure of changing them every three months. Strings do after time wear out, so whatever practice you do follow, make sure you are changing them every so often.

There are different systems that strings are set up on. There's light strings, regular, studio, heavy, e.t.c. That just depends on what style of music you play the most. I've actually tried most of them, and certain ones are harder to maintain on the guitar, and there is actually a big sound difference and playability to them as well. Also take into account the different bridge systems for differing guitars. There's electric vs. acoustic (which isn't necessarily a different bridge system but does pose differences), Floyd Rose (terrible...), and many others.

In general, here are some tips on how to change guitar strings. First of all, go string by string. A common misconception is to take all of the strings off and then replace all of the strings. Instead, take one string off, replace it, and then continue. Start with the lowest E string, or 6E. Loosen the string by a few turns, and then cut the string close to the nut. Take out both ends of the string. Start near the bridge and attach the string, laying it all the way up to the tuner peg. Make sure you put it through so that the string is facing in towards the middle of the guitar. From there, bend the string around and start twisting to tighten it. Do one loop over top of the end sticking out, and then continue underneath. This makes sure the string doesn't slip. Once it is tight enough, cut the loose end off and continue with the rest of the strings. Make sure you tune right away after putting all the strings on.

The 1975's I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it Album Review

Rating: 9.1/10
Website: http://the1975.com/
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for/id1065068027

I'm trying to remove as much bias from this review, because I absolutely love this band and their sound. This album is the perfect progression for the group, as they evolve their sound, and continue to spread their music around the world. The 1975 tries to stay true to their original ideology while adapting some new styles to really ramp up this album.

While The 1975 was always going to have trouble replicating the top quality of their first album, they've done an amazing job producing a very good follow up record. With a natural progression, the band still holds onto its unique, pop rock sound that got it all started. Their genius lyrics continue to get better and better, while they add more electronic sounds to really develop the album even more. Again, each song holds something so different, it makes the entire album a joy to listen to.

The only hindrance to the album goes to the group's core. The lyrical content is sometimes over the top, especially with profanities. The actual themes aren't too too bad, but the execution could be much more efficient without the stressed swear words. Again, this is just the band's personality, so can't really be changed too much, but if it were to happen, The 1975 would become so much better.

Wikipedia

Chris Stapleton's Traveller Album Review

Rating: 9.3/10
Website: http://www.chrisstapleton.com/
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/traveller/id980334914

It's an absolute treasure to find music such as this. This is very much the announcement of Chris Stapleton on the international music scene. For many years he's been behind the scenes, writing out hits for some top artists. Finally he's decided to showcase his own talent, and he's still coming out with some astounding hits. His smooth, effortless vocals drive every track on this album forward. His ingenuity in song writing is crystal clear, and his musical creativity is well deserving of the excitement and respect that this album has generated.

The album is a perfect showcase of this artist's talent. Hit tracks like Traveller, Fire Away, and Tennessee Whiskey are the symbolism of the heart of Stapleton, with other tracks like Whiskey and You, and Nobody to Blame telling the story of the track. It is clear that the album is music straight from the soul of Stapleton. Actually, Stapleton stated that the album was really the result of his soul searching during a trip from Phoenix to Nashville after the death of his father.

Chris Stapleton 

Top Ten Songs for July

As of right now, I think Drake's in the lead for song of the summer, and possibly album of the year as well. Chris Stapleton is close behind, and there were a few more releases this month, including from Needtobreathe and Justin Bieber, but One Dance does seem to be the track to beat.

1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
I'm still in love with this song. The raw emotion behind the music and the vocals are exactly what I want from music. The musician is trying to convey a message, one that has to be close to the musician's heart, in order to be effectively portrayed. When an artist cares so much about their message and is able to connect that with music, the magic really happens.

2. Apologize - One Republic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSM3w1v-A_Y
This song is another that is really one in a million. It can fit into any movie, any TV show, really any dramatic experience. It's a classic, a pop song that will forever be remembered. It has a perfect combination of all the classic instruments, and really introduced the classic new pop drum beat.

