I had stated my intent earlier to buy an individual copy of a compact disk that is semi random and to judge its content. I do this not because I feel that I can or should, but that I would like to improve my own skills in listening to music as music to me is more then just noise. Music is a feeling, a story, a release from the mundane and takes you, the listener to new heights in
understanding or so much more.

To begin my thoughts on individual compact disks, I was walking through the Exchange and happened to see the name of a band that I once listened to on the radio but never went and purchased their music. Now the music I purchased that day (Thanksgiving was upon us, the great gobbler demanded we eat his children before more mundane matters of feasts for the ears) while called Tantric, the band itself was the second incarnation of the group with only the
front man a one Hugo Ferreira continuing on due to reasons of the other band mates not willing/unable to continue. Now I knew of this line change from back in the day when the disk I actually purchased first came out, however I wanted to give the band a try with this critique and see where it went from there.

The disk I chose was called 'The End Begins' and departs from the original Tantric in a few subtle ways most apparent is more noticeable on the second track intro, but first the beginning track has a subtle accompaniment entwining with the other instruments of a sad violin. The first part of the song is great with the sharp guitar rifts and follows with lyrics that set a slight tone of sadness for the disk. Possibly sadness is not the correct word but what at has passed is sad but still Tantric goes on. Now the second song departments from melancholy rifts to the more aggressive voice of challenge, Down and Out, the second song is an anthem. Flat out this songs states to take the punch's but in the end you don't know my strength, and I will show it to you. Continuing with the disk brings us to the third song titled The One which has Hugo as lead with Kevin Martin of Candlebox offering his vocals for the song as well. Now this is a more upbeat song and a solid addition to any playlist with each voice adding a uniqueness to the contemplated song.

Now sadly for the rest of the disk there are a few disappointments that do shine forth. Any song I ever listen to, I hate hearing repetitive lyrics, and I am not talking about the chorus either. There is a noticeble repatition in the following songs that shouldnt be there and if the songs where thought out a bit more the disk could have been steller but repetition, no matter how good detracts from the product.

Now originally I just thought to give my voice to what disks I buy and my opinion on them, disk and band. I will take it once step further to actually give a rating of 1 to 5 with the description as follows: 5 is a great disk, I whole heartedly recommend buying it ... 4. Worth buying, worth listening, it may not come off the shelve every day, but it will be there ... 3. decent disk, worth the cost, and recommended ... 2. If you have it, alright and if you don't then don't worry about, at least worth one good listen ... 1.Stay away. Not worth yours, or my time. If the first disk of the band then not worth the bands but if a second disk, not worth the producer.

Mainly I will say that The End Begins is worth a solid 3 and well worth a few listens, but after about 10 plays its on my shelf and will come down once more, just not quite yet. That of course is my decision, your decision to purchase is, of course, yours to make.

The Beginning

Everyone comes to a point in their life where they feel that life is unfair and are unsure where to go to next, a future of uncertainty and a past of regret. The future is uncertain for everyone, but the future is what you make of it when you lay the foundations of today. I am tired of being insecure, uncertain, and little to no self-confidence in areas of my life. Now, no-one can just say "I will be different" and be different, a person will actually have to work to garner a bit more out of life. At this stage in life I am 27, living on my own, paying my bills, and trying to be a better person with the hope of seeing and experiencing more from life. Please, I hope I am not misleading or weaving in and out to much but I want no "pity" or "understanding". What I want is your attention if it is even only occasionally because I need to move forward and I will say how on this blog. I propose to myself a challenge, no not a challenge I always hate challenges, I guess that I will instead request from myself knowledge.

Part 1 of this revamped blog deals with my like and interest in music, eclectic taste that it is (you will see no country, if unless by proxy). I will every week or so go to a store and buy a physical cd, I will try to stay away from big chains (Best Buy and/Target) and instead go to places like Wicked Disks or even the Exchange. I will listen through the disk and critique the album through thoughts, feelings, and emotions which will be shared via blogger. Everyone has the right to tell me I am wrong but please just read it for what it is, my voice on the matter.

Part 2 of this blog will constitute dinner, and yes I am serious, I will prepare a dish I have never had with the equipment I have available. I am extremely disheartened with myself in that I thought moving out on my own I will eat better but as anyone can tell you that is never the case. I will use a recipe from a blog or website, list the website and make the dish. I will give thoughts on the dish, tastes and whatnot, and also if I would ever make it again.

This is what I have requested of myself and I hope I follow through. The first cd has been purchased and I will give my thoughts on it soon.

Nathan