21 Hooligans Shooting Lasers From Different Angles

For "New" Music Monday, I decided to write about March Madness. No I am not talking about basketball, but about my mad dash to the nearest music store (in this case, Target and iTunes) for a music haul this past March. Now some of you may be looking at the title of this post and be scratching your head. What is she getting at now? Well my title "21 Hooligans Shooting Lasers From Different Angles" would make one heck of a song-title wouldn't it? But it's actually a semi-clever title combination of the four albums that I purchased during this month: 21 by Adele, Doo-Wops and Hooligans by Bruno Mars, Lasers by Lupe Fiasco, and Angles by The Strokes. This is the most albums I think I have ever bought in one month. All of these artists I admire in different ways and contribute to my songwriting inspirations. This post consists of how I discovered the artists, a brief review of what I think of their album, and what they contribute to me as a writer and a fan of music. 
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Adele: the stunning soul

How did I discover Adele's music? I really can't remember the exact moment I first heard or saw her; but if I had to take a logical guess, it was most likely on a VH1 video countdown with her song "Chasing Pavements." I absolutely loved the video, song, and her voice. Later I was cruising online and heard her newer songs "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You," which became bombarded with millions of views on YouTube and critical praises from fans  also and critics. I was so excited to not only hear that Adele's 21 hit number one a few times, but was the highest selling debut all this year in the US. Her album has also broken records in the UK. Many fans are thrilled that a young female artist bares her soul instead of her body and still sells. I wanted to support an artist like so to possibly pressure the pop industry to sell more beautiful talents instead of sexy gimmicks. But that's a discussion for a later post.

21 is the sophomore release of Adele following 19, her 
successful debut record. 

Adele's voice is definitely high-class drawing comparisons from the divas that came decades before her. As much as I was impressed with Adele's stunning vocals on the album 21, I think I was even more impressed with her songwriting. It's very soulful and you can tell that she is emotionally invested in her music. There is an autobiographical aspect to it that draws in listeners. Adele is definitely a storyteller. 


So how does Adele inspire me as a songwriter? She definitely draws past influences to create music that is timeless. When I listen to her, I imagine what she was feeling when she wrote her music. Sometimes I have to analyze my emotions when writing because it may cause me to become even more connected to my work. Many times I hesitate drawing from my own experiences in my music. I just feel others' experiences make better stories. But many times, it's our own stories that makes for a more authentic and genuine flow to the music.

Don't be afraid to write what you've lived. Every story needs a storyteller.

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Bruno Mars: the charismatic craftsman

The first time I heard Mr. Mars was on the radio at work. The song of course was the massive hit "Nothing On You" with rapper B.O.B. I didn't know who made this song at the time but I remembered hearing this record and it actually being the only song that I looked forward to hearing on repeat on the radio at the time. Then I heard Bruno's name again featured on "Billionaire" with Travie McCoy, which became an official summer anthem in my apartment last year. I really liked this new engaging voice in pop music and was hoping that he became a successful soloist instead of just a "featuring" artist. That became a reality when Bruno's first two solo singles both hit #1 on the Billboard Top 100, a difficult feat for any artist especially a new one. But it wasn't until I heard and saw the video for "Liquor Store Blues" with Damian Marley when I became even more impressed with Bruno Mars. I also came to the conclusion that I had to have his record. I got this album off of iTunes because I was too impatient (and/or "lazy") to actually get the physical album, though now I kinda wish I did.

All in all, I feel like this album shows two sides to Bruno Mars. It shows the charismatic romantic that entrances and swoons with melody-driven pop tunes. Then there is the edgier side seen in tracks like "Liquor Store Blues" and "The Other Side" which tends to show off more of his artistic potentials. There are other tracks on the record that mix together other influences and ingredients into a musical melting pot all his own. It's a solid and savory concoction of a debut album that personally leaves me wondering what recipes he will come up with next.

Doo-Wops and Hooligans, released back in October of 2010,

is noted to be influenced by a wide variety of music genres and artists.

At times, I feel like my work screams identity crisis. I love writing all kinds of music about different subjects in different styles. Many books and articles on writing songs would tell me to pick a genre, stick with it, and master it to the point of success. I feel like Bruno Mars is one of the most adaptable and versatile artists and writers in pop music now. He personally inspires me to be proud of my diverse musical interests, and work with that into something I can truly enjoy and have fun writing and listening to.

Don't be worried about labels. Write what you love.