3. Brother - Needtobreathe feat. Gavin Degraw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61Wm_qlVD4Q
One of the big releases of the month was Needtobreathe's new album Hard Love. It takes the band on a slightly different path, with a new sound that is starting to involve more electronics and synth. Still, the classical vocal sound remains, as does the root folky sound.

4. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
Over the past month, I haven't really picked up a guitar and played any music, which is really disappointing. When I do get the chance, this is going to be one of the first songs I tackle. I can't rate this song high enough.

5. Cold Water - Major Lazer feat. Justin Bieber and MO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a59gmGkq_pw
Can Bieber do anything wrong musically? While this definitely isn't Bieber's greatest track, it's a smooth, tame listen, with Bieber's vocals fitting in perfectly. He has an instantly recognizable voice, and is really starting to have a recognizable sound with this electronic dance music.

6. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
I don't really know, but I've got the feeling lately that I want to see what else this artist can do? What more does Chris Stapleton have to offer, where else can he take his music? That's a good thing and a bad thing. It means that the man has potential to do even more, but it also means that I'm beginning to turn away from his stuff, unless he comes out with more material soon.

7. One Dance - Drake - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IIspaicSnY
I'm not really a huge fan of Drake music, but he does have a few good tracks that are just too catchy to ignore. This is definitely one of them. It's got a very catchy hook, a good beat, and some good tunes to back it up. It's good to see some Canadian talent be well respected in the industry.

8. Cleopatra - The Lumineers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN5s9N_pTUs
I connect The Lumineers to Rend Collective. They both have similar sounds, and similar song writing skills. The Lumineers are very much storytellers with their music. Each song has a different message, that pans out telling a tale.

9. Dancing on My Own - Calum Scott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY
I love listening to good singing auditions. It's the moment you get to hear a new voice, a new talent. This is definitely one of the best auditions I have ever heard. It's a perfect showcase of his voice, a perfect showcase of his musical knowledge, a perfect showcase of his ingenuity.

10. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_weSk0BonM
The old adage that it's not what you know but who you know seems to be really true in the music and acting industry. One example would be Leona Lewis. Even though she really got her start through X Factor, she was raised attending the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. Thrust right into it from a young age; that's one way to do it!

Top Ten Songs for June

Still not a great month for songs of the summer. There really hasn't been a whole lot of good new material. It seems all the top artists are on breaks, or currently touring, but not releasing new songs. This still presents a good opportunity to go back and take a look at any older music that may have been passed over.

1. All I Want - Kodaline - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOCmC_m23E
I actually stumbled onto this song after watching a YouTube video of a Voice contestant Stevie McCrorie covering it for his blind audition. The song is right in my niche; acoustic, emotion driven, and so eerie. It really has that x factor that sets it apart especially in my books.

2. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
Amazingly, Chris Stapleton doesn't only churn out hits under his name, but he writes for some pretty big artists as well. He's written songs for Adele, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Sheryl Crow, and George Strait. Those are some pretty big names singing your songs.

3. Alaska - Maggie Rogers - https://soundcloud.com/maggierogers/alaska
Another one I accidentally stumbled onto. Actually, I think someone shared a video of this on Facebook, of this young college girl meeting Pharrell through a school program, and playing this song for him. Throughout most of the video Pharrell was extremely nonchalant. With this song though, his interest was immediately perked. You can tell when a song is great, simply by the reaction of the people listening.

4. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
Of course, the top contender for song of the summer was written by a Canadian artist, again. Ruth B. is 20, coming from Edmonton Alberta. This song has actually been around for over a year, but it was only made popular early this year, which makes it the frontrunner for this year's song of the summer.

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
One of the coolest things about this band is how they brand themselves. To them, it's all about "a community of worshippers." Their mission statement is all about pursuing the heart of God, finding Him in every aspect of life, and expressing that through the freedom of worship.

6. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
I've mentioned it before, but the 1975's lead singer Matt Healy is an extremely intellectual guy. He seems to have some strong radical political ideas. And he's never afraid to speak his mind. I think that's why so many young people love his work, and follow him ardently.

