Most Commented Music Blogs (1,259)

AUTOTUNE is a digital audio processor pitch correction software that can transform a mediocre singers voice to perfection. What it does to vocals is what Photoshop does to images!
Available as computer download software or rack-mounted stand alone device, Autotune has been around for more that 20 years and has become a standard in the recording industry.
While it's intent was to correct off-key singing, with the thousands of settings, Autotune can be adjusted to give all kinds of coloration and effects to voices like pitch change and robotic-like sounds.
Let's say, you cannot hit the high notes... sing the song in a lower key and have Autotune change the pitch to whatever key you need.

The first time I heard Autotune in use was Cher's recording of Believe. It's the 'pitch-shift' effect she used with a hard setting to pull the notes to standard tuning. That gives it a grainy and very unique sound.

Back in 2013, the metalcore band As I Lay Dying was in the middle of a tour, when their frontman Tim Lambesis was arrested and charged with soliciting a murder on his estranged wife. He met with a, unbeknownst to Tim, an undercover cop, and agreed to pay him $20.000 to carry out a hit.

Tim was subsequently arrested and thrown in jail in 2014, where he received a 6 year jail sentence, but he was released on parole in 2016.

I swore then and there, that I would refuse to listen to any As I Lay Dying, for as long as I lived, because I would not support Tim or his band. It went pretty well, until recently when I listened to this song, by accident



It only dawned on me, after about 25 listens, that it was As I Lay Dying.

So therefore I admit: I was wrong! I WILL listen to his band again, if they churn out bangers like this one!

22. Automatic 4 the ppl / R a pid ........ 70. Out of Time / eYe movement
......................................( 0.5 ) .......... 65. bee Thousand / guided by voices
17. Superunknown / soundgarden
..... d 3........................ 3. murmur / rem } rapid eYe move
Alternative Albums.......................... 2. remain in light / talking heads
digital dream door } ....................... 05. .................. [ Isa. 5
... 66. Speaking in Tongues / talking heads ... [ Acts, book of
... 61. This Nation's saving grace / the Fall
... 05.... ....... ) and so we observe; The instrument was put in play to be heard ) ) to be discovered, to bee remembered, to be repeated. Tis the nature of song & verse. The charting makes cent$ because people have been known to keep score. [ Prime reason of course } is to trump someone else's scoring.
.. 1. Nevermind / Nirvana ......................... 135. hybrid theory / L park
.. 4. ok computer / radiohead ................ 05. ) in British history......
.. 5. ) fastest selling Album ................. 130. Lo-end theory / Tribe called Quest
....... 41. Double nickels on the dime / minute men
....... 05. [ U2's 5th studio LP.................... 05. T H E
....... 36. Achtung baby / U2 ......................05. Joshua Tree
......... the Paradox is ..............................10. Ye Cure / Dis- Integration
the Chart-Masters at the Dream Door did not include
any of the 5 singles from J ... Tree in their Alternative song top 40. [ ?
... part 2. [ branch from the Tree above ] Alternative Songs, d3
92. Heart shaped box / nirvana.................... 96. You oughta know / A.M.
91. Academy fight song / .............................95. Mr. Brightside / the killers
90. Today / smashing pumpkins .................. 01......
... 110. Panic / the Smiths .................... 2. Love will tear us apart / joy division
... 109. man on the moon / R E M ........ 3. Radio free Europe / rapid eYe move
..... 01............ [ 76. Left of the dial / replacements
..........................75. bulls on parade / R A M [ rage against machine
72. True faith / new order
71. Still haven't found what I'm looking for / U2.... ) ) DNA what we were looking for was
1. Where the streets have no name .... if only for the Story Telling effect, let alone the
Tectonic force of the Intro & Edgy fret work.
.. 23. song 2 / blur ........................... 16. Just like heaven / the Cure
.. 22. personal Jesus / d mode......... 15. Wonderwall / Oasis
...... 58. Live forever / Oasis
.......57. Jesus Christ pose / soundgarden

One has to scroll deep into their song list before their top pick makes a story....
134. Ghost town / the specials
133. Lake of fire / meat puppets
..01. smells like teen spirit / nirvana..... ) standby for part 3

This could really happen.

13 years ago, drummer Mike Portnoy at the top of his career, decided to leave the group Dream Theater. After dozens of exhaustive auditions, the band selected Mike Mangini to replace him who played on an impressive one-third of their studio albums.
A year ago some negotiations took place and Portnoy decided to return to the band he helped form.

That's a bitter shock to Mangini and he took the change diplomatically stating:

“I understand Dream Theater’s decision to get Mike Portnoy back at this time. As was said from day one, my place was not to fill all the roles that Mike held in the band. I was to play the drums in order to help the band carry on," Mangini humbly states, "My main role of keeping our live show working tightly on a nightly basis was an intense and rewarding experience."

Deeply appreciative of his time in the band, he continues, "Thankfully, I got to experience playing music with these iconic musicians, as well as some fun times laced with humor. I also really enjoyed spending lots of time with the crew. And then there’s the Grammy win, which was amazingly satisfying."

Bidding farewell, he concludes, "To the fans: thank you so much for being amazing to me. I cherish the pictures I have of you all losing your minds and having fun. Finally, I really love the band, crew and management and wish them and the entire organization all the best.”

Mike Mangini performed well, going far more than he would have without his 13 years with Dream Theater. His new worth is reported $10 million and that in itself is an amazing accomplishment for a musician.
Having heard and seen videos of both drummers, I have to admit Portnoy has the edge on him for technique and assertive style. I'm sure Mangini will soon continue his musical success with another supergroup. He deserves it.

I blogged about the Canadian band RUSH having lost their drummer to cancer, had no plans to reunite. I thought Portnoy would fit that role, but it's too late. Mangini would be next in line for the gig!

I've increased my YouTube music obsession lately. The channel Drumeo came up on my suggested list. They offer drum lessons and do detailed videos on many famous drummers, breaking down equipment, background and a little documentary of the drummers they feature in each episode.

Stewart Copeland was one I enjoyed watching.

Best known as the drummer for the British rock band Police, I knew he had a unique style of syncopation and drumming rhythms that was key in the success of Police. Other than an American musician in England, I didn't know his background.
He's very open about family travels, his exposure to music from different cultures and very down-to-earth of his success as a drummer.

It's a 20 minute video and will probably watch it again a few times.

"Swear to God Bill Clinton gave me the key to Little Rock Arkansas and wildeyed raved that? Wang Dang Sweet Poontang was his favorite song ever! " Ted Nugent then posted this picture.

...25 years since he left, and now one billion hits. Albums like "Never Mind", and songs like "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Began a whole genre of rock. Biting lyrics. GF choices could have been better. We all have our weak points. Sorely missed.