tournament Choose The Album, Then a Song 9: And the winner is...

[ReachOut]

[Pedro]

The update is coming tonight!

[ReachOut]

1 minute ago, Pedro said:

The update is coming tonight!

how many hours left?

 

 

Edited February 15, 2017 by ReachOut

[Pedro]

1 hour ago, ReachOut said:

how many hours left?

 

 

 I will be doing it as soon as I get home which will be in aprox. 9 hours. Either way, guys! Thank you for the support on the "quit" topic! @Speezy  

[Rihlana]

1 hour ago, Pedro said:

 I will be doing it as soon as I get home which will be in aprox. 9 hours. Either way, guys! Thank you for the support on the "quit" topic! @Speezy  

The way you absolutely skull dragged them. The "I'm sure you won't be missed" part

 

SAVAGE 

[Pedro]

1 hour ago, Rihlana said:

The way you absolutely skull dragged them. The "I'm sure you won't be missed" part

 

SAVAGE 

I don't wanna be rude to them but I feel like they were rude to me, you know... 

[Queen Conchita]

10 hours ago, Pedro said:

 I will be doing it as soon as I get home which will be in aprox. 9 hours. Either way, guys! Thank you for the support on the "quit" topic! @Speezy  

SCREAMING at the 'you won't be missed' part

Edited February 15, 2017 by Queen Conchita

[Pedro]

 

ATRL's original game "Choose The Album, Then a Song" is back for its anticipated ninth season on its original concept.

 

If I'm honest, it looks like the game has started long ago but in reality we're only about to quick off the second round... I guess all this "quitting" drama makes it look exhausting at one point. We said goodbye to Verge Of Obscene and to Alena and that made me realize that I should focus and thank all of the people that make this game possible with their commitment - committed players and judges. Thank You. Before starting, let's review the rules.

 

 

1. There's not such thing as bad losers;

We are all here to have fun and share our favorite music with everyone.

2. Every contestant must cast a vote each round;

The main purpose of the game is to introduce everyone to new music. If this rule isn't applied, only the judges will benefit from it.

3. Every entry must contain a written part;

To fully understand your decision, you will be required to send in an essay along with the song chosen.

4. A song can only be used twice and can only be use three rounds after;

This will allow you to explore your album further.

5. Deadlines must be respected by contestants and judges;

Every Tuesday, the eliminated contestant will be announced along with a new round. Every Thursday, the entries will be posted. Every Sunday, the results will be posted.

6. There's no space for stan wars or called voters;

The main purpose of this game is to introduce everyone to knew music. Therefore, we don't want any fights or any type of voting manipulation.

7. The vote process is build up of two parts;

Every round the judges votes will be mixed with the public votes.

8. Be fair and do not be biased.

If you want others to respect your work and game, make sure you respect others too by not allowing your personal taste affect your votes.

 

 

Spoiler

It's time to get into detail. During the first round, you were asked to send in the song that best shaped your album... But that doesn't mean that the song chosen was the one that got you obsessed with this album up to the point you decided to play a game like this with it.

 

This time, you are supposed to send in that song that chained you into it. There's a lot of reasons why a song persuades you into an entire album: the rhythm, the catchy choruses, the meaningful lyrics, the usage of specific instruments or even the artist who is singing it! That's the purpose of this second round.

 

Please send in the song that chained you into its rhythm and thefore into your album's and explain why that song was so special (p.e. its instrumental, lyrics, vocals...) for that matter in no more than 200 words.

 

 

1. shelven: Sia - "This Is Acting": 'Cheap Thrills'

 

Spoiler

ROUND TWO: “CHEAP THRILLS”

 

 

When Sia announced This Is Acting’s unique concept, I immediately became excited by the prospect of this album providing a fresh change from her other releases. However, my excitement diminished when the lead single and first two promotional tracks all sounded like they could have fit on her previous album, and I started questioning if this album would truly offer anything new or alluring. Luckily, Cheap Thrills quickly and powerfully squashed these doubts, as everything about this track matched my hopes for This Is Acting. The song’s tropical instrumental and upbeat melody drastically contrast with Sia’s usual heavy and sombre music, presenting an ideal solution for those who longed to hear Sia’s signature vocals on a catchier tune. Cheap Thrills’ simple lyrics about preparing for a fun night out also dramatically stray from Sia’s comfort zone of emotional, metaphor-ridden lyrical content. While I have always loved the complexity of Sia’s music, I was also extremely curious to see the results of the acting challenge she was undertaking, and the carefree, catchy earworm that is Cheap Thrills made me realize how enjoyable This Is Acting would be, not only as a musical experiment, but as an album in its own right.