7. She's American - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFYiOtjB608
Another new song from the 1975's new album. This one, at least to me, sounds extremely similar to some of the other ones from their previous album. I'm actually surprised at this, I tend to think of the 1975 as an extremely unique band. But this song isn't actually that unique to them. The lyrics are though!

8. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
While Sheeran is taking a break, it provides some time to really appreciate his older work. The lyrics are incredibly insightful and creative, marking him a true singer-songwriter. Sometimes it makes you wonder where these artists come up with these ideas!

9. From the Day - I Am They - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjuRFwwvaw
The style of music from this band is extremely similar to Rend Collective, which is probably why I like them so much. It's extremely folk, and very catchy, which is kind of the direction that worship music seems to be veering towards these days.

10. Til the Day I Die - Toby Mac feat. NF - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLZ_MrPplk
I've never really been a huge fan of Toby Mac, even though he's considered one of the best Christian artists of all times, just because of how he revolutionized the industry. To be honest, this is really the only song of his that I can listen to over and over.

Top Ten Songs for May

Surprisingly, there weren't too many new songs breaking onto my top ten list for May. Usually the month serves as the launching pad for summer songs, but there weren't many new summer songs released. Because of that, some new favourites returned to my list, as well as many from last month.

1. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
I love the guitar work in this song, especially the slide guitar. Probably one of my favourite parts of country music is slide guitar. It's such an uniquely sounding instrument, really adding a whole new dimension to the genre of music.

2. Lost Boy - Ruth B. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuHdkSj5nGc
This is probably the only newer song that broke onto my list for the month. Apparently the song started off in a six second vine. From there, the artist got signed, released an EP, and has this song dominating radio play. Actually, it's quite surprising, usually slower songs like this don't get as much radio play.

3. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
The 1975 recently released their new music video for A Change of Heart, which once again showcased their intellectual and creative genius. This video particularly focused on their creative skills, which can be clearly demonstrated throughout their music as well.

4. Shine (Kygo Remix) - Benjamin Francis Leftwich - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u0JNlScNWs
I actually picked up on this song from a tweet that the lead singer of The 1975 sent out. It's another British singer songwriter, and this guy's probably the most unique of all of them. His vocals are so eerie, and actually, this remix dumbs down that feeling just a bit to create a more smooth song. But the original is great as well, as are a lot of Leftwich's other songs.

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
This song has caught on around Christian circles so much that other artists have begun releasing covers of the song. One such band who very recently released one such cover would be I Am They, whose hit song is From the Day. They released a cover that is extremely similar to the original, yet has some very different harmonies in it, vocally.

6. Lego House - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU
An older Sheeran song, but one of his best. This might actually be the song that launched his international stardom. Classic hip hop acoustic style, with unique lyrics, it's a perfect Ed Sheeran tune.

7. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTIB10eQnA0
This is one of those old classics that will always be one of my favourites of all time. I love when a song relies heavily on an unique acoustic lick like this one. You could sit there and play it all day, while adding certain variations, and just having fun with the basis of the song. Those small licks are what makes a song a classic, and so special.

8. Touch and Go - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2cR3zy38DU
One of the newer songs on my list, and it really isn't that new. It's from Sheeran's live album from the concert he played at Wembley which was a huge feat for him, selling out three straight nights at the venue. This song is actually probably one of my favourite upbeat songs from Sheeran, with him still relying heavily on his acoustic.

9. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
Sometimes musician's schedules are absolutely insane. One minute they're non stop recording in the studio, the next playing a different venue in a different city every night, and the next traveling all over for promos. For example, Stapleton over the next few months is absolutely crazy.

10. Heartbeat - Matt Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
One of the coolest things that you can see in a musician's career is the development of their skill. Matt Kearney's development is insane. He's stuck true to his original sound, but has gotten better and better with each year. This new album is so much better!

How To: Troubleshoot an Effect Pedal

Dawsons

Perhaps one of the most tricky, and most frustrating, aspects of owning an effect pedal would be when something goes wrong. The pedal doesn't work at all, or your sound gets some interference in the form of noise. Especially when you have it hooked up with a multitude of other pedals on a board, your whole system can be ruined just with that one weak link. And sadly, it isn't an easy fix solution. It takes a lot of time to fix, again especially if it is in a system on a board.