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Lupe Fiasco: the visionary vanguard

When Lupe first emerged out of my native Chicago, many of my friends became huge fans of his; but I never took the time out to listen to him. It wasn't until December 2007 when he performed on my college campus that I was heavily impressed with the rapper. I became hooked and got both Food and Liquor and The Cool a few weeks later. Both records are two of not only my favorite albums by any artist but, I feel, two of the best hip hop albums of all time. I, like many of my friends and other fans, eagerly awaited LupE.N.D., his highly-anticipated third album. But along with delays and such, fans had to wait until 2011 for Lupe's third album entitled Lasers. In the album art, I see "losers" in lights but an "A" spray painted in red. I think this is Lupe's scarlet letter that he wears in the rap industry. It is a label for being an intellect and, at times, a political pundit that is an uncompromisable force in hip hop.

According to Lupe Fiasco, Lasers is an acronym

"Love Always Shines Everytime, Remember 2 Smile"

That is to say, I have heard avid fans of Lupe's are actually disappointed in Lasers. They argue that Lupe was sick of the delay of his third album and compromised with his label to create a more "radio-friendly" release. My opinion is if you compare it to other rap albums of the past few years, it is a great record and subject to winning some hip hop album awards for this year. However if you compare it to his first two studio albums, it stands as the weakest. I think that the record at times showed tension. The catchy choruses appeared, at times, too overbearing in some songs and competed against Lupe's verses and flow. Despite so, Lasers went to #1 it's first week being Lupe's first album to do so. This can either mean his label will give him more creative freedom for his next record, or could mean "old-Lupe" is in the past and the new material is what sells. Regardless, I think many fans (such as myself) bought Lasers blindly because we loved for the old material and wanted to support one of the rare gems of the hip hop industry. Some of my favorite tracks are "Till I Get There," "The Show Goes On," and "I'm Beaming" and "Shining Down" previous releases available on the deluxe edition. Lasers may be more "radio-friendly" indeed, but he still sets his phasers to stun.
Lupe inspires me because of his delivery and intelligence. Despite some saying that he did indeed "dumb it down" to please his record label, he still delivers. He is definitely one of the only rappers today that can truly be called a lyricist: someone who desires to make you focus on the words being said, rather than the catchy and bass-driven beats. He still makes you think and question the motives of the hip hop industry and its commercialization of an art form. With that being said I believe that music can be fun and catchy, but I do appreciate complexity and depth. As a writer, I would love to marry the two concepts together in many of my works.

Don't be hesitant to say what has or hasn't been said. Be your own.

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The Strokes: the rebellious rockers

Angles is The Strokes first album in five years after their
third record First Impressions of Earth (2006).

So I am actually kind of ashamed on when I started actively listening to The Strokes. It wasn't until I watched the viral video "Boombox" with The Lonely Island from Saturday Night Live. I didn't know who the singer was that was featured on the song. But I loved his voice. After a little research, I found out Julian Casablancas was the lead singer of The Strokes. I did recognize a few of their songs/videos like "Someday" and "Reptilia" from years ago, but I never was into their music or anything similar to it back then. However, when I became hooked to Casablancas's voice I not only bought his solo record but got all of The Strokes albums. Just like with the aforementioned artists, I was hooked. From there, my liking for indie rock music kind of skyrocketed as well as my appreciation for the indie music world. Music fans enjoy and support the work who don't sells millions and millions (as if album sales were as lucrative as they used to be). It offers one to branch outside the top 40 to many different music possibilities and styles. 


With that being said, die-hard Strokes fans will be disappointed if they want their favorite band to resurrect their ground-breaking Is This It? debut in Angles. The record had songs that I loved at first listen. But the record as a whole definitely grows on you. It is different than their previous records with many tracks and sounds could have molded nicely in the 80s. It is that new wave vintage mix that makes for a good comeback into the forefront of indie rock. My favorite tracks on the album "Machu Picchu" "Two Kinds of Happiness" "Taken for a Fool."


I was in depressing writer's block around the time I discovered The Strokes. They, and other bands I grew to love, not only brought me out of it but challenged me to write in a different way. Write lyrics that others can misinterpret based on their own experiences. Compose music that sometimes is not pleasant at first listen. Yes, that goes against much popular music ideology; but I think it is a healthy exercise for budding and established songwriters. It exercises our minds and abilities and eventually we start to care less about writing hits and more on the art of it all. Before music was a business, it was an artform. 

Don't be scared to take risks. Your audience is out there.

***All of these albums I have purchased physically or downloaded from iTunes. Even though I could have easily gotten them for the free, I am a fan of all of these artists I am fans of and I truly believe in supporting them. No I have not purchased every track of the thousands of songs in my music collection, but I realize that downloading illegally as a musician is kind of hypocritical, for I would want people to support what I create. The politics of downloading in the music industry is a touchy subject of course and how one acquires their music is their own prerogative. It may be crazy as a broke college student behind on her rent to pay $10+ a pop for these records, but hey I'm mad. Mad for music.***


~L~