2. MusicLoverDude: Samantha Jade - "Nine": 'Show Me Love'

 

Spoiler

One of the things I like about Samantha is that, unlike other singers that come from Idol and X Factor, she isn't just focused on ballads. She's able to pull off doing uptempo, sexualized songs that bring out her more fierce, confident, seductive on-stage persona, as she is known to be very kind and humble. This persona is brought to life in Show Me Love. In this song, she has her sights on this guy that is interested in her at the club, and is ready to go home with him ("I got some things that you should tonight"). She knows what she wants, living in the moment and doesn't give a **** what anyone thinks ("But I don't give a what"). This attitude, combined with the infectious urban-pop instrumental make for quite the earworm of a song and it became an instant favorite of mine on Nine. It's a highlight of the album that has kept me coming back to the album to get to know the other songs that show Samantha's personality  

3. Rihlana: Halsey - "Badlands": 'Ghost'

 

Spoiler

Personally, “Ghost” represents the beginning of something beautiful career-wise, but the ending of something beautiful thematically. The production features instruments during the verses (guitars, drums) slowly building the mood and anticipation, crescendoing into a flurry of electronica in the chorus which was extremely exciting. Utilising the bridge at the beginning of the track is a clever way of foreshadowing the emotional roller-coaster that Halsey is about to embark on. “Ghost” did not portray Halsey as the victim, admitting that her constant need of the lover may be what drove him away, but it does portray Halsey as a woman who can communicate her emotions in a novel and nuanced fashion. The metaphor of the ‘ghost’ is used to represent Halsey's soul intertwined with her lover's, and she is heartbroken that she can no longer find solace (her ‘ghost’) within her lover, an extremely unique way of looking at emotional absence in a relationship. The video unapologetically features an LGBT relationship, fantastic for obvious reasons. Witnessing the beginning of this young girl who burst onto the scene with such a refined and expressive track kept me entranced and along with the reasons above ultimately chained me to the Badlands experience.

4. theycallmemaraj: Ariana Grande - "Dangerous Woman": 'Into You'

 

Spoiler

I am obsessed with Into You because the song is pure pop perfection. Ariana gives amazing vocals and the production is just heavenly. It got me excited to hear the rest of Dangerous Woman because the songs about sex and just having fun which is a different approach compared to her previous efforts. The background vocals are what make me still constantly play it to this day because there are so many layers to the song you could never get bored. Dangerous Woman is similar in this way because it’s not just a monotone album; there are multiple layers that entice you into replaying each song over and over. The final chorus of Into You is euphoric as Ariana whistles over the synth filled instrumental and leaves you wanting so much more. This gets me hooked to the song and the album because I don’t want her vocals to end, I could listen to them all day and still be in awe.

5. sumthintoxic82: Kelly Clarkson - "Piece By Piece": 'Dance With Me'

 

Spoiler

As a long time fan of Kelly's music, I knew I would love this album. I was correct with that when it was finally released. But the one song that REALLY hooked me into the album was "Dance With Me"

 

While Kelly loves all type of music, the pop/rock sound has been her main "sound". With this album, Kelly takes a new approach and goes more synthpop with hints of her pop/rock sound. I feel like "Dance With Me" is the perfect combo of her old sound, and her new sound on this album. It has this 80's dance vibe with rock elements that REALLY works with Kelly's voice. I could listen to this song anytime, even if I was in a bad mood. It has this universal appeal that makes it one of my favorites off the album. Once I hear it, I always have to finish the song, and them I always have to go back and listen to the album. I also resonate with the meaning of "Dance With Me", as it feels like an invitation to let your guard down. To release yourself from any problems, even if for just a moment, and feel free.

6. ReachOut: Hilary Duff - "Breathe In. Breathe Out.": 'My Kind'

 

Spoiler

 

The song I picked for Round 2 is “My Kind” that is my favorite song on “Breathe In. Breathe Out.”.

 

I still can remember the night “BI.BO.” leaked and I was falling asleep, but the curiosity pushed me to take a listen to my idol new album. I remember that I skipped “Sparks” and then “My Kind” started palying and OMG that sound really got me and shaked my up! The day after I took time to read the lyrics and wow, I was still with my ex (:biblio:) and I felt like he was “one of my kind” (poor me) so I dedicated the song to him. The “loving me right” was so appropriate and I really felt it.

 

I think the song is one of the song is one of the highlights on “Breathe In. Breathe Out.” both for the lyrics, it is a powerful love song and for the sound that is fresh and made it a truly bop.

 

When I think of the album, this is the song that I would and could listen in loop for many times and it never got old (even tho I dedicated it to my ex it still stayed one of my fave because I really love the sound of it).