There are some different possibilities in regards to the problem when it comes to malfunctioning effect pedals. It could actually be something with your guitar, or the actual pedal, or the amp, or the cables, or the power supply, or the order of the pedals. Isolation is key to figuring out what exactly is the issue. Take each possibility in a step by step order. Plug just the guitar into the amp, use different cables, try using a different power supply, plug just the one pedal in. It takes time, but it truly is effective.

From there, the best option is to get a professional to take a look at your equipment, or simply swap out some of the cheaper equipment such as cables and such. You can try playing around with the wiring of the pedal or guitar (the input jack tends to be the issue with both), but you can create more problems for yourself when you try that. The best bet is to get it professionally fixed. But troubleshooting allows for you to not waste money, and correctly identify where you need to invest in order to create the best sound that you can.

Top Ten Songs for April

April was a month of new country music for me, mainly because my car radio was constantly set on the country station. I also renewed my interest in Keith Urban, especially since his new album is dropping soon. The artist of the year so far has to be Chris Stapleton too, coming from the country industry. His vocal prowess is absolutely amazing.

1. Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ujS1er1r0
This is one of those country songs that I picked up on from the radio. For me, I think the radio is kind of like the newspaper; it will never go completely obsolete. I may be wrong, but I think in one way or another the radio will always be around. It's one of the greatest ways to discover new songs.

2. Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c
With all of the new music this year, it just happens to be an artist with an album from 2015 that is making headway as the most exciting and talked about musician of the year. Chris Stapleton's vocals are the top coming from the country industry in recent years, and his style is so smooth and unique. Watching him live, everything he does is just so effortless.

3. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
I'm running out of good things to say about The 1975. Everything that they do is absolutely stunning. The only complaint I do have about them would be their actual lifestyle, which sometimes comes through in the profanities in their lyrics. They seem to be hooked on drugs, alcohol, and sex. Remove all that, and they still would be amazing. I don't think that lifestyle is their key selling point at all.

4. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
One reason all Stapleton's songs sound so amazing would be the harmonies that are included. The majority of these harmonies are sung by Chris' wife, Morgane, who also has her own individual career. Actually, the two met while working at the same publishing house, and now work together, while having two kids as well!

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
I really want to experience this song live. I think it's one of those special ones, that's going to have a different reaction each time, simply because of the different emotional impact it's going to have on different people. My favourite worship songs are ones that spark something, that motivate people, that inspire the church, that reignite passion. This song can definitely do that.

6. Youth - Daughter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QT5eGHCJdE
Some awesome news regarding this developing band. They just announced a visit to Toronto soon, June 12th. This is great, especially after the release of their new album Not to Disappear. Top new song off of that album would be Numbers. The new album tends to be very similar to their sound which is great, with maybe the addition of a little more electronic synth instruments. Still, a very unique style.

7. Change of Heart - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63uwYBmOvKM
Lead singer of the band, Matty Healy is actually incredibly intellectual. He continually talks about the theory of music and its unique styles. One of his big talking points has always been the use of cell phones in the crowd to film the concert. He's actually stopped a live performance before to get people to put down their cell phones. He says that in order to actually experience the performance, you can't have a screen in front of you. The electronic version doesn't help you relive it at all; it doesn't come close to the actual thing.

8. Heartbeat - Matt Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
Matt Kearney loves to use odd beats to drive his songs. Almost every one of his songs utilize a backing click track that is funky, catchy, and extremely pop driven. His music might be the closest I have ever seen to being considered true pop. Some might argue there are some hip hop influences, but I think he has really mastered a strong pop sound.

9. Come Thou Font - Adam Young - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfQO99HVogE
Adam Young or as he is better known as, Owl City, is a really unique artist. He has tons of hidden material floating around on the internet that has never actually been released. He uses Soundcloud and BandCamp to just experiment, and sometimes he produces gems like this unique version of Come Thou Font, my favourite hymn ever.

10. Fallingforyou - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3JJxS0gNkE
This song is just so eerie. It's got a great groove, and the same kind of synth electronic vibe that classified the band first album. An absolute stunner, the lyrics are also extremely well written. Apparently, this is one of their favourite songs to play live!

Top Ten Songs for March

Another good month of music discovery. I was mostly excited about The 1975's new album, which has solidified them as my favourite band. But some older songs have also risen back onto my charts, including an older 1975 song. And the new music will only continue to pour in, with the Lumineers raging back, Blake Shelton, Eric Clapton, and more releasing new albums in the coming months.

1. Youth - Daughter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QT5eGHCJdE
Another British artist rising to the top of my charts! Not only are they taking over my musical rankings, but they are also dominating the world wide charts. Ed Sheeran, Jamie Lawson, The 1975 recently, and now Daughter. Britain is definitely doing something right!

2. This Must Be a Dream - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55wfl5lpoAM
The sound of this new album is completely different, yet strangely similar for the 1975. The sound is definitely more pop, with more synth and electronic sounds moving away from the regular instruments, but they are still present, and driving each song forward. It's more of a development of their sound, or what they wanted originally with their first album.

3. A Change of Heart - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvgpsy6dJgs
With the debut of a new album means a new tour. The 1975 are so big now, that they get a worldwide tour. They'll be visiting Toronto May 20 at Echo Beach. A smaller venue then others in Toronto, but it should still be an amazing concert. The show is almost sold out, with the remaining tickets being slightly higher priced.

4. Fierce - Jesus Culture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II1JKBuz-AY
I know that I've said this before, I think for the song One Thing Remains, but Chris Quilala has an amazing voice. This song, while highlighting many other strengths of the band, puts a spotlight on the vocal talent of their lead male singer. While it doesn't sound like much, the transition from the verse to the chorus vocally is extremely difficult in this song. Jesus Culture is a master of dynamics, and a big reason for that is Quilala's voice.

5. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
Kind of like Jesus Culture, Bethel Music is actually a group of musicians separated into many different bands. They each serve in different cities under a church that is part of this Bethel Network. The singers that lead this song are husband and wife Jonathan David Hesler, and Melissa Hesler, who are extremely talented.

6. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEuk8j8imI
It's kind of cool how the past two years, the top songs have been ballads (or a form of one) with Thinking Out Loud and this one. Obviously, Ed Sheeran has had an impact on both of these songs, again showcasing his amazing talent, but Bieber has a big part to play in this song as well. His musical team also deserves a ton of credit, especially Dan Kanter the musical director.

7. Simplicity - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8p3n5wzFpM
I love the message behind this song. A lot of times we approach life with such complexity. We try to make a lot out of really what can be so simple. The same can be said with worship. We try to add theatrics, lights, musical additives, and more to create something that can be done with none of all that. Worship is simply connecting with God. Why try to make it more than that?

8. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
The music video for this song was just released in February. The idea behind it is fantastic, and the execution is incredible. In a very eerie way, the video aims to bring attention to mental health awareness, in partnership with The Campaign to Change Direction. A great artist with a great song, siding with a foundation for an amazing cause. That's someone who is using their gift for the right reasons.

9. Medicine - The 1975 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lur5B3a4_fk
This is a lesser known track from the 1975, as it was released as a single, in between their two albums. It still is an amazing song, a perfect embodiment of The 1975's sound. It's kind of weird though. Multiple British bands released songs titled Medicine around the same time, with Daughter being one of them.

10. Collide - Howie Day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca9ub9rpNK4
A classic. It seems though, as if the covers of this song are more popular than the actual original. An acoustic version of this song particularly has the potential to be great, with the track extremely open for an artist's unique touch.

Justin Bieber's Purpose Album Review

Rating: 8.5/10
Website: http://www.justinbiebermusic.com/
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/purpose-deluxe/id1049605561

An extremely celebrated return for one of the most promising artists of this decade. Justin Bieber has gone through a lot already, going from international stardom to a worldwide disgrace. But he returns with maturity, development, and purpose with his new album, vaulting him back into the forefront of the musical industry. The new album aptly titled Purpose landmarks another important turning point in his career, and offers an unique insight into the life of a pop star. The album itself is classical Bieber tunes, filled with strong vocal performances, catchy songs, and revolutionizing music.