7. M A R N ✮: Asking Alexandria - "The Black": 'I Won't Give In'

 

Spoiler

 

The Song I Choose For this round Is I Won't Give In, from this album this song is 
probably the one song anyone can enjoy and sing along too, This song really chanined me and anyone who has listen to the Black in, it's a song everyone knows from this Denis or this band even if you only enjoy pop or rap, this song can get anyone singing along and dancing to it, with easy chrous to sing too and mainly all Denis's clean vocals, out of the whole album this has the chrous EVERYONE can remember, even the lyrics is pretty deep though, Before Denis joined the band the old singer left so this song explains anger and when someone you truly called a best friend stabs you in the back and I think everyone can relate to a song like that so even that it's a song you can shout on the top of you're lungs of frustration.  Denis really put his effect into this song and this is why I choose this as my Chained into the rythem kinda track.

 

8. Vulnicura: Robyn - "Body Talk": 'Fembot'

 

Spoiler

The opening track of an album is incredibly important in sustaining listener interest in the record; it must be thematically interesting, sonically unique and catchy enough for extended listening. Thankfully, Fembot possesses all these qualities in a surprising blend of icy synth pop and Robyn's own firey swagger. As the opening track to both Body Talk pt. 1 and its collective compilation album, Fembot was the first song I heard from this record and remains one of my most listened to songs almost 7 years after its initial release.

 

Fembot discusses the notion of womanhood in a post-technology world, where the line between man and machine blurs and meshes in new and interesting ways, with these themes permeating the entirety of the Body Talk record that cements Fembot as the strongest entry point for the album. In addition, Robyn's playful interaction with the listener with its rhetorical lyrics and talkrap delivery create a memorable and catchy experience to repeatedly come back to. Through Robyn's unique and creative subversions of well explored themes like womanhood and technology, Fembot, and by extension Body Talk, continue to offer new perspectives and ideas with each listen.        

 

9. Queen Conchita: Conchita Wurst - "Conchita": 'Rise Like a Phoenix'

 

Spoiler

 

 

Stroll back to 2014, to the Eurovision Song Contest when a fierce Conchita Wurst stole and won the show with Rise Like A Phoenix. Conchita and Rise Like A Phoenix for me, were not like any other Eurovision entry, for which I’d enjoy watching and listening to in the competition, but never bother to look up again. Her special presence, enthusiastic personality and out of this world voice shon through in Rise Like A Phoenix, a bond-esque, cinematic, power ballad creating a winning combination.

 

The orchestral production really builds the momentum especially leading up to the middle eight section of the song.

 

I was forever amazed by how much Rise Like A Phoenix stuck with me, how it was so timeless and it's success worldwide post Eurovision. It was also the main reason ‘Conchita’ the album was born, with that I decided to explore more when it was released in 2015.  

10. Lion: Troye Sivan - "Blue Neighbourhood": 'Talk Me Down'

 

Spoiler

The first time I heard Talk Me Down I fell in love with it... It's such a beautiful song that we can all relate to. The song is my favorite on the album and is the one that made me listen to it.

 

This song is also the last in the "Blue Neighbourhood music video trilogy" that starts with Wild, then Fools and ends with Talk me down. In the first installment we see how Troye and his childhood friend fell in love, in the second one his friend pushes him out of his life because his friend's father doesn't approve of their relationship and then the last part starts with his friend's father funerals and ends with his friend's suicide. 

 

The video is really touching and gave me more insights on what the song really means.

 

What really touched me about Talk me down is the lyrics cause anybody can relate to them but also interprete them as they want... It can be about unrequited love, forbidden love, homophobia, etc.

 

"So if you don't mind, I'll walk that line

Stuck on the bridge between us

Gray areas and expectations

But I'm not the one if we're honest

But I wanna sleep next to you

And I wanna come home to you

I wanna hold hands with you

I wanna be close to you"

 

The music in this song is also really good and compliments the lyrics. It's dramatic with a slight touch of electro. The production really shines in the choruses because it has room to breathe. Usually you have some kind of hook in the choruses but in the song it's only little hums and oohs. It gives a really moody and athmospheric feel to the song. 

 

In conclusion, I really think this album is an amazing effort and I'm really glad Talk me down made me discover it! 

11. Tymps.: Lemon Demon - "Spirit Phone": 'Touch-Tone Telephone'

 

Spoiler

For this round, I chose Touch-Tone Telephone. The song is instantly catchy and a slight departure from the rest of the album in mood, humourously looking at the inner working of a conspiracy theorist's mind. The overt silliness and playfulness of this song are what initially captivated me. "Space Nazis," Leonard Nimoy, the Super-Sargasso Sea and Robert Stack are all namedropped without much context at all. The song is also a great introduction into the video game style sound of the rest of the album, as it's halfway between video game soundtrack and pop song. The song is fun and entertaining but also deep and complex, which is what I eventually loved about the whole album.

12. Speezy: The Weeknd - "Starboy": 'Love To Lay'

 

Spoiler

The Weeknd is a big name in the industry but it's not solely enough to make me purchase his album without listening to it. I personally love upbeat or steady RnB/Pop songs. Every time I play this album I always get stuck on "Love To Lay". This track channels is a easy dark pop-RnB ballad. What gets me chained to this song is the flow of the production and the lyrical setups in the track. 
The first verse of the song creates a image that you're in the room with Abel.