The album is highlighted by top top international hits such as Sorry, What Do You Mean, and Love Yourself. Relying on catchy unique pop tracks, Bieber uses his new electronic sound and his classic vocal prowess to create hit after hit. Past his top three tracks, Bieber backs his album in strength with Company, I'll Show You and Mark My Words. The rest of the tracks are also unique in their nature, including some cool new artist collaborations.

This album is an excellent addition to Bieber's resume, a perfect step in his career. Hopefully, this marks the return of his sanity, an improvement in his maturity, and a new chapter with his music.

Wikipedia

The 1975 The 1975's Album Review

Rating: 9.4/10
Website: http://the1975.com/#
Purchase: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/the-1975/id686362512

One of my favourite albums of all time. I'm so surprised that this band isn't that popular, or in particular, this specific album. It is one of the most solid throughout in every aspect, especially in today's industry. The band is extremely unique, especially in the philosophy behind their music. That belief, and idea, definitely plays through in this album. It's all about the music, rather then the production.

And the music that they have created is amazing. It's extremely unique in this industry, a kind of pop rock synth mix. The band themselves calls their music black RnB, and while you can definitely see those influences in the songs, the style is much harder to classify then that. Title tracks Robbers, Chocolate, Girls and Sex are very similar, relying slightly more on an conventional sound then other singles such as Menswear, Pressure, and She Way Out. The awesome thing about this album is that each song has something slightly different then the other, but you still can't identify a weak song throughout the record.

This is a young band, and one that will continue to develop, and find a sound that they will stick with for a long time to come, but this debut album is absolutely a hit, and marks excitement for the future that is well deserved.

Clash Music

Top Ten Songs for February

This was definitely a good month of new music. Not only have I included some great new songs, there was also many other new releases, and some new discoveries that unfortunately didn't make it onto the list for this month, but will definitely be here next month. One of those bands is Daughter; check them out!

1. Dancing on My Own - Calum Scott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSinMOs5eGw
Unfortunately, you can't find this song everywhere. It's not even on iTunes! Calum Scott was a contestant on the British X Factor, finishing in third place, but this audition was the highlight of his time on the competition. His vocals are almost identical to Maroon 5's Adam Levine, and his control over his pitch is absolutely amazing, and perfectly suited to this unique cover.

2. Every Giant Will Fall - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW63lCBOaVo
A lot of people seem to forget that Rend Collective isn't only a band. They spent a lot of their time doing others thing as well, including a devotional blog on their website. It seems as if they are just investing in this project, but they have some really cool ideas up there right now, especially in regards to the holiday season, what worship is, some devos out of their songs, and other amazing ideas.

3. Fierce - Jesus Culture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II1JKBuz-AY
Jesus Culture has released a lot of new music lately, and while I do like their new stuff, there's nothing really that's as good as something from their older stuff, like One Thing Remains. The only song that actually comes close is this Fierce song. It's slightly more upbeat, and the lyrics come from a great, unique idea.

4. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
I still strongly believe that this is where worship music should aim to head for this year. An altar call of a song, it tugs at the heart strings, and opens up so much passion in any listener. Musically, this is what worship music is all about; laying it all out before God. Bethel Music has done an amazing job creating this particular song.

5. From the Day - I Am They - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjuRFwwvaw
Heard this song over a weekend retreat, and I have to say the song leaves a lot of room for some very good covers to be done that could even be better then the original. The original is very close to sounding like a Rend Collective tune, but the vocals aren't quite as distinct.

6. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEuk8j8imI
Still my favourite song from Bieber's new album. I would have thought that this new album would help Bieber cater to an older audience, but to be honest, I've only noticed a slight increase in attention from the older demographic. And really, that interest is only coming from those in their early 20s. I'm sure Bieber is fine with that, but I expected more interest from those in their 20s, and even some who are in their 30s.