 

[ It has begun again, my friendIn this room, we are nothing but strangers in a bedYou made me fall again, my friendHow can I forget when you said love was just pretend?]

The lyrics and calming beat of the first verse always have me awaiting the chorus of the song so I can belt it the best I can. The chorus is paired with catchy lyrics and a steady beat. The chorus of the song have a simple and easy rhyming layout which is ([[A-A,B-A (repeat)] A-A]). For me that's my favorite part of the song because it gets me grooving and fully into it.
As this track progresses, minor details are added into the production and by time the outro beat starts is the moment when I want to repeat it 

13. lhdang2000: Adele - "25": 'Send My Love (To Your New Lover)'

 

Spoiler

“Send My Love” marks the first time Adele collaborated with Max Martin for the poppiest track of her discography. Being put on the second track of the album, only after ‘Hello,' the one that forms the material, the track continues to make the listeners anticipated how much she has grown.

 

Beginning with the guitar riffs, one might think she would once again go with simplicity, but up until the chorus does the song explode with a reggae vibe and handclaps. Adele’s storytelling vocal is also a remarkable highlight as she balances the lyrics, “Send my love/to your new/love-uh-uh” or “We’ve gotta let go/of all of our ghosts.” Not only does that make the song memorable and able to sing-along, but it also tells her emotion towards the man, she feels sorry (I’m giving you up/I’m forgiven it all) but also believes he doesn’t deserve her. (Treat her better). How can you not relate and at the same time, feel the rhythm of this breakup anthem?

 

Why being hateful when you can wish them the best? Adele finally did that. She doesn’t just give him up. She gives him up happily. And that’s enough for me to chain to the rhythm.

 

 

DEADLINE

 

February, 19th

 

Good Luck!

Edited February 16, 2017 by Pedro

[Pedro]

@shelven, @MusicLoverDude, @Rihlana, @theycallmemaraj, @sumthintoxic82, @ReachOut, @M A R N ✮, @Vulnicura, @Queen Conchita, @Lion, @Tymps., @Speezy, @lhdang2000

 

Edited February 15, 2017 by Pedro

[Queen Conchita]

Wait so can I not be voted at all (good or bad) in this round? How will I gain points? @Pedro

Edited February 15, 2017 by Queen Conchita

[Pedro]

1 minute ago, Queen Conchita said:

Wait so can I not be voted at all (good or bad) in this round? How will I gain points? @Pedro

I had announced before that you'd be immune for this round due to the fact you're starting an update behind. This round is solely for you to collect points. You'll be in the judges' hands but even if you come last you won't be eliminated.

[Queen Conchita]

3 minutes ago, Pedro said:

I had announced before that you'd be immune for this round due to the fact you're starting an update behind. This round is solely for you to collect points. You'll be in the judges' hands but even if you come last you won't be eliminated.

Ohh ok thanks! I thought I was still up for the public & judges vote but just immune wherever I placed. Got it now

[Pedro]

Just now, Queen Conchita said:

Ohh ok thanks! I thought I was still up for the public & judges vote but just immune wherever I placed. Got it now

That can also happen, if you'd prefer because it will not really interfere! Would you rather that option?

[Queen Conchita]

19 minutes ago, Pedro said:

That can also happen, if you'd prefer because it will not really interfere! Would you rather that option?

Would you mind if I was a pain and said I would?

 

Only so, if people voted me off i'd have an idea of what I could improve on next week

 

 

[Pedro]

1 minute ago, Queen Conchita said:

Would you mind if I was a pain and said I would?

 

Only so, if people voted me off i'd have an idea of what I could improve on next week

 

 

No worries!

[Speezy]

  oop guess who about to miss his great grandpas funeral to get his vote in

 

[lhdang2000]

8 minutes ago, Speezy said:

  oop guess who about to miss his great grandpas funeral to get his vote in

 

Lemme guess. You? 

[Pedro]

You kill me!

[thecptz]

8 minutes ago, Pedro said:

You kill me!

 are you fine?

[Pedro]

2 minutes ago, thecptz said:

 are you fine?

Always!

[Alldeezy]

[Speezy]

10 hours ago, lhdang2000 said:

Lemme guess. You? 

Put me in the coffin and call me Dan!!

Yes  

Edited February 16, 2017 by Speezy

[ReachOut]

Quote

DEADLINE

 

February, 19th (flexible due to this being the first round)

How many first rounds left?

 

[Rihlana]

27 minutes ago, ReachOut said:

How many first rounds left?

 

Clock him

 

 

[Pedro]

1 hour ago, ReachOut said:

How many first rounds left?

 

 Fine!