7. Simplicity - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8p3n5wzFpM
The song is right up my alleyway. Acoustic, passionate, an amazing lyrical idea, another amazing worship tune. Rend Collective is typically labelled as a one dimensional band, with only the folk vibe to them. However, this song proves that there is much more to them.

8. Heartbeat - Mat Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
Believe it or not, I'm not a huge fan of concerts. I've actually only been to about 6 concerts in my whole life. There are only a few select artists that I would actually go and pay to see, and Mat Kearney is one of them. Apparently his live stuff isn't full of gimmicks, but it's a good, down to earth, musical performance.

9. Wasn't Expecting That - Jamie Lawson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AydFkrm6UrU
One thing that I've really realized is that a lot of newer artists that go on world tours seem to pass Canada by. It's kind of disappointing, especially with the major cities like Toronto not even being on the list. Jamie Lawson is one such artist. He's doing a lot of stuff in the States, but nothing in Canada.

10. Fire Away - Chris Stapleton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18AhUXAILWE
I also love this artist's vocals. Again, the raspiness lends an amazing helping hand to the emotion generated. The only complaint that I have in regards to this artist is that the majority of his songs sound the same. While I have only listened through his whole album once, it seems like his voice is very one dimensional, and therefore doesn't create a whole lot of variety throughout his songs.

How-to: Set Up A Pedalboard

Rather then talk about how to physically make a pedal board, or the actual schematics of the board, I want to discuss the actual order of the effect pedals. Maybe at a later time I'll share some tips in regards to physically creating a board, but this post's purpose is all about how to properly set up the equipment on the board.

The first step is to have a good power supply. It is best to have all your pedals connected to the same power supply, although it is not necessary. Having them all connected to the same source removes any chance of additional noise. However, my pedal board does have separate power supplies, and I've found this doesn't create too many problems. The best way to connect your pedals is through a daisy chain. A daisy chain can connect to a single adapter, or to a power supply box (the best one being the VooDoo Lab - http://www.voodoolab.com/pedalpower_2.htm). From there, it loops every pedal back to the same power supply.

From there, the order of your pedals is next. Again, there are no set rules for the set up of your pedals. At times, you have to consider the physical makeup of the board you have and the room for certain pedals, as well as the actual type and brands of your pedal. Find the best set up by experimentation. Look for a good, clean sound, easy access to pedals, and an aesthetically good looking board.

A good suggestion is to always start with your volume or wah pedals. From there, add your distortion, overdrive, or compression pedals. Within this type of pedal you can also get different orders, depending on what effects you have. Throwing a boost in front of a distortion will add more distortion, whereas adding overdrive or compression after a distortion pedal will increase the volume, without adding much to the distortion level. It all depends on what sound you are looking for.

From there, go into your modulation effects. This includes your choruses, pitch effects, phasers, e.t.c. After, add into your delays and reverbs. These tag on at the end to effect your total sound up to this point.

Don't forget to plan out space for tap tempos, tuner pedals, and any other additional effects (maybe like a looper or expression pedal). Because these are simply add on pedals, they are connected to a certain other effect pedal, and therefore don't have to be in a specific spot. It just depends on the space on your board.

An additional note should be put in for the ever growing in popularity multi effect pedals. The new trend seems to be adding a multi effect pedal to a board with other single effect pedals. Personally, this is what I have done with my board, and I love it! Depending on what multi effect pedal you get, it can drastically change the order you choose to go with. I go into my multi effect pedal right off the bat, and from there into my wah, into a delay, and end with a looper. I've got tap tempos on the delay and looper, an expression pedal on my multi-effect (that is normally dedicated solely to volume control), and I make sure my multi-effect is always running a reverb, a distortion, and then leave an open spot on the pedal for whatever I please. Again, it comes down to experimentation to see what works best for you, and what sounds the best as well.

Top Ten Songs for January

New year, and a new start for my top ten music monthly lists. Some consistency can be seen in this list between the last one of 2015, mainly because January never marks the real start of the year for the music industry. Newer music tends to be released closer to March, which marks the pick up of the industry.

1. No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
The vocals from the lead singer for this song are absolutely unique. So unique in fact, I don't think anyone would be able to perfectly replicate the tone. It's just so raspy, and fluctuating, that you can try to produce the same enunciation, but it would be extremely difficult.

2. You Will Never Run - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONYUM3v35S4
I've heard this tune in multiple places, showing that Rend Collective's Christian fame isn't dying down at all. This new album has only solidified their place in the Christian music industry. The song is very similar to the original stuff that Rend Collective came out with, which makes it even better.

3. Heartbeat - Matt Kearney - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acScCRFIFNc
I love Matt Kearney's style. It's a combination of hip hop and pop to the extreme degree. However, he doesn't feel pressured to conform to the contemporary idea of the genre, and continually pushes the boundary with his music in a way that excites and motivates. This song is extremely upbeat, catchy, and simply amazing.

4. The Woods (Ghosts Remix) - Hollow Coves - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-fxSQazjvs
I've heard this song on at least three TV episodes now. It seems to be a very popular remix to use throughout multiple media venues. The original is also very good, not as reliant on electric instruments, and slightly slower, but still very good.

5. Every Giant Will Fall - Rend Collective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW63lCBOaVo
Another song from the new album from Rend Collective. In fact, this is the only other big hit song I can see coming from the new record. It is written in a very similar style as You Will Never Run, one that really suits the band. It's a folky, pop, kind of vibe, that is amazing in a worship setting.

6. Love Yourself - Justin Bieber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyEuk8j8imI
I'm not sure why all the news about Justin Bieber nowadays is about his appearance, or his conduct. I would have thought by producing such a mature, amazing album, the focus would have shifted to his talent. Personally, I think Bieber deserves that respect now, especially with his comeback.

7. Wasn't Expecting That - Jamie Lawson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AydFkrm6UrU
Even though Ed Sheeran is going on break, we still have his protegee Jamie Lawson. While the majority of the year will be spent promoting this record, if it does as well as it is doing now, then I think we can expect to see some new material from him closer to the end of the year.

8. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA
Fresh off a great victory in 2015, Thinking Out Loud is still on the list for 2016, which is another amazing tribute to the song's level. It is close to being the song of the decade, with Sheeran rising to an internationally famous artist. I'm disappointed he is taking the year off, but can't wait to hear what he'll come out with next.

9. I Believe in a Thing Called Love - The Darkness - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRYNYb30nxU
Definitely a weird song, with some interesting use of vocals. But it's a classic rock song, complete with superb guitar riffs, a standard basic progression that drives the whole song, and of course flamboyant lead singing. It's upbeat, with surprisingly wonderful lyrics, making it a perfect case of a classic 90s rock tune (even though it was released in 2003).

10. Someone Worth Dying For - MIKESCHAIR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlj2G1pvKTw
I still love this song. I've been searching through Mikeschair's other material, but this is definitely their top song. The song is insightful, piercing, and purposeful. Not only that, but the music itself is extremely well done. It is fairly simple, yet provides room for the passion of the song to move.

Year Review/Preview

Sophomore year for Delayed Distortion and it was another successful one, with a slight increase in performance compared to last year. The blog was close to finishing out at 2000 views for 2015, compared to 700 in 2014.

The majority of my focus for the blog was once again on my monthly top ten lists, which had a great year due to the booming music industry. The insight generated through these monthly posts also helped paint a picture of the industry, which I found an extremely interesting and exciting venture throughout the year.

I was also happy to conquer more album reviews this year, and many from different genres. I hope to continue this, with more and more albums this year. A big goal for this upcoming year is drumming up reader response, which I hope to also include in regards to which albums I review.

I was fairly pleased with the work I did in regards to starting up the musical equipment expertise part of my blog. I hit up some key effect pedals, and this year I hope to have some interesting ideas up my sleeve to build up this aspect of the blog.

A goal from last year that I didn't end up touching on was musical news. I desperately think this is an area that I need to work on, and an area that will drastically help create interest in my blog. This will be my primary focus for 2016.

As I mentioned previously, another focus for the New Year will be on creating reader response. I want to hear what my readers want to see on the post, what they think of my content, and what direction they want this blog to take.